Let’s hope latest iPhone 15 leak is wrong

The latest iPhone 15 leak strongly suggests Apple will replace the traditional mute switch with a solid-state button.

This will help make the upcoming phone more waterproof and dustproof, but may come with a downside — see today’s top post for details.

However, I’m hoping there’s a silver lining. What if the solid-state button is programmable, like the Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra?

Wouldn't that be awesome? I’d love an extra button that could quickly launch the Camera app. Double-tapping the back (using the iPhone’s Back Tap feature) never works.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Apple now owns an astonishing three-quarters of the premium smartphone market.
Steve Jobs has been reincarnated as a chatbot.
The best selfie stick/tripod/shutter remote that money can buy is 20% off until tonight only.
We give OtterBox’s new iPhone case with a popup handle a great four-star review, mostly because it plays well with MagSafe charging.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Let’s hope the latest iPhone 15 leak is wrong

The mute switch in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max supposedly will be replaced with a touch-sensitive button. That could be a problem.

www.cultofmac.com/809779/iphone-15-pro-mute-button-potential-problem

Why iPhone is winning the global smartphone battle

Revenue from iPhone and other premium devices grew until it's more than half of the global total. And Apple dominates the category.

www.cultofmac.com/809900/global-smartphone-iphone-android-revenue-2022

Steve Jobs returns from the grave as a chatty AI

Despite being dead for more than a decade, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is back answering questions as an AI chatbot. Kind of.

www.cultofmac.com/809768/steve-jobs-returns-for-grave-as-a-chatty-ai

^{A message from Holafly}

Keep iPhone connected abroad with Holafly's eSIM unlimited data plans

The future of cellular connectivity is eSIM cards. Save money and avoid hassles with an international unlimited data eSIM plan from Holafly.

www.cultofmac.com/807485/holafly-esim-unlimited-data-plans

Apple could optimize MFi USB-C power bricks to fast-charge iPhone 15

The company is expected to ditch the Lightning connector and transition to USB-C for this year’s iPhone lineup.

www.cultofmac.com/809837/apple-could-optimize-mfi-usb-c-brick-fast-charge-iphone-15

New Jabra Elite noise-canceling earbuds cut the cost

Elite 4 wireless earbuds offer premium features at the modest price of just $99.99.

www.cultofmac.com/809873/new-jabra-elite-noise-cancelling-earbuds-cut-the-cost

Cool 8BitDo game controllers now support Apple devices

A software update makes half a dozen 8BitDo game controllers compatible with iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.

www.cultofmac.com/809819/cool-8bitdo-game-controllers-now-support-apple-devices

Run Windows apps on Mac seamlessly with this easy-to-use software

Tired of the slowness of running Windows emulators on your Mac? Meet the CrossOver Windows compatibility app.

www.cultofmac.com/809612/crossover-windows-compatibility-app

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Store}

Last chance: Want the selfie stick that does it all? It’s on sale right now.

EasySelfie is great for all kinds of photography, including Continuity Camera on your Mac. And it even got a rare 5-star review on Cult of Mac. 😀 If you hurry, you can get it in the Cult of Mac Store for 20% off. However, this sale ends tonight!

New Anker MagGo fast-charges iPhone plus AirPods and Apple Watch

For its second certified MagSafe 3-in-1 charging station, Anker rolls out the triangular Anker 737 MagGo Charger.

www.cultofmac.com/809910/new-anker-maggo-fast-charges-iphone-plus-airpods-and-apple-watch

Start your AirTag collection with this discounted 4-pack

You can grab Apple's four-pack AirTag bundle for $89.99 right now. This brings the price of each tracking tag down to just $22.50.

www.cultofmac.com/809848/start-airtag-collection-discounted-4-pack

OtterBox iPhone case’s pop-up handle plays nice with MagSafe [Review]

The new OtterGrip Symmetry Series case protects your iPhone, plus it lets you get a grip (without messing up MagSafe).

www.cultofmac.com/809473/otterbox-ottergrip-symmetry-series-review-iphone-case-handle-magsafe

How to contact emergency services via satellite with iPhone 14

An iPhone 14 can save your neck by sending out an SOS for help over a satellite connection. Here's how.

www.cultofmac.com/809859/how-to-contact-emergency-services-via-satellite-with-iphone-14

Today in Apple history: Apple TV makes its big-screen debut

On March 21, 2007, Apple launched the Apple TV, a gleaming white set-top box with a remote control that brought iTunes media to the living room.

www.cultofmac.com/472395/today-in-apple-history-apple-tv-debuts

Tweetz o’ the day

— # (#)

One more thing ...

❝

"Some people have thought that the third category [of device] is a netbook. The problem is, netbooks aren't better at anything. They're slow, they have low-quality displays, and they run clunky old PC software…. And we don't think they're a third category device. But we think we've got something that is."

— Steve Jobs, introducing the iPad.