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New Laut iPhone 13 cases offer strong drop protection and more

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The Laut Crystal Matter 2.0 (Impkt) iPhone 13 case offers 22-foot drop protection.
The Laut Crystal Matter 2.0 (Impkt) iPhone 13 case offers 22-foot drop protection.
Photo: Laut

Accessories-maker Laut just delivered eight new iPhone 13 cases into the Cult of Mac Store, including two MagSafe-compatible options. Several of the models offer significant protection for your expensive new handset.

Eight different models is a fair number of options. But you really need all the choices you can get, considering the recent news that most older iPhone cases won’t fit the iPhone 13 series.

How to fix Verizon 5G problems on iPhone 13

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How to fix iPhone 13 problems with Verizon 5G
If your iPhone 13 won‘t connect to Verizon 5G, you’re not alone. But there’s a fix.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Verizon customers with a new iPhone 13 model might notice something missing: 5G. The faster cellular networking is a signature feature of the handset, and one nobody wants to live without. Fortunately, the answer is fairly simple. But it’s not something you’ll be able to fix all on your own.

Here’s what to do.

Everything iPad mini owners need to know about USB-C

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Everything iPad mini owners need to know about USB-C
Replacing the Lightning port with USB-C in the iPad mini 6 might seem like a minor change. It’s not.
Photo: Apple

The just-released iPad mini is the latest Apple tablet to make the switch from Lightning to USB-C. That allows it to do quite a few things out of reach of its predecessors.

As a proud new owner of the device, you’ll surely want to make sure you’re living up to its potential. Here’s everything iPad mini owners need to know about USB-C.

Best ways to fix iOS 15 update stuck on the Apple logo

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If your iOS 15 update gets stuck on the Apple logo, try Tenorshare ReiBoot for Mac.
If your iOS 15 update gets stuck on the Apple logo, try Tenorshare ReiBoot for Mac.
Photo: Tenorshare

This iOS repair post is brought to you by Tenorshare ReiBoot for Mac.

Apple’s iPhones and other devices are known for their reliability, yet from time to time one of them gets stuck on the Apple logo while the device is starting up. This happened recently with people testing beta versions of iOS 15 software prior to its launch.

Apple plans iPhone features 3 years ahead

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Apple plans iPhone features 3 years ahead
Apple spends years planning iPhone designs. Which is why iPhone 14 rumors are already circulating.
Concept: ConceptsiPhone

When supposed features of the iPhone 14 leaked out in early September, some complained that the iPhone 13 wasn’t even out at the time. But an Apple VP revealed that the company starts deciding on new iPhone features a full three years before launch.

Which means Apple is probably already at work on iPhone 18. And most features of the 2022 model are almost certainly fixed.

Apple raises price of Beats Flex headphones by $20

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Beats Flex have many AirPods features for much less.
They're now $69.99, up fro $49.99.
Photo: Apple

Beats Flex wireless headphones are now $20 more expensive after Apple permanently raised their price. The buds went on sale last October priced at $49.99, and that price stuck until this week when it was increased to $69.99.

It’s not clear why Apple has made this move, but it could have something to do with rising supply chain costs across the component industry.

Host your website with the best for as low as $30 during our VIP Sale

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Host your website where it can grow forever.
10 websites can have a lifetime of hosting for only $70.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As much work as it is, building a website isn’t the only thing you need to do to establish your web presence. You also need to find somewhere secure and stable to host it, and that’s exactly what StartHost Web Hosting gives you.

You can host one, 10, 25 or unlimited websites with StartHost for $30, $70, $120 or $200 during our VIP Sale.

Safari 15 frustrates macOS users with a plethora of bugs

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Safari 15 on macOS
Frequent crashes have become the norm for some users.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you haven’t yet upgraded to Safari 15 for macOS, you’re one of the lucky ones. The latest version of Apple’s web browser is frustrating users with a plethora of bugs that cause repeated crashes. However, there are fixes you can try.

Safari 15 comes bundled with macOS Monterey, which is still in beta testing ahead of its public debut later this fall. It’s also available as a standalone upgrade for those running macOS Big Sur and Catalina.

Don’t expect mini-LED MacBook Air before fall 2022

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2020 MacBook Air
The 2020 MacBook Air is expected to be replaced with a considerable upgrade. But it’ll be a while.
Photo: Apple

A MacBook Air with 13.3-inch mini-LED display is reportedly a bit farther away that previously thought. An analyst predicts it will go into production in time for a fall 2022 release, not a summer one.

But they’ll be new macOS laptops long before then. Apple is widely expected to launch a pair of redesigned MacBook Pro models with mini-LED and an updated M-series processor possibly as soon as October 2021.

This compact, hybrid charging cable lets you connect all your devices

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This charger is $22 and will work for virtually any device.
Not matter what type of connection you need, this hybrid charging cable delivers.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You don’t need a different charging cable for each of your devices — even if you’re carrying Apple and Android devices as well as other gear. If you use the InCharge Charging Cable, you can get six charging options for iPhone and Androids

And it’ll only cost you $21.99 for a limited time.

Top 10 MagSafe-compatible iPhone 13 cases

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Totallee's iPhone 13 cases are thin and light.
Totallee's iPhone 13 cases are thin and light.
Photo: Totallee

With many new iPhones 13s already shipped to customers and many more on the way, now’s the time for folks to find the right case to protect their new investment. Accessories makers have obliged with many, many choices, from minimalistic to stylish to super-tough.

We offer a top 10 list below, but not a ranked one, because that would be comparing apples and oranges, so to speak. Several different types of cases are included.

These stunning macro photos will sell you on iPhone 13 Pro

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These stunning macro photos will sell you on iPhone 13 Pro
The Cult of Mac managing editor, not a professional photographer, took this beautiful picture.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Among the many new camera features in the iPhone 13 Pro is Macro mode. This allows the user to take very close-up images, putting the focus on tiny objects.

Many users of Apple’s latest top-tier handsets have been quick to try out this new capability. And some of the results are spectacular. Check them out now, and be prepared to be wowed.

Apple Maps update lets you explore cities in 3D

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The iOS 15 updates to Apple Maps include 3D imagery and much more.
The iOS 15 updates to Apple Maps include 3D imagery and much more.
Photo: Apple

With iOS 15’s biggest-ever update to Apple Maps, the Cupertino tech giant said users in several major cities can experience a 3D view with rich detail, enhanced navigation, immersive walking directions and more.

Spotify acknowledges battery drain complaints on iOS 15 and iOS 14.8

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Spotify iPhone
A fix should be on its way.
Photo: Cezar Sampaio/Unsplash CC

Spotify says it is looking into complaints regarding increased battery usage under iOS 15 and iOS 14.8. A growing list of users are reporting that the Spotify app has been draining their battery life since they updated their devices.

“We’ve passed your info on to the relevant team and we can confirm they are currently looking into it,” the music streaming giant told one customer.

Mysterious ‘jelly scrolling’ problem plagues new iPad mini owners

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2021 iPad mini packs 5G
Well, that's not good.
Photo: Apple

iPad mini’s glorious upgrade for 2021 isn’t without its faults for some early adopters, who are being plagued by a mysterious “jelly scrolling” issue on its new 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display.

The problem, which causes one side of iPad mini’s screen to scroll ever so slightly faster than the other, only seems to surface when using the tiny tablet in portrait mode. Some may not notice it until seeing the effect in slow motion.

Third-party display repairs kill Face ID in iPhone 13

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iPhone 13 display repairs break Face ID
If you want to keep using Face ID, you'll have to pay Apple to repair your screen.
Photo: Phone Repair Guru

If you happen to break the dazzling Super Retina XDR display packed into your iPhone 13, you might want to avoid seeking out a more affordable replacement from a third-party repairer. It seems third-party replacements kill Face ID in Apple’s newest smartphone lineup — even when genuine Apple parts are used.

“Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple display,” reads the message that greets iPhone 13 owners after their display is replaced by anyone other than Apple.

iOS 15 doesn’t turn older iPhones into slugs

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iPhone 8 Wireless Charging
Put iOS 15 on your iPhone 8 and you could improve the performance and battery life. And get lots of new features.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Some users of older iPhones refuse to install iOS upgrades because they mistakenly think these will reduce the performance of their handset. But tests comparing iOS 15 with various previous versions found no sign of Apple’s latest turning any model into a slug. Some of the devices actually ran faster with newer software.

And the same goes for battery life, in general. Most older iPhones have a longer battery life with iOS 15, though some do see a reduction.

iPhone 13 series increases battery sizes by up to 18%

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iPhone 13 series increases battery sizes by up to 18%
Pull the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 batteries out to find their exact storage capacities.
Photo: iFixit

Apple beefed up the batteries in all four models in the new iPhone 13 series. There are significant increases in capacity in all of them, especially the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Teardowns of the iPhone 13 models are starting to appear, including ones from iFixit, revealing these battery sizes.

7 reasons the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 makes a worthy upgrade for iPhone 11 or XR [Review]

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6.1-inch iPhone 13 review
Still carrying an iPhone XS or even an iPhone 8? The iPhone 13 is better in virtually every way.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Those looking for an upgrade for the iPhone 11, XS or 8 need search no further than the 6.1-inch iPhone 13. Apple’s latest midsize handset offers far better performance than those older models, a noticeably longer battery life and a better camera. Plus there are some other nice additions, like a smaller notch.