iPhone 13: All the new features in Apple's latest smartphone

Apple makes an event of all of its major releases, whether it’s hardware or software. Even when public gatherings are discouraged, the Cupertino company drums up excitement with streaming presentations.

This year’s Worldwide Developers Conference is focused on iOS 15. iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 are also rolling out. Tap or click here for our WWDC roundup.

The big news in Apple’s latest keynote was the iPhone 13. The company also touched on the next iPad and Apple Watch series. You can pre-order new Apple devices now and they will be available on Sept. 24, 2021.

iPhone 13 / iPhone 13 Mini

The entry-level iPhone 13 models have better battery life, improved cameras, a smaller notch and more storage.

General:

  • A15 Bionic Chip that offers up to 50% better performance and 30% faster graphics than the competition.
  • The Super Retina XDR display is 28% brighter, making it easier to see in sunlight. You get brighter whites and darker blacks. Ultrahigh pixel density means everything onscreen is sharper.
  • The iPhone Mini’s battery lasts 1.5 hours longer than the previous generation, while the iPhone 13 will get 2.5 hours of additional battery life.
  • Twice the storage of previous generations, now starting at 128GB.

Camera:

  • Camera lenses are now diagonal to fit a dual-system camera.
  • Cinematic mode will hold the focus on your subject to create a depth-of-field effect, similar to what you see in movies and television shows. Cinematic mode can even shift focus when someone else enters the scene.
  • Cinematic mode shoots in Dolby Vision HDR.
  • Night mode senses low-light scenes and automatically adjusts to take better photos.

Pricing/Availability

  • Both the standard iPhone 13 and Mini have twice the storage of the previous generation, starting at 128GB.
  • The Mini starts at $699 and the standard size starts at $799. Choose from Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight and Product(RED).
  • Preorders begin at 5 a.m. PDT Friday, Sept. 17 and the phones are available starting Friday, Sept. 24.

A newly revealed security flaw makes all Apple devices vulnerable. Tap or click here to learn how to avoid it.

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How often you should reboot your computer

There are few certainties in life: Death, taxes, and turning your computer off and on when there’s a problem. This advice is usually the first tip you get from friends, family, and tech support.

Rebooting your computer helps keep it running smoothly. It clears the memory, stopping any tasks that are eating up RAM. Even if you’ve closed an app, it could still tap your memory. A reboot can also fix peripheral and hardware issues.

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Avoid that embarrassing moment! Hide your phone’s lock screen notifications

It’s happened to me. You’re showing a friend or coworker something on your phone when a text or other notification pops up that you wish they didn’t see.

On Android, there’s the super handy Guest Mode. With this enabled, you can hand your phone over with confidence no one will be able to swipe through your texts, contacts, or photos. Tap or click for steps to turn that on before you need it.

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We all know that Google, Amazon and Facebook are tracking us, but have you really thought about your ISP? That’s short for “internet service provider.” Depending on where you live, you may have a few to choose from — or maybe there’s only one.

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Belkin just released all kinds of magnetic iPhone gear - Are these accessories worth it?

Nearly a year ago, Apple released the iPhone 12 and resurrected a feature once exclusive to certain Mac computers: MagSafe. That opened the door to all kinds of magnetic chargers, mounts, wallets and just about any other kind of accessory you can think of.

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Did you forget your password again? Try this

Most websites ask for a username and password, but it isn’t safe to use the same ones for every site. You also have to consider what kind of passwords are the best to keep hackers out of your accounts. Tap or click here for five tips to secure your accounts.

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Reader question: ‘Are all VPNs the same? Which one should I go with?’

I recently received a great question from a reader named Jim. He wanted to know about VPNs, and I think this is something many folks may be unclear about.

“I have a question about iPhone security. Are all VPNs the same? Or is one better than the other?” He went on to say that his phone has been compromised in the past.

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Don't make this big mistake e-commerce companies often make

It’s a great time to sell online. Last year, many people didn’t want to venture out of their homes to shop at physical stores. That’s why they used online stores to get their essentials.

Statista studies found over 2 billion people bought goods or services online in 2020. Not only that, but sellers made 4.2 trillion U.S. dollars in e-retail sales worldwide. Good news: The online shopping gold rush is nowhere near stopping.

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Finding the right person is hard. Here's why your job ad isn’t getting any results

If you’re looking to attract new talent to your company, there’s no better time to publish a job listing. There are a ton of talented people out there looking for their next great role.

Let’s say you posted an employment ad and no one is biting. Is it you? Is it the description?

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Want a change of scenery? 10 cities that will pay you to move there

If you are feeling restless and dreaming about moving to an exciting new city, there’s a website you’ll want to hear about.

Makemymove.com will show all the cities around the country that will pay you to move if you are a digital worker. Since many non-essential workers became fully remote during the pandemic, your home location might not matter.

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Scary new malware that live streams your screen - Here's what to look for

Ever feel like somebody is watching you? Years of horror movies have given us a real sense of fear of being watched by unsuspecting people. When it comes to tech, malware could be the suspect. Millions of PCs are infected with malware. Tap or click here to check your Windows computer now.

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These versions of QuickBooks are no longer supported - Time to upgrade

Each year, Intuit discontinues older versions of its QuickBooks line. As of May 31, these versions are no longer supported:

If you were using one of those editions, it’s seriously time to upgrade. We say it’s time to ditch the spreadsheets altogether. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things harder than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to NetSuite.

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The best way to keep an eye on your pets inside and out

Pets are notorious for causing a stir when their owners are away. When you drive off, dogs might bark so loudly they bother the neighbors. Cats might scratch the sofa to punish you for leaving.

Animals have many methods for messing up the house when you’re away. Sometimes, you may return home and walk into such an outrageous mess you can’t help but wonder, “How on Earth did that happen?”

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My cryptocurrency eBook is a bestseller! Grab your copy now

Crypto is everywhere, and I don’t want you investing a bunch of your hard-earned money without the right know-how. That’s why I put together a new eBook to help you get the basics down.

In “Cryptocurrency 101: The Beginner’s Guide to Buying, Selling and Spending Digital Currency the Safe Way,” I break down the basics of the cryptocurrency boom. If you want to invest in cryptocurrency, it can be very complicated to know where to even begin. I’ll take you through your options when it comes to buying and storing digital currency and give you pro tips to keep you safe from hackers and scammers.

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Change these 3 hidden Google settings to protect your privacy

Big Tech companies are woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. We message each other on our Apple and Android smartphones, share photos on Facebook, shop on Amazon, work on our Microsoft and Apple computers, and Google things all day long.

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Warning: Free VPNs are putting you at risk

There’s nothing wrong with trying to save a little money every now and then. Cutting back on dining out or getting a $6 latte every day is a good place to start.

But one thing you definitely don’t want to skimp on is online security. You think you’re saving money with free VPN downloads or apps, but they will cost you in the end.

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5 hidden ways a VPN can make life better and more secure

Between all the cybercriminals and downright snoops in the world, it’s getting more difficult to protect your privacy.

A VPN gives you a secure bridge between your devices and the internet. You might not even realize just how important this is and all the ways a VPN comes in handy. Keep reading for five uses you might not know about.

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10 apps you need to remove from your phone now

Apps used to be fun add-ons to get the most out of your phone. Today, they’re vital to our everyday communication, work and play.

Sadly, it seems like every week, there’s another list of bad apps causing headaches or putting your security at risk. Phony cryptocurrency and financial apps are scammers’ latest grift. Tap or click for red flags that the app you’re about to trust your money with is a sham.

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5 leadership secrets every small business owner should know

Owning a small business is never easy. There are challenges around every corner, not all of them financial in nature. Managing employees, balancing the books and keeping up with new business trends can be overwhelming for any business owner.

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4 ways to get internet in your RV: Antenna, Wi-Fi extender, booster and hotspot

Whether you’re on the road for work or just like to take nice long road trips, there are times when you’ll need a good internet connection. Unfortunately, when you’re traveling, you can’t always rely on your smartphone since there are patchy areas. And there aren’t a lot of RVs that come with built-in Wi-Fi.

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