Apple news, analysis and opinion, plus general tech news | Cult of Mac

Today in Apple history: Apple battles Eminem in court

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Eminem sues Apple over digital music sales. Will the real rights holder please stand up!
Will the real rights holder please stand up!
Photo: Apple

September 24: Today in Apple history: Apple battles Eminem in court September 24, 2009: Apple lawyers head to court to defend the company against rapper Eminem’s music publisher, Eight Mile Style.

The lawsuit alleges that Apple unlawfully sold 93 of Eminem’s songs on the iTunes Music Store. This is the second time Apple finds itself on the opposite side of a courtroom from the Detroit rapper. (A previous lawsuit involved improper use of Eminem’s hit single “Lose Yourself” in an iTunes ad.)

iPhone 15: How pro can Apple go? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast episode 613: iPhone 15 Pro is so pro ...
Titanium FTW!
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The first reviews of iPhone 15 Pro rave about everything from the phenomenal titanium finish to the fantastic 5x zoom. Sounds like Tim Cook has another winner on his hands.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Loads of great new iOS 17 and iPhone 15 features fly below the radar. We discuss some of our faves.
  • Apple’s new FineWoven cases, on the other hand, sound like a huge, synthetic miss.
  • Some haters are trying to get “Printgate” started, but we can’t believe iPhone 15 Pro’s sweet titanium frame is gonna be a fingerprint magnet.
  • With tvOS 17, the Apple TV finally gets a no-brainer capability: FaceTime calls.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Shield your iPhone 15 with Zagg’s toughest screen protector yet [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Zagg XTR3 screen protector box. Edge to edge protection protecting your screen from any accidental drops.
The XTR3's edge-to-edge protection shields your iPhone screen from damaging drops.
Photo: Zagg

The much-anticipated iPhone 15 is here! If you’re one of the lucky owners, you’ll want to ensure it’s fully protected. In collaboration with Zagg, Cult of Mac is thrilled to present this week’s giveaway, offering three fortunate individuals the opportunity to keep their screens immaculate with the new Glass XTR3 Screen Protector.

It’s Zagg’s toughest screen protector yet!

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.

Today in Apple history: Apple lays out its core company values

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Cupertino sums up
Cupertino sums up "Apple Values" in an exuberant document.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Sep 23 Today in Apple history: Cupertino lays out its core Apple Values September 23, 1981: Years before Steve Jobs would tell us to “think different” and Tim Cook would say Apple should act as a “force for good,” Cupertino lays out what it calls its “Apple Values.”

In a memo, management defines Apple Values as “the qualities, customs, standards and principles that the company as a whole regards as desirable. They are the basis for what we do and how we do it. Taken together, they identify Apple as a unique company.”

Apple Watch Ultra is tough, but this case/band combo makes it tougher

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Elkson Quattro Pro 2.0 case for Apple Watch Ultra
Want your Apple Watch Ultra to be all but indestructible? Try this case.
Photo: Elkson

The Apple Watch Ultra is famously rugged and great for endurance sports. But no wearable is truly indestructible. So if you want to make your Ultra even tougher, put it in the Elkson Quattro Pro 2.0 bumper case with band for Apple Watch Ultra.

The case/band combo, which now comes in six colors, is available in the Cult of Mac Store for just $23.99.

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.

iPhone 14 Pro trounces trashed iPhone 15 Pro in first drop test

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Yes, that's a brand-new iPhone 15 Pro after many drops, including a 40-footer.
Yes, that's a brand-new iPhone 15 Pro after many drops, including a 40-footer.
Photo: AppleTrack

In what is most likely the first drop test of the new titanium iPhone 15 Pro, a reviewer flew to Sydney, Australia, and pitted the handset in a series of drops against the stainless steel iPhone 14 Pro.

It wasn’t pretty. In fact, after doing OK in a few little drops, how the iPhone 15 Pro fared in bigger drops was shocking — even disturbing. The older iPhone won, to say the least.