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News

The latest Apple news, opinion and analysis posts from Cult of Mac writers.

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on News:

WebKit privacy leak leaves iPhone and Mac users exposed

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A Safari logo used in a story about WebKit privacy leaks.
A WebKit privacy leak can expose your iPhone or Mac’s real IP address even when using proxy browsers or iCloud Private Relay.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Three recently discovered WebKit privacy leaks expose users’ real IP addresses on iPhone and Mac, even when they use a proxy browser or iCloud Private Relay, according to a new report.

This would mean Apple’s trusted privacy tools aren’t working as advertised. If you’ve relied on proxy browsers for anonymity or iCloud Private Relay for privacy, that protection apparently has some serious gaps.

Ted Lasso returns with a fresh start as Apple TV revives a fan favorite

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Photo of cast of Apple TV comedy series
Apple TV gives beloved comedy Ted Lasso a soft reboot with season four, which premieres Wednesday.
Image: Apple TV

Despite what really seemed like a series finale three years ago, Ted Lasso is back. Apple TV began streaming season four on Wednesday, reviving its Emmy-winning comedy with what amounts to a soft reboot rather than a direct continuation of the story.

Here’s what to look forward to as Ted, Coach Beard and all our favorites return.

iPhone 18e rumors: RAM, chip, design, price and more

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A picture of the iPhone 17e used in a story about iPhone 18e rumors.
iPhone 18e rumors point to a strange new RAM configuration, even as most other specs carry over unchanged from the iPhone 17e.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

A handful of small but real changes are coming to Apple’s next budget iPhone, with iPhone 18e rumors pointing to a new chip and a RAM configuration nobody expected. None of it amounts to a redesign – this is still a budget phone, just slightly better.

The extra memory is the most interesting shift, but it comes with a catch. Most other specs, including the screen and camera, look set to carry over largely unchanged from the iPhone 17e. Here’s everything reported so far, and how solid each claim actually is.

Apple Photos lawsuit over facial recognition data can move forward

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A picture of Apple Photos app on an iPhone, used in a story about a class action lawsuit on Apple.
The Apple Photos lawsuit centers on the app’s People album face-recognition feature.
Photo: Apple

Apple faces a $32.5 billion lawsuit over how its Photos app scans and stores faces. A federal judge cleared the case to proceed as a class action late last month, allowing millions of Illinois iPhone owners to join.

The case has been years in the making, and Apple has fought to shut it down at nearly every turn. Now it heads back to the court, with the company’s privacy practices on trial.

Apple caps bug bounty reports as AI ‘slop’ floods security team

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Apple bug bounty reports capped after AI flood
Turns out there is such a things as too many bug bounty reports going to Apple.
Photo: Pexels CC

Apple decided to cap the number of bug bounty reports a researcher can have open at once. The move follows a flood of AI-generated “slop” that overwhelmed Apple’s internal security team this year.

But the cap almost backfired. A small Italian security firm had found a serious macOS flaw using ChatGPT, but they couldn’t report it because their group had already hit its new limit.

Apple will eventually bring iPhone clipboard syncing to Windows PCs

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One of Apple's best productivity features may soon work with Windows.
One of Apple's best productivity features may soon work with Windows.
AI image: ChatGPT

Apple plans to bring one of the iPhone and Mac’s most useful ecosystem features — cross-device clipboard sync — to Windows PCs. Don’t expect it anytime soon, though, as the functionality likely won’t arrive until fall 2027 at the earliest.

Apple is not adding cross-device clipboard sync support for Windows PCs to iOS because it wants to, though. The feature stems from an interoperability request Microsoft submitted under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.

Apple job listing hints at fitness features for rumored smart glasses

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A picture of a person wearing glasses used in a story about Apple's rumored smart glasses.
Fitness features in Apple's rumored smart glasses could pick up where Vision Pro’s shelved workout plans left off.
Photo: Pexels

A new job posting reveals that Apple is already thinking about how to bring fitness features to its long-rumored smart glasses.

The company is looking to hire a “strategic product design leader” for its Vision Products Group. The role focuses on shaping health, wellness and fitness experiences across future visionOS hardware.

Leagues Cup tournament brings a month of international soccer action to Apple TV

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Leagues Cup 2026 returns to Apple TV with every match streaming live
All 62 Leagues Cup matches will stream live on Apple TV.
Photo: Apple TV

The 2026 Leagues Cup tournament kicks off Tuesday, August 4. The month-long competition pits 18 Major League Soccer clubs against 18 teams from Mexico’s Liga MX, with all 62 matches streaming through Apple TV.

No separate subscription is required to enjoy the action – any Apple TV subscriber in 100 countries and regions can watch.

Apple struggles to keep MacBook Air in stock

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M4 MacBook Air sitting on a porch railing outside in broad daylight
Apple's sleekest MacBook is in short supply.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple can’t keep up with the MacBook Air’s demand due to the ongoing DRAM and NAND shortage. It is supposedly “struggling to keep the laptop in stock.”

Entry-level MacBook Air configurations are only available for shipping in late August, while custom configurations are listed for September delivery.

2026 Mac mini rumor roundup: Not the usual speed boost

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Mac mini rumors: M6 for everyone, M5 Pro for power users
Rumors indicate the 2026 Mac mini won't be a standard "ship and ship" upgrade.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s smallest desktop could get an unusual processor upgrade this fall. The 2026 Mac mini is reportedly moving to the basic M6 processor, but not the M6 Pro as would be expected.

Here’s everything the rumor mill says about Apple’s next Mac mini.

iPhone and Mac supply crunch could mean long wait times for buyers

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A picture showing iPhones used in a story about iPhone 18 series availability.
Buying an iPhone 18 or new Mac this fall could come with weeks of wait times.
Photo: Unsplash

Availability of the iPhone 18 Pro series as well as new Macs and iPads could take a hit this fall. Apple admitted its supply chain is facing challenges.

The result could be lengthy wait times for this fall’s hottest new models. And an analyst warned that there could be price hikes for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, too.

Spotify’s new Running Mode brings custom playlists to iPhone

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A picture of Spotify's Running Mode used in a story about the same.
Spotify Running Mode lets runners customize playlists by workout type, tempo and duration.
Image: Spotify

Spotify’s new Running Mode can turn your next jog into a custom-built playlist. The feature builds listening sessions around your pace, workout style and the music you want to hear.

“Whether you’re training for a race, heading out for an easy jog, or just want a more motivating walk, Running Mode helps you spend less time hunting for the right music and more time moving,” Spotify said in a press release Thursday.

Here’s how much you’ll save with Apple One bundles [Updated]

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Image with logos of iCloud, Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+ and Apple News, used to illustrate a post on Apple One subscription tier pricing
Save on Apple services by bundling them together.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

The Apple One subscription bundle lets users save money on Apple’s subscription services like Apple Music, Apple TV and iCloud+ storage. The company offers three Apple One configurations. Check pricing on Apple One’s three tiers — Individual, Family and Premier — and find out what you get for your money (and, most importantly, how much you can save).

Apple raised the price of an Apple TV subscription in 2025, making Apple One bundles an even better value.

Apple wants Chinese memory chips, but don’t expect cheaper Macs

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Chinese memory won't make Macs cheaper.
Chinese memory won't make Macs cheaper.
AI image: ChatGPT

Despite its best efforts, Apple is not immune to the DRAM and NAND shortages and price hikes. This forced the company to substantially hike the prices of Macs and iPads

To ease the memory crunch, Apple is considering sourcing memory from Chinese suppliers. But even if that happens, don’t expect the company’s products to become cheaper. The move is about securing a supply of critical components, not cutting prices.

12 eye-popping stats from Apple’s biggest June quarter ever

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AI-generated image of Wall Street buildings with numbers overlaid and an Apple logo, used to illustrate a post on eye-popping stats from Apple's Q3 2026 earnings call
Just try to wrap your head around these massive numbers.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Apple posted yet another round of astonishing numbers when it revealed its latest quarterly earnings Thursday. Many of the numbers are so massive as to be practically inconceivable, but they provide a fascinating insight into the size — and the unbridled success — of Apple’s business.

In what will be his last earnings call, outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook said the impressive numbers flow naturally from following Apple’s core values.

“Throughout all of it, we will remain guided by our North Star, building the best products and services to enable people to do magical things,” Cook said during Thursday’s call. “It’s a special privilege to be part of people’s lives in lasting and meaningful ways, helping them to create, connect, and experience the world around them.”

And it doesn’t hurt if you can generate enormous amounts of money as a result. Take a look at these Apple stats.

Siri AI might not stay free forever

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Siri AI is free, but for how long?
Siri AI is free, but for how long?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

When Siri AI launches in the fall, the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot will be available at no extra cost on the devices that support it, but that could change in the future. Apple CEO Tim Cook raised the possibility on Thursday.

Here’s what we know now.

iPhone and Mac drive Apple to record $109.4 billion quarter

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Apple posts its
Apple posts its "strongest June quarter ever," with revenues powered by strong sales and tariff refunds.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s boom continues. It just reported that revenue during its most recent financial quarter grew 16% year over year. That’s the ninth quarter in a row of revenue increases, and the third of double-digit increases.

“Today, Apple is proud to report our strongest June quarter ever, with double-digit revenue growth across iPhone, Mac and Services, and in every geographic segment,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a statement.

Senators tell Apple to drop Chinese memory chips plan

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A picture of RAM chips used in a story about Apple trying to get supply from Chinese RAM makers.
Senators say Apple’s push for Chinese memory chips could threaten U.S. national security.
Photo: Unsplash

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is pressuring Apple to abandon its pursuit of Chinese memory chips. In a new letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, lawmakers warned that buying components from the two blacklisted suppliers could tie Cupertino to China’s military.

Apple is looking for a cheaper source of memory amid a global shortage. But the lawmakers say sourcing them from China is a step too far. 

Mac mini shortage drags into summer (and Mac Studio situation is even worse)

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A picture of the Mac mini used in a story about Apple's Mac lineup availability.
The Mac mini shortage has pushed wait times past four months for some configurations.
Photo: Apple

The Mac mini shortage isn’t over. Three months after Apple CEO Tim Cook admitted that the company was caught off guard by demand, buyers are still stuck waiting.

Base models are easier to find now than they were in the spring, but bump up the memory, and you could wait months. Prices have climbed, too, thanks to the ongoing global memory chip shortage.

How iPadOS 27 changed the way I use my iPad

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iPadOS 27 lets the menu bar shine
Bringing a familiar maOS feature to the iPad is a noticeable improvement.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPadOS 27 continues Apple’s commitment to improving the iPad’s software. This time, another feature from macOS finds its way to Apple’s tablets, making them easier to use. And I love it.

Last year, Apple brought the macOS menu bar over to iPad. This year, iPadOS 27 makes it genuinely useful. It’s changed the way I use my iPad.

6 things you need to know before signing an Apple Upgrade lease

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AI-generated image of Apple products (MacBook Pro, iPad, Apple Watch and iPhone) along with a magnifying glass and a document, used to illustrate a story on Apple Upgrade terms and conditions
Apple Upgrade’s low monthly price comes with plenty of fine print.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The new Apple Upgrade program makes a compelling first impression, enabling you to lease a new iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch or iPad at low monthly rates. You can lease a new iPhone for $17.99 per month or a Mac for as low as $24.99 per month.

However, the enticingly low lease price only tells part of the story. Before signing up for the Apple Upgrade program, you should examine the terms, restrictions and other factors in the fine print to see if leasing makes sense for you.

Gemini for Mac takes on Wispr Flow with smarter AI dictation

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Gemini for Mac app gives you a new AI option.
Gemini's Mac app gets two new features.
AI image: Google/Apple/Gemini/Cult of Mac

Google upgraded the Gemini app for macOS to take on Wispr Flow and other AI-powered dictation apps. The update introduces the Intelligent dictation feature, which transcribes your spoken words into text in real time.

It also adds support for screen-aware reasoning, allowing Gemini to understand what’s on your screen.

HBO Max Shorts brings vertical, AI-picked clips to iPhone

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A picture of HBO Max Shorts used in a story about the feature coming to select iOS users.
HBO Max Shorts serves up a vertical, scrollable feed of AI-selected clips from the streamer’s library.
Photo: HBO Max

HBO Max is testing a new video feed called HBO Max Shorts for select iPhone users in the United States. The feature uses an in-house AI tool to pick short clips from shows and movies, but the final call is still made by human editors.

The hook? The videos are vertical, not the usual horizontal orientation. 

HBO Max Shorts lives behind a new icon in the app’s bottom navigation bar. Similar to TikTok, it offers a scrollable feed of trailers, clips and bonus content pulled from the streamer’s library.

Apple says there’s no Apple Upgrade restricted mode for missed payments

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A picture of an iPhone used in a story about Apple Upgrade Program.
Apple says the Apple Upgrade restricted mode fear sparked by iOS 27 code won’t come true.
Photo: Apple

Missing a payment on your newly leased iPhone won’t nerf your device. Despite recent rumors, Apple confirmed that there’s no Apple Upgrade restricted mode.

The clarification caps a week of speculation over hidden iOS 27 code that described a system for restricting financed devices when payments went unpaid.

Apple’s long-delayed smart home hub could finally arrive this year

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AI-generated image of a rumored Apple smart home hub that looks like half of a HomePod mini with a tiny screen attached
Apple gears up for its biggest smart home launch in years.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

After years of lagging the competition, Apple is “nearly ready to launch” three new smart devices, according to a new report. An updated Apple TV and HomePod mini will debut as soon as this fall. 

There’s also the long-rumored smart home hub, which could arrive anytime between October and early next year.