Apple today rolled out yet another surprise update to iOS 9 ahead of iOS 10’s public debut this fall. iOS 9.3.5 beefs up security once again and promise performance improvements.
Sharing is caring. And easier than ever. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
iCloud Drive previously worked a bit like Dropbox, asking users to drag and drop files into a special folder in order to access them across multiple devices. That changes in macOS Sierra, which allows you to enjoy the benefits of iCloud with the added bonus that your files can stay exactly where they are.
Here’s how to use this useful new feature in Apple’s new Mac operating system, which is currently in public beta and will be released this fall.
James Savage and John Leake know a thing or two about computer history, especially when it comes to Macs. Photo: James Savage
When James Savage and John Leake uploaded the first episode of their RetroMacCast, they were thrilled with the number of downloads: 18.
Not exactly a meteoric start, but considering neither host ever had that many people at one time interested in hearing them talk about old Apple computers, this was a pretty big deal.
Dig into the deepest vaults anywhere for TV shows old and new, movies, radio stations, live events, and more. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Who even has a video library anymore? With streaming services offering any media you can imagine, there’s no reason to film up your house with what’s just a click away anyway. It’s easy to think that flagship services like Netflix and Hulu boast the biggest media-bearing clouds, but SelectTV offers both cable and web-based streaming backed up by the deepest media coffers around. And right now you can get a full year of access for just $19, or get three years for $49.
Both the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus can get Touch IC Disease. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
iPhone 6 Plus units are much more likely than their smaller siblings to get “Touch IC Disease,” the flickering gray bars that are appearing on the screens of a growing number of aging devices, according to a smartphone repair expert who helped bring the problem to light.
Touch IC Disease, which affects the touchscreens of some older iPhones and renders them practically unusable, could potentially become a bigger problem for Apple than Bendgate, the “scandal” that followed the launch of the super-slim iPhone 6 line in 2014.
Handwritten notes make messaging more personal. Photo: Apple
iOS 10 makes messaging even more personal by giving iPhone owners new ways to communicate through stickers, effects and giant emojis. It’s also super simple to send handwritten notes straight from the heart. Here’s how.
This little Epson multifunction printer can handle big jobs. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Epson calls its new Expression Home XP-430 printer a “Small-in-One” for good reason: It packs a lot of functions into a compact size.
The sub-$100 unit scans and makes copies in addition to printing wirelessly via Apple AirPrint or Google Cloud Print. It’s not a productivity monster that would be suited for a really busy home office, but for a light-duty personal printer, it’s worth serious consideration.
The Slim Juicer protects your phone and adds 3,100mAh of extra charge (without extra bulk). Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
We enjoy our iPhones for different reasons — the many uses, the stylish design. One thing we all want though is to make sure our prized device is protected, which is why we’ve gathered this diverse collection of cases. From a tough case that doubles battery life, to a case that will adhere to nearly any surface, and a pair of stylish wallet/case combos, there’s something for any iPhone user. Take a look:
Siri just got more useful! Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Siri’s arrival on macOS Sierra opens up some great new features and possibilities. One of our favorites? The ability to “pin” Siri results inside Notification Center — making it easier to keep track of whatever game times, trending topics or important documents Apple’s virtual assistant helps you to find.
Here’s how to use the feature when running Apple’s next-gen macOS, which is currently in public beta and will be released this fall.
This Naim speaker is worth every penny. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The Naim Mu-so Qb compact wireless speaker may be tough to say out loud, but that’s the only unwieldy thing about one of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous speakers I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to.
The iPhone 7 is getting some big upgrades. Photo: PConline
The grand unveiling of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is still weeks away, but this year you don’t need to wait for Tim Cook to take the stage to find out all the new features.
Months of leaks have already given us a sneak peek at a lot of the big changes coming to the iPhone. And contrary to early reports that this year’s device will be boring, there’s actually a whole lot to get excited about.
Here’s what to expect from the iPhone 7, based on Cult of Mac’s analysis of everything we’ve seen from reliable leakers and the Apple rumor mill.
Edit text easier by transforming your keyboard into a trackpad. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
iOS has come a long way over the years, but trying to place your cursor accurately when writing and editing text is still a little awkward because you’re covering the text with your finger while trying to swipe across with the magnifying glass.
Well, thanks to 3D Touch, there’s a hidden trick within iOS that makes this easier. Check out this week’s Quick Tips video below to see it in action.
This week on The CultCast: Leaks point to exciting upgrades coming to the smaller iPhone 7 — we’ll give you the scoop. Plus, get ready for iPhone 7, we have a launch date; Apple Watch 2 might be getting a sorely needed feature; new models and “revolutionary” upgrades are coming to the iPad line; and stick around for CultCast Choices, the game that pits one bad choice against another.
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to build a website that looks beautiful on any device that visits at Squarespace.com. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off.
Do you think Apple is in a good place under Tim Cook? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
It’s been almost five years since Tim Cook was named Apple CEO, and during that time the company has seen some pretty incredible highs. But there have been some significant lows, too.
So, is Cook doing enough to keep Apple one step ahead of the competition, or does he need to do more? Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we discuss Cook’s first five year’s as Apple CEO.
Switching to a new watch face is almost too easy. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple is making it a lot easier and faster to switch up the look of your Apple Watch thanks to some new features in watchOS 3.
Starting this fall, Apple is adding a bunch of new faces that can be customized like never before. All the faces can be added via the Watch app for iPhone, and there are so many great options you’ll be swapping all the time. If you’re an Ultra user, check out thebest Apple Watch Ultra 2 faces to maximize your experience.
iPhone 7 will have a killer camera. Photo: Martin Hajek/Flickr
Leaked camera parts supposedly destined for this year’s 4.7-inch iPhone have revealed that Apple finally plans to add a feature found on its Plus-sized units the past two years.
While most of this years’ iPhone camera rumors have focused on the dual-lens module coming to the iPhone 7 Plus, a leaked iPhone 7 rear camera module hints at some big improvements coming to the smaller device.
Your iPhone and Mac now talk to each other even more closely. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The ability to seamlessly hand off web pages or emails from your Mac to your iPhone (or vice versa) has been around for a couple of years now. However, in macOS Sierra and iOS 10 it’s taken to the next level — courtesy of a Universal Clipboardfeature which lets you easily copy and paste content between your Mac and iOS devices.
Here’s how to use the feature when running Apple’s next-gen iOS and macOS, which are currently in public beta and will be released this fall.
Only two of these will go on sale this fall. Photo: NowhereElse
Apple’s next-generation iPhones will indeed be named the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but they will not be accompanied by an iPhone 7 Pro, according to a new report citing “reliable sources.”
Siri on Mac makes finding images a whole lot quicker. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The Mac debut of Siri on macOS Sierra opens up a ton of intriguing new use-cases in terms of functionality. One of the most useful? The ability to use Apple’s virtual assistant to search for photos either on the web or your own computer — and then drag them into directly into apps.
Here’s how to use the feature when running Apple’s next-gen macOS, which is currently in public beta and will be released this fall.
The new Dock is one of watchOS 3's best features. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple Watch is getting a UI makeover with watchOS 3 which completely changes how you interact with apps, making them faster and easier to access thanks to the all new Dock feature.
Now when wearers press the side button on Apple Watch, instead of bringing up your favorite contacts, the watch brings up the dock providing a quick view of your favorite apps that are now updated immediately, so you spend less time staring at the spinning wheel.
Here’s how to make the most of the new Apple Watch dock:
iPhone's rivals already offer faster charging. Photo: The Malignant
A new iPhone 7 component leak suggests Apple’s next-generation smartphones will finally deliver faster charging technology. According to one leaker, the devices will feature “at least” five volt two amp charging.
Almost four years on, Maps is in a very different place. Apple has worked hard to iron out the kinks and add new features that help the service compete with rivals like Google Maps. But is Apple Maps still the laughing stock of maps apps?
Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fights as we battle it out over the state of Apple Maps.
Apple's QuickType keyboard is even better in iOS 10. Photo: Apple
Apple has made a bunch of improvements to its QuickType keyboard for iOS 10, and one of those is support for multilingual typing. This lets you type in multiple languages simultaneously, and it’s super simple to set up. Here’s how.
Don't get your hopes up for a second speaker. Photo: NowhereElse
The secondary speaker grille on recent iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus mockups has led us to believe Apple’s next-generation smartphones will get an extra speaker, but according to a new leak, one of those grilles may be just for show.
Hey, presto! No more typing in passwords. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The devices in Apple’s ecosystem always work really well together, and macOS Sierra doesn’t buck that trend. In fact, the upcoming desktop operating system lets Apple Watch owners automatically unlock their Macs using the wearable device — no lengthy password needed.
It’s a small, but incredibly useful, new feature that rewards Mac owners who have taken the dive and invested in an Apple Watch. Here’s how to use it when running macOS Sierra, which is currently in public beta and will be released this fall.