Apple’s ‘Scary’ Event, Software Updates, Price Increases, and Two New Episodes of Basic AF

Happy Halloween! There are plenty of treats ahead, including Apple's just-announced event, new software updates, price increases for Apple services (not a treat), and two recent episodes of Basic AF, including a look at the iPhone 15 Pro Max, my watchOS 10 upgrade remorse, and guest Rafael from the Subie & YOU! Podcast joining us. Plus, there's a look at what's ahead for the newsletter. Let's get into it!

🎃 Apple Just Announced a ’Scary’ Event!

It looks like new Macs are on the way! Apple has announced an event for Monday, October 30, at the unusual time of 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The event, with the tagline “Scary Fast,” will be streamed on apple.com, on the Apple TV app, and on YouTube. As for what we’ll see, the M3 chip will likely debut, and I expect the iMac to see an update because it’s been an eternity since it’s been updated (back in 2021), but we’ll have to wait and see just how many other models get refreshed.

🪨 Software Updates and Price Increases

The first major updates for macOS Sonoma, iOS and iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17 were released today:

• macOS Sonoma 14.1

• iOS 17.1

• iPadOS 17.1

• watchOS 10.1

• tvOS 17.1

Notable new features include expanded Favorites options in the Music app, Apple warranty status details for Mac, AirPods, and Beats are available in System Settings on Mac, and AirDrop transfers will continue over the internet when you leave AirDrop range. The new Double Tap gesture has arrived in watchOS 10.1 for Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.

Apple also announced fairly significant price increases for some of its services. 🙄 All prices shown are monthly:

Apple TV+: $9.99 (+$3)

Apple News+: $12.99 (+$3)

Apple Arcade: $6.99 (+$2)

The Apple One bundles see increases as well:

Individual: $19.95 (+$3)

Family: $29.95 (+$3)

Premier: $37.95 (+$5)

I feel like we're all Charlie Brown getting a rock in our bag for Halloween. Thanks, Apple!

🎙️ Basic AF #19: iPhone 15 Pro Max First Impressions, watchOS 10 Upgrade Remorse

In episode 19, Jeff upsized to the iPhone 15 Pro Max in titanium titanium (what?) and has some thoughts and perhaps just a bit of buyer's remorse. We discuss the Action button, new cameras, and weight and size comparisons with his previous iPhone 13 Pro. Is it all enough to justify his upgrade? Maybe not.

Speaking of remorse, I'm unhappy with some of Apple's changes in watchOS 10. With a new way to switch watch faces, the removal of Favorites from the Timers app, giving Control Center a dedicated button, a silly change in the Workout app, and the double press of the Digital Crown no longer being an App Switcher, there's a lot different, and not necessarily in a good way.

Listen now at basicafshow.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all the other podcast apps, as well as on YouTube and YouTube Music.

🎙️ Basic AF #20: Riding Shotgun: Inside the Subie & YOU! Podcast with Rafael Ruiz

Ever wondered how to turn a passion into a successful podcast? Join us as we chat with Rafael Ruiz, the charismatic host of the Subie & YOU! podcast, which has amassed over 140 episodes and an impressive 100,000+ downloads. Discover how Rafael harnessed the power of Instagram and the enthusiastic Subaru community to create an engaging and popular podcast. We get under the hood of his podcasting journey, exploring how he cleverly used collaborations and guest features to rev up his listener numbers.

Listen now at basicafshow.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all the other podcast apps, as well as on YouTube and YouTube Music.

 🗺️ What’s Ahead & Your Input

Here’s what I have planned to cover this fall and winter:

• My top tips for iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma

• Holiday Gift Ideas

• Protecting Your Apple Account

• The iCloud Features You Should Be Using

• My Simple and Effective Backup System

I’ll likely incorporate video for some of these, making it easier to cover the topic. If there’s anything you’d like to learn more about, don’t hesitate to reply to this message or fill out this Google Form and let me know what you’re interested in!