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Luke Dormehl - page 123

Lawsuit takes aim at Apple’s cellular devices

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watchos
Apple is accused of violating multiple LTE patents.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is on the receiving end of a new lawsuit, claiming that it is infringing more than seven patents relating to LTE cellular standards. The lawsuit potentially affects devices including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and others.

The lawsuit was filed by multiple firms under the umbrella group Optis Wireless Technology. They are asking for damages “in the form of reasonable royalties.”

Apple considered a stackable Mac Pro way back in 1984

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Modular Mac1
A glimpse at how the proposed Jonathan Computer looked.
Photo: Dan Lieberman, released under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Courtesy Blake Patterson of The Byte Cellar.

Apple is rumored to be using a stackable, modular design for its next Mac Pro, allowing components to be easily swapped in and out. It’s an innovative concept — but it’s not new.

In fact, Apple worked on a very similar concept way back in 1984. The so-called Jonathan Computer was ultimately deemed too “advanced and risky” by Apple bosses. Still, what was scarily ahead of its time in the mid-1980s might be perfectly in tune with the times, circa 2019!

Shift Keyboard lets you tap out your messages on Apple Watch

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Apple Watch
Coming soon to a wrist near you.
Photo: Adam Foot

Right now, the easiest way to write messages on Apple Watch is using voice control or Apple’s recommended responses. But one intrepid developer wants to go back to the past by adding a keyboard to Apple’s wearable device.

His app, Shift Keyboard, just launched in the App Store. Developer Adam Foot spoke with Cult of Mac to try and sell us on the idea.

Apple developing its own sleep-tracking tech for Apple Watch

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App Home Screen Apple Watch Series 4
Your Apple Watch could soon track the number of Zs you catch each night.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch could soon add sleep-tracking tech that makes it an even more capable health monitor.

Apple has been testing the new sleep-tracking technology at secret sites around Cupertino, a new report claims. And if it lives up to its promise, it could ship as part of the Apple Watch by 2020.

Apple supplier profits hit by big drop in orders

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Apple display maker exec fired for embezzling millions of dollars
AAC Technologies made acoustic and haptic components for iOS devices.
Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac

Being an Apple supplier can be an unpredictable business. Suppliers whose earnings rely on Apple can take a major tumble if they suddenly fall out of favor.

That’s what happened this week with AAC Technologies Holdings. The acoustic component maker’s shares fell dramatically on Tuesday after it announced a 75 percent decline in orders.

Apple Music coming to Google Home devices [Updated]

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Save $30 on the Google Home smart speaker.
Coming soon to a Google speaker near you.
Photo: Google

Updated: Google  says this was the result of a bug, and it has “nothing to announce regarding updates to Google Home.”

 

Apple Music is on its way to Google Home devices. In the Google Home app for iOS devices, Apple Music is listed as a listening option. However, as of now, it can’t be linked with a Google Home device.

Apple’s streaming music service previously arrived on Amazon Echo devices in December. Between them, Google and Amazon make up the overwhelming majority of smart speakers.

Apple credit card may not be a massive hit for company

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Tim Cook earnings apple
Apple could launch a co-branded credit card as soon as this spring.
Illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s rumored credit card with Goldman Sachs may be attention-grabbing news, but it may not have a huge impact on the company’s bottom line.

In a note to investors, analysts at Bernstein write that the launch of an Apple-branded business card would be “likely immaterial.”

Warren Buffett isn’t rushing to stock up on Apple shares

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Buffett
Warren Buffett has been a massive Apple cheerleader.
Photo: CNBC

Warren Buffett has been one of Apple’s biggest investor cheerleaders. However, the 88-year-old super investor says that he’s not going to be adding to his holdings unless prices go down.

“If it were cheaper, we’d be buying it. We aren’t buying it here,” Buffett told CNBC‘s “Squawk Box.”Apple: I don’t see myself selling – the lower it goes, the better, I like it, obviously.”

Apple’s privacy beliefs may be hitting publishers in the wallet

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Apple News
Apple is gearing up to launch its subscription news service.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Some publishers are not impressed by the ad revenue they’re receiving from Apple News. Ad rates from the platform can reportedly be shockingly low — with one publication earning “low five-figures” per month, and another making less than $1,000 each month.

One big reason for this may be Apple’s privacy stance. This makes it hard for advertisers wanting to get hold of user data. That’s because Apple News doesn’t allow certain types of data gathering or user targeting.

Yes, Tim Cook does read your ‘Dear Tim’ emails

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Tim Cook and Ivanka Trump
Your email might even help dictate Apple's future moves.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook reads what customers say in their emails to him — and sometimes their suggestions do trigger actual change in products.

That’s according to a new report which notes that these “Dear Tim” emails are often read by an assistant. The most relevant ones are then forwarded onto Cook. Where necessary, they are then pushed to employees in other departments.

Handsome co-worker gets bokeh’d in Apple’s latest ad

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Depth control 2
Well, that's one way to do it!
Photo: Apple

Apple continued its run of bokeh-related iPhone ads over the weekend. In its new “Depth Control” ad, a jealous partner blurs a handsome male co-worker out of a photo of his girlfriend/wife, using the depth of field function.

Come to think of it, that sounds a lot less funny in writing than it comes across on screen. As a slice of everyday iPhone use, though, it certainly raised a smile. Check it out below.

Exciting concept shows what a folding iPhone could look like

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Folding iPhone 2
Would you like a folding smartphone from Apple?
Photo: Foldable.News

Samsung showed off its foldable smartphone this week, and while it’s clearly a first-generation model, it’s got a lot of people excited. Foldable phones have the potential to combine our phones and tablets in a way that offers a big display and a pocket-size form factor, all in one.

What would a foldable iPhone look like? With help from industrial designer Roy Gilsing, the folks over at Foldable.News have taken a swing at showing us.

Infographic highlights how Apple brand dominates other companies

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European Commission could get even tougher on tech in 2020
Apple is one heck of a powerful brand name around the world.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s been around for more than 40 years. However, it wasn’t until surprisingly recently that it became the company we know today; a surefire lock for titles like the world’s most admired company.

An astonishing new data visualization highlights this. Using Interbrand’s “brand value” as its metric, it shows just dominant Apple has been in the last several years. And how surprisingly late it entered the list of world’s most valuable brands.

Apple Watch’s heart-reading tech may have saved another life

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Apple Watch Series 4 redesigned heart-rate monitor
Apple Watch's heart monitoring tech has helped another person.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch’s EKG heart rate monitor has possibly saved the life of yet another person.

According to a new report, the Apple Watch belonging to a man in Bothell, Washington was used to diagnose atrial fibrillation. Sometimes shortened to “a-fib” or “AF,” this refers to an irregular, fast heartbeat. It even won over skeptical medics in the process, proving that does apple watch detect heart attack.

Apple’s 2020 iPhone chip will blow away the A12 Bionic

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Gather_Round_A12Bionic 2
Apple's A12 Bionic is the gold standard. Right now, at least.
Photo: Apple

Apple pushed boundaries with last year’s iPhone’s A12 Bionic chip. However, it seems that the company’s 2020-era iPhones is going to blow away Apple’s previous 7-nanometer A12 — with what could turn out to be the mobile world’s first 5-nanometer chip.

If true, this would be another massive leap in miniaturization. And another feather in the cap of manufacturer TSMC.

Can Apple keep cannibalizing its core creations? [Opinion]

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Galaxy-Fold-inside
Folding smartphones could threaten both iPhone and iPad sales.
Photo: Samsung

Apple built its world-dominating status by being brave. Not only did it create hit products, but it never worried about “cannibalizing” existing products to make way for the future.

Will that same strategy hold true at a time when Apple’s dominance is faltering? If the company is going to thrive through the next wave of tech, it’s going to take a whole lot of Dutch Cupertino courage.

Apple may launch its own credit card this spring

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money
Apple could team up with Goldman Sachs for the launch.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple and Goldman Sachs are teaming up to create a joint credit card, according to a new report. The card may offer savings to Apple customers, in addition to making it easier for them to keep tabs on spending.

The Wall Street Journal claims that Apple be using the MasterCard payment network for its endeavor. It is rumored to be rolling out as soon as this spring.

Apple has paid out $25 billion to European developers

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Apple removes 17 malware apps which secretly clicked on ads
Apple has paid out a whole lot to Euro developers.
Photo: Apple

It’s not just U.S. developers who are hitting it rich thanks to the App Store. According to new figures released by Apple, it has now paid out $25 billion through the App Store to European developers.

Last June, Apple reported having paid out more than $20 billion. Almost an extra $5 billon in seven months is pretty darn impressive — working out at upward of $70 million per month.

Laurene Powell Jobs invests in Apple TV show maker

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Laurene Powell Jobs (center) at the Female Founders Conference 2016 in San Francisco.
Laurene Powell Jobs (center) at the Female Founders Conference 2016 in San Francisco.
Photo: Y Combinator/Flickr CC

Reese Witherspoon is definitely doing something right when it comes to TV production. First, Apple invested in three shows being produced by the Hollywood actress, which will be among the most prominent of Apple’s original TV efforts.

Now, a new report claims that Laurene Powell Jobs, philanthropist, media mogul and widow of the late Steve Jobs, is helping to finance Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine.

Apple dethroned as Fast Company’s most innovative company

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Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Apple tumbled all the way down to seventeenth place.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Fast Company has released its 2019 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies — and, unlike last year, Apple’s no longer number one.

This year, Apple falls substantially to 17th place. “They didn’t really break new ground with their devices, and hardware sales were sluggish,” Fast Company senior editor Amy Farley told CNBC. But the business publication does give Apple props for its dazzling A12 Bionic chip.

Rap T-shirt designer gives Steve Jobs the hip-hop fashion treatment

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Marino Morwood 2
Marino Morwood's designs have been worn by some crazy popular rappers.
Photo: Marino Morwood

Steve Jobs may have been referenced in a hip-hop track or two, but Apple’s co-founder and urban fashion aren’t exactly things you’d expect to find together.

That did not stop rap T-shirt designer Marino Morwood from picking Jobs as the subject of his latest creation. Having focused stars like Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. for his previous designs, his Steve Jobs T-shirt could bring Apple’s late CEO to a whole new audience!

Qualcomm renews efforts to block certain iPhone imports in U.S.

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Qualcomm headquarters
Certain iPhone models could potentially be blocked from sale in the U.S.
Photo: Qualcomm

Qualcomm has ramped up its efforts against Apple as part of the long-running battle between the two tech companies.

The chip maker has asked U.S. trade regulators to reverse a previous judge’s ruling. This would allow it to block the import of certain iPhone models into the United States.

Student faces lengthy prison spell for drug-dealing iOS app

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Mascot 2
The app was named after UC Santa Cruz's banana slug mascot.
Photo: Mike Fernwood/Flickr CC

Drugs on a college campus? To paraphrase an old Apple slogan, it turns out there’s an app for that.

Created by 18-year-old University of California, Santa Cruz student Collin Riley Howard, the Banana Plug app allegedly allowed customers to place orders for drugs — including cocaine, “Molly” and “shrooms” — from the comfort of their iOS devices. Howard then communicated with buyers via Snapchat to set up the sale, authorities say.

Apple’s latest ad will make believe an Apple Watch can fly

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Flight 2
Apple's best commercial of 2019 so far.
Photo: Apple

The latest Apple Watch ad likens the Apple Watch Series 4’s cellular capabilities to the power of flight.

It features 29-year-old Finnish-American athlete Inka Tiitto, best known to U.S. audiences for her appearance in America’s Got Talent. It depicts Tiitto running through woods and mountainsides, before eventually being hurled upward into the sky for a dazzling skydiving display.

Check it out below.