Mobile menu toggle

News - page 119

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Should you upgrade?

By

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro comparison
Is the upgrade from iPhone 14 Pro to iPhone 15 Pro worth it?
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple went all out with the iPhone 15 Pro lineup this year. The 2023 iPhones feature titanium edges, slimmer bezels, better cameras, a faster processor and a universal charging port.

But are these improvements enough to upgrade from 2022’s iPhone 14 Pro to the iPhone 15 Pro? Find out in this comparison.

MacBook Pro drives massive 5K2K display plus mini monitor [Setups]

By

This setup lost one of the three display in a recent move.
This setup lost one of the three display in a recent move.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured computer setup isn’t turning heads for its Apple gear — just a 2019 MacBook Pro — but its displays deserve a good look. The Mac goes through a Razer Thunderbolt 3 dock as it drives an “odd couple” of displays — a huge, curved LG 5K2K monitor and a tiny LG portable display.

And don’t miss the audio gear in the gear list below, either. It’s good stuff.

It’s not just you: iOS 17 has a battery life problem

By

iOS update does not deliver promised iPhone battery improvement
iOS 17 is hard on battery life.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 17 reduces the battery life of an array of older models. The result: Users of the iPhone XR, iPhone 13, etc., running the latest operating system version need to charge up their handsets more often.

It is not normal for a new iOS version to universally reduce battery life. But a fix may be on the way.

Soccer star Lionel Messi conquers America in new documentary trailer

By

International soccer legend Lionel Messi is now a fixture with MLS club Inter Miami CF.
International soccer legend Lionel Messi is now a fixture with MLS club Inter Miami CF.
Photo: Apple

World soccer phenom Lionel Messi conquered the world. And now he’s come for the United States, according to a new documentary teaser trailer Apple TV+ dropped Monday for Messi Meets America.

The six-part series, which debuts October 11, is all about Messi’s first season with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF.

England set to ban smartphone use during school day

By

A ban would outlaw smartphones in schools during lessons and even on breaks.
A ban would outlaw smartphones in schools during lessons and even on breaks.
Photo: RDNE Stock [email protected]

England’s ruling Conservative Party plans to issue new guidance Monday banning smartphone use in schools, including during breaks from lessons, according to several sources.

While some schools already have restrictions in place, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan’s new guidance would set a country-wide ban.

iPhone 15 Pro Max isn’t nearly as fragile as you might think

By

iPhone 15 Pro Max drop test
This titanium corner of an iPhone 15 Pro Max drop test smashed into concrete in a drop test..
Photo: PhoneBuff

An iPhone 15 Pro Max came away severely cracked but still completely functional after a punishing series of drop tests.

Apple’s latest performed almost exactly as well as last year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max did on the same tests, despite a recent report that the new model is more fragile than its predecessor.

Apple confirms fix for iPhone 15 Pro overheating problem coming soon

By

iPhone 15 Pro display bezels closeup
Blame Uber and Asphalt 9 for your iPhone 15 Pro running hot.
Photo: Apple

Apple confirmed Saturday that iPhone 15 Pro overheating problems are not due to the new A17 Pro chip that powers the device. An iOS 17 bug and some third-party apps are the culprits.

The company plans to roll out a software update to address the situation soon. It is also working with third-party developers on this issue.

Startup Humane will fully unveil its ‘Ai Pin’ in early November [Updated]

By

A runway model wearing Humane's Ai Pin.
Humane's wearable Ai Pin was teased at Paris Fashion Week.
Photo: Humane

Humane, a startup founded by Apple veterans, will unveil its “Ai Pin” on November 9, the company said Friday. The press release offered no further details about the launch.

Last week, the company teased the Ai Pin at Paris Fashion Week. Photographers shot pictures of supermodel Naomi Campbell wearing the device — the first person to wear it in public, Humane said.

Update: We embedded a video below showing Humane’s device up close. You probably won’t be very surprised by how Apple-like it looks, given its pedigree.

Why we’re loving iPhone 15 Pro and new Apple Watches [The CultCast]

By

The CultCast logo, episode 614: A heart!
Hear our first hands-on impressions of iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Photo: Nicola Fioravanti/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After nearly a week with Apple’s new hardware, we’re serving up our first hands-on impressions. Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max too big — and/or too hot — to handle? Is Apple Watch Ultra 2 worth the upgrade? What about Apple Watch Series 9?

And seriously, Apple … you call that pink?

Also on The CultCast:

  • Griffin runs us through some of the coolest new features in macOS Sonoma.
  • OMG we’ve already got iPhone 16 rumors.
  • And we wrap up with a couple of big fat bummers from our favorite source of Apple insider info and tech haikus.

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.

Some case-makers guessed wrong on iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button

By

Peak Design put a cutout instead of a button over Apple's new Action button.
Peak Design put a cutout instead of a button over Apple's new Action button.
Photo: Peak Design

The Action button on new iPhone 15 Pro models is throwing some third-party case-makers for a loop, according to a new report Friday.

Preparing to launch new cases in tandem with the new handsets’ release, some companies guessed right on the phones’ designs and some got it wrong.

Enter to win a protective and stylish iPhone 15 bundle from Laut [Cult of Mac giveaway]

By

Premium iPhone case, that is built to protect and has a great sleek look.
This week's giveaway pairs a premium iPhone case with a screen protector for maximum protection.
Photo: Laut

We teamed up with Laut this week to give three lucky winners a great accessory bundle featuring new products designed to protect the iPhone 15 series.

This bundle includes an iPhone 15 case and a screen protector to ensure all-around protection for your precious new phone. It’s free and easy to enter!

Fingernails rom-com trailer literally puts love to the test

By

Can true love be scientifically tested and proven?
Can true love be scientifically tested and proven?
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ debuted its first trailer Wednesday for a rare beast — a sci-fi romantic comedy. It’s called Fingernails, and its appealing cast includes Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White and Luke Wilson.

Set in and around a “love-testing institute,” the Apple Originals film debuts in New York City and Los Angeles theaters October 27 and in more theaters and on Apple TV+ November 3.

Finding the ‘perfect’ dock or KVM switch [Setups]

By

This Mac mini user has a Dell laptop and wants to run them both with peripherals.
This Mac mini user has a Dell laptop and wants to run them both with peripherals.
Photo: [email protected]

Anyone looking to run different peripherals with both Mac and PC might take a look at today’s setup advice-fest. The user runs a Mac mini with dual displays and typical Apple input devices, but wants to add a Dell laptop from work into the mix.

They got plenty of advice on doing just that with the right kind of dock or KVM switch, below.

France approves Apple software fix for iPhone 12’s RF radiation

By

Thanks to a software patch, iPhone 12 can stay on the market in France.
Thanks to a software patch, iPhone 12 can stay on the market in France.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

French regulators approved Apple’s software update addressing radio-frequency radiation levels in iPhone 12 on Friday, so the handset can remain on the market in that country.

Previously, authorities ordered sales of the phone halted until it complied with European electromagnetic radiation standards.

The Enfield Poltergeist trailer: You won’t know whether to laugh or scream

By

The Enfield Poltergeist debuts October 27 on Apple TV+.
Image: Apple

The story of “the most famous poltergeist haunting in history” came my way first in the form of a trailer Apple TV+ dropped Tuesday for The Enfield Poltergeist documentary series. I hadn’t heard of the case it covers.

The trailer delivers a chill or two, but it’s kind of over-the-top with the spooky narration. The four-part documentary series debuts October 27.

Scalper bots bogart supply of iPhone 15 Pro models

By

Apparently bot-wielding scalpers profit most from iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Apparently bot-wielding scalpers profit most from iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Photo: Apple

Scalpers appear to use bots to buy up thousands of iPhone 15 models, according to new research. And iPhone 15 Pro Max appears to sit at the top of the list.

The findings point to bots preordering thousands of units as a reason regular buyers face back-orders with long wait times.

Classic Mac-style case gives iPhone 15 Pro military-grade protection

By

Give your iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max a retro look and serious protection.
Give your iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max a retro look and serious protection.
Photo: Spigen

If you love the retro look of the colorful old iMac G3 and you want to give your pricey new iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max serious protection, Spigen’s Classic C1 MagFit case has returned with a revamp, the company said Tuesday.

And what’s more, right now you can get a 20% discount on the case. See below.

watchOS 10.1 beta brings double-tap gesture to Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2

By

Double-tapping index finger and thumb will open a surprising amount of watch functionality.
Double-tapping index finger and thumb will open a surprising amount of watch functionality.
Photo: Apple

The release of the watchOS 10.1 beta to developers on Wednesday brings the cool new “double tap” gesture that allows one-handed use of Apple Watch in certain cases (though it can’t be enabled yet).

In other words, it’s a way to operate the wearable without touching its screen. And once iOS 10.1 arrives in October, Apple Watch Series 9 and second-gen Apple Watch Ultra users can try it. However, even folks with older Apple Watches can try a version of it right now.