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News - page 699

iPhone XS lineup is great, but not as great as Samsung’s Note 9

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Apple wins benchmark and real-world comparisons of the performance of the iPhone XS Max and the Galaxy Note 9.
Two great handsets, but which is better?
Photo: SuperSaf TV

Respected consumer testing publication Consumer Reports has released its full review of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

While neither Apple handset quite dethrones Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 as the group’s top-rated smartphone, the testing results do highlight multiple improvements from previous iPhones.

Twitter brings useful data saver feature to iOS

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Twitter
Don't waste all your data on tweets.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The official Twitter app for iPhone and iPad can now help you cut down on your data usage.

Its new data saver feature takes steps to reduce the amount of data required to load tweets in your timeline. It’s also a blessing for those who like to avoid auto-playing videos.

Apple joins other tech giants opposing proposed anti-encryption law

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook is a strong supporter of privacy and encryption.
Photo: Apple

Apple has joined Alphabet, Amazon, and Facebook in opposing a proposed Australian law requiring tech companies to let law enforcement access private encrypted data in suspected criminal investigations.

The law would seek to punish companies which don’t comply with $7.2 million fines, along with prison terms for individuals. It would make Australia one of the first nations to pass major legislation in this area, although other countries may be keen to follow in its footsteps.

Apple Music is getting exclusive Ministry of Sound playlists

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Apple Music loses its exclusive on Ministry of Sound playlists
The move will help Apple, hurt Spotify.
Photo: Ministry of Sound/Flickr CC

Apple Music is teaming up for an exclusive playlist deal with the popular Ministry of Sound music label. The first playlist is set to debut on Thursday, October 4.

The move isn’t just about helping Apple, however. It also hurts Spotify, the only other streaming music company to offer much of a challenge to Apple Music. At present, the Ministry of Sound has several popular playlists on Spotify, which will be removed from all non-Apple streaming services in the days to come.

Fortnite 6.0.1 update adds Chiller trap, new Playground options

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Fortnite chiller trap
Don't get frozen out by Fortnite's new Chiller trap.
Photo: Epic Games

This week’s Fortnite update is now available across all platforms, including iOS.

Version 6.0.1 isn’t quite as exciting as last week’s big season six launch, but it does bring some new content to enjoy. Players can take advantage of the Chiller trap in Battle Royale and there are more options to play around with in Playground mode.

True Surf for iOS puts realistic surfing sim in the pocket

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True Surf
The game boasts a nifty physics engine.
Photo: True Axis

Okay, so the new iPhones are more waterproof than ever, but if you don’t fancy taking your Apple handset for a dip, the next best thing is a new game that landed in the App Store today.

Called True Surf, it’s a surf sim which claims to be the most authentic surfing experience you’ll find on a mobile device. Check out the trailer below.

Feds test nationwide emergency alert system today

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FEMA and the FCC will send Americans a pair of emergency alerts today.
FEMA and the FCC will send Americans a pair of emergency alerts today.
Photo: FEMA

Your iPhone could send out a pair of alerts this afternoon, but they aren’t ones you’ve set yourself. Instead, they’re from the U.S. government, and both are test messages.

The goal is to try out a pair of systems set up to notify the public of emergencies. Again, these are only tests.

Samsung hands out free phones to Appel fans

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Samsung-Appel 1
You mean Apple? Nope.
Photo: Samsung

The Appel community is all over Samsung these days. And, no, before you accuse us of failing to properly proofread these articles, we’re talking about Appel, a hamlet in the Netherlands with a population of just a few hundred residents.

In an effort to drum up a bit of publicity, Samsung recently handed out free Galaxy S9 handsets to people living in Appel as a marketing stunt. Because, you know, getting people who live in a town with a kinda similar name to that of your competition is totally the kind of thing that keeps Tim Cook up at night!

Microsoft scarcely tweaked the design of its iPad Pro competitor

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One of the major changes in the Surface Pro 6 is it comes in black. Woo.
One of the major changes in the Surface Pro 6 is it comes in black. Woo.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft today unveiled a new generation of its Surface Pro 2-in-1. This has a faster processor than its predecessor but other than that remains practically unchanged. The long hoped for USB-C port is still missing.

The improvements are so marginal that Microsoft is left emphasizing that the Surface Pro 6 is available in a new color.

Tim Cook talks privacy, Alex Jones and China in new interview

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tim cook
Tim Cook says companies don't need access to your data.
Photo: Apple

Tim Cook went on the offensive toward competing companies like Amazon and Google in a new interview tonight on privacy.

Appearing on Vice News Tonight on HBO, the Apple CEO was asked if his company’s stance on privacy is stopping Siri from becoming more competitive with Alexa. Cook pushed back saying any company that says it needs all your data to make its service better is telling you a “bunch of bunk.”

Tile Bluetooth tracker finally adds replaceable batteries

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Tile will speak out against Apple in Congress antitrust hearing
Tile will speak out against Apple in Congress antitrust hearing
Photo: Tile

Tile offers some of the most popular Bluetooth trackers, but these had a significant drawback: non-replaceable batteries. Getting a fresh battery required buying a whole new tracker. That finally changed today.

The latest Tile Mate and Tile Pro also offer longer range and louder volumes. 

Apple Watch Series 4’s processing power will blow you away

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S4
The S4 chip is a beast.
Photo: Apple

The new S4 chip in the Apple Watch Series 4 is an absolute beast when it comes to processing power.

Apple didn’t brag too much about the S4 during its September keynote other than saying the chip is two times faster than last year’s model. There aren’t any benchmark scores for it. However, a developer recently put the S4 through some serious tests — and the results are insanely impressive

Fresh iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS betas head to developers

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FaceTime group calls iOS 12
With updates now in beta, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.will all support Group FaceTime.
Photo: Apple

Apple is plugging away at updates for all its operating systems, and just came out with no less than four new betas exclusively for developers. These are the second pre-release versions of iOS 12.1, macOS 10.14.1, watchOS 5.1, and tvOS 12.1.

In a somewhat unusual circumstance, the highlight of three of these disparate updates is the same feature: Group FaceTime.  

Power up Apple Watch & iPhone with this all-in-one charging stand

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twelve south
It looks good anywhere.
Photo: Twelve South

Instead of waiting for the yet-to-be-determined release date of Apple’s AirPower charging mat to fire up your iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously, consider the HiRise Duet charging stand.

This luxury charging stand is fully compatible with all versions of Apple Watch (including Series 4) and all of the latest iPhones including XS, XS Max and XR. Best yet, this gorgeous stand is on sale in Cult of Mac’s Watch Store.

Check out the 70 new emoji coming soon to your iPhone

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New Apple emoji offer more hair options, including the ever-popular no hair option.
New Apple emoji offer more hair options, including the ever-popular no hair option.
Graphic: Apple

A fresh batch of new emoji are coming soon to your Mac, iPhone and iPad.

This morning, Apple posted a teaser of over 70 new emoji that are being included in iOS 12.1 once it launches to the public. Some of the new characters include new smiley faces, a raccoon, llama, swan and new sports equipment.

Take a look at what to expect:

NightOwl switches on Mojave’s Dark Mode at sundown

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NightOwl dark mode
NightOwl dark mode.
Photo: NightOwl

If you’re running macOS Mojave (and you really should be), probably one of the first things you did after installing it was to test Dark Mode. The new theme darkens the Mac interface and makes everything look cooler — apart from text, which is just harder to read.

But there’s no built-in way to have Dark Mode switch on automatically at sundown. That’s where NightOwl comes in. The free app switches your Mac between Dark Mode and the traditional lighter look automatically.

Google is bringing high-end games to Chrome this week

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Google Project Stream
This game is being played in a web browser!
Photo: Google

Google is making it possible to play high-end games on even the cheapest computers.

Project Stream is a new service that will bring the most demanding PC titles to Chrome this week, starting with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. You’ll need a speedy internet connection, but expensive processors and graphics cards aren’t required.  

Apple’s Business Chat platform goes international

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Apple Business Chat example
A number of companies are already using Apple's Business Chat.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple has rolled out its Business Chat platform in new countries, including Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Singapore, the U.K., and Hong Kong.

The platform is designed to make it easy to exchange messages with companies — whether that is for making purchases, scheduling appointments, or simply asking questions.

Hands on with Nyloon’s Moai band for Apple Watch Series 4

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NYLOON
Shop Nyloon's colorfully cool collection of NATO nylon bands for Apple Watch.
Photo: Nyloon

Nyloon makes one of the best nylon NATO Apple Watch bands out there, and now offers a brand-new unboxing experience. Your shiny new Series 4 deserves a band made with really high-grade materials and hardware — Nyloon is that band.

First impressions are so crucial, especially when cold hard cash is involved. That’s why I love that Nyloon has such sleek and streamlined packaging, a nod to the high-quality Apple Watch band nestled inside. Cult of Mac takes a look inside the box for the Moai — Nyloon’s best-selling band. Let’s check it out.

Apple Wallet can now be used for campus ID at 3 U.S. universities

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Apple Wallet
Students no longer need to take their physical campus ID cards with them.
Photo: Apple

Starting today, students at three U.S. universities — including Tim Cook’s alma mater, Duke University — can use their Apple Watch or iPhone for their campus ID.

The feature, also available at the Universities of Alabama and Oklahoma, lets students add their ID cards to their Apple Wallet app. This can then be used by campus ID holders to pay for laundry, lunch, book supplies and more, along with accessing dorms, the gym, or the school library.

Ka-ching! Apple Pay Cash could arrive in Europe soon

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Apple Pay
Sending money from your iPhone is about to get a lot easier in Europe.
Photo: Apple

Apple Pay Cash could be ready to make its debut in Europe.

Screens invited users to set up Apple’s peer-to-peer payments service have started popping up on devices on the other side of the Atlantic this week. Apple has also started publishing Apple Pay Cash support pages in European countries.