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Don't wait for the masses

Don't wait for the masses

Install iOS 18.2 right now and beat the crowds.

Leander Kahney
December 06, 2024

In partnership with

iOS 18.2 is the mostly hotly anticipated update in recent memory, thanks to a bunch of AI-powered features like Image Playground, Genmoji and Visual Intelligence.

The official update likely will launch to the public next week. But there are very good reasons why you should go ahead and install the release candidate this weekend. It’s easy, safe and free.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Apple is slowly adding more and more states to its digital ID program. Here’s the latest state to allow digital driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet.
I have an old Lenovo ThinkPad lying around just to run Shimano’s E-Tube app. If, like me, you own a single-use PC, here’s the cheapest way to update it to Windows 11 (via our friends at CdkeySales).
Searching in Apple TV and Apple Music is about to get better, thanks to natural language search. Will it understand my garbled gibberish, though?
This workstation setup with a pair of high(ish)-end 4K monitors is run by the new M4 Pro Mac mini.
If you have a bunch of old film negatives and/or slides gathering dust in the basement, this Kodak scanner is a quick and easy way to digitize them — and it’s on sale.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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Why and how you can install iOS 18.2 on your iPhone today

Don’t wait: Install the iOS 18.2 release candidate this weekend when you have time to play around with the AI-powered Image Playground.

iOS 18.2 enhances Apple TV and Apple Music with natural language search

The user experience is about to get better.

New Mexico driver’s licenses can now go into Apple Wallet

It joins the growing list of states whose residents can store digital IDs on their iPhones.

^{A message from CdkeySales}

Extended: Get genuine lifetime Windows 11 Pro license for only $22 in CdkeySales' Black Friday sale

With the Black Friday Windows sale continuing at CdkeySales, you probably won't find lower prices on Microsoft Windows 11 Pro and more.

New Matter-enabled smart thermostat brings affordable HomeKit integration

The new Meross Matter Smart Home Thermostat works with a variety of heating/cooling systems and smart-home platforms.

Surrealist comedy ‘Government Cheese’ melts onto Apple TV+

Set in 1969, the upcoming show tells the story of a quirky San Fernando Valley family “pursuing lofty and seemingly impossible dreams, beautifully unfettered by the realities of the world.”

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

Grab up to 70% off Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch bands

Woot's big sale on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop offers incredibly steep discounts -- but it ends Friday night, so hurry.

Price drop: Digitize all your old film and slides with this Kodak scanner

Easily digitize old slides and film negatives (color or black-and-white) to preserve them with the Kodak Scan N Save slide film scanner.

Scarlett Johansson‘s ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ sci-fi comedy rockets onto Apple TV+

The alternate-history comedy starring Johansson and Channing Tatum launches today on the streamer.

Today in Apple history: Lousy quarter proves Steve Jobs isn't invincible

On December 6, 2000, Apple Computer's stock price fell dramatically after lousy quarterly results. However, the best was yet to come in 2001.

M4 Pro Mac mini supercharges new budget workstation [Setups]

A whole new budget computer setup shines with an M4 Pro Mac mini at its core, driving dual LG and Dell displays.

Tweets of the day

Taco Bell Wrapped
— Soren Iverson (@soren_iverson)
4:58 PM • Dec 6, 2024

Transparent Macintosh Prototype
image credit: @DongleBookPro
— Basic Apple Guy (@BasicAppleGuy)
3:27 PM • Dec 6, 2024

Wallpaper of the day

This wallpaper is Fire❤️‍🔥🔥
— WallPapers 🔥 (@Papers_app)
11:36 AM • Dec 6, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

OK, tell me what’s wrong with this place. It’s the products! So what’s wrong with the products? The products suck! There’s no sex in them anymore!

— Steve Jobs, 1996.

Today’s poll

What are you most looking forward to in iOS 18.2?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Will Apple successfully sue the French storage upgraders?

Best reader comments

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