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Luke Dormehl - page 57

Universal will sell digital movies just weeks after their theatrical debut

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Some analysts think Apple should snap up a movie studio. Bad idea!
Or you could watch them from the comfort of your own home.
Photo: Naoya Fujii/Flickr CC

A new deal means that movie fans won’t be waiting as long to see Universal Pictures movies pop up for sale on iTunes and other digital platforms after their theatrical debut.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, an agreement between theater chain AMC Entertainment and Universal means that the theatrical exclusivity window will be cut from 75 days to just 17 days. This means certain titles will be available after just 2.5 weeks after they first arrived in theaters.

The good, the bad, and the Wario: Mario Kart Tour goes to the Wild West

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Mario Kart Tour
Mario Kart Tour is going west.
Photo: Nintendo

Get ready for some high plains drifting because Mario Kart Tour is headed west. To the Wild West, more precisely!

Having travelled all over the world in previous updates, the mobile-focused version of Mario Kart is now going back in time to frontier country with its latest update. And it’s brought some appropriately themed characters along for the ride over yonder.

Read Tim Cook’s opening remarks for his antitrust testimony Wednesday

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Tim Cook
Far from gatekeepers, Tim Cook will argue that Apple is opening doors.
Photo: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook will argue that his company does not dominate any market in which it does business when he appears before the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee Wednesday, according to his opening statement released ahead of time (.pdf).

While Cook will say that “scrutiny is reasonable and appropriate,” he will assert that Apple refuses to make “concession on the facts” by agreeing that it is a monopoly. If anything, Cook will argue that Apple is no gatekeeper, but, through the App Store, has actually opened the gate to developers.

Airbnb and ClassPass join chorus of complaints about Apple’s 30% sales fee

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Money on Unsplash
Apple is demanding its usual fee for in-app sales.
Photo: Pepi Stojanovski/Unsplash

Airbnb and ClassPass are the two latest companies to clash with Apple over the tech giant’s demands for a percentage of in-app sales.

According to the The New York Times, the two companies — reeling from the effects of COVID-19 on their businesses — are upset that Apple demands a 30% cut of sales for their sale of online experiences.

Congress may scrutinize Apple’s ‘copy-acquire-kill’ strategy

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Tim Cook goes to Washington
This is one of the questions Tim Cook could field tomorrow.
Screenshot: Apple

Lawmakers reportedly will quiz Apple on its “copy-acquire-kill” strategy during Wednesday’s congressional antitrust hearing.

According to the Washington Post, this will be one of the areas that Apple will be scrutinized on to see if it has engaged in anti-competitive behavior. “Copy-acquire-kill” refers to buying companies to acquire their innovative features, before killing them to stop other platforms from having access to them.

From Apple TV+ to Apple Arcade, Cupertino’s new services fail to bring in big money

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Share Apple TV+
Apple services may not be bringing in the cash, Bloomberg says.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

As Apple’s services division grows in importance, the company’s newest services — Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+ and Apple Card — are failing to bring in significant revenue, according to a new report.

Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman writes that, while services likely will increase yet again when Apple announces its Q3 earnings this week, most of these gains will come from older services like the App Store.

Apple dragged into territory dispute over how Kosovo is presented in Apple Maps

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Updated Apple Maps rolls out in Pacific Northwest and Midwest
This isn't the first time something like this has happened.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Kosovo’s foreign minister Meliza Haradinaj recently wrote to Tim Cook to ask Apple to make changes to Apple Maps to reflect a disputed border with Serbia.

Haradinaj’s letter notes that: “The Apple Maps service does not show the Republic or Kosovo in its internationally recognized borders. Instead, the Republic of Kosovo is shown as part of Serbia. This is direct contradiction of the political and legal realities. It is felt as a hurt by our citizens who suffered immense loss in our independence struggle. It is also perceived as an insult to our State.”

These were the top video steaming apps on iOS in June

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75% of Netflix users have no plans to jump ship to Apple TV+ (right away)
Netflix is continuing its momentum in the age of Disney+ and others.
Photo: Stock Catalog/Flickr CC

There might be more streaming services than ever, but Netflix seems like it’s continuing to maintain momentum in the age of Disney+, HBO+, and others.

According to a new report by Sensor Tower, Netflix was the second-most downloaded iOS app in the App Store. The number one streaming video app? YouTube, of course.

Leaked image suggests Apple has no plans to nix the notch on iPhone 12

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the notch on the iPhone x
The notch isn't going anywhere, a new image suggests.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Images posted to Chinese social media depict what could be the notch and display for the upcoming 5.4-inch iPhone 12.

It’s tough to tell too much from the picture. However, if accurate, it contradicts previous reports that Apple could reduce the size of the notch or eliminate it completely on the new iPhones. On the contrary, since the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 could be the smallest Face ID iPhone yet, the notch might be comparatively larger than ever!

Apple could face tough questions in this week’s antitrust hearing

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Tim Cook will testify before a congressional antitrust subcommittee this week.
Tim Cook will testify before a congressional antitrust subcommittee this week.
Photo: Mark Mathosian/Flickr CC

When the CEOs of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google take questions Wednesday from the U.S. House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, they likely will face intense scrutiny of their companies’ business practices. But just how tough will the questioning get?

Scott Galloway, a NYU Stern School of Business marketing professor who wrote the best-selling book The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, thinks he knows what Congress will ask the executives. In a new article, Galloway laid out the questions Apple CEO Tim Cook and the others should expect.

New iMac may be on the way, but don’t expect Apple Silicon or redesign just yet

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IMAC-G4_render_04 1
Don't expect a futuristic redesign just yet.
Photo: Xhakomo Doda

Apple could (possibly) debut its iMac refresh as soon as this week. But those hoping for the much-rumored iMac redesign and Apple Silicon integration likely will need to wait a bit longer.

The suggestion that Apple will update the iMac was first mentioned in a tweet by leaker @Soybeys that has since been deleted. Apple leaker Jon Prosser, who also has been known to be pretty accurate in the past, said new iMacs are on the way, but suggested they will debut in August instead.

Prosser also said not to expect a major iMac redesign until the first Apple Silicon Macs arrive further down the line.

Apple TV+ wins pair of Emmys for Ghostwriter and Peanuts in Space

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ghostwriter
Apple TV+ has scored a couple of big Emmy wins.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ picked up two Daytime Emmy awards over the weekend, including “Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Program” for Ghostwriter and “Outstanding Single Camera Editing” for Peanuts in Space: Secrets of Apollo 10.

While two wins is only a fraction of the 17 nominations Apple received, it’s still an impressive achievement. Apple TV+ only launched in November last year. Apple has reportedly made winning awards a big part of its Apple TV+ strategy.

Tim Cook’s antitrust hearing will take place on Wednesday

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Tim Cook WWDC
Cook will be testifying along with the CEOs of Facebook, Amazon, and Google.
Photo: Apple

Update: The hearing will now take place on Wednesday, July 29 at midday ET. It can be live-streamed here.

Tim Cook’s testimony in front of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee antitrust investigation has reportedly been postponed, according to CNBC.

The hearing was originally scheduled for Monday, July 27 at midday EST. However, two people “familiar with the matter” claim that it is being pushed back. This is due to its overlap with a memorial service for the late civil rights leader John Lewis.

We’re not in Kansas anymore: Apple II fest gets geeky online (and you’re invited)

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KansasFest soldering 1
A past KansasFest during less socially distanced times.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

Being a fan of the Apple II is a lonely hobby. While being an Apple lover in 2020 is more mainstream than ever, being an enthusiast for Apple’s first mass market computer — launched way back in 1977 — is significantly less common.

Unless it’s July 24-26, that is. Kicking off today, and running through the weekend, KansasFest is a conference dedicated to all things Apple II. And like every other conference this year, in 2020 it’s gone online only.

For the first time, Apple builds current-gen flagship iPhone in India

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Foxconn moving additional iPhone production to India as coronavirus disrupts work
Apple is gradually scaling up its focus on Indian manufacturing.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

For the first time, Apple is manufacturing its current flagship iPhone in India, a Friday report from the Economic Times claims. The report says Foxconn is building the iPhone 11 at its plant near Chennai.

While many previous iPhones made in India have been manufactured for the local market, the story says Apple might export these devices internationally. Building some of its flagship iPhones in India would help lessen Apple’s reliance on China.

Apple Maps warns users to self-isolate if they travel internationally

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covid.19.coronavirus.graphic2
Apple is doing its bit to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Photo: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With travel picking up again following COVID-19 lockdown, Apple Maps is now alerting users who travel internationally of localized self-isolation guidance.

The feature was pointed out on Twitter by Kyle Seth Gray, who said he received a message after being at the airport. The pop-up notification pointed him to official guidance online. It also included a message that advised Gray to “stay home and watch [his] health for 14 days” in accordance with rules.

PSA: New episode of Little Voice arrives on Apple TV+

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Sean Teale and Brittany O'Grady star in the contrived musical romance Little Voice.
Sean Teale and Brittany O'Grady star in musical romance Little Voice.
Photo: Apple TV+

After an unexplained absence last Friday, Apple today released the latest episode of its series Little Voice.

The series, from producer J.J. Abrams, songwriter Sara Bareilles and writer Jessie Nelson, follows the journey of aspiring singer Bess King as she strives to live out her dreams.

Survey: Apple TV+ has lowest overall experience score of major streaming services

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Appletvpluslogo
Apple TV+ isn't blowing away viewers right now.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ has the lowest overall experience score of major streaming platforms and customers are least likely to want to return, suggests a new report from UserTesting, a platform that connects organizations to their customers.

While the numbers aren’t appalling (Apple TV+ had a satisfaction score of 83% versus Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu’s 90% and HBO Now and Amazon Prime’s 87%), it’s still another indicator that Apple TV+ is not overwhelming customers the way it perhaps should.

How iPhone fuels Dimpy Bhalotia’s ethereal street photography

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Dimpy Bhalotia's photos capture little slices of life from unusual angles.
Dimpy Bhalotia's photos capture little slices of life from unusual angles.
Photo: Dimpy Bhalotia

For nearly a decade, photographer Dimpy Bhalotia has been using iPhones to document captivating street scenes in luscious black and white. She’s used almost every model Apple ever released — and this week, she took home top honors in the prestigious iPhone Photography Awards.

Bhalotia, a full-time fine art street photographer based out of London, told Cult of Mac she loves shooting with an iPhone so much that it’s become second nature.

“It’s a lightweight butter slice always in my hand, which has the entire world in it,” she said. “It feels like I’m shooting with my palm.”

See 5 stunning Beastie Boys posters flow from Apple Pencil

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Beastie Boys Story: Mike Diamond, Adam Yauch and Adam Horovitz in 1993 from an archival photo used in “Beastie Boys Story,” premiering globally on Apple TV+ on April 24.
Decades after they sprung into being, the Beastie Boys are still inspiring creativity.
Photo: Apple TV+

To promote its excellent Apple TV+ documentary Beastie Boys Story, Apple has debuted a short video featuring longtime artistic collaborator Geoff McFetridge discussing five posters he created for the band using an iPad and Apple Pencil. It’s pretty rad.

Check it out below.

Woz sues YouTube over scam video

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Steve Wozniak
Steve Wozniak's likeness was used in a video to scam people out of Bitcoin.
Photo: The DEMO Conference/Flickr CC

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is suing YouTube for allegedly failing to remove a video in which his likeness was used by thieves to scam people out of money.

Woz was among a group of individuals who were fraudulently featured in videos posted to YouTube, supposedly offering a live giveaway of bitcoins. The video suggested that anyone who sent him bitcoins would receive double the number back. Of course, when people did transfer the funds, they inevitably got nothing in return.

Apple Glass headset could sense users’ physiological states

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Apple Glass
What will Apple Glass have to offer?
Image: Jon Prosser/Front Page Tech

Apple Watch already features heart rate-tracking technology. But Apple may go even further with its biometric-reading tech — and it could be used to make an eventual Apple Glass head-up display more reactive to users in the process.

Published Thursday, a new Apple patent application describes how the company could turn information such as temperature and brainwave-reading into an assessment of the “physiological condition of the user.”

There’s no going back: Apple stops users downgrading from iOS 13.6

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Stop the madness
Don't think about going back to iOS 13.5.1!
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

If you’ve upgraded to iOS 13.6, there’s no going back! That’s because Apple has stopped signing iOS 13.5.1. This means that it’s no longer possible to download and install it on your device.

iOS 13.6 added audio versions of key stories from Apple News+, along with a new daily audio show called Apple News Today, available in the free version of the Apple News app. In addition, it introduced a new symptom-tracking feature to the Health app, plus a feature that lets you use your iPhone as a car key.

Apple held early conversations about buying Arm, but ultimately declined

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Apple Silicon
Apple has relied on Arm technology a lot over the years.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly participated in early stage conversations with SoftBank about acquiring its Arm Holdings.

Arm Holdings is the semiconductor conductor whose ARM architecture Apple licenses for everything from its A-series chips for iPhone and iPad to its upcoming Apple Silicon processors for Mac.