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News - page 732

Netflix wants to stop paying Apple a cut of its earnings

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75% of Netflix users have no plans to jump ship to Apple TV+ (right away)
Netflix is experimenting with a way to bypass paying Apple.
Photo: Flickr/Stock Catalog

Netflix is among the highest-grossing apps in the App Store, but that might not be the case for much longer. That’s because the video streaming company is supposedly looking for ways to bypass iTunes so as to save itself the money that it currently pays Apple.

The decision is at least partially linked to Apple’s efforts in producing its own original video content, which would make it a direct competitor to Netflix.

App Store isn’t just about games anymore

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App Store
The App Store is another major growth driver for Apple.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s worth a crazy amount of money these days, but what really separates it from previous eras is that it no longer lives or dies by one product. Look at any part of Apple’s business and you’ll find reasons to be optimistic.

The latest example of this comes from Bank of America, which bumped its price target on Apple stock from $230 to $250 a share. Why? Because the bank noticed that the App Store is booming — and not just in the category you might expect.

Epic denies that Fortnite is coming to Apple TV [Update]

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Fortnite Steady Storm game mode
Fortnite will expand its reach even further.
Photo: Epic Games

Updated 3:20 p.m. August 21: Epic Games says it does not plan to bring Fortnite to Apple TV after all. “References to tvOS in the Fortnite files are the result of general Unreal Engine support for the Apple TV platform,” the company said in a statement sent to CNet.

The original report follows….

Fortnite Battle Royale already supports more platforms than most games, but it seems it hasn’t finished expanding its reach. New evidence suggests the biggest game on the planet will soon be available on Apple TV.

Apple switching suppliers to cut production costs

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Apple
You don't get to $1 trillion without knowing a thing or two about saving cash.
Photo: Apple

Apple may have just passed the $1 trillion mark, but it’s still looking for ways to save money. In its efforts to keep manufacturing costs as low as possible, the company is supposedly shifting production for its various devices from Taiwanese suppliers to Chinese ones.

Shoppers perform citizen’s arrest on would-be Apple Store thieves

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Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Don't mess with Apple fans!
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

The latest snatch-and-grab Apple Store robbery didn’t turn out all that well for the thieves.

Over the weekend, the Apple Store at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks, California, was targeted by three men who walked in and began snatching products. But angry customers got involved, leading to all three would-be thieves being arrested.

Logitech’s new vertical mouse packs pro features into ergonomic design

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The Logitech MX Vertical ergonomic mouse is here to save your wrist.
The Logitech MX Vertical is here to save your wrist.
Photo: Logitech

To create its new vertical mouse, Logitech borrowed from its expertise creating peripherals for players of first-person shooters. The goal? A kill shot aimed straight at the ugly heart of repetitive strain injuries.

The result of the company’s efforts is the Logitech MX Vertical. The ergonomic mouse, unveiled today, offers appealing features in a strangely beautiful design that looks something like a seashell.

Fresh new betas of iOS 12, macOS Mojave arrive for developers and the public

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There are new iOS 12 beta versions for developers and the public, as the same is true for macOS Mojave.
This isn't even all the devices that will run the betas Apple released today.
Photo: Apple

Monday is Beta Day at Apple. Today brought shiny new versions of iOS 12 and macOS Mojave. The newest versions are only for developers, but the public just got access to the iOS 12 and Mojave betas released to developers last week.

New betas of watchOS 5 and tvOS 12 for devs also launched today.

Expect a more powerful Mac mini Pro this fall

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Apple Mac mini
The 2018 Mac mini Pro is rumored to be much powerful than the "current" model, which hasn't been updated in almost four years.
Photo: Apple

The last time Apple gave any love to the Mac mini was way back in 2014. But a refresh is reportedly coming.

This inexpensive macOS desktop is apparently popular with developers and server farms. The 2018 mini is supposedly being created with these professionals in mind.

This is the date you can preorder your next iPhone

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6.5- and 6.1-inch 2018 iPhone models
We now have a fairly firm idea of when the 6.5-inch iPhone will debut. The 6.1-inch model isn't expected until months later, though.
Photo: OnLeaks

We already know quite a bit about the next-generation iPhones, and one of the remaining questions may have just been answered: when they’ll go on sale.

A German wireless phone provider has leaked part what we want to know: the date preorders will begin. The most likely release date can be extrapolated from that.

How Steve Jobs’ impossible demands sparked Wi-Fi revolution

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iBook
The first commercial product with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Photo: Apple

How many important moments at Apple started with Steve Jobs being late to a meeting that ended with him making a seemingly impossible demand?

This is exactly how one former executive of Lucent Technologies describes the birth of commercial Wi-Fi, which took place in a meeting room at Apple headquarters in Cupertino on April 20, 1998.

Minecraft: Education Edition brings brainy gameplay to iPad

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Minecraft: Education Edition can teach math, science, history, and more.
Minecraft: Education Edition can teach math, science, history, and more.
Photo: Microsoft

Minecraft: Education Edition is one of the best-known applications to gamify learning. After launching back 2016, an iPad version will finally debut next month.

The Minecraft game is hugely popular, and the version created for schools also has millions of users learning math, science, history, and more.

iPhone X notch might be on endangered list

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Apple Watch
The iPhone X notch isn't the "deal breaker" so many thought it would be, but the screen cutout could be replaced with an under-display camera in 2019.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The first camera that can be embedded under a phone’s display might launch next year. If this comes to pass, it would remove the need for the screen cutout in the iPhone and many rival Android models.

It’s no secret that companies are trying to develop in-display cameras. The promise that one will be on the market in 2019 comes from an unnamed source.

More evidence that we’re getting new Apple Watches next month

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Apple Watch Series 3
New Apple wearables are on the way.
Photo: Apple

It’s highly likely that we’ll see new Apple Watch Series 4 devices at next month’s Apple media event, and a new series of filings suggest that this is even more probable.

Filed with the Eurasian Economic Commission are six new model numbers for next-gen Apple Watches, all of which will run watchOS 5. While that doesn’t tell us too much about the new devices, it does suggest that they are on the way.

Apple pulls 25,000 apps from China’s App Store

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China
Tim Cook meeting with China's vice premier.
Photo: Tim Cook

Apple has pulled a massive 25,000 apps from its Chinese App Store following state media complaints about the company. At least 4,000 of these were tagged with the word “gambling,” which is illegal in China outside of state-sanctioned lotteries.

“Gambling apps are illegal and not allowed on the App Store in China,” Apple said in a statement. “We have already removed many apps and developers for trying to distribute illegal gambling apps on our App Store, and we are vigilant in our efforts to find these and stop them from being on the App Store.”

Overheating iPad battery causes Apple Store evacuation

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The new 10.5-inch iPad Pro puts monstrous power at your fingertips.
Incident was supposedly caused by an overheating iPad battery.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The Apple Store in Leidseplein square, Amsterdam was evacuated Sunday afternoon as the result of an apparent overheating iPad battery.

While the lithium-ion battery in the device did not explode or begin visibly smoking, it supposedly began emitting vapors which led to three Apple Store employees being check over on site by ambulance personnel.

Cult of Mac Magazine: Our Apple Watch Series 4 wish list, and more!

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cult of mac magazine
In this week's Cult of Mac Magazine: Apple looks set to unveil the biggest upgrade yet to its popular wearable.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine: With an update likely coming soon, Cult of Mac lays out our best guesses (and most fanciful dreams) for all the features that could be coming to Apple’s fantastic wearable.

You’ll find that top story and much more. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

Amazon’s next big thing could be a TiVo knockoff

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Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon wants Fire TV to be embedded in more TVs.
Photo: Amazon

The biggest name in online retail is aiming its sights on putting TiVo out of business next.

Amazon is reportedly developing a new set top box that will allow users to record live TV, providing a way to side-step cable providers when it comes to watching content on-demand.

Apple taps child star for murder mystery show

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A show about girl reporter Hilde Lysiak is coming to Apple TV.
Girl reporter Hilde Lysiak solved a murder when she was 9 years old. What have you done today?
Photo: Scholastic

Apple has already nailed down the lead role for its upcoming TV show about a young girl who solves a local murder mystery.

8-year-old Brooklynn Prince from The Florida Project has been cast to play Hilde Lysiak after Apple just recently secured the rights to turn her life story into a TV show.

Science proves women’s pockets are too small for iPhones

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iPhone Japan
Japan loves its iPhones. But a proposed law could make some consumers consider cheaper Android handsets.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Ever tried to slip an iPhone into a pants pocket and run out of room with the device halfway in? Men are probably scratching their heads, but most women know the experience well.

A new study finds that the front pocket in women’s jeans average less than half the size of men’s. And that means less than half the brands studied can hold an iPhone X.

iOS 12 runs much faster, especially on older iPhones

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Side-by-side tests on an iPhone 5s show noticeable iOS 12 performance improvements.
Side-by-side tests on an iPhone 5s show noticeable iOS 12 performance improvements.
Photo: iApple Bytes

Apple’s next operating system is still in beta, but it already boasts much better performance than iOS 11. Speed improvements are high on Apple’s list of promises for iOS 12, and there’s little room for doubt that Cupertino will deliver.

Speed tests performed on older models, including an iPhone 5s, show iOS 12 makes the devices significantly faster.

OLED iPhones to give Apple Pencil production big boost

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Apple Pencil
Apple Pencil won't be exclusive to iPad Pro for long.
Photo: Apple

Apple has reportedly signed on with a Taiwanese stylus supplier, adding credence to speculation that new OLED iPhones will support Apple Pencil.

The Economic Daily News out of China said Apple is contracting with Elan for “touch-and-pen related” chips for two next-gen handsets in the iPhone X line.