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News - page 627

Here’s what’s new in today’s iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS updates

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News+ magazines
Apple News+ is included in the iOS 12.2 update.
Photo: Apple

Today we see updates for all your Apple devices — Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and even Apple Watch.

Almost all of Apple’s big announcements today were software-based — the titanium Apple Card and the new TV shows were the exceptions — but very few of those announcements will be available today, or even soon. In the U.S. and Canada, you’ll be able to sign up for the new Apple News+ subscription today, but that’s about it.

Let’s see what else is new.

All the services Apple unveiled at its ‘show time’ event

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Apple services
Today's keynote didn't feature any new hardware.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s services business is about to kick things into overdrive in 2019. During the company’s “It’s show time” event at Apple Park this morning the company unveil a slew of new services that cover everything from news to credit cards.

There was something for everyone to get excited about at today’s event that packed more celebrity power than any Apple event ever. Tim Cook finally gave us a look at the original TV shows Apple has been brewing up for years, but there are still a lot of questions surrounding Apple’s new services.

Everyone from Netflix to big banks were put on notice today with Apple’s new services lineup. Only one of the new services are launching today, but there’s still a lot to look forward too.

The Morning Show will try to make us laugh at gender politics

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The Morning Show blitzes viewers with Apple product placement
Jennifer Anniston and Reese Witherspoon announce their show for Apple TV Plus.
Photo: Apple

Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell appeared on stage at today’s “Show Time” event to talk about The Morning Show, the comedy series starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell.

Sounding like a mixture of Anchorman and Aaron Sorkin’s Sports Night, the series follows behind-the-scenes shenanigans at a morning news show. It will particularly focus on “[pulling] back the curtain on the power dynamics” between men and women in the workplace. Coming in the #MeToo era, it certainly looks pretty good timing.

Apple takes on Netflix with its own original TV service

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CEO Tim Cook before a picture of actors, directors, and producers of Apple TV+ original shows.
CEO Tim Cook before a picture of actors, directors, and producers of Apple TV+ original shows.
Photo: Apple

Hundreds of TV shows are available through dozens of streaming services, and Apple has just added itself to the mix with a stable of original programs. But rather than increasing the complexity, Apple is hoping to simplify everything by becoming a one-stop-shop for multiple offerings, including HBO, Showtime and more.

This service is called, logically enough, Apple TV+

Apple Arcade brings exclusive new games to iOS and Mac

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Arcade 1
Apple Arcade could be a game changer. Literally.
Photo: Apple

Apple has unveiled Apple Arcade, a new subscription game which will allow iOS and Mac gamers to access a plethora of games in an “all-you-can-eat” subscription service.

“We want to make gaming even better,” said Tim Cook. Based on what Apple showed today, they may well have succeeded.

Apple News+ brings you all the magazines for $10 a month

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Apple News+ trial
Some aren't happy with Apple's tactics.
Photo: Apple

You can now find your favorite magazines inside Apple News.

A new subscription provides access to a wealth of periodicals from the likes of Vogue, Rolling Stone and The New Yorker. It also features content from The Wall Street Journal and The Los Angeles Times.

You can read as many as you like, as much as you like, for just $9.99 a month.

Live blog: Apple’s streaming service gets the red-carpet treatment

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show time liveblog
Apple’s going full Hollywood at the event.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The first Apple event of 2019 is finally upon us and it promises to be unlike any other Apple keynote we’ve seen.

Services are set to be the star of the show as Apple busts out a new TV streaming app, news subscriptions and maybe even an Apple Pay credit card. Rumors have been ramping up leading to today’s “It’s show time” event, but there are still plenty of surprises waiting for fans. As always, Cult of Mac is live-blogging the whole dang thing with up-to-the-minute analysis on all the new stuff. Apple CEO Tim Cook takes the stage at 10 a.m. Pacific — most likely with a ton of Hollywood A-listers in tow — but we’re gonna get the party started a little before that.

Come join the fun:

YouTube cancels original series just as Apple enters the game

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Overthinking
One of the shows to get the boot.
Photo: YouTube

YouTube is reportedly canceling its original series just as Apple prepares to unveil a video streaming service of its own.

At least two of YouTube’s biggest shows have been axed, according to a new report. The service has also stopped accepting pitches for new originals as it drops plans to compete with the likes of Amazon and Netflix.

iPhone SE is back in stock — and it’s going cheap

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Apple could debut iPhone SE successor as soon as March
It's a bargain!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has seemingly given up on the iPhone SE form factor. However, it’s not given up selling them — as evidenced by the fact that Apple’s diminutive, 4-inch handset just turned up on Apple’s Online Store.

Apple is selling the handsets in silver, gold, silver, and space gray — with prices starting at a mere $249. That’s great news for anyone who doesn’t want to drop the money necessary to pick up an iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or XS Max.

New videos help users get to grips with Apple Watch

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Apple Watch 1
Apple is continuing with the wearables education.
Photo: Apple

Apple has shared five new Apple Watch tips on its YouTube channel, intended to show users how to get the most out of their Apple wearable.

The short, 30-second videos contain tips on changing watchbands, activating Siri, and using the Apple Watch as a fitness trackers. Check them out below.

Apple teases big stars ahead of today’s ‘show time’ event

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Chris Evans1
Nothing to see here: just a call from Chris Evans.
Photo: Apple

Apple is having some fun with frenzied fanboys and gals ahead of today’s “It’s show time” media event. Although the live broadcast won’t officially start until 10 a.m. Pacific, Apple “accidentally” showed a few images of the empty auditorium.

What makes that particularly exciting? Only the fact that the screen is showing images such as an incoming call from “Captain America” star Chris Evans.

iPad Pro finally supports cheaper Apple Pencil alternative

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Save big by getting a Logitech Crayon for your iPad Pro instead of an Apple Pencil 2.
Save big by getting a Logitech Crayon for your iPad Pro instead of an Apple Pencil 2.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

AiPad Pro owners no longer have to pay $129 to get a high-quality stylus. The Apple Pencil 2 isn’t the only option any more.

Apple is changing course by allowing the Logitech Crayon to work with more of its tablets, and this accessory is about half the price of the Pencil 2.

2019 iPhone might charge Apple Watch wirelessly

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Charging your Apple Watch could become as simple as placing it on your iPhone.
Charging your Apple Watch could become as simple as placing it on your iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iPhone coming this fall will of course be able to receive power wirelessly, but it won’t stop there: it’ll also reportedly transmit it. This would allow an Apple Watch to be charged just by placing its on iOS handset.

This upcoming device will also reportedly get one of the benefits of USB-C while still holding onto the Lightning connector.

Apple’s unorthodox PR blitz is a total genius move [Cult of Mac Magazine No. 289]

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Apple's PR blitz for new AirPods, iPads and iMacs was more than just surprising - it was brilliant!
Apple's PR blitz was more than just surprising - it was brilliant!
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

So. Many. New. Products. Who would have guessed Apple would roll out multiple hardware upgrades in the week prior to a big media event? Here’s why that was a total genius move!

Read all about the new iPads, iMacs and AirPods in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine for iOS. Plus, you’ll find our latest how-tos and products reviews to help make your tech life easier.

Grab the mag now. Or go old-school and get all the posts in the links below.

Even Apple’s partners don’t know what its streaming TV service will cost

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AirPlay 2
You’ll be able to subscribe to HBO through the Apple TV service but HBO doesn’t know what it’ll cost.
Photo: Apple

If you’re curious about the cost of the Apple TV service set to debut on Monday, you’re in good company: apparently, the media companies that will provide much of the content are almost equally in the dark. 

Still, they think they might know something about Apple’s plans, and it’s good news for users of iPhone, iPad or Mac.

AT&T’s ‘5G E’ speeds are slower than LTE on other networks

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No matter what your AT&T iPhone says, everyone else says “5G E” is 4G.
No matter what your AT&T iPhone says, everyone else says “5G E” is 4G.
Photo: Cult of Mac/@Siddavarapu

Customers on AT&T’s ‘5G E’ networks aren’t getting the huge speed gains promised by one of the nation’s largest carriers.

In an attempt to get a headstart on the 5G wave, AT&T has renamed a large portion of its 4G network to ‘5G E.’ The carrier calls it 5G Evolution and says its the first step towards the 20Gbps speeds promised by 5G, but a recent study found that AT&T’s 5G E network is actually slower than LTE Advanced speeds on other carriers.

Look at how mediocre AT&T’s speeds are:

Beats’ version of AirPods rumored to arrive in April

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powerbeats wireless
Bag Powerbeats3 for half the usual price.
Photo: Beats

Apple-owned Beats is about to unleash its wire-free earbuds that will be like a more sporty version of AirPods.

The Beats headphone lineup hasn’t seen a lot of design changes over the last few years but it sounds like fans might finally get a fresh look this spring. According to a new report, the new sport earbuds will be a redesign of the PowerBeats wireless earphones and will be announced in April.

Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell reunite on set of Apple TV series

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stars of the Morning Show
Apple is paying for top talent, like Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell, to make The Morning Show a hit.
Photo: Pikachu/Mega

Former Bruce Almighty co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell were spotted reuniting on the set of their new Apple TV series about a morning TV show news crew.

The show started principal photography back at the end of October 31 but this is the first time we’ve seen photos of the two actors on set. Both Aniston and Carell are making their returns to TV after launching successful movie careers following Freinds and The Office.

Japan Display still owes Apple for $1.5 billion factory

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iPhone XR was India’s no. 1 ‘ultra premium’ smartphone in 2019
The LCD iPhone hasn't been the hit some hoped for.
Photo: Apple

Struggling display maker Japan Display reportedly still owes Apple a whole lot of cash for one of its factories.

Apple paid a large chunk of the $1.5 billion in costs to build an LCD factory in 2015. In return, Japan Display would pay Apple a percentage of screen sales. Unfortunately, things have gone south since then — and Japan Display’s factory is running at only half capacity. Due to the way the deal is structured, the company reportedly owes Apple “a majority of the construction cost.”