Rajesh has been closely following and writing about the latest happenings in the world of mobile for nearly a decade now. While he prefers Android, he does not deny the superiority of Apple's products and ecosystem.
Apple Watch SE 3 will only arrive later in 2025. Concept graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Like the rumored smart home hub, the refreshed Apple Watch SE might not launch as soon as initially expected. A new report claims the Apple Watch SE will only debut in the second half of the year.
Apple will supposedly give its cheapest smartwatch a big redesign this year, launching it with a new look.
Apple's smart home display will certainly look better than this render. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple’s 7-inch smart home hub may not arrive as early as initially rumored. While reports initially pointed to a late Q1 release, it could launch later in the year.
The delay is due to a key iOS 18 feature not being ready for release yet.
iPhone 17 Pro could ditch all its 12MP cameras for good. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Apple might not make meaningful camera hardware improvements to its Pro iPhones this year. The iPhone 17 Pro will supposedly stick to the same 48MP primary shooter as the current flagship iPhone.
The only notable camera improvement on this year’s iPhone would be the switch to a 48MP sensor for the 5x tetraprism shooter.
Don't worry about incurring any interest charges for missing the payment. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple Card is notifying customers impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires that they can delay their payments without incurring interest.
Apple is contacting Apple Card users living at an address declared a natural disaster zone. Affected users must enroll in the Disaster Relief Program to be eligible.
False alarm! The Docker app for Mac is not a malware. Photo: Docker
Getting a “Malware Blocked” warning on booting your Mac or when starting Docker? You are not alone. Hundreds of Mac users worldwide report seeing a similar message on their machine over the last few days.
The error is due to an issue with Docker, a popular platform designed to build and run apps using containers.
Apple is highlighting Siri's privacy-first approach to protect its reputation. Photo: Apple
Apple recently agreed to pay $95 million to settle a Siri class action lawsuit alleging privacy violations. The company is now restating the voice assistant’s commitment to user privacy through an article on its newsroom.
Apple reassures users that it never used Siri data to build marketing profiles or sold it to anyone. Instead, it is always developing new ways to make Siri more privacy-friendly.
No, the iPhone SE 4 won't launch in January. Photo: Filipe Alves
Apple is hard at work on iOS 18.3, iPhone SE 4 and iPad 11, but the company won’t launch the new devices alongside the operating system update, which should drop later this month or in early February.
Instead, the new budget iPhone and iPad reportedly will land in April.
Safari is great, but Chrome is my browser of choice on a Mac. Graphics: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Safari on the Mac feels a lot faster to use than Google Chrome. It is also more battery efficient and takes fewer resources. Yet, I prefer using Google Chrome on my MacBook.
Despite its faults, Google Chrome trumps Safari in many key aspects. There’s a reason why Google’s browser is the most popular choice worldwide.
These five Apple products could make you go wow this year. AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac
Imagine a Siri capable of opening your preferred email client on your iPhone and sending an important email seamlessly. Picture an Apple-branded smart home hub, elegantly wall-mounted in your kitchen, equipped with Apple Intelligence for instant access to smart home controls and a conversational voice assistant. Envision an iPhone just 6mm thin, standing out for its ultra-sleek, stylish design.
All of this could turn into a reality in 2025, with Apple already working on these devices and services for launch next year.
Buy from Apple's online store in China to save on iPhone, iPad and Mac Photo: Apple
In a rare move, Apple is offering discounts of up to RMB 500 ($68.5) on iPhones in China. The promo runs from January 4 through 7 and only applies to selected payment methods.
Apple rarely provides direct discounts on its products, especially on newer models. However, it seems to be making an exception in China.
Apple Watch could have an Ultra-good year in 2025. Image: Cult of Mac
2025 should be an Ultra year for the Apple Watch. In an unusual move, Apple only launched the Apple Watch Series 10 this year. It kept the Ultra 2 around, only releasing a new black titanium colorway.
But next year won’t be all about Apple’s most expensive smartwatch. For more budget-conscious customers, the third-gen Apple Watch SE should arrive in 2025.
Here's everything you need to know about setting up your new AirTag. Photo: Mark Chan/Unsplash
The Apple AirTag is arguably among the company’s most useful product releases in recent years. Once you set up an AirTag, it gives you powerful options for locating it (and whatever you attach it to). Put one of Apple’s tracking tags on an item like a keychain or luggage, and you can easily track its location from your iPhone, Mac or iPad.
Since AirTag’s launch, numerous reports have detailed how the tracking tag helped owners find lost items. If you recently acquired an AirTag, here’s how you can set it up the right way and use it properly.
The iPhone 18 Pro may introduce a groundbreaking feature inspired by professional-grade cameras. Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple could adopt a variable aperture system for the iPhone 18 Pro’s main camera that would enable the device to adjust the aperture size and light intake depending on surroundings.
DLSRs typically use a variable aperture lens system. Samsung and some Chinese Android manufacturers have also used the technology on their phones, albeit on a limited scale.
A smart home doorbell from Apple with Face ID could become a reality. Photo: Apple
Apple is reportedly working on a smart doorbell with Face ID-like facial recognition.
The device, still in its early development stages, seems unlikely to reach the market before late 2025 at the earliest. This timeline presumes Apple encounters no significant obstacles during development.
ChatGPT's Mac app is getting even better. Photo: Unsplash
ChatGPT’s Mac app is getting a big usability boost. It will now work directly with coding and note-taking apps, including Apple Notes, Notion, and others.
Previously, the ChatGPT Mac app could only see, read, and improve code in XCode, Terminal, and selected other apps.
Apple's folding iPhone might arrive sooner than you think. Concept: Ran Avni
Hoping to boost sales, Apple could launch its first folding iPhone as soon as 2026, according to The Wall Street Journal. The foldable phone reportedly will follow a super-thin model — which previous rumors called the “iPhone 17 Air” or the “iPhone 17 Slim” — as Apple shakes up its stagnant smartphone lineup.
“It looks like Apple is looking towards hardware innovation to drive user upgrades,” BayStreet Research analyst Cliff Maldonado told the Journal. “The iPhone 16 will be the last of the boring aesthetic phones.”
iPhone 17 Air might not cost a bomb. Image: Apple Hub/X
The iPhone 17 Air price could come in lower than previously rumored. A new report sheds additional light on Apple’s slimmer-than-usual iPhone, which is expected to launch in September 2025.
The device apparently will help Apple revive growth, impressing potential customers with its sleek design.
Magic Mouse might finally get a refresh. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple is planning to revamp the Magic Mouse with hand gestures, voice commands and more. And it may even move the controversial bottom charging port. The current design is over 15 years old, introduced back in 2009.
Since then, the Magic Mouse received minor upgrades, including the switch to an oddly-located Lightning port and, eventually, USB-C.
'Make in India' AirPods are coming soon. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
After ramping up iPhone manufacturing in India in recent years, Apple will begin producing AirPods next year.
Apple’s supplier, Foxconn, will start assembling the wireless earbuds at a new factory near Hyderabad, Telangana, in Q1 2025. Trial production is already underway at the facility.