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News - page 636

Upgrade your Apple Watch without breaking the bank [Watch Store]

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nyloon
The Tanok — Nyloon's tribal-patterned bands are best-sellers.
Photo: Nyloon

If you’ve got an Apple Watch and want to change things up, it’s quite easy to change the face. But if you want more, you’ve got to change the band.

The mechanical part is easy; it’s the acquisition that can be a bit taxing. Looking good doesn’t have to be expensive, though. Check out our selection of bands that go for less than $40, including items from CarterJett, Rilee & Lo, and Nyloon.

Microsoft Edge for iOS now translates websites in an instant

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Microsoft Edge translation
Visit your favorite foreign sites in Microsoft Edge.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Microsoft Edge for iOS now boasts instant web page translation.

The feature lets you visit your favorite foreign sites and enjoy them in your native tongue. It also gives you the option to quickly switch back to the site’s original language with little effort.

Apple may have quietly fixed MacBook Pro’s ‘stage light’ flaw

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MacBook Pro 2018 display cables
It's a small but significant change.
Photo: iFixit

Apple’s latest MacBook Pro lineup may be immune to the “stage light” flaw that has plagued some 2016 and 2017 models.

Slightly longer display cables inside the newer notebooks could help prevent the wear that older units are susceptible to. It’s only a minor change, but it may eliminate nasty $600 repair bills.

Can a social media guru extinguish Siri’s tire fire of complaints?

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Siri Alexa in voice report
Apple is hiring someone to track what everyone says about Siri.
Photo: Apple

Corporation ISO very patient person to listen to endless complaints about its digital assistant. No phonies.

Apple really did post a job opening for someone to monitor what people are saying about Siri, with an eye to turning complaints into improvements to this beleaguered voice-driven assistant.

Epic promises audio improvements for Fortnite 8.01

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Fortnite
Listen out for the sound improvements this week.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite fans are still enjoying last week’s massive season eight update, but many will have noticed that certain things need fixing. One of those is the audio for a bunch of weapons and items, which Epic Games is already working on fixing.

Seth Weedin, Fortnite’s technical sound designer, has detailed a number of big audio improvements that will roll out in a version 8.01 patch.

USB4 expands Apple’s Thunderbolt 3 to everyone

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A Thunderbolt 3 cable is also a USB4 cable.
A Thunderbolt 3 cable is also a USB4 cable.
Photo: Caldigit

Just a week after USB 3.2 was unveiled, the USB Promoter Group went ahead and took the wraps off the follow up. But if the specs of USB4 sound familiar, that’s because they’re based on the Thunderbolt 3 standard already implemented in most Macs.

So users of other types of computers can finally benefit from the faster connection speeds that Apple devices have been enjoying for years.

Google’s Project Zero discovers ‘high severity’ flaw in macOS kernel

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macOS High Sierra
Apple is said to be working on a fix.
Photo: Apple

Google’s Project Zero team has discovered a “high severity” flaw in the macOS kernel.

The issue, which potentially allows attackers to perform malicious actions on a mounted filesystem, was reported to Apple more than 90 days ago. No fix has been made available yet, but Apple has acknowledged the issue and is working with Project Zero on a patch.

Brilliant watchOS 6 concept gives Apple Watch the love it deserves

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apple watch concept
Apple needs to add these features.
Photo: Matt Birchler

The grand unveiling of watchOS 6 is probably just three months away, but a cool new concept from Matt Birchler suggests some simple features that will hopefully get added in time for Apple Watch lovers.

In his annual watchOS concept, developer Matt Birchler lists all the ways Apple could make the Apple Watch platform even better. Most of the suggestions are pretty simple, such as always on watch faces, and would be easy for Apple to add. Hopefully, Apple’s software engineers are taking notes of these ideas.

iOS 12.2 nears release with fourth beta [Updated]

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New mages could be of the rumored iPad mini 5.
The debut of the iPad mini 5 could depend on iOS 12.2, and both are expected in the near future.
Photo: Mr-white

Update: Hours after becoming available only to developers, iOS 12.2 beta 4 was released to anyone in the general public who’s joined the free Apple Beta Software Program.

Apple has settled into a steady pattern of introducing new iOS 12.2 betas every two weeks. It’s been 14 days since the last pre-release version went to developers, and you can guess what that means.

This version is expected to power three new devices launching later this month. It will also bring additional Animoji and other improvements.

Get the right band when you’re ready for action [Watch Store]

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You're ready for action. Is your Apple Watch? The Twelve South ActionSleeve is made for workouts.
You're ready for action. Is your Apple Watch?
Photo: Twelve South

While the Apple Watch is a great fitness tool, not every band is ready for the rough-and-tumble world of workouts. That black leather band that looks so smashing while you’re out on the town turns a bit sodden when you’re running the streets.

It’s key to get a band that will not only be comfortable, but able to survive whatever you put it through. That’s where the Cult of Mac Watch Store comes in. Check out our selection of Apple Watch sports bands, including the ones highlighted below.

Samsung sends foldable screen samples to Apple

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Foldable smartphone
Apple is serious about creating a foldable iPhone. Above, is a drawing for a patent Apple was granted last year.
Photo: Apple

After being one of the first out of the gate with a folding smartphone, Samsung is trying to entice competitors — including Apple — to join the foldable future.

Samsung, which debuted the Galaxy Fold at its Unpacked event on Feb. 20, has reportedly sent some foldable display panel samples to Cupertino in hopes of attracting Apple as a client.

Researcher provides Apple with details (and fix) for Keychain flaw

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macOS Keychain
Apple still won't cough up a reward.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

A security researcher has decided to provide Apple with details — and a patch — for a serious Keychain flaw in macOS Mojave that allows anyone to access your saved usernames and passwords.

Linus Henze previously withheld the information in protest of Apple’s decision not to offer a macOS bug bounty program. He now believes the problem is too serious for the company to ignore.

Apple’s ‘intrusive’ execs criticized by Hollywood

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Tim Cook and Co. bring the hardware heat at The Brooklyn Academy of Music during the
Tim Cook wants TV shows to be family-friendly.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s “intrusive” executives, including CEO Tim Cook, have been criticized by Hollywood for becoming too involved in ongoing TV projects.

Agents and producers have complained about how “difficult” Apple is to work with, according to a new report. The company’s “nitpicking” has led to delays that mean only a handful of shows will be available when its new streaming service launches.

AirPods 2 might charge faster than you think possible

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AirPower
Apple hasn't given up on wireless charging pads.
Photo: Apple

A highlight of the second generation of AirPods is expected to be a wireless charging case. And a new report indicates that this will power up these earbuds in much less than half an hour.

According to earlier sources, the long wait for an update to this popular accessory is almost over.

How to dominate Apple Watch Activity Competitions [Cult of Mac Magazine No. 286]

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Accept the challenge and win with these Apple Watch Activity Competition tips.
Accept the challenge!
Cover: Graham Bower and Marty Cortinas/Cult of Mac

If your fitness-freak friend challenges you to an Apple Watch Activity Competition, don’t recoil in horror. Accept the invitation — and crush the contest with these insights and tips.

Get the lowdown in the latest free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine for iOS. Or hit the links below to get the latest news, reviews and how-tos from our website.

Apple ‘rolling the dice’ on its upcoming products

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Tim Cook takes home $125 million for Apple’s best year since 2009
Tim Cook said today he’s “never been more optimistic” about the direction Apple is going.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple CEO Tim Cook is very upbeat about where his company is going. He told investors today that upcoming Apple products will “blow you away.”

Cook also indicated that Apple’s magic pipeline isn’t just brining more of the same. Cupertino is branching out.

Guilty iCloud hacker sent to slammer

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Celebgate hack
Christopher Brannan gets a prison sentence for his part in the crime.
Illustration: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

A judge sentenced a former high school teacher to 34 months in prison Friday after the man pleaded guilty to his role in the “Celebgate” hack of iCloud and other accounts.

Of those convicted for the high-profile hack, Christopher Brannan, 31, received the harshest sentence for breaching accounts. The attack led to the circulation of nude photos and videos of model Kate Upton, actress Jennifer Lawrence and others.

Shareholders easily vote down attempt to make Apple more conservative

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steve jobs theater
A proposal made to Apple shareholders today in the Steve Jobs Theater would require board members reveal their “ideological perspective.”
Photo: Apple

A handful of Apple shareholders argued today that the company’s board of directors needs more conservative voices.

CEO Tim Cook responded that Apple has policies, not political beliefs. And a vote on the conservative proposal found very little support.

Apple reverses course on episode numbers in podcast titles

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Learn the equipment and skills it takes to create compelling podcast content.
Don’t worry, your favorite podcast can keep episode numbers in the titles.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple is walking back yesterday’s warning to podcast producers that putting episode numbers in titles risked the podcast getting kicked out of Apple’s service.

It’s likely complaints from users brought about the change in this policy.

Why Apple’s recent hiring spree makes us optimistic

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apple jobs
Software jobs far outnumber hardware jobs at Apple.
Photo: Thinknum

Apple appears to be doubling-down on software over hardware when it comes to hiring new employees right now.

For the first time in years, Apple now has more software job opening than hardware. According to a new report that analyzed Apple’s job listings, Software Engineers became the most in-demand employees at Apple starting in Q3 and the trend is still holding strong.

There’s more to iPhone in Apple’s latest set of videos

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iPhone
There are a lot of reasons to switch to iPhone.
Photo: Apple

Apple is expanding its “There’s More to iPhone” marketing campaign to more countries in Europe after launching it last year in Germany.

New pages have been created on Apple’s websites for France and the United Kingdom detailing how the iPhone is “more than the device in your hand.” Security, recycling and privacy are some of the topics covered by little blurbs that tout the iPhone’s superiority. There are also three new videos to go along with it.

You can’t watch these on Apple’s U.S. YouTube channel though:

We dare you to put down your iPhone for 24 hours

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iphone x
Can you bring yourself to do it?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

As much as I love my smartphone, there’s no doubt that they raise some problematic questions. From concerns about social media’s impact on mental health to the very real chance of being so glued to our devices that we miss what’s happening around us, the abundance of connected gadgets has caused plenty of problems.

Can you put down your iPhone, iPad, and other devices for 24 hours? This weekend’s National Day of Unplugging challenges you to do just that. From sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, it’s intended as a 24-hour global respite from technology. Can you bring yourself to take part?

Foxconn workers bear brunt of falling iPhone sales

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iPhone sales drive Apple’s biggest supplier to big profits
One of Foxconn's many factories, where it builds iPhones for Apple.
Photo: CBS

Reduced iPhone demand in China has hit Foxconn employees’ salaries and benefits, according to a new report.

A number of workers say that their salaries were reduced at the end of last year, due to a smaller number of working hours available. There has also not been the usual Foxconn recruitment drive, which was previously an expected part of the iPhone manufacturing process.