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Apple’s 2020 iPhone chip will blow away the A12 Bionic

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Gather_Round_A12Bionic 2
Apple's A12 Bionic is the gold standard. Right now, at least.
Photo: Apple

Apple pushed boundaries with last year’s iPhone’s A12 Bionic chip. However, it seems that the company’s 2020-era iPhones is going to blow away Apple’s previous 7-nanometer A12 — with what could turn out to be the mobile world’s first 5-nanometer chip.

If true, this would be another massive leap in miniaturization. And another feather in the cap of manufacturer TSMC.

Is Fortnite dying? Not even close

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Fortnite Score Royale
And 15 free Battle Stars!
Photo: Epic Games

Growing criticism from professional players and the incredible rise of Apex Legends has led some to believe that Fortnite may be dying out. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The hit battle royale game broke two new records for concurrent players this month, thanks in part to its monumental in-game Marshmello concert.

Next Mac Pro may use stackable design for ultimate customization

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The next Mac Pro might look a little something like this.
The next Mac Pro might look a little something like this.
Photo: OWC

Information supposedly leaking out of the design team for the next Mac Pro claims this desktop computer will totally and completely fulfil Apple’s promise to make it modular . Rather than a single unit it will allegedly consist of stackable components that can be easily swapped in and out as needed.

But not all the news is good. Apple promised that its next professional-grade desktop Mac would be out this year, but this unconfirmed report indicates it might not debut until 2020.

Verizon promises to bring 5G to 30 cities by end of 2019

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5G
The Galaxy S10 5G is one of the only 5G-ready phones announced.
Photo: Samsung

The 5G future is finally going to start rolling out to Verizon customers later this year, but only if you live in one of the 30 cities tapped to get the super-fast mobile data speeds.

During a call with investors this morning, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg revealed that Verizon’s deployment of 5G technology is nearly ready. And this time, it’s going to be real 5G.

First Macs with Apple chips could mean tumultuous 2020

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MacBook Internal makeup
A rumored switch from Intel to Apple processors could come to MacBook and macOS desktops as early as next year.
Photo: Apple

Moving macOS computers from Intel processors to ones Apple has created itself seems to be on schedule.  At least, that’s what Intel thinks, according to a recent report.

This is likely a part of bringing all the software that runs on iPhone, iPad and Mac together.

Apple teams up with Alipay to boost iPhone sales in China

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iPhone XS box gold
Bag yours before they're all gone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has joined forces with Alipay in an effort to boost iPhone sales in China.

iPhone fans can now bag one of the company’s latest handsets with up to two years of interest-free finance. The loan allows customers to swap the costly upfront fee for much more affordable monthly payments. It’s available on purchases of 4,000 yuan (approx. $595) or more.

PolyPhase is like having Brian Eno in your iPad

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Who needs a whole band when you have PolyPhase?
Who needs a whole band when you have PolyPhase?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Instead of just firing up that ambient music playlists again today, why not try the PolyPhase app? It’s a “generative sequencer,” which is an accurate but uninteresting way of describing its purpose: to create great music, automatically.

PolyPhase is intended to be used as a creative tool. A music can manipulate its settings, and listen until she hears something worth saving and turning into a song. But the app is equally good as an ambient soundtrack generator. One that will never stop. Ever.

Sketchy rumor claims Apple is making an electric minibus

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VW van
Apple reportedly wants to get into the minivan business.
Photo: VW

Apple’s long-rumored self-driving car project might not churn out a car at all. Instead, it might just be an electric minibus.

According to a sketchy new rumor, Apple engineers have supposedly created a new minibus, which should be able to drive autonomously, if it ever hits the road.

WTF? Camera tests ranks Apple copycat Xiaomi better than iPhone

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Xiaomi Mi 9 camera
The Xiaomi Mi 9 camera got a nice report card.
Photo: Xiaomi

Xiaomi, a Chinese brand considered one of the most blatant Apple copycats in the smartphone industry, may have a device that distinguishes itself from its muse the iPhone.

The Xiaomi Mi 9 scored higher marks for its camera system than the iPhone XS Max, according to the results of comprehensive tests released this week by DxOMark.

Can Apple keep cannibalizing its core creations? [Opinion]

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Galaxy-Fold-inside
Folding smartphones could threaten both iPhone and iPad sales.
Photo: Samsung

Apple built its world-dominating status by being brave. Not only did it create hit products, but it never worried about “cannibalizing” existing products to make way for the future.

Will that same strategy hold true at a time when Apple’s dominance is faltering? If the company is going to thrive through the next wave of tech, it’s going to take a whole lot of Dutch Cupertino courage.

Fired Apple lawyer released on $500,000 bond

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Apple sign
Gene Levoff is accused of insider trading while at Apple.
Photo: Milo Kahney/Cult of Mac

Gene Levoff, former senior director of corporate law and corporate secretary at Apple, has been released on a $500,000 bond after pleading not guilty to charges of insider trading.

Levoff, who formerly prevented Apple employees from insider trading, is accused of using nonpublic information to buy and sell tens of millions of dollars’ worth of Apple stock. He was fired by Apple last September, two months after being placed on leave.

Apple may launch its own credit card this spring

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money
Apple could team up with Goldman Sachs for the launch.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple and Goldman Sachs are teaming up to create a joint credit card, according to a new report. The card may offer savings to Apple customers, in addition to making it easier for them to keep tabs on spending.

The Wall Street Journal claims that Apple be using the MasterCard payment network for its endeavor. It is rumored to be rolling out as soon as this spring.

Apple has paid out $25 billion to European developers

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Apple removes 17 malware apps which secretly clicked on ads
Apple has paid out a whole lot to Euro developers.
Photo: Apple

It’s not just U.S. developers who are hitting it rich thanks to the App Store. According to new figures released by Apple, it has now paid out $25 billion through the App Store to European developers.

Last June, Apple reported having paid out more than $20 billion. Almost an extra $5 billon in seven months is pretty darn impressive — working out at upward of $70 million per month.

Laurene Powell Jobs invests in Apple TV show maker

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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

Reese Witherspoon is definitely doing something right when it comes to TV production. First, Apple invested in three shows being produced by the Hollywood actress, which will be among the most prominent of Apple’s original TV efforts.

Now, a new report claims that Laurene Powell Jobs, philanthropist, media mogul and widow of the late Steve Jobs, is helping to finance Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine.

Apple pulls third-party SDKs from Shazam in latest update

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Apple acquisition meant that Shazam turned a profit in 2018
Apple acquisition meant that Shazam turned a profit in 2018
Photo: Apple

Apple has pulled all but one third-party SDK from Shazam in its latest update.

The move wipes out analytics firms, ad networks, open-source projects, and more — including Google AdMob, Facebook Ads, Amazon Ads, and DoubleClick. Only HockeyApp, a Microsoft platform for beta testing, is still available.

Apple dethroned as Fast Company’s most innovative company

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Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Apple tumbled all the way down to seventeenth place.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Fast Company has released its 2019 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies — and, unlike last year, Apple’s no longer number one.

This year, Apple falls substantially to 17th place. “They didn’t really break new ground with their devices, and hardware sales were sluggish,” Fast Company senior editor Amy Farley told CNBC. But the business publication does give Apple props for its dazzling A12 Bionic chip.

Apple gives a glimpse inside its self-driving vehicle program

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Project Titan
Apple is putting tremendous effort into ensuring test autonomous vehicles are safe, safe, safe.
Photo: Idiggapple/Twitter

A whitepaper describing the elaborate safety procedures used in Apple’s automated car development program seems intended to assure government regulators and the public that the company is making every effort to prevent accidents.

As a bonus, the document gives some insight into the automated vehicle Apple is creating.

Spectrum TV brings 60 channels to your Apple TV for $15

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You’ll be able to watch Spectrum TV Essentials through Charter’s iOS app.
You’ll be able to watch Spectrum TV Essentials through Charter’s iOS app.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Charter Communications, the US’s second largest cable company, is launching an inexpensive streaming TV service. For just $14.99 a month, subscribers will be able to watch 60+ live channels on an Apple TV, iOS device, Mac, or other computer.

Spectrum TV Essentials is scheduled to go live in March, when it will have to compete with similar services, like Sling TV and YouTube TV.

Galaxy S10 vs. iPhone: Samsung gives us so many reasons to switch

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Galaxy S10+ camera
Can Samsung's top-rated camera system convince you to switch?
Photo: Samsung

Samsung just delivered a keynote packed with new devices, including an all-new Galaxy S10 lineup and the exciting Galaxy Flex, its first foldable smartphone. But are any of them worth considering for an iPhone fan?

We’ve compared all four of Samsung’s new devices with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR to see how they stack up. Whether you want the best display, cameras, security, or performance, we can help you choose the right phone for you.

6 ways Samsung just leapfrogged Apple

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Samsung
Samsung's Unpacked event was actually pretty impressive.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung put Apple and the rest of the tech industry on notice today during its massive Unpacked event.

During the biggest tech event of 2019 so far, Samsung unveiled a slew of new smartphones, wearables, earbuds and more. Even though Samsung has a rep for copying Apple — and there was certainly a lot of that at Unpacked — the company is setting the tone for the rest of the industry. Samsung even leapfrogged Apple’s products in some ways.

Here are six things Apple should take note of.

The one dongle every MacBook owner needs

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Calbit dongle
We found the one dongle to rule them all.
Photo: Erfon Elijah

The 2018 MacBook Pro is one of the sexiest machines Apple’s ever made. There’s just one problem: you need a bunch of dongles to use all your favorite accessories.

Because the MacBook Pro only has USB-C ports you’ll need a dongle for ethernet, a dongle for an HDMI display and another dongle to connect your gadgets that use USB-A, which is like everything. CultCast host Erfon Elijah, aka The Gadget Hunter, has been on the search for the perfect dongle solution for people on the go. In his latest video he reveals his favorite new dongle of 2019.

If you’re ready to taste the sweet relief of living life with just one dongle, pay attention:

Galaxy S10 cameras look promising, but will they deliver?

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Galaxy S10 cameras
Lots of new Samsung Galaxy smartphones, all with multiple cameras.
Screenshot: Samsung

The cameras on the Samsung Galaxy smartphones have always ranked among the best. But there were always two or three other smartphones that kept the Samsung cameras from being the leader.

Samsung hopes to change that after launching new smartphones today that feature multiple cameras, new effects and a partnership with Instagram that builds the photo-sharing app directly into the native camera.

Samsung steps up fitness game with two new wearables

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While Galaxy Watch Active functions more like Apple Watch, Galaxy Fit looks more like a straight-up fitness tracker.
While Galaxy Watch Active functions more like Apple Watch, Galaxy Fit looks more like a straight-up fitness tracker.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung really wants to compete with Apple Watch on the fitness front, as shown by a pair of new wearables the Korean company unveiled Wednesday. The Galaxy Watch Active offers a “full smartwatch experience,” the company said, while the Galaxy Fit works more like a stripped-down fitness tracker.

Framing both new devices as essential for health in the modern world, Samsung ripped a page from Cupertino’s successful health-centric marketing of Apple Watch. But it also dunked on Cupertino with some features that will make Apple Watch owners drool.