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App Store - page 33

iOS apps that access iCloud will soon require unique passwords

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Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Move will affect third-party apps only.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Any third-party app which accesses iCloud data for contacts, calendar, and mail messages will require an app-specific password, starting next month.

If you only use Apple apps to access iCloud data, you don’t need to worry. If, however, you use third-party apps such as Microsoft Outlook, here’s what you need to know:

To The Moon, Artificial Superintelligence, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
'Appy weekend everyone!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Ever wanted to run your own AI startup, hopefully without bringing about the end of humanity in the process? A new game from the maker of the popular CARROT series of iOS apps gives you exactly that opportunity.

That’s just one of the great apps we’ve got covered in this week’s Awesome Apps roundup. We’ve also got a Snapchat update, a Steam gaming classic finally landed in the App Store, and a great Myst-inspired architectural puzzle game. Check out our picks below.

Tynker, rvlvr and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
'Appy weekend everyone!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

Don’t want to spend your weekend catching up on paperwork or mowing the lawn? No problem: Cult of Mac is here to help you.

We’ve combed through the various apps which landed in the App Store over the past seven days, and picked out what we think is the cream of the crop. From Hulu’s new Live TV subscription service to a hypnotically fun puzzle game, here’s everything you (may have) missed this week.

Apple won’t be slashing all commissions for App Store referrals after all

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App Store
Decision only affects in-app purchases.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

It appears that Apple won’t be slashing commissions it pays when affiliates redirect customers to buy apps from the iOS App Store, after all.

Despite Apple previously noting that, “Starting on May 1st 2017, commissions for all app and in-app content will be reduced from 7% to 2.5% globally,” it seems that the change applies only to in-app purchases.

Liveblog: Just how good (or bad) was Apple’s Q2?

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apple earnings
Apple's money-making machine is on a new level.
Photo illustration: Steve Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is set to reveal its second quarterly earnings report of 2017 this afternoon. And according to analysts, the numbers won’t be nearly as impressive as last quarter’s record-shattering results.

Tim Cook and Apple CFO Luca Maestri will run through all the numbers with investors today at 2 p.m. Pacific. As usual, Cult of Mac will be liveblogging the action with all the analysis and snark we can muster.

Come join the fun:

Just two games dominated the App Store last year

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birthday
Pokémon GO was one of last year's biggest hits.
Photo: Pokémon GO

Two iOS games reportedly broke the $100 million mark in terms of their U.S. App Store revenue last year, with Clash Royale and Pokémon GO dominating when it came to raking in money.

Clash Royale, a real-time multiplayer game spinoff of Clash of Clans, earned $277.1 million from an estimated 19.1 million downloads. Augmented reality game Pokémon GO meanwhile pulled in $270.2 million from a whopping 42 million downloads.

Check out the rest of the top 10 list below.

What to expect from Apple’s Q2 2017 earnings report

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Earnings call
Apple made a ton of money last quarter.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is set to reveal its second quarterly earnings report of 2017 next Tuesday, and based on early estimates from analysts, Tim Cook might not have much to boast about.

Wall Street has been in love with Apple stock the last few months, sending it to all-time highs since the last earnings report came out. But with the holiday shopping season over and a lack of new products to boost sales, Apple’s numbers may look a bit flat.

These are the key areas to watch for:

Google Maps for iOS will now remember where you parked

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Google Maps iOS
Never forget where you parked your car again!
Photo: Google

Despite the improvements Apple has made to its own Maps platform, Google Maps is still the number one choice for millions of iPhone users. And it keeps getting better.

Its latest update adds a handy feature that will remind you exactly where you parked your car.

What’s on my iPhone 7: Videographer edition

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iPhone-8
iPhone SE 2 is expected to arrive in early 2020.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you’re new to iPhone, or you’ve recently upgraded to a new model, you might be wondering if you’re missing out on great apps. In this video, we’ll show you some of the terrific titles Cult of Mac video maker Ste Smith is using on his iPhone 7.

You’ll find apps for controlling your smart and home security devices, losing the weight you put on over Easter, keeping an eye on your data usage, and a lot more!

Another freakin’ Family Guy game lands on iOS

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Get your hands on the new Family Guy game now!
Get your hands on the new Family Guy game now!
Photo: Jam City

What the deuce! Jam City just dropped a new Family Guy game for iOS, and if you’re a fan of puzzle games (or Family Guy), you should go download it now.

Another Freakin’ Mobile Game is an addictive matching game featuring 160 challenging levels and all your favorite characters from the show.

Apple slashes commissions for App Store referrals

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App Store
Apple is cut affiliates' pay.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has decided to lower the amount of money it pays affiliate who funnel customers to buy apps and in-app purchases from the iOS App Store.

In an email update sent out today to members of its affiliates program, Apple says its cutting commission rates by more than half, leaving companies and websites with less money from what can be a valuable revenue stream.

Siri can now read out your WhatsApp messages

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WhatsApp
You’ll need a new iPhone if you can’t update to iOS 8 or later.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The latest WhatsApp update adds the ability to have Siri read aloud your WhatsApp messages.

You can also use the virtual assistant to compose and send replies, so urgent conversations can continue while you’re busy or driving, and you don’t even need to touch your iPhone.

Why Uber’s rule-breaking app tactics got Tim Cook so upset

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How much would you pay for lunch with Tim Cook? Photo: Apple
Tim Cook threatened to ban Uber from the App Store.
Photo: Apple

Tim Cook dressed down Uber CEO Travis Kalanick — and even threatened to boot Uber out of the App Store — for violating Apple’s privacy rules, claims a new report.

Uber broke iOS privacy laws in an attempt to crack down on a certain kind of fraud in China, in which some drivers would earn incentives by booking fake rides on iPhones, which they then wiped. This allowed them to earn more money.

Apple makes iWork and iLife apps free for all

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You no longer need to buy a new Mac to get GarageBand for free.
You no longer need to buy a new Mac to get GarageBand for free.
Photo: Apple

The best apps made by Apple for iPhone and iPad are finally available for free to all users.

As part of an update to its iWork and iLife apps this morning, Apple changed the price for both the Mac and iOS versions, giving customers access to a suite of apps that can be used for music and video or getting work done.

Instagram now lets you save photos into collections

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Instagram now has more than 600 million users.
Photos can now be grouped into collections.
Photo: Instagram

Keeping tabs on all your favorite Instagram posts just got a lot easier today, thanks to a new update that adds a new ‘Saved’ section.

Instagram’s new update lets users create Pinterest-like collections based off of posts from other users. However, unlike Pinterest only you can see the collections. For now.

Cuzzle, Clips, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
'Appy weekend everyone!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you’re looking to unwind this fine Sunday by sampling the latest App Store delectables for your iPhone or iPad, look no further: Cult of Mac has your hookup!

Whether you’re seeking a fun party game, a great minimalist puzzler, or Apple’s new video and photo-sharing Clips app, we’ve got what you’re searching for.

Check out our picks below. You won’t be disappointed.

Pebble update ensures your watch will work when services die

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Pebble might be dead, but your watch isn't.
Pebble might be dead, but your watch isn't.
Photo: Pebble

The original smartwatch maker is closing down after being acquired by Fitbit, but your Pebble watch will continue to work after all of its services are dead.

With its final update, Pebble has eliminated any reliance on online servers, ensuring your wearable will continue to function as normal when connected to your smartphone.

Microsoft launches new social networking app for iMessage

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Get your friends organized with 'Who's In'
Get your friends organized with 'Who's In'
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft is dipping its toes back into the social game with a brand new app for iOS users that aims to make it easier than ever to organize group events.

The app is called “Who’s In” only instead of launching as a standalone iPhone or iPad app, Microsoft’s new software can only be accessed via iMessage.

Beware phone scammers who warn of iCloud hack

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Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Got a call from “Apple Support” to say your iCloud account was hacked? Hang up and ignore it.

Phone scammers are calling unsuspecting iPhone and iPad users and trying to trick them into handing over their iCloud account details. Once they have them, they can purchase whatever they want, and it’s you who foots the bill.

Total Android app revenue could surpass iOS this year

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The Apple brand is the big difference.
Numbers are tipping in Android's direction. Kind of.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The iOS App Store is expected to remain the most lucrative app store around for at least the next five years, but according to a new report Google Play and various third-party Android stores are likely to overtake it in total revenue as early as this year.

The insight comes from app analysis company App Annie, which suggests that total worldwide mobile app store downloads will exceed 352 billion in 2021, while gross consumer spend across all app stores will surpass $139 billion.