The great thing about having Siri built into your Apple Watch is that it’s always there when you need it. The bad thing about it is that it’s there when you don’t need it, too.
BBC Weather meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker recently ran into an embarrassing mishap on live TV when describing snow in the US Midwest. At that point, Siri kicked in to correct him, saying there was actually no snow forecast.
Don't miss these sweet savings! Photo: Twelve South
The Cult of Mac Store’s mega deal on Twelve South’s stunning HiRise stands ends today. Take advantage of it now to save up to $50 before it’s too late.
Both the HiRise Wireless for iPhone and the HiRise Duet for iPhone and Apple Watch are included in the sale. They’re some of the finest stands money can buy, and they make for terrific holiday gifts.
AirPods are worth their weight in gold to Apple. Photo: Caviar
Apple could sell upward of 3 million AirPods units during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping holidays, claims Wedbush analyst Dan Ives.
Ives bases his guesstimate on Apple Store checks, inventory levels at a number of retailers, and more. Overall, Ives thinks Apple will sell more than 65 million AirPods units this year — and even more will follow in 2020.
Apple raised money through Bono's Project (RED) charity. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Over the past 13 years, Apple has contributed $220 million to help fight the spread of AIDS-related deaths in Africa. Tim Cook made the announcement on Twitter Sunday, marking World AIDS Day.
“AIDS-related deaths have fallen by more than half since 2004,” he wrote. “Together we can achieve an AIDS-free generation.”
Paying for your journeys just got a lot faster. Photo: Apple
Apple Pay Express Transit is now available across all Transport for London services — including the Underground, buses, and trams.
Commuters can use the feature with iPhone or Apple Watch to pay for rides faster than before. It does not require transactions to be authorized with a face or fingerprint, so the whole process takes seconds.
Apple recently changed Apple Maps and Weather to show Crimea belonging to Russia. Photo: Andrew Butko/Wikimedia CC
Apple says that it is going to take a “deeper look at how we handle disputed borders” after recent controversy about the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula.
Last week, Apple agreed to depict the disputed peninsula as belonging to Russia on Apple Maps and Apple Weather. The changes only showed when viewed inside Russia. In the backlash that ensued, Ukranian foreign minister Vadym Prystaiko said that Apple should stick to “high-tech and entertainment”.
Peek inside the new book Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition. Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
When tasked with designing The Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition, Derek Yee asked himself why there weren’t any books about Macs that looked like MacBooks. Then he cooked up a grand design that pays homage to awesome Apple products.
The new book, by Leander Kahney and David Pierini, is a follow-up to the original. It’s filled with all-new stories and photos of the Apple fans who never stop thinking different. (And it’s available now for preorder from Amazon.)
Get a sneak peek inside the book, along with the rest of the week’s top Apple news, reviews and how-tos, in your free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine.
The next iOS update will have an additional off switch for Location Services after recently data privacy concerns. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple has seen the rise of competitors launching smartphones with cameras declared by reviewers and consumer labs as surpassing the iPhone.
But the iPhone 11 Pro dismissed some creeping doubts when it launched this fall and it will end 2019 at the top of several recap and best-of lists.
Among the first with its 2019 review is independent lab DxOMark, which tested 31 new smartphones this year and ranked the 11 Pro as its favorite for video.
AirPods have been a bigger hit than maybe even Apple expected. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Apple suppliers frequently benefit when Cupertino has a mega-sized hit — and that’s exactly what has happened with the makers of the AirPods. Supplier Luxshare Precision Industry, which manufactures the AirPods for Apple, has seen its stock price triple this year.
In the process it has outperformed every other major stock traded in the Asia-Pacific region. And it’s only going to rely more on the AirPods going forward.
It’s the day after Thanksgiving, which means you’re possibly looking forward to a day of lounging around, digesting yesterday’s enormous dinner, and watching some good TV shows — courtesy of the latest new episodes on Apple TV+.
Here’s what you can expect from the new instalments of The Morning Show, See, and For All Mankind.
Remember when you could only hold 1,000 songs in your pocket? Screenshot: Elvin Hu
The iPod’s click wheel was once one of the most iconic UI elements in consumer electronics. Today, it’s gone to the great user interface retirement home in the sky. Or has it? A new app suggests maybe not.
An iOS developer has unveiled a nifty app concept which aims to transform your iPhone into an iPod Classic by incorporating a virtual click wheel. Check it out.
Apple has a massive hit on its hands. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
‘Tis the season to run around in a fruitless battle to find AirPods in time for the holidays, notes Wedbush analyst Dan Ives in a message to clients.
Ives thinks that a surge of demand means there will be a shortage of AirPods headphones this holiday season. In total, he thinks Apple could ship a total of 65 million AirPods in 2019 — and things will only ramp up in 2020.
Microsoft Edge for iOS just picked up a handy new Shopping hub just in time for Black Friday.
The feature helps customers find products, nearby stores, and deals and coupons. It should make your holiday shopping a little bit easier — but it’s only available to customers in the U.S. for now.
Apple Store logos around the world have started turning red to highlight Apple’s commitment to raising awareness of World AIDS Day. Red is the color associated with World AIDS Day, dating back to the introduction of its red ribbons introduced in 1991.
World AIDS Day officially takes place this Sunday, December 1. However, Apple Stores are making the symbolic change a few days early.
Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs has lashed out at Apple over its decision to depict the disputed peninsula of Crimea as belonging to Russia — when Apple Maps is viewed by users in Russia.
In a tweet, Vadym Prystaiko said that Apple should stick to “high-tech and entertainment. Global politics is not your strong side”.
You won't see Jony Ive here anymore. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Former design chief Jony Ive today disappeared from Apple’s leadership page after leaving Cupertino.
Ive joined Apple in 1992 and led its design team from 1996. He is credited for helping rescue the company from the brink of bankruptcy with a slew of iconic products.
It’s not quite the end of Ive’s relationship with Apple, however. His own design company, LoveFrom, will hold the iPhone-maker as one of its primary clients.
Twitter is rolling back its recent announcement. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Twitter’s decision to remove accounts which had been inactive for six months or more sounded good in theory. It would free up a bunch of user names and, in theory, make Twitter more transparent by showing only information (such as follower count) that reflected current active users.
In theory. Soon after Twitter revealed the new policy this week, people raised concerns about what this would mean for users who had passed away. Why does this matter? There’s a very good reason.
Cases, charging stands, and more. Photos: Twelve South
Black Friday has arrived at the Cult of Mac Store, with 20% or more off all Twelve South products for a limited time.
You’ll find gorgeous cases for AirPods and iPhone, elegant stands for Apple Watch, and handy charging accessories on sale now. Prices start at just $27.99.
See what’s on offer today and start picking up some discounted gifts for the holidays.
The Apple inspiration doesn't stop with the cover. Photo: No Starch Press
Designer Derek Yee asked himself why there weren’t any books about Macs that looked like MacBooks.
So when the assignment came across his desk to design The Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition, he thought that making the upcoming book’s cover look and open like a silvery MacBook Pro was a winning idea.
His colleagues at No Starch Press weren’t so sure.
Enter the world of Steven Universe with Unleash the Light on Apple Arcade. Photo: Turner Broadcasting/Apple
Fans of Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe can play as their favorite character in Unleash the Light, a role playing game that just launched on Apple Arcade.