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Rajesh Pandey - page 31

Apple quietly nixes the cheapest Apple Music plan

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Apple Music noted its most popular song and artists of 2022.
RIP, Apple Music Voice Plan!
Photo: Apple Music

Apple has quietly discontinued the Apple Music Voice Plan nearly two years after its release. The $5 plan was the cheapest way to subscribe to the company’s music streaming service.

Going forward, you cannot subscribe to the Apple Music Voice Plan. If you are an existing subscriber, your membership will expire at the end of your current billing cycle.

Save $100 on your M3 MacBook Pro preorder

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M3 MacBook Pro
M3 MacBook Pro is already available with $100 off.
Photo: Apple

Looking to get the new M3 MacBook Pro? Best Buy is taking $100 off Apple’s latest laptop, dropping its price to as low as $1,499.

The deal is available on M3 and M3 Pro variants of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. But to take advantage of the offer, you must be a Best Buy member.

How Apple’s ‘Scary Fast’ event was shot on iPhone [Updated]

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Scary Fast Shot on iPhone video
Apple had a surprise for viewers of its "Scary Fast" event: the camera.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

Apple’s “Scary Fast” Mac event focused on the new M3 family of chips, refreshed MacBook Pros and an updated iMac. But Apple uncorked a big surprise at the end by revealing the entire presentation was recorded using an iPhone.

This marks the first time Apple used only one of its handsets to film an entire product-launch event. And the company released a behind-the-scenes video showing exactly how the magic was made.

M1 vs. M3 24-inch iMac comparison: What’s changed?

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M1 vs M3 iMac Comparison
How is the 2023 iMac better than its 2021 predecessor?
Photo: Rajesh

Apple unveiled the 24-inch iMac with M1 chip way back in April 2021, and while the rest of the company’s Mac lineup got an M2 upgrade since then, the all-on-one desktop missed the boat. To make up for it, Apple announced the M3-powered iMac at its ‘Scary Fast’ event.

How does the 2023 iMac compare to its predecessor? Does it pack any other improvement besides the faster chip? Read this comparison to find out.

Good riddance: 13-inch MacBook Pro discontinued

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Apple has finally discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
You can no longer buy a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh

Following Monday’s launch of the M3-powered MacBook Pros, Apple discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro. It was the last MacBook in the company’s lineup with a Touch Bar, a thin, customizable OLED strip at the top of the keyboard that replaced the usual row of function keys.

A cheaper 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 chip replaces the older Touch Bar model.

Apple’s online store goes down ahead of ‘Scary Fast’ event

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Apple store is down just before the start of the Scary Fast event.
The online Apple store is down just before the start of the Scary Fast event.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

Apple’s online store has gone down ahead of its ‘Scary Fast’ event this evening. It is typical of Apple to take down its online store before major product launches, but this usually happens hours before. This time it was mere minutes.

This will likely be the company’s last product launch event for 2023.

BMW’s wireless charging will screw up your iPhone 15

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iPhone credit card payments
NFC is required for ApplePay.
Mockup: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Own a BMW or Toyota vehicle? Don’t charge your iPhone 15 using the car’s built-in wireless charger as it could break the phone’s NFC chip.

Apple acknowledged the problem in an internal memo and confirmed a software fix will roll out later this year.

iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1 are here with useful new features

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iOS 17.1 release notes
iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1 are here with several big and small changes.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 17.1, the first major point release of iOS 17, is here. It drops just over a month after iOS 17 arrived.

Alongside iOS 17.1, Apple is also releasing iPadOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1 to the public today. Below is a look at some of the top new features in the OSes.

Apple announces nationwide support for ‘right to repair’ bill

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Self repair components and tools for iPhone with the necessary tools from Apple.
Apple wants to make it easier to repair your broken iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Photo: Apple

During Tuesday’s right-to-repair event in the White House, Apple announced the expansion of its Self-Service Repair and Independent Repair Provider programs nationwide.

This move will help independent repair shops by providing them with the necessary tools and documentation for repairing Apple devices.

Apple Pay Later now available to all in the US

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Apple Pay Later
Apple Pay Later lets you pay off your big purchases in four equal installments.
Graphics: Apple/Rajesh

Seven months after its limited release, Apple is finally making Pay Later available to all iPhone users in the US.

Apple Pay Later launched as a limited preview in late March 2023, allowing selected consumers to pay off their big purchases in four equal installments.

iPhone 15 gets big discounts in China to boost sales

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iPhone 15 and 15 Plus review: Pro features for less
iPhone 15 is available with up to $200 off in China.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s latest iPhones are available with deep discounts of up to $200 in China. Many analysts believe Apple’s iPhone 15 series has been doing poorly in China.

The slowdown in sales has caused online Chinese e-commerce companies to offer hefty discounts on the new iPhones.

Apple could add AI smarts to Siri in iOS 18

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Siri desperately needs some ChatGPT-like smarts
Generative AI could help make Siri a lot smarter in IOS 18.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

AI is all the hype currently. And while Google, Amazon and Microsoft have gone all-in on generative AI, Apple has not made any notable announcements.

This could change next year, as the Cupertino giant is working on adding several AI features to iOS 18.

Alleged next-gen HomePod with LCD panel pops up in photos

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The big HomePod could be back soon. But how pricey and how functional will it be?
Apple's next HomePod could pack a LCD screen on top.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Alleged photos of a HomePod prototype with an LCD screen on top have surfaced online. They showcase the smart speaker with a big touch-based LCD panel on top.

Apple’s current-gen HomePod has a small touch surface on top for controlling music playback and volume.

Apple opens second Vision Pro developer lab in the US

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Developer gives ‘audible gasp’ using Vision Pro the first time
Vision Pro developer lab is a great way to test your visionOS app.
Photo: Apple

Apple is expanding the Vision Pro developer labs to additional regions. This will allow more developers to try out the mixed-reality headset ahead of its launch in early 2024.

The Cupertino giant is opening new Vision Pro developer labs in New York, US, and Sydney, Australia.

Apple updates iPad 10 in China with eSIM support

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iPad 10 launch: The 10th-generation iPad comes in five colors and brings a top-to-bottom redesign to Apple's entry-level tablet.
Refreshed iPad 10 cellular models in China gain eSIM support.
Photo: Apple

Apple has announced an updated iPad 10 for China with eSIM support. This is the first iPad to launch in the country with eSIM connectivity.

For now, the new iPad supports eSIM on China Unicom’s network.

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro: Should you upgrade?

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iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Comparison
Apple has made some big upgrades in the two years since iPhone 13 Pro's release.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 15 Pro packs significant upgrades over its immediate predecessor, like a titanium body, a brighter display, a faster processor and better cameras. But are these changes enough to warrant an upgrade from your 2-year-old iPhone 13 Pro? Find out in this comparison.

Apple Stores will soon wirelessly update unsold iPhones without opening the boxes

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iPhone 15 and 15 Plus review: Pro features for less
The next iPhone you buy from Apple's store could be running the latest iOS release.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple has developed a new way to wirelessly update iPhones in its retail stores without opening their boxes. This will ensure all iPhones sold are running the latest iOS release.

Apple could roll out the technology to its retail stores before the end of the year.

Apple could announce new iPads on October 17 [Updated]

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iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
New iPads with faster chips could arrive soon.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple could announce new iPads as soon as Tuesday, according to a new report. The company could unveil a new entry-level iPad, an updated iPad Air and the iPad mini 7.

All refreshed iPads purportedly will sport a minor spec bump but few other changes.

M3 MacBooks are unlikely to launch before 2024

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2023 MacBook Pro in 14- and 16-inch versions
Don't expect M3 MacBooks from Apple this year.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly will see a significant decline in MacBook shipments in the remaining half of 2023. This is primarily due to the lack of new models, with MacBooks powered by an Apple M3 chip not launching until 2024.

The M3 chip could debut inside the iMac as early as this year before expanding to other Macs.

iOS 17.1 will add pocket-detection mode for iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button

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Closeup of iPhone 15’s new Action button.
iOS 17.1 will make a slight change to iPhone 15 Pro's Action Button behavior.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple will tweak the Action button’s behavior on the iPhone 15 Pro with the upcoming iOS 17.1. The change should prevent accidental keypresses from triggering the camera or flashlight.

The customizable Action button is easily one of the key highlights of the iPhone 15 Pro series.

Best Prime Big Deal Days sales on Apple gear and accessories [Updated]

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Best deal on Apple gear and accessories for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.
These are the Prime Big Deal Days you don't want to miss.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Did you miss buying your favorite Apple gear or accessory during Prime Day earlier in the year? Worry not, as Amazon is back with its Prime Big Deal Days, offering hefty discounts on a hoard of Apple products and accessories.

There are great deals on MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads and other Apple accessories that make your favorite products much more affordable.

15-inch MacBook Air drops to its lowest price after big $250 discount

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15-inch MacBook Air
This 15-inch MacBook Air deal is the one you should not miss.
Photo: Apple

Amazon is starting its Prime Big Deal Days early by discounting the 15-inch MacBook Air to its lowest price. Apple wants $1,299 for the entry-level 15-inch Air, but Amazon currently drops the price to just $1,049.

That’s a whopping $250 off the machine’s MSRP, making the world’s slimmest 15-inch laptop an even better offering.

How to stop macOS Sonoma from flashing your desktop

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macOS Sonoma brings widgets to the Mac desktop.
macOS Sonoma brings widgets to the Mac desktop, but maybe you don't want to see them every time you click.
Photo: Apple

Upgraded to macOS Sonoma? You probably noticed by now that clicking on your Mac’s desktop automatically hides all open windows, with the focus moving to your widgets and desktop shortcuts.

This is the new “Click wallpaper to reveal desktop” feature in the new Mac operating system. If you find this functionality annoying, here’s how to turn it off. That way, you can safely click your Mac’s desktop again.

Apple no longer allows downgrading iPhone from iOS 17 to iOS 16

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Downgrading from iOS 17 to iOS 16 is no longer possible.
Apple has stopped signing the last stable iOS 16 release.
Photo: Rajesh

You can no longer downgrade your iPhone to iOS 16.6.1. Following the release of iOS 17.0.3, Apple has stopped signing the last stable iOS 16 release for its iPhones.

So, if you did not like iOS 17 for some reason, there’s no way you can downgrade your iPhone to iOS 16 now.

This Apple Watch Series 8 deal will make you forget about Series 9

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Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 focuses on women's health with a new body temperature sensor that can detect ovulation.
Screenshot: Apple

Planning to buy the Apple Watch Series 9 but don’t care about the new double tap gesture? Then, get the Apple Watch Series 8 for less than $300 instead.

With Amazon knocking up to $100 off the Series 8, the 2022 Apple Watch is an obvious choice over its successor.