Top Stories - page 5

Best Amazon Prime Day deals on all things Apple [Extended!]

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best Amazon Prime Day Apple deals - extended
Prime Day is over but the savings haven't stopped.
Image: Tamanna Rumee/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

It’s that time of year again, Amazon Prime Day (the fall edition, October 8 and 9). So the early deals flowed starting over the weekend, with the full-on sale hitting with even better deals on Tuesday and Wednesday. We’ll show you the best Amazon Prime Day deals on Apple gear, from AirPods to iPads to MacBooks to Studio Display. And that includes Apple audio subsidiary Beats, too. Click on the links below, and return to this page often — deals are subject to change, often for the better, and we’ll add more as we find them.

Update: Though prices on some items continue to fluctuate, Amazon has extended most deals beyond Wednesday.

Opal Tadpole could be just the webcam your older MacBook needs [Review] ★★★★☆

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Opal Tadpole Mac webcam review★★★★☆
Get big video from the tiny Opal Tadpole webcam.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Opal Tadpole acts as a replacement for the webcam in your laptop or tablet. Clip the well-built gadget to an older MacBook and you’ll look better on video calls.

I tested one with multiple computers to see how Tadpole stands up in real world use — and whether it might make a good gift this holiday season.

Soundcore Space One Pro headphones score with cush comfort, epic battery life [Review] ★★★★

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Soundcore Space One Pro headphones review★★★★
Despite all the plastic, Soundcore Space One Pro cans look pretty nice. And the comfort level is off the charts.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The new Soundcore Space One Pro wireless noise-canceling headphones generated some buzz in the audio community, promising top-notch sound quality and advanced features for a typically reasonable price from Anker’s audio brand. Keen to see if they’d live up to expectations, I tried them out. And I found that they’re great at the list price of $200. But when the price dips — and it usually does — they’ll become an absolutely fantastic value. Read my Soundcore Space One Pro headphones review below for more information.

First iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 patches fix serious bugs

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iOS 18.0.1 removes a headline-making bug
iOS 18.0.1 removes a bug that irritated many iPhone 16 users.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Apple released iOS 18.0.1 on Thursday to fix an annoying bug that made the touchscreen unresponsive on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. The new iPadOS 18.0.1 corrects several problems, too, including one that bricked some M4 iPad Pro units when installing the original iPadOS 18 version.

In addition, macOS Sequoia 15.0.1 and visionOS 2.0.1 also arrived Thursday with minor bug fixes.

Easily track PlugBug wall charger with built-in Find My support [Review] ★★★★

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Twelve South PlugBug 50 Review★★★★
You'll always be able to find the Twelve South PlugBug 50.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Twelve South PlugBug is the first power supply to support Apple’s Find My technology. That means the USB-C wall charger can be located with an iPhone app, and it warns its owner if it’s being left behind in a coffee shop or hotel room.

One version includes a pair of ports and puts out 50W. A second has four USB-C ports and 120W.

I put PlugBug through real-world testing, and came out loving it.

How to use and customize the iPhone’s Action button

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It’s Time To Take Action
It’s not just ring/mute — it can do whatever you want.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The iPhone’s Action button replaces the former ring/mute switch, and while it can fulfill the same purpose, there’s much more you can do with it. Apple gives you a bunch of options out of the box if you want instant access to your flashlight, camera, Shazam and more.

You pick the function, and it’s just a button push away. You can even turbo-charge the Action button by running a shortcut.

Setting up the Action button to do your bidding is easy. And once you do, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy quick access to your favorite feature.

Mujjo’s fine leather case dresses up and protects iPhone 16 Pro [Review] ★★★★

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Mujjo leather iPhone 16 Pro case review★★★★
Although daylight brightens them up considerably, the colors shown here are livid green (left), green smoke and dark tan.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

If you got a new iPhone 16 series smartphone, you probably want to protect it with a new case. And if you’re into classic materials, you can’t go wrong with a Mujjo Full Leather Case for iPhone, one of  best-looking and best-made leather cases out there. For this Mujjo leather iPhone case review, I tried it out on my new iPhone 16 Pro in three different colors.

How to transfer every picture from your iPhone to an external drive

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How to transfer pictures from your iPhone directly to an external drive
Here's how to move images from your iPhone directly to an external drive.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Most of us store thousands of pictures and videos on our iPhones. If you want to create a bulletproof backup, you need to know how to transfer photos from iPhone to an external hard drive, SSD or flash drive. It’s easy, assuming you have the right software and (and possibly an adapter). 

What Macs and iPads to expect at Apple’s rumored October event

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Apple October Event rumors 2024
This year’s Halloween treats might include new Macs and iPads.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Mac and iPad users have a lot to look forward to in October: rumors say an Apple event should bring new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models with the M4 chip, with a new iPad mini and budget iPad also on the agenda.

Here’s what to look forward to at an October Apple event, plus the products that’ll likely come even later.

How to use the iPhone 16 Camera Control

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Image of an iPhone 16 with the words
The Camera Control packs in a lot of features, and they’re a little fiddly.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 lineup opens the Camera app, takes pictures and adjusts camera settings on the fly. It offers a quick shortcut to using one of the most popular and important iPhone features.

Apple baked a lot of controls and interactivity into this innovative button. But while Cupertino’s designers are usually restrained, some people find this new user interface a little fiddly. The physically clicking button also accepts touch input when you swipe your finger along it. And it utilizes pressure sensitivity and haptic feedback as you maneuver through the iPhone’s camera settings.

Learn how to master the iPhone 16’s new Camera Control button in our guide below.

iPhone 16 MagSafe Charger falls short of Apple’s performance claim [Review] ★★★

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Apple MagSafe Charger (2024) for iPhone 16 review★★★
Apple’s new MagSafe charger isn’t as fast as a cable, even when used with an iPhone 16.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s newest MagSafe Charger offers faster wireless charging than its predecessor when used with an iPhone 16. However, it does not live up to Apple’s claim of powering up the newest iOS handsets as quickly as a USB-C cable.

I tested the new power puck with an iPhone 16 to see how fast it can charge, and how warm it makes the handset. Here’s what I found out.

AirPods 4 deliver better sound and ‘ANC Lite’ [Review] ★★★★☆

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Apple AirPods 4★★★★☆
Apple AirPods 4 bring in an array of features previously considered premium.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

AirPods 4 bring professional-grade features to Apple’s non-Pro earbuds. Fairly good active noise cancellation sits at the top of the list of additions, which is a surprise because the earbuds lack foam ear tips.

Apple did tweak the design to make them more comfortable and secure. And the company improved the audio quality, too. Especially the bass. How does all this play out in real-world testing? Read our hands-on AirPods 4 review to find out.

Best cases you can buy right now for iPhone 16 handsets [Updated]

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best iPhone 16 cases
Ordering an iPhone 16? Be ready to protect it with a great case.
Photo: Cult of Mac

If you snatched up an iPhone 16 or 16 Pro — congrats! Now it’s time to consider how you’ll protect it. New iPhones aren’t fragile, and plenty of people go caseless to show off their handset’s sleek lines and cool color. But imagine how bummed you’ll be if you drop it and break it. Fortunately, there are already plenty of protective new cases to choose from.

After all, case-makers anticipate the new iPhone every year, and they bring the variety. You could go minimal with a thin case that works well with iPhone 16’s sleek design. You might seek extreme impact resistance for the most damaging drops. Or maybe you’d pick a luxurious leather that only looks better with age.

We rounded up the best options you can buy right now — in addition to cases by Apple and its subsidiary Beats — with prices starting at less than $20, below.

Try the 5 best new Messages features in iOS 18

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New Messages Features
These are the hottest features coming in Messages.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

In iOS 18, Apple’s Messages app gains five great new features that will make texting all the more fun. New message effects let you bold and animate text. If you’re the forgetful type, you can schedule your messages to send later — automatically. You can reply to a message using any emoji you like. Finally, texting will get easier with your friends on Android — and in the middle of the Gobi desert.

Watch our video or keep reading to see the best new Messages features after you upgrade to iOS 18. (You can find the new iPhone operating in Settings > General > Software Update.)

iPhone 16 Pro: Not much new, but everything is better [Review] ★★★★☆

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Desert and Black Titanium iPhone 16 Pro standing up, with a dark background★★★★☆
Desert Titanium and Black Titanium.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 16 Pro is a much-refined iPhone. All the features that make the it pro have been improved. The cameras are better, faster and higher-resolution. The screens are bigger, the bezels smaller, the chips faster. Even Siri works better!

But the bright colors of the iPhone 16 are swaying a lot of people back to the entry-level models, and I don’t blame them. The iPhone 16 Pro is for those who want the top 10%, the uncompromising best-of-the-best — if you can live with a gray phone.

This year, the best gets a little better all around. Keep reading or watch the video.

Why you should choose iPhone 16 or 16 Plus over iPhone 16 Pro [Review] ★★★★★

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iPhone 16 Plus Review★★★★★
iPhone 16 Plus might be a better choice for you than the Pro Max.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

I’d like to save you between $200 and $400. It’s easy: Don’t assume you must buy an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max to get an excellent handset. The more-affordable iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are both brilliant.

Traditionally, customers choose the basic iPhone because they’re willing to forgo cutting-edge features to get a cheaper device. But the gap between iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus versus the Pro versions proves quite narrow. My time reviewing Apple’s latest iPhones shows that if you go with a “regular” iPhone this year, you will give up less than you think in exchange for significant savings.

Apple Watch 10: The best gets gloriously better [Review] ★★★★★

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Apple Watch 10 review★★★★★
Apple Watch 10 is quite the looker (seen here with Sport Loop).
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

I find going to the mall for an Apple Store sales event exciting yet brutally soul-sapping, even when a preorder makes pick-up relatively easy. But it’s well worth it when it results in the excellent new Apple Watch Series 10 on my wrist. I actually couldn’t wait to write this Apple Watch Series 10 review.

Larger, thinner, lighter and more lushly curvaceous than predecessors, the 10th anniversary Apple Watch is, technically, a redesign. But it feels like a bunch of iterative improvements more than a huge overhaul. And yet those small changes simply add up to great — with only a couple of small caveats.

Some users really hate iOS 18’s revamped Photos app

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Photo of an angry man to illustrate the backlash to the iOS 18 Photos app redesign.
The Photos app's big redesign in iOS 18 really enraged some people.
Photo: Sander Sammy/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

When Apple pushed out iOS 18, it trumpeted big changes to the Photos app (though it already rolled some back after negative feedback). Now, with the app’s public release, many users’ initial excitement has turned to disappointment and even anger on social media. The iOS 18 Photos app backlash is real — some people really hate it.

And amid that angst — and for that audience — developer LateNiteSoft put out the new Photon Library app designed along the lines of Apple’s old Photos app.

“We’re bringing back tabs, basic photo grids, a list of albums you can simply scroll through, and we even added some quick access to your Favorites!” Noël Rosenthal, a product manager atLateNightSoft, told Cult of Mac.

Ugreen Uno 2-in-1 wireless bot charger smiles for a reason [Review] ★★★★☆

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Ugreen Uno 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Station★★★★☆
The little bot charger gives you a digital smile to indicate charging status. Here, eyes-only means it's plugged in, on standby.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

In the ever-expanding world of wireless chargers, I’ve come across a fun new entry worth talking about — the Ugreen Uno 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Station. The nifty device, designed to make charging our Apple gadgets a breeze, offering an option for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods users tired of dealing with multiple chargers. Oh, and it’s kind of like a cheerful little robot, too. Its screen offers a digital smile indicating charging status.

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review roundup: A bit bigger, a bit better

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iPhone 16 Pro colors
From left, black, natural, white and the all-new desert titanium are your iPhone 16 Pro model color choices.
Photo: Apple

With iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max on order for pickup or delivery starting Friday, early reviews of the premium handsets are rolling in. Our iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review roundup finds a lot to like in the biggest upgrades — mainly increased screen size and the cameras’ beefed up functionality.

But with Apple Intelligence still to come to test the awesome new A18 Pro chip, upgrades seem largely iterative, leaving much of the attention focused on the big jumps iPhone 16 and Plus took this year.

iPhone 16 and 16 Plus review roundup: Updates worthy of an upgrade

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iPhone 16 review roundup
Early reviews say iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are worthy upgrades from older models.
Photo: Apple

Early reviews for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus say the base handsets close the gap between them and the Pro models. With the new Action and Camera Control buttons, the powerful new A18 chip, camera improvements and the promise of upcoming Apple Intelligence functionality, users with older models have plenty of reason to upgrade from older models (especially iPhone Series 14 and older). Read our iPhone 16 review roundup to find out more.

Elevate your setup with a Casa Hub Stand Ultra with USB-C, HDMI and more

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Product photo of the Casa Hub Stand Ultra laptop and tablet stand with USB-C hub.
Make your work more comfortable with the Casa Hub Stand Ultra for laptops or iPads.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Say goodbye to awkward angles and neck strain with the Casa Hub Stand Ultra. This laptop stand with a built-in USB-C hub and magnetic iPhone dock is your ultimate ergonomic upgrade. Whether you’re working from home or enjoying some Netflix on your laptop, this stand offers the perfect height adjustment to keep you comfortable and/or productive for hours.

It works with laptops and iPads. And right now, you can get the Casa Hub Stand Ultra for just $139.99 (regularly $159).

Hall effect magnetic keyboards: The next big thing for Mac gamers?

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NuPhy Field75 HE Keyboard
The NuPhy Field75 HE Keyboard packs Hall effect magnetic switches under those key caps.
Photo: NuPhy

As a Mac user, you’re no stranger to cutting-edge technology, like the hottest new mechanical keyboards. But have you heard about Hall effect keyboards, which are gaining popularity, especially among gamers? Let’s dive into why people turn to these specialized magnetic mechanical keyboards and what they could mean for your Mac gaming setup. They’re not actually new, but more of them have hit the market lately. And a lot of people think they offer big advantages.

Apple Watch 10 review roundup: More refined than revamped

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Apple Watch 10 review roundup
That glossy Jet Black color is new to the Apple Watch 10 aluminum cases this year.
Photo: Apple

As Apple Watch celebrates its 10th anniversary, Series 10 has arrived with a suite of refinements rather than revolutionary changes, our Apple Watch 10 review roundup found. And that’s despite the fact that a redesign took place to make the wearable larger yet slimmer. Let’s dive into what reviewers say this latest iteration brings to the table, including a larger display, faster charging and sleep apnea detection.