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News - page 1052

Hand-cranked iPhone battery case puts you in charge

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Dead battery? Get cranking with the AMPWare case.
Dead battery? Get cranking with the AMPWare case.
Photo: AMPWare

Now more than ever, we are able to manage our anxiety over a dead iPhone battery. There are plenty external power banks and battery cases on the market, but even those need to be charged.

The AMPWare Case revives a dead battery much like your great grandfather started his horseless buggy – with a hand crank.

Apple will provide free products for Super Bowl committee

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A still from the classic Apple
Still Apple's most iconic Super Bowl moment.
Photo: Apple

As one of the tech companies sponsoring this year’s Super Bowl, Apple is reportedly doing more than just lending its support to the biggest event on the NFL calendar. According to a new report, Apple will also be providing the host committee with free products and equipment.

Despite this, Apple has chosen not to have its name or logo included in any of the marketing materials for the event.

Victory for Apple! Court bans sale of older Samsung phones

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victory-for-apple-court-bans-sale-of-older-samsung-phones-2-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201506apple-samsung-iphone-galaxy-patent-war1-jpg
Samsung is banned from selling some of its older handsets.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC
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Samsung is banned from selling some of its older handsets. Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC

Apple and Samsung have been locked in a never-ending legal battle seemingly forever, but yesterday a federal court in California agreed to finally ban the U.S. sale of several Samsung smartphones which infringe on patents owned by Apple.

The bad news? The phones are now so old that they’re not really sold any more. But there’s some good news, too.

Apple and Samsung accused of relying on child labor for lithium batteries

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apple-and-samsung-accused-of-relying-on-child-labor-for-lithium-batteries-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads2014072duZfGtv2FSF1BtJ-jpg
Apple and Samsung both say they have a zero tolerance policy toward underage labor.
Photo: iFixit
Apple and Samsung both say they have a zero tolerance policy toward underage labor.
Apple and Samsung both say they have a zero tolerance policy toward underage labor. Photo: iFixit

Amnesty International has accused Apple, Samsung, Sony and other smartphone makers of not making basic checks which would have prevented their using batteries made with minerals mined by children.

In a report focused on cobalt mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, children as young as seven were found working in unsafe conditions. Cobalt is an essential part of the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries.

Diversity report shows Apple’s U.S. workforce still mainly white

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diversity Apple
Apple has pledged to do more on the diversity front.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s U.S. workforce is a bit more diverse than it was a year ago, but still predominantly white and male, suggests the most recent EEO-1 Federal Employer Information report.

According to newly-released figures, roughly 30 percent of Apple’s U.S. employees are female, around 8.6 percent are African-American, and 11.7 percent are hispanic or Latino. That’s marginally up from 29 percent female, 8 percent African-American, and 11.5 percent hispanic and Latino in 2014.

Get the Foxconn experience with new tourist factory

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Foxconn employees accused of $43 million iPhone scam
Tim Cook meeting an iPhone manufacturer in China.
Photo: Apple

With its allegations of sweatshop conditions and worker suicides, even the masterful spin provided by Steve Jobs wasn’t able to turn negative public opinion about Foxconn, one of the main manufacturers which builds Apple devices.

But Foxconn is hoping to change people’s minds about its facilities — by opening a new “technology tourism factory” in Jiangsu, China, designed to give outsiders a peak into a (carefully managed) version of the Foxconn working experience.

Donald Trump thinks he can make Apple build Macs in U.S.

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Donald Trump Liberty University
We don't know either, Mr. Trump.
Photo: Washington Post (via YouTube)

If he really wants the job, presidential hopeful Donald Trump should probably figure out what the office can and can’t do.

Trump showcased his continuing delusion of ultimate executive power to do everything ever at a speech at Liberty University today. And in addition to his lofty goals to construct a huge wall completely sealing off the border between the United States and Mexico (“Someday they’ll call it Trump Wall”) and build a military “so big, so strong, [and] so powerful that nobody is going to mess with us,” he also turned his attention to companies like that have outsourced production overseas to save money on labor and taxes.

“We’re gonna get Apple to start building their damn computers and things in this country instead of in other countries,” Trump said, apropos of nothing.

Run to the hills in upcoming Iron Maiden mobile game

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run-to-the-hills-in-upcoming-iron-maiden-mobile-game-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201601Legacy-of-the-Beast-Iron-Maiden-jpg
Legendary metal bands and mobile games, oh my. Photo: Roadshow Interactive
Legendary metal bands and mobile games, oh my. Photo: Roadshow Interactive

Are you willing to die with your boots on? Do you know the number of the beast? If so, you’ll want to keep an eye on this upcoming mobile game from heavy metal band extraordinaire, Iron Maiden.

In conjunction with Roadhouse Interactive and 50cc Games, the legends of metal are putting together a free-to-play role-playing game, due out this summer, on iOS and Android. It’s called Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast (naturally), and will apparently include characters from the long history of Iron Maiden album art, as well as a soundtrack that has previously unheard live recordings from the monsters of rock.

Prius backup camera takes filmmaking in new direction

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This director has a vision and sees what's behind him.
This director has a vision and sees what's behind him.
Photo: I Want My Mommy/YouTube

The iPhone as a tool for filmmaking made us gasp and marvel last year. Are there any other cinematic frontiers left to conquer?

The sketch comedy troupe I Want My Mommy has taken the feature film in a whole new direction – reverse. It shot a feature film with the backup camera on the Toyota Prius.

Apple investigates iPhone 6s models not correctly reporting battery life

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Apple is investigating battery issues for the iPhone 6s.
Apple is investigating battery issues for the iPhone 6s.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

If you have an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus that’s not properly showing how much battery you have left, there’s good news and bad news. Bad news first? Apple doesn’t exactly know what’s causing the problem. Good news: They’re looking into it, and there’s a temporary fix.

Apple’s homepage pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

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Screen Shot 2016-01-18 at 13.59.07
"Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?"
Photo: Apple

As per tradition, Apple has changed its homepage to an image of Civil Rights leader and minister Martin Luther King Jr. in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The quote used alongside the photo is one of King’s stating: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” This is similar to Tim Cook’s stated mission for Apple as a company focused on being a “force for good” in the world.

Microsoft’s next iPhone app will be an iOS keyboard

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Microsoft's Word Flow keyboard is coming to iOS.
Microsoft's Word Flow keyboard is coming to iOS.
Photo: Windows Central

Under new CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has been releasing all sorts of software for iOS, including Office and lesser apps like Microsoft Selfie. But the next app you install from Microsoft on your iPhone could be a replacement keyboard, ripped straight out of Windows Phone.

Apple takes your privacy seriously — even when you’re dead

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The dream to give ever student in the L.A. schools district an iPad has officially come to an end. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
A tricky customer service problem.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple has made a big show of just how seriously it takes your privacy — but it’s not just criminals and government spying agencies whose hands it wants to keep off your devices.

According to a recent news story, Apple insisted that a Canadian widow sought a court order to retrieve her deceased husband’s password so that she could access his iPad — just to play a card game.

Apple’s Irish HQ evacuated over bomb scare

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Apple's Hollyhill, Cork factory is the only Apple-run manufacturing facility in the world.
Apple's Hollyhill, Cork factory is the only Apple-run manufacturing facility in the world.
Photo: Irish Examiner

Update: Employees are now back to work after the security alert was lifted. Only Apple’s Hollyhill and Levitt’s Quay were affected.

Apple reportedly evacuated 4,000 staffers at several of its premises in Cork, Ireland, this morning after an online bomb threat.

Employees were evacuated from Apple’s facilities in Hollyhill, the nearby Levitt’s Quay, and (possibly) the Model Farm Road site at 10 a.m. local time, with a search now being made of all premises. The Army Bomb Disposal unit has been notified and an explosive ordnance disposal team is on standby.

Kate Winslet bags Critics’ Circle award for Steve Jobs

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Kate Winslet, middle, praises the portrayal of Steve Jobs by Michael Fassbender (right).
Kate Winslet, middle, watches on as a pre-keynote argument rages.
Photo: Universal Pictures

Steve Jobs may have proved divisive among critics and an epic flop at the box office, but that’s not stopping it from cleaning up on the awards circuit.

The latest prize the Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle movie picked up was a Supporting Actress of the Year award for Kate Winslet at this weekend’s Critics’ Circle Film Awards in London. Winslet, who has already earned a Golden Globe for the role, stars in the movie as legendary PR guru Joanna Hoffman.

Apple topples Samsung in United Arab Emirates’ top brands list

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Apple beat Samsung to be named one of U.A.E.'s top brands.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
Apple beat Samsung to be named one of U.A.E.'s top brands. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
Apple beat Samsung to be named one of U.A.E.’s top brands. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Apple has beaten Samsung to claim one of the top three places in the United Arab Emirates’ Annual BrandIndex Buzz Rankings — knocking Samsung from its previous No. 1 position down to No. 4.

That wasn’t Apple’s sole placement on the list either, since the iPhone (placed at No. 7) was the only handset brand named. Other notable tech entries included Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube.

Concepts, Lifeline and other awesome apps of the week

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appsoftheweek_1024
Have an 'appy weekend.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

It’s a lazy winter’s Sunday, which means it’s the perfect day of the week to try out a few of the hottest new apps currently hitting Apple’s various App Stores. But which ones to sample?

Whether you’re looking for a great Apple TV media player, an engrossing text-based game for your Apple Watch, or a great iPhone app to plan your first 2016 adventure, we’ve got you covered!

Check out our picks below.

The future of driving tech and the nifty new features coming to iOS 9.3, on The CultCast

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In the not-so-distant future, car drives YOU!
In the not-so-distant future, car drives YOU!
Illustration: GraphicaArtis/Getty Images

This week on The CultCast: super-sized drones, app-controlled robot bartenders, smart coffee mugs and the coolest of gadgets from CES 2016. Plus, don’t miss our picks for the absolutely, positively, you-should-install-them-today, most essential Mac and iOS apps.

Our thanks to Harry’s for supporting this episode. Harry’s super-sharp, German-made razors ship free right to your door and for way less than drugstore razors. Learn more at Harrys.com and save $5 off your first order with code CultCast.

Expect the Apple Watch 2 in September, not March

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Round Apple Watch
Don’t expect new Apple Watch 2 hardware in March?
Photo: Oh NamKyung

If you’re expecting the second-gen Apple Watch to drop in March, think again. A new report suggests that while we might see new bands and partnerships announced in two months, a revised version of the Apple Watch hardware itself will not be on the table.

How Apple’s wireless EarPods could change the way we hear everything

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Could Apple’s wireless EarPods use hearing aid technology to offer holographic sound, augmented-reality Siri and superhuman hearing?
Could Apple’s wireless EarPods use hearing aid technology to offer holographic sound, augmented-reality Siri and superhuman hearing?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Recent reports suggest Apple might ship wireless, noise-canceling EarPods with the iPhone 7. From a hardware perspective, these headphones would be very similar to hearing aids.

With the right feature set, these devices could change the way we hear digital audio and pave the way for transformative new audio experiences for everyone.

Apple Music is about to wall off its radio stations

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Beats 1 will be your only free Apple Music option next month.
Beats 1 will be your only free Apple Music option next month.
Photo: Apple

Apple Music is shutting down its ad-supported radio as of January 28, pushing Beats 1 as the premier free “broadcast” for Apple. Apple sent the news out in an email to subscribers and free listeners today.

You’ll still be able to listen to all the Apple Music radio as an Apple Music member, but not as a free listener.

Apple Watch band seller hopes screwup earns stellar reviews

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Apple-Watch-Bands-by-Baoxing-Trading
Sometimes a deal too good to be true actually works out in the customer's favor.
Photo: Baoxing Trading (via Amazon)

An accidentally deep discount on Apple Watch bands has the seller reaching out for positive reviews on Amazon.

Baoxing Trading mistakenly marked down some of the accessories in its store to too-good-to-be-true levels, and while they were, in fact, that, the company decided to honor the prices and ship the items at a loss. And that’s pretty nice and honorable of them, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t asking for a small favor in return via a note included in the packages buyers are receiving.

Check out the letter below:

Mac’s malware protection still needs patching

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hack
143 million customers in the U.S. may have been impacted by the attack.
Photo: Colin / Wikimedia Commons

We all know Apple’s are much safer than Windows PCs at keeping out the malware, right?

Researcher Patrick Wardle has been trying to make sure of that for months now as he pokes holes in Apple’s current protection scheme, Gatekeeper.

In fact, he’s gotten past Apple’s latest patch to its software security system in literally five minutes.