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iPhone shortages ensue after coronavirus slammed Apple supply chain

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Iphone11
An iPhone shortage means you might not find the model you want in a wireless carrier’s store.
Photo: Apple

Production halts in China last month caused by the COVID-19 outbreak have resulted in iPhone shortages in some US stores, according to market analysts.

Fortunately, Apple’s top contract manufacturer said today it’s ramping production back up.

Samsung cleans Galaxy smartphones for free to help fight COVID-19

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Samsung-Galaxy
No water required.
Photo: Samsung

Apple’s updated gadget cleaning guidelines give you the tips you need to keep your iPhone clean during the COVID-19 pandemic. But if you bought a Galaxy smartphone instead, Samsung will clean it for you.

The South Korean company on Thursday launched the Galaxy Sanitizing Service — a free program that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light to rid your handset of germs and bacteria.

Apple Music’s new deals with major labels show no hint of ‘Apple Prime’ bundle

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Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+
Apple’s new deals with music labels don’t permit an “Apple Prime” bundle with its other services.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly signed the contracts it needs to keep streaming songs from the biggest labels. However, there supposedly was no mention in the agreements of an “Apple Prime” that would bundle this company’s music and video streaming services.

iPhone component supplies return to pre-COVID-19 levels, Foxconn says

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Terry Gou
Foxconn founder Terry Gou (right) says supplies to assembly plants in China and in Vietnam have returned to normal.
Photo: Voice of America/Wikimedia Commons

It’s apparently nearly back to business as usual at Foxconn, the company that assembles most iPhones. Its general manager says plants in China and Vietnam are once again getting the components they need.

Production had been tremendously slowed by the COVID-19 outbreak in China, but the epidemic is now nearly over in that country.

Coronavirus concerns put The Morning Show on pause

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The Morning Show's Billy Crudup earns Apple TV+ its first major awards win
Jennifer Aniston and Billy Crudup in The Morning Show.
Photo: Apple

The cast and crew of The Morning Show will halt production for two weeks over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

The break is a precaution and not because of possible exposure. The series studio, Media Res, and Apple made the decision together, according to reports.

China crackdown could boot thousands of iOS games from App Store

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screenshot from App Store China
China is strictly enforcing licensing laws for game apps that generate revenue.
Screenshot: Apple

Plague Inc., the popular game pulled from the Apple App Store in China last month, may soon have company – by the thousands.

A new report predicts some 21,500 App Store for-pay titles in China could get tossed because developers will be unable to meet a June 30 deadline for having a license.

Meet Jerry Manock, the father of Apple’s Industrial Design Group

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Apple’s first proper industrial designer, Jerry Manock crafted the look of the Macintosh and other memorable computers.
Apple’s first proper industrial designer, Jerry Manock crafted the look of the Macintosh and other memorable computers.
Photo courtesy Jerry Manock

Jerry Manock is one of the great unsung heroes of Apple design. As the father of Apple’s Industrial Design Group, Manock made an indelible contribution to the company’s long line of hit products.

He may not be a household name like Jony Ive, but, starting with the Apple II, Manock played a massive role in making the company what it is today. In an exclusive interview with Cult of Mac, the 76-year-old industrial designer recounts many colorful stories about Cupertino’s past — including one that shows even Steve Jobs got nostalgic.

Apple stock may have further to fall before it’s considered a bargain

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Apple-Store-logo
AAPL may not be the best investment right now.
Photo: Laurenz Heymann/Unsplash

Apple shares, like the broader stock market, are taking a coronavirus-induced plunge. But when is the right time to buy in order to secure yourself a bargain?

Not right now, claim analysts who spoke with CNBC. Although AAPL is currently down around $70 from its February high of $327.20, analysts think there’s further for it to fall.

2020 iPhones could boast rear-facing 3D camera

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Slickwrap iPhone 11Pro
Those rear-facing lenses are about to get even more useful.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

At least one of Apple’s 2020 iPhones is likely to boast a 3D depth-sensing camera on the back, a report from Fast Company, published Wednesday, claims.

The camera sensor will make it possible to carry out “new photo and video effects,” the report suggests. It could also improve the augmented reality (AR) functionality of the new device.

MacBook Air and Pro lineup could finally soon be free of hated butterfly keyboard

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Taking it out on your problematic MacBook butterfly keyboard will only make things worse.
Apple will introduce new MacBook Air and Pro laptops with scissor switch keyboard, analyst claims.
Photo illustration: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

The world might finally wave goodbye to Apple’s controversial and much-hated MacBook butterfly keyboards by summer, according to a new report, published Thursday, by respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In his latest research note, Kuo writes that Apple will launch new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models featuring the scissor switch keyboard design. Apple laid the groundwork for the return of the scissor switch Magic Keyboard when it ditched the butterfly keyboard for its 16-inch MacBook Pro upgrade late last year.

White House wants Apple and other tech giants to help out during coronavirus outbreak

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Should Apple take over the White House?
Here's how the government wants Apple and others to help out.
Photo: MattCC716/Flickr

Apple and other tech giants this week participated in a White House conference call discussing with the Trump administration their role in grappling with the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

The conference call took place Wednesday, hosted by US Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios. In addition to Apple, other attendees included representatives from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, and Twitter. Kratios’ focus was on getting these companies to remove fake news relating to the outbreak. But it wants them to help out elsewhere, too.

Apple signs open letter opposing LGBTQ discrimination bills

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Apple employees in Pride parade
Apple employees marching in San Francisco's Pride parade.
Photo: Apple

Apple is one of 40 companies to sign an open letter published Wednesday by the Human Rights Campaign. The letter protests U.S. bills that will target the LGBTQ community — in particular trans people.

One such bill is the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act. This was passed last week by the Alabama Senate in Tim Cook’s home state. It would make it a felony for doctors to prescribe puberty-blockers or hormones to minors. Companies signing the letter say that legislation such as this does not reflect their values.

Make some noise for official Apple TV+ Beastie Boys Story trailer

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Beastie Boys Story 1
You've got to fight for your right to Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Ahead of its debut on Apple TV+ April 24, Apple has dropped the official trailer for Beastie Boys Story, its upcoming feature length documentary on the pioneering American hip hop group.

Beastie Boys Story is directed by Spike Jonze, the music video, feature film and documentary director who first worked with the band on the music video for Sabotage.

Apple to limit public trying on Apple Watch & AirPods at stores to stop coronavirus spread

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Elago-Wrist-Fit-Apple-Watch
Want to try on an Apple Watch or AirPods at an Apple Store? It might now be at your own risk.
Photo: Elago

Apple has told its retail store employees worldwide not to recommend customers physically try on an Apple Watch or in-ear AirPods, in an effort to cut down on the spread of coronavirus.

Customers can still ask to try on ‌the products, but employees have been told not to offer the opportunity, according to a published report Wednesday.

Magrig hopes to bring MagSafe to modern MacBooks and iPads

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Magrig Adapter is MagSafe for Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C
Add MagSafe-like capabilities to your Thunderbolt 3 MacBook with Magrig Adapter.
Photo: Magrig

Magrig Adapter lets USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 cables easily disconnect if they get yanked on. It’s a revival of MagSafe, which Apple used to build into MacBooks.

There are competing options, but most of these can only transfer power. Magrig, on the other hand, promises up to 40Gbps data transfers as well as 100W of power.

Apple closes all 17 stores in Italy [Updated]

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milan
Apple is closed for business in Italy.
Photo: Apple

Apple is set to shutter all of its stores in Italy beginning Thursday until further notice as the country goes into total lockdown due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

All 17 stores in Italy have updated their webpages showing that doors will close early Wednesday and the company isn’t saying when they will be reopened.

Virus outbreak postpones National Association of Broadcasters convention in April

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The National Association of Broadcasters convention scheduled for April in Las Vegas has been postponed.
The National Association of Broadcasters convention scheduled for April in Las Vegas has been postponed.
Photo: Brad Gibson / Cult of Mac

The COVID-19 coronavirus claimed another planned convention Wednesday with the postponement of the National Association of Broadcasters convention, scheduled for late April in Las Vegas.

Dozens of the show’s exhibitors create a variety of products that work with Apple equipment, including Blackmagic Designs, Avid, Adobe, Padcaster, Microsoft, Boris FX, Panasonic, Canon, and Sony.