Election results, Apple-style 🇺🇸

If you just can’t get enough U.S. election news, Apple has a surprise for you: You can use Live Activities to pipe election results directly to the Lock Screen of your iPhone or iPad.

And, if you own an iPhone with a Dynamic Island, you get an even richer experience. (I love the way the Dynamic Island gives you a tiny, but expandable, view into events as they unfold.)

The election info comes from the Apple News app, one of the least-biased sources around. And it’s very easy to set up this live feed on your devices so you can stay on top of the latest results.

To me, it sounds like a better idea than doomscrolling all day as you wait for the final tallies. After you vote, of course.

Here’s how to set up the election results feature so you don’t miss a thing.

Also in today’s newsletter:

• Apple added some great new features in the latest iOS 18.2 beta, including the ability to share a Find My link so other people can locate your lost stuff.

• Speaking of finding lost stuff, your Apple Watch is the quickest way to track down your misplaced iPhone. (Pro tip: You can do more than just ping your phone.)

• Installing a water purification system like the Viomi V8 means you can quit buying bottled water.

• These days, you don’t need to wait for Black Friday to land killer deals on Apple gear. If the election noise is getting to you, perhaps you should engage in a little retail therapy.

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

^{A message from Viomi}

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

Today’s poll

Results from yesterday’s poll: What do you want most out of the next MacBook Pro?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.