News - page 18

Disney+ password-sharing crackdown begins

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Disney+ logo
The glory days of sharing your Disney+ password are over.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company

Disney has a simple message to those sharing a password to its streaming service with friends: Pay up. The password-sharing crackdown the House of Mouse has been threatening officially began Wednesday in the United States, Canada, Europe and elsewhere.

If you watch Disney+ on your iPad, Mac or Apple TV using someone else’s password, the company plans to find you and make you stop.

Don’t panic: Mysterious iOS 18 update for iPhone 16 is nothing to worry about

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Photo of iPhone with iOS 18.0 build 22A3354 info.
Go ahead and get your iPhone 16 up to date with iOS 18.0 (22A3354).
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Don’t be alarmed if your brand-new iPhone 16 prompts you to update to iOS 18 even though your phone is already running iOS 18. And also don’t freak out when you see a fear-inducing “Welcome to iPhone” screen after you update to iOS 18.0 build 22A3354, even though it looks suspiciously like you will need to go through the tedious iPhone setup process again.

Apple is currently distributing an unexpected iOS 18 update to brand-new iPhones that are already running iOS 18. It looks like Apple installed an earlier version of iOS on phones in the factory. Now it is updating them to the latest version.

As Apple says, the update to iOS 18.0 build 22A3354 currently rolling out brings “important bug fixes and security updates” to all models in the iPhone 16 lineup. With any luck, it will fix the touchscreen problems reported by some iPhone 16 Pro owners, but that might just be wishful thinking. (Cult of Mac asked Apple if the update addresses the touchscreen problem. We’ll update this post when/if we receive info on the update.)

Today in Apple history: iPod nano gets colorful aluminum upgrade

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iPod nano
The second-gen iPod nano was totally metal.
Photo: Dongyi Liu/Flickr CC

Sept 25: Today in Apple history: Second-generation iPod nano gets colorful aluminum upgrade September 25, 2006: Apple ships its second-generation iPod nano, offering a fancy redesign of the pocket-size original.

“iPod nano is the world’s most popular digital music player, and we’ve completely redesigned it to make it even better,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs in a press release. “The all-new iPod nano gives music fans more of what they love in their iPods.”

Among the new iPod nano’s improvements are a slimmer, anodized aluminum casing; a brighter screen; longer battery life, and a wide range of colors. And, oh yes, it also includes gapless music playback for the first time!

From one dock user to another: CalDigit or Satechi? [Setups]

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Caldigit Thunderbolt dock setup
This MacBook Book Pro uses loves his CalDigit Thunderbolt dock, but a Satechi user thought of making the switch.
Photo: [email protected]

Certain names in USB-C and Thunderbolt docks and hubs carry a lot of weight, like CalDigit and Satechi — both well-respected brands. But in today’s M2 MacBook Air setup, a discussion broke out over the user’s exceptional experience with a CalDigit Thunderbolt dock and a commenter’s woes over a Satechi Thunderbolt dock. Read some of the commentary and learn more about the gear below.

Apple’s next Vision headset displays might lower resolution a lot

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budget Vision Pro with lower resolution
Budget versions of Vision Pro might cut costs with a big drop in resolution, among other measures.
Photo: iFixit

Apple continues looking into using lower-resolution displays for a budget-friendly version of its Vision Pro spatial computing headset, according to recent reports. They cite resolution much lower than what Apple refers to as “4K for each eye” in the original Vision Pro.

Creating professional-quality videos on iPhone with the Hohem iSteady V3

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Create great videos with the Hohem iSteady v3 Gimbal Stabilizer for iPhone.
Create great videos with the Hohem iSteady v3 Gimbal Stabilizer for iPhone.
Photo: Hohem

Whether you’re shooting an iPhone video of a breaking news event, chronicling your global travels for your vlog, or capturing a particularly choice dance move to show off on TikTok, certain tools can help you boost your video quality as well as your creativity. For example, the Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal Stabilizer is a great tool to steady and extend your shots.

It’s a three-axis iPhone gimbal with a magnetic AI tracker and fill light, a built-in extendable rod and tripod, and a detachable remote control. We explain how this must-have video tool can help below. And what’s more, you can get it now for 20% off at Amazon.

Logitech challenges Elgato Stream Deck with new MX Creative Console

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Logitech MX Creative Console
The new Logitech MX Creative Console streamlines creator workflows like Elgato Stream Deck.
Photo: Logitech

In a move Tuesday that should catch the eyes of Mac-loving creative professionals, Logitech unveiled MX Creative Console. The new device aims to streamline workflows and automate repetitive tasks for digital creators. So it could rival the popular Elgato Stream Deck.

“The MX Creative Console is designed to help people redefine their workflow, enabling them to work smarter and faster,” said Anatoliy Polyanker, general manager of MX Business at Logitech.

Today in Apple history: Apple battles Eminem in court

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Eminem sues Apple over digital music sales. Will the real rights holder please stand up!
Will the real rights holder please stand up!
Photo: Apple

September 24: Today in Apple history: Apple battles Eminem in court September 24, 2009: After Eminem sues Apple, the company’s lawyers head to court to defend the company against the rapper’s music publisher, Eight Mile Style. The lawsuit alleges that Apple unlawfully sold 93 of Eminem’s songs on the iTunes Music Store.

This marks the second time Apple finds itself on the opposite side of a courtroom from the Detroit rapper. (A previous lawsuit involved improper use of Eminem’s hit single “Lose Yourself” in an iTunes ad.)

Tim Cook reveals fave iPhone 16 AI feature and top hot dog condiment to Jimmy Fallon

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Tim Cook and Jimmy Fallon in Central Park
Tim Cook suspects real New Yorkers don't really wear NYC baseball caps covered in glitter, as Fallon implied.
Photo: The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

On Monday’s Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the host hits the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in New York City to pick up his new iPhone 16 — and ends up taking a very long walk in Central Park with Apple CEO Tim Cook. And is a walk-and-talk filmed on iPhone 16 of Tim Cook and Jimmy Fallon in Central Park funny? Well, here and there it is.

Along their mildy amusing way, the two chatted about the new handsets, upcoming Apple Intelligence features and favorite hot dog condiments.

Drop test pits iPhone 16 Pro’s tougher Ceramic Shield against iPhone 15 Pro

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Desert Titanium iPhone 16 Pro
Tougher Ceramic Shield on iPhone 16? Sure, but don't just rely on it.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple claims the iPhone 16 Pro ships with “2x tougher than glass on any other smartphone.” And it survived a series of realistic drop tests with only a few scuffs. Yet more rigorous testing suggests it’s not a tough as its predecessor.

The iPhone 16 Pro might be more prone to damage upon fall due to its slimmer bezels and increased weight.

Powerful speakers and subwoofer blast MacBook Pro rig’s sound [Setups]

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Audioengine speakers setup
Audioengine A5 speakers on Kanto stands and an Audioengine S8 subwoofer on the floor power this setup's sound.
Photo: [email protected]

If you’re serious about high-quality audio, you should crank up the quality level of audio components in your computer setup just like you do in your living room. Today’s MacBook Pro user maxes out sound using Audioengine speakers mounted on stands along with a powerful Audioengine subwoofer on the floor under the desk. So they can get clear and detailed audio at low volume, but they can also shake the whole room with powerful sound when they want.

Today in Apple history: Apple lays out its core company values

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Photo of an iPad with
Cupertino sums up "Apple Values" in an exuberant document.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Sep 23 Today in Apple history: Cupertino lays out its core Apple Values September 23, 1981: Years before Steve Jobs would tell us to “think different” and Tim Cook would say Apple should act as a “force for good,” Cupertino lays out what it calls its “Apple Values.” The mission statement will guide the company for years.

In the memo, management defines Apple Values as “the qualities, customs, standards and principles that the company as a whole regards as desirable. They are the basis for what we do and how we do it. Taken together, they identify Apple as a unique company.”

Watch MLS soccer playoffs for $10 or free

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Watch MLS soccer playoffs for $10 or free
The rest of the MLS season and playoffs are available for very cheap or free.
Graphic: Apple

With the 2024 Major League Soccer season ending in October, fans can watch the remaining games as well as the playoffs for only $10. That’s the current cost of an MLS Season Pass.

Even better, Apple TV+ subscribers can get in on the action for free.

iPhone 16 Pro unboxing reveals the sad truth about desert titanium [The CultCast]

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iPhone 16 Pro unboxing photo from The CultCast podcast
The iPhone 16 Pro's new desert titanium finish looks disappointingly demure.
Photo: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Griffin takes the wraps off his new iPhone 16 Pro in desert titanium — and he doesn’t like what he sees. The new “color” revealed in his iPhone 16 Pro unboxing fails to knock our socks off.

Still, there’s plenty to talk about, though, including the new Camera Control and how third-party case manufacturers are coping with it.

Also on The CultCast:

  • The new satin black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 on the other hand … smokin’! It’s enough to make a guy upgrade for the color alone.
  • The first AirPods 4 reviews say the active noise cancellation works surprisingly well. They’re on Erfon’s list.
  • New delays hit the rumored plastic Apple Watch SE and the first MacBook Pros with OLED screens.

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.

Today in Apple history: iPhone 6 sells record 10 million units at launch

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Buy one, get one free on the Apple iPhone 6s/6s Plus for AT&T.
Apple finally cracked the 10 million sales opening weekend benchmark.
Photo: Apple

September 22: Today in Apple history: iPhone 6 sells record 10 million units at launch September 22, 2014: Apple notches a new sales record with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus launch, selling an astonishing 10 million units in the first weekend the handsets go on sale.

The eagerly anticipated smartphones bring a redesigned form factor that will persist for years. The most obvious change? Larger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays built to lure phablet fans. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus also boast an A8 chip, improved iSight and FaceTime cameras, and — significantly — Apple Pay for secure mobile payments.

“Sales for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus exceeded our expectations for the launch weekend, and we couldn’t be happier,” Apple CEO Tim Cook says in a press release. “We would like to thank all of our customers for making this our best launch ever, shattering all previous sell-through records by a large margin.”

Here’s when new Apple Intelligence features are expected to roll out

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AI safety guidelines -- Apple Intelligence
You will have to wait until iOS 18.4 to try out all the Apple Intelligence features.
Photo: Apple

Apple Intelligence is not a part of iOS 18’s initial public release. Apple plans to debut its AI features with iOS 18.1 sometime in October and continue improving them with subsequent releases.

With iOS 18.2, Apple Intelligence will gain features like Genmoji, Image Playground app, and optional ChatGPT integration.

iPhone-hungry crowds pack Apple stores worldwide [Photos]

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iPhone Series 16 day in photos
Customers line up outside of the Regent Street Apple Store in London on Friday.
Photo: Apple

As you probably already know, loads of new Apple hardware went on sale Friday in Apple Stores worldwide. Apple celebrated the iPhone 16 launch with photos of crowded stores from … all over. The photos and social media posts seem to contradict initial reports of lower-than-expected preorders on new iPhone 16 handsets.

Many of the pics show customers gleefully getting their new iPhones, Apple Watch Series 10 wearables, the new black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2, AirPods 4 and new colors for AirPods Max.

See photos and videos from Apple’s iPhone 16 launch day below.

Today in Apple history: The first portable Macintosh arrives

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The Macintosh Portable presaged Apple's move into mobile
The Macintosh Portable offered a (really heavy) glimpse of the future.
Photo: Macworld

September 20: Today in Apple history: Macintosh Portable, the first battery-powered Mac, arrives September 20, 1989: Apple releases the Macintosh Portable, the first battery-powered Mac you could take on the road.

At a time when Tim Burton’s Batman is flying high in theaters, and Madonna is shocking audiences at the MTV Video Music Awards, this ahead-of-its-time product lays the groundwork for Apple’s looming laptop revolution.

With new AirPods, it’s a great time to sell your old buds

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An unopened AirPods box on a table.
Cult of Mac is one of the few trade-in services that will buy back old AirPods. Apple won't touch them, but we will.
Photo: Aaron Yoo CC

With the release of the new AirPods — which are getting rave reviews — why not trade in your old AirPods for real cash?

Apple doesn’t trade-in old AirPods, and neither will most other buyback services. However, Cult of Mac offers good money for your old AirPods, making your next upgrade more affordable. We won’t leave you waiting weeks for your eCheck, and we promise that none of the tech we receive will end up in landfill.

So, what are you waiting for? Get a quote for your old AirPods today.

iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and AirPods 4 go on sale

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iPhone 16 Pro buyer
The iPhone 16 series, AirPods 4 and Apple Watch Series 10 are now available at your nearest Apple Store.
Photo: Apple

The first set of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders began arriving for customers late Thursday U.S. time, with the new iPhones also officially going on sale in Apple Stores. Around the world, Apple fans lined up at stores to snatch up the latest, greatest iPhones.

Besides the iPhone 16 series, AirPods 4 and Apple Watch Series 10 preorders also began reaching customers.

iPhone 17 could miss out on 2nm processor

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TSMC looks ahead to super-speedy 2nm processors
2nm processors made by TSMC will be faster while using less power than today's 3nm iPhone and Mac chips.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Although Apple’s chip maker TSMC is moving toward 2nm processors, the technology will not be ready in time for to go into the iPhone 17 series next year, according to a noted analyst.

That means iPhone will use 3nm chips for three years running, though the process for making these gets improved annually.