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iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: Pro features for less [Review]

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iPhone 15 and 15 Plus review: Pro features for less
A brighter screen is just one of many improvements in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Those who were jealous of the Dynamic Island and 48MP camera in the iPhone 14 Pro can relax — the just-launched iPhone 15 and 15 Plus include the best features of last year’s Pro models. This makes them significant upgrades for anyone with an older handset … even one from 2022.

And dumping the old Lightning port in favor of USB-C is icing on the cake.

The Changeling pulls a big audience to Apple TV+

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You weren't going to sleep well ever again, anyway.
Plenty of viewers are getting creeped out by "The Changeling."
Photo: Apple

The drama/horror series The Changeling is a hit for Apple TV+. For two weeks it’s been in a list of the top 10 most popular series or films on any streaming service.

The Morning Show season 3 is also pulling in plenty of viewers.

Defend your towers in a world of trash in Junkworld TD

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Junkworld TD is now on Apple Arcade
Junkworld TD is a funny and offbeat tower-defense game.
Image:

Junkworld TD players deploy towers, use special units and gadgets, and train amazing heroes to survive the mayhem of post-apocalyptic tactical battles.

The quirky action title is the latest addition to the Apple Arcade subscription gaming service.

Amazon Prime Video will soon show ads to subscribers who don’t pay extra

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Amazon Prime Video
You'll soon have to shell out more money for Amazon Prime Video unless you want to watch ads.
Image: Amazon

Add Amazon Prime Video to the list of streaming services that charge extra for advertising-free viewing. Commercials will start appearing on the service in 2024.

The change leaves Apple TV+ as one of the few video streaming services that doesn’t include adverts.

Yes, you can buy an iPhone 15 Pro Max today without a preorder [Updated]

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Apple store logo
Head to an Apple Store and you might be able to pick up an iPhone 15 Pro Max today.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

UPDATE Sept. 23: A day after the debut on the iPhone 15 series, it’s very unlikely Apple retail stores have any remaining stock ready for walk-up purchase.

Order an iPhone 15 Pro Max online and you could wait until mid-November to get it, or you can pick one up today from an Apple retail store, no preorder necessary.

But don’t dawdle — it’s first come, first serve.

How to leave the iOS 17 beta program

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How to leave the iOS 17 beta program
If you're done with iOS 17 betas, you can easily set your iPhone to ignore them.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

With iOS 17 now available to all, you no longer need to be enrolled in Apple’s beta program to get your hands on it. There are good reasons why you might not want to run prerelease software on your iPhone any more.

Here’s how to pull your iPhone out. It’s easy and only takes a minute. Maybe less

Why an Apple-made 5G iPhone modem remains only a dream

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An Apple 5G modem might look like this
Apple has poured billions into making its own 5G chip, and so far has nothing to show for it. Here's why.
Artists concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s five-year effort to make a 5G modem for the iPhone has so far accomplished little besides spending billions of dollars, according to a new report. The reasons for the failure are myriad but mostly come down to executives underestimating the complexity of the project.

That’s left iPhone-maker dependent on Qualcomm for modems, a company Apple has a very rocky relationship with.

1Password takes a step away from passwords by adding passkey support

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1Password now supports passkeys
View and manage passkeys in 1Password.
Photo: 1Password

The popular password-management application 1Password added support for passkeys on Wednesday. The feature is now available on desktop and mobile versions of the software.

The intent of passkeys is to use biometric systems to free users from the hassles of remembering passwords for websites and apps.

Early Apple Watch Series 9 review roundup: New chip brings new tricks

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Apple Watch Series 9 on Wrist
Just because the outer design of Apple Watch Series 9 hasn't changed doesn't mean there aren't new features.
Screenshot: Apple

Early reviews of Apple Watch Series 9 praise its new processor that gives the wearable a nifty Double Tap gesture and improves Siri, too. The brighter display also draws kudos from reviewers.

The 2023 version can be preordered now, and starts reaching customers on Friday.

iPhone 15 displays how many times its battery has been charged

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iPhone 15 battery cycle count
iPhone 15 users will be able to check the battery cycle count. And exactly how old the handset is, too.
Image: Ray Wong/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 15 series will reportedly show the battery cycle count, helping users track the long-term “health” of the battery.

In addition, the Settings app displays when the device was manufactured and first activated.

Mac sits at the top of the chart for consumer satisfaction

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24-inch iMac
Mac users are very satisfied with their iMac.
Photo: Apple

Mac users are very satisfied with their computer. Even more so than last year, according to a survey of users of all types of desktops, laptops and tablets.

Apple computers beat Windows PCs from most rivals in user satisfaction. In fact, there’s only one company that can rival Apple.

First iPhone 15/Plus reviews: Pro features get more affordable

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iPhone 15 in hand
iPhone 15 includes the Dynamic Island and other features that were formerly for Pro only.
Screenshot: Apple

Initial reviews of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus praise the addition of the Dynamic Island and 48MP camera, saying they make the new handsets feel like a significant upgrade for users of older models. They also applaud the switch to USB-C and the new ultra-wideband chip.

The two iOS 17 devices reach store shelves this Friday.

Now you can upgrade your iCloud+ storage to a whopping 12TB

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iCloud+ Storage Capacity
You can store 6X as much with an iCloud+ subscription than was possible before.
Image: Apple

The maximum capacity of an Apple iCloud+ account just expanded from 2 terabytes to 12 terabytes. There’s also a new 6TB option. Either one is a heap of storage for Mac, iPad and iPhone user to hold images, videos and other files.

The storage plans also come with useful bonus features, many of which are focused on privacy.

Don’t miss the best new features in iPadOS 17

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iPadOS 17 Home Screen
Interactive widgets are one of the highlights of iPadOS 17.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple just released iPadOS 17 to the public. There’s a lot to like, including a new customizable Lock screen, interactive widgets, a Health app, significant Stage Manager improvements and much more.

Here’s everything you can expect from loading the new version on your iPad.

Foundation season 2 is a huge hit for Apple TV+

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'Foundation' Season 2
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.

Slow down and relax with Japanese Rural Life Adventure

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'Japanese Rural Life Adventure' on Apple Arcade
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.

iPhone 15 USB-C port doesn’t hide any nasty secrets

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A mockup of a blue braided cable.
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.

iPhone 15 Pro demand overwhelms Apple [Updated]

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The Pro lineup color choices.
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.

Some Apple Watch Ultra 2 bands delay delivery to November

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 with Trail Loop band
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?

Why you might be interested in Apple’s new USB-C EarPods

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Apple USB-C EarPods
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.

Why iPhone 15 Pro USB-C port is 20X faster than base iPhone 15’s

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MacBook and iPhone 15 Pro transferring files
A Mac and iPhone 15 Pro can transfer files at up to 10 gigabits per second.
Photo: Apple

The USB-C port in the two iPhone 15 Pro models offers data transfers 20 times faster than any other iOS handset, including the base iPhone 15.

However, early rumors that some of Apple’s new 2023 iPhones would support Thunderbolt did not prove correct.

For All Mankind season 4 blasts off for the asteroids in November

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For All Mankind Season 4
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.

Apple smooths iPhone Lightning to USB-C transition with new adapter

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Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter
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.

That said, there are cheaper options.

iCloud+ storage capacities expand to 12TB

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iCloud+ Storage Capacity
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.

France orders Apple to pull iPhone 12 over radiation fears

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iPhone 12 mini
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.