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iPad users get their own Google Gemini app

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Google Gemini iPad
Accessing Google Gemini on iPad just got easier.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iPad users no longer have to depend on an iPhone application to access Google’s Gemini AI-powered chatbot. Software designed specifically for iPad users launched Wednesday.

This comes after Google recently introduced home screen widgets to give iPhone and iPad users easier access to Gemini.

How to use DeepL, the first alternative default translation app for iPhone

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iPhone translation app
DeepL can replace the iPhone default translation app with a better alternative.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

You can now set DeepL Translate as the default translation application on iPhones and iPads, replacing Apple’s own app. Powered by artificial neural networks, the machine-translation service supports a wider range of languages than Apple’s Translate app. And in our testing, it delivered slightly better translation as well.

DeepL Translate is the first third-party app that can serve as the iPhone’s default translation app … it beat Google Translate to the punch. The option works for iPhone users in the United States and the European Union.

Here’s how to set DeepL as the default on your iPhone or iPad.

Sonos CEO steps down after app-redesign debacle

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Sonos CEO steps down - Sonos app
Rumors suggested Sonos rushed the app redesign, and its deficiencies appear to have brought down the CEO.
Photo: Sonos

In a big shake-up at smart speaker maker Sonos — whose high-end audio products are popular with Apple users — CEO Patrick Spence resigned effective immediately and a board member will step in as interim CEO, the company said Monday. Spence’s departure comes after a turbulent 2024 that saw the company struggle with a controversial app redesign, disappointing product launches and declining customer satisfaction.

2024 App Store Award winners include Kino, Moises and many more

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2024 App Store Award winners
Apple honors the best of the best with 2024 App Store Awards.
Graphic: Apple

Apple on Wednesday honored the winners of its 2024 App Store Awards. These come in a range of categories, like iPhone App of the Year, Mac Game of the Year, and many more.

“We are thrilled to honor this impressive group of developers who are harnessing the power of Apple devices and technology to deliver experiences that enrich the lives of users and have a profound impact on their communities,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The remarkable achievements of this year’s winners demonstrate the incredible ingenuity that can be unlocked through apps.”

Celebrate National Unsubscribe Day the right way

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unsubscribe from emails and subscriptions
Apps can help you unsubscribe from emails and services, or you can take matters into your own hands.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

These days its seems a “national day” exists for every conceivable thing — and on Saturday, November 30, that includes unsubscribing. In other words, it’s time to unsubscribe from unwanted emails and manage paid subscriptions. For example, do you even open half the emails you get? Do you know how many subscriptions you pay for? Well, there are apps and other tools for cleaning up your subscription life so you can get on with your actual life.

Best apps and games: Apple picks 45 App Store Award finalists

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Best apps and games: Apple picks 45 App Store Award finalists
Apple salutes “amazing apps that users love” with the finalists for the App Store Awards.
Image: Apple

Apple named the finalists Monday for its annual App Store Awards. These awards honor “exceptional user experience, design, and innovation,” according to the Mac-maker. App awards come in a range of categories, like iPhone App of the Year, Mac Game of the Year, and many more.

The nominations aren’t just kudos for developers — they’re a great way for users to find high-quality software.

Google’s Gemini AI gets its own chatty iPhone app

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Google Gemini for iPhone app
The Google Gemini for iPhone app can generate images with text prompts.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Gemini application for iPhone that launched Thursday gives users direct access to Google’s AI-powered virtual assistant.

Have a conversation, get advice or generate images with the app.

Apple Sports app brings scores to your iPhone Lock Screen

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Apple Sports app brings scores to your iPhone Lock Screen
Apple Sports app now supports Live Activities to make following games easier.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Sports 2.0 launched Monday, adding support for Live Activities so real-time game updates appear on the iPhone and Apple Watch Lock Screens.

The free app also takes over displaying scores in the iPhone Dynamic Island.

Snapchat finally embraces iPad

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SNapchat iPad app
It's about time!
Photo: Snapchat/Cult of Mac

The latest Snapchat version runs full-screen on an iPad, as the social networking service finally noticed Apple makes tablets.

Complaints aside, it’s a boon for users who can now see their friends and use silly filters on a larger display.

iPhone will soon let EU users replace default phone and messaging apps

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iOS 18 default apps section in Settings for EU users
A new default apps section is coming to Settings with iOS 18 ... but only in the EU.
Image: Apple

European iPhone and iPad users will be able to kick Apple’s Phone and Messages apps to the curb if they wish. The same goes for an array of other applications that iOS currently makes the default options.

These join a long list of other changes being forced on Apple by the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

Why Sonos can’t bring back its older, better app

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Sonos app logo
The new Sonos app gave the company a black eye.
Image: Sonos

The CEO of Sonos threw cold water on hopes that the speaker-maker would replace its much-maligned new application with the previous version. Turns out that would make the problem worse.

Sonos users will instead have to wait for the new app to be improved — a process the company promises it’s working on as quickly as it can.

Free ChatGPT Mac app brings AI to your desktop now [Awesome Apps]

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OpenAI logo on a screen
OpenAI introduces a native ChatGPT app for Mac, and it's free for all users.
Photo: Unsplash
Awesome Apps

OpenAI made the native ChatGPT Mac app available for all users Wednesday. It gives Mac users easy access to the artificial intelligence capabilities of the cutting-edge chatbot, as well as features not available with the web interface.

The free macOS app is “designed to integrate seamlessly into anything you’re doing on your computer,” according to OpenAI.

New version of Final Cut Pro for iPad and Mac now available [Updated]

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Final Cut Pro for iPad and Mac
Big updates to Final Cut Pro will boost mobile production capabilities.
Image: Apple

UPDATE: The new versions of Final Cut Pro for iPad and Mac — and the new Final Cut Camera app — launched Thursday on the App Store.

Apple updated its video editing application Final Cut Pro with live multi-camera recording on iPad and powerful new AI color correction on Mac. Plus, Final Cut Camera, a free new app for iPad and iPhone, allows for professional video capture in multicam mode or on its own. These updates “take creativity to the next level,” said Will Hui, project manager for creative applications at Apple when they were announced in May.

The wait for them is now over.

Apple Design Awards salute 14 best apps and games

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winners of Apple Design Awards
Winners will get their prizes at WWDC24 on Monday.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Design Awards recognized 14 “best-in-class” apps and games, the iPhone giant said Thursday. It will hand out the awards, which celebrate excellence in design and outstanding technical achievement, to winners at WWDC24 on Monday.

“It’s inspiring to see how developers are using our technology to create exceptional apps and games that enhance the lives of users,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “This year’s winners have demonstrated how apps can create powerful and moving experiences — and we’re excited to celebrate their hard work and ingenuity at WWDC this year.”

And this year the awards added a new spatial computing category.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage sneaks onto iPhone and iPad

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'Assassin’s Creed Mirage' sneaks onto iPhone
The console-quality game Assassin’s Creed Mirage is ready to play on iPhone and iPad.
Image: Ubisoft

The long wait for the port of Assassin’s Creed Mirage playable on iPhone 15 Pro models and top-tier iPads just ended. It is in the App Store now.

This is the latest example of AAA, console-quality games being brought to Apple devices to demonstrate their gaming capabilities.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows action RPG slashes onto Mac this fall

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows action RPG slashes onto Mac
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is coming to Mac -- no PC needed.
Image: Ubisoft

When Ubisoft launches Assassin’s Creed Shadows this November, Mac will be on the list of platforms supported by the action-packed role-playing game.

The adventure is set in medieval Japan, and players can choose either a samurai or a shinobi for very different gaming experiences. For more details on the game’s setting and storyline, check out the latest updates on Assassin’s Creed Japan.

Family needs inspire 3 Swift Student Challenge winners

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Swift Student Challenge winners
From left, Dezmond Blair, Elena Galluzzo and Jawaher Shaman are three of this year’s Swift Student Challenge winners.
Photo: Apple

Apple showcased the family-inspired coding work of three Swift Student Challenge winners Wednesday. The iPhone giant changed up its annual coding competition this year by naming 50 students Distinguished Winners among 350 top coders overall. The 50 get to attend a special event at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC24).

“This year’s winning Swift Student Challenge submissions once again demonstrate the breadth and depth of what is possible when talented young people use coding to make their mark on the world,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.

“We’re also incredibly proud to welcome more outstanding student developers than ever before to Apple Park to connect with our teams and each other as they continue to build apps that will no doubt transform our future for the better,” she added.

Supreme Court decision means major iPhone app change is on the way

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App Store
A court-ordered change to iPhone apps is about to hit Apple in the pocketbook.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The U.S. Supreme Court effectively upheld a lower court’s ruling that Apple must allow third-party iPhone app developers to point customers to their websites when making purchases. This means the company is forced to drop its “anti-steering” rule for such applications — a major change.

It’s the primary result of Apple’s long-running legal battle with Epic Games.

Top apps and games: Apple names 37 App Store Award finalists

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App Store Award finalists for iPhone apps
If you're looking for reliably good apps and games, this is a fine place to start. These are the apps for iPhone finalists (AllTrails, Duolingo and Flighty).
Photo: App Store

Apple’s App Store named its apps and games of the year for different devices/services plus other App Store Award finalists Tuesday. All told, it recognized 37 apps and games whose developers “are delivering exceptional experiences and making a profound cultural impact.”

And in a matter of weeks, we’ll find out who the winners are, the company said.

Logic Pro gains powerful music tools for Mac and iPad

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Apple enhanced the musical user experience in Logic Pro for Mac and iPad.
Apple enhanced the musical user experience in Logic Pro for Mac and iPad.
Photo: Apple

Apple said Monday it updated its Logic Pro music software to help spark users’ creativity and let them produce pro-level tracks.

New features for Mac include Mastering Assistant, 32-bit recording, Sample Alchemy and Beat Breaker. And Quick Sampler Recorder adds to the slate of iPad features.

Apple Design Awards go to 12 great apps and games

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Six apps and six games won in six categories, chosen from 36 finalists.
Six apps and six games won in six categories, chosen from 36 finalists.
Photo: Apple
WWDC23

A dozen “best-in-class” apps and games took honors in the Apple Design Awards Monday at WWDC23. Winning development teams hailed from around the world, delivering innovative apps with great design, Apple said.

“Apps and games are integral to how we live, work, and play. At Apple, we love to recognize outstanding developers whose apps reflect incredible creativity and design excellence,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.