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iPhone - page 88

iPhone’s Face ID obliterates gullible Android rivals

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Facial recognition 1
The iPhone was the only one of the tested smartphones which passed the test.
Screenshot: Forbes

When Apple first introduced Face ID with the iPhone X, many were concerned that facial recognition would make it easier to hack into phones.

Fortunately, Apple’s approach to Face ID has largely allayed people’s fears. But just how secure is the facial recognition biometric technology adopted by Apple and its rivals? A Forbes reporter (and his 3D printed head model) recently demonstrated just how the iPhone stacks up against Android rivals.

Struggling iPhone display maker looking for other ways to make money

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iphone XS
Japan Display has lost 80 percent of its value this year.
Photo: Apple

Just a few years back, Japan Display was talking about building a $1.4 billion factory to create iPhone displays for Apple. Jump forward to 2018 and the company is having to reimagine its future for a world in which smartphone growth isn’t guaranteed.

According to a new report, Japan Display has responded by focusing on smart sensors. Compared to one year ago, the firm has shifted one-third of its research staff to sensor development. These would be focused on everything from sleep tracking to assorted healthcare applications.

Apple hopes iOS update will help overturn costly iPhone sales ban in China

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Qualcomm headquarters
Apple says an iPhone ban would force a settlement with Qualcomm.
Photo: Qualcomm

Apple is rushing to release an iOS update in China to resolve potential infringement of Qualcomm patents. The news follows a report stating that a Chinese sales ban of certain iPhone models would cost Apple millions of dollars a day.

“Early next week we will deliver a software update for iPhone users in China addressing the minor functionality of the two patents at issue in the case,” Apple said in a statement.

Jennifer Garner will star in new J.J. Abrams series for Apple

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jennifer garner
Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow in the show Alias
Photo: ABC

Jennifer Garner and J.J. Abrams are finally getting back together to create an all-new TV show.

The duo rose to stardom in the early 2000s with Abram’s TV show Alias that starred Garner as a double agent for the Central Intelligence Agency. Now they’re set to make a TV show for Apple, only it won’t be quite as action-packed as their last endeavor together.

Quick! Trade in your old Apple devices before the holidays

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

If you’re going to become the proud owner of a brand new Apple device over the holidays, it’s time to start thinking about what you should do with your old ones. Don’t let them sit around, collecting dust.

Your old iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac could be worth a small fortune — and Cult of Mac wants to buy it! We typically pay more than other trade-in services, and we won’t leave you waiting ages for your cash.

U.S. iPhone ban isn’t out of the question in Qualcomm battle

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Qualcomm headquarters
Apple has been battling Qualcomm since early last year.
Photo: Qualcomm

Certain iPhone models have been barred for sale in China, but a similar ban in the U.S. isn’t totally out of the question. The U.S. International Trade Commission has said that it plans to review a previous ruling stating that a ban on iPhone imports was not in the interests of the general public — even in the event that Apple infringed on a Qualcomm patent.

Apple and Qualcomm have been battling it out for much of the past two years. They are scheduled to meet in court next April.

This mini iPhone concept is as cute as a button

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iPhone
Would you like a smaller iPhone?
Photo: Dongjae "Krystofer" Kim

It’s been an unmistakable trend for the past five years: iPhones are getting physically larger. Given the popularity of “phablets,” that makes perfect sense — but it’s not for everyone.

One of those people is designer Dongjae “Krystofer” Kim. Kim recently put together a concept design for what a mini version of the current iPhones might look like. And it’s actually pretty darn neat. Check it out below.

Job listing hints at Apple-made modems coming to iPhone

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The Apple T2 chip could be the source of mysterious crashes afflicting two of Apple's newest computers.
Apple wants to bring its chip-designing skillset to modems.
Photo: IFIXIT

Qualcomm and Intel could both soon lose out on Apple’s wireless chip business completely.

After switching from Qualcomm modems to Intel modems (and causing a huge legal war in the process), Apple is reportedly looking to build more wireless chips on its own. The company is staffing up in San Diego and based on one job listing, the team is working on a cellular modem chip.

Google CEO has to tell Congressman who makes the iPhone

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Google hearing 2
The iPhone: not made by Google.
Photo: C-Span

This year’s Facebook congressional hearing highlighted just how little many lawmakers know about the technology which dominates our lives.

That seemingly didn’t change during yesterday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing with Google CEO Sundar Pichai. At one point in proceedings 69-year-old Republican Congressman Steve King expressed his disappointment to Pichai that his 7-year-old daughter had been shown a photo of her grandfather with some unflattering language on her iPhone.

“Congressman, the iPhone is made by a different company,” Pichai said.

How to stop apps from tracking your location

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Wherever you go, your iPhone is tracking youR location
Wherever you go, your iPhone is tracking you.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Your iPhone apps can track your location. You already know that, but maybe you tell yourself that that weather app just uses your current location to give you an accurate forecast, or that your bike-routing and tracking app is just keeping a count of miles and calories.

In reality, any one of these apps may be taking that location data and selling it. One way to handle this is to keep up to date with the privacy policies of any location-aware apps you use, but that’s too much work for most of us. Instead, why not just deny them access to your location? On iOS, that’s easy, and it works.

Epic Games kills groundbreaking Infinity Blade series for iOS

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Infinity Blade iOS
Infinity Blade was special in so many ways.
Photo: Epic Games

Epic Games has pulled its groundbreaking Infinity Blade series from the App Store without warning.

The studio, which is also responsible for hit battle royale game Fortnite, explains that it has “become increasingly difficult” to support the games — but it does hint that Infinity Blade will make a comeback in the future.

Egypt is upset about the high price of iPhones

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Apple could be a $2 trillion company by end of 2021
Egypt is one of the priciest places to buy an iPhone.
Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

One of the priciest countries on the planet to buy an iPhone claims that Apple is violating competition rules — thereby driving up prices for customers.

Egypt, where an iPhone costs up to 50 percent more than in the rest of the Middle East, accuses Apple of placing unfair restrictions on local distributors. According to a report, this behavior is the reason customers have to pay so much in the country.

China bans multiple iPhone models from sale

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iPhone sales are finally rebounding in China
Apple is barred from selling certain iPhones in one of its top markets.
Photo: Tim Cook/Weibo

A court in China has granted Qualcomm an injunction against Apple. The ruling bars Apple from importing and selling multiple iPhone models in China.

The order specifically bars Apple from selling the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X. However, the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR should be good to go.

Best gifts for iPhone fans [Gift Guide 2018]

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iPhone gift guide 2018
Buying for an iPhone fan? Start here!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

With the holidays right around the corner, you should have started your shopping by now. And if you’re anything like the rest of us, you’re already fed up of it. That’s why Cult of Mac is here to help.

Gift guide 2018 bugOur handy holiday gift guides will help you pick out the perfect present for friends and loves ones. We’ve hand-picked all kinds of awesome accessories and gadgets that are worthy of your hard-earned cash — and guaranteed to fetch a smile.

This guide is for the iPhone fans in your life, and it includes something to suit every budget.

iPhone’s Health app helps solve UK murder

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A marathon runner's dashboard setup in the Health app.
The Health app can be a valuable tool for police too.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

A UK pharmacist’s attempt to collect more than $2.5 million in life insurance after murdering his wife was thwarted by Apple’s Health app for iOS.

Mitesh Patel strangled his wife, Jessica after five years of planning her murder, according to police. He attempted to make the entire murder look like a break in, but when authorities accessed the Health app on his iPhone and the one on his wife’s iPhone, the data told a completely different story.

The wait for Tropico on iOS is almost over

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Tropico for iOS
You’ll be able to play it first on iPad.
Photo: Feral Interactive

Popular construction simulator Tropico finally has a release date for iOS. You’ll be able to play it before the end of the year on your iPad and in 2019 on your iPhone.

Pre-order the game today to have it download automatically as soon as it hits the App Store.

iPhone filmmaker wins prestigious (and controversial) Turner Prize

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Charlotte Prodger
Prize-winning artist Charlotte Prodger.
Photo: Film London

A series of short video clips shot on an iPhone have been awarded the 2018 Turner prize, a prestigious (if sometimes controversial) annual award handed out to a British visual artist.

The videos which scored the 25,000 pound ($31,700) prize include scenes such as a view of the Scottish countryside filmed from a train window, a T-shirt drying on the radiator, and a cat pawing at a lamp.

iPhone production could head to Vietnam to avoid U.S. trade tariffs

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iPhone XS box gold
Bag yours before they're all gone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone assembly partner Foxconn is considering the possibility of opening a new facility in Vietnam in an effort to avoid U.S. trade tariffs.

The factory would focus specifically on iPhone production, according to a new report. Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc says talks with Foxconn are underway.

HSBC analyst says iPhone growth is ‘broadly over’

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Queue in Singapore
Fans lining up to get their hands on a new iPhone.
Photo: Apple

HSBC analyst Erwan Rambourg thinks that Apple’s hardware growth is “broadly over for now,” as iPhone sales stall.

Rambourg is the latest analyst to downgrade Apple’s price target. However, he doesn’t think investors should sell up just yet. “[It’s] too late to sell, too early to buy,” the analyst advised.

Apple store adds 10% discount for vets and military

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app store
Apple is lowering prices for the military.
Photo: Apple

Buying a new iPhone XS just got a lot more affordable for anyone that has served is or is currently surviving in the U.S. Military.

Apple revealed today that it has launched a new website that gives a 10% discount to vets and active military members that the company says is an expression of its gratitude for service.

Tumblr bans all porn after getting removed from App Store

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Tumblr
Porn is getting the boot from Tumblr.
Photo: Tumblr

Tumblr made the shocking announcement today that it is kicking all forms of pornography off its platform and Apple’s strict rules could be to blame.

Starting on December 17, Tumblr will no longer allow porn on its site. Tumblr says the change has come after several months of serious thought on who it wants to be, but its recent ban from the App Store is probably the biggest reason why.

Samsung slips up with another tweet from iPhone

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Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Oops! They did it again!
Photo: Samsung

Samsung has been caught tweeting from an iPhone … again.

The South Korean company used an Apple device to publish a message promoting the Galaxy Note 9’s edge-to-edge display. The monumental gaffe led to the temporary but complete deactivation of the Samsung Mobile Nigeria account.

Apple’s first 5G iPhone won’t arrive until at least 2020

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iPhone 5G
Apple's in no rush to be the first 5G smartphone maker to market.
Photo illustration: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Anyone hoping for a 5G iPhone in 2019 is going to be sorely disappointed, a new report claims. That’s because Apple is supposedly holding off plans to launch a handset on the ultra-fast 5G network until 2020 at the earliest.

That likely means that rivals like Samsung will be able to win more customers, short term, by rushing to beat Apple to the punch. However, for anyone who has followed Apple for a while, this move is no surprise.

Even brilliant Pixel 3 ads won’t get iPhone users to switch

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Pixel 3 ads
Google wants you to laugh as you watch its Pixel 3 ads on YouTube. It also wants you to switch phones.
Screenshot: Google/YouTube

Google and Samsung have smartphones many critics say are as good or better than the latest iPhones.

But making a device to rival Apple’s isn’t the hard part. Getting iPhone users to switch is.

Google acknowledges this in a series of video ads launched this week to convince brand loyalists to switch to its newest and well-reviewed flagship, the Pixel 3.