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News - page 359

App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges in Europe

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App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges
Government agencies in the EU and UK are looking into whether the iPhone App Store violates their antitrust laws.
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC

Spotify’s accusation to the European Union that Apple uses its control of the App Store to squeeze out competition reportedly will soon result in antitrust charges being filed against the iPhone-maker. This comes on the same day the UK begins an investigation of the App Store.

The two antitrust agencies could force Apple to lower the commissions it charges software developers. Or even require rival iPhone app stores.

Billie Eilish doc attracts coveted young viewers to Apple TV+

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New documentary
Sounds like the Billie Eilish doc brought a coveted crowd to Cupertino's streaming service.
Photo: Apple TV+

How do you get the kids to tune into your underachieving streaming service? Buy a documentary about one of the hottest young singer/songwriters in the world.

That’s what Apple TV+ did when it snapped up the rights to new doc Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry — and the strategy apparently worked. As per usual, Cupertino won’t reveal the actual number of people who watched the film since its premiere last week. However, an insider report says the music doc brought a ton of new, young viewers to Apple TV+.

Business and tech guru gears up for podcasting [Setups]

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Ben Thompson's setup is wired for great sound.
Ben Thompson's setup is wired for great sound.
Photo: Ben Thompson

We noticed business and technology author and noted Mac guy Ben Thompson volunteered a pic of his setup on Twitter when tech and politics writer Casey Newton posted a shot of an immaculate setup, wondering if he has “remotely what it takes to put something like this together.”

Well, Taiwan-based Thompson certainly has what it takes to put together a great setup — even if it’s more lived in and not quite as photo-ready as the one Newton posted.

Play iPhone games with keyboard and mouse with new KeyMander 2 Mobile

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IOGear KeyMander 2 Mobile debuts in mid-March.
Hook your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV to a keyboard and mouse for gaming with the KeyMander 2 Mobile from IOGear.
Photo: IOGear

The IOGear KeyMander 2 Mobile is for iPhone users that prefer gaming with a keyboard and mouse instead of a touchscreen or controller. It works with Apple Arcade, Google Stadia and App Store games. Even ones that don’t offer native support for desktop-type input devices.

Beyond iPhone, it also works with iPad and Apple TV.

Weird series Calls brings terrifying phone convos to Apple TV+

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New audio-intensive Apple TV+ show Calls leaves a lot to the imagination.
New audio-intensive Apple TV+ show Calls leaves a lot to the imagination.
Image: Apple TV+

Calls, the new thriller coming to Apple TV+, will depend on ears instead of eyes to get hearts pounding.

The oddball series “masterfully uses only audio and minimal abstract visuals to tell bone-chilling snackable stories,” Apple said in a description of the Calls trailer posted Wednesday.

iMac 4K production slows as Apple Silicon upgrade looms

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This iMac concept reflects what a lot of people want.
It could (we hope) look a lot like this.
Concept: Daniel Bautista

Apple has reportedly slowed production of the 21.5-inch iMac ahead of a much-anticipated Apple Silicon upgrade. The company’s popular all-in-one is expected to make the shift to custom ARM chips this year.

In the meantime, certain 21.5-inch iMac 4K models powered by Intel processors could be a little more difficult to get hold of.

Apple Watch ECG on its way to Australia after government approval

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Apple Watch ECG
One of Apple Watch's best features is expanding its reach.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch’s terrific ECG feature is one step closer to going live in Australia after receiving government approval. It comes just a month after Australia approved the device’s irregular heart rhythm notifications.

It’s not yet clear when Apple will make the feature available to Apple Watch owners.

HoverBar Duo is both iPad desk stand and clamp

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Twelve South HoverBar Duo works with any side iPad.
Attach the Twelve South HoverBar Duo to a cabinet or rest it on a desktop.
Photo: Twelve South

To use an iPad hands free around the home or office, you can get a desktop stand or one clamps to a rigid surface. The Twelve South HoverBar Duo gives you both options.

It’s not only height adjustable, but can hold a wide variety of devices, from iPad Pro to iPad mini. And iPhones too.

Final Fantasy creator handcrafts epic Fantasian for Apple Arcade

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‘Fantasian’ is coming soon to Apple Arcade
Fantasian for Apple Arcade
Screencap: Mistwalker/Apple

Fantasian is the next creation by Hironobu Sakaguchi, who also made the classic Final Fantasy series. His latest mixes computer-generated characters with handmade sets for a truly unique look.

The role playing game by Mistwalker is set to debut on Apple Arcade for a variety of platforms.

‘Feminist fables’ will Roar on Apple TV+

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‘Feminist fables’ will Roar on Apple TV+
The feminist short-story collection Roar is being made into an Apple TV+ series.
Photo: Grand Central Publishing/Cult of Mac

A star-studded collection of women will appear in Roar on Apple TV+. This anthology series of “darkly comic feminist fables” will feature Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo, Merritt Wever, Alison Brie and more.

Perseverance rover tools around Mars with ’90s iMac processor for its brain

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Perseverance rover tools around Mars with '90s iMac processor for its brain
This Mars rover and the brightly colored 1998 iMac have more in common than you might think.
Photo: NASA

A rover that recently landed on the surface of Mars uses the same processor that powered the 1998 iMac. NASA built Perseverance around a chip from decades ago because reliability is more important than being cutting edge when the computer is 130 million miles away.

Man sues Apple after iPhone X explodes in his pocket

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iPhone XS Max
Bigger and better for your eyes.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

An Australian iPhone owner whose day job is working as a scientist at the University of Melbourne is suing Apple after his iPhone X exploded in his pocket.

Robert De Rose says that he was sitting in his office in 2019, with the iPhone in his pocket, when suddenly he felt an intense pain in his thigh. He was left with second-degree leg burns after the incident.

Crash Bandicoot’s first new iOS game in a decade opens for preorders

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Crash Bandicoot is getting his first new mobile game in 10 years
Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is coming to the App Store this month.
Photo: King

Preorders for Crash Bandicoot’s first iOS game in a decade are now up and (endless) running.

The endless runner game, titled Crash Bandicoot: On the Run, is the famous PlayStation mascot’s first game for the iPhone since 2010’s sequel to Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D, a game that’s no longer available through the App Store. It is scheduled to hit the App Store on March 25.

iPhone 12 is one of the hottest iPhones in history

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A fix is coming for the iPhone 12 green screen glitch.
The iPhone 12 is a monster hit for Apple.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 12 looks like a monster hit for Apple, a new note to investors by research analysis firm Cowen suggests. The firm estimates that iPhone orders climbed 50% year-over-year last quarter, propelled by the enormously popular iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models.

For the March 2021 quarter, Cowen thinks Apple will build 57 million iPhones. That’s up from the firm’s own previous prediction of 55 million.

Replacing iPhone notch with hole-punch camera makes no damn sense

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Replacing iPhone notch with holepunch camera makes no damn sense
This isn’t an improvement.
Artists concept: Cult of Mac

Apple might get rid of the screen notch in the 2022 iPhone. But before you start celebrating, there’ll be a hole-punch camera in its place, according a trusted analyst. If true, this will be one step forward and two steps back.

The notch is a superior solution to a hole in the middle of the display. Here’s why.

Rejoice! Every US Apple store is open again

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Fifth Avenue Apple Store
The Apple store is back in the US.
Photo: Apple

All 270 Apple retail stores in the United States opened on Monday. Many had been shuttered for months during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not any more.

This is a boon not only for shoppers but for those looking for repairs and tech support for their Mac, iPhone or other Apple gear. But don’t jump in the car quite yet.