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News - page 389

Keep your real phone number hidden with a second, ‘burner’ line

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Hushed
Get a second phone number that you can use for Craigslist deals, dates, work calls, and other times when you'd rather keep your real number private.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The internet changed a lot about how we communicate. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the sensitivity of giving out your personal phone number to randos.

Craigslist, Tinder dates — heck, even work associates — there are lots of people you might not want to be able to reach you on a whim. This inexpensive private phone line offers an invaluable buffer between you and the unknown.

This app lets sexting couples sign an NDA first

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Couple in bed
E-gree is a free legal contract service.
Photo: Womanizer WOW Tech/Unsplash CC

Want to receive an intimate photo from a romantic partner? You’d better be ready to sign on the dotted line (or, at least, the smartphone screen.)

A new app called e-gree allows couples to create legal contracts that could help stop the saucy selfies from being shared without permission. No legal fees involved.

Don’t expect the first Apple Silicon MacBooks to look radically different

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Apple_macbookpro-13-inch_screen_05042020
Don't expect a significant (exterior) redesign for the first MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

Don’t expect to see any major design changes when Apple introduces its first Apple Silicon MacBooks at next week’s “One More Thing” event, claims Bloomberg.

The unprecedented third Apple media event in three months will take place on Tuesday, November 10. At the event, Apple will show off the initial Apple Silicon Macs, first announced at June’s WWDC. But it seems that the MacBooks won’t be getting fancy new exterior redesigns to go along with their new processors.

Want to make a MagSafe accessory for iPhone 12? Follow these guidelines

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MagSafe on iPhone 12 Pro GIF
MagSafe is back — but not as you knew it.
GIF: Apple

Apple has created a guidelines document for third-party manufacturers who want to create their own MagSafe accessories for the iPhone 12.

It contains specific guidance, such as the fact that MagSafe cases must have a a maximum thickness of 2.1mm, and should be capable of clinging on securely to an iPhone without necessarily having to rely on the magnets to do so.

Christopher Walken will surely creep us out in Severance on Apple TV+

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Christopher Walken will be in ‘Severance’ omn Apple TV+.
Christopher Walken can’t stand on a sidewalk without looking frightening.
Photo: Wikipedia CC

Any doubts that the Apple TV+ workplace thriller Severance will be creepy were laid to rest Monday when word got out that Christopher Walken has joined the cast. He’s added an eerie tone to many roles in the past.

He’s just one of multiple big names already involved in the upcoming Apple series. Patricia Arquette is also set to star, while Ben Stiller will direct.

It’s decision time, America!

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iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone 12 Pro Max: One of 2020's toughest decisions.
One of 2020's toughest decisions.
Photos: Apple

Like many other Americans, I face a momentous decision this week. A choice between two polar opposites, each with hard-core backers who say you’re stone-cold crazy if you don’t go with their pick.

I’m talking about, of course, one of the most pressing decisions of 2020: iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max. They’re the most exciting iPhones in this year’s lineup, for very different reasons.

These MagSafe mounts take iPhone 12 photography up a notch

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Check out the lineup of Moment MagSafe mounts.
Moment put together a range of MagSafe-compatible mounts and cases for the iPhone 12 series.
Photo: Moment

Accessory-maker Moment unveiled a variety of mounts to help photographers make better use the very advanced cameras built into the iPhone 12 series. These employ the MagSafe magnetic-connection system built into Apple’s newest handsets.

There’s also a new lineup of MagSafe-compatible iPhone 12 cases from Moment.

Apple TV comes to Xbox consoles next week

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Apple TV and Xbox: together at last
A version of the Apple TV app will be ready when Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S debut next week.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Those who use a Microsoft Xbox as their entertainment center will soon be able to watch the Apple TV+ streaming video service. A version of the Apple TV software will be released for a range of Xbox consoles next Tuesday, including the newest ones.

How to see the MacBook clue in Apple’s November event invite

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An AR easter egg hints that the Apple November event will include a new MacBook.
Apple seems to be broadly hinting that a MacBook will be unveiled next week.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple put an augmented reality Easter egg into the invitation to its November product event. The AR object seems to hint that there’ll be at least one new MacBook on the docket.

The basic graphic in the event invite, which went out Monday, is the Apple logo surrounded by streaks of light. iPhone users can transfer that design to the real 3D world, and put it in motion. That motion looks a lot like a MacBook opening and closing.

Get ready for Apple Silicon Mac at ‘One More Thing’ event

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Apple Silicon Macs are likely too be the stars of the
Here come those Apple Silicon Macs.
Graphic: Apple

Apple sent out invites on Monday to an unprecedented third product launch event. This will almost certainly be the debut of Macs running Apple Silicon, the company’s own processors.

Titled “One More Thing,” the November event is scheduled for 10 a.m. PST on Tuesday, November 10.

Apple closing all 38 stores in England as country goes into new lockdown

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apple.store.regent.street.london.1
One of the many stores in England which will be closing temporarily.
Photo: Richard Shrum for Cult of Mac

Apple Stores will close again in England as the country goes into a second national lockdown, starting Thursday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the lockdown over the weekend as a result of a sharp spike in coronavirus cases. The lockdown — which will last a minimum of four weeks, but maybe longer — means that all non-essential stores will close. That includes Apple stores.

Apple ordered to pay more than $500 million in long-running patent battle

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iPhone with gavel.
Will this be the end of the road? Who knows!
Photo: Tingey Injury Law Firm/Cult of Mac

Apple’s long-running battle with patent-holding entity VirnetX took another expensive turn Friday as Apple was ordered to pay $502.8 million for infringing on the company’s patents.

The verdict was decided by a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Apple and VirnetX have been battling back and forth since 2010.

Apple: Cutting App Store fees will have ‘adverse’ effect on bottom line

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app-store
Apple makes the admission in new financial report.
Photo: Apple

In its latest 10-K annual report, detailing its 2020 financial reports, Apple warns investors that if it’s made to reduce the commission it charges in the App Store, this could have a “materially adverse” affect on Apple’s bottom line.

Apple includes the clause, which seemingly hasn’t been in previous 10-K reports, at a time when Apple’s commission is being challenged. A number of developers and politicians have suggested that Apple’s control of the App Store in unfair, and that it charges too much.

No, Sean Connery didn’t turn down an offer from Steve Jobs

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James Bond
Sadly there's no evidence of a meeting between Connery and Jobs.
Photo: UA

Over the weekend, the first (and arguably best) actor to play James Bond in a movie, Sean Connery, passed away at the age of 90.

Almost immediately, a story began doing the rounds online about the time, in 1998, when Connery told Steve Jobs that he flat-out refused to participate in an Apple ad. Why? Because Jobs was “a computer salesman” and Connery was “f*cking James Bond.”

It’s a great story. It’s also totally untrue.

How HomePod’s new Intercom feature works [Cult of Mac Magazine 373]

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The new Intercom feature turns HomePods (and other Apple gear) into ... an advanced intercom.
The new Intercom feature turns HomePods (and other Apple gear) into ... an advanced intercom.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new Intercom feature for HomePod (and HomePod mini) sounds really interesting and useful. Depending on what Apple gear you own, and what software versions you’re running, you might be able to give it a spin right now.

Our lead story this week will show you how to get Intercom set up (and why you’ll want to). But there’s also plenty of Apple news, rumors and recommendations. Highlights include our iPhone 12 review and a wrap from this week’s surprising financial update: 7 nuggets of truth from Apple’s latest earnings call.

It’s all in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now to read on your iOS device, or get the headlines below in your browser.

Golden master means iOS 14.2 — with new emoji and Shazam — is almost here

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The iOS 14.2 golden master, along with the iPadOS equivalent, is available to developers.
iOS 14.2 is almost here! It’ll bring loads of new emoji and Shazam integration.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple on Friday gave developers access to iOS 14.2 golden master, along with the iPadOS equivalent. This is the last step before releasing these new versions to the public.

When available to all, iOS 14.2 will offer plenty of fun new emoji, as well as Shazam music recognition integrated into the Control Center.

Apple’s big plans for next-gen AirPods, plus our $100,000 AAPL investment update! [The CultCast]

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The CultCast 464: Big changes are coming to your beloved AirPods. Find out what in our free Apple podcast.
Big changes are coming to your beloved AirPods.
Photo: Cult of Mac/The CultCast

This week on The CultCast: Next-gen AirPods might bring massive changes — we’ll tell you what we know!Plus: The original HomePod remains absolutely outstanding, but the new Intercom feature needs work. And we’ve got another update on Erfon’s $100,000 AAPL stock investment!

The CultCast is now available in video! Or subscribe to our audio episodes if you don’t like our faces.

Save 15% on these luxury, handmade leather bands for Apple Watch

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Form Function Form bands for Apple Watch
An Apple Watch band made just for you.
Photo: Form Function Form

Treat yourself to one of the best Apple Watch upgrades money can buy: A luxury leather band made just for you by the fine folks at Form Function Form. You can now get 15% off the entire lineup in the Cult of Mac Store’s Halloween Sale.

This limited-time sale must end this weekend, so enjoy it while you can.

Apple Arcade’s South of the Circle is a playable novel of love and survival

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‘South of the Circle‘ debuted Friday on Apple Arcade
South of the Circle is as much an emotional journey as a real one.
Photo: Apple/State of Play Games

South of the Circle is a narrative adventure game that starts with a plane crash in Antarctica in 1964. Its animation style results from motion-captured performances from a cast of actors.

The story begins Friday on Apple Arcade, this company’s subscription gaming service.

Home improvement apps boom during lockdown

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Home improvement
With people stuck home, this is what they turned to.
Photo: KJ Styles/Unsplash CC

The app economy has done well during the coronavirus pandemic but some categories have done better than others. According to a new report by app analytics platform Sensor Tower, one category of app that has done exceptionally well are home improvement apps.

In the United States, first-time installs of the top home improvement apps doubled year-over-year between the months of March and September. Monthly active users also grew by 35% during that time.

Facebook CEO worries iOS 14 anti-tracking feature could hurt small businesses

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Facebook owns 4 of the top 10 apps of the past decade
Facebook owns 4 of the top 10 apps of the past decade
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Mark Zuckerberg isn’t happy about an iOS 14 feature that will make it harder for developers and advertisers to track iPhone users — on the basis that the anti-tracking tech could hurt small businesses already struggling in the age of coronavirus.

In Thursday’s earnings call, the Facebook co-founder and CEO said that actions planned by Apple “could have a meaningful negative effect on small businesses and economic recovery in 2021 and beyond.”