Odds are your iPhone doesn't run iOS 17. Adoption of Apple's latest mobile operating system is downright anemic. Photo: Cult of Mac
In the weeks since iOS 17 launched, just a small percentage of iPhone owners have adopted it, according to an analytics firm. This is despite the fact that the new version is freely available for every iPhone going back five years.
Users may have been made cautious by Apple’s need to rush out three patches to fix bugs since the big update.
Grab these AirPod alternatives loved by users. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you’ve ever lost your AirPods, first, we apologize for dredging up the trauma. Second, you likely know how useful it is to have a handy alternative if and when the inevitable happens.
The Flux 7 TWS wireless earbuds make for a great low-price option. And right now, you can score them with a wireless charging case/power bank for only $22.97 (regularly $69). You’ll have to act fast, though, since this deal ends October 15!
Get a Tykr stock screener premium subscription for less than $100. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
To a lot of new investors, the stock market can seem like glorified gambling. And of course, that’s exactly what it would be if you picked your stocks out of a hat without any preparation. While there’s always an element of risk, it’s always about staying informed – and that’s exactly what Tykr helps you do.
These are the best bands for Apple Watch in any situation. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
One of the best things about Apple Watch is the insanely wide range of awesome bands to go with it. If, like me, you’re addicted to buying bands for your Apple Watch, we’ve rounded up some of the best you can buy today to help you out.
All our picks work with Apple Watch Series 9, as well as previous versions of the device. Just be sure to pick the right size.
The switch from "Hey Siri" to just "Siri" has been a trial for a woman named Siri. Photo: Apple
Siri Price can no longer use that name. The Edinburgh-based fitness instructor had to pick a new name because of a change in iOS 17, which was released for iPhones in September.
Austin Butler, who recently played Elvis Presley, stars in the show. Photo: Apple
Apple TV+ provided a first look Thursday at upcoming World War II drama series Masters of the Air, from the team behind the acclaimed wartime series Band of Brothers and The Pacific. That would be Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.
So the gritty and realistic WWII action continues, and that’s OK by me. The new nine-episode series follows the harrowing missions of an 8th U.S. Army Air Force bomber group as it helped defeat Nazi Germany.
The MacBook Pro models from January 2023 could be replaced by newer ones coming soon. Image: Apple
Apple will return to its habit of introducing new MacBook Pro models in Q4, according to an unconfirmed report. Supposedly, 14-inch and 16-inch models will hit the market before the end of 2023, both with mini-LED screens.
If true, these will be the second round of new MacBook Pros this year.
Use this AI tool to generate posts, images and more. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
ChatGPT opened up the artificial intelligence floodgates, and now it seems like the possibilities of AI are limitless — possibly a bit too limitless for everyday users, in fact. Without effective filters, it’s tough to coax exactly the kind of output you need from open-ended AI tools.
Scribbyo fixes that. This all-in-one content creation platform channels the power of AI into templates you can use to create, well, pretty much anything. And thanks to a special fall promo, new users can get a lifetime license to Scribbyo for just $79.97 (regularly $1,692) through October 15.
macOS Sonoma brings widgets to the Mac desktop, but maybe you don't want to see them every time you click. Photo: Apple
Upgraded to macOS Sonoma? You probably noticed by now that clicking on your Mac’s desktop automatically hides all open windows, with the focus moving to your widgets and desktop shortcuts.
This is the new “Click wallpaper to reveal desktop” feature in the new Mac operating system. If you find this functionality annoying, here’s how to turn it off. That way, you can safely click your Mac’s desktop again.
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.