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Why this week’s Apple PR blitz is brilliant [Opinion]

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Updated iMacs, AirPods, and iPads have all debuted this week. What’s next?
Updated iMacs, AirPods, and iPads have all debuted this week. What’s next?
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple isn’t following its usual strategy for product launches. Rather than holding a press event during which a collection of devices gets shown off, it spread the news out across multiple days this week.

This bold new approach brought plenty of attention to products that might otherwise have gotten lost in the furor around bigger announcements. And it’s also creating excitement about what’s coming next.

Apple reveals WWDC 2019 set for June 3 – 7 [Update: Register now!]

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WWDC 2019
It’s going to be big!
Photo: Apple

Update: Heads up developers! Today is the last day to register for WWDC 2019.

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference officially has a date.

This morning, Apple revealed that it will host WWDC 2019 in San Jose, California, from June 3 to 7. The event brings together thousands of developers from across the world, giving them access to Apple’s engineers for hands-on training. It’s also the place where Apple unveils its biggest software updates of the year. Based on early rumors, it could be one of the most exciting WWDC’s in years.

Sorry, slowpokes: Shipping times slip for new AirPods

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AirPods
Better get you order in now!
Photo: Apple

Apple is already having a hard time keeping its new AirPods in stock just hours after their debut this morning.

Shipping times for the new AirPods with Wireless Charging Case have started slipping, with delivery estimates now showing one to two weeks’ wait time in some areas. If you just want the new AirPods wireless charging case, though, you’re still in luck.

Every Apple TV+ series and movie currently in the works [Updated]

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Apple spent more than $20 million advertising Apple TV+ last month
Here’s what’s on Apple TV+ right now
Photo: Apple

The star-studded Apple TV+ lineup is starting to look like it could become a legitimate contender to Netflix and HBO. After going on a Hollywood spending spree in the last eight months, Apple appears poised to make a huge push into original content.

Thanks to its new worldwide video executive team, many of the Apple TV series in development actually look really promising and diverse. From Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories to mysterious new sci-fi series See, Apple’s working on some shows everyone could enjoy.

Check out the full list of Apple TV+ series and movies currently in the pipeline.

Update: We’ve added all the shows we know about heading into Apple’s big March 25 event, where the company expected to finally unveil its TV streaming service.

Apple design dictate: Make apps look good on our latest devices

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The iPhone XS Max screen delivers more of that OLED awesomeness.
You want your app to look as good as possible, right?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

All new apps and app updates must support the iPhone XS Max and latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro starting March 27.

In a post on its developer portal, Apple notes that apps must be built with the iOS 12.1 SDK or later. New Apple Watch apps must also support the Apple Watch Series 4.

Old image of MIA AirPower disappears from Apple website [Updated]

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Why was this crusty old mage of AirPower removed from Apple’s website?
Why was this crusty old mage of AirPower removed from Apple’s website?
Photo: Apple

Evidence is mounting that the long-delayed AirPower charging mat is finally about to be released. Oddly enough, part of this evidence is the fact that an older image of the product has been removed from Apple’s web site.

Apple has unveiled new products every day this week so it’s possible AirPower‘s launch will come before the weekend.

Update: A new report on the Wall Street Journal indicates that production of this accessory began earlier this year.

Fortnite 8.11 brings insanely powerful Flint-Knock pistol

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Fortnite Flint-Knock pistol
It's got one hell of a kick to it.
Photo: Epic Games

This week’s Fortnite update brings yet another new weapon to Battle Royale. The Flint-Knock pistol is a powerful sidearm that uses heavy ammo and can deal up to 90 base damage in a single shot.

The version 8.11 release also brings back the impulse grenade, makes the scoped assault rifle more powerful, and more.

iPads pulled from classroom after kids use them to watch porn

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2018 iPad Pro unboxing
iPads are being removed from classrooms after a parent sounded the alarm.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Students in California’s Sonoma Valley school district have had iPads pulled from their classrooms. This follows several second-graders reportedly using the tablets to access porn.

According to a report, searches for the word “kissing” on YouTube prompted suggestions of other videos, which included sexually explicit content. These videos had been viewed by kids as young as 8.

Disney completes massive $71 billion Fox takeover

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Mickey Mouse Disney Apple Watch Series 4
Disney and Apple could be a clash for the ages.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Disney has officially completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, one of the biggest entertainment deals in history.

The $71 billion deal puts Disney in control of Fox’s movie and TV studios, the FX networks, National Geographic, and India’s Star India station. It also puts Disney is its strongest position yet to challenge the might of Netflix — along with whatever streaming service Apple comes up with.

New AirPods deliver hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ and better battery life

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2019 AirPods
The new Wireless Charging Case is also available.
Photo: Apple

The wait for new AirPods is finally over.

Apple’s newest wireless buds are here with a brand new H1 chip that allows for hands-free “Hey Siri.” They also promise better battery life in between charges, and even faster connectivity.

An optional Wireless Charging Case is also available, but it’s not cheap.

Kaspersky Labs latest to take stab at Apple’s ‘monopoly’

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Woman in China temporarily goes blind in one eye after smartphone overuse
Apple debuted its Screen Time feature last year.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab has filed a complaint against Apple, alleging monopolistic behavior in the way it runs the App Store.

“Despite a long history of working successfully with Apple, we believe that this is a necessary step,” the company claims. The complaint comes shortly after Spotify also alleged that Apple was abusing its position.

Why the latest iPads don’t support Apple Pencil 2

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The newest iPad mini supports the first-gen Apple Pencil, not the newer version of this stylus.
A must-have for iPad owners.
Photo: Apple

The number of tablets that can use the Apple Pencil expanded with the debut of the iPad Air 3 and iPad mini 5. Curiously, these support the original version of this pressure-sensitive stylus, not the newer one that launched in the fall.

But it turns out there are several good reasons for this move.

Google’s cloud gaming service doesn’t overlook Mac, iPhone and iPad

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Google’s Stadia will run on MacBooks and iPads, not just Android devices.
Google’s Stadia will run on macOS and iOS, not just Android devices.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Stadia will run top-tier games on Google servers and stream the video to users’ computers. This means that any device that can run the Chrome browser will have access to some of the best titles available. 

iOS and macOS devices will be able to take advantage of Stadia. Chrome OS, Windows, and the Chromecast dongle will be supported as well.

Apple starts initiative to help fight fake news

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fake news
Apple’s new initiative supports efforts to empower young people to be better informed citizens.
Photo: Apple

Apple is joining the fight against fake news with an initiative that encourages critical thinking and empowers students to be better informed.

The company is teaming up with three organizations in the United States and Italy that offer nonpartisan, independent, media-literacy programs.

Apple drops prices on some high-end MacBook Pros

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MacBook Pro refurbs
It’s now cheaper to buy a MacBook Pro with lots of storage.
Photo: Apple

There’s good news for MacBook Pro buyers looking for a lot of storage: Apple has lowered the costs of its most-expensive SSD options. This can save shoppers up to $400 on these powerful laptops.

This is apparently a permanent price reductions, not a sale.

Apple’s ‘Sports Ball’ team could change the way you watch games

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Eddy Cue had the best seats in the house to watch the Warrior's comeback.
Eddy Cue is one of the biggest sports fans at Apple.
Photo: SF Chronicle/Twitter

Apple appears to be planning to become a bigger influence in the world of watching sports as it prepares to announce its TV streaming service next week.

The iPhone-maker invited Sports Illustrated inside its geeky “Sports Ball Room” where a team of employees track pretty much every major and minor sports game in progress. While competitors like Facebook and Amazon are pursuing exclusive rights to air certain games, Apple is taking a different approach. It wants to curate all the must-see moments and alert subscribers when they’re happening.

The new iPad Air is Pro enough for most people [Opinion]

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In some ways, the iPad Air is better than the Pro.
In some ways, the iPad Air is better than the Pro.
Photo: Apple

The new iPad Air is a monster. It’s practically as powerful as the top-of-the-range iPad Pro, but costs around $300 less. You lose a few features — the magnetic Apple Pencil 2, ProMotion, etc. — but for most people that probably doesn’t matter.

In fact, the new iPad Air is so good that it’s probably good enough for most people. And for some folks — professional musicians, for example, or people who hate headphone dongles — it’s even better.

FBI got warrant to force Face ID unlock on Cohen’s devices

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Michael Cohen Face ID
Michael Cohen was forced by a court warrant to open his iPhone with Face ID.
Photo: Apple

Michael Cohen’s Apple devices were treated as evidence by federal investigators, who obtained warrants to compel President’s Trump one-time fixer to use Touch ID and Face ID to unlock them.

The warrants were used during an FBI raid on Cohen’s home and office last year. Court documents with warrant details were made public this week.

Ads might not taint Apple’s TV service

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Apple TV Close
Expect to binge watch Apple TV shows without commercial interruption.
Photo: Cult of Mac

TV shows and movies on Apple’s soon-to-be-announced streaming service might not be broken up by irritating commercial breaks. A new report indicates content will be either free or paid for entirely by subscription fees.

So you can expect to watch the upcoming shows staring Reese Witherspoon, Jason Momoa or many others without interruption.