Apple has stopped signing the last stable iOS 16 release. Photo: Rajesh
You can no longer downgrade your iPhone to iOS 16.6.1. Following the release of iOS 17.0.3, Apple has stopped signing the last stable iOS 16 release for its iPhones.
So, if you did not like iOS 17 for some reason, there’s no way you can downgrade your iPhone to iOS 16 now.
Limited-time price drop: Get Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro for less than $50. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If your PC could use a little love in the software department, this bundle’s for you. It combines Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows, all for one low price. And if you need those upgrades, you’ll be thrilled to know that this bundle has been price-dropped to just $49.97 through October 15.
That’s a best-of-web price you won’t find anywhere else.
The U.S. government recently tested its emergency notification system. You can opt out of these messages. Photo: FCC/FEMA
There’s a way to prevent your iPhone from blaring out a loud alarm whenever the feds or local governments use the Wireless Emergency Alerts system. Setting your device so it ignores these alerts is actually quite easy, though it is more complicated than putting your iPhone in Silent mode.
Install iOS 17.0.3 to keep iPhone 15 from getting so hot. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iOS 17.0.3 just launched, and Apple promises it “addresses an issue that may cause iPhone to run warmer than expected.” This is a well-publicized problem with iPhone 15 models.
It also might increase the battery life of previous iOS handsets.
Students at TechConnect learn the fundamentals of coding while programming robots using iPad. Photo: Apple
Apple’s Community Education Initiative (CEI) brings “coding, creativity and career opportunities to learners of all ages, and to communities that are traditionally underrepresented in technology,” the tech giant said in a new feature story about its outreach success in Houston.
The article focuses on programs including TechConnect, which gives iPads to kids in various training projects. It joined the initiative in 2022.
That's an HP Pavilion desktop machine running macOS. Photo: [email protected]
The quote in the headline above may be overly dramatic. Steve Jobs might not give a hoot that someone’s running macOS on an HP desktop machine. But the discussion on social media about whether it’s even worth it to bother with a hackintosh anymore is pretty interesting.
And if you’re into gaming, check out this guy’s mechanical keyboard and mouse.
"The Buccaneers" are coming to raid English manors. Photo: Apple
Olivia Rodrigo’s hit single “all-american bitch” and other tunes by women drive the new trailer Apple TV+ dropped Wednesday for The Buccaneers. The tale, set in 1870s England, comes from Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel of the same name, in which rich young American women mix it up with powerful English nobles.
It’s not the first series to pump out an anachronistic soundtrack. It debuts on Apple TV+ November 8 with three episodes. The remaining five come out on Wednesdays through December 13.
The Apple Watch Series 8 focuses on women's health with a new body temperature sensor that can detect ovulation. Screenshot: Apple
Planning to buy the Apple Watch Series 9 but don’t care about the new double tap gesture? Then, get the Apple Watch Series 8 for less than $300 instead.
With Amazon knocking up to $100 off the Series 8, the 2022 Apple Watch is an obvious choice over its successor.
As part of a trend among streaming services, Netflix will jack up the price of ad-free streaming soon. Photo: Netflix
With the writers and actors strikes now over if tentative agreements hold, Netflix plans to raise its ad-free streaming subscription price soon, joining other streaming platforms in doing so, a report said Tuesday.
Add your PayPal or Venmo credit or debit cards to Apple Wallet for use with Apple Pay. Photo: PayPal
If you use Apple Wallet and Apple Pay, now you can add your PayPal and Venmo credit and debit cards to the mix for easy payment on the go using iPhone or Apple Watch, PayPal said Wednesday.
This follows a previous PayPal announcement in November 2022 and some testing earlier this year.
The Action button would be easier to reach for right-handed phone holders. Photo: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
I’ve been using my new iPhone 15 Pro for a couple of weeks now, but I still haven’t gotten used to the new Action button.
The Action button can be configured to give easy, one-button access to a range of functions, from launching the flashlight to opening a Tesla car door.
I have mine set up to open the Camera app and then act as the shutter button. But it’s kinda useless for two reasons.
The upcoming point release of iOS 17.1 will pack several minor but important changes and features to deliver a better experience. Below is a look at everything new in iOS 17.1.
Act now to get this lifetime AI voiceover subscription for just $49.97. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Whether creating a marketing campaign or a video project, voiceovers can make a powerful impact. With this artificial intelligence-powered voiceover tool, you can create effective voiceovers in 600 different voices and 160 languages.
And during our Fall Deal Days sale, you can get a long-term solution to any voiceover needs at a surprisingly low cost. This lifetime subscription to Micmonster AI Voiceovers is available for only $49.97 (regularly $119) with no coupon required.
Apple Original special The Velveteen Rabbit debuts on November 22. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ set a slate of kids-and-family specials Tuesday for the upcoming holiday season, including the new Apple Original special The Velveteen Rabbit, based on Margery Williams’ beloved children’s book, on November 22.
But that’s not all. New holiday-themed episodes from series The Snoopy Show, Frog and Toad and Shape Island premiere December 1. And a special New Year’s Eve-themed episode of Sago Mini Friends comes out December 22.
Some Peanuts classics will stream for free, too — you don’t need to subscribe to Apple TV+ to see the classic Charlie Brown shows for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Samsung T9 SSD is small but holds terabytes of data. Photo: Samsung
The just-launched Samsung T9 solid-state drive is small enough and tough enough to go almost anywhere. And it’s available in capacities up to 4 terabytes.
The USB-C drive offers high-speed data transfers, and support for USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 allows files to move even faster … but not for Mac users. If you’re considering alternatives, theSamsung T7 is another excellent option known for its reliability and speed.
Academy Award winner Peter Capaldi (left) and Cush Jumbo star in Criminal Record, premiering with the first two episodes on January 12 on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
Apple TV+ unveiled a first look Tuesday at Criminal Record, an eight-episode crime thriller in which brilliant detectives clash over a high-profile murder in London.
Debuting January 12, the series stars Academy Award and BAFTA award winner Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who, The Thick of It) and Laurence Olivier Award and Critics Choice Award nominee Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, The Good Fight, The Beast Must Die).
Your iPhone will get an emergency alert Wednesday that looks a lot like this. Photo: FCC/FEMA
iPhones and Androids in the United States will receive an emergency alert Wednesday, but it’s not anything to worry about. It will come from a couple of U.S. government agencies testing the Wireless Emergency Alerts system.
This isn’t the first time the system has been tested — the feds are required to check that the system works every few years.
In short, just ignore it. Also ignore the crazy conspiracy theories surrounding the test.
A Plugable Thunderbolt 4 dock (TBT4-UDX1) sits on a desk with multiple devices connected. Photo: Plugable
A new Plugable docking station provides 10 ports for Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 laptops, including support for dual 4K displays at 60Hz, the company said upon rolling out the new device Tuesday.
I don't miss Instagram since moving to Glass. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Glass is a return to the simplicity of Instagram circa 2012. It’s a social network specially tailored for looking at and posting beautiful photography. I have a thing for niche social networks, I guess.
I was an early adopter of Instagram, which initially was a picture-first social network. It’s lost focus in the years since, getting crowded with Stories, Reels, shopping and countless more half-baked features that don’t make sense. I now avoid it at all costs.
You don’t need to be a professional photographer to use it — although you do need $30/year.
iPad 9 is great for casual use, especially at its discounted price. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Looking for a spare new iPad for casual use? Or maybe to use as a portable monitor while on the go? With Amazon knocking $59.01 off the iPad 9’s price, it is a terrific device for such use cases.
The 9th gen iPad is already the cheapest tablet in Apple’s lineup. Add in Amazon’s latest discount, and it becomes an even better deal for $269.99.
You don't have to pay full price to get the audio quality of HomePod 2. Photo: Apple
Apple is now offering refurbished units of its second-generation full-size HomePod at 17% off the regular price. This new version offers high-quality audio and additional smart-home features
Buying refurbs from Apple is a popular way to save on used electronics that can be relied on.
Turn your iPhone into a document scanner for just $30 during this sales event. Photo: cult of Mac Deals
If you don’t work in an office equipped with a physical scanner, it can be frustrating to digitize your documents. But if you’re like us, you like to use your iPhone for just about everything — and this iOS scanning app is right up your alley.
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.