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Save on essential AirPods accessories from Twelve South

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A gorgeous leather case armors your new AirPods 2 against theft, damage, and debris.
AirSnap keeps your AirPods protected at all times.
Photo: Twelve South

Pick up two essential AirPods accessories from Twelve South this Labor Day weekend and save big with the Cult of Mac Watch Store.

You’ll save $9 when you buy both the AirSnap case and AirFly wireless adapter together. You can also enjoy a rare 20% off the rest of the Twelve South lineup until September 4.

Why we want an all-screen iPhone SE [Cult of Mac Magazine 312]

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The case for an iPhone SE with an iPhone XS screen, in this week's issue of Cult of Mac Magazine 312.
We really, really want this.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple really should make a small device with an iPhone X-style screen. Here’s why we want an all-screen iPhone SE.

You’ll find that and more Apple news, reviews and how-tos in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now for iOS, or get the links below to read the stories in your browser.

Reverse wireless charging might change the look of the iPhone 11

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Close up or iPhone 11 dummy model camera setup
The iPhone 11 Pro might not look quite like this.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Almost every picture you’ve seen of the iPhone 11 might be wrong. New images of this model have surfaced and they show that Apple could be tweaking the look of the back.

The change could be made so it’s easier to use this handset to wirelessly charge another device, like an AirPods case.

Apple could be fined $22 million for eavesdropping on Siri requests

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Siri Lights
Apple admitted to listening in on Siri requests.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission wants answers from Apple about why it let contractors listen to private Siri recordings. The data protection watchdog is looking into whether Apple’s GDPR privacy obligations.

Should Apple be found guilty, it could be fined up to 20 million euros ($22 million) or 4% of its annual global turnover, whichever is higher.

Google says iPhone security holes went unnoticed for 2 years

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for story on iPhone security
iPhone security had a few holes.
File photo: Cult of Mac

Google’s Project Zero team said it found gaping security holes in iPhone software that left users exposed to hackers before Apple fixed the flaws earlier this year.

Project Zero released a report on the flaws for the first time Thursday night. The team’s Threat Analysis Group found 14 different exploits that hackers used to gain private data, including photos, messages, contacts and real-time location information from iPhones.

Toy Story poster signed by Steve Jobs sells for $31,250

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Pixar Toy Story poster signed by Steve Jobs
That's one pricey autograph!
Photo: Nate D. Sanders Auctions

A Toy Story poster signed by Steve Jobs has sold at auction in Los Angeles for $31,250 — more than $6,000 more than its starting price.

The 24-inch-by-36-inch poster was signed by Jobs back in 1995. Its high price tag was due to the relative scarcity of Jobs’ autograph. While Toy Story isn’t widely thought of as one of the most important moments of Jobs’ life, it was actually a major turning point for him.

Expert jeweler transforms regular AirPods into 18K gold luxury versions

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18K AirPods transformation
Don't even think about losing them.
Screenshot: Pablo Cimadevila

Because Apple devices aren’t already pricey or luxurious-looking enough, there’s no shortage of jewelers lining up to daub them with bling for the way-too-much-money-with-nothing-to-spend-it-on set.

But it’s not every day that we actually get to see these transformations in action. Fortunately, skilled YouTube jeweler Pablo Cimadevila has stepped into the breach with a new video. It shows how he took regular AirPods and turned them into 18K gold versions. Check it out:

Confirmed! Catch our Sept. 10th event hardware predictions, this week on The CultCast

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CultCast 403
New Apple hardware, incoming!

This week on The CultCast: Apple’s September 10th has just been announced—don’t miss our hardware and software predictions! Plus: comparing Disney’s new streaming service to Apple TV Plus; Steve Jobs is spotted in Egypt; and one of Earth’s greatest Steve Jobs artifacts hits the auction block.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain..

Stranger Things 3 recreates Netflix hit as an isometric actioner

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Stranger Things 3
A retro nod to the past -- by which I mean the show released last month.
Photo: BonusXP/Netflix

Movie and TV show video game tie-ins still have a pretty poor reputation dating back to the rushed-out titles that proliferated in the 1980s and 90s. Fortunately, Stranger Things hasn’t taken this as part of its meta homage to all things retro.

Instead, it’s had fun with fan service by recreating its Netflix series in the form of surprisingly good, retro-style games. Now developers BonusXP have recreated the third season of the show in a new isometric action game. Welcome to Stranger Things 3: The Game on iOS…

U.S. is still lagging behind other countries on mobile payments

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There are deals to had this summer if you just use Apple Pay.
Apple Pay is still leading the mobile payment pack, though.
Photo: Apple

Tim Cook has previously expressed his surprise at how slow mobile payments are growing in the U.S.

It seems that he’s not wrong, either. A new report shows that the United States is lagging behind other parts of the world when it comes to adopting mobile payments. Although Apple Pay is actually doing pretty well compared to its rivals.

Apple should totally make an all-screen iPhone SE [Opinion]

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all-screen iphone 5
Who wouldn't want an all-screen iPhone SE?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Years ago, somebody dropped my old iPhone 5, and the screen exploded into a crazed sheet of splinters. Yesterday I finally “fixed” it by sticking a glass screen protector over the whole mess. It still looks terrible, but at least now I can use it without glass shards lodging in my fingertips.

And, now that I can handle the phone again, I realize that I love it. And it got me thinking. Why doesn’t Apple make a phone sized like the old iPhone 5, or iPhone SE, only with an edge-to-edge screen like the iPhones X?

See just how fun AirPods cases can be

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AirPods cases
Your AirPods case doesn’t have to stay plain white.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple Korea created a video to demonstrate some unusual ways to fancy up AirPods charging cases. Many people decorate their Mac and iPhone, and pick a stylish Apple Watch band too. Why leave this AirPods accessory plain white?

Watch the video now:

Apple’s Sept. 10 event invitation might hint at iPhone 11 colors

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Apple 2019 Fall press event invitation
Apple is promising tons of innovation.
Photo: Apple

As anticipated, Apple just sent out invitations to a press event to be held on Sept. 10. This is widely expected to be launch of three new iOS handsets, among them the first “iPhone Pro” models.

The design of the invite has touched off speculation about whether it indicates casing colors for the iPhone XR replacement.

Samsung’s latest beats year-old iPhone XS Max in speed test

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs. iPhone XS Max
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ took on the iPhone XS Max.
screenshot: PhoneBuff

The new Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ was faster that last-year’s iPhone XS Max in a speed test designed to test real-world use. Several improvements in the new Android model helped boost Samsung’s new flagship handset over the top.

Of course, Apple is about to introduce its own new flagship model, and comparing that to a just-released model will be a more fair test.

You can tie Nike’s self-lacing shoes with Siri or Apple Watch

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Nike Adapt Huarache
The Nike Adapt Huarache now has an iPhone and an Apple Watch FitAdapt app.
Photo: Nike

Nike continues to add to the technology of its self-lacing shoe line. The FitAdapt system, which includes a built-in motor to adjust the lacing, pressure and fit of two shoe models, can now be controlled by Siri commands, and there’s a new Apple Watch app too.

Apple’s independent repair program makes it easier to get iPhones serviced

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independent repair program
Apple is throwing a bone to third-party repairers.
Photo: Apple

Apple is making it easier for independent repair shops to service out-of-warranty iPhones. It’s doing this by providing them with parts, tools, training, repair manuals and diagnostics previously available only to Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs).

The program has initially launched in the U.S. However, Apple says that there are plans to expand this to roll it out to additional countries in the future.

iPhone photo contest winner dishes on Apple in new podcast

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Shot on iPhone
Judge's comment: "What I find most interesting is the background pattern, uniquely magnified and distorted in every one of the water droplets. I’m drawn to studying and trying to elucidate what that pattern is."
Photo: Andrew Griswold

Each finished work of art has a backstory and Andrew Griswold’s podcast Just Outside the Artboard focuses on what happens between idea and creation.

His first episode, launched Aug. 23, gave him plenty to talk about as one of the 10 winners of Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” challenge.

Scotland’s biggest city will distribute iPads to all high school students

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Podcast transcripts search
iPads are becoming part of the school experience.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Glasgow, Scotland’s most heavily populated city, is planning to spend millions giving an iPad to every middle and high school student.

As part of a new contract, 47,100 iPads will be handed out to students, alongside an extra 4,900 to teachers. But not everyone is happy about the dispensing of these “shiny new objects.”

Apple is relying on factories in China more than ever

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Hong Kong police arrest smugglers with $1 million of iPhones and other devices
China continues to be the epicenter of Apple's manufacturing.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple may be trying to wean itself off manufacturing in China, but despite its use of factories in Brazil and India, it’s actually relying on China more than ever.

According to Reuters, the majority of Apple suppliers have become increasingly concentrated in China. Although Apple uses small factories outside the country, these are typically used only for small domestic runs.