Stop the cable chaos

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Not all USB-C cables are created equal. Some charge devices more quickly than others. And some transfer data at higher speeds.

Unfortunately, they all look alike.

If you’ve got multiple USB-C cables scattered around your house, and you don’t know which ones can do what, there’s a free Mac app called WhatCable that you might want to download. With it running, you simply plug a USB-C cable into your Mac to get the lowdown on the cable’s capabilities.

Cult of Mac writer Rajesh Pandey took WhatCable for a spin and found it quite useful. (And the affordable pro version gives you even more details about your USB-C cables, making it perfect for power users.)

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

The iOS 27 public beta is here, and it’s surprisingly stable! If you’re thinking about trying it, here’s what you need to know before installing it.
The next year or so is going to be incredibly exciting for iPad fans, because Apple’s updating its entire tablet lineup. (The Apple Pencil is getting a makeover, too.)
A new bit of Mac malware called CrashStealer sounds insidiously clever.
Apple Music and AppleCare+ just got more expensive, but at least Apple’s offering some back-to-school savings.
OpenAI’s planned smart speaker, crafted by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, sounds kinda wild. Can’t wait to see it — assuming Apple’s potentially awkward lawsuit doesn’t put the kibosh on OpenAI’s hardware pursuits.
And finally, Cult of Mac Deals launched some great new buys this week, including a deeply discounted bundle of 27 great Mac apps, an AI invoicing tool, a 20TB cloud storage plan with no recurring fees, and some dirt-cheap refurbished iPad minis.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

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Feature story

I tried the viral Mac app that reveals what your USB-C cables can really do [Review]

If you’ve ever wondered which of your USB-C cables can actually charge your MacBook at full speed, this clever Mac app has the answer.

How-tos

How to prep for the iOS 27 public beta

Get your iPhone ready to try out the surprisingly stable first iOS 27 public beta.

How to share your AirTag location with an airline to find lost luggage

Learn how to use Apple's Share Item Location feature on AirTag to securely track lost luggage and provide airlines with its exact position.

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News

iOS 27 public beta arrives, and it's stable enough to trust

Anyone can download the iOS 27 public beta, which brings new Apple Intelligence tools. Grab it now and sign up for the Siri AI waitlist.

iPad mini and 3 more iPads getting upgrades: What to expect

Every iPad is rumored to get an upgrade in the next year. It all starts with an OLED iPad mini, and here's what's coming across the lineup.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

OpenAI's first device sounds more like an Alexa beater than an iPhone killer

A new report says OpenAI wants to produce a super-smart, "humanlike" portable speaker that gets to know you (and actually moves).

Plus: Apple left Jony Ive out of its OpenAI lawsuit, but things might get messy

CrashStealer malware masquerades as Apple's crash report tool to raid your Mac

Dangerous new macOS malware called CrashStealer slips past Apple's defenses. Here's what you need to know to protect your Mac.

Apple Music jacks up subscription fees due to 'rising licensing costs'

Apple jacks up subscription fees for its music streaming service and Apple One subscription bundles due to "rising licensing costs."

Plus: AppleCare+ price increase lands for new Mac and iPad buyers

Apple Maps ads will ban plumbers, crypto ATMs and bail bonds

In an effort to keep Apple Maps usable, Cupertino won't allow ads for specific home services, crypto ATM operators and other things.

Apple’s Back to School 2026 deal offers up to a $150 gift card

Apple’s Back to School 2026 promotion goes live in the United States and Canada, offering eligible students gift cards valued up to $150.

Deals

This Mac bundle packs 27 lifetime apps into one $29.99 deal

Get forever licenses to every type of tool a Mac user needs, from design and productivity to utilities, with the 27-App Lifetime Mac Bundle.

Plus, more software from Cult of Mac Deals:

Pay one low price and get 20TB of encrypted cloud storage for life

With end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture, Scramble Cloud offers a 20TB lifetime cloud storage subscription for $349.95.

These iPad minis just dropped to less than $295

Pick up a perfectly portable, and perfectly capable, Apple tablet that's marked down to just $294.99 in this refurbished iPad mini 6 deal.

Stop slaving over invoices with lifetime access to AI Invoice Maker (just $20)

Skip manual billing with this lifetime deal on AI Invoice Maker. It creates pro invoices in seconds and manages billing across Apple devices.

Reviews

You'll never need a USB-C cable with this brilliant 200W power bank [Review]

Read our detailed ReelCharge ReelPro 200W Power Bank review to discover its real-world performance with Apple products.