Mobile menu toggle

Top stories - page 380

New iPhone on the way? Get the best price for your old one

By

iphone 8
Turn your old iPhone into real cash today.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Staring at your savings account with tears in your eyes after preordering a new iPhone? Sell your old iPhone today to recover some of your hard-earned cash, and get the best price from Cult of Mac.

We make the whole process quick and simple — and we typically pay more than anyone else.

iOS 13 won’t nerf your older iPhone

By

Buggy iOS 13 made Apple rethink how it develops software
iOS 13 is often quicker than its predecessor, and won‘t drain your iPhone battery.
Screenshot: Apple

Head-to-head tests show that models as old as the iPhone 6S run iOS 13 at least as fast as iOS 12, and some devices see a performance boost.

The same is true for battery life: testing indicates Apple’s latest operating system puts no additional strain on the battery of older models.

iPhone 11 supposedly is capable of two-way wireless charging

By

iPhone-11-vs-11-Pro
There's still hope for two-way wireless charging.
Photo: Apple

One feature we expected but didn’t get from the iPhone 11 lineup is two-way wireless charging. But Apple could surprise us with it later.

A new rumor claims the 2019 iPhones come with the necessary hardware, but Apple disabled the functionality in iOS. If true, Apple could activate the feature for iPhone 11 owners at a later date.

iPhone 11 shipping dates already slipping fast

By

iPhone-11-colors
Have you claimed yours yet?
Photo: Apple

You may miss out on launch day delivery if you haven’t already preordered your shiny new iPhone 11, 11 Pro, or 11 Pro Max. Shipping dates have already started slipping for many models after preorders opened at 5 a.m. PDT today.

But there’s good news if you plan to pick up the more affordable iPhone 11.

iOS 13 flaw exposes all your contacts data

By

Find My Friends
Keep your iPhone close by.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A newly-discovered flaw in iOS 13 lets anyone access your contacts without your passcode.

It takes just a few simple steps to bypass your iPhone’s lockscreen and see every phone number, email address, and physical address you have saved. But a fix is already on the way.

The wild tech buried in iPhone 11 Pro, and why an October Apple hardware is likely, on The CultCast

By

CultCast 405
Another Apple hardware event may be heading our way...

This week on The CultCast: Everything you need to know about iPhone 11 and 11 Pro! We dive deep into the coolest features buried in Apple’s newest iPhones. Plus: Our reactions to everything announced at the iPhone 11 event.

And it’s all but confirmed: We’ll tell you why there’s almost definitely an October hardware event coming our way, and what gadgets Apple will likely unveil during its next big keynote.

Our thanks to Linked In for supporting this episode. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters … head to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.

It’s time to order your new iPhone 11

By

Iphone11
It's all about the cameras.
Photo: Apple

The wait is finally over. You can now order iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max from the Apple Online Store and compatible carriers.

All three handsets will be available from Friday, September 20. But if you don’t act fast, it’s highly likely you’ll have to wait longer for your order to be shipped. So move!

Score a massive 5 terabytes of personal cloud storage [Deals]

By

OpenDrive
Save big on between one and five terabytes of secure cloud storage.
Photo: Cult of MacDeals

Cloud storage is a seriously useful resource. That’s true whether you’re a digital professional or just have a lot of files to back up. Unfortunately, it can also be expensive. So this massively discounted deal on up to five terabytes of cloud storage could be a game changer.

Best Apple Watch chargers and charging stands for any model

By

best-apple-watch-charging-stands
This brilliant stand from Elago is one of many on our list.
Photo: Elago

Have a brand-new Apple Watch on the way? You’ll want some sweet accessories to go with it. A stellar charging stand that keeps your pricey wearable out of the way while you’re not wearing it is a must.

Here are some of the finest money can buy today. Whether you want high-end materials that look good anywhere, or stands that charge all your Apple devices at once, we’ve got you covered.

Check out our best charging stands roundup for the newest Apple Watch lineup.

3D Touch disappears, and that’s great for people who love it [Opinion]

By

ipad 3d touch
Without the sacrifice of 3D Touch, this wouldn't be possible on iPad.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

I love 3D Touch. I use it all the time. It’s one of the handiest shortcuts on the iPhone. And now, with the iPhone 11, it’s gone. But I don’t care. Why? Because Haptic Touch is almost as good. Even better, thanks to Apple’s switch to Haptic Touch, you can use all those 3D Touch features on the iPad.

iPhone 11 corrects the biggest mistake of the Jony Ive era

By

JerryRigEverything
Is this the end of too-thin Apple products?
Photo: JerryRigEverything/YouTube

The iPhone 11 Pro Max promises up to five hours more battery life than the iPhone XS Max that precedes it. That’s around a 33% increase1. This battery boost could come down to a more efficient OLED screen, a bigger or better battery, a more efficient processor, or — most likely — a combination of these factors.

But whatever the reason, this marks the first time iPhone battery life jumped so much in one generation. Usually, the iPhone sacrifices any excess battery life to get thinner or lighter. And yet the iPhones 11 Pro come in heavier and a hair thicker than their iPhone XS predecessors. What’s going on? Has Jony Ive’s reign finally ended?

Apple Watch Series 5 vs. Series 3: Which one should you buy?

By

Apple-Watch-5-vs-3
Our comprehensive comparison will help you choose your next Apple Watch.
Photo: Apple

The new Apple Watch Series 5 finally arrived this week, and it is by far the best smartwatch money can buy today. But it also costs $200 more than Apple Watch Series 3.

Is the latest model really worth the extra money? And should you consider upgrading if you already have a Series 3 or Series 4 device? Find out right here before parting with your cash.

Our comprehensive Apple Watch comparison will help you choose the right device for you.

Leaked iPhone 11 specs show upgraded RAM and battery

By

iPhone 11 and 11 Pro
The internal iPhone 11 and 11 Pro specs are better than their predecessors.
Photo: iPhone 11 and 11 Pro

All iPhone 11 and 11 Pro versions have more RAM than their predecessors, according to an unconfirmed report.

The same is reportedly true for the batteries in these just-announced handsets, which helps explain the dramatically increased battery lives Apple is promising.

Lower iPhone 11 price shows Apple got the message [Opinion]

By

iPhone 11 colors
The iPhone 11 will bring a serious boost in sales because it’s what people asked for.
Photo: Apple

You spoke and Apple listened. There was widespread criticism that last year’s iPhones were too expensive, and so the just-announced iPhone 11 is a better device for less money.

Even as the target of negative comments, the iPhone XR was the world’s best-selling smartphone for many months. The cheaper replacement is going see even stronger sales because the iPhone 11 is certainly a better value.

Why Apple Watch Series 5 is a welcome surprise

By

Apple Watch Series 5 adds an always-on display. Just what I always wanted.
Always-on display. Just what I always wanted
Photo: Apple

I wasn’t expecting much from the Apple Watch Series 5 refresh. The rumor mill only predicted new ceramic and titanium finishes, plus maybe sleep tracking. That was all for this year.

But it turns out Apple had three big surprises hidden up its sleeves — new features that look set to make Apple Watch Series 5 the best smartwatch money can buy.

Apple is (probably) a $1 trillion company again

By

apple stock price
Apple stock prices spent the whole year on the rise and ended trading Wednesday with a $1 trillion valuation.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

Apple’s stock made up more than $400 billion over the last nine months and ended today a $1 trillion company.

It’s a remarkable recovery, considering Apple closed the day on Jan 3. at $142.19 a share. Today, Apple’s shares rosed 3.2 percent to close at $223.59 for a $1.01 trillion market capitalization.

iPhone 11 vs. Pro vs. Pro Max: Which one should you buy?

By

iPhone-11-vs-11-Pro
There's still hope for two-way wireless charging.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest iPhone lineup features its first ever “Pro” smartphones, plus a more affordable entry-level model that’s a big upgrade over iPhone XR. iPhone 8 is also sticking around for now.

That’s four different handsets to choose from when you visit the Apple Store. So, which one is right for you? Our comprehensive comparison will help you decide.

U1-based Apple Tag could be the biggest thing since Apple Watch

By

apple tag
Tiles, which are nothing like the Apple Tag at all.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

What happened to the Apple Tag? Rumors pointed toward an imminent launch for Apple’s tracking-tile competitor, and what better place to announce it than along with new iPhones? But the iPhone 11 event came and went without the Tag.

Will we still see an Apple Tag this fall? I hope so, because it could be Cupertino’s most important product since the Apple Watch.

iPadOS won’t launch until well after iOS 13

By

Apple CEO Tim Cook with iPad
Apple CEO Tim Cook talked up new features in iPadOS 13 at yesterday’s press event..
Screenshot: Apple

iOS 13 will debut next week, but tablet users will have to wait a bit longer for the iPad equivalent. Apple says iPadOS 13 won’t debut until the end of this month.

That launch date suggests that the company will go straight to iOS 13.1.

iPhone’s Portrait mode just keeps getting better

By

High-Key Mono setting
You could go into the studio – or tap High-Key Mono on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.
Photo: Apple

Fashion and portrait photographer Richard Avedon produced a legendary body of black-and-white work, much of which involved isolating subjects against a pure, shadowless white backdrop.

He shot many of his photos in a studio, where assistants would carefully position large studio lights. Search this technique online and you will find scores of articles and videos on how to light both subject and background for the Avedon look.

The iPhone now lets you do this with a single finger tap, thanks to Portrait mode advances.

Apple TV+’s $5 pricing lays the smackdown on Netflix and Disney [Opinion]

By

Apple TV+
Apple fires a $4.99 shot across the bow of rival streaming companies.
Photo: Apple

It’s rare that the take-home message from an Apple keynote is, “Wow, that’s far more affordable than I expected.” But that’s exactly the reaction Apple prompted when it revealed the $5-a-month price tag for its new Apple TV+ streaming service.

In one fell swoop, Apple just threw down the gauntlet to its streaming rivals. Your move, Netflix!