| Cult of Mac

European carriers team up to block iCloud Private Relay on iPhone and iPad

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iCloud Private Relay
The feature undermines "European digital sovereignty," they say.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

European are joining forces in a bid to block iCloud Private Relay — a feature Apple introduced in iOS and iPadOS 15 to bolster its privacy protections. It seems some have already begun disabling it on cellular plans.

A group, which include Vodafone and T-Mobile, has signed an open letter that says Private Relay prevents them from obtaining “vital network data,” and will impact their ability to “efficiently manage telecommunication networks.”

UK’s O2 network offers customers 6 months of free Disney+

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Disney+ racked up nearly $100 million in user spending in first 60 days
Disney+ is launching in the U.K. this month.
Image: Disney

U.K. cellular network O2 has brokered a deal with Disney to become the UK’s exclusive mobile network distributor for the Disney+ steaming service.

The deal means that new and upgrading monthly customers get six months of Disney+ on O2 as a special offer. This mirrors a similar deal by Apple to offer a year’s free subscription to Apple TV+ for anyone buying a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac computer.

iOS 13.3.1 eliminates iPhone XR’s connectivity issues on O2

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iPhone XR 1
You can use your iPhone XR on O2 again.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s most recent iOS update eliminates the connectivity issues plaguing iPhone XR owners on O2, the U.K.’s second-largest carrier.

Many users have been unable to make calls or browse the internet without being connected to Wi-Fi. But O2 today confirmed that updating to iOS 13.3.1 restores normal functionality.

Apple promises fix for iPhone XR issues on UK’s second-largest carrier

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Struggling Apple display-maker secures massive bailout
Struggling Apple display-maker secures massive bailout
Photo: Apple

Apple has acknowledged a connectivity issue with iPhone XR units connected to O2, the second-largest carrier in the United Kingdom.

Many users have been unable to make or receive calls or text messages. They have also been stuck without a reliable data connection, which renders most apps unusable without Wi-Fi.

Widespread shipping delays hit iPhone 7 on eve of launch

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iPhone 7 Plus jet black
Jet black iPhone 7 will be hard to find.
Photo: Apple

With the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus scheduled to arrive in less than 24 hours, customers around the globe who preordered are being notified that their devices won’t ship on time.

The unpleasant news isn’t sitting well with these Apple fans, many of whom thought they’d get their iPhone 7 on launch day.

Apple To Launch Cheaper 8GB iPhone 5c Tomorrow [Rumor]

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The successor to the iPhone 5c is nearly here.
The successor to the iPhone 5c is nearly here.
Photo: Apple

Apple is expected to give potential iPhone 5c customers a cheaper option tomorrow with the launch of a new 8GB model. Leaked documents from O2 Germany have confirmed the existence of the device and its launch date, while two carriers in the U.K. have reportedly already received their first deliveries.

EE Announces U.K.’s First 4G Pay-As-You-Go Plans

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EE has today announced the U.K.’s first 4G pay-as-you-go plans, as well as its “most affordable” pay monthly 4G packages as it looks to step up its fight against competing 4G services from O2 and Vodafone. They go live on October 30, and they promise to provide Brits with cheaper and easier access to the 4G revolution.