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iPhone - page 129

Bamboo Sketch stylus brings Apple Pencil features to any iPad

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Bamboo Sketch works with any recent iOS device.
Bamboo Sketch works with any recent iOS device.
Photo: Wacom

If you love the idea of Apple Pencil but you don’t want to upgrade to a pricey iPad Pro, the new Bamboo Sketch stylus is the solution.

With 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity, interchangeable tips, and Bluetooth connectivity, it’s the ultimate stylus for any iPad.

Apple is developing a special AI chip for iPhone

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A10 Fusion
Custom AI-powered silicon could be Apple's next big thing.
Photo: Apple

Apple is allegedly planning to take its Artificial Intelligence game to an all-new level an AI-powered iPhone chip.

In a race to catch up with the competition at Amazon and Google, Apple has a team of engineers working on a new piece of silicon that’s dedicated to processing artificial intelligence commands which could lead to improved battery life.

Is it time for Apple to say goodbye to Jony Ive? [Friday Night Fights]

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friday_night_fights
Is Apple in desperate need of new ideas?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

It’s been some time since Apple delivered something really revolutionary. Every product in its stores looks just like it did last year… and the year before that… and the year before that.

Friday Night Fights bugFans will pin most of the blame on chief design officer Jony Ive. After more than two decades of spectacular and unparalleled ideas, it seems Steve Jobs’s best friend is running on empty. Is it time for him to go to make room for fresh blood and new ideas?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we battle it out over whether Apple’s design team needs significant change.

Investigators suspect iOS device in plane crash that killed 66

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iPhone on plane
Apple is not involved in the investigation.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

French officials are investigating the possibility of whether an iPhone or iPad was the cause of EgyptAir Flight 804.

The 2016 crashed killed 66 people yet the investigators have been stumped on what brought the plane down. Some new clues may hint that it was an overheating iOS device that sparked the catastrophe.

The next great Android phone will have a 360-degree camera

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Essential is looking to disrupt the Android market.
Essential is looking to disrupt the Android market.
Photo: Andy Rubin

Essential inc, the new tech company founded by the godfather of Android, Andy Rubin, is set to unveil its first product at the end of this month.

A new Twitter account created by the company teased the announcement today with its first ever tweet to hype what many anticipate to be a new Android smartphone. Rubin shot followers a teaser in March, but now Essential is busting out its own glimpses of the smartphone that may include a 360-degree camera.

iPhone gets reincarnated in Apple’s new Earth Day ad

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L.I.A.M. works his magic in the new Apple ad.
L.I.A.M. works his magic in the new Apple ad.
Photo: Apple

Earth Day 2017 festivities ended over a month ago, but that’s not stopping Apple from busting out another one of the quirky cartoon videos it made for the holiday.

Apple published a new Earth Day video today that highlights the problems it faces in regards to recycling materials from old iPhones. The ad explains how iPhone parts get a second life after Apple’s robot Liam has stripped them all away.

China is losing interest in the iPhone

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China iPhone sales
Tim Cook meets with Apple store employees in China.
Photo: Apple

Tim Cook hasn’t been shy about proclaiming China Apple’s future biggest market, but right now it’s causing the most problems.

According to analysts at Oppenheimer, Apple’s “Reality Distortion Field” is fading in China, as iPhone sales drop 20 percent. That’s at least twice as bad as any other market.

Apple begins testing 5G data speeds for iPhone

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iPhone 7 red
iPhone 8 rumors haven't had an impact yet, either.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Insanely fast mobile data speeds could be coming soon to Apple’s iPhone lineup, based on a new filing with the FCC that reveals the company has begun testing 5G network technology.

Apple recently applied for an experimental license to use new wireless technology called “millimeter wave.” The FCC approved Apple’s permit today and revealed some details about the project by making the company’s application public.

America’s favorite iPhone will surprise you

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iPhone SE
Two new iPhone SE models for 2020?
Photo: Sam Mills/Cult of Mac

Despite the demand for larger, sharper smartphone displays, iPhone SE has beaten out all other smartphones to top the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

Just two of Apple’s devices placed in the top five, and with a score of 87 out of 100, iPhone SE took the number one spot ahead of iPhone 7 Plus and the Galaxy S7 series.

India offers Apple a compromise on iPhone manufacturing incentives

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
Apple is already manufacturing iPhones in India.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

To encourage manufacturing in India, Indian authorities have offered to let Apple import smartphone components for use in local manufacturing, tax free.

Apple previously asked for a 15-year tax holiday from paying tax on importing components it needed for Indian manufacturing. The request was denied by authorities, but it seems that a compromise may be reached, whereby Apple will gradually increase the local production of components in India.

Apple launches new ‘Switch to iPhone’ ads and website

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Android users can jump to iOS with ease.
Android users can jump to iOS with ease.
Photo: Apple

Apple is turning up the heat on Android with a fresh redesign of its website that teaches smartphone customers how to transition to iPhone.

The new site makes it super-easy for Android users to make the change to iOS by promoting one of Apple’s only Android apps: Move to iOS.

iPhone shipments are growing in all the right places

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iPhone 7 camera
Even more powerful iPhone cameras are coming.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone sales might have fallen year-on-year during the first quarter of 2017, but shipments continue to grow in a number of key markets.

In fact, new data shows that shipments declined only in China and Japan during the first few months of the year.

NotePlan app mashes up calendars with plain text notes [Reviews]

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noteplan calendar text app
NotePlan will soon be available for iOS, and is now ready for the Mac.
Photo: NotePlan

Plain-text nerds probably also enjoy over-organizing things. If that sounds like you, then NotePlan might just send you over the top, joy-wise. NotePlan is an app for iOS and Mac which combines plain-text (and Markdown) notes with a calendar.

Will Siri ever be as good as the Google Assistant? [Friday Night Fights]

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The gap is getting wider.
The gap is getting wider.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Google brought its Google Assistant to iOS this week, finally giving iPhone fans a taste of the best virtual assistant on the planet. But those on Android are in for so much more, with major improvements on the way, including impressive Google Lens integration.

Friday Night Fights bugThe changes make it harder than ever for Siri to catch up. Despite the improvements Apple made with iOS 10, it still feels like Siri is well behind its rivals. Is that gap now too big, or can Apple catch up? Will Siri ever be as good as the Google Assistant?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we wage war over virtual assistants.

Beautiful iOS 11 concept shows big changes iPad needs

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They call it
They call it "The Shelf".
Photo: Federico Viticci

Apple hasn’t exactly given the iPad first priority when it comes to iOS updates, but that could change next month at WWDC where the company is expected to unveil iOS 11.

Most of the iOS 11 concepts we’ve seen have been all about the iPhone, but iPad power-user Federico Viticci and Sam Beckett created a beautiful concept that shows some big and simple changes that would transform the iPad from a fun tablet into a pro machine. Features like Finder, Drag and Drop between apps, multi-channel audio and more are on display in the fantastic mockup.

Apple, if you’re reading this, please steal these features:

Why I love Apple’s hideous Smart Battery Case

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iPhone case
Apple's Smart Battery case has got me charged!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s own battery case, cleverly titled the Smart Battery Case, has been on the market for over two years now. I had never really taken an interest in it;  it was just another battery case, only this one looked like it was pregnant with an iPod.

That was until last week, when I was desperately in need of some form of charger for my iPhone and decided to pick one up. Since then, my thoughts on what was just an ugly, overpriced battery case have totally changed.

Check out the video below to find out why it’s earned a place in my heart — and is now my favorite iPhone case.

iPhone 8 still on track for September launch

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iPhone 8 concept
The OLED revolution has begun.
Photo: Concept

Worry no more about an iPhone 8 delay.

According to the latest rumors surrounding Apple’s next-generation smartphone, a launch will go ahead in September as originally planned. Analysts say they see no delays in the company’s supply chain, and still expect the iPhone 8 to enter mass production on time.

92% of iPhone users will stick with Apple when upgrading

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iphone 8 display
iPhone 8 could arrive on time after all.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Even the biggest of iPhone fans would admit that the device has become somewhat boring in recent years, but that hasn’t had any impact on loyalty to the Apple brand.

According to a new study, a whopping 92 percent of iPhone owners who plan to upgrade within the next 12 months will choose another Apple smartphone. That’s the highest retention rate among any smartphone maker, and it suggests iPhone 8 will be huge.

Google Assistant has landed on iPhone

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Google Assistant
Look out, Siri!
Photo: Google

Google Assistant is ready to do battle with Siri on its home turf.

iPhone users can now get their hands on the dedicated Google Assistant app for iOS, but don’t expect it to offer everything you get on Android.

The Loog is a retrotastic three-string guitar with its own app

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loog guitar pro
The Loog is the perfect beginner guitar, and looks awesome too.
Photo: Loog

This is the Loog Pro, a three-string guitar suitable for kids, and also for awesome adults. The Pro, along with the new Loog Mini, are the sequels to existing Loogs, and bring a whole bunch of neat upgrades. Why are we writing about it here on Cult of Mac? Because it also comes with a free app to help you learn to play.

Apple launches new ‘Today at Apple’ website for stores worldwide

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Apple's new website keeps you in the loop on classes in your area.
Apple's new website keeps you in the loop on classes in your area.
Photo: Apple

Apple is revamping its efforts to keep customers educated on all of its platforms today with the launch of a new website called ‘Today at Apple.’

The new sub site provides Apple fans with portal that shows all of the events, classes and other happenings at local Apple stores, giving users an easy way to sign up for the 4,000 sessions held across the globe each day.