| Cult of Mac

Why we’re Ultra excited about iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island [The CultCast]

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Far Out event discussion Apple podcast The CultCast: Apple Watch Ultra and the Dynamic Island stole the show at the Far Out event.
Apple Watch Ultra and the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island steal the show at Apple's Far Out event.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We can’t figure out which is more exciting, the brawny new Apple Watch Ultra or the brainy new Dynamic Island. Will the rugged new smartwatch prove too big for Erfon’s skinny wrists? Or does its bold size and styling elevate it to “big enough” status?

Also on The CultCast:

  • iPhone 14 Pro is a no-brainer, thanks to a killer camera and the aforementioned Dynamic Island.
  • The “normie” iPhone 14 looks … pretty normal.
  • What is up with Apple’s iPhone color palette? Can we please get something a little edgier?!?

Brace yourself for our breathless reactions to Apple’s Far Out event — which was actually pretty far out!

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.

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AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro: Is it worth upgrading?

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Apple said AirPods Pro 2 double the noise cancellation, among other enhancements.
Apple said AirPods Pro 2 double the noise cancellation, among other enhancements.
Photo: Apple

Should AirPods Pro owners upgrade to AirPods Pro 2?

The new set boasts a host of upgrades that could easily be worth it for many people — especially because the price hasn’t increased — and may even tempt owners of the relatively new and well-reviewed AirPods (3rd generation).

Why didn’t Apple raise US prices on new products?

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You'd almost think Apple is impervious to inflation.
You'd almost think Apple is impervious to inflation. Then you look at Europe.
Photo: Apple

One of the bigger surprises at Apple’s Far Out event Wednesday wasn’t in the hardware itself, but in its pricing. As in, it didn’t go up as it often does, at least in the U.S. market — despite rising inflation and the supply chain backups we heard so much about.

In fact, considering inflation, it’s almost like prices went down. That said, while each iPhone 14 model kept the same price as its iPhone 13 counterpart in the U.S., prices rose in many foreign markets.

What gives? Is Apple impervious to inflation? Some analysts think it’s more likely a shrewd strategy to sustain demand.

Apple’s Far Out event packs plenty of surprises

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Apple's Far Out Event delivered plenty of hardware and some solid surprises.
Apple's Far Out Event delivered plenty of hardware and some solid surprises.
Image: Cult of Mac/Apple

Apple definitely over-delivered with Wednesday’s Far Out event. The rumor mill’s constant churn of leaks and speculation gave us a solid framework for our expectations, but Cupertino’s hardware and software wizards still whipped out a few surprises.

Here’s everything you need to know about the iPhone 14 lineup, second-gen AirPods Pro and the 2022 Apple Watch models — including that hot new Ultra version for extreme athletes (and couch potatoes with solid credit ratings).

BAM! Crash detection smashes into iPhone 14

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BAM! Crash detection smashes into iPhone 14
Both iPhone 14 series and the new Apple Watch models will call for help if you've been in a car wreck.
Photo: Apple

If you’re in a severe car accident, your iPhone 14 will be able to tell and it can contact emergency services if you’re unconscious.

The feature will also be incorporated into the most recent Apple Watch models.

iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island looks … shockingly original?

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The Dynamic Island morphs into different sorts of notifications.
The Dynamic Island morphs into different sorts of notifications.
Photo: Apple

At Apple’s Far Out event, the company got rid of the notch at the top of the screen in its iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models, replacing it with a smaller, pill-shaped cutout, as predicted.

More of a surprise is the functionality that comes with the cutout, which Apple calls the Dynamic Island. What the heck is it?

iPhone 14 Pro models get major camera upgrades and always-on displays

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The new iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max come in four colors -- two of them new (space black and dark purple).
The new iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max come in four colors -- two of them new (space black and dark purple).
Photo: Apple

Apple revealed its new iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max handsets Wednesday with numerous updates, including massive camera upgrades, always-on displays, an improved A16 chip and the notorious “notch” replaced with a pill-shaped cutout with new “Dynamic Island” interactive functionality.

“iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are the best iPhones we’ve ever created, with a new way to experience iPhone as well as the industry-leading A16 bionic chip, always-on display and powerful new camera technologies,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook during the company’s Far Out event.

iPhone 14 Plus ushers in big changes

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iPhone 14 Plus ushers in big changes
Apple just unveiled the iPhone 14, which offers a camera upgrade and satellite communications, but the iPhone 14 Plus is the big news.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple took the wraps off the much-anticipated 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus at a product launch event on Wednesday. This has a screen as big as the company’s largest handset, but at a significantly lower price.

“With a larger display, you can enjoy more content when browsing the web,” promised Kaiann Drance, the head of iPhone marketing. “You can see more text or larger text. It looks great with the incredible features of iOS 16. ”

The 6.1-inch iPhone 14 was also announced, but is a fairly minor update over its predecessor. Still, both models have cameras with better low-light performance than their predecessors and emergency satellite communications, too.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max at the same product event on Wednesday.

Apple Watch Ultra is a big, bulky, beautiful beast

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The age of Ultra. Apple Watch Ultra.
The age of Ultra. Apple Watch Ultra.
Photo: Apple

Apple took the wraps off Apple Watch Ultra — describing the sports-oriented smartwatch as the most rugged and capable Apple Watch yet — during Wednesday’s Far Out event. Big, bulky and beautiful, it delivered on everything the rumor mill predicted and more.

Apple Watch Ultra is huge, with a bulky exterior, chunky buttons and a massive display. It boasts a tougher case, designed to withstand knocks from extreme sports, and a battery that can last the distance for endurance races. It features a new Depth Gauge app for scuba and free divers, improved GPS for running and cycling, a redesigned compass app for exploring, and even an 86-decibel siren to let people know if you get lost. Like the new Apple Watch Series 8 models, the Ultra comes with a temperature sensor.

Retailing at $799, Apple Watch Ultra is the Apple Watch that hardcore fitness fans have long been craving. But will its quirky, uncompromising looks catch on with mainstream audiences? Or is the Ultra destined to occupy a niche in the lineup?

Apple unveils Watch Series 8 with new body temp sensor, focus on women’s health

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Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 focuses on women's health with a new body temperature sensor that can detect ovulation.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple just unveiled the Watch Series 8 with a focus on women’s health, including a body temperature sensor that can help with advanced cycle tracking.

The new watch, available to pre-order today and shipping September 16, also features car crash detection, a new low-power mode, international roaming and new faces and bands.

Pricing starts at $399 for GPS, and $499 for cellular.