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News - page 907

Foxconn may pay $27 billion for Toshiba’s chip business

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Foxconn Wisconsin
Foxconn is taking over everything.
Photo: Foxconn

Apple’s most important manufacturing parter is getting ready to make a huge investment that could make it one of the world’s biggest chipmakers.

The Japanese government is hoping Toshiba will sell itself to a domestic company, but Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industries (aka Foxconn) is preparing to make a huge offer for the company that could shake up the tech world.

Apple seeds new betas for iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS

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iPhone-8
Get the new iOS update on your iPhone now.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is busting out a big batch of beta updates for developers today, bringing a host of new bug fixes and performance improvements to every single one of its platforms.

Developers can now download the second beta builds for iOS 10.3.2, macOS 10.12.5, watchOS 3.2.2 and tvOS 10.2.1 directly from Apple’s developer center, adding new fixes to iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TV and Apple Watch.

Apple drops to fifth place in 2017 laptop rankings

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15 inch MacBook Pro Silver
The new MacBook Pro is Apple's best laptop yet.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s reputation as the world’s best laptop maker took a serious hit in 2016, due to the new MacBook Pro’s adoption of USB-C.

In the latest brand rankings by Laptop Magazine, Apple’s slipped five spots as Lenovo and Asus surged to the top of the pack with their affordable and dependable wares.

Check out the full rankings:

Apple hiring spree confirms iOS GPU development

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Apple patches things up with mobile GPU maker Imagination
Imagination suspects Apple has been stealing its ideas.
Photo: Apple

An Apple hiring spree in the United Kingdom shows just how serious the company is about building its own graphics technology. Apple recently parted ways with British company Imagination Technologies, which previously provided the graphics processing units for iOS devices.

Advertisements posted by Apple include positions in graphics unit design at the company’s U.K. Design Centre. Jobs listed include engineering program manager, design verification lead, emulation engineer and other roles described as requiring GPU knowledge.

Superb space flyer Hyperburner goes free on iOS

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Hyperburner
This great iOS game makes you feel like the hero in your very own sci-fi blockbuster.
Photo: Hyperburner

The only thing better than a great iOS game is a great free iOS game, and thanks to a new special offer, space flight simulator Hyperburner now fits the bill.

Launched in June last year, Hyperburner is a futuristic sci-fi jet simulator that’s bound to please any fans of Wing Commander or the classic WipeOut series, with its fast-paced, responsive, obstacle avoidance gameplay. And if dodging obstacles is your thing, now you can dodge paying for it, too!

Steve Jobs’ original Apple-1 is going on display

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New exhibition will show off the most important computer in Apple history.
Photo: Living Computers

An ultra-rare Apple-1 prototype used by Steve Jobs as a demo unit is going on display at a Seattle computer museum. It’s the crown jewel of an impressive collection of vintage Apple gear that will be housed in a new wing opening Friday at Living Computers: Museum + Labs.

Lāth Carlson, the museum’s executive director, calls the Apple prototype “the most important computer in history” — and also “the most boring to look at.”

Fifth Avenue Apple store to get Beats 1 broadcasting booth

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Beats 1 could soon be broadcasting from an Apple store.
Beats 1 could soon be broadcasting from an Apple store.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s iconic retail store on Fifth Avenue will reopen with a Beats 1 broadcasting booth after being renovated, according to a new report.

The booth could become a new home for Beats 1 DJ Ebro Darden, who currently broadcasts from another location in Manhattan — or it could host occasional musical guests.

Apple may be planning a massive new Mexico City store

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Apple's World Trade Center location is spectacular.
Photo: John Sonderman/Flickr

Apple is planning a second flagship retail store in Mexico City, claims a new report.

The retail store will reportedly feature a design reminiscent of Apple’s World Trade Center location in New York City, and be around twice the size of Apple’s current Mexico City store, which is located in the Centro Santa Fe mall.

Cool iPhone 8 concept imagines iOS without a Home button

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iphone 8 concept
This is what the iPhone might look like without a home button.
Photo: MacCityNet

Apple is expected to ditch the Home button with the iPhone 8, but that could create some new problems, like, “How will you get back to the Home screen?”

Switching between apps wouldn’t be the same without a Home button to click. An interesting new iPhone 8 concept out of Italy explores how changes within iOS could provide a seamless experience if Apple removes the only navigation button on the iPhone.

Check it out:

Cuzzle, Clips, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
'Appy weekend everyone!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you’re looking to unwind this fine Sunday by sampling the latest App Store delectables for your iPhone or iPad, look no further: Cult of Mac has your hookup!

Whether you’re seeking a fun party game, a great minimalist puzzler, or Apple’s new video and photo-sharing Clips app, we’ve got what you’re searching for.

Check out our picks below. You won’t be disappointed.

These stainless-steel Apple Watch bands are 25% off [Mother’s Day Sale]

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rilee
Rilee & Lo's gender-neutral Apple Watch bands fit like a glove. Add a few stacking bracelets to complete the look.
Photo: Rilee & Lo

Fusing tech and fashion is the cornerstone of Rilee & Lo — makers of highly stylish stainless steel Apple Watch bands. Patent-pending for a reason, these bands fit perfectly and come in a range of beautiful finishes.

The bands contain a stretching mechanism allowing them to expand and contract for a super-comfy, close fit.

Grab a band for yourself or a give as a gift — for both sexes. Check out the full lineup of  Rilee & Lo’s stunning bands in our Watch Store.

Apple reveals its future Mac plans, this week on The CultCast

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In an unprecedented move, Apple is talking about future Macs.
In an unprecedented move, Apple is talking about future Macs.

This week on The CultCast: Apple just revealed its future Mac plans … on purpose! It’s unprecedented, and we’ll unpack it all for you. Plus: Apple promises an all-new, “rethought” Mac Pro and Apple display; Apple’s plans to make the Mac “pro” again; new pro-level iMacs coming this year; and we review a top-secret new smart speaker and a clever  Watch stand that true Mac fans will love.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off any hosting plan.

Can Apple outdo PCs with the new Mac Pro? [Friday Night Fights]

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Are you waiting for the new Mac Pro?
Are you waiting for the new Mac Pro?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple excited us all this week by revealing it is finally planning a major redesign for the neglected Mac Pro. Although we don’t know much about it just yet, we’ve been promised a modular machine that will be easier to update.

Friday Night Fights bugThis signals a return to a more traditional desktop form factor with user-upgradeable parts and more flexibility. But is it too little, too late? Has Apple already lost too many pro users, and will its next Mac Pro do enough to win them back?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we battle it out over Apple’s efforts to win back the professionals.

Saturday Night Live inks deal to create funny ads for Apple

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Alec Baldwin has been killing it as President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.
Alec Baldwin has been killing it as President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.
Photo: NBCUniversal

iPhone ads are about to get a lot funnier.

Apple is reportedly planning to inject some much-needed humor into a few of its upcoming commercials after striking a deal with NBC that will see the team behind Saturday Night Live write a few ads for the iPhone-maker.

Walt Mossberg, one of Steve Jobs’ favorite journos, is retiring

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Mossbergjobsji1
Mossberg shares a lighthearted moment on stage with Steve Jobs.
Photo: Joi Ito/Flickr CC

Walt Mossberg, the award-winning tech writer who was one of Steve Jobs’ favorite journalists, is retiring.

Currently serving as executive editor at The Verge and editor-at-large of Recode, Mossberg has been one of the best-known names in tech writing since 1991, when he started writing his “Personal Technology” column for the Wall Street Journal.

Hot Hands is Ellen’s fun, voice-activated quiz app

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Screen Shot 2017-04-07 at 14.05.20
Just like on TV, only with less people watching!
Photo: Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres is in the illustrious company of Kim Kardashian as one of a small number of celebrities-turned-“developers” who have successfully launched their own apps.

Having previously launched the smash hit Heads Up!, Ellen’s now back with a new iOS game based on a segment from her TV show. Called Hot Hands, it’s a game which flashes up images of celebrities, and then asks players to say their name as quickly as possible.

And thanks to some nifty voice recognition tech, it actually looks pretty good fun!

iPhone 8 schematics hint at larger display, no Home button

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Is this the iPhone 8?
Is this the iPhone 8?
Photo: Benjamin Geskin

Supposed iPhone 8 schematics have surfaced ahead of the handset’s official unveiling this fall, revealing significant changes to its physical design.

As previous reports have suggested, the Home button has been removed to make room for a larger display, and there’s no sign of a fingerprint scanner elsewhere.

Cuzzle is an isometric puzzle game that gets your gray cells going

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Screen Shot 2017-04-07 at 11.51.18
Keep your mind active this weekend!
Photo: GalacticThumb

There are plenty of gorgeous puzzle games available on iOS, but GalacticThumb’s new entry Cuzzle is well worth adding to your collection.

It’s an isometric puzzler game, heavily inspired by Sokoban, the 1981 transport puzzle game in which the player has to push crates around a warehouse to get them into different locations. However, onto this formula GalacticThumb has added collapsing floors, switches, and some beautifully minimalist graphics.

Check out the trailer below.

Tim Cook says diversity is key to Apple’s ‘magical’ products

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Tim Cook
Cook received a warm welcome from students at Auburn University.
Photo: Tim Cook/Twitter

Apple CEO Tim Cook made a visit to his old stomping grounds at Auburn University today to talk to students about life after after graduation.

During his morning speech at the Telfair Peet Theatre, the Auburn alum told students of all backgrounds to get ready to embrace diversity once they enter the workforce.

Adobe teases app that makes bad selfies look good

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Your selfies are about to get an upgrade.
Your selfies are about to get an upgrade.
Photo: Adobe

Creating professional quality selfies is about to become a lot easier, if Adobe ever releases the amazing new app its research team just teased online.

Adobe published a new video today showing off what the future of selfie photography could hold once its powered by artificial intelligence. Powered by Adobe Sensei, the app demo shows how you can transform a bad portrait shot into something great by changing the perspective of a person’s face, add depth of field, and replicate styles of other photos in an instant.

Prepare to be amazed:

Microsoft tops Apple in tablet satisfaction rankings

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Microsoft Surface to take on iPad
The Surface Pro 4 is starting to catch on.
Photo: Microsoft

For the first time ever, Microsoft has beaten the iPad in J.D. Power’s latest tablet satisfaction rankings that found the Surface has a higher number of younger customers than its competitors.

Apple has dominated J.D. Power’s rankings over the last few years, but according to the popular ranking service, Microsoft’s offerings were just a little bit better thanks to best-in-class design, productivity and accessory use.