A better way to track packages

I realized the other day that apart from grocery stores, I don’t visit physical shops at all these days, and haven’t for years.

I buy just about everything on Amazon, from TP to USB-C cables.

I used to haunt record shops — spending hours scouring the racks for valuable vinyl.

Same goes for bookstores. And I’ve spent a small fortune in local bike shops.

Now, I’d rather go to the dentist than the mall or San Francisco’s Union Square shopping district.

Because I shop almost exclusively on Amazon (and eBay for pricey bike parts), I use the Amazon app to track packages.

But there’s a better way: You can use your iPhone’s Wallet app for package tracking, and there are some very good reasons to do so.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Apple’s made big strides in making its products more repairable and easier to service. The latest M5 iPad Pro is perhaps the most repairable iPad yet, but whether you should perform a DIY battery swap yourself is a different matter.
President Donald Trump negotiated a new trade deal that slashes the tariffs Apple was absorbing on products manufactured in China.
Coincidentally, today’s the day in Apple history that the iPhone went on sale in China for the first time. That opened up a gigantic market that helped account for much of Apple’s enormous growth this past decade.
We tested and reviewed a slim new wall charger from Satechi that “makes anything from Apple seem bulky, slow and limited.”
Have you tried Apple’s self-service repair program? Take today’s poll below.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Track your online orders the easy way -- in your iPhone's Wallet app

You can use the built-in iPhone Wallet app for some basic order tracking with classic Apple ease of use. No fiddling with tracking numbers.

Yes, you can repair an M5 iPad Pro — but you probably shouldn’t

Watch an M5 iPad Pro teardown to see how challenging the tablet is to work on, but why it also earned a higher iFixit reparability score.

Trump cuts China tariff that costs Apple billions

Apple's iPhone tariff is slashed by 50%, potentially saving the company tons of money. And that’s not the only good news from a Trump/Xi meeting.

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

10 best Halloween deals on Apple gear and accessories

Halloween deals on Apple gear and accessories — from MacBooks to headphones — are scary good right now.

Apple eases App Store review rules for developers

Developers now get more flexibility with the App Store review process, as they can upload new materials while an app is under review.

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

Crazy price drop: Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for just $9.97

Why pay list price for Microsoft software? This Windows 11 sale allows you to upgrade your PC to Windows 11 Pro for less than $10.

Slim wall charger blows away anything from Apple [Review]

Our hands-on review of the Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger shows it makes anything from Apple seem bulky, slow and limited.

Today in Apple history: iPhone goes on sale in China for first time

On October 30, 2009, the iPhone finally launched in China, giving Apple access to the world's largest market for the first time.

Cult of Mac’s buyback program

We pay top dollar for used Apple gear

Sell your old iPhone, iPad, MacBook and more through Cult of Mac. Free shipping, fast payment!

Tweets of the day

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Wallpaper of the day

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One more thing ...

❝

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

— Steve Jobs, 2005.

Today’s poll

Have you tried Apple’s self-service repair program?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Have you had problems with AirPods Pro ANC?

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