Today in Apple history: Apple’s own code spills details about iPhone 4s

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iPhone 4s
While the iPhone 4s name and other key details leaked, Siri remained a surprise.
Photo: Apple

October 1: Today in Apple history: Leak in Apple's own code reveals existence of iPhone 4s October 1, 2011: Just days before it is to be publicly unveiled, the name of the iPhone 4s is revealed online.

The latest iTunes beta inadvertently spills the beans on the new name. The code also reveals that Apple’s new handset will come in black and white color options.

iPhone 15 Pro Max isn’t nearly as fragile as you might think

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iPhone 15 Pro Max drop test
This titanium corner of an iPhone 15 Pro Max drop test smashed into concrete in a drop test..
Photo: PhoneBuff

An iPhone 15 Pro Max came away severely cracked but still completely functional after a punishing series of drop tests.

Apple’s latest performed almost exactly as well as last year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max did on the same tests, despite a recent report that the new model is more fragile than its predecessor.

Create e-books with ease with this ChatGPT-powered tool, now under $25

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My AI eBook Creation Pro can help you publish e-books for only $25.
This AI-powered tool can help you create e-books easily for under $25.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Use the power of AI to create e-books

AI technology is changing the way we approach content creation, and if you can find the right outlet, it can help launch a lucrative online income. Fortunately, there’s now an incredibly user-friendly e-book creation tool that utilizes ChatGPT to make developing e-books far more manageable than you might have imagined.

Grab a keychain Apple Watch charger for less than $17

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Pick up this versatile and Apple Watch wireless charger keychain for $30 off.
Take $30 off the normal price of this tiny wireless Apple Watch charger.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re a daily wearer of the Apple Watch, you know how awesome it is to carry so much connectivity and intel on your wrist. You’re also well aware of the frustrations that can arise from a battery that’s entering the danger zone. But this keychain Apple Watch charger can turn that around.

For a limited time, you can purchase this Apple Watch battery booster for just $16.97 (regularly $49) with no coupon necessary. That’s more than 60% off a product that will keep your smartwatch powered up no matter where the journey takes you.

Apple confirms fix for iPhone 15 Pro overheating problem coming soon

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iPhone 15 Pro display bezels closeup
Blame Uber and Asphalt 9 for your iPhone 15 Pro running hot.
Photo: Apple

Apple confirmed Saturday that iPhone 15 Pro overheating problems are not due to the new A17 Pro chip that powers the device. An iOS 17 bug and some third-party apps are the culprits.

The company plans to roll out a software update to address the situation soon. It is also working with third-party developers on this issue.

Startup Humane will fully unveil its ‘Ai Pin’ in early November [Updated]

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A runway model wearing Humane's Ai Pin.
Humane's wearable Ai Pin was teased at Paris Fashion Week.
Photo: Humane

Humane, a startup founded by Apple veterans, will unveil its “Ai Pin” on November 9, the company said Friday. The press release offered no further details about the launch.

Last week, the company teased the Ai Pin at Paris Fashion Week. Photographers shot pictures of supermodel Naomi Campbell wearing the device — the first person to wear it in public, Humane said.

Update: We embedded a video below showing Humane’s device up close. You probably won’t be very surprised by how Apple-like it looks, given its pedigree.

Why we’re loving iPhone 15 Pro and new Apple Watches [The CultCast]

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The CultCast logo, episode 614: A heart!
Hear our first hands-on impressions of iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Photo: Nicola Fioravanti/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After nearly a week with Apple’s new hardware, we’re serving up our first hands-on impressions. Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max too big — and/or too hot — to handle? Is Apple Watch Ultra 2 worth the upgrade? What about Apple Watch Series 9?

And seriously, Apple … you call that pink?

Also on The CultCast:

  • Griffin runs us through some of the coolest new features in macOS Sonoma.
  • OMG we’ve already got iPhone 16 rumors.
  • And we wrap up with a couple of big fat bummers from our favorite source of Apple insider info and tech haikus.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Power a sustainable future with Bluetti solar solutions

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Bluetti offers solar-powered products and practical advice on living sustainably.
Bluetti offers solar-powered products and practical advice on living sustainably.
Photo: Bluetti

Climate change makes protecting our environment and embracing sustainable living practices more important than ever before. Impacts include warmer temperatures through increased greenhouse gases, rising sea levels, warmer oceans, more volatile weather and increasing ocean acidity.

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This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
These problems underscore an urgent need for action. And power solutions provider Bluetti offers innovative green products as well as advice on how anyone can contribute to a brighter future.

Today in Apple history: Macs get that iSyncing feeling

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Today in Apple history: Macs get that syncing feeling as Apple launches iSync. It was a killer app for its time.
iSync let Macs sync with a variety of other devices.
Photo: Juska Wendland/Flickr CC

September 30: Today in Apple history: Apple introduces iSync, letting Macs sync to cellphones and iPods September 30, 2002: Apple introduces iSync, a tool that lets Mac users synchronize their address books and calendars with their cellphones, iPods and Palm OS-compatible handheld organizers via Bluetooth.

“iSync is the beginning of something really big,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs says in a press release announcing the iSync public beta. “With the push of a button, iSync synchronizes the address book and calendar on your Mac with those on your mobile phone.”

It represents a big leap forward in the ability of computers and mobile devices to talk with one another. And it hints at some of Apple’s later advances.

Join the remote work revolution with this specialized job finder

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FlexJobs: Use this $29.99 job finder to join the remote work revolution.
Put your skills to work at home after you find your remote dream job.
Photo: FlexJobs

Flexibility, gas savings and an unbeatable dress code — these are just a few of the benefits of working from home. So it’s no surprise that more and more Americans are trading the cubicle for the couch.

In fact, it’s a good bet that you can find some sort of remote work these days no matter what your skill set. And FlexJobs is here to help. It’s a focused job search site dedicated to remote work or hybrid jobs.

8 super-cool things you can do with the iPhone 15 Pro Action button

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What Else Can You Use It For?
The Action button opens a world of possibilities.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

What can you do with the iPhone 15 Pro’s new Action button? Lots of things, if you customize it: You can make a fart sound, or get ChatGPT to help you write an email.

Apple lets you assign the iPhone’s Action button to one of eight preassigned things — or, if you set it to Shortcuts, you can do a lot more. Shortcuts are a way for you to reach inside an app and automatically run a feature without opening it. With the Action button, you have a physical button you can press no matter where you are, adding an extra layer of convenience.

Let me show you what some power users are doing with Apple’s latest hardware innovation — and how you can trick your phone into assigning two or more Shortcuts to the single Action button.

Play 620 old-school games with this $24.99 retro console

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Ready player 1? Get this retro console with 620 games for $24.99.
This portable console comes packed with hundreds of vintage video games you'll know by name.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

No matter how realistic your VR goggles get, nothing can replace the thrill of gaming’s golden age. Titles like Contra and the first-generation Mario games will always feel like comfort food, and now old-school fans can get their fill thanks to this retro-inspired game console.

It’s a working homage to one of the greatest game consoles of all time. And it comes preloaded with all your favorites for just $24.99 — less than the price of a single modern game.

Some case-makers guessed wrong on iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button

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Peak Design put a cutout instead of a button over Apple's new Action button.
Peak Design put a cutout instead of a button over Apple's new Action button.
Photo: Peak Design

The Action button on new iPhone 15 Pro models is throwing some third-party case-makers for a loop, according to a new report Friday.

Preparing to launch new cases in tandem with the new handsets’ release, some companies guessed right on the phones’ designs and some got it wrong.

Enter to win a protective and stylish iPhone 15 bundle from Laut [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Premium iPhone case, that is built to protect and has a great sleek look.
This week's giveaway pairs a premium iPhone case with a screen protector for maximum protection.
Photo: Laut

We teamed up with Laut this week to give three lucky winners a great accessory bundle featuring new products designed to protect the iPhone 15 series.

This bundle includes an iPhone 15 case and a screen protector to ensure all-around protection for your precious new phone. It’s free and easy to enter!

Fingernails rom-com trailer literally puts love to the test

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Can true love be scientifically tested and proven?
Can true love be scientifically tested and proven?
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ debuted its first trailer Wednesday for a rare beast — a sci-fi romantic comedy. It’s called Fingernails, and its appealing cast includes Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White and Luke Wilson.

Set in and around a “love-testing institute,” the Apple Originals film debuts in New York City and Los Angeles theaters October 27 and in more theaters and on Apple TV+ November 3.

Today in Apple history: Logic Pro 7 shows Apple is still serious about creatives

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Logic Pro 7 was a great music creation tool for Apple fans.
Logic Pro 7 was a great music creation tool for Apple fans.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

September 29: Today in Apple history: Logic Pro 7 launch shows Apple is still serious about creatives September 29, 2004: Apple debuts Logic Pro 7, its professional music creation and audio production software. The update brings new tools and a streamlined interface in line with other Apple software.

Coming off the success of the iPod and iTunes Music Store, the Logic Pro 7 launch — alongside its stripped-down sibling, Logic Express 7 — serves as a reminder of Apple’s dominance in music tech, for consumers and professionals alike.

Finding the ‘perfect’ dock or KVM switch [Setups]

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This Mac mini user has a Dell laptop and wants to run them both with peripherals.
This Mac mini user has a Dell laptop and wants to run them both with peripherals.
Photo: Chrysothemis@Reddit.com

Anyone looking to run different peripherals with both Mac and PC might take a look at today’s setup advice-fest. The user runs a Mac mini with dual displays and typical Apple input devices, but wants to add a Dell laptop from work into the mix.

They got plenty of advice on doing just that with the right kind of dock or KVM switch, below.

CdkeySales September Sale: Great deals include Windows 10/11 Pro for just $16!

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Use promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com to score major savings on Microsoft software.
Use promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com to score major savings on Microsoft software.
Photo: CdkeySales.com

With school in full swing and chillier weather on the way, it’s time to cozy up to new versions of Microsoft’s crucial productivity software, Windows and Office. You can get great deals on them in the September Sale at CdkeySales.com.

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This post is brought to you by CdkeySales.
Bargains galore await at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com. To get the most savings, enter promo code CULT. That cuts an additional 30% off the site’s low prices on software keys. Even better, you get a free upgrade to Windows 11 when you buy Windows 10.

France approves Apple software fix for iPhone 12’s RF radiation

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Thanks to a software patch, iPhone 12 can stay on the market in France.
Thanks to a software patch, iPhone 12 can stay on the market in France.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

French regulators approved Apple’s software update addressing radio-frequency radiation levels in iPhone 12 on Friday, so the handset can remain on the market in that country.

Previously, authorities ordered sales of the phone halted until it complied with European electromagnetic radiation standards.

Kingston’s tiny new external SSD is quick and budget-friendly [Review] ★★★★

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Kingston XS1000 External SSD review★★★★
Add up to 2TB of storage to your Mac or iPad with this pocket-size SSD.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Kingston XS1000 External SSD is about the size of pack of gum but holds up to 2 terabytes of data. And it can transfer files at high speed, too.

I put the petite but powerful and affordable solid state drive to the test and came away impressed.

Gain lifetime access to an AI image generator with unlimited potential for just $40

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Save $320 on lifetime access to this AI image generator with unlimited potential.
No matter what kind of art you need, Pixilio can create it for you.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want to use artificial intelligence to create professional-looking images? You don’t need to be an expert to get unique, high-quality results with Pixilio, an easy-to-use image AI generator.

For a limited time, you can save on lifetime access to Pixilio — the ultimate AI image generator. Normally priced at $360, this package is currently available for purchase at only $39.99, with no coupon required.

Prep for a high-paying tech job with these affordable courses

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Take your pick of cybersecurity skills with this $119.99 training bundle.
Train for your cybersecurity or IT career with this massive bundle of courses.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re stressed about the job market, here’s the good news. You don’t necessarily need a college degree, especially if you’re looking for work in the technology sector. For some high-paying tech jobs, know-how and the right certifications prove vital, and the Ultimate Lifetime Bundle can provide anyone with a pathway to both.

The bundle includes access to not just one training resource, but three. And you can tap into them anywhere, on your own time. It’s the perfect way for tech newcomers to learn the ropes or for journeyman workers to expand their resumes. Included in this $119.99 (regularly $480) are lifetime subscriptions to StackSkills, Stone River eLearning and Infosec4TC.