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iPhone 15 might be freaky fast in sneaky ways [The CultCast]

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The CultCast episode 608: iPhone 15 - Freaky Fast?!?
The iPhone 15 might slay when it comes to data transfers and charging times.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We always expect Apple silicon to make our smartphones faster, but iPhone 15 could be a speed demon in unsuspected ways. Like, it might deliver 80 times faster data transfers through the port that replaces Lightning. Anyone who moves large files around should be thrilled with the latest iPhone 15 rumor. And that’s not all …

Also on The CultCast:

  • iPhone 15 might charge at extreme speeds, too.
  • Why is iPhone 14 taking a beating over its battery life?
  • Next year’s Apple Watch X could bring the major redesign we’ve all been waiting for.
  • Erfon does a surprise live unboxing of a great gift sent in by a CultCast listener.

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.

Moment beefs up whole lens lineup for growing iPhone cameras

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Got an iPhone 13 or newer? The bigger T-Series lenses should suit you.
Got an iPhone 13 or newer? The bigger T-Series lenses should suit you.
Photo: Moment

Moment said Wednesday its whole lineup of popular smartphone cameras lenses is getting bigger and bolder to suit growing handset cameras like iPhone’s, including the upcoming iPhone 15 series.

The new T-Series comprises eight lenses that are new versions of the company’s M-Series, which came out to widespread acclaim in 2017.

Emergency SOS via Satellite saves family from Maui wildfires

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iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite comes to the rescue again.
iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite comes to the rescue again.
Photo: Apple

iPhone’s Emergency SOS via Satellite got credit for saving lives Wednesday when it was the only way a family trapped in a van amid raging wildfires on the island of Maui, Hawaii, could call for help.

The service has brought aid to plenty of people in need so far in its short life, since launch in 2022. This emergency seemed even more fraught than many, as you can see from the frantic texts shown in a post on X below.

iPhone 14 Crash Detection saves man after car plummets 400 feet

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iPhone 14 Crash Detection saves man after car plummets 400 feet
iPhone 14 Crash Detection couldn’t have the car, but it could save the driver.
Composite Photo: Mike Leum

The iPhone 14’s ability to tell when it’s been a car crash saved the life of a California man after he drove off a cliff and fell 400 feet. The Crash Detection feature automatically called for emergency assistance.

One of the rescuers says the man probably would have died without the quick aid made possible by the iPhone.

Funny new Apple ad highlights long, long battery life of iPhone 14 Plus

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Funny new Apple ad highlights long, long battery life of iPhone 14 Plus
This guy has all day to listen to his favorite rappers on his iPhone 14 Plus.
Screenshot: Apple

Battery for Miles, a just-released advert for Apple, stars an elderly farmer driving a tractor and listening to Ludacris on his iPhone … as one does. He’s many hours from his destination but he doesn’t care — his iPhone 14 Plus has all the battery life he needs.

Apple also premiered Crash Test to advertise the iPhone’s Crash Detection feature.

Safeguard iPhone with this ultra-thin new screen protector

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BodyGuardz Apex screen protector
The company said the durable screen protector is 15% thinner than many others.
Photo: BodyGuardz

BodyGuardz unveiled a new smartphone screen protector called Apex recently, calling it “the industry’s only screen protector solution engineered with CrystalCore technology.” It described a process that makes the protector exceptionally thin and strong.

“Apex glass undergoes a rigorous mixing and baking process that reinforces the density of its crystalline structure, offering unrivaled protection for the latest smartphone models,” the company said.

iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature expands to Australia and New Zealand

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Apple launches free Emergency SOS via satellite on all iPhone 14 models
Starting Tuesday, an iPhone 14 can now communicate with satellites.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is expanding Emergency SOS via satellite to two new countries: Australia and New Zealand. If you use an iPhone 14, you can enjoy this life-saving feature for free for the next two years.

The feature allows your iPhone to contact emergency services through text messages when you are out of mobile network range.

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 12: Should you upgrade?

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iPhone 12 to iPhone 14 upgrade: Is the jump worth it, or should you wait for iPhone 15?
iPhone 12 to iPhone 14 upgrade: Is the jump worth it, or should you wait for iPhone 15?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Six months from now, the iPhone 12 will be 3 years old. If you got the phone on launch day in October 2020, it must already be showing its age, with poor battery life and sub-par camera performance.

Does that mean it’s time to ditch your iPhone 12 and upgrade to the iPhone 14, which starts at $799? Or should you save your money and wait for the upcoming iPhone 15? Find out with our comparison.