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News - page 134

Skip the Ultra 2 and get the Apple Watch Ultra for $100 off

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Apple Watch Ultra review roundup: For extremophiles
Skip the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and get the original Ultra instead.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 2 does not pack significant upgrades over the first-gen model. And that’s a good enough reason to check out the latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 deals or consider buying the original Apple Watch Ultra at its lowest-ever price.

With a massive $100 off, you can get the first-gen Apple Watch Ultra for $700.

First iPhone 15 Pro teardown showcases repairable innards

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Once the glass was pried off, it was time to start messing around with iPhone 15 Pro's guts.
Once the glass was pried off, it was time to start messing around with iPhone 15 Pro's guts.
Photo: PBKreviews

The first YouTube video showing a complete teardown and reassembly of the new iPhone 15 Pro highlights its cool components, like the compact A17 Pro chip and the three highly capable cameras.

And it also scores the handset reasonably well on repairability, something Apple has markedly improved in recent years.

How much (actual) crap would you go through to get back a lost Apple Watch?

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This is not the outhouse in question, but you get the idea.
This is not the outhouse in question, but you get the idea.
Photo: Photo by Максим Косяков@Pexels.com

Like many people, you probably love your Apple Watch. But would you lower yourself down through a toilet into the business end of an outhouse to get it back? That’s what a Michigan woman did.

The good news is she found the watch. The bad news is she got stuck in the crap and had to be rescued.

Why an Apple-made 5G iPhone modem remains only a dream

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An Apple 5G modem might look like this
Apple has poured billions into making its own 5G chip, and so far has nothing to show for it. Here's why.
Artists concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s five-year effort to make a 5G modem for the iPhone has so far accomplished little besides spending billions of dollars, according to a new report. The reasons for the failure are myriad but mostly come down to executives underestimating the complexity of the project.

That’s left iPhone-maker dependent on Qualcomm for modems, a company Apple has a very rocky relationship with.

Making the endlessly inventive Snoopy watch face for Apple Watch

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Lift your arm to look at your Apple Watch, and you'll see a face like this turn into an animation. And there are tons of them.
Lift your arm to look at your Apple Watch, and you'll see a face like this turn into an animation. And there are tons of them.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

If you love Charlie Brown’s dog Snoopy, as generations of Peanuts fans and product marketers do, you better get the new Snoopy Apple Watch face now available in watchOS 10.

After all, a ton of work went into making its endlessly inventive animations, according to a new report.

Conspiracy looms in first look at spy thriller Slow Horses season 3

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As Jackson Lamb, Gary Oldman is never looking his best.
As rumpled spy Jackson Lamb, Gary Oldman never looks his best.
Photo: Apple

Jackson Lamb and his team of misfit MI5 agents return soon for season three of espionage thriller Slow Horses. Apple TV+ offered a first look Wednesday with some photos and plot tidbits about the trouble they will get into.

The award-winning show debuts December 1 with the first two episodes of the new season. As a big fan of the show and the books it’s based on, I can’t wait.

Two powerhouse MacBooks drive dual Studio Displays [Setups]

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Not everyone can say they have two late model MacBooks Pro and two Studio Displays, but the employer helped out in this case.
Not everyone can say they have two late model MacBooks Pro and two Studio Displays, but the employer helped out in this case.
Photo: [email protected]

Not many folks get to flaunt two late-model, powerhouse MacBook Pro laptops along with two Studio Displays in their computer setup — but it certainly becomes more likely when an employer contributes gear. Today’s featured setup comes from an art director in just that situation.

His Apple-all-the-way setup won much praise, but some commenters on social media had fits over a backward-facing MacBook Pro — and provided a fix for the flagrant flub.

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 15: Which one should you buy?

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iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 15 comparison
Should you spend the $200 extra and get the iPhone 15 Pro this year?
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh

This year’s iPhone 15 lineup packs some big upgrades, including 48MP cameras, USB-C connectors and faster chips on both models, and a titanium frame on the Pro. But between the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15, which one should you pick?

The two iPhones might appear nearly the same at first glance, but as per usual, the Pro benefits from high-end features. It is also $200 more expensive. So, should you buy the iPhone 15 Pro over the regular iPhone 15? Find out in this comparison.

Soundcore’s new pint-size Bluetooth speakers pack a hi-res punch

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The new Soundcore Motion 300 is small enough to strap to a backpack for a hike.
The new Soundcore Motion 300 is small enough to strap to a backpack for a hike.
Photo: Soundcore

Summer’s ending, but the new Soundcore Motion 300 and Motion 100 portable high-fidelity Bluetooth speakers can still give you stereo sound for outdoor activities this fall and winter, the company said Wednesday.

The $80 Motion 300, available October 9, is a 30-watt speaker with Wireless Hi-Res Certification and 13 hours of playtime. The similar $60 Motion 100, which lacks the 300’s SmartTune EQ, will ship in November, Soundcore said.

Mac sits at the top of the chart for consumer satisfaction

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24-inch iMac
Mac users are very satisfied with their iMac.
Photo: Apple

Mac users are very satisfied with their computer. Even more so than last year, according to a survey of users of all types of desktops, laptops and tablets.

Apple computers beat Windows PCs from most rivals in user satisfaction. In fact, there’s only one company that can rival Apple.

Here’s what Thread networking can do for iPhone 15 Pro

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iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the first smartphones to include Thread mesh networking. But why?
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the first smartphones to include Thread mesh networking. But why?
Photo: Apple

Thread wireless mesh networking is strongly associated with the Matter smart-home automation standard, so some people found it surprising Apple would include Thread radio technology in iPhone 15 Pro models in addition to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity.

A new report surfaced theories about what Apple’s up to and what future impacts it might have.

Now you can upgrade your iCloud+ storage to a whopping 12TB

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iCloud+ Storage Capacity
You can store 6X as much with an iCloud+ subscription than was possible before.
Image: Apple

The maximum capacity of an Apple iCloud+ account just expanded from 2 terabytes to 12 terabytes. There’s also a new 6TB option. Either one is a heap of storage for Mac, iPad and iPhone user to hold images, videos and other files.

The storage plans also come with useful bonus features, many of which are focused on privacy.

These iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features won’t arrive till later this year

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The first iOS 17 public build will miss out on these features.
iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, but without these features.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple finally released iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to the public, but you won’t get to enjoy all the new features and enhancements immediately.

Certain features will be released in a future point release of the OS. Below is a look at all such iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features that won’t be available at launch.

tvOS 17 brings FaceTime to Apple TV 4K

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With the tvOS 17 update, FaceTime comes to Apple TV 4K for the first time.
With the tvOS 17 update, FaceTime comes to Apple TV 4K for the first time.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV 4K became a more versatile living room device with Monday’s launch of FaceTime on tvOS 17, Apple said, referring to it as “a powerful integration of hardware and software.”

“Users can make calls directly from Apple TV 4K, or start calls on iPhone or iPad, and hand them off to Apple TV 4K,” Apple noted. “FaceTime on Apple TV 4K takes advantage of Continuity Camera support to wirelessly connect to iPhone or iPad, and leverages the devices’ cameras and microphones to bring participants together on the TV.”

Don’t miss the best new features in iPadOS 17

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iPadOS 17 Home Screen
Interactive widgets are one of the highlights of iPadOS 17.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple just released iPadOS 17 to the public. There’s a lot to like, including a new customizable Lock screen, interactive widgets, a Health app, significant Stage Manager improvements and much more.

Here’s everything you can expect from loading the new version on your iPad.

Bring new life to an old Intel-based iMac or Mac mini [Setups]

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Commenters offered good advice on speeding up this Intel-based iMac setup.
Commenters offered good advice on speeding up this Intel-based iMac setup.
Photo: [email protected]

If you have an aging Intel-based iMac or Mac mini that’s slowing down like an old codger, today’s featured iMac setup shows a relatively simple way to revitalize your machine and keep using it.

All you need is an external solid state drive (SSD) and the knowledge, below, to make it your computer’s replacement startup disk.

Protect iPhone 15’s screen with tough new UltraGlass 2

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iPhone 15 models have tough screens, but you can never be too careful.
iPhone 15 models have tough screens, but you can never be too careful.
Photo: Belkin

Belkin’s new ScreenForce UltraGlass 2 Treated Screen Protectors for iPhone 15 models are made of its strongest and most durable glass yet, the company said Thursday.

You can pick up the protectors at either Belkin.com or Apple.com. And when they arrive by the end of the month in Apple Store locations, you can take advantage of a free precision fitting service.

Apple sees strong demand for iPhone 15 Pro Max

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The Pro lineup color choices.
Apple is seeing strong demand for the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year.
Photo: Apple

Initial orders for the iPhone 15 Pro Max show “robust” demand, outpacing last year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max, according to TF Securities International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Demand for the regular iPhone 15 looks similar to 2022’s models, the analyst said.