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Here's your October surprise!

Here's your October surprise!

Just dropped: Apple refreshes iPad mini

Leander Kahney
October 15, 2024

In partnership with

Apple just refreshed the iPad mini with new internal hardware capable of running Apple Intelligence.

Boasting the A17 Pro chip and double the RAM, Apple’s smallest iPad now has the oomph to process Apple’s suite of AI-powered tools, which are rumored to start rolling out at the end of this month.

Interestingly, the A17 Pro is not Apple’s latest and greatest chip, the A18, which powers the latest iPhones. The A17 Pro is made using an old chip fabrication process. It appears Apple is squeezing out the maximum return from its chip-making investment.

In practice, the older chip isn’t likely to make that much difference, except it’ll be obsolete just a bit sooner than the A18.

But that’s beside the point for most people. The iPad mini is nice and portable, and the portability is the point.

This new model looks great, with a bunch of enhancements where it counts. It also supports the new Apple Pencil Pro, so Apple’s getting closer to simplifying that mess.

But one thing that didn’t change — the wallpapers. Apple’s still shipping the same old wallpapers (just like the leaked M4 MacBook Pros, a detail that threw the leak into some doubt, but now appears to be legit).

Check out the new iPad mini here.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Talking of Apple Pencil, Amazon has the new Pro model on sale for a hefty 30% off, plus it’s discounting a bunch of iPad models also.
Apple’s getting ever closer to replacing your car keys: it’s reportedly adding support for Volvo, Polestar and Audi.
Here’s how to use the new writing tools in Apple Intelligence.
Puzzled by the laundry symbols on your clothing or your car dashboard? Your iPhone camera is here to help.
At just $16, you can’t lose with this keychain charger that’ll juice your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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New iPad mini 7 gains the brains for Apple Intelligence

Get all the details on the just-announced iPad mini 7. Explore its new AI-features, upgraded storage capacity and more.

iPhone's car key could soon work with Audi and Volvo vehicles

Select Audi, Volvo, and Polestar vehicles could soon gain support for iPhone's car key for remote or passive unlock and start.

Apple nearly toppled Samsung as world's largest smartphone vendor

Apple came close to surpassing Samsung as the world's largest smartphone vendor in Q3 2023, thanks to strong iPhone 15 sales.

^{A message from Cult of Mac Deals team}

Grab big savings on iPads and Apple Pencils

Amazon deals on iPads right now can get you up to $200 off certain models. Go for M4 iPad Pro, M2 iPad Air and more.

Massive iPad stylus sale drops Apple Pencil Pro to its lowest price ever

There’s no reason to pay full price for an iPad stylus. Not when a sweet deal brings big savings on Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (USB-C).

Slow Horses off and running for unprecedented sixth season on Apple TV+

With the spy thriller's fourth season only just concluded, Apple TV+ green lights "Slow Horses" season 6. It knows a winner when it sees one.

^{A message from Cult of Mac Deals team}

This $16 keychain charger keeps your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods juiced anywhere

Keep your beloved iPhone and Apple Watch juiced up anywhere with this 2-in-1 wireless keychain charger, on sale now for just $15.19.

Apple TV+ share of streaming slips slightly

Apple TV+ viewership in Q3 2024 declined slightly, but is still well ahead of where it sat three years ago.

Look up laundry tag and car dashboard symbols with your iPhone camera

You can figure out the meanings of those tiny, cryptic laundry symbols and car dashboard icons with your iPhone camera. Just snap a photo.

How to use Apple Intelligence writing tools

One of the top Apple Intelligence features is a new set of system-wide writing tools. You can invoke these anytime, anywhere to rewrite text.

Today in Apple history: CEO John Sculley bids Apple a $10 million farewell

On October 15, 1993, John Sculley stepped down as Apple chairman. He ran Apple well for 10 years, but he also forced out Steve Jobs.

Tweets of the day

Apple re-used the same wallpaper from the iPad mini (6th generation) for the new iPad mini (A17 Pro).
This gives more credibility to the M4 MacBook Pro leaks that had the same macOS wallpaper
— Aaron (@aaronp613)
1:19 PM • Oct 15, 2024

You can now order Chick-Fil-A from your car using CarPlay 🤯
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub)
4:11 PM • Oct 15, 2024

Wallpaper of the day

📂New wallpaper 🌩️
— @Mosaico 𝕏 (@XMossaico)
10:03 AM • Oct 13, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

I hate the way people use slide presentations instead of thinking. People confront problems by creating presentations. I want them to engage, to hash things out at the table, rather than show a bunch of slides. People who know what they're talking about don't need PowerPoint.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

How do you like the iPad mini?

Results from yesterday’s poll: What do you think of Apple's current notebook industrial design?

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