News

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on News:

iPhone SE 4 might avoid Apple’s screen notch

By

iPhone SE 4 camera upgrades
Rumors point to the iPhone SE 4 being surprisingly advanced.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The iPhone SE 4, expected soon, makes the Dynamic Island universal on current Apple handsets, according to a generally reliable tipster. If true, it means the iPhone SE 4 will skip the screen notch previously expected.

It’s already virtually certain that Apple’s upcoming lower-cost model will drop another bit of obsolete tech: the Lightning port. And the Home button is on the way out, too.

Apple dedicates homepage to Martin Luther King Jr.

By

Apple MLK Day homepage takeover
Apple celebrates MLK Jr Day with a "Homepage Takeover" every year.
Photo: Apple

As it has done on every Martin Luther King Jr. Day since 2015, Apple used nearly all of its website homepage to pay homage to the slain Civil Rights Movement leader Monday. The page is filled with quotations from King and links to learn more through a free book by the icon in Apple Books and a feature article about him in Apple News.

iPad Air with quicker M3 chip appears imminent

By

Woman working on 13-inch M2 iPad Air
A faster iPad Air with the M3 chip could debut soon.
Photo: Apple

An iPad Air with a speed boost is on the way, according to a report posted Friday by a generally reliable source. The tablet won’t have Apple’s latest processor, though.

And a cheaper alternative, the iPad 11th generation, also could launch soon.

Shocker: iPhone 17 Pro’s camera will be even better [The CultCast]

By

AI-generated cartoon image of iPhone 17 Pro with a comically long telephoto lens. The CultCast logo, episode 682.
OK, so maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration.
AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors indicate the iPhone 17 Pro camera will get a major upgrade. Shocker!

Also on The CultCast:

  • Just how thin will the iPhone 17 Air be?
  • Three lesser Apple products should get big upgrades in 2025.
  • The next version of CarPlay might be even more awesome..
  • With the Severance season two premiere imminent, the creative Apple TV+ marketing is off the hook.
  • Erfon and Griffin get jazzed about the recently hyped Nintendo Switch 2.

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.

Silo going out big while Severance comes on strong

By

Apple TV+ sci-fi mystery SIlo stars Rebecca Ferguson.
Apple TV+ sci-fi mystery Silo stars Rebecca Ferguson.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Apple TV+ sci-fi series Silo didn’t lose viewers as it approached the end of season two. It stayed on the lists of the top 10 most popular streaming series maintained by two ratings companies. just as it has since new episodes started appearing in November.

And Apple’s deeply odd workplace drama Severance did well with audiences as its season two premiere approached.

How the Apple Watch SE 3 could go carbon negative

By

Apple Watch SE 3 rumors
Apple Watch SE 3 might actually be good for the environment.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The plastic used to make the casing for the upcoming Apple Watch SE 3 will be taken from the ocean, making it environmentally friendly, according to a tipster.

The next-gen smartwatch will supposedly be more colorful so it’ll appeal more to an important demographic.

Apple will stream star-studded FireAid benefit concert

By

Apple will stream FireAid Benefit Concert
The concert, loaded with star talent, streams January 22 on Apple TV and Apple Music.
Photo: FireAid.org

Apple TV and Apple Music will stream the upcoming FireAid benefit concert to help victims of the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, a new report Thursday. The concert lineup so far includes Billie Eilish, John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Sting and many others.

The concert will rock out in two Los Angeles performance venues near each other, but most people will get to see and hear it via streaming services.

HomePod with a large screen still set to launch in 2025

By

HomePod with a larger Display concept
A HomePod with a larger touchscreen -- perhaps something like this concept -- is supposedly on the drawing board at Apple.
Concept: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly picked the companies to supply the display for a screen-equipped HomePod scheduled to reach the market later in 2025.

Previous reports say the device will put more emphasis on functioning as a hub for a smart home than current HomePod models do.

iOS 18.3 will nuke bogus notification summaries for news stories

By

Apple pressured to drop AI news summaries
The inaccurate notification summary that sparked the criticism.
Photo: BBC News

Following major criticism from major media outlets, Apple is making changes to how its AI-powered notifications summaries work with iOS 18.3 beta 3.

The newest iOS 18.3 beta disables notification summaries for apps in the news and entertainment categories. It also makes several other changes to highlight the feature being in beta and potentially generating summaries with errors.

Apple TV+ streaming market share holds steady but no growth

By

Apple TV+ best quality and other streaming service logos
Apple TV+ goes up against tough competition.
Image: Cult of Mac

The Apple TV+ share of the U.S. streaming market stayed at 7% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to an analysis. That’s the same share Apple TV+ achieved in Q4 2023, though up slightly from where it stood two years ago.

Still, the service seems to have settled solidly into the “also ran” category in the battle for streaming supremacy. But it’s a role Apple itself seems comfortable with.

Severance season 2 promos try to out-weird the show itself [Updated again]

By

Severance season 2 promos
In a "Severance" season two marketing stunt, Lumon Industries employees toil behind glass in New York City's Grand Central Station. The new season debuts Friday.
Photo: @ParkerOrtolani, X.com

Commuters trudging through Grand Central Station in New York City got an eyeful of Apple TV+ series Severance on Tuesday. That’s because employees of the bizarre workplace dramedy’s fictional Lumon Industries appeared to work on Lumon terminals behind glass for all to see in the historic train terminal’s grand halls.

Severance stars Adam Scott, Zach Cherry and Britt Lower entered the fake Lumon workspace Tuesday afternoon. And soon enough, Patricia Arquette and Tramell Tillman appeared. Earlier in the day, other people staffed the workstations.

That promotional stunt and a new “Lumon Is Listening” video, which promotes Lumon’s Severance brain surgery as a work-life balance solution, go hand-in-hand with the show’s own creepy weirdness. Check out the images and video below!

2 banks in talks to take over Apple Card management from Goldman Sachs

By

Apple Card banking partners
Apple Card launched in 2019. And although Goldman Sachs' management of it is scheduled through 2030, someone like Barclays or Synchrony may take over sooner.
Photo: Apple

Apple is in ongoing talks with two financial companies to take over Apple Card credit services management from Goldman Sachs, according to a new report. The iPhone giant has been discussing the matter with Barclays and Synchrony Financial for a while, apparently.

News of the talks comes just one day after Goldman Sachs’ CEO said on an earnings call the firm’s Apple Card management, scheduled through 2030, might end sooner than that.

Handheld iPhone gimbal redesigned for more stable filming

By

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro keeps your iPhone steady when its moving during filming.
Photo: Insta360

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro gimbal keeps an iPhone steady during filming so it can be moved to follow the action. Or it can act as a tripod stand and automatically keep the camera pointed at the person being recorded even if they move around. Plus, the accessory can recharge the phone.

“The idea of Flow 2 Pro is simple: Bridge the gap between professional-quality tools and everyday accessibility,” shares JK Liu, founder of Insta360.

Stream the Super Bowl in 4K on any Apple device for free

By

stream Super Bowl for free
Are you ready for some championship football? (Not to mention the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show featuring rapper Kendrick Lamar.)
Photo: Fox Sports

Even folks who don’t pay for access to TV channels can watch the Super Bowl for free on any Apple device or on the web. Fox Sports plans to stage a “takeover” of the Tubi streaming app for the event. The free Super Bowl stream will include a pregame run-up and the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show featuring rapper Kendrick Lamar. And it requires no viewer sign-in.

So now what’s your excuse to blow off the year’s biggest sporting event? Oh, you probably hate football, not to mention all the commercialist hoopla that comes with America’s modern-day gladiatorial bloodsport. Oh well. For tens of millions of others, Super Bowl Sunday is like a national holiday.

Samsung’s iPhone 17 Air rival could be just 6.4mm thin

By

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim leaked renders
This is Samsung's super-slim Galaxy that will take on the iPhone 17 Air.
Photo: SmartPrix

Apple is not the only company reportedly working on a slim flagship phone for 2025. Samsung is also working on one, and a new leak indicates the company’s iPhone 17 Air rival will have a 6.4mm thick waistline.

Despite the slim profile, Samsung’s super-slim Galaxy reportedly will pack impressive specs, including a 200MP rear camera.

Noel Fielding’s time starring in Dick Turpin Apple TV+ series abruptly ends

By

'The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin' stars Noel Fielding
Cancelled.
Image: Apple TV+

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin reportedly won’t return to Apple TV+ after all. Apple reportedly canceled Dick Turpin season two, laying the blame on star Noel Fielding.

The comedy series premiered in 2024, and Apple TV+ renewed it for a second season. However, word came Wednesday that The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin stopped mid-production.

Escapee from Apple TV+’s Silo shows up at NBA game

By

Silo shows up at NBA game
Not the most comfortable b-ball-watching garb, but the suit might protect him from other fans.
Photo: Dallas Mavericks/Apple

The Apple TV+ marketing department sure kept itself busy Tuesday. A space-suited denizen of the streamer’s hit sci-fi series Silo showed up in the stands at an NBA game ahead of the show’s season two finale, which arrives Friday.

Earlier Tuesday, a Severance office popped up in New York City’s Grand Central Station. The pop-up drew stars from the show as well as plenty of curious commuters ahead of the Severance season two premiere, which also arrives Friday on Apple TV+.

Apple TV+ ran a full-court press on the promo stunts this week, a departure from the norm. What else could be in store?

Apple gives users simple way to help LA wildfire victims

By

Apple gives users simple ways to help LA wildfire victims
Donating to the American Red Cross through Apple to help wildfire victims takes just a few clicks.
Photo: Apple

To help expedite recovery in response to deadly Los Angeles wildfires, Apple gives users simple ways to help LA wildfire victims by linking donation pages in popular apps directly to the American Red Cross, CEO Tim Cook said in an X.com post Wednesday. This follows the iPhone giant’s own donation of an undisclosed amount as well as considerations extended to wildfire victims regarding their Apple Card payments.

Here’s a sign Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are coming soon

By

Powerbeats Pro 2 filings
New regulatory filings suggest we can expect redesigned Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds soon.
Photo: 91Mobiles.com

After teasing the upcoming release of fitness-oriented Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds in September 2024, Apple and subsidiary Beats just made new filings with regulatory agencies that all but confirm the new buds will come out soon, according to a Wednesday report. The new earbuds likely will go on sale within weeks (or a couple of months at the latest).

This startup is building a real-world version of Her’s Samantha by tackling screen addiction

By

Photo of woman lying on grass and wearing Natura Umana's HumanPods earbuds.
HumanPods earbuds are just the start of Natura Umana's AI plans.
Photo: Natura Umana

In a world dominated by screens, where the average person spends more than seven hours a day glued to digital devices, the question arises: Is there a better way to integrate technology into our lives? Swiss company Natura Umana believes there is. Taking inspiration from Spike Jonze’s iconic film Her, the company is developing a revolutionary AI ecosystem that replaces screen dependency with natural, voice-first interaction.

At the heart of Natura Umana’s vision are two pioneering products: HumanPods, the first AI earbuds designed for all-day wear, and NatureOS, a software platform that introduces “AI People” — intelligent agents that feel more like companions than tools. Together, these innovations aim to reduce screen addiction, enhance productivity and foster real-world human connections, all while maintaining a steadfast commitment to privacy.

Innovative Mcon iPhone game controller looks like a million bucks

By

OhSnap Mcon game controller earns accolades, whopping $1.2 million in crowdfunding
OhSnap Mcon iPhone game controller is already a huge success month before its launch.
Screenshot: OhSnap

Only about 0.1% of Kickstarter campaigns bring in over $1 million. The latest to pass that lofty mark is the OhSnap Mcon mobile gaming controller, which magnetically attaches to an iPhone to add joysticks, buttons and a D-pad.

A prototype of the accessory was on display at CES 2025 where it earned loads of compliments. It “may set a new standard for mobile gaming,” said Engadget, for example.

3 overlooked Apple products getting updates in 2025

By

Apple TV, AirTag and HomePod in 2025
Apple has mostly neglected three of its products, but that’s reportedly about to change.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

iPhone and Mac get all the attention — and the annual upgrades — but you can expect a trio of Apple products that haven’t been improved in years to get some love from Cupertino in 2025.

Fans of some of Apple’s secondary devices rejoice: Rumors point to new versions of Apple TV, AirTag and HomePod in the coming months.

CarPlay 2 could feature iPhone-style widgets

By

CarPlay 2 widgets
A selection of widgets might give CarPlay 2 an interface already familiar to iOS, iPadOS and macOS users.
Photo: [email protected]

While Apple CarPlay 2’s expected 2024 release still hasn’t happened, newly leaked images Tuesday show a familiar widget-based interface that mirrors experiences across iOS, iPadOS and macOS devices.

The leaker is considered reliable. If the images prove genuine, they suggest a sensible drive by the iPhone giant to provide a seamless experience across the Apple ecosystem, even on the road.