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Calculator app for iPad might finally launch in iPadOS 18

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iPad calculator app
Finally. Finally.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

In a long overdue move, Apple will reportedly integrate a Calculator application into the iPad operating system. The change — which is somehow both minor and monumental — will supposedly come when iPadOS 18 launched this autumn.

In the mean time, there are already several calculators hidden in the iPad.

Apple cuts Vision Pro shipments as demand slows

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Vision Pro and battery sitting on pine table
The Vision Pro and its connected battery.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple lowered production targets as Vision Pro demand drops for the mixed-reality headset in 2024, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. That suggests lower-than-expected demand among consumers as Apple plans to roll out the headset to new countries.

The company now plans to manufacture only 400,000 to 450,000 units this year, significantly lower than the initially anticipated 700,000 to 800,000 units.

Nomad’s new Sport Band and iPhone case glow even brighter in the dark

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Nomad Glow accessories
You will see this guy and his Nomad Glow accessories coming, even in the dark.
Photo: Nomad

Apple accessories maker Nomad turned up the wattage Tuesday on its second-generation glow-in-the-dark Sport Band for Apple Watch. And it also unveiled its first-ever Glow Sport Case for iPhone 15 Pro models. They both glow in the dark — even more so than the first Glow Sport Band.

New Trying season 4 trailer shows comedy cast ‘older not wiser’

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Trying season 4 trailer
The season 4 trailer for comedy "Trying" is out. The kids are getting older.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ heralded the birth of a new season of popular family comedy Trying with a season 4 trailer Tuesday. It charmingly shows everyone getting older as the London family faces life’s little problems, including those adopted kids. After all, six years have passed in the story since season three’s action. They’re “older not wiser,” according to the show’s tagline.

The trailer is not exactly uncontrollably laughing-out-loud funny. But, like the show, its moments of wry humor will draw smiles and a chuckle or two. The fourth season debuts May 22 on Apple TV+.

Today in Apple history: App Store hits 1 billion downloads

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App Store
What was the first app you ever downloaded?
Photo: Apple

April 23: Today in Apple history: App Store hits 1 billion downloads April 23, 2009: Less than a year after opening its virtual doors, the App Store reaches 1 billion downloads.

Peer-to-peer file sharing app Bump becomes the 1 billionth app to be downloaded. As a result of his purchase, 13-year-old Connor Mulcahey of Weston, Connecticut, wins a “1 Billion App Countdown” promotion.

He takes home an assortment of Apple products valued at more than $13,000, including a $10,000 iTunes gift card, a 32GB iPod touch, a Time Capsule and a 17-inch MacBook Pro.

Surprise! Apple sets May 7 event to launch new iPad Pro and iPad Air

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Surprise! Apple sets May 7 event to launch new iPad Pro and iPad Air
Apple's next product launch event will be May 7. iPads are finally coming!
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple just invited the world to a May 7 product-launch event with the theme “Let Loose.” As an Apple Pencil is prominently included in the invitation’s image, there’s no doubt that two much-rumored new iPad models are on the agenda.

What is surprising is that there’ll be an event to announce the products, not simply a press release.

Apple FineWoven accessories: Not quite dead yet?

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FineWoven Apple Watch bands
FineWoven accessories like Apple Watch bands may not be gone yet, but it seems they will go soon.
Photo: Apple

The same leaker who pronounced Apple’s FineWoven material dead Sunday said Tuesday the leather replacement will live one more “season” in new colors. Apple uses the textile in iPhone cases and wallets, Apple Watch bands and some AirTag accessories like keychains.

Presumably, Apple will find a way to replace the heavily criticized material soon, and probably without returning to leather goods, as the leaker implied in their original post on X.

Analysts see hopeful signs as iPhone sales slide in China

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iPhone sales in China
iPhone sales in China slumped, but momentum could shift in Apple's favor.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

In the first quarter of 2024, iPhone sales in China slid 19.1% compared to Q1 2023. And that’s mainly due to competitor Huawei taking a bigger bite in the premium segment, according to new research. And yet analysts indicated possible signs of recovery for Apple, too.

New cases come out ahead of 12.9-inch iPad Air

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ESR cases for 12.9-inch iPad Air - Rebound Hybrid Case 360
Rebound Hybrid Case 360 features a shock-resistant clear back and lets you mount Pad Air in landscape or portrait orientations.
Photo: ESR

Rumors say a new 12.9-inch iPad Air will come out soon. And ESR is banking on it early with the release of its new range of cases for the expected tablet — the first time Apple would offer that size outside of its iPad Pro lineup.

KEF speakers drive MacBook Pro outfit’s crystal-clear sound [Setups]

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KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers
The setup's M3 Pro MacBook Pro has six speakers. But who cares when there are also KEF speakers.
Photo: KEF

A more than capable M3 Pro MacBook Pro powers today’s computer setup, but its six-speaker sound system won’t be needed. That’s because the medical student who own the rig has the good taste to include fantastic KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers.

He’ll just have to keep the powerful speakers’ volume in check to avoid having to see an ear doctor.

Today in Apple history: Apple teams with Volkswagen for iBeetle car

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The first Apple car, a collaboration with VW known as the iBeetle, rolls onto the scene.
The first Apple car, a collaboration with VW known as the iBeetle, rolls onto the scene.
Photo: Volkswagen

April 22: Today in Apple history: Apple teams with VW for the iBeetle. It's the first Apple car! April 22, 2013: The world gets its first Apple car. Well, kind of. In reality, the iBeetle is a collaboration with German automaker Volkswagen that offers a car “stylistically linked” to Apple.

This means Apple-inspired colors, a built-in docking station for your iPhone, and a special app that lets you control the car’s features.

Why iPhone 16 might dump physical buttons for capacitive ones

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Closeup of iPhone 15’s new Action button.
No more traditional buttons like these. iPhone 16 could use capacitive ones instead.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The upcoming iPhone 16 series will have no traditional buttons at all, according to information leaking out of the company that will supply the capacitive buttons that will supposedly replace them.

If true, the change would make the iOS devices more durable and waterproof.

Apple might have stopped making FineWoven accessories

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The Apple FineWoven case is the best official Apple case for iPhone 15.
Time to say goodbye to Apple's FineWoven iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands?
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly ceased the production of its FineWoven iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands. Announced alongside the iPhone 15 series in September 2023, the woven material replaced leather in Apple’s accessories lineup.

However, users criticized the FineWoven material for its poor durability and in-hand feel. Its shortcomings became especially evident after a few weeks of use.

Today in Apple history: Rumors fly that Canon might buy Apple

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
Apple was up for sale in the 1990s.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

April 21: Today in Apple history: Rumors fly that Canon might buy Apple April 21, 1995: Rumors swirl that Canon (yes, the Japanese camera company!) might take over Apple in either a partial or complete acquisition.

Speculation grows about a possible deal after Apple reveals its latest earnings, which show big improvement but still fall far short of Wall Street’s expectations.

iOS 18 AI features could run entirely on-device

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iOS 18 concept video
Apple could run iOS 18's AI features on-device on the iPhone.
Concept: Kevin Kall

Apple’s large language model that will power iOS 18’s AI features could run entirely locally. This would prioritize user privacy and offer faster response times.

However, running AI features on-device will have downsides, as they might not be as powerful as on some Android phones.

Mac mini might skip Apple M3 processor

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Mac mini might skip Apple M3 processor in favor of M4
With no M3 version on the way, iMac mini M2 will stay around until the M4 chip arrives.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

There will never be a version of the Mac mini with the Apple M3 processor, according to a reliable tipster. Instead, the inexpensive desktop will wait for the next-generation chip.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that the wait supposedly won’t be terribly long.

iPhone 16 Pro camera could bring major upgrades [The CultCast]

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iPhone 16 Pro camera rumors on The CultCast episode 643
The iPhone 16 Pro camera might knock our socks off with new upgrades.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors about the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera make it sound better than ever. That’s no surprise, considering Apple makes a big deal out of the iPhone camera every year. But we couldn’t be happier to have even finer photographic tools at our disposal.

Also on The CultCast:

  • A new retro game emulator for iPhone called Delta is a … game changer! And this is just the start of a revolution brewing in the App Store.
  • Griffin knows some Mac settings you should change for a better experience.
  • There’s lots of big Apple TV+ news, from a new show from the writer behind Slow Horses and extensions of popular series including Silo and For All Mankind.

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.

Argylle reaches No. 1 most popular movie on streaming

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Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa and John Cena in Argylle, now streaming on Apple TV+.
Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa and John Cena are among the many stars of Argylle, now streaming on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

The action-comedy romance film Argylle shot to the top of a streaming popularity chart as soon as it reached Apple TV+. It’s spy-vs-spy excitement chock full of celebrities.

Plus, the series Sugar and Franklin drew big audiences on Apple’s streaming service last week, too. These also feature big-name stars in the lead roles.

Save big on Apple Watch Ultra 2 refurbished by Apple

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 is designed for sports enthusiasts.
An Apple refurb is a great way to save.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 2 joined the official Apple Certified Refurbished store. This lets buyers save $120 on the top-of-the-line smartwatch that hit the market just a few months ago.

Buying refurbs from Apple is a popular way to save on used electronics that can be relied on.

Today in Apple history: Gizmodo tears down a lost iPhone 4 prototype

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Gizmodo buys iPhone 4 prototype
The iPhone 4 prototype bought by Gizmodo came disguised as an iPhone 3GS. But a teardown showed big differences inside.
Photo: Gizmodo

April 20: Today in Apple history: Gizmodo tears down lost iPhone 4 prototype April 20, 2010: A day after the most high-profile iPhone leak in history, tech news site Gizmodo dissects a prototype iPhone 4, then publishes the teardown — showing the world exactly what’s inside the soon-to-be-released device.

The iPhone 4 prototype, accidentally left in a bar by 27-year-old Apple software engineer Gray Powell, quickly becomes the biggest story in the tech world. And that’s where the trouble begins.

Picture your purchases with new Best Buy Vision Pro app

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Best Buy Envision app
Uh-oh, buying expensive stuff just got a whole lot easier with Best Buy's new app for Vision Pro.
Photo: Best Buy

The new Best Buy Envision app helps you find new purchases through a Vision Pro AR/VR headset and picture how they’ll look in your living space, the company said Friday.

“Today we’re announcing a new way that our customers can explore, discover and bring new technology to life in their own living space,” the big box store noted. “Best Buy Envision is an app exclusively available on the Apple Vision Pro that helps users plan their ultimate home technology setup.”

Today in Apple history: Newton boss departs as device struggles

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The Newton MessagePad, an product line run by Gaston Bastiaens, looks gigantic next to an iPhone.
The Newton MessagePad did not become the immediate hit Apple desired.
Photo: Blake Patterson/Wikipedia CC

April 19 April 19, 1994: Gaston Bastiaens, the executive in charge of Apple’s revolutionary new Newton MessagePad product line, parts ways with the company.

“We can’t say whether he fell or was pushed,” says an Apple spokesman. Reports suggest that the departing Bastiaens, general manager of Apple’s personal interactive electronics division, is leaving due to his failure to make the Newton a financial success.

M3 MacBook Pro serves as charming rig’s third display [Setups]

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M3 MacBook Pro setup
The space black M3 MacBook Pro sits open on a stand rather than in clamshell mode.
Photo: felluimeinmeer@Reddit.com

A medical school student’s charming dual-display setup adds an M3 MacBook Pro as a third display by keeping it open on a stand. And the three displays form a pleasingly staggered formation, with one in portrait on the left, one in landscape at center and then the laptop’s screen.