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Killian Bell - page 135

iOS 11.3 makes updating foreign apps easier than ever

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App Store
Apple apps no longer dominate App Store search results.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has made it easier to update apps and games purchased from foreign App Stores in iOS 11.3. Users no longer have to switch to the App Store they originally downloaded the title from, making the update process a whole lot quicker.

Olá! Apple Pay goes live in Brazil

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Apple Pay iPhone
Yet another reason to use Apple Pay.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Brazil has become the first South American country to get Apple Pay support.

Users can sign up for the service today by registering their Itaú Unibanco, MasterCard, or Visa credit and debit cards in the Wallet app.

Fortnite gets weapon vending machines, explosive game mode

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Fortnite vending machine
Using a vending machine is easy if you have the materials.
Photo: Epic Games

This week’s Fortnite update brings vending machines to battle royale, allowing you to trade unwanted building materials for weapons.

The vending machines are scattered around the map, and each offers three items of randomly-selected rarities. The items are cycled every so often and there is no limit to how many you can purchase in each match.

Epic Games has also added a limited-time High Explosives game mode.

Snapchat adds group video chat and friend tagging

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Snapchat
Snapchat lets you video chat with up to 16 people.
Photo: Snapchat

Snapchat just rolled out a big update that gives users the ability to tag friends in Stories and enjoy chaotic group video chats with up to 16 people. It has also added support for even more ridiculous voice calls that support up to 32 people.

Apple Pay nagging might violate antitrust laws

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Antitrust investigators want to know if retailers were compelled to use Apple Pay
It’ll take years to roll out to everyone.
Illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is under fire for nagging iPhone users to activate Apple Pay.

Some users say its persistent notifications in iOS are “the most aggressive” push Apple has ever made to encourage users to adopt a new service. Analysts are even labeling it “antitrust behavior.”

Happy 8th birthday to the iPad

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quotes on Apple
iPad obviously makes the list (but Apple Pencil doesn't).
Photo: Apple

Happy birthday to the iPad.

Apple’s revolutionary tablet first went on sale eight years ago today, two months after its big unveiling at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. It remains the best tablet money can buy, and recent rumors have claimed it’s going to get even better in 2018.

iOS 11.3 could be missing two big features when it goes public

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iOS 11.3 Beta 1
What happened to Messages on iCloud?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iOS 11.3 could be missing two big features when it finally makes its public debut this spring.

Messages on iCloud and AirPlay 2 are notably missing from early release notes. Both features, which were initially expected to come with iOS 11 last fall, have been hit by several days. Who knows when they will appear again.

Latest Apple Pay promo saves you 20% on sporting goods

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Apple Pay Fanatics
Save at Fanatics until April 4.
Photo: Apple

This week’s Apple Pay promotion could get you 20 percent off when you buy sporting goods from Fanatics. You’ll need to spend a minimum of $25 to qualify for the offer, which is valid until April 4. You will also need to use a promo code at checkout.

Fortnite gets party text chat, big improvements on iOS

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Fortnite sniper
Sniper Shootout is back and better than ever!
Photo: Epic Games

Epic Games is now rolling out its latest Fortnite patch, adding new weapons, new game modes, and more. There are big improvements for those who play on iOS, too — including the addition of party text chat and a whole host of bug fixes.

iPad vs. iPad Pro: Which is right for you?

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2018 iPad and Apple Pencil
Is the new iPad right for you?
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Apple’s most affordable iPad is now even greater. With a faster A10 processor and support for Apple Pencil, it’s closer to the iPad Pro than it’s ever been. And yet, it’s less than half the price — and even more affordable if you’re a student.

So, what’s the difference between them? Is the iPad Pro still worth the extra cash?

Choosing between the two doesn’t have to be difficult. Our helpful comparison will help you decide which iPad is right for you.

Stellar speakers, smart doorbells, and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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UPstage 360 Crowdfund Roundup
Unlike HomePod, UPstage 360 supports all your favorite services.
Photo: UPstage 360

Crowdfund Roundup bugIf HomePod just doesn’t do it for you, you need the immersive sound of the UPstage 360. This incredible speaker uses patented technology to deliver high-quality sound that fills almost any room, and it connects to all your favorite services.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have smart home doorbells, stunning mechanical keyboards, and more!

Fortnite offers exclusive loot to Twitch Prime subscribers

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Fortnite Twitch Prime loot
Exclusive loot you can’t buy from the Fortnite shop.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite players can now get their hands on exclusive loot simply by linking their Twitch Prime accounts. The gear pack includes two outfits, back bling, and a glider — and Epic just revealed a sweet pickaxe skin to go with it.

Firefox now puts Facebook in a ‘container’ so it can’t track you

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Firefox Facebook Container
A ‘Facebook Container’ inside Firefox.
Photo: Mozilla

None of us are happy with the way in which Facebook is handling our data, but many of us rely on the platform too much to follow the #deletefacebook movement. Thanks to Mozilla, you can now enjoy the best of both worlds (almost).

Its new Firefox extension puts Facebook inside a “container” so that you can enjoy the platform without having to worry about it tracking everything you do online.

Fortnite phenomenon smashes YouTube records

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Fortnite base
Fortnite is still killing it.
Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Fortnite enjoyed a boost to its already rapidly-growing fanbase when it made the leap to iOS earlier this month.

The gaming phenomenon shows no signs of losing its momentum after smashing YouTube records for the largest number of concurrent viewers on a single live game stream, and for the most monthly uploads related to a single game.

Apple store goes down ahead of today’s big education event

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Apple store down event
"We'll be back."
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

The Apple online store is down ahead of today’s big education event, which kicks off at 10 a.m. central time.

Downtime is an indication that Apple is preparing to add new products to its lineup, which could be available to purchase or pre-order later today. Recent rumors have hinted at the arrival of a new MacBook Air and an even more affordable iPad.

Spotify could finally come to Apple Watch at WWDC

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Snowy-Spotify-Apple-Watch
Spotify hired Andrew Chang, creator of a third-party Spotify app for watchOS, last April.
Photo: Snowy

Spotify will finally deliver its first Apple Watch app this year, according to a new report.

It could get an official reveal at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June alongside “StreamKit,” a new framework for watchOS 5 that will boost the cellular Apple Watch’s standalone capabilities.

iOS 11 bug lets QR codes trick you into visiting malicious websites

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QR codes
Beware sketchy QR codes if you’re using iOS 11.
Photo: Thomas Leuthard/Flickr

Security researchers have discovered yet another bug in iOS 11 that leaves users vulnerable to malicious attacks.

The flaw in the built-in QR code reader can be exploited to trick people into visiting malicious websites that are initially disguised as innocent.

Apple wants to bring these accessibility emoji to iOS

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Apple accessibility emoji
Apple's new emoji suggestions, designed to better represent those with a disability
Photo: Apple

Apple has proposed a bunch of new accessibility emoji that it wants to bring to iOS.

There are nine altogether — some of which are available in different genders and skin tones — including guide dogs, a heading aid, prosthetic limbs, and more.

Apple will let you watch next week’s big event (just not live)

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Apple March 27 event
There will be no livestream.
Photo: Apple

Apple today updated its Apple Events app for tvOS ahead of its education event on March 27. You’ll be able to watch a recording of the keynote on your Apple TV to see what’s in store — but only after the event has concluded.

There is no livestream this time.

iBooks revamp could bring App Store’s traffic-boosting ‘Today’ tab

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iOS 11 iPad Pro
Look out for the changes next month.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s impending iBooks revamp will feature a new “Today” tab to showcase its hottest titles, according to a new report.

Sources have claimed that the new “Books” app will rollout with iOS 11.3 this spring, but recent changes in the developer betas suggest it could be on hold.

Apple vows to zip Siri’s loose lips in future update

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has promised it will fix Siri’s newly-discovered privacy problem in a future software update.

The flaw allows anyone to read your unread messages and other notifications without your passcode — even those that you’ve chosen to hide. It’s not yet clear if Apple will have the fix ready in time for iOS 11.3, which is already on its sixth beta release.

Apple Pay promo fills your belly without emptying your wallet

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Apple Pay food promo
Remember to use the promo code!
Photo: Apple

Apple Pay’s latest promotion lets you save cash when you order food deliveries through Grubhub, Seamless, and Eat24. Use the promo code and pay for your order with Apple Pay (obviously), and you won’t be charged any extra for delivery to your door.

Fortnite beginner’s guide: How to dominate the year’s hottest game

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Fortnite iOS 14
Everyone should welcome skill-based matchmaking.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

You’re missing out on one of the greatest games to ever grace iOS if you’re not playing Fortnite. It’s that good. And now you can dive in knowing all you need to know about getting started with battle royale.

Our beginner’s guide will teach you how to win games without Fortnite experience. You’ll learn which weapons are best for new starters, where to land if you want to stay alive longer, how to loot effectively, and more.

Get stuck in and start racking up those wins!

New Apple Watch bands sport ‘vibrant colors’ for spring 2018

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Apple Watch bands
That Apple Watch band you wanted may be gone.
Photo: Apple

Spring has sprung, and there’s a whole bunch of new Apple Watch bands to celebrate. They sport “vibrant colors and unique designs,” Apple says — and they’ll be available to purchase from select stores and carriers around the world later this month.

Jimmy Iovine will step back from Apple Music this summer

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Iovine
Jimmy Iovine’s days at Apple are numbered.
Photo: Apple

Jimmy Iovine will step back from his role at Apple and transition into a consultancy position this August, according to a new report.

Sources say he will “support” Apple executive Eddy Cue while spending more time with his family. It’s the second time we’ve heard that the Beats co-founder will leave Apple this year, but Iovine has previously labeled the claims “fake news.