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News - page 738

AT&T’s 5G coverage dominates competition (for now)

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AT&T store2
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.

Huge PUBG Mobile update adds War mode and lots more

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PUBG Mobile 0.5.0
PUBG Mobile is bigger and better.
Photo: PlayerUnknown

PUBG’s mission to fight back against Fortnite continues today with a massive update that brings a whole host of awesome new content to mobile.

Players can enjoy a fast-paced War mode and a brand new sniper rifle, join clans, chat with friends, earn new achievements, and lots more.

The future of high-speed broadband is in your iPhone X

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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 issues thermal throttling fix for 2018 MacBook Pros

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2018 MacBook Pro
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.

Watch this itsy-bitsy spider get stuck inside an iMac screen

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iMac
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:

Future iPhones may pack moving camera sensors for external lenses

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Moment lens on iPhone
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.

Trump may not spare iPhone from trade war

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Apple waives developer fees for nonprofits, others in 8 additional countries
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 hiring to ramp up production for iPhone refresh

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iPhone sales drive Apple’s biggest supplier to big profits
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 is bringing media previews to iOS notifications

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WhatsApp on iOS
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.

eBay promises Apple Pay support in 2018

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Antitrust investigators want to know if retailers were compelled to use Apple Pay
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.

Chinese users reportedly being bombarded with iMessage spam

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iMessage
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 stunning new Milan store is an elemental masterpiece

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Milan
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.

Fortnite 5.10 brings new weapons and challenges, iOS improvements

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Fortnite first birthday
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.

Verizon wants to team up with Apple or Google for 5G TV

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apple tv
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.

Juuk’s Velo Apple Watch bands are classic to the core

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juuk
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 answer HomePod owners’ burning questions during live Q&A

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Apple will provide HomePod tech support at a special online event in a few days. Get your questions ready.
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.

Hands on with Ullu’s colorful leather Apple Watch bands [Unboxing]

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ullu
A tiny bit of color goes a long way!
Photo: Ullu

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.

Consumer Reports says MacBook Pro thermal throttling is a feature not a bug

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The new MacBook Pros feature True Tone technology for
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.

Samsung accidentally leaks its next Apple Watch competitor

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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’s Playground mode returns alongside birthday rewards

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Fortnite first birthday
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.

Leaked Apple repair videos cough up some secrets

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Apple repair techs have access to a lot of gear other people don't.
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.

Bag this Apple job and Jony Ive will be your boss

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Apple job
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.

Sony’s monstrous 48 megapixel sensor could boost iPhone camera

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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 iPhone X is still worth almost as much as you paid for it

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Ex-student sentenced to 3 years in prison for massive iPhone scam
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.

Gorgeous concept shows off Apple Watch Series 4’s big display

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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.

Take a look: