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News - page 139

Apple adds 100+ podcasts with improved access

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iOS 17 gives Apple Podcasts users a refreshed player and queue, episode art, search filters and the ability to connect subscriptions to top apps.
iOS 17 gives Apple Podcasts users a refreshed player and queue, episode art, search filters and the ability to connect subscriptions to top apps.
Photo: Apple

Now you can listen to more than 100 new podcasts from various apps and services in Apple Podcasts, the company said Tuesday.

“Subscribers to Apple Music, Apple News+ and participating apps like Calm and Lingokids can connect their subscriptions to access new shows and more,” Apple noted.

iPhone 16 could feature a new capacitive Capture Button

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iPhone 15 in hand
Apple could also switch to a capacitive Action button with the 2024 iPhones.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple reportedly plans to introduce a new capacitive button on next year’s iPhone 16 lineup. Known as the “Capture Button” internally, the button is currently in the testing phase.

With the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple replaced the mute switch with the Action button. It enables additional functionality that was previously not possible.

iPad mini 7 might finally be nearing release

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2021 iPad mini 6
The iPad mini 6 is brilliant, but a new version is overdue.
Photo: Apple

The long wait for a new iPad mini is reportedly finally nearing the end. An updated version will supposedly launch in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The last update to the diminutive tablet was a major one, but it was also two years ago.

Download cozy new Autumn Gradients wallpapers

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This is the BOP (blue, orange and pink) Autumn Gradient variation.
This is the BOP (blue, orange and pink) Autumn Gradient variation.
Photo: Basic Apple Guy

Designer and Apple fan Basic Apple Guy put out four pretty new wallpapers for Apple devices Monday, his Autumn Gradients lineup.

“It’s been a minute, but I wanted to reappear from my hideyhole and share four colourful, Autumn-inspired gradient wallpapers for your Apple devices,” he wrote.

What time will Apple release macOS Sonoma on September 26?

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While almost nothing about macOS Sonoma leaked ahead of WWDC23, Apple showcased plenty of upgrades during the keynote.
macOS Sonoma packs small but important upgrades.
Photo: Apple

macOS Sonoma is ready for its public release. The new Mac operating system will drop on Tuesday, just over a week after iOS 17, watchOS 10 and iPadOS 17 launched.

If you can’t wait to try out the next major macOS build, you might want to know its exact release time on September 26 so you can update your Mac as soon as possible. If that’s the case, find the exact macOS Sonoma release time in your area below.

iPhone 15 Pro Max is and isn’t easy to repair

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iPhone 15 Pro Max teardown
Accessing the iPhone 15 Pro Max components is easier. But troubles await.
Photo: iFixit

Apple designed the internal iPhone 15 Pro series to be much easier to work on than previous models, but iFixit did a teardown and found that replacing several broken components is a hassle.

In the end, the latest iOS handset got a fairly low repairablity score from iFixit.

Could this be a top Apple-display alternative for gamers? [Setups]

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This Mac mini setup's user is over the moon about his new Samsung Odyssey G8 series curved gaming display.
This Mac mini setup's user is over the moon about his new Samsung Odyssey G8 series curved gaming display.
Photo: [email protected]

Quite a few excellent alternatives to Apple’s pricey Pro Display XDR and Studio Display exist for those in need a good external monitor to go with their Mac. Today’s featured Mac mini setup brings up another one — the 34-inch Samsung Odyssey G8 series curved gaming display.

If you like curves and especially if you like gaming, read on the see if the display might be a good choice for you.

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.

Amazon Prime Video will soon show ads to subscribers who don’t pay extra

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Amazon Prime Video
You'll soon have to shell out more money for Amazon Prime Video unless you want to watch ads.
Image: Amazon

Add Amazon Prime Video to the list of streaming services that charge extra for advertising-free viewing. Commercials will start appearing on the service in 2024.

The change leaves Apple TV+ as one of the few video streaming services that doesn’t include adverts.

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.

All you need to turn a MacBook into a workstation [Setups]

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Not only does it tell time, this setup and its short list of peripherals and accessories turn a laptop into much more.
Not only does it tell time, this setup and its short list of peripherals and accessories turn a laptop into much more.
Photo: [email protected]

These days, MacBook laptops are more than powerful enough to handle most users’ computing needs. So if you don’t need an even brawnier desktop Mac, why not build your laptop into a full workstation with a few peripherals and accessories?

Today’s setup gets by with a 3-year-old MacBook Pro hooked up to a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 dock and a nice LG 4K display, plus Logitech input devices and a few other items. It’s a complete workstation whether or not the user ever takes the MacBook Pro to go.

Warning: Update iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data

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If you got a new iPhone 15 series phone, install iOS 17.0.2 right away.
If you got a new iPhone 15 series phone, install iOS 17.0.2 right away.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple advised iPhone 15 buyers Friday that they need to install the latest software update, iOS 17.0.2, before transferring data during the device setup process. The update fixes a problem that could prevent the data transfer and freeze up the new iPhone.

Scuffles and massive lines as iPhone 15 goes on sale worldwide

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iPhone 15 launch day photo from Apple Sydney Store
Apple's newest iPhones are on sale now!
Photo: Apple

A disorderly scuffle broke out at a Dubai mall Friday as shoppers rushed to get the iPhone 15, as stores around the world saw massive lines for the new handsets.

Footage on TikTok shows a big crowd scuffling at Mall of the Emirates to be first in line for the new iPhone. Security guards struggle to hold back the rowdy crowd and several people fall. Other videos show the crowd jostling each other as they scramble to be first inside.

Elsewhere around the world, first-day crowds were more orderly as thousands of people lined up to get the new iPhones.

Apple releases security updates for iOS, iPadOS and watchOS alongside final macOS Sonoma beta

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The new software updates effect Macs as well as security updates for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
The new software updates effect Macs as well as security updates for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
Photo: Twelve South

Apple issued emergency software updates Thursday for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch that patch security vulnerabilities the company says may have been actively exploited. Among other things, the release notes for iOS 17.0.1, iPadOS 17.0.1 and watchOS 10.0.1 indicate the updates fix a problem that could allow a malicious app to bypass signature validation.

The updates, which Apple recommends all users download as soon as possible, come just days after the company pushed its latest operating systems live. However, if you plan to pick up an iPhone 15 tomorrow, you might want to hold off. If you update your current phone to iOS 17.0.1, you would need to update your new iPhone as well before setting it up from a backup.

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.