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Apple stops bundling chargers and headphones with all iPhones

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An Apple charger and headphones don;t with all its iPhones, no matter when they were released.
This is everything that comes in the box with an iPhone ordered today. There’s no charger or headphones.
Photo: Apple

Apple won’t include a wall charger or a pair of headphones with the upcoming iPhone 12 series. And it doesn’t stop there. The company no longer bundles these accessories with any handset ordered from the Apple Store. Even if they came in the box before.

LiDAR Scanner puts iPhone 12 Pro at the forefront of augmented reality

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LiDAR in the iPhone 12 Pro is about more than augmented reality.
LiDAR brings iPhone 12 Pro to the cutting edge of AR.
Photo: Apple

The LiDAR Scanner in the iPhone 12 Pro makes Apple’s new flagship device an augmented reality powerhouse. It enables the handset to make an accurate 3D map of its location into which virtual objects can then be placed.

However, the scanner apparently has been added to the iPhone 12 Pro models in a “build it and they will come” strategy. Apple didn’t show many specific applications demonstrating the benefits of the tech during Tuesday’s launch event for the device.

With iPhone 12, Apple finally ditches its outdated ‘S’ naming. I couldn’t be happier.

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iPhone 12: Say
No sign of an iPhone 11s in sight.
Photo: Apple

There was something big missing from Tuesday’s iPhone 12 event. And, no, I’m not talking about AirTags, AirPods Studio, a new Apple TV, Apple Silicon Macs or live attendees.

The thing that went missing was an “S” at the end of the new iPhones’ names. The demise of the naming convention to indicate alternate-year iPhones marked the end of an era. And it’s totally a good thing.

iPhone 12 costs extra for T-Mobile/Sprint customers [UPDATED]

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iPhone 12 pricing is lower for Verizon and AT&T customers.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini come with a “T-Mobile Tax.”
Photo: Apple

UPDATE: Apple lowered the iPhone 12 price for T-Mobile/Sprint subscribers on Friday.

 


The prices Apple promotes for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini aren’t for everyone. Subscribers to T-Mobile/Sprint must pay $30 more. The same goes for anyone who wants an unlocked unit.

This isn’t the case for the iPhone 12 Pro series.

Why iPhone 12 mini is Apple’s most compelling new iPhone

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iPhone 12 mini held up
Apple's best new iPhone of the year is also its tiniest.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 12 mini is, without a doubt, the iPhone I’ll be buying this year. In an upgrade cycle in which I fully expected the iPhone 12 Pro to win me over, the 12 mini emerged as my absolute favorite iPhone of Tuesday’s “Hi, Speed” event — and, perhaps, my most anticipated iPhone in years.

It’s a blend of classic iPhone and modern iPhone: the handset I’ve wanted since Apple devices started growing progressively bigger around the time CEO Tim Cook took the reins at Apple. Here’s what makes the iPhone 12 mini so compelling.

Deck out your iPhone with great deals you didn’t find on Prime Day

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iPhone Accessories pt 2
Score great deals on phone chargers, MagSafe cables, and other iPhone accessories.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Prime Day (or at least the first day of this misnamed two-day shopping event) has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find great deals on iPhone accessories. Cult of Mac Deals rounded up of some of the best to ease your post-Prime Day shopping withdrawal — and we’re still offering an extra 20% off almost everything in our store.

You can use coupon code “OCTSALE20” at checkout to get the extra savings on almost all of these must-have iPhone accessories. But the savings madness can’t go on forever. In fact, the extra 20% discount ends today.

Mario Kart Tour celebrates first anniversary with new characters, courses, Auto Mode

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Mario Kart Tour was 2019's most downloaded iOS game
The game recently celebrated its first anniversary.
Photo: Nintendo

Mario Kart Tour recently turned one, marking its first year on iOS following its debut in September 2019. To celebrate, the game is offering a slew of anniversary themed celebrations — including new characters, courses, and an intriguing new Auto mode.

Auto Mode can be selected at the beginning of a race. You can then watch the characters speed round the course a bit like an extended demo mode. If you’re into taking screenshots of the game, it’s a good addition since you don’t have to worry about controlling the character.

Catchy toe-tapper sets Tuesday’s iPhone 12 event to music

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Lisa Jackson
Yesterday's keynote reimagined as a pop hit.
Photo: Apple

Musician Jonathan Mann’s got more stickability than the new MagSage connector on the iPhone 12. Since gaining the attention of Apple fans with a song about Apple’s Antennagate PR disaster that even made Steve Jobs dance, Mann unleashes a new Apple-themed song every time the company does a media event.

His latest (mildly NSFW) song, “Does this iPhone have 5G,” sets to music some of the social media reactions to Apple’s Tuesday product showcase. Check it out.

Apple seeds iOS 14.1 golden master to beta testers

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iOS 14.1 is almost here.
Less than a month after the release of iOS 14, Apple is close to releasing iOS 14.1.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple gave developers access to the final pre-release versions of iOS 14.1 and iPadOS 14.1 on Tuesday. This is an important last step before releasing these upgrades to the public.

However, we don’t yet know when they’ll be available for iPhone and iPad.

Apple leaks must make things completely crazy in Cupertino

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When will the Apple leaks stop?
Some people love Apple leaks. Other people surely hate them.
Photo: Apple

I imagine Tim Cook seething with rage.

And I imagine workers in Apple’s marketing department filled with a gut-churning mixture of righteous anger, paranoia and dread.

What could cause such unpleasantness inside the pristine glass walls of Apple’s spaceship HQ (or within remote employees’ home bubbles)? Tuesday morning, images of the entire iPhone 12 lineup and HomePod mini leaked just hours ahead of Apple’s “Hi, Speed” event.

5 big takeaways from the iPhone 12 launch event

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The Apple “Hi, Speed” event was critical, including the iPhone 12 launch.
Apple called Tuesday’s event “Hi, Speed,” a reference to the iPhone 12's super-fast 5G networking.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple’s “Hi, Speed” event included the company’s most critical release of 2020: the much-anticipated iPhone 12 series. And a long-awaited cheaper HomePod, too.

Here are the most important takeaways from Tuesday’s event to put these new products in context.

All the things we didn’t get at Apple’s ‘Hi, Speed’ event

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Hi, Speed event image with wishlist in background
Apple's "Hi, Speed" event offered up some nice updates to the iPhone 12 and HomePod, but left some boxes on the wishlist unchecked.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

It happens before every Apple event. The rumor mill, tech blogs (hello), and iPhone-obsessed nerds pin every hope, dream and desire on the next version of Apple’s devices.

More often than not, those desires are dashed, pushing those wants off to another event. While Apple’s iPhone 12 event showed the steps the company is taking toward iterating on its most popular device, there were also some things left on the wish list.

Apple resurrects MagSafe as snap-on iPhone accessory system

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How it works
What's old is new again.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s beloved MagSafe branding made its return at Tuesday’s “Hi, Speed” Apple event. And, if it’s not quite like it was before, isn’t that the same as every single story about something being brought back from the beyond?

The new, different version of MagSafe will allow users to snap on accessories to the back of their iPhones. Think wallets, cases and — in a new move for Apple — its first official wireless charging pads for iPhone.

iPhone 12 Pro dazzles with new design, 5G, improved cameras

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iPhone 12 Pro in Pacific blue
iPhone 12 Pro is "the photographer's iPhone."
Photo: Apple

The wait for iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max is over. During its big “Hi, Speed” keynote on Tuesday, Apple showcased its latest flagships with a dazzling new design inspired by iPad Pro, super-fast 5G connectivity, and the latest A14 Bionic chipset.

The lineup also brings new color options, improved cameras, and MagSafe — but not as you know it. You can preorder yours this Friday, October 16, before the new handsets make their official debut one week later on October 23.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini look anything but standard

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iPhone 12
The first 5G iPhone is here!
Photo: Apple

Apple showcased the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 handsets Tuesday, showing just how powerful an “entry level” smartphone can be.

While these don’t pack as many features as Apple’s Pro phones, there’s a whole lot to get excited about. Here’s what you get with Apple’s “regular” iPhone 12 phones.

With HomePod mini, Apple goes small, cheap and smart

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HomePod mini lives up to its name
HomePod mini offers a smaller and cheaper Apple smart speaker experience.
Photo: Apple

Apple took the wraps of the HomePod mini Tuesday, showcasing a pint-size smart speaker that promises high-end audio at a lower price than its big brother. But the most interesting parts might have nothing to do with music.

With Apple’s custom U1 ultra-wideband chip inside, the HomePod mini also can serve as an advanced hub for home automation. A new Intercom feature promises to connect family members wherever they are. And, in typical Cupertino fashion, the speaker will work closely with other Apple devices.

iMac powered by Apple Silicon may be coming sooner than you think

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The EEC says Apple is prepping both MacBooks and iMacs.
This concept iMac with an A14 processor might really be on the way.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is prepping the first laptops and desktops to launch with macOS Big Sur 11, according to the Eurasian Economic Commission. It’s possible these will be the initial models running Apple Silicon, as this company’s switch away from Intel chips is scheduled to begin soon.

Spoiler alert: Last-minute leaks show iPhone 12, HomePod mini

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How to watch the Oct. 13 iPhone 12 event almost anywhere
Apple's iPhone 12 event promises to be packed full of goodies.
Photo: Apple

Want to get an advance glimpse of just about everything Apple plans to show off today at its “Hi, Speed” event? Thanks to leaker Evan Blass, now you can!

Blogger and phone leaker Blass posted images of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro variants in all available colors, alongside the new HomePod mini in both Space Gray and White options. Check them out below.