Verizon is behind arch-rival AT&T in deploying mobile 5G. Sprint and T-Mobile are trailing. Photo: Steve Rhodes/Flickr CC
Verizon just reveled that Houston will be the third city getting its super-speedy 5G service before the end of this year. But there’s huge caveat: this is fixed service, only for homes and businesses.
In contrast, AT&T will launch mobile 5G service in six cities this year. This shows how far ahead it is than the competition.
The laser in the iPhone X's Face ID could one day transform the speed of broadband. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
That nifty little laser in the iPhone X that scans your face to create a custom animated emoji could also connect cities with ultra high-speed broadband.
That’s what a team of researchers in Europe have discovered by combining the laser with silicon photonics to create long-wavelength, high-capacity communications. If implemented, it could make data logjams a thing of the past.
Apple just released a fix that will speed up every 2018 MacBook Pro, no matter the processor or screen size. Photo: Apple
Ever since the debut of the 2018 MacBook Pro, there’s been controversy about the top-tier version suffering thermal throttling. Apple today apologized for this problem, and released a fix.
It also seems every version of the new Apple laptop will down-clock itself to prevent overheating. The slowdowns occur even when it’s not totally necessary to stop the machines from being damaged.
Yes, that's a real spider stuck behind the screen. Photo: Timothy Buchanan
Apple’s iMac computers make a surprisingly good home for spiders. Or at least one really tiny spider that found its way in between one shocked owner’s LCD panel and front glass.
The spider can be seen crawling around inside the iMac on a video posted to YouTube. At first, the owner thought it was a digital prank. But when he starts moving different app windows over it and the spider starts running around, he realizes this is no joke.
If you have arachnophobia you might not want to watch:
Don't retire that wide-angle lens attachment just yet. Photo: Moment
A lens attachment can extend the view of your native iPhone camera. It can also botch an otherwise nice image if not attached properly.
Apple is suggesting hardware and software changes to the iPhone and iPad camera systems that can reduce operator error and aid an extra lens in delivering that promised DSLR quality.
iPhones could get caught in crossfire of U.S-China trade war Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Tim Cook was reportedly assured that the iPhone wouldn’t been among the items to be hit with an import tariff as part of the United States’ burgeoning trade war with China.
However, according to a new report, it may wind up being hit with two sets of charges: one on iPhones imported from China, and another tax levied in China itself. Ouch!
Foxconn is one of Apple's oldest suppliers. Photo: CBS
This year’s iPhone refresh could be the super cycle Apple’s been waiting for — and manufacturer Foxconn is taking steps accordingly.
As per a new report, the manufacturing giant, which employs around 1 million people in China alone, is ramping up its hiring for people willing to work on the iPhone production line. And it’s offering incentives to help with the recruitment drive!
WhatsApp users have been waiting for better notifications. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
WhatsApp notifications on iOS are about to get a lot more useful.
The popular messaging service is now testing media previews that let users view images and even animated GIFs before opening a message. Today’s update has also added the ability to use Siri to send messages to groups.
It’ll take years to roll out to everyone. Illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
eBay is giving shoppers the ability to purchase items with Apple Pay this fall.
The service will become a primary payment option on the eBay website and in the mobile app. A small group of Marketplace customers will get the chance to try it before it rolls out to everyone in a few years.
Apparently carriers can do nothing to stop it. Photo: Weibo
iPhone users in China are reportedly being bombarded with iMessage spam, many of them promoting illegal gambling.
Much of the iMessage spam in question links to WeChat account or gambling websites. Gambling is illegal in China, with the exception of two state-sanctioned lotteries.
Apple's most attractive Apple Store yet? Photo: Apple
Apple is set to add another architectural marvel to its roster of stunning Apple Stores when it opens its new location in Milan, Italy next week.
To celebrate the occasion, Apple has released some attractive pictures of the Apple Piazza Liberty — which includes a gorgeous above-ground fountain, leading down to a fully-stocked underground store. Kind of like the company’s iconic Fifth Avenue venue in New York, with an extra sheen of high fashion chic.
Celebrate Fortnite’s first birthday with special rewards. Photo: Epic Games
This week’s Fortnite 5.10 is rolling out now, adding new weapons, new challenges, and some nice improvements for players on iOS.
The brand new compact SMG makes its official debut, and there are a series of challenges and rewards to enjoy for Fortnite’s first birthday. An improved Playground mode is also available for a limited time.
The long-rumored Apple live TV package could get a helping hand from Verizon. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Verizon wants to hook up with either Apple or Google to provide TV services when it launches its super fast 5G service to customers in Los Angeles and Sacramento, a new report claims.
The idea is that packaging Verizon’s 5G online TV with either Google’s YouTube TV or an as-yet-unnanounced Apple TV package would help Verizon to showcase its new service.
The Velo by Juuk — an aluminum, three-link band shown here in Obsidian. Photo: Juuk
Juuk’s engineered, aluminum Apple Watch bands are always on point. Then they elevate things even more.
The Velo is the first in Juuk’s luxury lineup of aluminum bands to feature a tapered, three-link design. And, the popular Obsidian finish is finally back in stock! This classic band comes in four additional finishes — Midnight, Ruby, Cosmic Grey and Silver. Check them out below.
Apple will provide HomePod tech support at a special online event in a few days. Get your questions ready. Photo: Apple
The HomePod is a new product and Apple wants to be sure owners of this smartspeaker are getting all the benefits. That’s why the company scheduled a live chat with HomePod specialists for later this week. It’s open to anyone with questions.
A lot of people get tech support on their electronics from friends, but the $349 HomePod is struggling to compete against the much cheaper Amazon Echo, so many users probably don’t know someone else with this device.
Renowned for its snap-on iPhone cases, Ullu also makes a beautiful assortment of luxurious, leather Apple Watch bands.
Crafted for an excellent finish and fit, these well-padded and stitched bands come in either hand-painted or premium leather.
Our very own Nadine Kahney gives us a hands-on look at the Ullu Premium Leather Band in Tangerine, available for purchase in Cult of Mac’s Watch Store. Check it out below.
The 2018 MacBook Pro with a Core i9 processor is subject to thermal throttling, but it's hardly alone in that. Photo: Apple
The top-of-the-line MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i9 processor has gotten some bad press. The new laptop reportedly is subject to thermal throttling, which is a fancy way of saying that its CPU gets so hot that it slows itself down before burning up.
But before anyone criticizes Apple too much, Consumer Reports came to the company’s defense. The consumer-testing organization points out that other laptops with top-tier processors are also subject to thermal throttling.
Behold! The Samsung Watch in rose gold. Photo: Samsung
Samsung is planning to take on Apple Watch with a totally rebranded smartwatch of its own — and we already know what it will look like.
Samsung leaked photos of the upcoming smartwatch on its own website this morning. Unlike previous versions of the company’s watch, this one looks a bit more stylish. You’ll probably be shocked to know it borrows some design elements that make Apple Watch so appealing.
Fortnite will celebrate its first birthday in style! Photo: Epic Games
Fortnite’s hugely popular Playground mode is making a comeback this week with support for squad battles, the all terrain kart, and “lots more loot.”
Epic Games has also promised birthday rewards when you complete challenges and quests in-game to celebrate Fortnite’s first anniversary. It’s sure to be a crazy week for fans of Battle Royale.
Apple repair techs have access to a lot of gear other people don't. Screenshot: Apple
Editor’s Note: Not surprisingly, these internal Apple videos are now gone from YouTube. The iPhone maker undoubtedly asked that they be removed.
What appears to be a collection of Apple’s internal video guides to repairing various devices has been posted on YouTube. These show the company’s methods to fix some components of the iPhone X, the iMac Pro 2017, and the MacBook Pro 2016 and 2017.
Apple doesn’t show anyone outside of the company how to service its products. Third-party repair companies have to figure it out for themselves. So this is a rare look inside official Apple repair procedures.
Apple's Industrial Design team at the Apple Watch unveiling. Photo: Leander Kahney / Cult of Mac
If you have design chops and believe your ideas belong in the same room as Jony Ive, Apple has an opening on the team that creates some of the world’s most important tech.
Apple is currently accepting applications for an industrial designer to join the Industrial Design Group in Cupertino. This is a tight-knit group of around 20 designers headed by the legendary Ive that are seen as the principal inventors of Apple’s iconic devices.
The detail you can get on Sony’s new sensor is astounding. Photo: Sony
Future iPhone cameras could soon rival the pixel count of high-end DSLRs thanks to a new 48 megapixel sensor created by Sony.
Sony says it has created the highest pixel count sensor for a smartphone with its new IMX586 sensor. Usually higher pixel count means lower quality low-light photos, but Sony has managed to merge the best of both worlds. And it might make you want to toss your DSLR.
Your used iPhone value might surprise you. You could resell your iPhone X and recoup most of the cost of a new 2018 model. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
You may have gulped a bit when you put down $999 for your iPhone X. But turns out it was a good investment. Half a year later, your device has depreciated surprisingly little.
B-Stock, a B2B company selling used computers, says that the iPhone X has held its value better than any Apple phone in its experience. And iPhones do better than their rivals.
Apple Watch Series 4’s display will be bigger. Photo: Concept Creator
The grand unveiling of the Apple Watch Series 4 could be just a couple weeks away and based on a new mock-up, you’re going to love the way it looks.
Based on leaked info of Apple’s upcoming wearable, the gorgeous concept shows what the device will look like with its bigger, bezel-free display and rounded corners.