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.
The iPhone 14 Pro comes out way ahead of the Galaxy S22 Ultra in a popular cross-platform benchmark test. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Benchmark tests done on the newly announced iPhone 14 Pro show that its Apple A16 processor offers far better performance than the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip in the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
So, for another year, Apple’s flagship smartphone is much faster than Samsung’s.
iOS 16.1 beta 1 is out for developers to test. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 16.1 to developers on Wednesday. This signals the start of testing for some iPhone features Apple already announced but didn’t debut in iOS 16.
This includes Clean Energy Charging. And there’s good news for some iPhones that couldn’t display battery percentage in the Status Bar.
These are some of the emoji coming to Apple devices... probably in 2023. Image: Emojipedia
Emoji are about visual communication, and the some of the new ones just approved say “Talk to the hand.” And there’s a new way to express love, too. Or there’s good news for everyone desperately waiting on a moose emoji.
Other new additions approved by the Unicode Consortium include a shaking face, a donkey, a jellyfish and a flute.
Early reviews of the iPhone 14 Pro models are generally very positive about the Dynamic Island, Apple's replacement for the screen notch. Photo: Apple
The first reviews of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max praise the replacement for the screen notch and the always-on display. Most are unimpressed with the 48-megapixel camera, though.
Some early feedback from reviewers on Apple’s newest top-tier handsets might help you decide if you want to upgrade.
Don't listen to the doomsayers – tests show iOS 16 makes iPhone 8 run faster. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Benchmark tests show that models as old as iPhone 8 run nearly as fast on the just-released iOS 16 as they did on iOS 15. Some devices even see a performance increase after the upgrade, while others see very moderate slips.
These tests refute the mistaken claims that iOS updates turn older iPhones into slugs. And some Apple handsets even get a considerable increase in battery life from iOS 16.
If you're not installing iOS 16, at least upgrade to iOS 15.7. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iPhone users can now install iOS 15.7, which fixes almost a dozen security problems. Apple recommends the update to all users. That said, the update launched at the same time as iOS 16 – but there are good reason for the simultaneous updates.
Plus, macOS Monterey 12.6 is out with its own set of security-related bug fixes. And iPadOS 15.7 deals with the same sort of problems.
Lightning was great but its time has passed. USB-C is now a better option. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Today is the 10th anniversary of the Lightning connector. It was once the best option but has since outlived its usefulness. This obsolete port needs to go.
Apple knows what the replacement needs to be. It should stop dragging its feet and make the change.
New MacBook Pro models and moderately redesigned iPad Pro tablets will likely be the highlights of the Apple October 2022 event. Photo:
Apple isn’t ready to relax just because the September iPhone event is done. An Apple October event is almost certainly planned with new MacBooks and iPads. And maybe more.
Here’s everything we’re expecting to be on the agenda.
Dodge your rivals in a new retro racer for Apple computers. Photo: Aquiris Games
Race around the world in a custom car in Horizon Chase 2, the latest addition to Apple Arcade. The retro racer offers beautiful visuals and online multiplayer for all game modes.
The title is available to download now for Apple computers big and small.
The wait for iPhone 14 Pro is now over a month. Photo: Apple
If you procrastinated on ordering one of the new iPhone 14 Pro models, there’s a good chance you’re looking at a lengthy wait for it to be delivered.
But Apple still has plenty of stock of the “standard” 6.1-inch iPhone 14 ready for delivery on launch day. The same is true for the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus.
iPhone 14 will allegedly have RAM chips made by a controversial company. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple will reportedly use RAM chips made by Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. in the iPhone 14 series. This set off a firestorm of complaints from U.S. politicians, including suggestions the chips will somehow be used to surveil Americans.
YMTC is partially owned by the Chinese government and has ties to the Chinese military. There have been calls for it to be added to the U.S. Entity List of companies that face import restrictions.
You can start preordering the iPhone 14 on Friday, September 9. Here's how to do it right. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 14 series goes up for preorder on Friday, and Apple’s latest and greatest handsets are likely to sell out quickly. You need do some early prep work if you want to get your hands on the iPhone 14 Plus or the new Pro models as soon as possible.
AirPods Pro 2 also up for early orders at the same time.
Here’s how to be completely ready to put in a preorder for either or both items.
iOS 15.7 is on the way, even though iOS 16 is right around the corner. Screenshot: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iOS 16 launches on September 12, but Apple nevertheless seeded the release candidate for iOS 15.7 on Wednesday. This is – obviously – likely to be the last significant update to the version first introduced in 2021.
Apple also seeded release candidates for macOS Monterey 12.6 and iPadOS 15.7, but their replacements aren’t expected for weeks.
The iPhone 14 has more RAM than the 2021 model. Photo: Apple
All four of the newly announced iPhone 14 models reportedly come with 6GB of RAM. That’s a 50% increase for the non-Pro model over the 2021 equivalent.
While the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are supposed to keep the same amount of RAM as their predecessors, an unconfirmed report says that they will use a faster type.
iPhone 14 can talk to satellites in orbit. "Far out" indeed. Screenshot: Apple
Apple wasn’t kidding when it said its September product launch event would be “far out.” The newly announced iPhone 14 series offers Emergency SOS via satellite, allowing the handset to contact help in critical situations.
And it’s not just for life-threatening danger. It can also be used to share the handset’s location with the Find My network when out of cell service.
Apple just unveiled the iPhone 14, which offers a camera upgrade and satellite communications, but the iPhone 14 Plus is the big news. Screenshot: Apple
Apple took the wraps off the much-anticipated 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus at a product launch event on Wednesday. This has a screen as big as the company’s largest handset, but at a significantly lower price.
“With a larger display, you can enjoy more content when browsing the web,” promised Kaiann Drance, the head of iPhone marketing. “You can see more text or larger text. It looks great with the incredible features of iOS 16. ”
The 6.1-inch iPhone 14 was also announced, but is a fairly minor update over its predecessor. Still, both models have cameras with better low-light performance than their predecessors and emergency satellite communications, too.
Apple Pay adoption keeps growing by leaps and bounds. Photo: Apple
Apple Pay is now handling over $6 trillion in transactions a year, according to new research. That means the iPhone’s wireless payment system is now bigger than MasterCard and Alipay.
Since its inception in 2014, analysts report that Apple Pay has slowly grown to the point where a large majority of iPhone users now have it activated.
It's a big day for iPhone and Apple Watch aficionados. Here's how to tune into today's Apple event. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Today is the day! Apple’s “Far Out” product launch event kicks off in just a few hours. The iPhone 14 series, three new Apple Watch models and more are all expected.
Just like past such events, this year’s will be streaming online, so you’ll be able to watch it in its entirety as it all unfolds. Here’s how.
There's a lot to look forward to on September 7 at 10 a.m. Image: Apple
The long-anticipated Apple early fall event is just around the corner. On September 7, executives will take to the stage at Apple Park to unveil an array of new products.
Here’s everything we’re expecting at the “Far Out” event, plus the devices we’ll likely have to wait until later in the year to see.
★★★★☆
The PowerA MOGA XP5-i Plus game controller works beautifully with a range of Apple devices. And there's an iPhone mount, too. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The PowerA Moga XP5-i Plus has the same basic design as an Xbox controller, but with a focus on Apple devices. Put your iPhone in the adjustable mount, or remove the mount for iPad or Apple TV gaming.
It stands out from the crowd with a built-in battery for recharging your handset while you play. Plus, PowerA added a couple of useful extra buttons.
I’ve enjoyed gaming on the Moga XP5-i Plus for a few weeks now. Here’s why.