Top stories - page 465

Purchased digital content has been around since before the launch of the iTunes Store back in 2003, but things were much different then. Devices weren’t constantly connected, and streaming wasn’t the primary way to access your “purchased” (or subscription) content, and most things came in the form of physical media (VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, or 8-Tracks). Now that things are streamed, stored in the cloud, and available across all our devices, digital content ownership is much more complicated than simply buying a movie, book, or album and having it indefinitely.

You’ve just pre-ordered your new iPhone, and you’re wondering what to do with the old one. Selling it is a pain, and the trade-in prices on your two-year-old model are too low to bother with. So how about handing that old iPhone off to a family member, or a friend? But before you just switch it off and drop it into a bag, there are a few things you should prepare. Here’s how.

The default wallpaper for the new iPhone XS models is undoubtedly beautiful. But that’s clearly not why Apple chose it. It can’t be a coincidence that the black region of the image is perfectly placed to hide the screen cutout.

Apple isn’t denying the existence of the notch in the two most expensive of the 2018 iPhones, but it’s certainly trying to de-emphasize it.

President Trump reportedly ordered tariffs on $200 billion more Chinese goods yesterday. After these were first proposed several weeks ago, Apple warned that they’ll likely increase the cost of many of its products.

The list of affected devices includes some of Apple’s most popular offerings.

Let’s not beat around the bush — the new iPhone names are a mess. “iPhone XS Max” sounds like a body spray for teenagers and the “XR” in iPhone XR means … well, not very much at all.

Today’s iPhones are an explosion of confused branding.

But the 2018 iPhones definitely aren’t the first time Apple products bore baffling, awkward or just plain rubbish names. Brace yourself for a repulsive refresher as we recount the worst Apple product names of all time.

Apple Watch Series 4 is now available to preorder ahead of its official launch on September 21. It’s packed with new features, but considerably more expensive than its predecessors, with prices starting at $399.

Last year’s Apple Watch Series 3 is also still available. It’s not quite as impressive as the latest model, but it’s now more affordable at $279.

Which one should you buy? Find out right here in our 2018 Apple Watch comparison.

If you’ve got an iPhone, you’ve got a great mobile camera. But like any camera, they can’t take great pictures unless you know how to make great pictures. So instead of aimlessly pointing and shooting, here’s a chance to learn from a master of mobile photography.

Apple has quietly increased the price of its AppleCare+ warranty plan for Apple Watch Series 4.

It will cost $79 to cover the company’s latest wearable — $30 more than AppleCare+ for an Apple Watch Series 3. However, buyers now have the option to pay for the service monthly.

This week on The CultCast: Hot off the heels of Apple’s keynote, it’s our unfiltered Gather Round event reactions! We’ll tell you what we think about iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and the new Apple Watch Series 4. Plus: Is it worth upgrading from iPhone X to iPhone XS? We discuss that and all the other products that were noticeably missing from the keynote.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first hosting plan or domain.

You can now preorder the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. If you’ve already claimed yours, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to make back the fat stack of cash you just dropped. It might be easier than you think.

Start by selling your old iPhone to Cult of Mac. It’s quick and easy, and we pay real cash. What’s more, we typically pay more than other buyback services. Get a quote now and you can hold onto your device until your upgrade arrives on September 21.

After being down for a few hours in preparation for the launch of the iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4, the Apple Store website is now back up, and ready to roll. For tips on how to make sure your pre-order goes smoothly, keep reading.

It’s an incredibly big deal that Wednesday’s Gather Round keynote featured Lisa Jackson, Apple’s head of environmental initiatives.

The annual iPhone unveiling is Apple’s biggest product event of the year. Every single word and image is carefully calibrated to do one thing, and one thing only: sell as many of the new products as possible.

So why did Tim Cook turn over several precious minutes to Jackson to talk about renewable energy and recycling?

Can Apple Watch Series 4’s fall-detection feature tell when you have fallen in love? I hope so, because I’ve really fallen for it. Big-time. I haven’t felt this way about an Apple Watch since my first love, the original model, was announced back in 2014.

It’s not just the sleek new design. Nor the spacious new screen. It’s not even the breakthrough new health features. It’s when you combine them all together. It defies all logic and reason that Cupertino managed to cram so much awesomeness into such a tiny, beautiful package.

I can’t wait to strap an Apple Watch Series 4 onto my wrist next Friday and take it for a run. But until then, here are my first thoughts on this exciting new direction for Apple Watch.

The new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR haven’t been released yet, but a handful of Geekbench scores are already available. 

These reveal more than just how fast the devices run (spoiler: very fast) but also how much RAM is in each model.

Don’t have a heart attack, but the new electrocardiogram feature in Apple Watch Series 4 won’t work when the wearable launches.

Apple isn’t exactly hiding this fact, but it’s certainly keeping it quiet.

When you get a Mac, you’ve got a machine with almost unlimited potential, limited only by the apps you use. This bundle of 10 apps is a great way to expand the possibilities of your Mac — and it’s yours for whatever you want to pay.

Thanks to Apple, virtually everyone with an iPhone understands the Japanese word and photo term known as bokeh.

Thanks to Apple, virtually everyone mispronounces the word.

Apple called the new iPhones‘ A12 Bionic chip “the smartest and most powerful chip ever in a smartphone.” And despite the company’s occasional hyperbole and frequent marketing wizardry, it’s not kidding around.

Here’s why the A12 is so exciting — and what that means for Apple’s Core ML machine learning platform.

Unlike previous iPhone launches, it’s not immediately obvious which iPhone you should buy if you want the best. Or rather, the iPhone XS is clearly the flagship model, but the iPhone XR, launching a month later, has some features which are better than its sibling.

So, what are the important differences to know before you choose which new iPhone X is right for you?

Apple just unveiled a rush of new devices, including three iPhone models and a pair of Apple Watches. A theme for these announcements could be “Bigger is better.” 

None of the products are available yet, and reporters have only been given a short time to try them out. It’s early, but there’s some consensus about each of the new devices.

Apple’s optional insurance program fixes your iPhone if you break it, but you’ve been out of luck if your device gets stolen. Not any more. Apple just introduced AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss.

There’s a drawback: this plan is shockingly expensive.

Apple just revealed that the iOS 12 release date is September 17. Any iPhone or iPad that’s capable of running iOS 11 can upgrade then.

But you don’t have to wait. Anyone who’s part of Apple’s beta program can get the Golden Master right now.

Any mobile photographer wearing an Apple Watch likely received a notification about an irregular heartbeat as they watched Phil Schiller talk this morning about the iPhone Xs series’ new camera.

Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, flashed several stunning images on the screen during today’s Gather Round keynote at the Steve Jobs Theater. The images showed depth, detail and colors not seen from previous-gen iPhones, including the current flagship iPhone X.

Apple’s big 2018 iPhone keynote was short on surprises this morning thanks to the bevy of leaks that came out ahead of the show.

About the only truly shocking moment was Tim Cook’s mysterious tweet before the event that turned out to be a bunch of hullabaloo about his missing slideshow clicker. Despite the lack of shocking new products, there was a lot to love at the iPhone XS event, from electrocardiograms to Liquid Retina displays.

These are the biggest takeaways from the Gather Round keynote

Apple just unveiled new iPhones and Apple Watch models. But some other hotly-anticipated products were left out of today’s event.

No mention was made of the iPad Pro tablets that have been in so many rumors. And the AirPower wireless charging mat still doesn’t have a release date.