If, like me, you avoid email like the plague (hopefully not — this is an email newsletter after all!), you might miss an important message from Apple regarding the Home app.

Apple’s finally turning off the tap for the old Home app. It’s being retired on February 10 — just five days away.

If you own any smart home devices, it’s well worth checking that you are on the latest version. Otherwise, stuff might stop working after that date.

Plus, you should update all your smart devices before updating the Home app.

There are some other wrinkles, too. For instance, you can no longer use an iPad as a home hub. Check all the details here.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • If your iPhone or Mac is acting all buggy, the good news is a big package of fixes and optimizations are coming in iOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3. Here’s when you can expect the updates.

  • CNet tested the battery life of a bunch of Apple and Android smartphones, and the results are mildly surprising.

  • Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Arcade Edition is now live on Apple Arcade. I’ve never played it, but I’ve heard good things. I think I tried it once but was immediately put off by a bunch of tiresome chores it made you do before actually playing. The screenshots make it look pretty fun.

  • Talking of gaming, Logitech just launched a very handsome but inexpensive set of gaming headphones. Love the lilac.

  • I got kicked out of music lessons when I was a kid for kicking the piano, but I’ve always wanted to play. Get the knees-up started with these piano lessons, on sale for just $69.

  • Anker just debuted an awesome-looking whole-home power system to rival Tesla’s Powerwall. Cleverly, it’s modular, so you can expand it over time.

  • 🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: This great camera accessory from Belkin turns your iPhone into a DLSR, with battery backup. It’s currently 15% off.

  • Also from Belkin: We tested the company’s wireless HDMI adapter, which makes it very easy to connect a MacBook to a big screen without wires. TL;DR: It works great!

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Why your Apple smart home might quit on February 10 (and how to stop it)

In an email this week, Apple warns users to update the Home app to avoid hassles as support for the older version expires.

Here's when Apple will launch iOS 26.3

The iPhone 26.3 update takes a major step toward release. We can now name the most likely launch day. The same goes for macOS 26.3.

Longest-lasting smartphone? Two iPhones lead the pack in battery life.

When it comes to the best smartphone battery life, nothing beats these two iPhones. One you can guess, but the other might surprise you.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Convert PDFs easily on your Mac with this pro tool

An all-in-one PDF editor like AcePDF Converter & Editor doesn't need to cost a fortune. Get a lifetime license for the Mac app for $30.

How Apple might toughen up iPhone Fold display

Apple may try a beefed-up iPhone Fold display rather than the thin film Samsung currently offers on its folding smartphones.

Back up whole-home power with new Anker Solix hybrid system

The new Anker Solix E10 power system is the company's first whole-home power backup rig. It's hugely customizable and endlessly expandable.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Get 3 years of piano lessons on your iPhone, iPad or Mac for just $69

Turn your device into a smart teacher with Flowkey’s interactive piano lessons, real-time feedback and song-first approach to learning.

Build empires with ‘Sid Meier's Civilization VII’ on Apple Arcade [Updated]

Along with three other titles, the legendary "Sid Meier's Civilization VII" just landed on Apple Arcade. It lets gamers rule an empire.

New Logitech Lightspeed gaming headset brings big sound at a small price

The new Logitech G325 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset with great sound is a super value, whether you're a gamer or not.

Big screen, no cable: Belkin’s wireless HDMI adapter cuts the cord [Review]

The Belkin ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter promises easy streaming without messy cables. Wireless connectivity made simple.

Today in Apple history: Original iPhone goes large with 16GB of storage

On February 5, 2008, Apple released a new version of the iPhone with a substantial storage boost. The 16GB iPhone persisted until 2016.

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

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

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Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

I’d always ask why you do things. And the answers you invariably get are, “Oh, that’s just the way it’s done.” Nobody knows why they do what they do. Nobody thinks about things very deeply in business. That’s what I found.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Results from yesterday’s poll: Is Apple guilty of planned obsolescence?

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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