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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.

8 details Apple better get right on new 16-inch MacBook Pro

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00B716CC-0F4A-4469-80F3-03BD2E44B4A0
CultCast host Erfon Elijah dishes up some sage advice for Apple.

Creative Pros across the web are salivating after a recent rumors claimed Apple is preparing to launch a 16-inch MacBook Pro. Details about the machine are scarce, but it could be the most amazing new Apple releases in 2019. It could also be a disaster.

CultCast host Erfon Elijah is out with a hilarious and informative new video that takes Apple to task for precious missteps on the MacBook Pro line. He also warns Apple that there are 8 things MacBook Pro-lovers are especially anxious about.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro could be a disappointment if it messes up these features:

Apple Watch’s GPS helps track down burglars

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App Home Screen Apple Watch Series 4
Crime doesn't pay. At least, not if the person owns an Apple Watch.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The GPS function on a stolen Apple Watch helped retrieve the device for its rightful owner, says a report from The Sacramento Bee.

After arriving back home to find her house had been burgled, the 25-year-old rightful owner contacted the police. They tracked the Apple Watch down to a local Walmart, where two suspects were arrested. It turns out that it’s never a good look to deny a crime while carrying a stolen watch in back pocket!

Here’s how Apple plans to stop your foldable iPhone from breaking

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Folding iPhone 2
Be sure to keep it warm!
Photo: Foldable News

With foldable smartphones becoming the hot new trend for 2019, iPhone fans are wondering when we’ll see something from Apple. It’s likely to be a while before a foldable iPhone hits the market, but there’s no question Apple is looking into it.

The company’s latest patent application details how it might prevent a foldable smartphone from breaking in cold weather.

New AirPods could arrive on March 29

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AirPods 2 might look something like this artist’s concept.
Are you ready for the follow-up to Apple's AirPods?
Photo: Caviar/Cult of Mac

Apple’s AirPods 2 are coming March 29 — at least, if a slightly sketchy new report is to be believed.

The report comes from Spanish Apple rumor site Applesfera. It claims that it has received data from “several different” sources saying that Apple’s new AirPods will land on shelves at the end of this month.

EFF pushes Apple to ‘fix’ iCloud encryption

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Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Your iCloud data isn’t truly secure because Apple can always access it.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

In a campaign called “Fix it Already!,” the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging tech giants to remedy nine security and privacy problems in their products. 

In Apple’s case, it wants the iPhone maker to encrypt iCloud backups so that only users can access them. 

Just Mobile lets you get your hands on real power [Watch Store]

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AluBase-charger
AluBase is a wireless charger that actually looks good.
Photo: Just Mobile

The Cult of Mac Watch Store loves the Apple Watch, yes, but what we really desire is power. While we might never get the power to do whatever we want, there is plenty of power that we can acquire for a reasonable cost. Yes, we’re talking about chargers and electricity here, not dominion over all things.

The store recently added some slick ways to keep your devices full of juice from our friends at Just Mobile. See those below, and be sure to check out all our other power options.

This amazing shoulder bag is just big enough to empty your pockets into

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Who needs pockets when you have the Sutter Sling?
Who needs pockets when you have the Sutter Sling Pouch?
Photo: SF Bags

Only in the United States do men try to carry all their essential out-of-home possessions in their pockets. Wallet, keys, phone, spare battery, AirPods, Leatherman. So wedded are men to this principal that they ridicule small bags by calling them “murses.” Either that, or they use things like cellphone holsters or fanny packs, which are pretty much social death.

In Europe (but not in the U.K.), men just carry small bags. And they call them “bags,” or whatever the local name is. Whatever, it’s definitely not el murse. Now, men in the U.S. can catch up to the the rest of the world with WaterField Designs’ Sutter Sling Pouch, a gentleman’s handbag that’s just big enough for you to empty your pockets into.

Qualcomm might miss out on 5G iPhone

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Qualcomm headquarters
Analysts recommend Qualcomm make up with Apple soon.
Photo: Qualcomm

Qualcomm needs to settle its lawsuits with Apple soon if it wants to be in the first 5G iPhone. Time is running out on this chip maker to supply 5G modems for Apple’s 2020 offering, according to an industry analyst.

And that would hurt Qualcomm more than Apple.

Brilliant iPhone camera app takes long exposures without tripod

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Capturing the path of light and motion with Spectre Camera.
Ex-Spectre the unexpected.
Photo: Spectre

Halide, an iOS camera app that entered a flooded photo app category in 2017, quickly rose above most of the others as a must-have tool for serious iPhone photographers.

The creators, wanting manual camera settings and a RAW shooting option, rolled out a new app this week bringing ease to the otherwise complicated task of light and motion painting with long exposures.

The new app, Spectre, requires no technical skill – or even a tripod – to bring the streams of light to urban scenics shot on iPhone.

Apple warns podcasters not to use numbers in episode titles

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Apple's podcasts app is deeper than you might imagine.
Apple has contacted podcasters with guidelines.
Photo: Incase/Flickr CC

Apple is contacting podcast producers requesting that they optimize the metadata for their shows — or risk having them removed from Apple’s podcast service.

The cautionary email mostly concerns guidelines on including detailed, nonredundant written descriptions of episodes. However, the Apple Podcasts email contains a few surprising directives — like the fact that titles should not include numbers. Provided that’s read as intended, this could cause a few problems!