The first beta of Swift Playgrounds 3.0 was just introduced. This is good news for those who teach programming fundamentals through this kid-friendly tool.
The biggest improvement we know about so far is the move to teaching version 5 of the Swift programming language.
Apple has quietly updated the female British voice for Siri. The improvements can be heard today on HomePod and iOS devices.
The update comes just a few weeks after Apple updated the male British voice. It is believed the company could be working on improvements for many of Siri’s international voices.
A controversial system tracking the calls and texts of all Americans has supposedly stopped being used by the National Security Agency (NSA).
This agency reportedly quit employing it months ago, and might not ask that it be reauthorized later this year.
Google Glass is set to get an upgrade later this year for enterprise users and it looks like USB-C charging will be one of the big new features.
Leaked images of the second-generation Google Glass for enterprise surfaced on the web today. The images show that Google is ditching its magnetic cable charging system in favor of a single quick-charging port.
Take a closer look:
Remember the games you used to enjoy on your iPhone and iPad in the early days of the App Store? The chances are few of them are still supported and available for download today, but the best could soon be making a comeback.
GameClub is a developer that plans to resurrect forgotten iOS games. The first title on its roster is Hook Champ, a game from Rocketcat that first hit the App Store in 2009, and you can play it today by signing up for early access.
An iPhone powered with a third-party battery can get repaired at all Apple Store Genius Bars, according to a directive issued by Apple.
This is a surprising reverse course for Apple, which strictly forbade Genius Bars and authorized service providers from fixing iPhones with off-brand batteries.
Lighthouse, a smart security camera maker that specialized in AI recognition, officially died at the end of 2018 but its tech is about to get a second chance thanks to Apple.
Apple recently acquired a big batch of patents from the failed startup. Lighthouse launched its security camera a year ago making it easier for users to sort through footage thanks to 3D depth sensing and AI features connected to an iOS app. Now it looks like Apple might incorporate some of those patents into Face ID.
With Apple and chip-maker Qualcomm back in court this week, the iPhone maker needs to find another source for 5G modems. There are additional possibilities — Intel, Samsung, Huawei and MediaTek — but “none of which is ideal” according to analysts with market-research firm Cowen.
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 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’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.
Forget what you think you know about glass. Rather than being an utterly rigid material, Corning is close to producing a type of glass flexible enough to go in a future folding iPhone.
This material will be inherently superior to the plastic screens going into handsets like the Samsung Galaxy Fold.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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” 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.
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.
This week we make music with Koala Sampler and snap long-exposure photos with Halide’s new app, Spectre Camera. Plus, we keep it together with Keep It Mobile, and way more.
These are the best apps of the week!
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.