Beats Flex wireless earphones offer sophisticated Apple tech for just $49. Photo: Apple
Some of the advanced features of Apple AirPods are in Beats Flex, wireless earphones that come in at a much lower price. Apple’s Beats division built in 12-hour battery life, a new acoustic driver and USB-C charging. All for $49.
Beats Flex are scheduled to reach customers’ hands on Wednesday.
Up to 2 million preorders during the first 24 hours alone. Photo: Apple
iPhone 12 has seen twice as many preorders as last year’s iPhone 11, while iPhone 12 Pro is proving more popular than iPhone 11 Pro, according to new estimates from reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Apple’s newest smartphone lineup — the first with 5G connectivity — is thought to have attracted between 1.7 million and 2 million orders during the first 24 hours of availability.
Take a sneak peek at Apple AirTags thanks to a concept video. Screenshot: Concept Creator
A concept artist dreamed up an introduction video for Apple AirTags. These item trackers could debut as early as November, and pictures have leaked out already. But this is the first video they’ve starred in.
Streaming now ... unless you live outside the U.S. Photo: Apple
Apple Music TV is now available in the United States, streaming live music videos 24 hours a day. The surprise new channel, which is free to all, promises “exclusive new music videos … live shows” and more.
Easily transfer music, videos, and other files between iOS devices with drag and drop, and without iTunes. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Our mobile devices were supposed to make life easier. But as time goes on, it gets harder to keep all our tunes, videos and other data where we want it. Part of the challenge is using iTunes — luckily, this tool offers an intuitive alternative.
Fixing a broken iPhone 12 out of warranty isn't cheap. Photo: Apple
iPhone 12 users will have to cough up more cash should they need to replace the handset’s new Ceramic Shield display. The price of a new screen has risen by $80 compared to that for last year’s iPhone 11.
However, it should be more difficult to break iPhone 12’s screen, thanks to tougher glass. And you do get a lot more for your money.
Apple has begun shipping iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro preorders ahead of Friday’s launch. Many customers — though not all — can now track their shipments through UPS.
That doesn’t mean you can expect to receive your new handset early, however.
Gain access to a suite of web-based tools for improving your writing quality, for emails, reports, and anywhere else words are involved. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Becoming a better writer requires feedback. But not everyone has room in their life for writing workshops and deep dives into literature. If you want to improve your writing quickly and easily, you need this web-based tool that uses machine learning to polish your prose.
The upcoming Apple TV+ documentary offers a moving look at Bruce Springsteen's life and music. Photo: Apple TV+
Just in time for election day, America’s real president makes a stump speech that’s part biography and part self-mythologizing letter to an equally mythic version of the state he calls home. Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You, like a lot of the Boss’ later albums, isn’t exactly groundbreaking or inventive. However, there’s a good reason his homespun coastal Americana never goes out of fashion. Nobody gets America like Springsteen.
Upcoming Apple TV+ documentary Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You showcases the songs on his 20th album. While it won’t tell you anything you didn’t already suspect, you will find an incalculable kind of value in the songwriter’s company.
Get VPN, malware, ad blocking and other essential digital security tools in one intuitive app. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
As more of our life moves online, security and privacy become more valuable. That’s why we’re big fans of virtual private networks, malware blockers and any other tools that make online life more secure. Luckily, you can get all that and more from one app.
Shut up, Lutz! The Helpsters are back for a second season. Photo: Apple TV+
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” has long been the Sesame Workshop’s modus operandi, and the second season of Apple TV+ kids show Helpsters is living proof that the strategy works.
The educational show, created by Odd Squad and Adventure Time writer Timothy McKeon, with music by longtime collaborator Paul Buckley, is long on charm and star power and short on filler.
Season two of Helpsters, which arrived on Apple TV+ Friday, is likely exactly what your kids need while you finally get around to doing the laundry. And you’ll laugh, too, at the litany of guest stars and the occasional elegant joke.
Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds is an explosive documentary launching soon on Apple TV+.
Incoming! Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds is a documentary movie scheduled to debut on Apple TV+ in November. It’s from acclaimed directors Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer.
The Collage Atlas takes players on a hand-drawn, first-person journey through a picture book. Photo: John William Evelyn
The Collage Atlas could be a temporary escape from 2020. It’s “a journey through an entirely hand-drawn picture-book dream-world,” according to the creator of the game, John William Evelyn.
This title launched Friday on Apple Arcade, and is available for a range of devices.
A significantly better Apple TV is in development. But it won‘t be out in November. Photo: Apple
A rumored Apple TV with more of a focus on gaming allegedly won’t be out before the end of 2020. It’ll be a significant upgrade, with new features beyond a performance bump.
Apple’s iPhone 12 cases aren‘t ready yet, but there are plenty of third-party options available now. Photo: Apple
There are already plenty of iPhone 12 cases to choose from, even though Apple’s newest handset hasn’t yet reached customers hands. When this product arrives on October 23, they can have a case waiting.
Here’re are descriptions of a wide range of options already up for sale, along with lots more coming soon.
The two Product(Red) bands for Apple Watch Series 6 that suffered a late launch became available in the Apple Online Store Friday. The red variants of the Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands cost $49 and $99 respectively, and will ship in 1-2 weeks. Both are available in 40mm and 44mm sizes.
Are streaming royalties fair to artists? Photo: Apple
Politicians in the UK are opening an investigation into the streaming music giants to find out whether the likes of Apple and Spotify pay artists fairly when it comes to streaming.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini now cost the same, whether they are bought for AT&T, T-Mobile/Sprint or Verizon. Photo: Apple
Apple lowered the price of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini for T-Mobile/Sprint customers on Friday. These handsets are no longer cheaper for customers of rival telecoms.
Stream more than 100 channels straight to any device, from sports to TV, movies and beyond.
In this day and age, it’s amazing that anybody still uses cable. Streaming services can bring all the same shows and more to any device — and at a competitive price. If you’re looking to boost your home entertainment situation, this half-price deal from fuboTV is a must-see.
As rumored, Apple’s iPad Air 4 is now available for preorder on the Apple Online Store. The fourth-gen iPad Air was shown off by Apple at last month’s “Time Flies” event, but Apple declined to announce a preorder date — beyond simply “October.”
Because both the iPad Air 4 and new iPhone 12 handsets feature Apple’s A14 chip, Apple reportedly wanted to hold back the iPad Air 4 until the first iPhone 12 handsets were available to preorder.
The long-awaited iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are here. Almost. Photo: Apple
On your marks, get set, go, go, go! Apple preorders went live Friday at 5am Pacific time, giving customers the chance to order their new iPhone 12 handsets.
For the first time in history, Apple is this year offering four different iPhone models. The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini are Apple’s two “regular” iPhones, while the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and monster 6.7-inch iPhone Pro Max are its premium handsets.
You can only order the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models today, though. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max, this year’s two size extremes, will be available for preorder November 6. Phones available for preorder today will ship October 23.
Tim Cook seems really excited about 5G. Should you be? Photo: Apple
One of the biggest reasons to upgrade to iPhone 12 this year is for its 5G connectivity. It promises to be significantly faster than the 4G networks we’ve become accustomed to, making things like mobile gaming, content streaming, web browsing — basically everything you do online — better than ever.
You should be excited, but not too excited. 5G can be as spectacular as Apple led us to believe during this week’s iPhone 12 unveiling … but only if you can get good 5G coverage — and the right kind of 5G connection.
Allow us to explain what you need to know about 5G.
Tehran continues to be one of the best things on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
Friday means, among other things, new shows on Apple TV+. This week, Apple debuted a new episode of both its hit spy drama Tehran and Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman-fronted travelogue Long Way Up. There’s also a new series of kids show Helpsters.
"Good morning... for the third month in a row." Photo: Apple
If rumors are to be believed, Apple is set to host yet another virtual event in November, making three in a row after September’s “Time Flies” iPad and Apple Watch event and October’s “Hi, Time” HomePod mini and iPhone 12 unveiling.
While the November event has yet to be officially announced, notorious Apple leaker Jon Prosser thinks he knows when it will be — and we don’t have long to wait.