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Make your iPhone snappier

Make your iPhone snappier

Changing this one setting really speeds things up.

Leander Kahney
October 11, 2023

When browsing the web on my iPhone, I often preview links in Safari.

Previewing, of course, opens the link without fully opening the link. It’s a quick and easy way to see what you’ll be getting.

But it’s actually not that quick: iOS purposely slows down the preview to make your browsing experience clear and unambiguous.

However, it can be speeded up quite considerably, as can other interactions like pulling up contextual menus, or previewing pictures in Messages — any interaction that uses press-and-hold, otherwise known as Haptic Touch.

Apple uses Haptic Touch across the board in iOS, and changing how quickly it activates can make your iPhone feel supercharged. Here’s how to find the hidden setting.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Amazon’s awkwardly named Prime Big Deal Days continues today, with savings on OtterBox cases, mechanical keyboards, iPhone gaming controllers and a lot more. We’ve updated our buying guide with the best deals available. Also, it’s your last chance to save on some very cool Function101 Apple accessories.
Airpods Pro 2 has new firmware: Here’s how to check if you’ve got it yet.
Still running iOS 16? You should update your software with this important security patch.
If you like books and reading, this app is a helpful companion.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Speed up Haptic Touch with this hidden iPhone setting in iOS 17 [Pro Tip]

If you constantly use Haptic Touch, the iOS feature that lets you preview links and bring up option menus, changing this setting will make your iPhone feel supercharged.

Best Prime Big Deal Days sales on Apple gear and accessories [Updated]

Check out the best deals on Apple products and accessories for Prime Big Deal Days, with lowest-ever prices on several products.

iOS 17.1 will add pocket detection mode for iPhone 15 Pro’s Action Button

Apple wants to prevent accidental keypresses when your phone’s in your pocket.

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

Get Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac for just $30

Pick up lifetime access to the popular Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 for only $32.97 (regularly $219).

Apple releases important security patch for iPhones still on iOS 16

iOS 16.7.1 deals with a serious security problem in older versions of the iPhone operating system.

How to get the latest AirPods Pro 2 firmware update

Apple pushes out firmware update 6A303 to squash some bugs in second-gen AirPods Pro. Here's how to make sure you get it.

Apple rakes in up to $20 billion a year to make Google the iPhone's default search engine

Prime placement in the Safari web browser is apparently worth an enormous amount of money.

Storm Reid drops MacBook Air study tips in new video

The 90-minute "Study With Me" video is an actual study session where the actress, using her iPad Air, is your partner.

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

Get 2 high-flying, dual-camera 4K drones for just $110

Get the Alpha Z Pro 4K + Flying Fox 4K Wide-Angle Dual-Camera Drone Bundle for $109.97. That's $288 off the $398 MSRP.

Last chance: Grab great deals on cool Function101 Apple accessories

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days includes a bunch of neat Function101 gear. But act fast: The offers end tonight at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

Mophie's new 3-in-1 MagSafe charger extends for FaceTime calls

Its tilting charging pad telescopes upward from the base to help you position your iPhone for hands-free use.

Build a reading list and track your progress [Awesome Apps]

Reading Time lets you assemble a library of books and tracks your progress as you read them, displaying detailed stats in an organized dashboard.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs prepares to take Pixar public

On October 11, 1995, Steve Jobs filed the paperwork to float Pixar on the stock market. The resulting IPO made him a billionaire.

Meet the amazing disappearing workstation [Setups]

Cult of Mac reader Nick Howard sent us his clever M1 Mac mini computer setup. It magically disappears when not in use!

Tweetz o’ the day

Footage of the AirPod sticker prank in action:
— Pablo Rochat (@PabloRochat)
10:54 PM • Nov 19, 2019

We’ve come a long way since the original iPhone
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub)
8:34 AM • Oct 11, 2023

Me at the burial and I hear someone say that Samsung is better than iPhone.😂
— REECY™ 🏄‍♂️♥️ (@ReecyAtuhaire)
6:14 PM • Oct 11, 2023

One more thing ...

❝

After a week [of fasting] you start to feel fantastic. You get a ton of vitality from not having to digest all this food. I was in great shape. I felt I could get up and walk to San Francisco anytime I wanted.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Do you use Haptic Touch on your iPhone?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Will you be buying Apple gear during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days?

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