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Apple generates a lot of news, and it can be hard to keep up. If your mind was on other things this week, our Saturday-morning roundup of Apple-related headlines will bring you up to date.
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Ups and downs of the iOS 15 update
The big news of the week - at least for iPhone owners - happened on Monday, in the form of iOS 15's public release. We've been pretty excited about this specific update since it was first demoed in June, and iOS updates in general are underrated events. They give you a bunch of new features, security patches and interface tweaks for free, like somebody just handing you a new iPhone. Yes please!
At least, that's the idea. In fact, if you haven't installed iOS 15 yet you might want to hold off doing so, as early updaters have been complaining about a number of annoying iOS 15 bugs, running the gamut from reduced battery life to incorrect 'storage almost full' alerts. In general, keeping iOS up to date is a sensible strategy, but for major updates it's wise to wait at least a few days for precisely this reason, as David Price explains in this week's Different Think column.
We run through all the problems with the latest iOS version in a separate article. Apple has already released betas of iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1, so the company is hopefully addressing some of the issues already.
And there are other potential downsides to consider too. You may be feeling particularly concerned, for example, if your handset is a few generations old. Will iOS 15 slow down your iPhone? We've run exhaustive tests. Older devices may also miss out on some of the new stuff; for advice, read Does your iPhone get all the iOS 15 features?
Finally, it's worth bearing in mind that change is not always comfortable: those who are used to the way iOS 14 works may have difficulty adapting to iOS 15's eccentricities. You aren't alone, for example, if you're wondering where Safari's address bar has gone - luckily we've got a tutorial explaining how to move the address bar back to the top - and it may take some time before you're used to the fact you can now go on FaceTime and blur your background.
Deciding whether to update to iOS 15, then, is a more difficult decision than you might think. Just spare a thought for those poor tech journalists who have no choice. Truly, we are the most wretched of all.
News in brief
Never again call the EU a slow-moving bureaucratic gravy train. This week, after years of hinting that it would outlaw Apple's Lightning chargers because they contribute to e-waste, it leapt into action and finally presented a bill calling for the unification of charging cables. If the legislation passes into law Apple will probably get two years to switch from Lightning to USB-C - or to iPhones that are completely portless.
Tim Cook has been grilled by Apple employees over pay inequality, harassment complaints and the company's political influence. But the affable CEO proved disappointingly reluctant to engage with the more challenging questions, and one leader of the #AppleToo activist group said they did not feel heard.
Cook also made the news this week when he raged against leaks in an internal memo. Hilariously, this internal memo was itself leaked.
Apple has banned Fortnite indefinitely.
Simon Lohmann explores a fascinating conspiracy theory about why the Apple Watch Series 7 didn't match the leaks. Jon Prosser - one of several leakers to get this one badly wrong - theorises that something went "catastrophically wrong" during mass production, leading to a last-minute change of direction.
A leaked series of videos expose Apple's strategy for persuading customers to get authorised product repairs, instead of saving money by going elsewhere. Employees are instructed to sow doubt concerning the reliability of parts used by other repair firms.
The new A15 processor is plenty fast, but its true power is versatility, writes Jason Snell.
Perhaps in tune with the ups and downs we discuss above, iPhone users haven't exactly been falling over themselves to install iOS 15. An analyst firm says just 8.6% of iPhone owners had updated 48 hours after the roll-out, compared with a figure of 14.7% for iOS 14 last year.
Dan Moren explains why the old products that Apple keeps around are crucial to its success.
Do iPhone 12 cases fit the iPhone 13? Halyna Kubiv offers a warning.
Video of the week
Bootcut jeans, butterfly clips and... flip phones? Y2K trends are back, and that even includes nostalgia for the Motorola Razr.
Of course in 2021, old technology has received a big makeover. Microsoft's recently announced Surface Duo 2 is the latest folding smartphone; it joins a handful of other foldable from the likes of Samsung, Huawei and, yes, even Motorola. They may be cool and gimmicky, but are they here to stay?
Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis join Juliet Beauchamp to discuss how folding phones like the Surface Duo 2 might shape the future of mobile. For more on Apple's plans in this direction, read our guide to the latest foldable iPhone rumours.
New products
Those new products that Apple launched on 14 September - what a glorious, action-packed night that was - are starting to ship now, which means we are finding out a lot more about them.
For example, it turns out that as great as the new iPhones' macro mode sounds, it might cause some problems if you're particularly attached to the way you've framed the shot.
We've also started to publish detailed reviews of the new products. You might like to read the following:
If you've seen the new Apple Watch straps, meanwhile, you may be wondering if they will fit your current watch. In which case, read: Do the new Apple Watch straps fit old models?
Software, bugs & problems
We've written before about reports of inexplicable screen damage on M1 MacBooks - reports to which Apple responded with the not entirely convincing advice that users stop putting foreign objects between the keyboard and display. Matters have now stepped up a level, with the news that two groups filed lawsuits against Apple on the same day.
iOS 15 got most of the headlines this week, but Apple quietly updated one of its less well-known operating systems at the same time. We round up all the new features in HomePod OS 15. The HomePod didn't get support for Lossless Audio in that update, but we've got good news there too - it does (for now) in the first beta of HomePod OS 15.1.
Speaking of obscure operating systems, remember iOS 12? Apple's updated the years-old iPhone operating system to protect older iPhones from a serious security flaw that made devices vulnerable to the Pegasus spyware. This is a key update for anyone on iPhone 6 and older.
Want to run Windows on an M1 Mac? VMware has finally released an update that should mean Fusion can run on M1 Macs, but there's a catch.
The rumour mill
2021 isn't over yet, but the knowledgeable Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has pretty much written off the rest of the year. Apple will, he predicts, offer a "stronger showing" in 2022, after incremental launches this year.
One product that could launch in 2022 is Apple's much-anticipated AR headset. The latest report, based on sources in the supply chain, says production will begin in the second quarter of 2022, with the completed device going on sale in autumn of that year.
The next big thing comes to those who wait, writes the Macalope. Whether it flips, folds or rolls, Apple isn't going to rush its next innovation.
Apple deals of the week
I've embedded a list of the best current Apple deals below, but other than that, we're done for this week. See you next Saturday, enjoy your weekend, and stay Appley!
1. Apple iPhone 13 with free AirPods
From: Virgin
Now: From £34 per month
View Deal
Grab the brand new iPhone 13 and bag a free pair of Apple AirPods while you're at it! We're separately looking at where to buy the iPhone 13 and the best pre-order offers.
2. Apple iPhone 13
From: KRCS
Was: £779
Now: £771.21 (£7.79 off)
View Deal
The brand new iPhone 13 already has near £8 off. Here are all the places to buy the iPhone 13 right now.
3. Apple 10.2in iPad (9th gen, 2021) - 64GB
From: KRCS
Was: £319
Now: £312.62 (£6.38 off)
View Deal
It's not a big discount, but considering the 9th gen iPad only released this month, it's a welcome discount from KRCS.
4. Apple iPad mini (2021, 6th gen) - 64GB
From: KRCS
Was: £479
Now: £469.42 (£9.58 off)
View Deal
KRCS already has nearly £10 off the iPad mini 6. You'll find a similar price from Laptops Direct as well.
5. Apple iPad Pro 10.5in (256GB, Wi-Fi only)
From: Apple Refurbished Store
Was: £679
Now: £489 (£190 off)
View Deal
The 10.5in iPad Pro with 256GB storage has £190 off from the Apple Refurbished Store, which means its exactly like buying new. If you prefer greater storage, there's also £230 off the Wi-Fi + Cellular model with 512GB.
6. Apple iPhone 13, 13 Pro/Pro Max & 13 mini
From: Macworld UK
Now: Where to Buy & Best Deals
View Deal
The latest iPhone is now available to buy as of 24 September. Here are all the places you can buy one today and at the best price.
7. Apple iPad 10.2 (9th gen): Out Now!
From: Macworld UK
Now: Where to Buy & Best Prices
View Deal
The 10.2in Apple iPad just got upgraded with a new A13 Bionic chip and double the storage. Here's where you can buy one.
8. Apple iPad mini (6th generation):Out Now!
From: Macworld UK
Now: Where to Buy & Best Prices
View Deal
The iPad mini just had a mighty upgrade with a larger display, 5G connectivity, and a robust A15 Bionic chip. And you can buy one today.
9. Apple Watch Series 7: Where to Pre-Order
From: Macworld UK
Now: Tracking the best pre-order deals
View Deal
The Apple Watch Series 7 offers a larger, brighter display, slimmer bezels and more, and it's out soon.
10. Apple iPad (2021, 9th gen)
From: KRCS
Was: £319
Now: £312.62 (£6.38 off)
View Deal
KRCS already has money off the brand new iPad! You can save nearly £12 on the top spec version with cellular.
11. Apple iPad 10.2in (2020, 32GB)
From: AO
Was: £329
Now: £299 (£30 off)
View Deal
Last year's iPad (8th gen) now has an incredible £30 off from AO and Very.
12. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (256GB)
From: Amazon
Was: £1,199
Now: £999 (£200 off)
View Deal
This is the biggest discount we've ever seen on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. You can thank the launch of the iPhone 13 range for that.
13. Apple iPhone 11 Pro (64GB)
From: Amazon
Was: £999
Now: £899 (£100 off)
View Deal
Now that the iPhone 13 has launched, you can save £100 on the 64GB iPhone 11 Pro.
14. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 256GB (2020)
From: Apple Refurbished Store
Was: £1,299
Now: £1,099 (£200 off)
View Deal
Save £200 on a refurbished M1 MacBook Pro with 256GB storage. As an Apple Certified Refurbished MacBook you can be certain that it will indistinguishable from new! See our full guide on where to buy a refurbished MacBook or Mac.
15. Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm, Cellular)
From: Amazon
Was: £509
Now: £409 (£100 off)
View Deal
Save £100 on the 44mm Watch 6 with cellular connectivity!
16. Apple iPhone 12 mini (64GB)
From: Amazon
Was: £699
Now: £579 (£130 off)
View Deal
Amazon and Laptops Direct both have £130 off 64GB iPhone 12 mini.
17. Apple AirPods Max
From: Laptops Direct
Was: £549
Now: £449 (£100 off)
View Deal
This £100 saving on the AirPods Max is the biggest we've seen to date.
18. Apple Apple TV 4K 2021
From: Currys/PC World
Was: £169
Now: £159 (£10 off)
View Deal
Right now Currys/PCWorld, AO.com and John Lewis have £10 off the 32GB 4K Apple TV (2021). You can also get £10 off the 64GB model at Currys/PCWorld, KRCS and John Lewis.
19. Apple iPad Pro (2021, M1, 11in)
From: Amazon
Was: £749
Now: £718.98 (£30 off)
View Deal
A handy saving on Apple's exceptionally powerful M1-equipped iPad Pro for 2021. If this drops out of stock at Amazon, or you want the Space Grey finish, you can get £15 off from KRCS.
20. Apple iPhone 11 (64GB) - Refurbished
From: 4Gadgets
Was: £599
Now: £399.99 (£199 off)
View Deal
Save nearly £200 on the iPhone 11 from 4Gadgets. This handset is marked in "Excellent" condition.
