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News - page 585

Fund containing Apple’s giant EU tax bill lost $18 million last year

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
The escrow contains Apple's massive $16 billion fine.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The escrow fund containing the massive $16 billion fine Apple was commanded to pay by the EU declined by $18 million last year.

The funds are being held in an escrow account while appeals by Apple and Ireland make their way through the court. In the meantime, the money is invested — but, at least based on last year, not as successfully as hoped.

Samsung charged for allegedly misleading Galaxy promises

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Galaxy-S10-water
Samsung shows its phones being used in pools, but its warranty won’t cover that.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung has been charged by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly making false promises about its incredibly popular Galaxy S smartphones.

The watchdog says Samsung marketing made misleading representations about smartphone water-resistance.

The South Korean company depicted its devices being used in swimming pools and on the beach — then reportedly turned down warranty claims from customers who suffered water damage when using their phones in similar environments.

Latest macOS Catalina beta includes a stunning new screensaver

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macOS Catalina
It's available now, if you're running the latest beta.
Photo: Apple

While Apple has introduced all kinds of fancy new screensavers for platforms like Apple TV, the Mac doesn’t get all that much love.

However, Apple has made an exception with its latest macOS Catalina beta. As uncovered by Twitter user J Bank, it features an attractive new screensaver to join the other default ones already found on Macs.

Samsung’s new wearable steals Apple Watch 4’s hottest features

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Apple Watch Meidcare
That includes a life-saving ECG app.
Photo: Apple

Samsung’s newest wearable will steal some of Apple Watch Series 4’s hottest features. The upcoming Galaxy Watch Active 2 is expected to get an ECG app as well as fall detection.

The device will be capable of detecting atrial fibrillation — a common heart condition — and of sharing heart data with physicians and other health professionals, a new report claims.

App Store rakes in 80% more than Google Play in 2019 so far

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Apple removes 17 malware apps which secretly clicked on ads
The App Store is ridiculously successful.
Photo: Apple

Customers spent a massive $25.5 billion globally in the iOS App Store during the first half of 2019. That represents an increase of 13.2% compared to the same period one year ago.

While Android devices considerably outnumber iOS handsets, Apple still raked in the majority of profit. Total app spending through Google Play hit just $14.2 billion. That means that the amount generated by Apple’s App Store was around 80% greater than Google Play’s estimated gross revenue.

Apple may be gearing up to replace controversial MacBook keyboard

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MacBook butterfly keyboard
The butterfly keyboard design hasn't been one of Apple's most popular innovations.
Photo: Apple

Many fans hated the controversial butterfly switch keyboard that Apple introduced in 2015. While it’s since worked to improve it, the MacBook keyboards’ low-travel design has caused plenty of handwringing among the Mac faithful.

They might not be around for too much longer, however. According to a new research note from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is set to replace them with a whole new keyboard switch mechanism. This will debut with the 2019 MacBook Air.

Apple debuts pro-privacy billboards in Canada

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Privacy is King
Privacy has been a big push of Tim Cook's.
Photo: Josh McConnell/Twitter

Privacy is one of Apple’s biggest selling points — and it’s continuing the push with a series of billboards in Canada.

Images of the billboards were posted on Twitter by CBC Toronto‘s Matt Elliot and one time-tech journalist Josh McConnell. One billboard in Toronto reads, “We’re in the business of staying out of yours.” Another, also in Toronto, facing King Street West, reads “Privacy is King.”

Using a mouse with your iPad just got way better [Opinion]

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iPad Pro with iPadOS 13 and mouse
iPadOS 13 Developer beta 3 brought real enhancements to mouse support.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple significantly improved mouse support in the latest iPadOS 13 beta for developers. Most notably, the cursor size and color became controllable. And scrolling is much smoother.

These and other changes are very good news to those who intend to regularly employ a mouse when using this tablet with a keyboard.

This iPod-inspired watch stand is music to your eyes

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Apple Watch stand looks like an iPod
Charge you Apple Watch and your memory for sweet play lists.
Photo: elago

The Apple Watch is a modern timepiece that one company keeps turning into a time machine.

To elago, the watch display is the perfect inspiration for a series of charging stands made to look like vintage Apple products. It’s latest looks like the Classic iPod, complete with that iconic click wheel.

Tim Cook doesn’t censor Apple TV+ shows

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Apple TV+ could have 26 million paying subs by 2025; 2.6 million currently
Apple CEO Tim Cook isn’t telling the people creating Apple TV+ shows how to do their jobs.
Photo: Apple

Eddy Cue, Apple’s point man on music, video and other service offerings, denies reports that he and Tim Cook are forcing the producers of Apple TV+ shows make them all squeaky clean and family friendly.

Instead, he says the intent is to create a broad array of offerings for its upcoming streaming video service, including ones for “mature adults.”

Dramatic burn photos show why Apple recalled faulty MacBooks

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overheated battery on MacBook Pro
This 15-inch MacBook Pro caught fire while in Sleep mode.
Photo: Steve Gagne/Facebook

Designer Steve Gagne awoke to strange sounds and the smell of burning chemicals. Of all the tasks completed with his 15-inch MacBook Pro, nearly burning down his house was its final act.

The battery on Gagne’s MacBook Pro exploded three days before Apple announced a recall on mid-2015 Retina MacBook Pros of certain serial numbers housing batteries vulnerable to overheating.

iPhone fireworks photography is a blast with Pro Camera app

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shooting fireworks with iPhone
With some preparation and the Pro Camera app, you can capture great fireworks displays.
Photo: Midori/Wikimedia CC

With Fourth of July fireworks in the skies this weekend, mobile photography brand Moment picked a good moment to update its Pro Camera app with a new Slow Shutter mode.

The feature, added today, brings a surefire way for iPhone photographers to capture dramatic fireworks shots.

iOS 13 uses ARKit to solve one of the biggest FaceTime complaints

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2018 iPad Pro Animoji
The eye-line problem is finally fixed. If you own an iPhone XS or XS Max, that is!
Photo: Apple

There’s something weirdly off-putting about the eye-contact problem with video calling services like FaceTime and Skype.

It happens because users must choose either to look directly at the camera lens, and miss what’s happening on screen, or look at the screen and appear to be staring at the listener’s neck.

That’s not ideal for a tool that’s meant to make it seem like you’re having a face-to-face conversation. Fortunately, Apple fixes this shortcoming in iOS 13.

Laurene Powell Jobs battles climate change with Leonardo DiCaprio

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Laurene Powell Jobs (center) at the Female Founders Conference 2016 in San Francisco.
Laurene Powell Jobs (center) at the Female Founders Conference 2016 in San Francisco.
Photo: Y Combinator/Flickr CC

Philanthropist Laurene Powell Job, the widow of Steve Jobs, has teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio to help save the planet.

Their new non-profit environmental organization is called the Earth Alliance. It will “work globally to protect ecosystems and wildlife, ensure climate justice, support renewable energy and secure indigenous rights to the benefit of all life on Earth.”

Latest watchOS 6 beta lets you delete some Apple apps

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App Home Screen Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 4
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s latest watchOS 6 beta, released to registered developers on Tuesday, lets you delete stock Apple Watch apps for the first time.

Alarms, Breathe, Timer, Stopwatch, and Walkie-Talkie are just a few of the many that can now be removed. Any deleted titles can later be re-downloaded from the Watch App Store.

iOS 13 could make upgrading from an old iPhone much faster

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iOS-13-wired-data-transfer
Yes, that’s two iPhones connected via a cable.
Photo: Apple

You may soon be able to transfer photos, videos, contacts, and more from an old iPhone to a new one using a cable.

The latest iOS 13 beta hints at the ability to connect two iOS devices for wired data transfer. The move could significantly speed up the upgrade process, which currently relies on wireless connectivity.

But it’s not exactly clear how you’ll be able to marry two iPhones with a cable.

Fortnite fans prepare for Upside Down as Stranger Things takes over

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Fortnite-Stranger-Things-portal
One of several portals now found in Mega Mall.
Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Fortnite players could soon find themselves transported to the Upside Down as Stranger Things begins its in-game takeover.

Gateways to the parallel universe, complete with floating spores, have started appearing in the Mega Mall area of Battle Royale. They won’t take you far for now — but that could soon change.

‘Close Your Rings’ videos show how Apple Watch users get their exercise

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Close Rings
Here's how Apple Watch users close their rings.
Photo: Apple

Apple has updated its “Close Your Rings” Apple Watch website with short videos and stories detailing how different Apple Watch wearers complete their fitness goals each day.

“Close Your Rings” is Apple’s slogan describing an Apple Watch UI element. It pushes users to move, exercise and stand up by presenting this data as a series of rings to be closed each day.

Samsung completes its Galaxy Fold redesign

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Apple invents a unique, no-crease folding iPhone screen
We still don't know the release date, though.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung has reportedly completed a two-month redesign of its folding Galaxy Fold handset, after screen defects caused the company to delay its release.

While undoubtedly embarrassing, this will at least allow Samsung to get its next-gen smartphone on the market before the holiday season.

Apple asks Supreme Court to support LGBTQ workers

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Apple employees in Pride parade
Apple is asking the Supreme Court to protect LGTBQ people from workplace discrimination.
Photo: Apple

Apple is among more than 200 companies asking the Supreme Court to protect LGBTQ workers with current job non-discrimination laws.

The companies signed onto a “Friend of the Court” brief for three cases the high court is scheduled to hear this fall.

CarPlay is better than ever in iOS 13 — here’s what’s new

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CarPlay-dashboard-iOS-13
My cheap Kia came with CarPlay as standard.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iOS 13 doesn’t just mean big improvements for your iPhone. Apple is making some pretty significant enhancements to CarPlay, too, including a brand-new dashboard and better apps.

Some of these great new CarPlay features are long overdue. Here’s everything you can expect from Apple’s in-car platform in iOS 13.