Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
Foundation on Apple TV+ is one of the most popular shows on any streaming service. Image: Apple TV+
Season two of the sci-fi epic Foundation draws enough viewers to propel the Apple TV+ series to near the top of the popularity charts for three weeks in a row. It continues to outperform nearly everything on any streaming service.
And it’s not only viewers who like the show — the current season enjoys a 100% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes.
Japanese Rural Life Adventure uses a gorgeous and carefully crafted pixel art style. Image: Game Start/Apple Arcade
Fans of cozy life simulation games will enjoy Japanese Rural Life Adventure. It’s about living your best (digital) life, with plenty of the traditional culture of Japan mixed in.
The app debuted Friday on the Apple Arcade subscription gaming service.
The iPhone 15 doesn't care if you use an Apple USB-C cable or one made by some other company. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple didn’t tinker with the USB-C port in the iPhone 15 series to disadvantage standard cables. Instead, the port handles charging and data transfers like any other USB-C port.
This throws cold water on suspicions that the new iPhones would require special MFi cables to get the maximum data or charging rates.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are already in short supply. Photo: Apple
Anyone who even slightly delayed ordering the new iPhone 15 Pro models when they went on sale Friday morning faces a lengthy wait for their devices to be delivered. The delays extend into November for some handsets and configurations.
In addition, problems marred the preorder process via the online Apple Store, possibly due to high demand for the new titanium Pro phones.
Is this band worth waiting five or six extra weeks for an Apple Watch Ultra 2? Photo: Apple
Those who want a new Apple Watch Ultra 2 as soon as possible need to think carefully about what band to get with it. With some bands, the wearable is available on launch day later this month. But with others the wait stretches out to November.
So do you really, really want that Trail Loop in Orange/Beige?
You don't have to buy AirPods to get decent earbuds from Apple for your Mac or iPad. Photo: Apple
Apple’s transition away from the old Lightning connector includes a USB-C version of EarPods, and these can now be purchased online for under $20.
The wired earbuds that come with iPhone are surprisingly good — audio quality is closer to AirPods than you might realize. And there are other advantages for Mac and iPad users, too.
Season four of For All Mankind is only a couple of months away. Photo: Apple TV+
The alternative-history sci-fi series For All Mankind returns to Apple TV+ in November, according to the streaming service. And Apple also released a teaser trailer for the upcoming season 4.
In these future episodes, the colony on Mars is fully established so the focus moves to mining the asteroids.
Keep using your Lightning cables and earbuds with iPhone 15 thanks to this adapter from Apple. Photo: Apple
Anyone unhappy that the iPhone 15 series dumps Lightning in favor of USB-C should consider a just-released adapter from Apple. With it, an old Lightning cable can be plugged into a USB-C port — and for more than just power.
You can store 6X as much with an iCloud+ subscription than was possible before. Image: Apple
Apple added two tiers to iCloud+ online storage, allowing Mac and iPhone users to keep as much as 12 terabytes of data on the service. That’s six times as much as before.
The storage plans also come with additional features, many of which are focused on privacy.
Apple doit réparer l'iPhone 12 dès que possible. Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 12 can no longer be sold in France. The handset reportedly emits more electromagnetic radiation than is allowed in that country, and retailers have been ordered to take it off its shelves.
The order applies to only one model that Apple released in 2020. And the problem is fixable with a software patch.
Apple included some features in its new products we weren't expecting. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Although tipsters worked overtime spoiling the new Apple products, revealing most of the details of the iPhone 15 series and the new Apple Watch models, Tim Cook and Co. still managed to surprise us here and there during Tuesday’s “Wonderlust” event.
Fortunately, most of the surprises were good ones.
Here are three ways Apple gave us more than we expected, but two where the tipsters steered us wrong.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus come in a range of pastels, plus basic black. Screenshot: Apple
The just-launched iPhone 15 and 15 Plus include the Dynamic Island previously reserved for Pro models. And they’re enhanced with another previously Pro feature: a 48 megapixel camera.
What they don’t have is a Lighting port or screen notch. These have been replaced with better options.
“iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus represent a huge leap forward with exciting camera innovations that inspire creativity, the intuitive Dynamic Island, and features like Roadside Assistance via satellite that make a real difference in users’ lives,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing.
The handsets were unveiled Tuesday at Apple’s Wonderlust event, along with two iPhone 15 Pro models andnew Apple Watch iterations.
Transfer data at crazy fast speeds with Thunderbolt 5. Graphic: Intel
Those working with very large files should be pleased that Intel keeps improving the Thunderbolt standard. The newly announced Thunderbolt 5 doubles the speed of its predecessor, and can even go up to three times faster for video connections.
It’s virtually certain Apple will build support the system for high-speed data transfers into future Macs.
It seems iPad 10 will remain Apple's newest tablet for some months to come. Photo: Apple
Don’t expect an updated iPad to wrap up Tuesday’s Wonderlust event. A trusted source of Apple insider information says Apple probably won’t introduce any tablets this year.
Install iOS 15.7.9 on your older iPhone to protect it from the Pegasus spyware. Photo: Андрей Сидоренко/Pixabay/Cult of Mac
The newly-released iOS 15.7.9, macOS Monterey 12.6.9 and iPadOS 15.7.9 are intended to protect older computers from hackers, including those using the Pegasus spyware.
Apple recently introduced security patches for newer versions of these operating systems to close the same security vulnerability.
We already know quite a bit about What to expect from Apple Watch Series 9. And Apple Watch Ultra 2 as well. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple will unveil the next generation of Apple Watch on Tuesday at its Wonderlust event, but you don’t have to wait to find out what the new wearables will offer: Many of the details have leaked out already.
Here’s what we know about Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the next Apple Watch SE.
A 15-inch MacBook Air is even better at a lower cost. Screenshot: Apple
The 15-inch MacBook Air only just launched in June, and shoppers can already pick up a refurbished unit from Apple itself. Buying refurbs from Apple is a popular way to save on used computers that can be relied on.
The newest macOS notebook is lightweight, boasts a long battery life and comes with a speedy M2 processor. Even better, a refurb is about 15% off the regular cost.
The "standard" iPhone 15 will cost less, in real world terms, than any predecessor for many years. Photo: Sonny Dickson/Cult of Mac
Those ordering an iPhone 15 can do so knowing they’ll pay less for it in real-world cost than for any just-launched Apple flagship handset since the original.
But that doesn’t mean there’s a giant price cut coming. The magic words here are “adjusted for inflation.”
The iPhone 15 series is only a days away, but you don't have to wait for the details. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple will launch the iPhone 15 on September 12 at the Wonderlust event, but you don’t have to wait — leaks have revealed plenty of details already. This year’s models will allegedly be faster in multiple ways, plus there’ll be design changes, including USB-C and the Dynamic Island for everyone.
Here’s everything we’re expected from Apple’s new-for-2023 iPhone lineup.
Angela is a virtual pet with style and cattitude. Image: Outfit7 Limited/Apple Arcade
My Talking Angela 2+ is a virtual pet game. Players help Angela, a fashionable anthropomorphic feline, stay busy in her big-city home. Some off her activities include practicing her dance moves, baking treats, making original music and designing jewelry.
It’s the latest addition to Apple Arcade, a low-cost subscription service that includes hundreds of games.
There should be plenty to love at Apple's September 12 event. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple’s biggest event of the year is only a few days away. On September 12, Tim Cook and Co. will reveal at least six new Apple products and possibly more.
The event is titled “Wonderlust” — Apple clearly hopes the new iPhone 15 series and fresh Apple Watch models will fill us with an uncontrollable desire to buy.
Can’t wait to find out what’s coming? We don’t blame you. Here’s everything that leaks already revealed about the handsets and wearables on Tuesday’s agenda.
A leak says a new U2 chip in the next iPhone will make the Find My app better. Graphic: Apple
The iPhone 15 series will reportedly include a new ultrawide-band chip that will make locating the handsets with the Find My application more accurate.
Dubbed U2, the chip will supposedly make its way to many other Apple products over time.
An AirPods 3 charging case with USB-C might be on Apple's radar. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple could release charging cases that use USB-C for lower-priced AirPods in 2024, according to an unconfirmed report. A similar case for premium AirPods Pro 2 is expected at Apple’s September event next week.
And Apple might bring USB-C to AirPods Max next year, too, as part of a general move away from Lightning.
Up from the depths, 30 stories high, breathing fire, his head in the sky: Godzilla! Photo: Apple TV+
Those eager to see more about the upcoming Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters can finally watch a teaser trailer. It gives the best look yet at the show set in the MonsterVerse that contains Godzilla and other classic kaiju.
Apple also announced that the series will premier in November 2023.