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News - page 659

Apple plans Netflix-for-games subscription service

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Get the professional instruction you need to start developing games for iOS
Developers could make games exclusively for Apple's game subscription service.
Photo: Epic Games

Apple allegedly wants to tap into the booming gaming industry to boost its growing Services business. The company is reportedly planning to create a new subscription service for games and it’s already talking to developers about becoming a publisher for iOS games too.

Samsung eyes camera company that sued Apple

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CorePhotonics
The rear-facing dual-cameras of the iPhone X.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Samsung is reportedly close to completing a deal to buy an Israeli optics company accusing Apple of stealing its patented dual-camera technology.

CorePhotonics most recently developed a periscope camera module with 5x telephoto for the Chinese smartphone maker Oppo.

Scribd racks up 1 million paid subscribers

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Scribd2
Scribd is the ultimate subscription service for readers.
Photo: Scribd

Scribd, the company which describes itself as the “Netflix for reading,” says that it has passed 1 million paid subscribers for its $8.99 a month service.

While 1 million is way below the kind of numbers enjoyed by Netflix, Spotify or Apple Music, it’s still an impressive milestone at a time when many publishers are struggling. It’s also one that Apple is likely paying a whole lot of attention to.

Lack of screws put the hurt on Apple’s U.S. manufacturing plans

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Screws 1
This anecdote illustrates why U.S. manufacturing is so tough for Apple.
Photo: Gemma Stiles/Flickr CC

President Trump has suggested that Apple manufacture its devices in the United States. But things aren’t quite so easy as that — as a New York Times article makes clear.

It describes the challenges Apple faced when it tried making its top-of-the-line Mac Pro in the U.S. several years ago. One of the big problems? Simply, that Apple couldn’t get hold of enough screws to assemble the $3,000 computers in Austin, Texas.

Latest Mojave beta brings Touch ID support to Safari AutoFill

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2018 MacBook Air Touch ID
Apple Watch could be a Touch ID alternative on Mac.
Photo: Apple

Safari AutoFill in macOS Mojave is about to get even more convenient, thanks to Touch ID support.

The first macOS 10.14.4 beta reveals you’ll be able to log into websites simply by scanning your fingerprint. This feature has long been available on iOS, but it will be a first for Mac.

Vizio kicks off AirPlay 2 beta test in U.S. and Canada

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AirPlay 2
Sign up for SmartCast 3.0 access today.
Photo: Apple

Vizio will soon add AirPlay 2 support to some of its most recent TV sets, and you can try it out early by signing up for the new beta test in the United States and Canada.

AirPlay 2 support will let you stream content from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac — including 4K movies you’ve purchased on iTunes. It will also allow you to control your set from an iOS device.

Apple met with AR startups at CES 2019

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ARkit
Apple is rumored to be developing AR glasses.
Photo: Dent Reality

Apple may not have had an official presence at CES 2019, but a new report claims that key personnel were present at the event to meet with leading AR companies.

More than half a dozen company representatives supposedly met with AR waveguide suppliers, including DigiLens, Lumus, Vuzix and WaveOptics. Waveguide is one of the most widely used structures in see-through AR displays, seen in products such as the Microsoft Hololens and Magic Leap One.

Sharp wants a piece of iPhone OLED manufacturing

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The iPhone XS Max screen delivers more of that OLED awesomeness.
Foxconn-owned manufacturer is looking to get in on building high quality displays for Apple.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Japanese electronics firm Sharp, owned by Apple supplier Foxconn, is supposedly working to enter the supply chain for future iPhones boasting OLED displays.

The news comes shortly after a report claiming that Apple plans to include all OLED displays in its 2020 iPhone lineup. Currently it includes a mix of LCD and OLED models. As a result of the increased focus on OLED displays, a number of companies are supposedly gearing up their OLED panel production capability.

Another iPhone supplier considering India manufacturing

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Foxconn moving additional iPhone production to India as coronavirus disrupts work
Another iPhone manufacturer is looking at moving beyond China.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

According to the Financial Times, Apple manufacturer Pegatron is planning to build new production lines in India, Vietnam and India. Pegatron accounts for around 30 percent of Apple’s assembly orders.

It follows on from news suggesting that fellow Apple supplier Foxconn is also considering production in India and Vietnam.

Respected analyst says everyone’s too pessimistic about Apple

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Long-term iPhone XR demand could eventually lead to greater sales than the iPhone XS.
A reliable analyst says 2019 iPhone sales won‘t be great but won‘t be disasterous either.
Photo: Apple

Ming-Chi Kuo, a tech analyst with a decent record for accuracy, predicts Apple will sell more iPhones in 2019 than many other analysts are anticipating.

To be clear, Kuo isn’t predicting a banner year for iPhone sales. Just not a terrible one.

Upcoming iPads, iPod touch referenced in iOS 12.2 beta

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Apple iPad and Apple Pencil
One of the 2019 iPad models could be a replacement for last year’s 9.7-inch iOS tablet, shown here.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Evidence continues to mount that Apple is readying a pair of 2019 iPad models, along with the return of the iPod touch. Mention of all three are reportedly included in the recent iOS 12.2 beta.

Brief descriptions of them add weight to rumors that these will be low-cost products.

5 crucial iOS tweaks iPad users need [Cult of Mac Magazine No. 281]

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5 crucial iOS tweaks the iPad needs, in Cult of Mac Magazine No. 281
With these tweaks, the iPad will become truly powerful.
Cover: Marty Cortinas/Cult of Mac

If you own an iPad, you probably harbor big expectations for iOS 13. So do we. While Apple’s tablets pack performance comparable to laptops, the software they run on continues to lag. Here’s what Apple can do to remedy that in 2019.

Get our list of five crucial tweaks we want to see in iOS 13, plus the rest of the week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Get yours now!

Apple’s pay news service might be part of something bigger

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Apple News
Magazine subscriptions are coming to Apple News.
Photo: Ste Smith/CultofMac

The launch of Apple’s news magazine subscription service could be just weeks away.

Images found in the first iOS 12.2 beta appear to show that Apple is already in the testing phase of the magazine subscription service. Rumors have been circulating about its potential launch pretty much ever since Apple acquired Texture. Now it looks like the iPhone-maker is finally ready to capitalize by bundling it with other content.

T-Mobile to launch TV streaming service soon

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t-mobile
T-Mobile CEO John Legere is trying to make is carrier relevant again.
Photo: T-Mobile

T-Mobile is about to launch a new feature as part of its wireless service plans designed to lure in new subscribers: free TV streaming.

The carrier is reportedly planning to enter the streaming wars within the new few weeks with a free, ad-supported video service optimized from mobile streaming. T-Mobile service sounds similar to Verizon’s now-defunct go90 video streaming platform, but T-Mobile is hoping to some extra perks will make it more attractive to customers.

Unknown iPads pop up in Eurasian database

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New mages could be of the rumored iPad mini 5.
iPad mini 5, supposedly pictured here, could have been listed in a Eurasian database.
Photo: Mr-white

Reports that Apple plans to bring out new iPad models in the near future strengthened today when several new tablets appeared in a Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) database.

These could be an update for last year’s 9.7-inch model and the rumored return of the iPad mini.

iPhone is tech reporter’s first line of defense against data vampires

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iPhone data privacy
Data privacy comes with the price.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The New York Times investigative reporter Nick Confessore has covered data privacy long enough to make the iPhone his smartphone of choice.

His take on data-hungry Android phones is damning enough to make anybody switch to an iPhone. He also offers other tips for keeping your data as safe as possible these days. Unfortunately, that’s not very safe at all, according to Confessore.

Now is the time to buy Apple stock

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What’s it like to have your startup bought by Apple? Stressful
Buying Apple shares now could earn you quite a bit of money this year, according to Morgan Stanley.
Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you’ve been thinking about investing in Apple stock, an analyst from Morgan Stanley says this is to time to do so. The price is already low, and not likely to go any lower.

There’s been bad news for Apple recently but that’s already priced into the stock.

Facebook could merge WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger by 2020

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Facebook messaging apps
Mark Zuckerberg was to integrate Facebook-owned, Instagram, WhatsApp and messenger.
Photo: Facebook

Facebook will merge its messaging apps, WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram, by 2020 under a new plan ordered by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Under the plan, the three apps will remain separate but integration would allow an Instagram user to directly chat with someone on Messenger.

Apple celebrates Chinese New Year with special short shot on iPhone

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The Bucket Shot on iPhone
"The Bucket" was shot entirely on iPhone.
Photo: Apple

Apple has shared a special video to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The heartfelt short film, directed by Jia Zhangke, is titled “The Bucket,” and it’s about remembering loved ones when away from home. Apple has also published another two videos in which Zhangke showcases Depth Control and Slo-mo on the iPhone XS.

Apple wants tax incentives to boost iPhone assembly in India

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iPhone assembled in India
Coming soon with a 2?
Photo: Indian Express

Apple is hoping to secure new tax incentives in India that will allow it to increase local iPhone production and export more devices to be sold in other countries.

The company has teamed up with other large names in the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) to propose a raise in export credits on smartphone shipments, as well as tariff cuts on imports of components and machinery.

The group argues that manufacturing growth cannot be sustained and accelerated without the changes.

Death of 3D Touch, AirPods with health sensors, and a MacBook Pro flaw you need to know about, on The CultCast

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Cultcast 372 MacBook Pro
New AIrPods with health sensors in 2019? Is Apple killing 3D Touch? We'll tell you what we know.
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: Why iPhone’s 3D Touch is probably dead; new reports say AirPods packed with health sensors are coming in 2019; the MacBook Pro “stage light” flaw affects all models built after 2016 — and could cost you $600 to fix. Plus, the wild saga of MoviePass … continues.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first hosting plan or domain.

Budget iPhone XR ends 2018 outselling both iPhone XS models

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iPhone sales
Critics say Apple needs to build more affordable iPhones.
Photo: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly said the company would rather make the best smartphone than the cheapest.

Yet, Apple’s budget model iPhone XR sold more in the U.S. during the fiscal quarter that ended in December than the iPhone XS and XS Max combined, according to new research.

Apple Music finally adds support for Android tablets

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Streaming services like Apple Music dominate the US music market
Streaming services like Apple Music dominate the US music market
Photo: Apple

Apple Music is finally compatible with Android tablets, more than three years after it launched on Android phones. Apple started beta testing the larger interface last month, and now it’s rolling out to everyone in the latest Play Store update.

Apple decides it will cough up for ‘Shot on iPhone’ photos

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Shot on iPhone photo
Winners will receive 'licensing fees.'
Photo: Brendan Ò Sé

Apple has decided that it will pay winners of its “Shot on iPhone Challenge” following backlash from artists and creators.

The company plans to use 10 images, which will be showcased on its Instagram channel, on billboards around the world, and in other areas, as part of its newest marketing campaign. Apple originally stated there would be no payment, but it has since changed its mind.

High prices are killing iPhone in China

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Chinese iPhone shoppers have gone from thrilled to shocked at prices, leaving Apple crying.
Chinese iPhone shoppers have gone from thrilled to shocked at prices, leaving Apple crying.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The Chinese phone market cratered in the final quarter of 2018, but iPhone sales in the country did even worse.

This poor showing is primarily a result of the high prices Apple charges for its handsets, according to an industry analyst.