Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
Apple's tax bill in France will be deductible. Illustration: Cult of Mac
Apple has agreed to pay French authorities around $571 million in back taxes, according to new reports.
Apple today confirmed the deal but did not disclose the sum itself. The agreement comes after a multi-year audit into Apple’s accounts by the French tax administration.
Popular email client Newton Mail has made a surprise return to the App Store — alongside Newton Calendar.
Users can log in using the same Newton account they used before. If you haven’t already tried Newton Mail, you can enjoy a 14-day free trial before subscribing.
You might not be stuck with Safari for much longer. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple plans to limit Safari’s access to the accelerometer and gyroscope inside your iOS device in an upcoming software update.
iOS 12.2 will prevent websites from having access to motion data by default, rendering certain content unusable — even on Apple’s own website. Users will be able to change this inside Safari’s settings, however.
This week’s Fortnite update will bring brand new bottle rockets to Battle Royale.
Epic Games has started teasing the item in-game ahead of its arrival. Meanwhile, new files discovered in Fortnite’s latest update suggest an earthquake will be the next big event ahead of season eight.
Extra protection for your messages. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Your WhatsApp conversations can now be protected by Face ID or Touch ID on iPhone.
The latest update to the world’s most popular messaging app lets users take advantage of the iPhone’s biometric security features for an extra layer of protection. Here’s how it works.
Controller support is better than ever. Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac
Microsoft is gearing up to release a software development kit that will allow Android and iOS developers to integrate Xbox Live features into their games.
The SDK, which will be officially confirmed by Microsoft next month, will also be available to Nintendo Switch developers. It will make Microsoft the first console-maker to open up its platform to third-party systems.
You can save a pretty penny on a sweet upgrade, whether you need a new iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac — and we’ll help you get the money you deserve for your old gear.
Some iOS 11 users are having trouble accessing the App Store and Apple Music, according to online reports.
The services have been unusable for over a day for a number of users who are yet to upgrade to the latest software — despite being shown as online on Apple’s System Status page. There is a weird workaround that has proven useful for some, however.
Samsung may have accidentally given us an early glimpse at its first foldable phone — weeks before it gets its official unveiling.
A foldable device appears in a one-minute teaser posted and then quickly removed by Samsung Vietnam. But is it really the handset that will be revealed during a big Samsung Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 20?
Nintendo has confirmed that Dr. Mario will be its next franchise to make the leap to mobile.
Dr. Mario World is scheduled for a worldwide release in “early summer” on Android and iOS. It will be developed by Nintendo, Line, and NHN Entertainment, and just like the rest of Nintendo’s mobile lineup, it will be free-to-play.
We’ve seen some terrific discounts on the latest iPad Pro lineup, despite the fact that it hasn’t been out for long, and Amazon’s latest is up there with the best of them. The retail giant has slashed $100 off the 256GB model with cellular connectivity, reducing its price tag to $999.
And that’s just one of the awesome offers in today’s Deals & Steals roundup! We also have refurbished 9.7-inch iPad Pro units for under $300, and $125 off the Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE. Plus, you can save up to 46 percent on some of Logitech’s best accessories for iPad and Mac.
Fortnite players can now start earning exclusive new Marshmello rewards ahead of the artist’s in-game concert on February 2.
There are four altogether, but sadly the Marshmello model that leaked in data files earlier this week isn’t one of them. You can look forward to a new spray, emote, and pickaxe, however.
The new iPad mini is more affordable when you sell your old one. Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac
Compal Electronics will be the primary supplier of the next-generation iPad mini, which is expected to launch sometime this year, according to a new report.
The manufacturer is in the process of expanding production capacity with the expectation of increased shipments and revenues in 2019, despite “clouded” economic prospects.
It won’t happen until 2020 at the earliest. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed plans to merge WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger — but says it probably won’t happen until 2020 at the earliest.
In a fourth-quarter earnings call this week, Zuckerberg also explained the reasons behind the plan, such as increased security with end-to-end encryption. Many questions still remain unanswered, however.
It won’t be here until the summer. Photo: Nintendo
You’ll have to wait longer to get your hands on the very first Mario Kart game for Android and iOS.
Nintendo has confirmed that the launch of Mario Kart Tour has been pushed back to this summer. The much-anticipated title was originally scheduled to arrive by the end of March, but Nintendo says it needs more time to “improve quality of the application.”
It is Nintendo’s second big delay in just one week.
World-famous electronic music producer Marshmello will perform live inside Fortnite on February 2.
Epic Games is yet to confirm the event, but hidden Battle Royale assets confirm the concert will take place in Pleasant Park at 2 p.m. ET. A stage is currently being erected in preparation.
Pokémon Rumble Rush is rolling out now. Photo: Cult of Mac
The Pokémon Company looks to be hard at work on a brand new Pokémon game for mobile.
The studio is seeking a principal game designer who will work “within a team of designers, engineers, artists, producers, and testers to create an upcoming mobile game.”
Forget downloading your playlists before takeoff. Photo: Apple
Starting Friday, Apple Music subscribers can enjoy the service on domestic flights with American Airlines without purchasing Wi-Fi.
Complete access to the service and its more than 50 million songs will be available on flights equipped with Viasat satellite Wi-Fi. American Airlines is the first commercial airline to offer the service.
Google’s official Gmail app is getting a fancy new redesign on Android and iOS.
The fresh lick of paint won’t just make Gmail look better; it will also come with new features and tweaks that will make it quicker and easier to use, as well as phishing alerts for dodgy emails.
You can now play at 120Hz on iPad Pro. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Fortnite for iOS finally supports wireless game controllers. After installing the latest version 7.30 release, you can connect a compatible MFi controller and bid goodbye to fiddly touch controls.
But don’t expect exactly the same experience as on consoles, and don’t assume you’re going to have an advantage over other mobile players.
Here’s what you need to know about playing Fortnite for iOS with a controller.
A new and questionable render promises to provide iPhone fans with their very first look at Apple’s next-generation flagship.
Dubbed “iPhone XI,” the iPhone XS successor has a redesigned camera system and comes in new color options. It is also claimed to offer a bigger battery, USB-C connectivity, and more.
This week’s Apple Pay promotion will save you 20 percent on sports goods at Fanatics.
You’ll need to spend $25 or more and will obviously need to use Apple Pay to qualify for the discount. You will also need to remember to enter a promotional code at checkout.
Fortnite’s latest update is now available across all platforms, and it’s a big one — particularly for those who play on iOS devices.
The version 7.30 release sends a number of popular weapons to the vault, adds a brand new Chiller Grenade, and finally brings physical controller support to iPhone and iPad.
It has taken Apple too long to acknowledge the problem. Photo: Apple
Apple was made aware of a serious flaw in FaceTime over a week ago and ignored it, one user claims.
The bug, which allows callers to see and hear you before you’ve answered a Group FaceTime call, has forced Apple to disable the feature this week. But why wasn’t it recognized earlier?
The Pixel 3 destroys iPhone in low-light performance. Photo: Google
Google is shaming the iPhone’s low-light performance once again in new marketing material for its Pixel 3 lineup.
One company VP shared comparison photos on Twitter that highlight (no pun intended) the Pixel 3’s incredible ability to capture dark scenes. The results simply aren’t possible on an iPhone — or any other handset on sale today.