Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
If you want a small tablet, iPad mini is the best there is. Photo: Apple
The 2021 iPad mini looks like a spectacular upgrade over its predecessors, with an edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display, Apple’s newest A15 Bionic chip and features like USB-C connectivity. But is it worth your hard-earned cash?
Some iPhone and iPad users are being plagued by incorrect “storage almost full” alerts after updating to iOS and iPadOS 15. The message leaves a persistent badge on the Settings app icon that cannot be cleared.
In many cases, users seeing the alert actually have ample free storage remaining. A similar bug tells some iPhone and iPad owners that they have more available storage than their device actually shipped with.
Avoid the latest update if your system isn't set up in English. Screenshot: Cult of Mac
Apple rolled out a new version of iTunes for Windows on Monday alongside iOS and iPadOS 15, but it should be avoided at all costs if your system isn’t set up in English. iTunes no longer works under any other language.
The problem seems to affect the version 12.12.0.6 version of iTunes no matter where it’s downloaded from — the Microsoft Store or directly from Apple — which means it’s not currently possible for some users to sync their devices.
Do Not Disturb is still available inside iOS and iPadOS 15, despite the introduction of a brand-new and infinitely more powerful Focus mode. But the feature is now missing a key settings option that didn’t carry over from iOS 14.
Users have quickly discovered that Apple’s newest update kills the ability to activate Do Not Disturb only when a device is locked — one of its best features for many iPhone and iPad users.
Apple’s newest HomePod beta, issued alongside the iOS and iPadOS 15.1 betas on Tuesday, brings back lossless audio and Dolby Atmos support. Both features can be enabled from inside the Home app, but only if you have an invite.
Apple has been working to bring its newest audio features to HomePod speakers for a while now. It first began testing them shortly after WWDC 2021 in June when the third HomePod 15 beta was made available to testers.
Now just $19.99 for a limited time. Photo: SwitchEasy
Getting a new iPhone on Friday? You might need a charging adapter to go with it now that Apple no longer includes one in the box. Check out the handy PowerBuddy from SwitchEasy. It delivers 20W of power, packs USB-A and USB-C ports, and sports a compact design you can take anywhere.
It’s also 20% off in the Cult of Mac Store for a limited time.
If you still can’t decide whether you want to upgrade to iPhone 13 or 13 Pro, perhaps some early feedback from reviewers will help. Unsurprisingly, they all have good things to say about Apple’s newest handsets, which pack big camera upgrades, better battery life, even faster A15 Bionic chips, and wonderfully smooth ProMotion displays (if you buy a Pro model).
But most agree that the changes don’t break new ground for iPhone, so you might be happy to stick with what you already have. But are the 2021 iPhones really “the most incremental update ever,” as The New York Times writes? Here’s our iPhone 13 review roundup.
You're stuck with iOS 14.8 or iOS 15. Image: Cult of Mac
It’s no longer possible to downgrade to iOS or iPadOS 14.7.1 if you’ve already updated your iPhone or iPad to a newer version of Apple’s firmware.
Cupertino stopped signing the update, first rolled out in July, after releasing iOS and iPadOS 15 to everyone on Monday. The move prevents users from reverting to the earlier build, but it won’t affect devices still running iOS 14.7.1.
Not available to existing or previous Apple Music subscribers. Image: Apple
Apple today kicked off a new promotion that offers six months of free Apple Music when you buy AirPods or select Beats headphones. It’s available only to new Apple Music subscribers who claim within 90 days of their purchase.
ProRes and Cinematic video now supported. Photo: Apple
Apple has rolled out a couple of pretty notable updates for its Clips and iMovie apps, adding a number of features for iPhone 13. Both now support ProRes video and the new Cinematic camera mode, as well as ProRAW photos.
It's a big improvement over the last design. Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
iCloud Mail has a shiny new interface on the web. The new look, which first entered beta testing back in June, is now available to all. It will be instantly familiar to those who use the built-in Mail app on Mac and iPad.
If you’re planning to pick up the awesome new iPad mini, don’t buy it from Apple. Amazon is already offering almost $40 off the latest model, reducing its starting price from $499 to just $459.99.
Apple TV+ on Sunday became the first streaming service to pick up an Emmy Award in a program category, thanks to lovable football-cum-soccer coach Ted Lasso.
The series scooped prizes for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in A Comedy Series.
Don't ask Apple. Ask UPS. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple has already begun shipping iPhone 13 and 13 Pro preorders ahead of their official debut on Friday, September 24. However, it takes Cupertino a long time to send out shipping notifications.
If you’re tracking your iPhone 13’s preorder status through the Apple website or Apple Store app, chances are you’re still seeing a “preparing to ship” notice. But in actual fact, it’s likely your new handset has already begun its journey to you. Here’s how to find out if your new handset is on the move.
Itching to get your hands on iPhone 13 and 13 Pro? There’s no way to make your preorder arrive earlier, unfortunately. But it is possible to take a deeper look at what you have to look forward to with Apple’s new guided tour video.
The seven-minute feature, uploaded to YouTube over the weekend, highlights the differences between each of the four iPhone 13 variants, and provides a look at new features like Cinematic mode, ProMotion, and lots more.
It's not the only iOS 15 feature we'll have to wait longer for. Photo: Apple
It seems Find My network support for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max won’t roll out with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 as originally planned. Apple says the feature, which can make lost headphones easier to find, will be available “later this fall.”
Once the Find My network is enabled for the high-end headphones, another iPhone, iPad or Mac owner in the vicinity of the lost item can can passively update your gear’s general location. The Find My network functionality makes the feature far my powerful by tapping the millions of Apple devices in use around the world.
If you buy Apple Watch Series 3 in 2021, you're probably going to regret it. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
It’s about time Cupertino gave Apple Watch Series 3 the boot instead of allowing more customers to suffer. The nearly 4-year-old smartwatch isn’t just showing its age on the outside. It’s also painfully slow. And with just 8GB of internal storage, it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
Priced at $199, Apple Watch 3 offers iPhone users a slightly more affordable gateway into Apple’s smartwatch ecosystem — but it’s one everybody should avoid walking through.
A painful experience for some. Screenshot: Cult of Mac
The preorder experience for iPhone 13 proved less than enjoyable for many customers Friday morning, with Apple Store problems causing all kinds of headaches. Complaints quickly flooded Twitter as various errors plagued would-be upgraders fighting to get their orders in quickly.
iPhone 13 shipping dates were looking pretty good 30 minutes after Apple’s newest smartphone lineup was made available to preorder Friday morning — except for one particular model.
Those opting for an iPhone 13 Pro with 1TB of storage face a lengthy wait for their devices, with shipping times already slipping into October.
The first orders land next Friday, September 24. Photo: Apple
iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro preorders are now live through the Apple Store online. Go secure yours ahead of their official debut next Friday, September 24. Shipping dates will slip soon, so be sure to act fast.
It's still a little beast, of course. Photo: Apple
The 2021 iPad mini packs the same A15 Bionic chip that powers the new iPhone 13 lineup, but with one big difference. Early benchmarks reveal Apple reduced the clock speed of the A15 inside its newest compact tablet.
As a result, processor performance in benchmark tests doesn’t score quite as high.
Bag yours before the discount disappears. Photo: Apple
Pick up a brand-new pair of AirPods Pro on Amazon today for just $179.99 — a full $69.01 off the usual retail price. This is one of the biggest discounts we’ve seen on new units so far, and it won’t last long.
It's now even easier to give Apple your cash. Image: Apple
Preordering iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro tomorrow? Apple now gives you new ways to shop for its newest devices. Take advantage of additional pickup, payment, and delivery options, as well as carrier offers at Apple Retail stores.
The same options are also available for the new iPad and iPad mini, which are already up for preorder ahead of their debut on September 24.
Graphics performance is up more than 50% over iPhone 12 Pro. Photo: Apple
iPhone 13’s new A15 Bionic chip brings big performance improvements over its predecessor, early benchmarks reveal. User can expect huge gains in graphics power, in particular, as well as noticeable gains in CPU performance.
All three color options still remain. Photo: Apple
Apple is still selling the second-generation iPhone SE following the introduction of iPhone 13 and 13 Pro on Tuesday. But its most affordable smartphone is now available with fewer storage options.
Those buying an iPhone SE today can pick from 64GB or 128GB configurations. If you really need more, you’ll have to choose another iPhone.