iPadOS 15: An awesome disappointment

September 25, 2021

iPadOS just keeps getting better -- and more disappointing.

In his bittersweet review of the brand-new iPad operating system, our writer Killian Bell lays out all the ways Apple continues to raise the bar for tablet software. But he also laments the fact that iPadOS 15 still doesn't give power users all the things they desperately need.

Also this week, we've got the first buzzy looks at iPhone 13 and iPad mini, as well as reviews of everything new on Apple TV+. (If you're a sci-fi fan, you don't want to miss Foundation.)

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

Apple somehow created the world’s greatest and most disappointing tablet operating system. iPadOS is by far the best you’ll find for larger touchscreens, and yet, it leaves us wanting so much more.

News and opinion

If you still can’t decide whether you want to upgrade to iPhone 13 or 13 Pro, perhaps some early feedback from reviewers will help.

Plus, more hot takes on new hardware:

If you’ve been eagerly waiting for iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 since June, then rejoice! Everyone can finally install them. iPad gets plenty of new features, while iPhone and Apple Watch get a handful of nice improvements.

Apple warns owners of iPhone 13 and the latest iPad models that restoring their devices from an earlier backup can cause problems. Luckily, there's a fix.

Plus, more bad news:

Apple TV+ is shooting for the stars with two new sci-fi series and a film this autumn. The trailers for Foundation, Invasion and Finch all look amazing. And dark. Can we get some science fiction that’s a little more upbeat, please?

While the iPhone 13 has drawn some criticism for being a minor update, improvements to the cameras mean that none of the new handsets are compatible with tight-fitting cases designed for earlier models. The solution? New iPhone 13 cases from Elago, Casetify, Survivor, Casely, Moment and Mujjo.

How-tos

iOS 15 makes the Safari web browser easier to use by moving the Address Bar to the bottom of the screen when the iPhone is held vertically. But not everyone is ready for such a change, so Apple put in the option to move it back to the top. Here’s how to flip the location.

You should stay away from the new beta if you intend to get an iPhone 13.

Deals

For this week’s giveaway, we teamed up with Speck to offer Cult of Mac readers the chance to win an iPhone 13 and a bundle of three nifty MagSafe-compatible cases.

Whether you’ve made the shift to working from home or you simply want to maximize your desk setup, being able to turn your laptop into a triple-screen display — and having best-in-class VPN protection — is the ultimate way to do it.

After working through this Apple Certified Support Professional course, you’ll know your Mac inside and out. Get certified for real Apple support with this 12-hour course!

The only thing worse than getting the “Storage Full” notification on your iPhone or Mac is witnessing your device slow down and become unusable as a result. Thankfully, you can avoid both of those situations forever with Smart Cleaner for iOS.

Getting a new iPhone? You might need a charging adapter to go with it now that Apple no longer includes one in the box. Check out the handy PowerBuddy from SwitchEasy. It delivers 20W of power, packs USB-A and USB-C ports, and sports a compact design you can take anywhere.

Plus, more hard-charging deals:

Reviews

Apple TV+’s big, expensive sci-fi gamble is finally ready to cash in its bets. After years of production, Foundation — a series based on the work of Isaac Asimov and shepherded by the man who helped turn American culture into a superhero factory — is now streaming. This very impressive sci-fi show will now have to compete in the attention economy. Can it live up to the hype?

The shaken newscast braces for the triumphant return of Alex Levy, even as current events spiral and everyone sweats bullets.

The latest Apple TV+ children’s show is a joyous celebration of creativity. Will it be the first of the Apple TV+ kids shows to make a real splash?

The OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip for MagSafe uses magnets to connect your iPhone to your Xbox controller. It’s quick but secure. And you can easily rotate between landscape and portrait orientation.

The series hurtles headlong toward a crash this week as true-crime podcaster Poppy Parnell and her childhood friend Micah Keith realize they both could represent their mutual destruction.

Setups

In the ongoing discussion about whether a gargantuan ultra-wide monitor beats dual monitors or vice versa, some people still chime in favoring one modest display to either of the above choices. Of course, these days, “modest” can mean in excess of 30 inches, plus a lot of bells and whistles.

Lots of people love Apple’s Magic Trackpad. And plenty of folks hate the Magic Mouse. But a growing number of people absolutely love using a Magic Trackpad + mouse combo — which some onlookers find mystifying.