It's a flop

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I thought the iPhone Air would take off once consumers got to check it out at retail stores.

That’s because it’s hard to convey the Air’s attraction without physically holding the device. As more people got to experience the device in person, I figured, they’d be wowed by its svelte and seductive lines.

I must admit, though, I thought the dearly departed iPhone mini would be popular, too (because it was one of my personal favorites) … and the doomed butterfly keyboard as well.

Apple doesn’t make many flops (cough Vision Pro cough, cough). But when it does, they flop badly.

Looks like the iPhone Air is not just a flop, but a megaflop.

Also in today’s newsletter:

For some reason, I thought the new M5 machines would hit retail stores on Friday, so I was genuinely surprised this morning to see they’re all available midweek. Someone even bought the new Vision Pro headset — see the X posts below. And don’t miss our unboxing video.
Apple silicon is not running out of steam anytime soon. Check the rumors about the A20 chip that’ll power the iPhone 18.
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This is such a good VPN deal that I got my own brother to buy it (although he did accuse me of doing it for the affiliate revenue!).
What’s with all the Mac-exclusive software these days? OpenAI’s new ChatGPT-powered browser, Atlas, just debuted on Mac only. That’s great, I suppose, but I for one do not trust it an inch — and it’s already been hacked. See the X posts again. Simon Willison, a respected AI researcher, details some of the many privacy and security concerns.
The latest Pluribus trailer cranks up the weird — again!

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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Apple dramatically cuts production of iPhone Air due to weak demand

The iPhone Air's slim design fails to attract enough buyers, with Apple reportedly reducing production significantly.

M5 MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro go on sale

Apple's faster new M5 MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro hit store shelves and ship to customers globally.

M5 Vision Pro unboxing

Apple A20 chip could bring a wicked speed boost, but at a cost

The Apple A20 chip in iPhone 18 will be made using a 2nm process that will hike performance while saving on battery. But it won’t come cheap.

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

Protect all your devices from hackers, trackers and other online creeps

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ChatGPT Atlas browser puts AI right where you need it, but can you trust it?

OpenAI's AI-powered web browser for Mac brings the power of ChatGPT to every website you visit. Here's what ChatGPT Atlas can do.

Even Apple realizes a $3,000 foldable iPad is sheer lunacy

Apple’s effort to push its tablet lineup to the cutting edge with a folding iPad reportedly runs into multiple snags.

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

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New Apple TV trailer sucks you deeper into freaky, funny world of ‘Pluribus’

Time for another trailer for "Pluribus" season 1 from Vince Gilligan of "X-Files" and "Breaking Bad" fame. And it's the weirdest one yet.

Idris Elba switches from plane to train in moody ‘Hijack’ season 2 trailer

Season two of the Apple TV thriller puts Idris Elba in a high-stakes hostage situation on the Berlin subway.

This brilliant Bluetooth travel keyboard/stand works with any iPad [Review]

The Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand works with all the current iPad models and probably every future one. We go hands-on.

Today in Apple history: The App Store hits 200 million downloads

On October 22, 2008, Apple revealed that a customer downloaded the 200 millionth app from the App Store that very day.

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!

Tweets of the day

Holy shit someone actually bought the M5 Vision Pro
— #Luke Miani (#@LukeMiani)
5:46 PM • Oct 22, 2025

OpenAI's Atlas AI browser jailbroken by Pliny using clipboard injection to insert malicious phishing links without agent awareness.

I've seen enough about AI browsers in the last 12 hours to conclude they are a security risk and will only recommending them
— #Kol Tregaskes (#@koltregaskes)
10:00 AM • Oct 22, 2025

giving chatgpt access to my keychain will probably be a no for me.
— #ben (is in nyc) (#@benhylak)
5:53 PM • Oct 21, 2025

Wrote up my first impressions of ChatGPT Atlas, OpenAI's new browser - I remain unconvinced by the entire category of "browser agents", the security and privacy challenges still feel insurmountable to me
— #Simon Willison (#@simonw)
6:46 PM • Oct 21, 2025

Wallpaper of the day

Star Trek | Lock Screen
— #Pulaski Wallpaper (#@Pulaxki)
2:09 PM • Oct 21, 2025

One more thing ...

❝

We started Apple when I was 20 years old, and I'm now an old man of the industry at 36.

— Steve Jobs, 1991.

Today’s poll

Be truthful: Did you know the iPhone Air would flop?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Do product reviews influence your buying decisions?

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.