News - page 21

This portable display also acts as USB-C hub

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Plugable 15.6” USB-C Portable Display
Plugable's new external display can be your on-the-go USB-C hub, too.
Photo: Plugable

The Plugable 15.6” USB-C Portable Display connects to MacBook or iPad to add more screen space and a hub: it includes a pair of high-speed USB-C ports.

It’s intended for those who need to get loads of work done while on the go, whether from a hotel room or a coffee shop.

iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro comparison: Worth the upgrade?

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iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro comparison
Don't ditch your iPhone 15 Pro for the iPhone 16 Pro unless you want these specific features.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

The iPhone 16 Pro is Apple’s best iPhone ever. But how does it compare to the company’s previous best iPhone: the iPhone 15 Pro? Our iPhone 16 Pro versus iPhone 15 Pro comparison puts the two models head-to-head.

Apple’s newest iPhone packs a bigger display, a faster chip and other nice-to-have upgrades. Do these changes add up to make the iPhone 16 Pro a compelling upgrade over the iPhone 15 Pro?

Apple Sports app brings scores to your iPhone Lock Screen

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Apple Sports app brings scores to your iPhone Lock Screen
Apple Sports app now supports Live Activities to make following games easier.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Sports 2.0 launched Monday, adding support for Live Activities so real-time game updates appear on the iPhone and Apple Watch Lock Screens.

The free app also takes over displaying scores in the iPhone Dynamic Island.

Apple Watch SE 3 now expected in 2025

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Apple Watch SE 3 rumors
Take heart: Apple Watch SE 3 is still on the way.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The wait for Apple Watch SE 3 goes on, though a new version of the low-cost wearable supposedly won’t be out this year.

The next model is still expected to move to a plastic casing, and offer better performance, too.

iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, iPadOS 18 and watchOS 11 arrive

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iOS 18 release date.
iOS 18 is almost here.
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple released iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia Monday. After Apple showcased these operating systems in June at WWDC24, it revealed the release date for iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia’s first stable build at the “It’s Glowtime” event.

They are available now for download on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs leaves and rejoins Apple

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Steve Jobs before and after, with maybe a little judgement about water sales.
Two significant days in Jobs' career took place on this day.
Photo: Fulvio Obregon

September 16: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs leaves and rejoins Apple September 16, 1985 and 1997: Twice on this day, Steve Jobs makes significant moves with regard to his career at Apple. In 1985, he quits the company he co-founded. Then, a little more than a decade later, he officially returns to Apple as its new interim CEO.

In terms of the emotions associated with those historic occasions, it’s hard to think of two more polarizing days in Jobs’ life.

AirPods 4 review roundup: ANC really works without ear tips

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Apple AirPods 4 in use
AirPods 4 are available with active noise cancellation, even without ear tips.
Screenshot: Apple/Cult of Mac

The first reviews of Apple AirPods 4 are in to answer the question, how well does active noise cancellation work without foam ear tips? The consensus: pretty well.

Early reviewers of the new wireless earbuds also had plenty to say about fit, sound quality and more.

Apple TV+ bags 10 Emmys, including first for Slow Horses

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Apple TV+ wins 10 Primetime Emmy Awards
"Slow Horses" creator and executive producer Will Smith won a Primetime Emmy for the show's writing.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ scored 10 wins at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, including the first for darkly comedic espionage thriller Slow Horses, plus a second for The Morning Show star Billy Crudup as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

In all, five Apple TV+ shows and one commercial won Primetime Emmys, on top of the eight wins that five shows garnered recently in the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Primetime-winning shows included Palm Royale, Lessons in Chemistry, Masters of the Air and Girls State.

Apple hikes iPhone 16 Pro battery replacement fee

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iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Pro's battery replacement fee costs more than iPhone 15 Pro.
Photo: Apple

Apple claims the new internal design of the iPhone 16 series makes battery replacement easier. Yet, the company charges more for the battery replacement of its latest iPhones.

After a price hike in March 2023, the Cupertino company charges $99 for an iPhone’s battery replacement. However, replacing the battery of the iPhone 16 Pro lineup costs $119, an increase of 20%.

iPhone 16 preorders seemingly get off to a slow start

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iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16
iPhone 16 preorder numbers are apparently lower than last year.
Photo: Apple

iPhone 16 preorders might be about 12.7% YoY lower than the first weekend sales of iPhone 15 from 2023. However, a highly regarded analyst says there’s higher demand for the iPhone 16 and its Plus sibling.

The analyst blames the lower-than-expected demand on Apple Intelligence being unavailable at launch.

Today in Apple history: Apple gives users a way to delete U2’s spam album

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U2
It all seemed so innocent at the time.
Photo: Apple

September 15: Today in Apple history: Apple gives users the ability to wipe U2 spam album from their iPhones September 15, 2014: Responding to its disastrous U2 album giveaway, Apple provides iPhone owners with a tool for wiping all signs of Songs of Innocence from their phones.

It comes after one of the strangest PR debacles in Apple history. After putting a free copy of U2’s latest release on every iPhone owner’s handset as a special promotion, millions find themselves with an album they didn’t order in their iTunes library. Many weren’t happy about it.

We’re still glowing after the iPhone 16 event [The CultCast]

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The CultCast episode 664: Apple's It's Glowtime event podcast.
All a-glow ...
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We’re basking in the afterglow of Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event. Time to discuss what we like most (and least) about the new iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4 and more.

Also on The CultCast:

  • That black titanium Apple Watch Ultra looks tempting. The barely upgraded AirPods Max? Not so much.
  • Which new Apple products do we plan to order? The choices seem tougher this time than usual.
  • And finally … the results of our “It’s Glowtime” event predictions. We have a winner! (Two, actually.).

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max deliveries slip to October [Updated again]

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iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro Max is in heavy demand.
Photo: Apple

It’s already too late to preorder an iPhone 16 Pro Max and have it delivered on its September 20 launch day. Three hours after preorders began today, the delivery window for iPhone 16 Pro Max slipped to mid-October.

It’s not just customers putting in orders who care. Analysts watch these delivery times to judge demand for Apple handsets.

Update: A day after preorders began, the wait for iPhone 16 Pro Max still stretches to mid-October, while delivery for iPhone 16 Pro models now begins in early October.

Today in Apple history: Apple denies Steve Jobs tried to bring ninja stars on plane

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Today in Apple history: Apple denies Steve Jobs' love of ninja stars
Jobs apparently tried to take one of these on his private jet.
Photo: SecretNinjaNews

September 14: Today in Apple history: Apple denies Steve Jobs' love of ninja stars September 14, 2010: Security workers reportedly stop Steve Jobs at Japan’s Kansai International Airport. The reason? The Apple CEO supposedly tried to bring ninja throwing stars onto his private plane while heading home from vacation. The “Steve Jobs ninja stars” story quickly becomes one of the most bizarre Jobs stories ever.

Apple, however, quickly spoils the internet’s fun. Cupertino issues a statement describing the reports as “pure fiction” (although Apple acknowledges that Jobs visited Japan over the summer).

Today in Apple history: One of Apple’s earliest rivals bites the dust

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A photo of the Osborne 1 portable computer manufactured by the Osborne Computer Corporation.
The Osborne 1 portable computer proved ahead of its time.
Photo: Tomislav Medak/Flickr CC

September 13: Today in Apple history: Osborne Computer Corporation, one of Apple's earliest rivals, bites the dust September 13, 1983: Osborne Computer Corporation, one of Apple’s early rivals, declares bankruptcy. Many considered the company’s Osborne 1 the world’s first truly portable, full-featured computer. It packed everything users needed to set up shop at home or on the road. Alas, it didn’t last!

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders now open

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iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max preorders are now open
Place your iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max preorder now.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

Apple is now accepting preorders for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The devices reach stores starting September 20, the same day preorders begin arriving.

In typical Apple fashion, the company took down its online store for about six hours before accepting preorders.

Apple Watch Series 10 can also be preordered, though Apple initially began taking those on Monday, September 9. The same goes for AirPods 4.

Do this now to ace your iPhone 16 preorder [Updated]

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iPhone 16 preorders start soon!
Don't wait! Or procrastinate!
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 16 series goes up for preorder on Friday, and Apple’s latest and greatest handsets might sell out quickly. You need do some early prep work to be sure to get your hands on the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the other models as soon as possible.

Here’s how to be completely ready to put in a preorder.

Update: Go order your iPhone 16 now!

iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 16 comparison: Go Pro or not?

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iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 16 comparison
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro or save money and get the iPhone 16?
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

The gap between the “regular” iPhones and the Pro models seems smaller than ever this year, which makes an iPhone 16 Pro versus iPhone 16 comparison tougher than usual.

While the iPhone 16 Pro packs a superior build quality, a bigger display, longer battery life and the predictably better camera, the iPhone 16 stands on its own with some meaningful upgrades.

So, should you save your money and go for the iPhone 16? Or is the iPhone 16 Pro a better buy despite its higher price tag? Find out in this comparison.

AirPods acting as hearing aids score FDA approval

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AirPods Pro can soon double as hearing aids
Your AirPods Pro can help with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple just got the approval it needs from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make the latest AirPods Pro into medical-grade hearing aids.

Once Apple releases a software update for the wireless earbuds, they’ll be able to help those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Connect tiny new Miniroll Bluetooth speakers for bigger sound

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Ultimate Ears Miniroll Bluetooth speaker
The new Ultimate Ears Miniroll Bluetooth speaker is tiny, but carries more strength in numbers.
Photo: Ultimate Ears

Ultimate Ears’ new Miniroll is the smallest and most affordable entry in the company’s Bluetooth speaker lineup. The tiny new speaker with a “river rock-inspired design” isn’t quiet for its size, the Logitech-owned company said. But for more sound over a larger area, it easily connects to others. And it features a hook-able silicone strap to easily connect to almost anything and go where you go.

“Miniroll started with a consumer ask,” said Jonah Staw, general manager of Ultimate Ears. “We heard our fans loud and clear. They wanted a speaker that could strap in and go anywhere to keep up with their active lifestyles. This led our design and engineering teams to build our most portable speaker, showing how passionate consumers can drive innovation.”

OWC’s new Thunderbolt 5 SSD transfers data at up to 6000 MBps

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Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD
OWC just launched a rugged external SSD with Thunderbolt 5
Photo: Other World Computing

Other World Computing’s Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD is for professionals needing the fastest data transfer rate available. The external solid state drive can move files at up to 6000 MBps or more, making it up to twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4 and USB4.

Plus, the SSD is rugged and designed to be ready to go wherever needed.

Today in Apple history: Lightning replaces 30-pin dock connector

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Anker PowerLine II USB-C Cable with a Lightning connector
The Lightning connector was ahead of its time.
Photo: Anker

September 12: Today in Apple history: iPhone 5 brings big changes, new EarPods September 12, 2012: The Lightning connector replaces Apple’s aging 30-pin interface, a proprietary data and power connector that debuted on the iPod Classic in 2003. The slender and capable new Lightning port debuts in the iPhone 5, bringing big improvements — and no small amount of controversy.

Apple soon will build the Lightning connector into many other products, including iPad, iPod and accessories. Lightning cables can charge the mobile devices as well as transfer data to a Mac or PC.

iPhone 16 Pro’s new Qualcomm modem boosts 5G data speeds

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iPhone 16 uses a faster Snapdragon modem.
iPhone 16 Pro's new Qualcomm modem boosts 5G speeds.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

Early tests indicate the iPhone 16 Pro delivers up to 26% faster download speeds than the iPhone 15 Pro. This is thanks to its new Snapdragon X75 modem, which supports 5G Advanced and enhanced carrier aggregation.

Besides faster speeds, the new Qualcomm modem consumes less power, boosting battery life.