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iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max deliveries slip to October [Updated again]

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iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro Max is in heavy demand.
Photo: Apple

It’s already too late to preorder an iPhone 16 Pro Max and have it delivered on its September 20 launch day. Three hours after preorders began today, the delivery window for iPhone 16 Pro Max slipped to mid-October.

It’s not just customers putting in orders who care. Analysts watch these delivery times to judge demand for Apple handsets.

Update: A day after preorders began, the wait for iPhone 16 Pro Max still stretches to mid-October, while delivery for iPhone 16 Pro models now begins in early October.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders now open

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iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max preorders are now open
Place your iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max preorder now.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

Apple is now accepting preorders for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The devices reach stores starting September 20, the same day preorders begin arriving.

In typical Apple fashion, the company took down its online store for about six hours before accepting preorders.

Apple Watch Series 10 can also be preordered, though Apple initially began taking those on Monday, September 9. The same goes for AirPods 4.

Do this now to ace your iPhone 17 preorder

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iPhone 16 preorders start soon!
Don't wait! Or procrastinate!
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 17 series goes up for preorder on Friday, and Apple’s latest and greatest handsets might sell out quickly. You need do some early prep work to be sure to get your hands on the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro Max or the other models as soon as possible.

Here’s how to be completely ready to put in a preorder.

iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 16 comparison: Go Pro or not?

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iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 16 comparison
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro or save money and get the iPhone 16?
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

The gap between the “regular” iPhones and the Pro models seems smaller than ever this year, which makes an iPhone 16 Pro versus iPhone 16 comparison tougher than usual.

While the iPhone 16 Pro packs a superior build quality, a bigger display, longer battery life and the predictably better camera, the iPhone 16 stands on its own with some meaningful upgrades.

So, should you save your money and go for the iPhone 16? Or is the iPhone 16 Pro a better buy despite its higher price tag? Find out in this comparison.

AirPods acting as hearing aids score FDA approval

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AirPods Pro can soon double as hearing aids
Your AirPods Pro can help with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple just got the approval it needs from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make the latest AirPods Pro into medical-grade hearing aids.

Once Apple releases a software update for the wireless earbuds, they’ll be able to help those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Connect tiny new Miniroll Bluetooth speakers for bigger sound

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Ultimate Ears Miniroll Bluetooth speaker
The new Ultimate Ears Miniroll Bluetooth speaker is tiny, but carries more strength in numbers.
Photo: Ultimate Ears

Ultimate Ears’ new Miniroll is the smallest and most affordable entry in the company’s Bluetooth speaker lineup. The tiny new speaker with a “river rock-inspired design” isn’t quiet for its size, the Logitech-owned company said. But for more sound over a larger area, it easily connects to others. And it features a hook-able silicone strap to easily connect to almost anything and go where you go.

“Miniroll started with a consumer ask,” said Jonah Staw, general manager of Ultimate Ears. “We heard our fans loud and clear. They wanted a speaker that could strap in and go anywhere to keep up with their active lifestyles. This led our design and engineering teams to build our most portable speaker, showing how passionate consumers can drive innovation.”

OWC’s new Thunderbolt 5 SSD transfers data at up to 6000 MBps

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Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD
OWC just launched a rugged external SSD with Thunderbolt 5
Photo: Other World Computing

Other World Computing’s Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD is for professionals needing the fastest data transfer rate available. The external solid state drive can move files at up to 6000 MBps or more, making it up to twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4 and USB4.

Plus, the SSD is rugged and designed to be ready to go wherever needed.

iPhone 16 Pro’s new Qualcomm modem boosts 5G data speeds

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iPhone 16 uses a faster Snapdragon modem.
iPhone 16 Pro's new Qualcomm modem boosts 5G speeds.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

Early tests indicate the iPhone 16 Pro delivers up to 26% faster download speeds than the iPhone 15 Pro. This is thanks to its new Snapdragon X75 modem, which supports 5G Advanced and enhanced carrier aggregation.

Besides faster speeds, the new Qualcomm modem consumes less power, boosting battery life.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro support 45W wired fast charging

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iPhone 16 Pro colors
Surprise! iPhone 16 reportedly supports 45W charging.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s 2024 iPhone 16 lineup supports 45W wired fast charging, according to a Chinese regulatory agency. This is a notable step up from the iPhone 15 series, which could only pull a peak power of just under 30W.

If this is borne out, it raises questions about why the company did not highlight the iPhone 16’s faster wired charging speeds during the “It’s Glowtime” event. Even the specs page only mentions support for 20W fast charging.

OLED MacBook still at least 2 years away

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OLED MacBook is possible… and probably inevitable
An OLED MacBook is more than possible... it's inevitable.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s switch from LCD to OLED in its MacBook line isn’t moving quickly. A pair of respected industry analysts agree that it won’t happen before 2026.

The change should improve the performance of the display, but might also drive up the price of macOS notebooks.

‘1 billion keyboards in 1?’ Yes, that’s the claim.

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Glorious GMMK 3 keyboard
Now that's a cool-looking keyboard. And it could have either mechanical or Hall effect magnetic switches.
Photo: Glorious Gaming

The new Glorious GMMK 3 keyboard is “1 billion keyboards in 1” because it supposedly packs more than a billion possible hardware configurations, giving gamers and typists alike “unparalleled” control over aesthetics, typing experience and performance, Glorious Gaming said Tuesday.

Google finally brings Chrome tab groups to iPhone

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Google finally brings Chrome tab groups to iPhone
The wait for Chrome tab groups on iPhone is over at last.
Photo: Google/Cult of Mac

Tab groups, a feature of Google’s Chrome desktop browser for years, finally made its way to the iPhone and iPad version of the web browser.

The goal is to bring some order to the huge pile of tabs so many people keep open.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Which should you buy?

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Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2
Which Apple Watch is right for you? Series 10 goes head to head against Ultra 2.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

The Apple Watch Series 10 packs significant upgrades over its predecessor. However, Apple did not give the same love to the Apple Watch Ultra this year. Instead of a third-gen Ultra, Apple only unveiled a new black titanium finish for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. That makes an unusual comparison — Apple Watch Series 10 versus Apple Watch Ultra 2 — an intriguing proposition.

The “regular” Apple Watch Series 10 comes closer to its rugged Ultra sibling than ever before. But between the two, which is the right pick for you? Read our Apple Watch Series 10 versus Apple Watch Ultra comparison to find out.

Ugreen’s new Uno chargers look like cute little robots [Updated: Now on sale]

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Ugreen Uno chargers
This little guy delivers 100 watts of charging power to devices.
Photo: Ugreen

Ugreen unleashed “fast and fun” robot-themed Uno series chargers for iPhone users, as well as the Revodock Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station, the company said at IFA Berlin Friday.

UPDATE: Ugreen let us know Tuesday that they’ve now listed some of the Uno series charging products for sale on Amazon, including a 6-in-1 USB-C hub we didn’t include in the original post. See below.

Apple forced to pay the EU 13 billion euros in back taxes

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MacBook with Euros
Apple must pay the EU 13 billion euros for its Irish tax dodge.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple ran out of appeals after a Tuesday ruling by the European Union’s highest court that the iPhone-maker must pay 13 billion euros ($14.3 billion) in taxes it’s owed since 2016.

It’s the final result of a scheme in which Apple tried to lower its taxes by routing European revenues through Ireland, where it was charged a lower tax rate.

Watch Apple’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ event in just 90 seconds

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90 Seconds.
Watch the event in just 90 seconds.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple It's Glowtime Event:At Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event, the company introduced the Apple Watch Series 10, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, fourth-generation AirPods and more. It was a big event — and some people complained about the length.

If you don’t have an hour and forty minutes to spare, here it is in just 90 seconds.

All the gorgeous San Francisco locations in Apple’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ event

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San Francisco's Coit Tower, which featured in Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event.
The beautiful city of San Francisco shone as the backdrop to Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event.
Photo: Apple

While getting blitzed by an avalanche of mind-numbing specs during Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event, I kept marveling at how good San Francisco looked. The beautiful City by the Bay provided the backdrop to Monday’s event, with many of the presenters standing in front of gorgeous San Francisco landmarks.

San Francisco is my hometown (I’ve lived here nearly 30 years now), and it’s been getting beat up by stories about urban decay in recent years. But it’s still one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and it looked great during Apple’s live stream. Here’s a quick rundown of all the eye-popping SF locations.

Apple makes its MagSafe charger as fast as a cable

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Apple MagSafe 25W charging puck with iPhone 16
A new MagSafe charging puck from Apple is much faster than its predecessor.
Photo: Apple

Apple It's Glowtime Event:Apple improved MagSafe wireless charging in the new iPhone 16 models by increasing the maximum charging capacity. It’s a considerable jump: the handsets can charge up to 66% faster.

Wireless charging is now as fast as plugging in a cable…with the right equipment.

Check out new iPhone 16 cases from Apple (and … Beats?!?)

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Beats iPhone 16 cases
Hey, look at that: Now Beats is making iPhone 16 cases!
Photo: Beats

Apple It's Glowtime Event:You know what else comes along whenever Cupertino busts out a new set of handsets like the new iPhone 16 lineup? New iPhone cases and accessories. The company trotted some out at its “It’s Glowtime” event Monday, and in a surprise move, so did its audio subsidiary Beats.

But neither appeared to include a replacement material for the much-maligned FineWoven leather alternative that came out with iPhone 15 cases. Apple’s new cases are clear and silicone models. Beats’ cases feature a hard polycarbonate back and flexible sides.

Read more about Apple and Beats cases below, and don’t miss our roundup of the best third-party iPhone 16 cases available now.

What we did not get at Apple’s September event

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What we did NOT get at Apple's September event
We're still waiting for some much-anticipated Apple products.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple It's Glowtime Event:Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event wrapped up Monday with several upcoming products not even having been mentioned, much less launched. Some of these were not expected to debut, like new Macs and iPads, but others were supposed to be on the agenda, like a new Apple Watch SE.

Here’s what to look forward to at an October Apple event, plus the products that’ll likely come even later.

iPhone 16 Camera Control makes getting the shot a click away

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Camera Control Button iPhone 16 Pro
The Camera Control button on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro gives you instant access to your camera AND camera settings
Photo: Apple

Apple It's Glowtime Event: The new Camera Control on the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models provides instantaneous camera access and other advanced features. With it, you can launch the Camera app, zoom in and out of your shot, initiate an AI-powered visual search and more — all with a simple tap, click or slide on the new capacitive button.

Apple changes up AirPods Max colors, swaps in USB-C

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Photo of refreshed AirPods Max headphones, which come in five new colors
AirPods Max come in five new colors: starlight, orange, purple, blue and midnight.
Photo: Apple

Apple It's Glowtime Event: Apple breezed through a few long-overdue updates to the AirPods Max during Monday’s “It’s Glowtime” event. The minor updates include new colors for Apple’s premium over-ear headphones, tweaks to their active noise cancellation feature and the removal of the Lightning port in favor of USB-C.

Apple introduces new Visual Intelligence lookup for iPhone 16

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iPhone 16 using Visual Intelligence
iPhone 16 using Visual Intelligence.
Photo: Apple

Apple It's Glowtime Event:Visual Intelligence is a new Apple Intelligence feature that lets you get information on things around you, add events to your calendar from a poster, look up products and more. The iPhone 16 lineup’s new Camera Control feature, makes this powerful functionality instantly available at the press of a button.

After showcasing previously announced Apple Intelligence features, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, introduced Visual Intelligence during Monday’s “It’s Glowtime” event.

“We wanted to give you the ability to instantly learn about everything you see,” said Federighi.

Visual Intelligence will be available on all iPhone 16 models.