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'Batterygate' payments coming soon

'Batterygate' payments coming soon

Expect a check any day for the faux iPhone "scandal."

Leander Kahney
August 15, 2023

Remember “batterygate,” the bullshit scandal from 2017 whose proponents accused Apple of purposely throttling older iPhones to encourage upgrades?

The furor stemmed from an iOS update that quietly slowed down older iPhones with aging batteries. The intent was to stop the devices from crashing if they drew more power than the battery could handle.

But plenty of people saw ulterior motives, and Apple was sued for $500 million.

The case has been winding its way through the courts, and Apple is now poised to start making payouts to customers who registered for compensation.

Did you sign up before the deadline back in October 2020?

If so, here’s how much you can expect from Tim Cook and Co.

Also in today’s newsletter:

With your newfound windfall, you probably won’t need to take advantage of the Apple Pay Later feature; here’s how to use it anyway.
Today’s the day in Apple history when the first iMac shipped. It became a huge hit, and saved Apple. It was also a completely revolutionary computer.
This super-cool mechanical keyboard has a handy programmable control knob and a built-in LCD screen for showing personalized animations, images and more.
AirTags are great, but at $30 a pop they’re pricey. Luckily, Momax launched AirTag clones that cost a lot less.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Apple should soon begin making iPhone ‘batterygate’ payments to customers

The iPhone-maker settled a class-action lawsuit in 2020, and the money is finally going out.

Why the iMac was so revolutionary

Back in 1997, everyone knew computers were important, but they were too intimidating for non-technical people. Then, 25 years ago today, the iMac changed that forever.

Apple hasn't given up on Face ID for MacBooks

Apple receives a patent that covers building Face ID into a MacBook. But the facial-recognition system is not a feature of any Mac ... yet.

Netflix games on TVs will use iPhones as controllers

Netflix games are finally expanding beyond iPhone and Android. The streaming service has begun testing its games on TVs and computers, too.

^{A message from Momax}

Affordable AirTag alternative lets you locate your stuff using Find My

Just like an AirTag, the inexpensive Momax Tracker Tag uses Apple's Find My network to help you keep track of bags, luggage, pets and more.

This mechanical keyboard comes with a personalized display

A large, multi-use control knob and a customizable LCD screen make the new 75% layout Epomaker TH80-X mechanical keyboard stand out.

Aqara’s first light strip features Adaptive Lighting via HomeKit

The LED Strip T1 works with HomeKit through the Matter smart-home protocol, and you can control lighting in scenes via the Home app.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

This bargain bundle serves up Microsoft Office and Windows 11 for less than $50

Grab the All-in-One Bundle with lifetime access to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro for just $49.97 (regularly $418).

Slender new Spigen hubs greatly expand MacBook connectivity

Connect your laptop to more stuff using Spigen's ArcDock Pro Multi Hub 6-in-1 or ArcDock Multi Hub 8-in-1.

Split up payments with Apple Pay Later

You can split up a big purchase across four smaller payments using Apple Pay Later.

Upgrade your storage with this 10TB cloud plan, less than $100 for life

Use Degoo cloud storage on any device to keep files safe and accessible. Get a Degoo Premium lifetime 10TB backup plan for $99.99.

Zagg's colorful new stylus works with both iPhone and iPad

There are plenty of iPad styli, and also lots of iPhone ones. The just-launched Zagg Pro Stylus 2 is both.

Today in Apple history: Original iMac arrives to save Apple

On August 15, 1998, the colorful iMac G3 went on sale to a rabid audience. The original iMac was the world's first internet-ready computer.

Tweetz o’ the day

Is it mere coincidence or the intuition of Apple's designer?
This composition aligns remarkably well with the classic musical scale of octaves at a 2:1 ratio.
Steal this concept for your next design 😈
— Vincent Le Moign (@webalys)
Aug 15, 2023

testing out new email clients
— Maia Bittner (@maiab)
Aug 14, 2023

Dynamic Island ❤️
— icon (EN/DE) (@iconredesign)
Aug 14, 2023

One more thing ...

❝

In most people's vocabularies, design means veneer. It's interior decorating. It's the fabric of the curtains and the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service. My position coming back to Apple was that our industry was in a coma. It reminded me of Detroit in the ‘70s, when American cars were boats on wheels.

— Steve Jobs, 2000.

Today’s poll

Are you disappointed by the ‘batterygate’ payment?

Results from yesterday’s poll: How much do you love your Apple Watch?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

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