Tim Cook retiring in 2026? Say it ain’t so … [The CultCast]
This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: The latest rumor about Tim Cook's retirement says he could step down as early as next January. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Here’s why M4 Mac mini remains an unbeatable value, even a year after its debut
Apple announced the redesigned Mac mini with M4 chip last October. It’s by no means a new product at this point, and it’s nearly a year old. However, I think it may be one of Apple’s greatest gifts to up and coming creators, developers, and all sorts of creative professionals. more…

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Best Black Friday iPad deals 2025 — price drop alert!
Whether you’re hunting for a dependable workhorse, a powerful all-rounder, or a pro-level tablet, the iPad Black Friday deals in 2025 can't be beat. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Indie App Spotlight: ‘Mint’ is an all-in-one collection tracker for Pokémon enthusiasts
Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact. If you’re a massive Pokémon trading card came enthusiast, you might found yourself with thousands of cards in your collection. Mint aims to make things easier for collectors, by giving yourself an easy way to track your whole collection, its value, and more. It’s also designed for iOS 26 and Liquid Glass, and will look right at home on your iPhone. more…

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Hikawa iPhone grip accessory sells out fast from the online Apple Store
A limited-edition ergonomic grip made by designer Bailey Hikawa has sold out from the online Apple Store shortly after its launch, but the MagSafe-compatible accessory is still available direct from the designer.The new accessibility iPhone grip and stand by Bailey Hikawa — image credit: AppleOn Thursday, Apple commemorated 40 years of accessibility design at the company by stocking a rather unique grip for the iPhone intended for disabled users. Two days later, the grip is sold out from the online version of the Apple Store.The Hikawa Phone Grip & Stand, sold in a choice of Chartreuse or Crater finishes, was priced at $70 each and was labeled as being "Limited Edition." Of the two colors, the Crater was exclusive to Apple. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple TV takes over Las Vegas Sphere for F1 weekend to promote movie and 50% off Black Friday offer
Apple TV is ramping up its promotion for the upcoming streaming launch of F1: The Movie on Apple TV, timed for the Las Vegas F1 weekend and the launch of a new 50% off for 6 months deal for Black Friday. The Sphere dominates the Vegas strip, and Apple TV took advantage of the unique shape of the structure to show a depiction of Brad Pitt’s Sonny Hayes inside his APX GP racing helmet. more…

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Security Bite: Why I stopped using camera covers and you should too
9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe is all we do. Our unique integrated approach to management and security combines state-of-the-art Apple-specific security solutions for fully automated Hardening & Compliance, Next Generation EDR, AI-powered Zero Trust, and exclusive Privilege Management with the most powerful and modern Apple MDM on the market. The result is a totally automated Apple Unified Platform currently trusted by over 45,000 organizations to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. Plastic webcam covers—especially of the sliding kind—boomed in popularity sometime in the 2010s as a low-tech way to keep hackers from eavesdropping on compromised machines. The concern felt justified at the time. But by 2020, Apple was beginning to issue warnings that those covers aren’t actually needed and can even damage a MacBook’s display. For this Security Bite, let’s set the tin-foil hats aside and talk about why webcam covers don’t meaningfully improve privacy, can cause features like True Tone to not work properly, and are far more likely to damage your screen than stop someone from spying on you. more…

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Best Black Friday AirPods deals 2025 — lowest prices ever unlocked!
These excellent Black Friday deals on all AirPods models make Apple's lineup of trend-setting headphones more affordable than ever. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Shopping for Apple fans? These gifts can’t miss.
We gather some of the most ingenious, innovative and downright cool geeky gifts for Apple user this holiday season. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple TV Black Friday deal: Get the streaming service for $5.99/mo for 6 months
Save over 50% with this Apple TV Black Friday deal that's live now, and enjoy hundreds of exclusive Apple Originals as a new or eligible returning subscriber.Grab Black Friday Apple TV savings on the streaming service.The Black Friday discount brings the cost down to $5.99 per month for 6 months for qualifying subscribers.Get Apple TV Black Friday deal Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Smarter security made easy: Hands-on with Avia’s new Smart Lock lineup
I have tested many smart locks over the years. They all promise convenience but always fall short, with apps that look like they are stuck in 2013, poor battery life, and compatibility headaches. Avia has taken a different approach. Their award-winning lineup focuses purely on Apple compatibility and integration, as well as battery efficiency and ease of use. Here is what you should know about their three new products! more…

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Today in Apple history: iTunes cracks top 10 on list of US music retailers
On November 22, 2005, the iTunes Music Store first ranked as one of the top 10 U.S. music retailers. iTunes sales numbers will only grow. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Amazon Black Friday: AirPods 4 with ANC just dropped under $100 for the first time
Macworld Just when we thought we had seen the best AirPods 4 deal this Black Friday, we get an even better one. Amazon is selling the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation for an unbelievable $110, a massive savings of $69 off its MSRP, and the best price we’ve seen by a wide margin. You can also get AirPods 4 without ANC for $80, also an all-time low. The AirPods 4 are easily our favorite non-Pro earbuds, and that’s plenty obvious from the fact that we gave them a 4.5-star rating when we reviewed them, appreciating the top-notch audio quality, the improved sweat and water resistance, and the USB-C charging case. We also couldn’t complain about the battery life because a single charge gets you 5 hours of playtime on the buds and a total of 30 hours with the case. The H2 chip ensures you can make great quality phone calls with little to no background noise, as well as have an overall better time when listening to music. The AirPods 4 also come with easy access to Siri, so you can ask the assistant for help with everything from making calls to playing specific songs. Now’s the best time ever to get the AirPods 4 with ANC for $110 or the ANC-less model for $80, so hurry up and take advantage of this Black Friday deal. This is, by far, the best price we've seen for the AirPods 4Buy now at Amazon

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Apple @ Work: Even in enterprise competition, the smartest companies know when to partner
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. I believe Apple’s rise as the preferred device for IT teams comes from its focused approach to solving real problems first, then building the tools that make it easy for companies to connect their entire stack and have everything just work. While some companies in years past built their ecosystems around lock in and doing everything, Apple built its enterprise strategy around integration. The new collaboration between JumpCloud and Google Workspace is the latest reminder that the future of enterprise IT is not about competition. It is about cooperation for the customer, even when you compete at the same time. more…

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I replaced my MacBook with an iPad Pro M4—here’s what actually worked (and what didn’t)
Macworld As a minimalist, I’ve long wanted to replace the 13-inch MacBook Air M2 I use for work with a slimmer and more portable iPad. Following the iPad Pro M5’s debut, I came across a heavily discounted M4 model. Given that the two generations share most of the same tech specs, I decided to opt for a 13-inch iPad Pro M4, paired with a Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. Until this year, the rational voice in my head warned me that the tablet’s various limitations made this a bad investment, but everything changed with the launch of iPadOS 26. Its more advanced multitasking system brings the mobile OS closer to macOS, and me one step closer to my dream work setup. To test the practicality of using iPadOS for work, I put my MacBook away and relied solely on the iPad Pro M4 for a week. Here’s how it went. Design & ergonomics The most noticeable difference between the iPad Pro M4 and MacBook Air M2 lies in their form factors. The former device is lighter, thinner, and more portable. It genuinely blows my mind how slim the iPad has become, despite packing a desktop-class chip. I also appreciate the switch to Face ID, which is infinitely more reliable and convenient for me than Touch ID. Thin different: The iPad Pro’s svelte design, viewed from the bottom edge.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Perhaps the best part of this versatile setup is the ability to easily detach the iPad from the Magic Keyboard whenever needed, further reducing its size and weight. Those who rely on wired earbuds, however, will miss the MacBook’s headphone jack. Other iPad compromises include its physical stability. Balancing it on surfaces that aren’t straight or solid, such as your lap or bed, can sometimes be challenging. Interacting with the Magic Keyboard’s hinge also doesn’t feel as natural when compared to a MacBook. Input methods One of the main reasons behind my switch is the iPad Pro’s superior OLED screen. Not only is it sharper and more vibrant, but it also supports touch and Apple Pencil input. Admittedly, I miss the wider, pressure-sensitive trackpad offered by the MacBook Air. Nonetheless, the one embedded into the Magic Keyboard has a comparable feel and supports haptic feedback. The keyboard is similarly backlit and comfortable for long typing sessions. The Apple Pencil Pro has many uses, such as writing “Macworld” in a lovely blue.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Multitasking & windowing While the upgraded windowing system introduced with iPadOS 26 makes the iPad more practical for work, there’s more to multitasking than just opening multiple app windows. For example, certain keyboard shortcuts I’m used to don’t work in third-party iPad apps. Likewise, iPadOS hasn’t yet adopted the reimagined Spotlight Search with clipboard history brought by macOS Tahoe. Other omissions include the iPhone Mirroring app, which I used to depend on, and support for using Apple TV 4K as a wireless second monitor (not just vanilla mirroring). In general, I find myself spending more time getting the same tasks done, as certain flows are different—or completely nonexistent—on iPadOS. My muscle memory will adapt with time, I suppose. But overall, multitasking on the iPad is definitely inferior to that offered by the MacBook. The iPad Pro’s multitasking system is impressive, but it still can’t match that of macOS.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Apps One thing I dislike about using macOS is the more limited availability of native applications. Many developers, such as Google, avoid releasing dedicated desktop apps, forcing users to opt for their websites instead. Meanwhile, the software library on iPadOS is seemingly more comprehensive, and apps tend to be more polished. This has elevated my computing experience, as I no longer need to use wonky web apps as often. Battery & thermals Arguably, the biggest drawback of this setup is the iPad Pro’s shorter battery life—which, in a way, makes it less portable. Despite my 3-year-old MacBook Air M2’s battery health dropping to 82%, the laptop still lasts me longer on a single charge than the brand-new iPad Pro M4. And the iPad’s battery life will only get worse with time, which has discouraged me from connecting it to a cellular plan. Another consequence of the slim design is the more frequent overheating when running intensive tasks. While for obvious reasons the iPad Pro M4’s performance is miles ahead, its body tends to get warm faster than the M2 MacBook Air. This could be why Apple reportedly plans to implement a vapor chamber to improve the thermal management on the upcoming iPad Pro M6. What I still need a Mac for My everyday computing needs revolve around researching, typing, and photo-editing, and the iPad Pro excels at all of them. As such, I will continue to use it as my main work machine for the foreseeable future. It has essentially replaced my MacBook Air M2. Nevertheless, I will also keep my MacBook around for activities that remain macOS exclusives, such as HomePod mini OS recovery. My world has flipped: My iPad Pro is now a functional laptop replacement… and I only need to keep my Mac around for specific, uncommon use cases.

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Tired of losing things? This Find My carabiner 2-pack has your back for $32.99
Macworld TL;DR: Get a 2-pack of Carabiner Keychain Trackers with Apple Find My support for $32.99 (MSRP $49.98) and always know where your essentials are. If losing your keys feels like part of your daily routine, it might be time for a smarter solution. The Carabiner Keychain Tracker 2-Pack gives your essentials a built-in safety net, pairing directly with Apple Find My so you can locate your stuff from your iPhone in seconds. And for $32.99 (MSRP $49.98) for a limited time, it’s an easy upgrade that doesn’t mess with your workflow. Each tracker is housed in a sleek metal carabiner you can clip to keys, bags, luggage, or anything prone to disappearing. There’s no extra app to download and no complicated setup. Just pair it once, and you’re good to go — your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch can always point you in the right direction. They’re built to survive real life, too. With an IP67-waterproof and dustproof rating, scratch-resistant materials, and a secure hook, these lightweight carabiners hold up on commutes, road trips, or the days when everything feels chaotic. A replaceable CR2032 battery keeps each tracker running for up to a year, so you won’t be constantly recharging or babysitting another gadget. Cut down on the daily scavenger hunts and upgrade your keychain. The Carabiner Keychain Tracker 2-Pack is available now for $32.99. Carabiner Keychain Tracker (2-Pack) – Works with Apple Find My (iOS only)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Instantly feel more professional with this $45 wireless multi-use trackpad
Macworld TL;DR: Get the TP1 Multi-Device Wireless Trackpad for just $44.99 (MSRP $69.97), offering smooth gestures, instant switching, and a sleek glass surface for precision work anywhere. If your daily workflow involves juggling multiple devices—or you just want smoother, more precise navigation—the TP1 Multi-Device Wireless Trackpad is an easy and affordable upgrade at just $44.99. Think of it as the travel-friendly, productivity-boosting sidekick you didn’t know you needed. The TP1 gives you a large 150×105mm glass surface, so every scroll, swipe, and gesture feels natural and accurate. Editing photos? Browsing research tabs? Navigating spreadsheets? Everything is smoother and way more precise than with a standard laptop trackpad or mouse. And if you’re bouncing between a laptop, tablet, or desktop, switching is effortless thanks to Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C connectivity. Jump from writing emails on your Windows laptop to sketching on your Android tablet—or controlling a Linux machine—without missing a beat. Try using it as a portable touchpad during travel, a quiet controller for presentations, a precision tool for creative software, or even a couch-friendly way to browse shows on a connected device. Its lightweight build and 30-hour battery make it perfect for commutes, coffee shops, campus, or hybrid workdays. Grab this TP1 Multi-Device Wireless Trackpad while it’s on sale for the holidays for just $44.99 (MSRP $69.97). TP1 Multi-Device 4-Touch Recognition Wireless TrackpadSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Samsung's Black Friday TV deals knock up to $2,100 off OLED, The Frame sets
Enjoy watching sports, movies, and your favorite shows on a new TV — all while taking advantage of Black Friday deals that shave up to $2,100 off Samsung OLED and The Frame models.Save up to $2,100 on TVs during Samsung Black Friday Sale.Samsung's TV line is eligible for Black Friday savings, with this $1,999.99 75-inch Frame Pro model a top choice due to its ample screen size housed in a modern, slim-bezel frame. With the included Slim Fit Wall Mount, you can hang The Frame Pro flush against your wall and use Art Mode to display a variety of creative art pieces.View The Frame TV deals Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple to present multiple studies and AI demos at the NeurIPS 2025 conference next month
Today, Apple published the list of studies it will present at the 39th annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) in San Diego. Here are the details. more…

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New Apple study shows LLMs can tell what you’re doing from audio and motion data
Apple researchers have published a study that looks into how LLMs can analyze audio and motion data to get a better overview of the user’s activities. Here are the details. more…

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