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Buster Hein - page 89

Beats by Dre’s marketing guru bails on Apple

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Be cool. Stay in school.
Beats CMO is leaving the company.
Photo: Beats by Dre.

Omar Johnson, the Beats by Dre chief marketing officer that helped transform the headphone company from a gimmick to one of the most iconic brands in pop culture, is leaving the company next month.

During his time at Beats, Johnson and his marketing team created unique ads by collaborating with the world’s top athletes in every major sport to tell their real stories. Johnson didn’t give a reason for his departure, but Apple has confirmed he’s stepping down on November 1st.

Google Pixel first impressions: Solid build, fugly back

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Google Pixel
It's in talks to buy HTC, maker of the Pixel lineup.
Photo: Google

Google’s new Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones are ready to do battle with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and based on the first hands-on reviews, Apple could learn a few things from the new devices.

Apple’s shadow loomed large during today’s Google event. Exec from the search engine giant threw plenty of shade at the iPhone-maker for its lack of a headphone jack and storage limitations. Even though Google’s new devices look like total iPhone ripoffs the initial reaction has been mostly positive.

We’ll have to test Pixel in the wild before making our final judgement but here are some of the first reactions to the device from people that got to play with it:

Apple gives devs new betas for iOS, watchOS and tvOS

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iPhone 7
iOS 10.1 brings some tweaks to the iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Developers received a batch of new beta software updates today bringing a bunch of bug fixes to the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV.

iOS 10.1 beta 2 is the most notable of the new beta builds. The last version added the new Portrait Mode to the iPhone 7 Plus, which has earned rave reviews so far, though some early images have shown it still needs some tweaking.

With new hardware trio, Google makes major play for your home

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google home speaker
Google Home is taking on the Amazon Echo.
Photo: Google

Not only does Google want to replace your iPhone with a Pixel, the search giant revealed today that it plans to invade homes with three new products that directly compete with offerings from Apple and Amazon.

During an event in San Francisco today, Google unveiled a new Wi-Fi router, an improved Chromecast and a new Google Home device that’s a lot like Amazon’s Echo smart speaker, only it’s powered by Google Assistant.

How to give your iPhone 7 a retro iPhone 4 makeover

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Don't try this at home.
Don't try this at home.
Photo: PeripateticPandas

The design of the iPhone 7 is awfully disappointing to Apple fans who were hoping for a major change this year, but there’s still a way to get all of the new device’s features into a totally different form factor.

All it takes is a giant saw and an industrial sanding belt and you’ll be on your way to getting the sleek straight edge frame of the iPhone 4. YouTuber PeripateticPandas created a new video showing the full process that will give you the most unique looking iPhone 7 in the world.

Check it out:

Apple Watch Series 2 may not be enough to boost sales

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Apple Watch Nike Plus
Will the Nike+ bring in more Apple Watch customers?
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

The new features on the Apple Watch Series 2 will not be enough to boost overall sales of the wearable, claims KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo.

Even though the original Apple Watch was only on sale for eight months in 2015, Kuo’s supply chain sources indicate that sales will decline compared to last year.

Microsoft just killed its Apple Watch competitor

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The Microsoft Band 2 never caught on.
The Microsoft Band 2 never caught on.
Photo: Microsoft

The Microsoft Band may have just met its demise.

Microsoft’s online store has officially stopped selling the Band 2 which was positioned as a competitor to the Apple Watch. The company also revealed today that it will not release a new Microsoft Band 3 this year.

Apple seeds third macOS Sierra 10.12.1 beta to developers

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macOS Sierra logo
A new macOS Sierra beta is here.
Photo: Apple

The third beta builds of macOS Sierra 10.12.1 was seeded to developers today, less than a week after Apple released the second build that contained a number of bug fixes.

Developers can pick up the new beta directly form the Apple Developer Center, or install it via the Mac App Store’s software update option if the previous beta build is already installed on your Mac.

StubHub’s Apple TV app brings ticket search to your couch

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Stub Hub is now on Apple TV.
Stub Hub is now on Apple TV.
Photo: Stub Hub

Finding tickets to the next concert, sporting event or comedy show you want to go to is now as easy as watching TV, thanks to the new StubHub app for Apple TV.

StubHub’s new offering is the first-ever ticketing app for the Apple TV, only instead of just making their popular mobile app TV-sized, the company focused the experience on browsing upcoming events in your area.

Apple’s spaceship campus lights up in new drone video

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Apple HQ is nearly ready for liftoff.
Apple HQ is nearly ready for liftoff.
Photo: Duncan Sinfield

If you thought Apple’s new spaceship campus looks impressive during the day, just wait until you see it at night.

Apple’s stunning new HQ looks like it’s glowing in the latest drone videos that show construction is nearing completion. Landscaping is now underway on the campus with new trees popping up all over, along with walking trails for employees.

Check it out:

Hackers can make $1.5 million jailbreaking iOS 10

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iPhone 7
You can make big bucks hacking the iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith

Looking for a quick way to become a millionaire? Just try hacking the iPhone.

Software security firm Zerodium revealed today that it has raised the price of its permanent bounty on iOS zero-day exploits, giving hackers a chance to earn up to $1.5 million if their exploit meets all the requirements.

Lonely red balloon stars in Apple’s new iPhone 7 ad

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Meet the star of Apple's new ad.
Meet the star of Apple's new ad.
Photo: Apple

Apple has been quick to tout all of its amazing new hardware in its iPhone 7 ads, but the company’s latest spot is all about software. And balloons.

The new expressive messaging features of iOS 10 take the spotlight in Apple’s new ad that features a lonely red balloon drifting across the globe before meeting up with hundreds of its balloon friends to throw an iMessage party for one special person.

Check it out:

Consumers want AirPods more than Apple Watch Series 2

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x
AirPods will be a hot holiday item.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new AirPods may look dork as hell when you wear them, but they’re already proving to be more popular with fans than the new Apple Watch Series 2.

Based on a new survey of US consumers by Bank of America, about 12 percent of of respondents say they definitely will purchase the shiny white AirPods, and it could mean billions for Apple.

Apple partners with Deloitte to push iPad into enterprise

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Tim Cook and Deloitte Global CEO Punit Renjen
Tim Cook and Deloitte Global CEO Punit Renjen roll out a new partnership to boost business use of iPhone and iPad.
Photo: Apple

Apple revealed that it is making a deeper push into enterprise today with the help of the business consulting firm Deloitte.

The partnership between the two companies will lead to the creation of Deloitte’s first-ever “Apple practice.” Deloitte’s new Apple team will be comprised of over 5,000 iOS specialists who will analyze businesses and advise them on the best way to integrate iPhone and iPad into their work environments.

Apple Music tops first JD Power music streaming rankings

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apple music app
Exclusives are keeping Apple Music subscribers loyal.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The first ever J.D. Power music streaming satisfaction survey found that Apple Music is the most liked streaming service in the U.S.

Spotify didn’t even manage to crack the top 3 in the survey that polled over 4,000 subscribers to music streaming services to gauge how well each company performs when it comes to performance and reliability, ease of use, cost, content, communication and customer service.

How to force quit apps on watchOS 3

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apple watch workout app
Force quitting apps is different in watchOS 3.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch apps are faster than ever thanks to watchOS 3, but if you ever run into the rotating dial of death, sometimes quickly force quitting the app can help.

With watchOS 3, Apple has made the force quitting process a bit different. Wearers used to be able to double click the side button to force quit an app. Now the process also involves the Digital Crown.

Aetna is going all-in on Apple for help with health care

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Apple Watch Nike Plus
Your insurance company might subsidize your Apple Watch.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

Aetna, one of the largest U.S. health insurance providers, revealed today that it will subsidize a major portion of Apple Watch costs for customers as part of a new initiative.

The company will combine its own wellness and care-management programs with the power of iPhone and Apple Watch to create new iOS apps that it says should significantly improve customers’ ability to manage their own health.

DJI’s tiny Mavic Pro drone will land at Apple Stores

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The Mavic Pro can be flown via the included controller or your iPhone.
The Mavic Pro can be flown via the included controller or your iPhone.
Photo: DJI

The battle for droning supremacy is heating up today after DJI revealed its tiny new Mavic Pro drone that will take on GoPro’s new Karma drone system.

Despite launching later, the Mavic Pro has a few advantages on the Karma though. It’s smaller, faster and smarter. And you’ll be able to buy it at your local Apple Store.

Drake’s Views is first album to hit 1 billion streams on Apple Music

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Apple CEO Tim Cook with Drake
Eddy Cue and Tim Cook personally congratulated Drake.
Photo: Champagnepapi/Instagram

Apple hit a huge milestone this week thanks to Drake’s latest album, Views, which just became the first album to hit one billion streams on Apple Music.

Apple CEO Tim Cook made it a point to personally toast Drizzy on his accomplishment, and presented a plaque to the singer/rapper alongside VP of Service Eddy Cue.

Retro Apple iOS game controller works with Apple II

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retro apple controller
The AP40 is designed with a silicon "leaf" plug for the USB port.
Photo: 8bitdo

The Apple II and IIc weren’t exactly known as gaming machines when they launched 40 years ago, but that’s not stopping 8bitdo from creating a new wireless gaming controller that comes with an adapter for the PC that put Apple on the map.

The new AP40 Bluetooth controller comes in the shape of a retro Apple logo, allowing you to wirelessly play any old school game on the Apple II.