Mobile menu toggle

News - page 1079

This spliff-holding iPhone case is anything but half-baked

By

This iPhone case does doobie duty with a slide-out compartment for your stash.
This iPhone case does doobie duty with a slide-out compartment for your stash.
Photo: Richard Williams/YouTube

A good iPhone case protects your handset from the blunt force of a fall. Then there’s the case that protects the force of your blunts.

The iHit is a case for the iPhone 6 and 6s with a slide out odor-free compartment that can stash up to five pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes. It is the latest evolution of the iHit case, which started with a case for the iPhone 5 that had a spring-loaded chamber for a single joint.

Germany investigating Apple’s audiobook deal with Amazon

By

Apple raked in the cash last quarter.
Apple has another antitrust investigation underway.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple’s just gotten to the end of its long and convoluted eBooks antitrust case, and now Germany’s Federal Cartel Office is reportedly investigating the company’s agreement with Amazon for purchasing audiobooks.

Apple and Amazon are said to have a long-term agreement in place for purchasing audio books from Amazon’s Audible company to distribute via the iTunes store. The terms of the deal haven’t been made clear.

Yo, Tim Cook hates the idea of a Mac/iPad hybrid

By

Tim Cook
Tim Cook was an outspoken Hillary supporter.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

If you feel like it’s a matter of time before the iPad and MacBook become one and the same device, similar to the Microsoft Surface, there’s at least one person in the know who will tell you you’re wrong: Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Wozniak: I don’t like being trapped in Apple’s ecosystem

By

The Woz tells it like it is.
Woz remains as independent as ever.
Photo: Universal Pictures

Despite still technically being an Apple employee, Steve Wozniak isn’t known for voicing the Cupertino official line when asked about recent iDevelopments.

Speaking at a recent conference, hosted by enterprise software firm New Relic, Woz chimed in about his thoughts on the Apple ecosystem, Tim Cook’s belief that the iPad Pro could replace your need for a MacBook, and the Apple Watch — which he’s previously expressed his skepticism of.

4-inch iPhone 6c tipped for release in mid-2016

By

Is the 4-inch iPhone coming or not?
Is the 4-inch iPhone 6c ever coming? Hopefully so.
Photo: ModMyI

A 4-inch iPhone 6c is rapidly becoming the iPhone equivalent to the Sasquatch — something much discussed, but never actually witnessed.

However, according to China’s IHS Technology Research Director Kevin Wang, we should keep faith because this mythical device is really on the way — and will be with customers by the middle of next year.

Firefox for iOS, YouTube Music, and other awesome apps of the week

By

appsoftheweek_1024
Having an 'appy weekend?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The weekend may be halfway over, but you know what isn’t? The imagination of app developers.

This week’s collection of awesome apps encompasses everything from new web browsers for your iOS device, to a great new music app, to two spectacular games. Check below for our picks of the most noteworthy downloadables of the past seven days.

You won’t regret it for a second!

How to fix the Watch Sport in version 2 (Hint: GPS and Nike integration)

By

Concept mockup: will Apple Watch 2 focus on runners needs?
Concept mockup: will Apple Watch 2 focus on runners needs?
Photo: Graham Bower / Cult of Mac

Rumor has it that Apple Watch will get an update next year. There is already plenty of speculation about what cool new features Cupertino will add.

Personally, I’m hoping that the new watch will focus on fitness, so I’ve created a mockup concept to show what I’d like to see in the next generation of Apple Watch. I call it the Apple Watch GPS, Nike edition.

Can iPad Pro really replace your Mac? We discuss (and argue), on The CultCast

By

It may look like a Macbook, but can it replace one?
It may look like a Macbook, but can it replace one?
Photo: Apple

This week: can the new iPad Pro really replace your Mac? Apple seems to think so, but we’ve got a Pro in-hand and we’re not so sure. Plus: Apple may soon offer us all a simple way to pay each other; and stick around for another classic El Kahney rant—zombie edition—on an all new Stuff We’re Into.

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 the drugstore razors. Learn more at Harrys.com and save $5 off your first order with code CultCast.

App Store search just got much smarter

By

app-store-search
App searches now have a lot more in store for developers.
Photo: Apple

A number of developers have reported noticing a difference in the way the iOS App Store now organizes search results. It appears Apple made changes around November 3 to the search algorithm to improve the relevancy of the results. Developers have identified multiple factors that are contributing to the new App Store search and overall, the changes are garnering positive feedback.

Cult of Mac Magazine: Big, beautiful iPad Pro

By

Size does matter.
Size does matter.
Cover Design: Stephen Smith/Cult of Mac

We’ve gotten our happy little hands on the gorgeous, huge new iPad Pro, and we’ve got first impressions of the next-gen post-PC Apple tablet right here.

Plus, some Mac-like keyboard shortcuts for your new friend, must-have iPad Pro apps for creative types, a review of The Room Three (a fantastic puzzler in the App Store), and a check-in with Pope Francis, who wants us all to spend time with each other at the dinner table.

So check out all that and a bunch more in this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine, the best slice of Apple news and info this side of Cupertino. Be sure to get your own copy today.

Here’s a quick preview of what’s inside:

Can TAG Heuer help Android Wear defeat Apple Watch?

By

fnf_1024
Or is the TAG Heuer Connected destined to fail?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

When it comes to smartwatch sales, Apple Watch has well and truly embarrassed the entire Android Wear ecosystem, even though it hasn’t spent anywhere near as long on the market. But with Google’s platform getting a high-profile supporter this week, is it time for change?

Friday-Night-Fights-bug-2TAG Heuer’s new Connected is the first smartwatch from a luxury watchmaker, giving consumers a high-end alternative to the Apple Watch. It has beautiful hardware, great specifications, and even comes with an upgrade program that lets buyers swap it for a traditional TAG watch when it’s no longer useful.

So, is this the device Android Wear needs to mount a threat against Apple’s popular wearable?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight between Cult of Android and Cult of Mac as we battle it out over that very question!

Tim Cook calls racist Apple Store incident ‘unacceptable’

By

Tim Cook
Tim Cook was an outspoken Hillary supporter.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Tim Cook has weighed in on the Apple Store accused of racially discriminating against six black students who were barred from the store because security felt that they might steal something.

In an email sent to all Apple employees this morning the CEO called the situation ‘unacceptable.’ Cook said he thinks the Highpoint store issue was an isolated incident, but notified employees that leadership teams will be ‘refreshing their training on inclusion and customer engagement,’ starting with Australia.

Read Cook’s full email below:

iPad Pro packs enough pixels to fit an iPhone screen between its icons

By

The spacing between apps on the iPad pro (324px) is wider than the original iPhone display (320px)
The spacing between apps on the iPad pro (324px) is wider than the original iPhone display (320px)
Photo: Dennis Munsie/Twitter

The iPad Pro’s display is huge. 5.6 million pixels huge.

It’s hard to comprehend just how gigantic a display with ‘78% more display area than the iPad Air 2’ is, so developer Dennis Munsie put it into the perspective by showing that there’s actually more pixels inbetween the iPad Pro’s app icons, than there are on the entire display of the original iPhone.

Check it out:

Forget ladders. This city will fight high-rise fires with jetpacks

By

The Martin Jetpack can stay in the air for 30 minutes.
The Martin Jetpack can stay in the air for 30 minutes.
Photo: Martin Aircraft Co.

Dubai has the world’s tallest buildings. While this may boost national pride in the United Arab Emirates, it also raises worry among the city’s firefighters. How do you fight a fire more than 1,000 feet up?

Jetpacks, of course.

The sparkling UAE city will be the first in the world to have emergency responders trained in using jetpacks to combat fires in the taller buildings.

Publishers pan Apple News as a big disappointment

By

Apple News app
The Apple News app relies less on algorithms than other tech companies in the news business.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Apple decided to take on Flipboard with the addition of the company’s News app in iOS 9, but according to publishers, the news aggregation service has been a huge disappointment so far.

Time Inc. CEO Joe Ripp ripped the serviced last week, and based on a report from DigiDay, other top publishers are also frustrated with the traffic they’re getting from the service that’s only been out for two months.

8 new scenes from the latest Star Wars trailer

By

Finn getting his reps in before facing Kylo Ren.
Finn getting his reps in before facing Kylo Ren.
Photo: Disney Pictures

JJ Abrams has been doing a bad job at keeping his promise not to release anymore trailers until Star Wars: The Force Awakens hit theaters next month.

A new trailer debuted online last night for the highly-anticipated movie and while it doesn’t have as many new scenes as the international trailer that dropped a few weeks ago, there are a couple interesting new bits, like Finn fighting a stormtrooper with some type of electric anti-lightsaber baton.

We’ve created GIFs of all of the new scenes so you can obsess over all the details:

Your Apple Watch will sparkle on this bejeweled charger

By

This crystal-encrusted charging dock for the Apple Watch and iPhone can be had for $5,000.
This crystal-encrusted charging dock for the Apple Watch and iPhone can be had for $5,000.
Photo: Defined Corp.

Watch snobs say the Apple Watch could never be a true collector’s items. But there is one Apple Watch charger guaranteed to be a pricey collectible.

It is saucer-shaped, gold in color and encrusted with 1,000 Swarovski crystals. Act now and you could own one of 10 for $5,000.

Apple now hiring for its first Singapore retail store

By

Knightsbridge-670x640
The location of Apple's new Singapore retail store.
Photo: Techinasia

Apple’s first brick-and-mortar retail store in Singapore is one step closer, with Cupertino hiring staff to man its next Apple Store expansion.

The company’s website lists 14 job postings for the store, with positions including business manager, business specialist, and Apple Store leader. The retail store itself is expected to open in 2016.

Apple’s holiday gift guide arrives with free shipping

By

Screen Shot 2015-11-13 at 14.16.12
Somehow it's almost Christmas time. I swear it didn't sneak up like this when I was a kid.
Photo: Apple

It’s just six weeks until Christmas, and Apple’s hoping to convince you that it’s the company you should be turning to for help with your festive shopping — courtesy of its 2015 holiday season gift guide.

To make things even better, Apple today started offering free holiday shipping in the U.S, Canada, Europe and select other regions to make your shopping (whether it’s for yourself or others) a tiny bit more affordable.

iMessage could power Apple’s peer-to-peer payments system

By

Apple raked in the cash last quarter.
iMessage will soon let you send money to your buddies.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is considering using iMessage to make it easy for iOS to transfer users money to one another, according to a new report.

Given iMessage’s high level of encryption and existing popularity among users (particularly millennials), it makes perfect sense that Apple would use the software — rather than developing a completely new app — to further its mobile payment ambitions.