Gemini goes native

In macOS Tahoe, Apple significantly beefed up Spotlight with a bunch of new abilities.

Instead of just searching your Mac, hitting CMD-Space now lets you do stuff.

You can quickly send a message to a contact, add an item to your calendar, create a reminder, and a lot more. (You can learn all the tricks in our guide: How to use the all-new Spotlight in macOS 26 Tahoe.)

Now, Google is getting in on the action with a new Gemini for Mac app. It offers similar capabilities, with a touch of AI flair.

You can also share whatever’s onscreen and get the app to perform a bunch of actions.

It looks very interesting and is free to try out — I’ll be playing around with it as soon as I finish this newsletter.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Here are some very easy tips for speeding up an old iPhone. The first one is dead simple to implement and should make a significant difference.
How the tables have turned. The whole world used to complain about the “Apple tax,” but these days, Apple is the low-price leader.
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: Purveyor of fine Apple accessories Nomad is offering a free Tracking Card Air, a $29 wallet tracker that works with Apple's Find My network, with purchases of $80+. Use code FREEGIFT to get yours. #affiliate
The Apple Watch’s Activity challenges are a clever way to gamify fitness, and this month there are a couple of new ones. As someone with two left feet, I definitely will not be participating in one of them. Coincidentally, the Apple Watch Series 11 just hit its lowest price ever.
The Apple III computer was a dud from the get-go, and Cupertino’s fix for a pernicious problem with the doomed machine is still hilarious.
I often listen to ASMR videos while working (I’m addicted to tingles). Your iPhone’s built-in Background Sounds feature offers something similar, and works offline to boot.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Gemini Mac app puts Google AI right in your workflow

The new Gemini for Mac app integrates into your workflow for quicker and easier AI access, hopefully improving productivity.

3 ways to give your old iPhone a performance boost

If your older iPhone runs more slowly than it used to, there are straightforward fixes.

Apple holds the line while rivals jack up prices

Rising Microsoft and Samsung prices are shifting the competitive landscape in the electronics market today. Here's how Apple benefits.

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

Apple Watch Series 11 hits record-low $299: Save $100 on latest smartwatch

Fresh discounts slash 100 bucks off the price of Apple Watch Series 11, in both sizes and many strap options.

Here come fun new April Activity challenges on Apple Watch

Get in shape and earn awards while celebrating Earth Day and International Dance Day.

iPad Air's OLED display won't match iPad Pro's

Samsung Display reportedly will begin mass production of OLED panels for the next iPad Air in early 2027.

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

Turn any wall into a movie screen with this $67 portable projector

A Mac-friendly entertainment upgrade at $67.99, the Ion Audio portable HD projector is more about convenience than perfection.

Price cut: Your Mac has hidden tools — this $25.50 app makes them visible

MacMagic is an easy way to unlock hidden Mac features without memorizing Terminal commands.

Today in Apple history: Apple scrambles to fix doomed Apple III

On April 15, 1981, Apple defended the Apple III and offered a quick, unorthodox fix for the computer's overheating motherboard.

Listen to gentle rain and ocean sounds while you work

Your iPhone has a built-in feature called Background Sounds for playing rain sounds or white noise so you can tune everything out.

Cult of Mac’s buyback program

We pay top dollar for used Apple gear

Sell your old iPhone, iPad, MacBook and more through Cult of Mac. Free shipping, fast payment!

^{A message from Hubspot}

Want to get the most out of ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a superpower if you know how to use it correctly.

Discover how HubSpot's guide to AI can elevate both your productivity and creativity to get more things done.

Learn to automate tasks, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation with the power of AI.

Download the free guide

Tweets of the day

— # (#)

Wallpaper of the day

— # (#)

One more thing ...

❝

I've always thought it would be really wonderful to have a little box, a sort of slate that you could carry along with you.

— Steve Jobs, 1984.

Today’s poll

Whose AI assistant do you trust the most?

Results from yesterday’s poll

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.