⚡️ iPhone 15 Pro Max: BIG Upgrades
iPhone 15 Pro Max with Sonos Move 2
Exactly one week ago my iPhone 15 Pro Max in blue titanium arrived at the door, and the subsequent seven days have been a whirlwind! Given that I don’t get early access to devices, I decided to take a different approach in my video coverage and go in-depth on USB-C functionality and the new Action Button. Judging by the response on my YouTube channel, it seems that was the right move:
Screenshot from my current YouTube Studio stats.
Knowing one of the big changes to the entire iPhone 15 lineup was the transition to a USB-C port, I decided to investigate every possible use case it could offer. Turns out: It’s way more powerful than I thought! Use cases I tested and actually work:
USB Mics for Podcasting
Multi-channel audio interfaces
USB-C hubs with ethernet and HDMI
Record ProRes video to external SSDs
Studio Display Support
USB Keyboards
and more!
What’s even more surprising is the iPhone 15 can match all of those use cases, except for ProRes video recording to an external SSD. I have two videos on the many scenarios USB-C makes possible, and both videos blew up on the channel! You can watch them here and here:
Given all the possibilities, especially for video and podcast creators, I had to put it to the test. The next image is my Frankenstein setup to film the Sonos Move 2 review. Even with all its powers, the iPhone 15 Pro Max can’t record audio from an external device, and record to an external SSD simultaneously. So I did what any sane person would do, use two iPads, one to record the audio into Ferrite, the other to monitor the video using Orion app, and we were off!
iPhone 15 Pro Max filming setup with two iPads
While cumbersome, and probably not for regular use, the setup works! I did find the Samsung T7 1TB SSD I was using to recording worked well, but began to drop a few frames about 15-20 minutes into recording at ProRes 4K30. Still, an admirable job and I’ve published the finished video here:
Sonos Move 2 Review
📲 Apple Store Journey
Ater trying the FineWoven case for a full…three hours, I decided to return it, while taking the opportunity to see the elusive natural titanium iPhone 15 Pro. As is now the custom, I had to post a photo of the FineWoven cases display, which didn’t look great:
Fingernail scratches abound on the FineWoven cases
And upon finally seeing the iPhone 15 Pro in natural titanium, which looks great, don’t get me wrong, I was reaffirmed in my choice to go with blue titanium. The natural is a sharp look, but after having silver and Sierra blue iPhones the past couple years, I’m ready for a dark, DARK blue. The Winter blue Apple silicone case is a nice compliment though.
iPhone 15 Pro in Natural Titanium
Winter Blue Silicone Case on iPhone 15 Pro Max
⚡️ Action Button
Along with the powerful USB-C port, the iPhone 15 Pro models have replaced the mute switch with an Action Button. While there are a few built-in options, such as remaining as a mute switch, turning on the flash light, setting a Focus Mode, etc., you can also program a Shortcut which opens infinite possibilities!
I have two videos up on the channel showing some of the many combinations and automations you can run with the Action Button. I actually haven’t decided what to keep it as, which is why having a Shortcut to the Action Button settings menu is super useful!
I do like having a few HomeKit scenes at the ready, a Shortcut for muting, turning on / controlling Apple TVs, plus the ability to dictate a new Note. So I’m currently sticking with the Shortcuts menu that appears when I click the Action Button, like so:
Shortcuts Folder with 7 Shortcuts Listed
💻 macOS Sonoma Too?!
Yes, Apple also released the latest macOS version: Sonoma to all users with Macs 2018 or newer. While there aren’t huge features this year, I do enjoy Safari Profiles and the new aerial Lock Screen / Wallpapers imagery is wonderful. As I explained on the latest AppleInsider podcast, I’m having trouble getting Profiles to open a particular set of tabs by default. So if anyone out there has ideas, comment below or reply to this email!
Top 7 Features of macOS Sonoma
🧵 Odds and Ends
Amidst all the iPhone 15 coverage, I also released a review of my new-favorite 3-in-1 MagSafe charger, the HiRise 3 Deluxe! You can watch that review here:
You’ll also find my 17 hidden features in iOS 17 video here, including how to play audio messages at 2x speed, search words or objects from your videos, and more!
Or if you need a break from all the tech coverage, we also released a new episode of Movies on the Side! My friend Nate and I discuss pivotal moments of our past music exposure, why Rotten Tomatoes is kind of rotten, and we review the 2022 biopic: Elvis! You can listen here:
