At restaurants and bars, when the check arrives, it usually gets handed to me.

It’s been a while since I had to split the bill, because I usually end up picking up the tab.

My kids, on the other hand, split everything. I got a peek at my son’s Venmo payment history the other day, and it was a never-ending string of payments to friends for 🍕, 🍻 and ☕️.

Luckily, Apple Cash has a new option to make splitting the bill and getting paid by everyone in a group easier than ever.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • Hilariously, this weekend Apple rebranded its streaming video service, Apple TV+, as just “Apple TV,” a name already shared by its app and set-top box. So now there are three Apple TVs. It’s impressive that Apple somehow managed to make its most confusing branding even more so. Anyway, here’s when you can watch F1: The Movie on Apple TV in Apple TV on your Apple TV.

  • Color me surprised, but Apple Intelligence is being credited with robust iPhone 17 sales. It sounds like flexible financing and trade-in options played a big role as well.

  • Elgato’s popular teleprompter just got supersized for professional studios.

  • Juice jacking — data theft when using public chargers — is on the rise, but it’s thwarted by changing one simple iPhone setting.

  • RIP Clips, Apple’s app for making short videos that nobody used.

  • Today’s the day in Apple history when Tim Cook took the reins as COO — and Apple really started to grow into a corporate behemoth.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Get paid back from everyone using Apple Cash in a group chat

You can get paid back from your whole group chat using Apple Cash. You don’t need to chase down everyone separately.

When you can watch ‘F1: The Movie’ on rebranded 'Apple TV'

"F1: The Movie" streams December 12 on Apple TV (without the "+").

Demand for AI features drives robust iPhone 17 sales

Analytics firm IDC finds demand for AI features helps drive robust iPhone 17 sales -- almost to the point of catching Samsung.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

MacBook Air deal makes it hard to resist

The M4 MacBook Air is Apple’s best notebook for most people. It’s already affordable, and a deal knocks 10% off the price.

Apple drops iOS 26.1 beta 3 -- what’s new across iPhone and iPad

The third iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 betas bring notable changes, including updates to the Control Center and Apple Intelligence.

Next-gen AirPods Pro to pack H3 chip, AI tricks, new health sensors

Here’s what to expect from AirPods Pro 4.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Add a 2TB external SSD to your setup for less than $65

Western Digital Elements external hard drive offers 2TB of storage in a pocket-size design, enough to stash years of photos and movies.

Elgato supersizes its teleprompter for content creators and studios

While its original Prompter proved popular, customers clamored for a bigger one. The Elgato Prompter XL teleprompter suits professional studios.

Pro Display XDR 2 may borrow a fan-favorite iPad feature

Apple's rumored Pro Display XDR 2 may get a built-in Center Stage camera, according to code spotted in the latest macOS 26.1 beta.

RIP Clips: Apple shuts its free video creation app that nobody used

Apple Clips, a free video-creation tool designed for the Instagram era, comes to an abrupt end.

‘The Family Plan 2’ spends Christmas with killer Kit Harington [Apple TV trailer]

"The Family Plan 2" movie sees the Morgans on a yuletide Euro romp, with bullets included courtesy of Jon Snow from "Game of Thrones."

You need to change this iPhone security setting ASAP

Protect your iPhone from juice jacking. Learn how to change iOS settings to prevent data theft when using public chargers.

Today in Apple history: Tim Cook becomes Apple's chief operating officer

On October 14, 2005, Tim Cook was named Apple's new chief operating officer, continuing his upward climb through the ranks.

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

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

If you want to live your life in a creative way, as an artist, you have to not look back too much. You have to be willing to take whatever you've done and whoever you were and throw them away.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Results from yesterday’s poll: How do you feel about an AI doctor nagging you?

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.

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