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News - page 413

Apple AirTags trackers could finally launch in October with iPhone 12

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Apple AitTags are going to have to take on Tile.
So far, leaks don’t show much about the design of Apple AirTags. Just that they’ll be round.
Concept drawing: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The long wait for AirTags comes to an end this autumn, according to an unconfirmed report. Leaks and rumors about Apple’s item-tracking tags kept circulating for literally the last year. But it seems the debut is right around the corner, at last.

Mac malware slips through Apple notarization process

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Mac malware is real. Watch out.
Even Macs can get hit with malware. Especially when Apple notarizes it!
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly slipped up and notarized some malware. This allows the ill-behaved software to be installed on Macs.

Preventing the spread of malware is exactly why Apple insists Mac apps to be notarized, so it’s not clear how this malicious software got Apple’s approval.

Apple brings in kinder, gentler App Store policies

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A new App Store policy makes it easy to suggest a change to the guidelines
A new App Store policy makes requesting a change to App Review Guidelines as easy as filling out a form.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple instituted new policies to make the App Store a bit friendlier for developers. On Monday, it stopped blocking “bug fix” updates because of minor violations of its rules.

Also, when an application is accused of violating the guidelines, developers have the option to suggest a change to the rules.

ARM iMac with custom Apple GPU could arrive in second half of 2021

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This iMac concept reflects what a lot of people want.
Could it look something like this?
Photo: Daniel Bautista

A brand-new iMac, powered by Apple Silicon combined with a custom Apple GPU, will land during the second half of 2021, according to a new report.

Codenamed “Lifuka,” the all-in-one is expected to use 5-nanometer chips manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company — like those destined for iPhone 12 and other Apple Silicon machines later this year.

Delayed iPhone 12 launch could take a chunk out of 2020 sales

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iPhone 12 with LiDAR scanner
Even adding 5G might not be enough to overcome a delayed release of the iPhone 12.
Photo: svetapple.sk

The next-generation iPhone won’t launch in September, and market researchers predict the delay will cut significantly into sales of the smartphone.

But, as crazy as 2020 has been so far, there are still plenty of wild cards — including a possible dark blue iPhone color option — that could affect sales numbers.

Apple stock keeps climbing after 4-to-1 split [Updated]

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Let's see how this Apple stock split pans out.
Let's see how this Apple stock split pans out.
Photo: Markus Spiske/Unsplash CC

Apple shares shot up more than 3% Monday following a 4-for-1 stock split that took place after the market closed Friday.

This morning, every Apple shareholder who owned one share at Friday’s closing price of $499.23 owned four shares, each with one-quarter that value ($124.81). After soaring as high as $131 in trading Monday, AAPL closed at $129.04, up $4.23 (3.39%) for the day.

Netflix offers free shows for Mac and iPad users

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Use your MacBook to watch Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV+ or other streaming service.
Free Netflix!
Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels CC

Netflix made a selection of its popular shows and movies available for free over the weekend. The freebies include hit sci-fi show Stranger Things, Boss Baby: Back in Business and several more.

Watching these Netflix originals doesn’t require signing up with streaming service — but for some strange reason, they can’t be viewed on an iPhone.

$849 ARM MacBook could feature butterfly keys, 12-inch display

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12-inch-MacBook
And up to 20 hours battery life?
Photo: Apple

One of Apple’s first ARM-powered notebooks could be a 12-inch MacBook with butterfly keyboard, according to one tipster. The entry-level machine could sell for just $849 with 256GB storage as standard.

Other specifications are said to include up to 20 hours of battery life in between charges, up to 16GB of RAM, and a single USB-C port.

In praise of Apple Pencil [Cult of Mac Magazine 364]

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Apple Pencil is not just for artists anymore.
Apple Pencil is not just for artists anymore.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Cult of Mac’s Ian Fuchs says new features in iPadOS 14 make the Apple Pencil an indispensable tool — even for people who aren’t artists.

That’s the cover story in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now for that story, plus the latest Apple news, leaks, how-tos and reviews. (In case you hadn’t noticed, Apple’s battle with Fortnite dev Epic Games is getting nasty.)

Apple kicks every app from Epic Games out of App Store

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Apple cancelled Epic Games account on the App Store.
Epic Games is out of the App Store. Completely.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Epic Games

Apple terminated Epic Games account on the App Store on Friday. This is the latest move in a battle between the two companies over revenue from in-app purchases in the popular game Fortnite.

Fortnite itself had already been booted from the App Store, and today’s move means other offerings from Epic Games are also unavailable to iPhone and iPad users.

Apple taunts Epic Games by hyping Fortnite rivals

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Who needs ‘Fortnite’ when ‘PUBG Mobile’ is an out to get a significant upgrade?
Apple wants everyone to know that Fortnite rival PUBG Mobile is about to get a big upgrade to its visuals.
Photo: Tencent Mobile

Apple’s lead story on the App Store Today screen is about the upcoming season of PUBG Mobile. The iPhone-maker also recently did a similar promotion for Butter Royale.

It’s clear Apple wants everyone to know that while Fortnite was kicked out of the App Store, there are other battle royale games.

Save on awesome iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods accessories in our big back-to-school sale

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CoM Back to School iPhone accessories sale
Bands, stands, cases, and more at up to 72% off.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The Cult of Mac Store’s big back-to-school sale kicks off today with sweet discounts on awesome iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and Mac accessories from Elago, Just Mobile, Mujjo and Twelve South.

Save up to 72% on brilliant bands, stands, cases, and more, with prices starting at a mere $9.95. The discounts are good for a limited time only, so enjoy them while you can!

Apple TV+ Bill Murray movie On the Rocks will premiere at New York Film Festival

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First
Rashida Jones and Bill Murray star in On the Rocks, an upcoming Apple TV+ movie by director Sofia Coppola.
Photo: Apple TV+/A24

Sofia Coppola’s forthcoming Apple TV+ movie On the Rocks will premiere at the New York Film Festival, which runs from September 17 through October 11 this year.

The movie reunites director Sofia Coppola with actor Bill Murray for the first time since 2003’s Lost in Translation. That movie won Coppola the Oscar for best original screenplay, while Murray was nominated for his acting performance.

Apple launches residency program for those interested in the future of AI

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Robot
Apple is ramping up its focus on artificial intelligence.
Photo: Scott Schaut/Mansfield Memorial Museum

Apple has launched a new artificial intelligence and machine learning residency program for people from other STEM disciplines wanting to “dip their toe” into the world of cutting edge machine learning.

Michael Rennaker, manager of Apple in Research Academia (ARIA), announced the new initiative on Twitter. The program seeks experts in fields like design, linguistics, neuroscience, and psychology whose interests may cross over with AI.

Facebook says Apple stopped it telling users about 30% in-app purchase ‘tax’

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Facebook owns 4 of the top 10 apps of the past decade
Facebook is also taking shots at Apple's App Store commissions.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Facebook claims Apple stopped it from telling users about the 30% commission that Cupertino takes from sales in a new online events feature.

According to a Reuters report published Friday, Apple said its rules stop developers from showing “irrelevant” information to users.

PSA: New episode of Ted Lasso comedy lands on Apple TV+

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Ted Lasso
Here's what's new on Apple TV+ this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

It’s a relatively lean week for Apple TV+ subscribers this week as the streaming VOD service added just one new episode of comedy series Ted Lasso to its offerings. The preview for episode five of Ted Lasso reads as follows:

“With his wife and son visiting from America, Ted makes drastic changes to the lineup during a critical match.”

Fortnite no more: Epic sends email to Apple users about end of updates

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Fortnite-Battle-Lab
TL;DR: Epic wants fans to know Apple's the one responsible.
Photo: Epic Games

It’s the end of the line for Fortnite on iOS and Mac. For now, at least. In an email sent to users, Epic Games says that users on Apple platforms will no longer be receiving new content for the game.

And, you know, to drum home the point that, as Epic is keen to suggest, Apple’s the one entirely at fault.

Production resumes on Apple TV+’s sci-fi epic Invasion

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‘Invasion’ is big-budget sci-fi for Apple TV+.
Invasion on Apple TV+ imagines aliens attacking the Earth.
Photo: Pixabay/Pexels CC

Filming of Invasion, an ambitious alien invasion series for Apple TV+, is reportedly back on. It halted in March at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but production resumed in the UK last week.

It’s been called “a large budget, ambitious, character driven genre show” by Deadline, and the cast includes Sam Neill.

World’s smallest iMac will make you feel like freaking Goliath

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This iMac mini is smaller than an iPad mini.
A custom-built iMac mini looks like Apple's desktop but it's so little!
Screenshot: Michael Pick/The Casual Engineer

If you never looked at the iMac and wished it was way, way smaller, then you’re not Michael Pick. He built what he calls the “world’s smallest iMac.”

The modder filmed a video demonstrating the process of creating this tiny, yet fully functional, computer. Watch it now:

TikTok CEO bails after 3 months in the job

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U.S. investigations of TikTok gather steam.
TikTok has had something of a turbulent year.
Photo: Kon Karampelas/Unsplash CC

TikTok is all about short-form videos, but who knew it was about short-form chief executives as well? That’s one possible takeaway from the news that TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer has resigned after just three months at the helm.

Mayer cites the massive disruption resulting from President Trump’s attack on the platform, and the possibility of a sale to Microsoft or Oracle.

Apple will give iPads and scholarships to students at leading deaf university

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Gallaudet University Sign
The Gallaudet University sign in Washington, D.C.
Photo: Mr.TinDC/Flickr CC

Apple has partnered with Washington D.C.’s Gallaudet University — the world’s leading university for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind students — to offer all students and faculty Apple devices. Learners and teachers alike will receive an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, and SmartFolio for iPad Pro.

The offer is also available to students and teachers at the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, Gallaudet’s partner program for students in grades K-12.