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News - page 554

Best new (and returning) features in iOS 13.1 beta 1

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iOS 13.1 beta 1 adds Books reading goal, brings back almost every feature dropped in previous betas.
iOS 13.1 beta 1 brings back almost every cool feature dropped from previous betas.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Surprisingly, iOS 13.1 is already in beta. It looks like Apple’s release strategy this year is to freeze the current beta version of iOS 13.0 in order to get it ready for the new iPhones expected on September 10. Meanwhile, Apple continues to test the next version, adding back some features removed during the beta period — Shortcuts automations, for example.

So, what other new (or revived) features will you find in iOS 13.1 beta 1?

Apple apologizes for Siri spying, pledges privacy fixes

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Siri
Going forward, no one will listen to what you say to Siri unless you approve it.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

A revamp of Apple’s program that had people monitoring Siri voice commands for quality control will soon ask users to opt-in first, and only Apple employees will be listening.

“We realize we haven’t been fully living up to our high ideals, and for that we apologize,” the company said in a statement.

T-Mobile Test Drive hands out free mobile hotspots

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T-Mobile hotspot
Anyone thinking of switching their iPhone to T-Mobile can try the service out for free.
Photo: T-Mobile

T-Mobile is so eager to get people to try its network, the company is giving away wireless hotspots. These are good for a month or 30GB of data, and are intended to let potential customers see how well T-Mobile service works at their home, office or school.

This telecom has a bad reputation as being mostly available only in big cities. This promotion seems intended to overcome that.

Qantas Airways bans MacBooks from passengers’ checked luggage

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Apple just added MacBook Pros to its refurb shop.
Probably best not to take this on your travels.
Photo: Apple

Qantas Airways, Australia’s largest airline by fleet size, has joined Virgin Australia in banning certain MacBooks from checked luggage.

Virgin announced its decision yesterday, citing fears that the laptop batteries could catch fire. Other airlines to also ban the laptop include Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration also reminded laptop owners not to bring on board products with recalled batteries, including Apple’s. Now Qantas is following suit.

Punishingly great platformer Dead Cells lands in the App Store

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Dead Cells screenshot
It looks like the greatest Sega Saturn game the Saturn never got.
Photo: Motion Twin

Motion Twin’s celebrated game Dead Cells has finally landed on the App Store. In the process, it gives iPhone and iPad gamers the chance to play one of the most fun indie releases of recent times.

For the uninitiated, Dead Cells combines Castlevania-inspired side-scrolling action with some beautiful graphics and terrific gameplay. The results are an undisputed “must download.” Check out the trailer below.

Apple’s stunning new Miami store pays homage to area’s nautical history

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Miami Apple Store
Check out that stunning ocean-inspired roof!
Photo: Foster + Partners

One of the best things about Apple Store design is how Apple’s architects find ways to embrace local design elements, while still making the stores feel connected to one another.

The latest example of this is the stunning Foster + Partners design for the new Apple Aventura store in Miami, Florida. The most notable aspect of the store’s design is its undulating vaulted roof. This was intended to represent the city’s nautical history.

Consumer Reports says AirPods ‘just don’t sound great’

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AirPods wall display is on show in New York.
AirPods aren't good enough to get Consumer Reports' official recommendation.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s AirPods are some of the top-selling earphones of all time. But according to Consumer Reports, they have a problem: “They just don’t sound great.”

In a series of tests, the consumer testing group pits the second-gen AirPods against Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. And, spoiler alert, their conclusions don’t come down in Cupertino’s favor.

Tim Cook gets lucrative reward for his success as Apple CEO

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Tim Cook interview
"And then I think I'll buy 7 iPhone XS Max units... and a mansion... and a private jet."
Photo: The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer

Apple hit all its performance expectations this year — and CEO Tim Cook is being rewarded for that achievement.

According to a new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, Cook has been awarded 560,000 restricted stock options. At present market prices, that equals around $115 million. Not a bad payday!

Microsoft’s revolutionary dual-screen laptop/tablet might launch this fall

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Intel dual-screen concept device, code-named Twin River
Microsoft’s dual-screen concept device might resemble this one Intel demoed at Computex 2019.
Photo: Intel

Microsoft might take on the iPad and MacBook simultaneously if a semi-secret folding tablet is unveiled at a press event this fall.

The company just sent out invitations to an October event, and speculation is running high that the dual-screen “Centaurus” will be the star, along with refreshed versions of other Surface computers.

The Marqui Crossbody Pouch: Welcome to the future of pockets

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Marqui Crossbody Pouch
Contrary to what every schoolteacher told you, pockets are for hands.
Photo: WaterField Designs

That’s it, I’m calling it. 2019 is officially the year that men’s pockets become obsolete. Women have had to do without pockets on their pants since, well, since women were finally granted the right to wear pants in 1946, after a year of post-war protests. They then had to wait until the late 1970s before the federal ban on pockets was finally lifted. But by then, no manufacturer was brave enough to take on the powerful anti-pocket lobby.

If only women had had access to the WaterField Designs’ new Marqui Crossbody Pouch, history might have been quite different.

Apple surprises everyone with first iOS 13.1 beta [Updated]

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iOS 13.1 Developer beta 1
iOS 13 isn’t expected for weeks and Apple is already testing iOS 13.1 Developer beta 1.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The slow slog toward the release of iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 took an unexpected twist today: Apple just introduced the first betas of the followup versions.

The debut of prerelease versions of iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1 would seem to indicate that Apple has already finished development of the versions that’ll debut next month.

Sprint serves up a whopping 2,100 square miles of 5G

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HTC 5G Hub
With this mobile hotpot, a Mac or iPad can connect to Sprint 5G today.
Photo: HTC

Although Sprint could soon be swallowed by T-Mobile, the telecom is nevertheless aggressively rolling out 5G service. Its cutting-edge network is up and running in nine cities, and the carrier promises this is up to 6X faster than its LTE service.

Sprint offers a 5G mobile hotspot that can bring much faster access to Macs and iPads day.

Steve Jobs look-alike blows internet’s mind

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Steve Jobs look-alike spotted in Egypt. Now that's a
Now that's a "One More Thing" surprise I'd be on board with!
Photo: @x6oor/Twitter

Any iconic person who dies before their time occasionally gets photos shared of look-alikes, raising the faintest shred of possibility that they’re alive after all and just enjoying life out of the spotlight.

There’s no shortage of shots of Tupac and Elvis years after their apparent demise. But this week, the Twitterverse exploded when a photo looking a whole lot like Steve Jobs popped up. The Apple co-founder’s doppelganger is in Egypt, FYI.

Fortnite X Borderlands crossover brings Psycho skin, Pandora zone

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Fortnite-X-Borderlands
Think twice about spending 2,000 V-Bucks.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite’s newest patch is out, introducing a surprise crossover with popular Gearbox Software franchise Borderlands.

The version 10.20 release brings Psycho and Claptrap cosmetics, a new Rift Zone that resembles the planet Pandora, and themed challenges that unlock free rewards.

And in true Fortnite style, the update also makes a controversial change that many players are already unhappy about.

Former Apple retail boss on track to revolutionize tech shopping again

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Ron Johnson when he was with Apple
Ron Johnson, with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs at the grand opening of an Apple Store.
Photo: Richard Agullar

In a former life, Ron Johnson changed how people buy Apple products.

The retail chief who helped launch the Apple Store continues to tweak how we shop for our gadgets. Johnson’s Enjoy Technology Inc. brings online device delivery to your front door with a person to help you set it up.

If you haven’t heard of Enjoy Technology, that may change thanks to a new round of investment that will help Johnson’s company reach beyond its 50 markets in the U.S.

Apple stock could be in for a massive boost

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AAPL shakes trade fears
Apple stock has been trending upward throughout 2019.
Photo: CNBC

Apple stock could be about to make some impressive gains. Having been depressed as a result of concerns about possible China tariffs, analysts think it might be about to experience a big value increase.

Analysts for MKM Partners and Rockefeller Capital point out that Apple has weathered the 2019 storm impressively well. Gradually trending upward, if it’s able to maintain it’s momentum we could be in line for some big share price jumps.

First Apple TV+ Dickinson trailer serves up costume drama with social issues

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Dickinson screenshot
Throw up those devil horns!
Photo: Apple

Gender politics is on full display in Apple’s first trailer for Dickinson. The original Apple TV+ series offers a reimagining of the life of American poet Emily Dickinson.

With its hip 21st century take on a historical drama, Dickinson reminds me of Sofia Coppola’s 2006 movie Marie Antoinette. Coming shortly after Apple’s #MeToo-era trailer for The Morning Show, it suggests that Apple TV+ will embrace social issues in a big way.

Tim Cook makes massive donation to charity

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Tim Cook talks diversity, sustainability, and coming out as gay
"Don't worry, guys, I found my wallet!"
Photo: Apple

Tim Cook has donated more than $5 million worth of Apple shares to a charity, as revealed by a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing posted this week.

Cook’s decision to give away 23,700 shares of AAPL stock comes one year after he made a similarly sized donation to charity. Apple’s CEO has said that he plans to give away his entire fortune, currently valued at around $625 million.

Mario Kart Tour is coming to the App Store next month

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Mario Kart Tour
You've got another month to impatiently rev your engines.
Photo: Nintendo

After being announced way back in January 2018, Nintendo will finally release Mario Kart Tour on the iPhone next month. The gaming giant revealed the game’s September 25 launch date on Twitter.

That’s just in time for the most enthusiastic of Apple fans to be able to play it on their brand new iPhone 11 handsets!