Clash of the keyboards

Your choice of keyboard to use with your Mac is a very personal one. Some people love clacky mechanical ones; others swear by the Apple Magic Keyboard, which brings some undeniable benefits to those working within the Apple ecosystem.

In this week’s buying guide, we pit the very popular Logitech MX Keys Mini against the Apple Magic Keyboard. Both small keyboards pack big features, but they differ in key ways. Which one is best for you?

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Apple made call screening much more effective in iOS 26. Find out how it all works (and get ready for bliss).
The AirPods’ new Live Translation feature sounds pretty sci-fi. We put it to the test to see how well it works.
The second iOS 26.1 beta brings some cool new features.
This clever power bank from Belkin makes your iPhone even better for photography.
Surprisingly, some of the best Apple deals from Amazon Big Deal Days are still going strong.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

Feature story

Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Which to choose?

When it comes to Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard, we help you choose between the two great mini keyboards.

www.cultofmac.com/buying-guides/logitech-mx-keys-mini-vs-apple-magic-keyboard

How-tos

Screen calls on iPhone and you, too, can live in interruption-free bliss

You have a few options on your iPhone to screen calls: one aptly named Call Screening, as well as Live Voicemail and Silence Unknown Callers.

www.cultofmac.com/how-to/screen-calls

Stop following me! Tweak iPhone location settings to keep spies at bay.

If you’re uncomfortable with apps tracking your movements, here’s how to stop them using your iPhone's built-in location settings.

www.cultofmac.com/how-to/iphone-location-settings

AirPods firmware update brings bug fixes to Apple earbuds

Here's how to see if you have the latest AirPods firmware, which brings bug fixes, plus how to force an update if you don’t.

www.cultofmac.com/how-to/how-to-update-airpods-firmware

News

Apple drops iOS 26.1 beta 2 -- what’s new across iPhone and iPad

The second iOS 26.1 and iOS 26.1 betas bring notable changes, including a new gesture to dismiss alarms, Slide Over multitasking on iPads and more.

www.cultofmac.com/news/ios-26-1-beta-features-changes

What to expect at Apple‘s October product-launch event

Here’s what rumors tell us about a possible Apple October event, with a new iPad and MacBook supposedly on the agenda, and maybe more.

www.cultofmac.com/news/apple-october-event-rumors

Plus, more Apple rumors:

The Underdogs learn about Mac security in funny new Apple film

The Underdogs, a fictitious team of nerdy Apple users, star in "BSOD (Blue Screen of Death)," a funny video set at a tech convention.

www.cultofmac.com/news/underdogs-bsod

OpenAI struggles to create its iPhone killer

Understand the hurdles OpenAI encounters while developing the AI companion that potentially could be a new rival for iPhone and Android.

www.cultofmac.com/news/openai-ai-companion

Improve your iPhone photography with new Belkin Stage PowerGrip

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip adds to an iPhone the grip that DSLR camera users are familiar with. It’s also a wireless power bank.

www.cultofmac.com/news/belkin-stage-powergrip-2

It's AI madness! [The CultCast]

This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: OpenAI's Sora app races to the top of the App Store charts. Can we ever trust our eyes again?

www.cultofmac.com/news/ai-madness-cultcast-720

Deals

These amazing Amazon Prime sales on Apple gear refuse to die [Updated]

From AirPods to Studio Display, find the best Apple deals in Prime Big Deal Days 2025 with our handy guide.

www.cultofmac.com/deals/apple-deals-prime-big-deal-days-2025?utm_campaign=popf_post3

With this smart clipboard manager, your Mac remembers everything you copy

Stop scrolling endlessly or trying to remember exact wording. Just type what you recall; CopyMagic clipboard manager for Mac will find it.

www.cultofmac.com/deals/copymagic-mac-clipboard-manager

Plus, more software from Cult of Mac Deals:

This highly adjustable monitor will make a perfect addition to your setup

Save on a highly adjustable rotating desktop monitor from Mobile Pixels. It packs 99% color accuracy and maximum connectivity options.

www.cultofmac.com/deals/mobile-pixels-rotating-desktop-monitor

These $20 sleep earbuds block out snoring and other nightmares

This SleepEez deal will have you sleeping soundly. These tiny earbuds block out distractions and lull you into deep, uninterrupted sleep.

www.cultofmac.com/deals/sleepeez-deal

Reviews and buying guides

Live Translation with AirPods: A hands-on test

The new AirPods feature grabbed headlines when Apple announced it. We set up an AirPods Live Translation test to see how well it works.

www.cultofmac.com/reviews/airpods-live-translation

8 best Sony headphones for iPhone users

This buying guide will help Apple fans choose the best Sony headphones for iPhone, including great noise-canceling cans and earbuds.

www.cultofmac.com/buying-guides/best-sony-headphones-for-iphone

This tiny external SSD plugs into new and old computers [Review]

Read our hands-on PNY Duo Link V3 review for insights on its USB-C and USB-A features and impressive data-transfer speeds.

www.cultofmac.com/reviews/pny-duo-link-v3-review

How Backbone enhances mobile gaming for iPhone users

Transform your iPhone gaming with a Backbone controller for an experience that feels like a console on the go.

www.cultofmac.com/reviews/backbone-controller-for-iphone-gaming

Setups

PC user gets deal on MacBook Air -- then gleefully upgrades whole workstation

A user scores a good deal on a Mac, then finds himself a convert, upgrading everything as a newly minted "Apple fanboy."