Our top story today is a puzzler.

Samsung has been caught secretly throttling its own phones.

Thousand of apps are being deliberately slowed down. But why would Samsung do much a crazy thing? The answer is actually kinda obvious when you read about it.

In other news:

• Crimea is once again part of Ukraine, according to Apple Maps. Previously, it was labeled part of Russia, but that changed after the invasion.

• Apple, like everyone else, is starting to wind down its COVID-19 safety protocols. "Today at Apple" sessions are back.

• If you're a Mac fan, check out the cutest Mac-themed case for your precious iPods.

-- Leander Kahney, EIC.

Samsung takes heat for throttling more than 10,000 apps on its phones — www.cultofmac.com

A feature that cannot be disabled is reportedly to blame, and the “performance limits” supposedly have been in place for years. However, Samsung carefully avoids throttling popular benchmarking apps so that its devices still achieve impressive scores.

Crimea is again part of Ukraine on Apple Maps — www.cultofmac.com

The app previously showed the peninsula as part of no country after the 2014 Russian invasion and subsequent occupation of Crimea.

Apple removes face mask requirements for corporate and retail employees — www.cultofmac.com

Limitations remain, but the company begins allowing some of its workers to take off their face masks in offices and Apple Stores.

In-person ‘Today at Apple’ events resume after 2-year COVID-19 stop — www.cultofmac.com

Beginning March 7, customers will be able to visit their local Apple Store to “explore the art of remixing with GarageBand” — and Lady Gaga.

This might be the coolest AirPods case money can buy [Review] — www.cultofmac.com

This AirPods case is like carrying a tiny little Macintosh with you wherever you go. And it can be yours for as little as $11.99.

Apple now fixes Face ID faults without replacing your entire iPhone — www.cultofmac.com

A Face ID fail isn’t going to get you a new iPhone anymore. Apple has begun distributing the components that its in-store technicians and authorized service providers need to fix Face ID faults without replacing an entire device.

Aquara’s new security cam amps up HomeKit Secure Video features — www.cultofmac.com

Concerned about home security? Smart home accessories specialist Aqara just rolled out a more robust HomeKit Secure Video camera.

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One more thing ...

"There's some notion that because I was abandoned, I worked very hard so I could do well and make parents wish they had me back, but that's nonsense." -- Steve Jobs