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Ed Hardy - page 242

Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac brings loads of new features

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Focus Mode in Word from Office 2019 for Mac
Among the new features in Office 2019 for Mac is Focus Mode in Word.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft Office for Mac just got its first major update in years.  Previews of the 2019 edition have been appearing for months, but the wait for the full version is over.

It brings loads of new features to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Waze’s next-gen navigation cruises onto CarPlay

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Waze CarPlay
The long wait for Waze on Apple's CarPlay in-dash system is over.
Photo: Waze

For too many years, the only navigation application for CarPlay users was Apple Maps. But iOS 12 changed that. Last week, CarPlay users got access to Google Maps. And now the rival Waze is an option.

This means that all three of the most popular turn-by-turn smartphone navigation titles can be used with Apple’s in-dash system.

iPhone XS Max whips Samsung Galaxy Note 9 in speed tests

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Apple wins benchmark and real-world comparisons of the performance of the iPhone XS Max and the Galaxy Note 9.
Apple wins benchmark and real-world comparisons of the performance of the iPhone XS Max and the Galaxy Note 9.
Screenshot: SuperSaf TV

Both Samsung and Apple offer really large smartphones fo those who want to carry a miniature tablet around with them everywhere. Anyone trying to decide between the iPhone XS Max and the Galaxy Note 9 should consider which one offers better performance.

In several head-to-head tests, the iPhone solidly beats its Android-based rival. That’s in both benchmarks and real-world use.

iPhone XS Max vastly outsells smaller XS

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iPhone Xs
The iPhone XS Max is Apple's best selling model by a wide margin.
Photo: Apple

When it comes to iPhones, it appears bigger is much better. The iPhone XS series debuted on Friday, and a respected analyst reports the larger of the two is selling far, far better than its smaller sibling.

The analyst also reports that the new Apple Watch Series 4 is selling better than he expected.

First iOS 12.1 public beta offers Group FaceTime

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FaceTime group calls iOS 12
Group FaceTime is back! Sort of. You can call 32 friends at once if you're all willing to install iOS 12.1 public beta 1.
Photo: Apple

Anyone who’d like to try out iOS 12.1 can now do so. Apple just seeded the first public beta, a couple of days after the developer-only version.

Be warned: those who are going to trade in their current iPhone for a shiny new iPhone X’s tomorrow absolutely should not install this.

Apple monitors your iPhone usage to assign you a ‘trust score’

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Apple Maps reservation OpenTable
Apple is watching to be sure your device is really being used by you, and has begun giving each an iPhone trust score.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In an attempt to prevent fraudulent purchases from the iTunes Store, Apple has begun giving each iOS device a “trust score.” Exactly how this is computed isn’t known, but one of the factors is how many phone calls and emails are sent and received by the phone or tablet.

Despite the laudable goal of preventing fraud, an iPhone trust score is something likely to raise the hackles of privacy advocates. Still, Apple promises that it’s not tracking its users.

iPhone XS reveals its secrets in first teardown video

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The first iPhone XS teardown video shows the unusual L-shaped battery.
The first iPhone XS teardown video shows the unusual L-shaped battery.
Photo: FixjeiPhone

The iPhone XS debuts tomorrow, but a video showing this device being disassembled is already available. This not only gives the first look at the internal components but reveals some of the details about this smartphone.

Perhaps the most unusual feature of Apple’s new high-end model is the L-shaped battery.

HomePod kills where it matters most: Making money

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Siri Lights
Apple is in business to make a profit, and HomePod sales are bringing in more revenue than any of its rivals.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Weak HomePod sales caused it to fall off of the list of top 5 smartspeakers during the second quarter of this year. But there’s a very important metric where this product is beating all its rivals.

And it’s a category where Apple excels: making money.

Apple completely dominates premium smartphone sales

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iPhone X
Sales of the iPhone X were vastly higher than the equivalently-priced Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Samsung sells more phones than Apple, and its high-end devices like the Galaxy S9 get lots of attention. That means Samsung sells as many top-tier models as Apple, right? Nope, not even close.

Apple sells close to twice as many premium phones as its top rival. In this case, “premium” is any handset costing over $400. Which is a fairly low bar.

DNC urges Democrats to dump Android for iPhone

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GrayKey can bypass iPhone security
iPhone security impresses the new head of information security at the Democratic National Party.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Democratic National Committee has a solution for improving its smartphone security: switch to iPhone. It suggests that Democratic organizations get rid of all their Android devices.

This is especially true if the phones are from ZTE, a company with ties to the Chinese government.

Apple Watch Series 4 reviews: The watch of the future is here today

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Apple
Apple Watch Series 4 is significantly better than the earliest versions of this wearable.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s next-generation wearable launches Friday, so the first batch of Apple Watch Series 4 reviews appeared today. The experts with early access sound quite positive about this device.

They like the new display and the faster performance. The new ECG heart monitor function can’t yet be tested, however.

Apple makes last payment on $16.7 billion in Irish back taxes

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money
Even given Apple's $1 trillion valuation, $16.7 billion in back taxes is a big chunk of money Apple hopes it will get back.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple has now transferred all €14.3 billion it has been ordered to pay Ireland for back taxes. The cash will stay in an escrow fund while Ireland tries to convince the EU that Apple should get its money back.

This is part of an on-going saga with the EU accusing Ireland of being a tax haven, and Apple caught in the middle.

iOS 12.1 confirms new iPads are on the way

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2018 iPad Pro concept art
Looks like the rumored 2018 iPad Pro models are coming after all.
Photo: Álvaro Pabesio

The September Apple event came and went without any mention of the iPad Pro models that had been the stars of so many rumors. But there’s still hope! Buried deep in the just-released iOS 12.1 beta 1 is a clear reference to an iPad on the docket for this fall.

So be patient. The redesigned tablets we’ve heard so much about could be coming soon.

iPhone’s controversial notch may get smaller next year

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Can you spot the change in the 2019 iPhone models?
Can you spot the change in the 2019 iPhone models?
Photo: Ben Geskin

The 2018 iPhones aren’t even out yet and we already have our first rumor about next year’s models. If you’re hoping for big changes in the 2019 iPhones, better temper your expectations. It seems the next-generation of Apple handsets will include displays the same size size as this year’s iPhone XS and XS Max.

But there reportedly will be one significant difference. One that many people will like.

Dead batteries won’t kill NFC on iPhone XS and XR

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iPhone 6 with a dead battery
A dead battery used to be a big problem. It's slightly less of an issue with the iPhone XS.
Photo: Apple

It’s irritating when your iPhone runs out of battery. But it can actually be life threatening if you depend on your phone’s NFC feature to get into your dorm room or onto a train. 

That’s why the iPhone XS and the other 2018 models still offer some NFC transactions even when down to the power reserve.

You’ll never guess what’s inside the iPhone XS boxes [Unboxing videos]

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quotes on Apple
Just one has a staggering amount of computing power compared to the Apollo 11 computer.
Screenshot: Jonathan Morrison

The average joe won’t get their hands on the new iPhone XS until Friday, but a fortunate few got early access. That’s led to the first unboxing videos of Apple’s new flagship smartphone.

These offer quick, hands-on overviews of the iPhone XS Max and the smaller iPhone XS for people who just can’t wait until they get one themselves.

Benchmarks prove iOS 12 is Apple’s fastest yet

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iOS 12
Apple promised a speed increase from iOS 12. How well did it deliver?
Photo: Apple

Since the day Apple first unveiled iOS 12 back in June the company has been saying that this new version of its mobile operating system be faster than any of its predecessors. Now that it’s out, we can test that promise.

We put a iPhone X running iOS 12 through benchmark tests and compared the results to this device running iOS 11. Spoiler: you’re going to like the results.

Grab Safari 12 today for safer, better browsing

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Get Safari 12 today, even if you're not running macOS Mojave.
You can upgrade to Safari 12 right now, even if you're not running macOS Mojave.
Photo: Apple

Turns out you don’t have to upgrade to macOS Mojave to enjoy the benefits of Safari 12. Apple just released it for two earlier versions: High Sierra and Sierra.

This browser update works hard to protect your privacy, and offers plenty of other improvements too.

Handy Shortcuts app launches alongside iOS 12

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Shortcuts app from iOS 12
Apple's new Shortcuts automation app has to be downloaded separately from iOS 12.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The full version of iOS 12 is now available for everyone. One of its cool new features is Siri Shortcuts, but those who want to automate functions on their iPhone also need to download a separate application from the App Store.

The new utility lets people create scripts that collect several actions together, then launch them with a voice command. The idea is to let you automate actions that you perform regularly.

iPhone XS preorder volume fails to impress analysts

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iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
iPhone XS sales were probably lower than Apple hoped. Still, the likely reason is another iPhone model.
Photo: Apple

Apple started taking pre-orders for both iPhone XS series models on Friday. One analyst says sales of these new models weren’t as strong as the first weekend of the iPhone X.

It seems that interest in the more affordable iPhone XR is cutting into demand for Apple’s new flagship smartphones.

Why Apple makes it nearly impossible to fix your own iPhone

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This opened iPhone X looks a lot like a snake's mouth. That's appropriate.
This opened iPhone X looks a lot like a snake's mouth. That's appropriate.
Photo: iFixit

Whenever a new iPhone or iPad is released, Apple gets criticized for how hard it is to work on. Special tools are required and everything is glued together. Replacing your own screen or battery is nigh impossible.

But it turns out the company is doing you a favor. Because iPhone repair is surprisingly dangerous.

iPhone XS Dual SIM won’t come until later this year

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Apple watch
An eSIM is tiny even compared to a nano-SIM. And the one built into the iPhone XS models.will bring a nice benefit. Eventually.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple touted support for using multiple SIM cards at once in its new top-tier iPhones during their announcement. But there’s a problem the company “forgot” to mention: this feature won’t be available when the iPhone XS and XS Max reach customers’ hands next week.

This is just one of several features in Apple’s 2018 product lineup that aren’t coming as soon as expected.

Notch? What notch? Apple finds way to hide controversial iPhone ‘feature’

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iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
It's not easy to see the iPhone XS notch in most of the official images of the device, but it's there.
Photo: Apple

The default wallpaper for the new iPhone XS models is undoubtedly beautiful. But that’s clearly not why Apple chose it. It can’t be a coincidence that the black region of the image is perfectly placed to hide the screen cutout.

Apple isn’t denying the existence of the notch in the two most expensive of the 2018 iPhones, but it’s certainly trying to de-emphasize it.

Trump tariffs are about to hit Apple fans where it hurts

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tariffs
President Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook don't see eye-to-eye on any of the Trump tarrifs.
Photos: White House/Apple

President Trump reportedly ordered tariffs on $200 billion more Chinese goods yesterday. After these were first proposed several weeks ago, Apple warned that they’ll likely increase the cost of many of its products.

The list of affected devices includes some of Apple’s most popular offerings.

HyperJuice AirPods wireless charger does what Apple can’t

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The HyperJuice is an AirPods wireless charger that, unlike Apple's, is available now, not sometime in the future.
The HyperJuice is an AirPods wireless charger that, unlike Apple's, is available now, not sometime in the future.
Photo: Hyper

Conspicuously absent from the Apple event yesterday was the AirPods wireless charger that the company first showed off last year. Well, you don’t have to wait for Apple to get its act together because a third-party accessory maker called Hyper just announced its own solution.

HyperJuice is a snap-on adapter to the Apple AirPods Charging Case, allowing it to get power from any Qi wireless charger.