This week: all the best new and hidden features in iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, and macOS Ventura. Plus: Apple releases yet another great update for the original HomePod, and BestBuy beats Apple in providing a way to pay for your new Mac monthly and trade it in when new models come out.

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Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

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CultCloth will keep your Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

Apples hikes prices of Apple TV+, Apple Music and Apple One

• Apple plans to raise the prices of some of its subscription services by $1 to $3 each, reports indicated Monday. The services include Apple TV+, Apple Music and the Apple One subscription bundle.

4 great iPadOS 16.1 features that aren’t Stage Manager

• Apple finally released iPadOS 16.1. The debut of the Stage Manager multitasking system has drawn most of the attention, but plenty of other new features are worth checking out, too.
• Monday’s launch is extra-significant because iPadOS 16 never launched. Version 16.1 is the first replacement for last year’s iPadOS 15.x.

5 iOS 16.1 features to try right away

How to share an iCloud Photo Library

iOS 16.1 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.1

Apple Releases New HomePod 16.1 Software With Matter Support

• According to Apple's release notes, HomePod software version 16.1 includes support for the Matter smart home standard.

Best Buy's 'Upgrade+' Program Lets Customers Get a New Mac Laptop Every Three Years With Monthly Financing

• Best Buy today announced a new financing and upgrade program called "Upgrade+." The program involves a combination of interest-free financing through Citizens Pay and an option to upgrade to a new Mac laptop after three years.

This week: new iPad Pros, new iPads, new Apple TVs, and a brand new DONGLE! We're talking ALL the hardware Apple just announced.

This episode supported by

Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

2022 iPad Pro gets speed boost from M2 chip but no new ports

• Apple unveiled new iPad Pro models with the M2 processor, which brings a 15% speed boost to the tablets. But Tuesday’s announcement was a disappointment for those hoping for wireless charging or more ports.

New entry-level iPad 10 looks more Pro than ever

• Apple gave the 2022 version of the basic iPad a larger screen, USB-C, a faster processor and other enhancements. And the Home button is gone. But along with the new features comes a huge 36% price increase.

Enter to win a rugged Apple Watch accessory bundle [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you want a tactical-looking Apple Watch band that doesn’t skimp on comfort, the Mifa Nylon Sports Leather Band is for you. In this week’s giveaway, you can win one — along with an Elkson Quattro Bumper Case that will protect your Apple Watch from whatever mayhem you might get into.

New $249 Magic Keyboard Folio goes with iPad 10

• While the iPad 10 costs much more than previous versions, starting at $449 instead of $329, if you want the detachable keyboard and stand Apple now makes for it, you have to add another $249.

Absurd Apple Pencil dongle sends fans into spiral of grief

• The decision to make the all-new iPad compatible with the original Apple Pencil looks likely to go down as one of Apple’s most ridiculous design decisions.

Logitech Crayon offers kid-friendly USB-C active stylus for iPad 10

• The latest version of the Logitech Crayon iPad stylus charges via USB-C, just like the new iPad 10. That makes it a simpler option than the Apple Pencil 1 that still uses Lightning.
• And the stylus is designed with children in mind.

New Apple TV 4K is faster and cheaper

• Apple has unveiled the 2022 Apple TV 4K with significantly faster internals and a lower price. It features the same A15 Bionic chip found inside the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series.

macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 are coming on October 24

• After months of beta testing, Apple is finally ready to release iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura to the public. Both OSes will release on October 24.

This week: some super useful new features are FINALLY coming to Apple Music and iCloud; our first impressions of Meta's $1500 "Pro" VR headset; the problem with Apple's "Find My"; and AI creates a creepy podcast episode with Steve Jobs and Joe Rogan.

This episode supported by

Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

Roller coasters set off iPhone 14 Crash Detection

• People are reportedly getting off roller coasters and discovering that their new iPhone 14 called 911 for them. Turns out the handsets mistook thrilling rides for a car wreck and thought their users needed emergency help. It’s an unintended result of Crash Detection, a feature added to Apple’s latest handsets.

Joe Rogan interviews Steve Jobs in eerie, AI-generated podcast - Lewis

• If you want to hear Steve Jobs talk about the meaning of life, we've got a podcast for you. It's an artificial intelligence-generated conversation between the late Apple co-founder and podcasting superstar Joe Rogan.

Meta Quest Pro: A $1,500 Virtual-Reality Headset for Working in the Metaverse - Wall Street Journal (Joanna Stern)

• Welcome to Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of the future of work, where we all convene in the metaverse to collaborate and be productive. Oh yes, to achieve this, we all have to have the company’s new $1,500 face computer.

Apple iCloud photo libraries will soon be viewable in Windows

• It should soon be much easier to access your iPhone's photo collection on a Windows-based PC.

Apple Music finally launches on Xbox

• Apple Music is now available on the Microsoft Store for the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One, providing subscribers with access to the streaming music service, complete with large album art, full-screen time-synced lyrics, and more. As noted by users on Reddit, music can be played in the background while gaming.

No, Lufthansa isn’t banning AirTags from checked bags

• German airline Lufthansa is not banning Apple’s AirTags and similar tracking tags from checked luggage, the company said Wednesday.

This week: lawmakers in the EU are forcing iPhone and other devices to go USB-C, remembering Steve Jobs on the 11th anniversary of his passing, and things you didn't know you could do with dynamic island!

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Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs dies at 56

• October 5, 2011 Apple co-founder Steve Jobs dies at the age of 56 in his home in Palo Alto, California.

EU passes law forcing Apple to switch to USB-C by 2024

• The European Parliament voted in an overwhelming majority Tuesday to enforce USB-C as the standard charging port across a wide range of consumer electronics. The law will come into effect by the end of 2024.

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