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Charge up for less with Spigen’s new ArcHybrid MagSafe power bank

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The new Spigen ArcHybrid Mag power bank offers 7.5W of charging power and strong magnets.
The new Spigen ArcHybrid Mag power bank offers 7.5W of charging power and strong magnets.
Photo: Spigen

Spigen has rolled out its first MagSafe power bank, available for preorder now. The ArcHybrid Mag arrives with a 5,000mAh capacity alongside 7.5W charging speeds and a stronger magnetic force than other models on the market, the company said. All that and a launch discount, too (see below).

Some users see spurious ‘storage almost full’ alerts in iOS and iPadOS 15

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storage almost full alert in iOS 15
Huh?
Photo: @3_Blind_Moose

Some iPhone and iPad users are being plagued by incorrect “storage almost full” alerts after updating to iOS and iPadOS 15. The message leaves a persistent badge on the Settings app icon that cannot be cleared.

In many cases, users seeing the alert actually have ample free storage remaining. A similar bug tells some iPhone and iPad owners that they have more available storage than their device actually shipped with.

Apple breaks iTunes for Windows for anyone who doesn’t speak English

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iTunes for Windows
Avoid the latest update if your system isn't set up in English.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

Apple rolled out a new version of iTunes for Windows on Monday alongside iOS and iPadOS 15, but it should be avoided at all costs if your system isn’t set up in English. iTunes no longer works under any other language.

The problem seems to affect the version 12.12.0.6 version of iTunes no matter where it’s downloaded from — the Microsoft Store or directly from Apple — which means it’s not currently possible for some users to sync their devices.

iOS 15 kills one of Do Not Disturb’s best features

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Do Not Disturb
Sad face.
Photo: Apple

Do Not Disturb is still available inside iOS and iPadOS 15, despite the introduction of a brand-new and infinitely more powerful Focus mode. But the feature is now missing a key settings option that didn’t carry over from iOS 14.

Users have quickly discovered that Apple’s newest update kills the ability to activate Do Not Disturb only when a device is locked — one of its best features for many iPhone and iPad users.

Lossless audio and Dolby Atmos return to HomePod in 15.1 beta

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Apple Music lossless audio coming to HomePod, HomePod mini
But you need an invite to get it.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest HomePod beta, issued alongside the iOS and iPadOS 15.1 betas on Tuesday, brings back lossless audio and Dolby Atmos support. Both features can be enabled from inside the Home app, but only if you have an invite.

Apple has been working to bring its newest audio features to HomePod speakers for a while now. It first began testing them shortly after WWDC 2021 in June when the third HomePod 15 beta was made available to testers.

Finch trailer makes you feel good about a very Tom Hanks apocalypse

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Tom Hanks sci-fi charmer ‘Finch’ premieres on Apple TV+ Nov. 5
Finch is a simple tale of a man, his dog and his robot in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. OK, maybe not so simple.
Photo: Apple TV+

Given all the apocalyptic storytelling in recent years, it makes sense in a Hollywood way that we’d eventually arrive at a warm-and-fuzzy, feel-good apocalypse movie. According to its first official trailer, that would be Finch, set to premiere on the Apple TV+ streaming service November 5.

Save on this compact USB-C charger that’s perfect for iPhone

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SwitchEasy PowerBuddy charger for iPhone
Now just $19.99 for a limited time.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Getting a new iPhone on Friday? You might need a charging adapter to go with it now that Apple no longer includes one in the box. Check out the handy PowerBuddy from SwitchEasy. It delivers 20W of power, packs USB-A and USB-C ports, and sports a compact design you can take anywhere.

It’s also 20% off in the Cult of Mac Store for a limited time.

First iOS 15.1 beta resumes testing missing features

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First iOS 15.1 beta resumes testing of missing features
That didn’t take long.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 15.1 to developers on Tuesday, just a day after the general public got access to iOS 15. The company also gave devs access to the initial betas for iPadOS 15.1, watchOS 8.1 and tvOS 15.1. These are expected to include some of the features promised earlier but removed from the versions that debuted on Monday to give additional development time.

In addition, Apple released to macOS Monterey beta 7 to developers.

‘Something wicked this way comes’ in first Apple TV+ Macbeth trailer

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Joel Cohen writes for the stage and directs the Apple TV+ adaptation of Shakespeare's bloody classic.
Joel Cohen writes for the stage and directs the Apple TV+ adaptation of Shakespeare's bloody classic.
Photo: Apple TV+

A dreary and ominous fog washes over the first Apple TV+ trailer for The Tragedy of Macbeth. That sets a suitably dark tone for the adaptation of the bloody Shakespeare classic from writer and director Joel Cohen. Black birds circle overhead.

iPhone 13 review roundup: Stellar displays, cracking cameras, outstanding battery life

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Apple California Streaming event: iPhone 13 comes in an array of five colors.
But should you upgrade?
Photo: Apple

If you still can’t decide whether you want to upgrade to iPhone 13 or 13 Pro, perhaps some early feedback from reviewers will help. Unsurprisingly, they all have good things to say about Apple’s newest handsets, which pack big camera upgrades, better battery life, even faster A15 Bionic chips, and wonderfully smooth ProMotion displays (if you buy a Pro model).

But most agree that the changes don’t break new ground for iPhone, so you might be happy to stick with what you already have. But are the 2021 iPhones really “the most incremental update ever,” as The New York Times writes? Here’s our iPhone 13 review roundup.

No way back from iOS 14.8 as Apple stops signing earlier firmware

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Apple stops signing iOS 14.7.1
You're stuck with iOS 14.8 or iOS 15.
Image: Cult of Mac

It’s no longer possible to downgrade to iOS or iPadOS 14.7.1 if you’ve already updated your iPhone or iPad to a newer version of Apple’s firmware.

Cupertino stopped signing the update, first rolled out in July, after releasing iOS and iPadOS 15 to everyone on Monday. The move prevents users from reverting to the earlier build, but it won’t affect devices still running iOS 14.7.1.

iPhone 13 demand pushes wait times out weeks

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iPhone 13 demand pushes wait times out weeks
If you want an iPhone 13 anytime soon, procrastination on ordering isn’t such a good idea.
Photo: Apple

If you want an iPhone 13 in the next few weeks, you’d probably better order it soon. And for some variations, it’s already too late to have it delivered before October.

And an analyst says the wait times indicate that Apple’s latest is selling better than its predecessor.

Have your pick of iPhone 13 cases with Elago’s new lineup

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The MagSafe Silicone Case is just one of many cases Elago offers for iPhone 13.
The MagSafe Silicone Case is just one of many cases Elago offers for iPhone 13.
Photo: Elago

If you’re the proud owner of a new iPhone 13 series smartphone — whether you have it in hand or just set for delivery — don’t forget to protect it. Elago’s new lineup of iPhone 13 cases include past favorite designs and innovative new styles.

You can grab Elago’s new iPhone 13 cases in the Cult of Mac Store — via the direct link under each item below — or at Elago or Amazon.

There’s plenty to enjoy in iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 [Updated]

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There’s plenty to enjoy in iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8
iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch just got a heap of new features.
Photo: Apple

If you’ve been eagerly waiting for iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 since June, then rejoice! Everyone can finally install them. iPad gets plenty of new features, while iPhone and Apple Watch get a handful of nice improvements.

Here are the cool enhancements you can look forward to, whether you jump on the updates Monday or decide to wait.

Evidence grows for ‘hole punch’ camera in iPhone 14

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Replacing iPhone notch with holepunch camera makes no damn sense
Two generally reliable sources now say the iPhone 14 will have a hole punch camera.
Artists concept: Cult of Mac

A trusted analyst has backed up a recent leak that the iPhone 14 will replace the screen notch with a hole punch camera. And there are other significant changes reportedly coming in the 2022 model.

But TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo pushed back his prediction for when some much-anticipated features will reach the iPhone.

Curved 40-inch HD display is too much monitor for some [Setups]

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Not bad for something stashed in the corner of your kid's room.
Not bad for something stashed in the corner of your kid's room.
Photo: [email protected]

In the ongoing discussion about whether a gargantuan ultra-wide monitor beats dual monitors or vice versa, some people still chime in favoring one modest display to either of the above choices. Of course, these days, “modest” can mean in excess of 30 inches, plus a lot of bells and whistles.

Ted Lasso scoops historical Emmy win for outstanding comedy

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Ted Lasso Emmy win
Another win for Ted Lasso.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ on Sunday became the first streaming service to pick up an Emmy Award in a program category, thanks to lovable football-cum-soccer coach Ted Lasso.

The series scooped prizes for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in A Comedy Series.

Apple gives us a guided tour of iPhone 13 and 13 Pro ahead of launch

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iPhone 13 guided tour video
A closer look at what's coming.
Photo: Apple

Itching to get your hands on iPhone 13 and 13 Pro? There’s no way to make your preorder arrive earlier, unfortunately. But it is possible to take a deeper look at what you have to look forward to with Apple’s new guided tour video.

The seven-minute feature, uploaded to YouTube over the weekend, highlights the differences between each of the four iPhone 13 variants, and provides a look at new features like Cinematic mode, ProMotion, and lots more.

Apple delays Find My network support for AirPods until ‘later this fall’

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Locating AirPods with Find My
It's not the only iOS 15 feature we'll have to wait longer for.
Photo: Apple

It seems Find My network support for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max won’t roll out with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 as originally planned. Apple says the feature, which can make lost headphones easier to find, will be available “later this fall.”

Once the Find My network is enabled for the high-end headphones, another iPhone, iPad or Mac owner in the vicinity of the lost item can can passively update your gear’s general location. The Find My network functionality makes the feature far my powerful by tapping the millions of Apple devices in use around the world.

Free up space on your Mac with BuhoCleaner

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If your Mac's running low on storage, you can quickly turn things around with BuhoCleaner.

Photo: BuhoCleaner

This Mac software post is brought to you by BuhoCleaner.

Macs have always been known for their stability and ease of use. But even the most perfect operating system can collect a few cobwebs or start to feel slow after years of use. BuhoCleaner for Mac is designed to clear out the junk and get your Mac back in fighting shape in just a few clicks.