News - page 18

iPhone SE 4’s in-house Apple 5G modem could deliver major power savings

By

iPhone SE 4 rumors
iPhone SE 4 will be a big upgrade over the iPhone SE 3.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s next iPhone SE might use the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16 and 8GB RAM. It will also use the same cameras as the iPhone 15.

The upcoming iPhone SE 4 will reportedly sport a new design that will see Apple ditch the physical Home button. It will also stand out for being the first product in Apple’s portfolio to use its in-house 5G modem.

First iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 patches fix serious bugs

By

iOS 18.0.1 removes a headline-making bug
iOS 18.0.1 removes a bug that irritated many iPhone 16 users.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Apple released iOS 18.0.1 on Thursday to fix an annoying bug that made the touchscreen unresponsive on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. The new iPadOS 18.0.1 corrects several problems, too, including one that bricked some M4 iPad Pro units when installing the original iPadOS 18 version.

In addition, macOS Sequoia 15.0.1 and visionOS 2.0.1 also arrived Thursday with minor bug fixes.

New Oura Ring 4 enhances comfort and dynamic health sensing

By

Oura Ring 4
Oura Ring 4 enhances comfort and health sensing over Oura Ring 3. But where is Apple's smart ring?
Photo: Oura

The new Oura Ring 4, with a sleek and subtle design and improved health sensing, is now available for preorders, ŌURA said Thursday. Shipping of the new smart ring — which is sure to spark a new round of speculation on when Apple will launch its own — begins October 15.

“The next-generation Oura Ring 4, reimagined Oura App, and the development of the Smart Sensing platform represent significant steps forward for wearables across accuracy, comfort, personalization and design,” said ŌURA CEO Tom Hale.

NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition hits the basketball court

By

NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition doesn't skimp on graphics or features.
NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition doesn't skimp on graphics or features.
Photo: Apple Arcade

NBA preseason games start this weekend. If you didn’t make the draft this year, you can still get in on the basketball action with NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition, which launched Thursday. This is the definitive basketball game for Apple devices, and each new annual upgrade adds even more features.

The feature-packed offering is now on Apple Arcade for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.

Pair faces 20 years in jail over iPhone fraud scheme [Updated]

By

Fake iPhone fraud scheme
Take note: Trying to trade in 5,000 fake iPhones for real ones might not work.
Photo: Photo: Donald Tong/Pexels CC

A federal jury found two Chinese men living in Maryland guilty Tuesday in a fake iPhone fraud scheme. They attempted to defraud Apple in a $3 million scheme to replace fake iPhones with real ones, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said.

Haotian Sun and Pengfei Xue’s mail fraud convictions carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

UPDATE: Five years after their arrest, Sun was sentenced to 57 months in prison and Xue was sentenced to 54 months in prison, according to Justice.gov, for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud. And the judge ordered Sun to serve three years of supervised release and pay $1,072,000 in restitution. Judge Kelly ordered Xue to serve three years of supervised release and pay $397,800 in restitution.

Apple TV+ greenlights season 2 of Colin Farrell’s gritty detective series Sugar

By

Get ready for gritty detective series in Colin Farrell's 'Sugar'
Colin Farrell stars as a private investigator in Sugar, a neo-noir thriller returning for season two.
Image: Apple TV+

The mystery that unfolded in the Apple TV+ series Sugar will continue with season two. The streaming service approved more episodes of the dark, gritty tale Wednesday. Highlights of the first season include a brilliant performance by Colin Farrell, as well as what was called “one of the greatest plot twists in recent TV history.”

“It has been incredibly exciting to see audiences around the world embrace Sugar, and we are thrilled to return for a second season,” said executive producers Audrey Chon and Simon Kinberg in a press release.

Where’s Wanda? might be funnier in German [Updated: Now streaming]

By

Apple TV+ trailer for German comedy Where's Wanda
The trailer is dubbed in English, but the series is supposed to air in German (with subtitles of your choice).
Photo: Apple TV+

There’s an old stereotype that Germans aren’t funny (because they’re so orderly, strict and serious, supposedly). But with a new trailer for German-language dark comedy Where’s Wanda?, Apple TV+ seems to want to prove that stereotype wrong once and for all, American sitcom-style.

But is it funny? Sort of. It’s also just odd because the trailer is dubbed in English. The show is supposed to be in German. And that may feel more natural and less like an imitation of an American sitcom than the trailer does. But most American viewers will need subtitles for the show itself. So get ready for that when the eight-episode series debuts October 2 on Apple TV+. It might actually be funnier in its mother tongue, even with subtitles.

UPDATE: While the trailer was dubbed in English, you have language options when you watch the show, streaming on Apple TV+ as of Wednesday. We figured this would be the case. You can watch it in German, German with English subtitles (recommended) or dubbed in English (or in other languages, like Spanish). Jetzt ansehen!

Watch this teardown utterly destroy AirPods 4

By

iFixit teardown destroys AirPods 4
A scan showed almost no difference between AirPods 4 with and without ANC, aside from the placement of one mic.
Photo: iFixit

iFixit performed teardowns on the new AirPods 4 and AirPods Max with USB-C on Wednesday, issuing repairability scores of 0 out of 10 for the tricky earbuds and 6 out of 10 for nearly unchanged headphones — and utterly destroying AirPods 4 in the process.

“AirPods have historically been a nightmare to take apart, consistently earning 0 out of 10 on our repairability scale, but their bigger and more expensive sibling the AirPods Max are bordering on repairable with the first version earning a 6 our of 10, thanks to a relatively easy disassembly process,” iFixit said.

8 best new features in the Notes app in iOS 18

By

Everything new in Notes app in iOS 18
Notes gets some useful usability upgrades in iOS 18.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

In iOS 18, Apple adds several handy new features to the iPhone’s Notes app. These upgrades will help you create better, easier-to-follow notes while significantly speeding up the overall process of creating said notes.

AI-powered summaries should make it easy to review long notes, while Smart Script will help make handwritten notes legible. Below are the top new features coming to the Notes app this year.

Easily delete your Mac’s system junk with JWizard Cleaner

By

System files piling up all over the place in your Mac will eventually slow it and might crash it.
System files piling up all over the place in your Mac will eventually slow it and might crash it.
Photo: Brett Sayles/Pexels/CC

Just as your house accumulates dust and trash, your computer gets cluttered with unnecessary, often automatically generated, files known as “system junk.” The files pile up gradually and then start affecting your Mac’s performance. Fortunately, simple tools like JWizard Cleaner quickly and easily clean up your Mac so you don’t need to do it manually.

Wolfs becomes most-watched film on Apple TV+

By

Wolfs becomes most-watched film on Apple TV+
Pitt and Clooney star in "Wolfs," the most-watched film in Apple TV+ history.
Photo: Apple TV+

In a major milestone for Apple TV+, star-studded thriller Wolfs emerged as the most-viewed movie in the streaming platform’s history, according to new report. The achievement highlights the film industry’s ongoing debate over theatrical releases versus straight-to-streaming. With George Clooney and Brad Pitt’s star vehicle, Apple pulled back from a broad theatrical release to a limited one before streaming.

Apple might rely on China for iPhone parts after fire destroys Indian factory

By

More iPhones are made in India than you might think
India's loss is China's gain.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s iPhone production in India hit a major hurdle following a fire at a Tata Electronics plant. The fire, which occurred over the weekend, will seemingly have a 10-15% impact on the production of older iPhone models in the country.

More importantly, Apple will fall back on its suppliers in China to meet the component shortage.

iPad Air could be in for a quick performance upgrade

By

Apple Pencil Pro and M2 iPad Air
M2 iPad Air might be replaced with a faster model in early 2025.
Photo: Apple

The revamped iPad Air debuted in May, but there’s already word that a replacement is on Apple’s drawing board for early next year.

Apple will apparently improve the performance of the Air, which will make deciding between it and the iPad Pro more challenging for tablet shoppers.

iPhone SE 4 with Apple Intelligence on course for early 2025

By

iPhone SE 4 rumors
iPhone SE 4 could get an intelligence boost.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iPhone SE 4 will debut early next year, according to a reliable source, and supposedly will support Apple Intelligence, the AI-powered features coming soon to iOS, macOS and iPadOS.

Apple’s 2025 budget handset reportedly will receive a significant redesign. And previous rumors suggest the handset will come with an upgraded display, too.

New Apple Podcasts features focus on narrative series

By

Apple Podcasts narrative series
Apple Podcasts launches a new Series category as well as Series Essentials, which celebrates one series each month that best defines the category, beginning with Ghost Story.
Photo: Apple

To enhance users’ podcast listening experiences, a suite of new Apple Podcasts features will “elevate and celebrate narrative series,” Apple said Tuesday. Series refers to multi-episode stories. Updates introduce a Top Series chart, a dedicated Series category and a new editorial initiative called Series Essentials.

“Serialized podcasts are some of the most impactful shows in podcasting, featuring captivating voice talent and best-in-class writing and sound design. They are the stories we can’t stop thinking about and are talking about even years later,” said Ben Cave, Apple’s global head of Podcasts.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible catalog with a new Top Series chart, Series category and Series Essentials on Apple Podcasts, making it easier for listeners to discover their next favorite show,” he added.

What Macs and iPads to expect at Apple’s rumored October event

By

Apple October Event rumors 2024
This year’s Halloween treats might include new Macs and iPads.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Mac and iPad users have a lot to look forward to in October: rumors say an Apple event should bring new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models with the M4 chip, with a new iPad mini and budget iPad also on the agenda.

Here’s what to look forward to at an October Apple event, plus the products that’ll likely come even later.

California governor vetoes major AI safety bill

By

California governor vetoes AI safety bill
California's bill tried to put some teeth into AI safety regulations. It won't be the last try.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

On Sunday California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1047, a set of controversial artificial intelligence safety regulations with several mandates for companies, objecting to its approach. So the state’s many AI players, including Apple, won’t have to change how they work or face potential penalties because of that particular legislation.

But despite leaving SB 1047 unsigned, Newswom said he does believe in the need for AI safety regulation.

iPhone assembly in India could be hampered by fire at Tata plant

By

More iPhones are made in India than you might think
Apple efforts to increase iPhone production in India might have hit a snag.
Photo: Cult of Mac

A Tata Electronics plant in Chennai, India, that makes components for iPhones reportedly caught fire on Saturday, halting production.

It’s not clear yet how this will affect iPhone assembly in the country. It’s certainly not good news for Apple’s efforts to become less dependent on China.

Apple smart display with Apple Intelligence coming in 2025

By

HomePod with a 7-inch display concept
homeOS could power Apple's new low-end smart display.
Concept: Rajesh/Cult of Mac

Apple might launch a new smart display running a new operating system called homeOS early next year. The device could feature FaceTime integration and act as a smart home controller.

The low-end smart display, code-named J490, seemingly will act as a companion to a long-rumored, more-expensive tabletop iPad on a robotic arm.

iPhone 16 Pro: What we like and what we don’t [The CultCast]

By

The CultCast episode 660: iPhone 16 Pro review
Join us for episode 666 of The CultCast. It's the podcast of the beast!
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After nearly a week with our new iPhone 16 Pros, it’s time for a spirited conversation about the things we love — and several things we don’t. The Camera Control is undeniably interesting, but touchscreen problems and software glitches take a little of the shine off the new iPhone experience.

Also on The CultCast:

  • We also discuss what Cult of Mac reviewers had to say about the regular iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10. We can’t help but be a little jealous of those new iPhone colors.
  • Why you don’t need to worry about a weird “upgrade to iOS 18” message on your iPhone that’s already running iOS 18.
  • And finally, Erfon talks about seeing the new satin black Apple Watch Ultra 2 in person — and why he walked away without one.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Spy thriller Slow Horses season 4 pulls in a huge audience week after week

By

Gary Oldman in Slow Horses Season 4 streaming on Apple TV+
This, believe it or not, is Gary Oldman starring in Slow Horses.
Photo: Apple TV+

Season 4 of Slow Horses stayed at the top of a rating’s company’s popularity chart for the second week. This darkly funny espionage drama starring Gary Oldman follows a team of British intelligence agents who’ve all made career-ending mistakes yet are somehow always in the center of the action. New episodes stream each Wednesday on Apple TV+.

Plus, Apple’s crime comedy Bad Monkey starring Vince Vaughn held onto popularity, too.

Today in Apple history: ‘Here’s to the crazy ones’ who ‘think different’

By

The Apple
Do you remember when Apple told you to think different?
Photo: Apple

September 28: Today in Apple history: Apple 'think different' television commercial says 'here's to the crazy ones' September 28, 1997: Apple debuts its iconic “Think Different” ad campaign. The television commercial aligns the troubled computer company with some of history’s most celebrated freethinking rebels.

The most famous tagline in Apple history, “Think Different” doesn’t just articulate how Cupertino differs from its competitors. It also highlights how Apple, under the leadership of CEO Steve Jobs, will forge a future far different from its floundering, money-losing days of the early 1990s.

Last chance: Apple Back to School promotion ends soon

By

Apple Back to School promotion ends soon
Nice deals for students and teachers end September 30.
Photo: Apple

Launched in June, Apple’s annual Back to School promotion is still in full swing — but time is running out. The Apple Back to School promotion ends soon, as in Monday (September 30), so eligible students and faculty members have only a few days left to receive up to a $150 gift card on select Mac and iPad purchases. Apple also offers a 20% discount on AppleCare+, its premium support and repair service.