I, for one, am very glad that Apple is shelving its controversial CSAM scanning plan, at least temporarily.

The whole idea of my iPhone spying on me (even if the cause is noble) is antithetical to Apple's strong privacy stance.

The proposed CSAM scanning actually gave me pause about continuing to use an iPhone. I began to wonder if it might be possible to not update iOS (only installing critical security updates) and remain on iOS 15 (or whatever version precedes the introduction of CSAM scanning) forever.

I know this is not a good plan, but that's where my head was at, so I'm glad I might not have to make that decision for a while.

And who knows -- perhaps Apple will drop client-side scanning altogether, and find a less-intrusive way to control CSAM on its platform.

-- Leander Kahney, EIC.

Apple delays plan to scan user photos for child abuse material — www.cultofmac.com

The company is holding off on its controversial plan to start scanning user photos for child sexual abuse material, aka CSAM. The feature was originally scheduled to roll out later this year. Apple now says it will take time to “collect input and make improvements” before deploying the changes.

iPhone 13’s secret satellite trick! [CultCast No. 508] — www.cultofmac.com

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: It seems iPhone 13 will come with a secret satellite trick that will give you signal anywhere on Earth! The feature sounds like a lifesaver.

Apple Watch Series 7 will be bigger than you might think — www.cultofmac.com

By now, just about everyone has heard that the displays in upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 models will be a bit larger. But a new report says they’ll actually be even bigger than many probably expect.

Save up to 51% on Apple Watch bands, awesome cases and more for Labor Day — www.cultofmac.com

The Cult of Mac Store just kicked off its sweet Labor Day Sale, offering up to 51% off awesome Apple Watch bands, stylish charging stands and great cases for AirPods, iPhone, iPad and more.

Play pinball with Trolls or Kung Fu Panda in latest Apple Arcade game — www.cultofmac.com

Zen Pinball Party lets you have a go on tables with a Kung Fu Panda theme. Or Trolls. Or How to Train Your Dragon. And these are just a few of the options in one of Apple Arcade's new games this week.

Apple Pay offers $30 off Instacart deliveries for new customers — www.cultofmac.com

Existing customers can save $5 when spending $35 or more, too. The promotion ends September 8.

Is this M1 MacBook Air rig a total mess, or just ‘lived in?’ [Setups] — www.cultofmac.com

Redditor NotDeadYet7917 dragged himself out of bed on Monday and photographed his M1 MacB00k Air computer setup exactly as it appears in real life. It’s not staged like some of these fancy-schmancy setups you see. (We’ve seen plenty.) And you can tell the workstation is keeping it real by how “lived-in” it looks.

Tweet o' the day

One more thing ...

"The reason I went back to Apple is that I feel like the world would be a better place with Apple in it than not. And it's hard to imagine the world without Apple now." -- Steve Jobs