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For All Mankind season 4 blasts off for the asteroids in November

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For All Mankind Season 4
Season four of For All Mankind is only a couple of months away.
Photo: Apple TV+

The alternative-history sci-fi series For All Mankind returns to Apple TV+ in November, according to the streaming service. And Apple also released a teaser trailer for the upcoming season 4.

In these future episodes, the colony on Mars is fully established so the focus moves to mining the asteroids.

Apple smooths iPhone Lightning to USB-C transition with new adapter

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Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter
Keep using your Lightning cables and earbuds with iPhone 15 thanks to this adapter from Apple.
Photo: Apple

Anyone unhappy that the iPhone 15 series dumps Lightning in favor of USB-C should consider a just-released adapter from Apple. With it, an old Lightning cable can be plugged into a USB-C port — and for more than just power.

That said, there are cheaper options.

iCloud+ storage capacities expand to 12TB

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iCloud+ Storage Capacity
You can store 6X as much with an iCloud+ subscription than was possible before.
Image: Apple

Apple added two tiers to iCloud+ online storage, allowing Mac and iPhone users to keep as much as 12 terabytes of data on the service. That’s six times as much as before.

The storage plans also come with additional features, many of which are focused on privacy.

France orders Apple to pull iPhone 12 over radiation fears

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iPhone 12 mini
Apple doit réparer l'iPhone 12 dès que possible.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 12 can no longer be sold in France. The handset reportedly emits more electromagnetic radiation than is allowed in that country, and retailers have been ordered to take it off its shelves.

The order applies to only one model that Apple released in 2020. And the problem is fixable with a software patch.

5 surprises from Apple’s Wonderlust event

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Surprises from Apple's Wonderlust event
Apple included some features in its new products we weren't expecting.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Wonderlust 2023

Although tipsters worked overtime spoiling the new Apple products, revealing most of the details of the iPhone 15 series and the new Apple Watch models, Tim Cook and Co. still managed to surprise us here and there during Tuesday’s “Wonderlust” event.

Fortunately, most of the surprises were good ones.

Here are three ways Apple gave us more than we expected, but two where the tipsters steered us wrong.

Make your video streams look stellar with FineCam Pro

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Take multi-cam footage from any device with FineCam Pro, now only $49.99.
Give your videos a professional gloss with this $49.99 software.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you’re video conferencing, well-shot presentations can be a powerful way to sway new clients and impress employers. And despite what you might think, you don’t need a studio full of expensive gear to knock people’s socks off. FineCam Pro is virtual camera software for recording video and video conferencing.

Cult of Mac readers can score lifetime access to FineCam Pro, which works on Mac, iOS, Windows and Android, for only $49.99 (regularly $84) for a limited time.

Apple pushes out final versions of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and macOS [Updated]

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iOS 17 Coming Soon
Its final form is here. Its release is a little later.
Image: Ed Hardy/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Wonderlust 2023

Shortly after today’s announcements, Apple pushed out the release candidates for iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and watchOS 10. These operating systems will all be available on Monday, September 18.

macOS Sonoma has a later release date of September 26 and did not receive a release candidate today. Update: The macOS Sonoma release candidate is now out.

There are two important PSAs for developers: The release candidate of Xcode 15 does not support the visionOS SDK. App submissions for the new operating systems are now open, though.

Tim Cook stares down ‘Mother Nature’ as Apple touts first carbon-neutral products

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Tim Cook says
Even when facing off with a skeptical Mother Nature, Tim Cook never backs down!
Photo: Apple
Wonderlust 2023

Tim Cook and a surprisingly stone-cold Mother Nature had a staring contest at Apple Park during the Wonderlust event Tuesday. And in Apple’s telling, Tim Cook won.

He played himself in the keynote segment while Octavia Spencer, star of the canceled Truth Be Told on Apple TV+, played a feisty Mother Nature taking executives to task on environmental-initiative progress.

But in the end she chilled out, because Apple had some progress to show, including its first carbon-neutral products.

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max pack new features, but only 1 higher price tag

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The iPhone 15 Pro models feature a strong and lightweight new titanium design.
The iPhone 15 Pro models feature a strong and lightweight new titanium design.
Photo: Apple

Wonderlust bug

The new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max handsets feature a lightweight titanium design with contoured edges, a new Action button, powerful camera upgrades and the A17 Pro chip to jack up mobile gaming, Apple said at its Wonderlust event Tuesday. And surprisingly, only the Pro Max’s price went up.

 “This is the most pro lineup we have ever created, with a state-of-the-art titanium design, the best iPhone camera system yet that enables game-changing new workflows, and the A17 Pro chip, which ushers in a new chapter of performance and games never before seen on iPhone,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, in a press release about the new models. To know more, read why the iPhone 15 might be Apple’s cheapest since 2007.

Apple’s new FineWoven material for watch bands and iPhone cases makes leather obsolete

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Apple Watch Series 9 FineWoven band
Apple has a new material for its watch bands and iPhone cases.
Photo: Apple
Wonderlust 2023

To make its products more eco-friendly, Apple introduced a new material it calls “FineWoven” today. This material, which Apple says has a “suedelike” feel, will replace the company’s existing leather accessories for the iPhone and Apple Watch.

The move is another step in Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

iPhone 15 adds Dynamic Island and 48MP camera, dumps Lightning port

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iPhone 15 colors
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus come in a range of pastels, plus basic black.
Screenshot: Apple
Wonderlust 2023

The just-launched iPhone 15 and 15 Plus include the Dynamic Island previously reserved for Pro models. And they’re enhanced with another previously Pro feature: a 48 megapixel camera.

What they don’t have is a Lighting port or screen notch. These have been replaced with better options.

“iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus represent a huge leap forward with exciting camera innovations that inspire creativity, the intuitive Dynamic Island, and features like Roadside Assistance via satellite that make a real difference in users’ lives,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing.

The handsets were unveiled Tuesday at Apple’s Wonderlust event, along with two iPhone 15 Pro models andnew Apple Watch iterations.

Apple updates AirPods Pro 2 and EarPods with USB-C

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AirPods Pro with USB-C port and charging cable
Updated AirPods Pro 2 look the same, but feature a new connector on the bottom.
Photo: Apple
Wonderlust 2023

At Apple’s “Wonderlust” event today, the company released an updated version of AirPods Pro 2 and EarPods with USB-C connectors. The earbuds themselves are largely unchanged from before, but the AirPods Pro 2 charging case and wired EarPods have switched from the once-inescapable Lightning port to the universal USB-C standard. Minor improvements to the former include dust resistance and lossless audio when paired with Vision Pro.

The new earbuds were announced alongside iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, which also come with a USB-C port. Both pairs of buds are available to order today at the same price as before and will be available on September 22.

Apple Watch Series 9 gets big power boost and new double tap gesture

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The aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 comes in a new pink color.
The aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 comes in a new pink color.
Photo: Apple
Wonderlust 2023

Apple Watch Series 9 brings a faster S9 chip that the company says will boost performance, make Siri more usable, and enable an entirely new “double tap” gesture.

The new Apple Watch, introduced Tuesday during Apple’s “Wonderlust” event alongside the second-gen Apple Watch Ultra, also adds Apple’s updated Ultra Wideband chip, which the company says will make the smartwatch work better with Apple’s Find My network, among other things.

“Apple Watch Series 9 has been redesigned on the inside with the all-new S9 chip, giving it a big boost in performance and capabilities,” said Deidre Caldbeck, director of Apple Watch product marketing. “It’s our most powerful Watch chip yet.”

Aside from the impressive internal updates, the 2023 Apple Watch lineup looks much the same as last year’s models.

This is when you can get iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 and macOS Sonoma [Updated]

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iPhone with iOS 17 logo
iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and watchOS 10 are coming next week!
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Wonderlust bug

iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 and macOS Sonoma finally have a release date. The OSes have been in beta testing since WWDC23 this year.

Apple announced the official release dates of the next major iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and macOS releases at its ‘Wonderlust’ event.

Thunderbolt 5 doubles or even triples speed of wired data standard

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Thunderbolt 5 doubles or even triples speed of data transfers
Transfer data at crazy fast speeds with Thunderbolt 5.
Graphic: Intel

Those working with very large files should be pleased that Intel keeps improving the Thunderbolt standard. The newly announced Thunderbolt 5 doubles the speed of its predecessor, and can even go up to three times faster for video connections.

It’s virtually certain Apple will build support the system for high-speed data transfers into future Macs.

Is the world ready for vacuum-tube wireless headphones?

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These new cans try to pub back some of the warmth and realism that digital compression takes away.
These new cans try to restore some of the warmth and realism that digital compression takes away.
Photo: Morpho MFG

This post’s headline sounds like a joke, invoking technology used in antique radios, TVs and amplifiers, but the wireless headphones behind it seem entirely serious.

“écoute: the world’s only vacuum tube headphones, designed to compensate for the deficiencies of digital listening,” say the Indiegogo and Kickstarter funding-campaign pages. The French word “écoute” translates to “listen” in English.

Back up your home’s power with new Bluetti EP800 energy storage system

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The new EP800 system can easily power your home in an outage.
The new EP800 system can easily power your home in an outage.
Photo: Bluetti

Not long after the successful debut of its EP900 system, Bluetti is set to electrify the energy-storage sector again with its powerful new EP800 energy storage system launching September 15.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
Read on to find out what sets the new system apart — and how to use it to back up your home’s power supply. What’s more, you can even try it for free.

New iPads are off the table until 2024

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iPad 10 launch: The 10th-generation iPad comes in five colors and brings a top-to-bottom redesign to Apple's entry-level tablet.
It seems iPad 10 will remain Apple's newest tablet for some months to come.
Photo: Apple

Don’t expect an updated iPad to wrap up Tuesday’s Wonderlust event. A trusted source of Apple insider information says Apple probably won’t introduce any tablets this year.

But 2024 should be a big year for iPad.

Limited-time price drop: Get Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for $29.97

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Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available during a limited-time price drop, $29.97 (reg. $199).
Snag a Windows 11 Pro activation key you can use on up to three devices for only $29.97 (regular price: $199).
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Hey PC fans — when was the last time you updated your computer’s operating system? There’s no point in waiting any longer. We’ve got a limited-time price drop on one of the best-reviewed OSs out there. Get Microsoft Windows 11 Pro on sale for only $29.97 (regularly $199).

Apple’s online store goes down ahead of iPhone 15 launch event

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Apple Store down ahead of iPhone 15 'Wonderlust' event
Apple's online store is down for the next few hours.
Screenshot: Rajesh
Wonderlust 2023

Apple took down its online store this morning ahead of the “Wonderlust” event scheduled for later today. The company should announce the iPhone 15 series, new Apple Watch models, and more at the event.

Over the last decade, the company typically has taken down its online store ahead of major product launches.