Rajesh Pandey

Apple denies using YouTube videos for training Apple Intelligence

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Screenshot of Apple introducing Apple Intelligence during the WWDC24 keynote.
No, Apple Intelligence is not trained on YouTube videos.
Photo: Apple

Apple has rejected reports of training Apple Intelligence and its AI model on YouTube videos without the creators’ consent. The company says OpenELM, its open language model, does not power Apple Intelligence.

Instead, it created OpenELM as a way to contribute to the development of open source large language models.

Apple details products eligible for sales tax holiday in 8 states

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Apple sales tax free holiday in 2024
For a limited time, save on sales tax on certain Apple products.
Photo: Apple

With eight states running sales tax holidays in coming weeks, Apple specified on Wednesday which of its products will qualify for tax-exempt status and in which states. The sale dates vary depending on the state, with the tax waiver helping consumers potentially save hundreds of dollars on Macs, iPads and Apple accessories.

Find out which states offer the discounts, and on what products, below.

The first retro PC emulator for iPhone hits the App Store

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iPad running Windows XP.

Photo: Basic Apple Guy

The first PC emulator for iOS is now available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro. Free app UTM SE allows you to run “classic software and old-school games.”

Apple first rejected the developer’s submission in June, citing a violation of the App Store Review Guidelines. However, Apple appears to have changed its stance regarding PC emulators on the App Store since then.

Rumor: iPhone 16 Pro to use iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x telephoto camera

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The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera array, pictured in front of a green plant.
I just couldn't resist that 5x telephoto zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will seemingly use the same 5x tetraprism camera as the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This move will benefit the company’s current prisms supplier, Crystal-Optech.

Apple plans to use a larger tetraprism sensor with 48MP resolution on the iPhone 17 Pro lineup in 2025.

How to reset AirPods Pro

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How to Reset AirPods Pro
Discover the difference between soft and hard resets.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Are your Apple earbuds acting weird? Sometimes you need to reset your AirPods Pro, AirPods Max or regular AirPods to eliminate connection problems and other minor glitches. You have two possible courses of action: a hard reset and a soft reset.

Follow this guide to learn the difference between those two options, plus how to reset, unpair and remove the earbuds from the Find My network.

iOS 18 beta 3: All the new features and changes

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iOS 18 beta 3: all the changes
iOS 18 beta 3 is all about small but important improvements.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

The third beta of iOS 18 is here, almost a month after Apple dropped the first developer build. The new release packs several minor but significant changes to improve the overall iOS 18 experience.

Below is a look at all the new features and changes in iOS 18 developer beta 3.

iOS 18’s smarter Siri won’t arrive until 2025

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Upgraded Siri experience in iOS 18.
You will have to wait to enjoy some of Siri's best upgrades in iOS 18.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly will make us wait until next year for the smarter Siri the company showcased during June’s WWDC24 keynote. According to a new report, the updated voice assistant won’t enter developer beta testing until January, with a public release slated for next spring in iOS 18.4.

Apple Watch Series 10 could lack advanced new health features

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Apple Watch Series 9 with Mulberry Sport Band on desk
Don't expect blood pressure monitoring on Apple Watch Series 10.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 could sport a thinner design with a bigger display, but it sounds like new health sensors won’t arrive this year. Apple also plans to use a faster processor on its next-gen wearable, possibly laying the groundwork for new AI features.

Google wants iPhone users to stop using Safari for web search

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Google search on iPhone
Google wants iPhone users to move away from Safari for web search.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

A new report details that Google wants to reduce its reliance on Apple for search revenue. Despite being the leader in search, Google pays Apple billions of dollars yearly to remain the iPhone’s default search engine.

iPhone searchers comprise about 36% of Google’s total search revenue.

Sonos Ace vs. AirPods Max comparison: Which high-end headphones are better?

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Sonos Ace vs. AirPods Max comparison
Sonos Ace or AirPods Max?
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Sonos/Rajesh Pandey/CultofMac

The Sonos Ace is the first pair of wireless headphones from the company renowned for its room-pounding wireless speakers. With premium features and a fat price tag to match, the Sonos headphones compete with Apple’s over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max. But in a Sonos Ace versus AirPods Max comparison, which pair of high-end headphones comes out on top?

If you have the money to spend, check out the specs, pros and cons of each model in our hands-on comparison.

Vision Pro’s App Store gains support for alternative payment methods in EU

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Vision Pro on display at an Apple retail store.
Pay for Vision Pro apps through third-party payment methods in the EU.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cut of Mac

Apple has added support for alternative payment methods to the visionOS App Store. This move comes following the release of visionOS 1.2 in early June.

The Vision Pro’s App Store will support alternative payment methods only in the EU, where the headset launches on July 12.

Future AirPods could use IR cameras for in-air gesture control

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AirPods Pro in an open case.
The IR cameras can help improve the spatial computing experience.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple could equip a future AirPods variant with camera modules. The earbuds may incorporate an IR camera, like the one Apple uses for iPhone’s Face ID.

This will apparently help the AirPods Pro to better integrate with the Vision Pro and improve the spatial computing experience.

Vision Pro might not get Apple Intelligence until 2025

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Vision Pro on display at an Apple retail store.
Apple Intelligence could take a while to come to the Vision Pro.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple will reportedly bring Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro. The AI-powered features will not arrive alongside iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, but will eventually come to Apple’s AR/VR headset.

Many Apple Intelligence features would greatly benefit visionOS and help speed up its existing workflows.

Apple’s new tech could make iPhone battery replacement easier

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iOS update does not deliver promised iPhone battery improvement
A new tech from Apple could make iPhone battery replacement easier.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple could use electrically induced adhesive debonding to make battery removal easier on future iPhones. The company reportedly might use this technology in at least one iPhone 16 model this year.

The move could help Apple make iPhones more repair-friendly — and help Apple comply with upcoming EU laws.

Leaked Apple Watch Series 10 renders reveal bigger display

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Apple Watch Series 10 leaked CAD render
Are you ready for a bigger Apple Watch?
Render/Graphics: 91Mobiles/Rajesh Pandey

Supposed CAD renders of the Apple Watch Series 10 leaked online Wednesday, revealing a device with a bigger display than its predecessors. The renders show Apple’s upcoming smartwatch with a 2-inch display.

Despite the bigger screen, the Apple Watch Series 10 will seemingly be smaller than the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Apple and Meta reportedly discussed AI partnership for Apple Intelligence [Updated]

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Meta AI logo with iOS 18 logo
After talks broke down, it looks like Meta's AI won't come to iOS 18.
Photo/Graphics: Meta, Apple, Rajesh Pandey/CultofMac

In a move bound to raise eyebrows, Apple and Meta Platforms reportedly discussed integrating Meta’s generative AI model into Apple Intelligence. Besides Meta, AI startups Perplexity and Anthropic also reportedly talked with Apple about integrating their offerings into Apple Intelligence.

Update: The initial report of a possible partnership to bring Meta’s Llama large language model to Apple Intelligence made it sound like talks were ongoing. However, a new story published Monday said Apple rejected Meta’s LLM “months ago.”

These iOS 18 features won’t arrive until later this year

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Some iOS 18 features won't be ready for launch.
Some iOS 18 features won't be ready at launch.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

iOS 18 will bring lots of useful features, big and small. But when the new iPhone operating system launches later this fall, you won’t get to enjoy all its new additions on day one. Many headlining features won’t arrive until later in the year or early 2025. But which iOS 18 features will be delayed?

Here’s a roundup of iOS 18 features that won’t arrive on launch day. Note: Many of these delayed features also will come to iPads and Macs in iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. For the purposes of this article, we will talk in terms of iOS 18 only.

Apple’s cheaper Vision headset might require a tethered iPhone or Mac

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Vision Pro 2 in 2027?
Don't expect the Vision Pro 2 to launch anytime soon.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly wants to launch a cheaper AR/VR Vision headset, codenamed N107, as soon as late 2025. While the company set this plan even before the Vision Pro‘s launch, it might fail to meet the deadline.

The company’s engineers are struggling to reduce costs without affecting the headset’s key features.

Spotify introduces a cheaper Basic streaming plan

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Spotify logo on iPhone
Spotify has launched a cheaper Basic streaming tier.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Following a price hike in the US earlier this month, Spotify has unveiled a cheaper streaming music plan for its users. The new “Basic” streaming tier costs $10.99/month, $1 cheaper than the Premium plan.

Spotify charged the same price for its Premium plan before increasing it in early June. That was the company’s second price hike in less than a year.

When will iOS 18 public beta launch?

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iOS 18 public beta release date
You will have to wait for a few weeks for iOS 18 public beta.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple dropped the first iOS 18 developer beta right after the opening keynote of WWDC24. While the build packs several changes, many headline features are missing, and it is also buggy. But what about the iOS 18 public beta, which should bring even more features and offer better stability? When will it arrive?

The timing should be similar for the upcoming iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia public betas, too.