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News - page 756

Apple pulls Group FaceTime from iOS 12

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FaceTime group calls iOS 12
We're going to have to wait a bit longer than we expected for Group FaceTIme.
Photo: Apple

Group FaceTime, one of the hot new features promised for iOS 12, won’t be available when the operating system debuts this fall. Apple now says it will push back the Group FaceTime launch until later this year. The company gave no reason for the delay.

Ralph Nader tells Apple to give massive profits to the little guys

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Tim Cook with money bag
Ralph Nader says Apple management spent $100 billion to "enhance their own executive compensation package."
Illustration: Cult of Mac

Apple becoming the world’s first trillion dollar company has put it in the crosshairs of consumer advocates, including Ralph Nader. He heavily criticized the company for a $100 billion stock buyback, instead of using the money to pay employees more, improve recycling efforts, increase R&D, or making other productive investments.

Nader is angered that businesses like Apple have spent so much of the Republican tax cuts put in place last year on stock buybacks, rather than the “productive investment and jobs” they promised. 

Another clue that ‘inexpensive’ MacBooks will land soon

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Get a MacBook Air for $200 off
It’s about time we saw that new MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

One of Apple’s manufacturing partners will enjoy a significant boost in the fourth quarter of 2018 as a result of the company’s new, “inexpensive notebooks.”

Quanta Computer has just been overtaken by Compal as the world’s top laptop manufacturer, but it will catch up this year as Apple prepares to deliver what will likely be a new MacBook Air.

iPhone bass guitar cranks up the geek factor

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No brushed aluminum for Stig Pedersen of D-A-D. This iPhone bass is heavy metal.
No brushed aluminum for Stig Pedersen. This iPhone bass is heavy metal.
Photo: license2share/YouTube

Stig Pedersen’s upgraded “iPhone” does not have a touchscreen. It does, however, have a fingerboard, frets, pickups and two strings.

That’s because Pedersen’s iPhone bass is really more of an upgrade on the bass guitar. But it does have an iPhone feautre not found on most basses – a front-facing camera that records video of fans.

Google tracks you even if you tell it not to

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Google
Google is still tracking users' locations without their permission.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Google’s claim that it allows users to completely turn off all location tracking is completely false, according to research conducted by the Associated Press.

Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android device, the AP found that many Google services store your location data, even if you’ve used a privacy setting that is supposed to prevent Google from grabbing your data.

Spotify listeners in the U.K. can now access BBC’s vast back catalog

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Spotify
Some of the BBC's radio shows on the service date back to the 1950s.
Photo: Spotify

If you live in the UK and are a fan of the BBC, Spotify has some good news for you — since it’s just added “thousands of episodes” of BBC content to its app.

“The BBC is one of the largest content creators in the UK, and have worked with the biggest and best audio talent in the world,” said James Cator, Spotify’s Head of Podcast Partnerships, in a statement. “To have a comprehensive audio catalogue in the UK, the BBC are essential, so adding the BBC to our rapidly-expanding catalogue of podcasts was a natural partnership.”

South Carolina man sues Apple over exploding iPhone 6

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iPhone
Plaintiff's iPhone allegedly exploded while in his pocket.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

An iPhone user from South Carolina is suing Apple because he alleges that his handset exploded in his pocket two years ago.

The incident occurred in fall 2016, when concerns about lithium-ion batteries exploding were being widely reported — largely due to Samsung’s disastrous Note 7. The iPhone explosion supposedly injured the plaintiff enough that he had to be airlifted to a burn center in nearby Georgia.

Google could miss out on $50 million following Fortnite snub

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Fortnite on Android
Fortnite isn't top of the list, but there's a catch.
Photo: Epic Games

Google could miss out on a $50 million payday this year alone as a result of Epic Games’ decision not to distribute Fortnite for Android through the Play Store.

Android users must download the game directly from Epic‘s own website instead. This allows the company to sidestep Google’s 30 percent cut of all revenue.

Apple downplays asset value in pursuit of tax rebate

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Apple Park
Apple has beef with the folks calculating its asset value.
Photo: Matthew Roberts/Maverick Imagery

Apple plays down its financial milestones these days, and there’s a good reason for that: tax.

According to a new report, Apple is one of a few companies which are “particularly aggressive” in downplaying the value of the property they own for tax purposes. Specifically, Apple thinks it’s been overtaxed on the buildings, land, lab equipment, and other expenses — and it wants to reclaim millions of dollars as a result.

Fortnite challenges leak out early for season five, week six

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Fortnite ATK
Will we be using the ATK for week six challenges?
Photo: Epic Games

If you’ve already completed your Fortnite challenges for season five, week five, you’re probably itching to find out what Epic Games has in store for us in week six. Thanks to a recent leak, now you know.

Many of this week’s challenges will be variations of previous tasks. But there are a couple of intriguing new additions.

Shake up your wristgame with a Watchpop Apple Watch band

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Watchpop
The Watchpop Loop for Apple Watch in Orca Black/White pops on and off easily with built-in fasteners.
Photo: Cult of Mac

If you love Apple’s Sport Loops for Apple Watch, we’ve got a fantastic alternative that costs 10 bucks less and features a new design element to Apple’s version.

Enter the Watchpop Loop for Apple Watch, German-company Bluestein’s stylish answer to those seeking the look and performance of Apple’s Sports Loop. Watchpop’s version has all the same bells and whistles, yet offers a fun line of black bands (and, one white!) flanked by colored edging.

Castro, Hookpad 2, Ribn, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
'Appy weekend.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Did you know that Adobe’s Lightroom CC for iPhone has a fantastic camera built in? Or that you can now listen to any audio file in the Castro podcast app, just by dropping it into an iCloud folder? Or that you can make a catchy song in your iPad’s web browser using Hookpad 2? Well, now you do.

These are the awesome apps making waves this week.

Cult of Mac Magazine: iOS 12 vs. Android 9 Pie, and more!

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cover
In this week's Cult of Mac Magazine: Which wins the features arms race, Android 9 Pie or iOS 12? Here's how they compare.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine: How does Apple’s upcoming mobile operating system compare to the new Android platform? We give you a blow-by-blow comparison of all the best (and worst) features.

You’ll find that top story and much more. See why you should use Do Not Disturb at Bedtime 24/7. Plus: Learn how to connect an external keyboard to your iPad. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

Philips’ new Hue lights are ready to take over your home

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Hue
The White and Color Ambiance Enchant Pendant Lights.
Photo: Philips

Philips wants to cover your home from the inside to the outside with its new lineup of smart lightbulbs that debuted today.

The new collection includes the smart vanity mirror that leaked last month and has a ton of new lights that are perfect for your bathroom, living room, bedroom, den or even the backyard.

Samsung can’t believe Apple Pencil doesn’t work with iPhone

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A new Samsung ad makes a good point about the Apple Pencil.
A new Samsung ad makes a good point about the Apple Pencil, but is also makes some untrue statements.
Screenshot: Samsung

Samsung continues its “Ingenious” negative marketing campaign against the iPhone. The latest ad shows a customer confused that the Apple Pencil can’t be used on the iPhone.

While Samsung’s ad makes a point that quite a few iPhone users agree with, another statement made is more than a bit deceptive.

Take a look at the ad:

iPhone ads appeal to young people, confuse their elders

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What you think of recent iPhone ads depends heavily on when you were born.
A new study finds that what you think of recent iPhone ads depends heavily on when you were born.
Photo: UserTesting

Apple’s latest TV ads are fast-paced and colorful. But a study by a market-research firm finds that Baby Boomers feel these ads aren’t aimed at them.

The analysts theorize this is because Apple isn’t trying to advertise the iPhone to anyone but young people.

Showdown! iOS 12 vs. Android 9 Pie

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Which wins the features arms race, Android 9 Pie vs. iOS 12? Here's how they compare.
Which wins the features arms race, Android 9 Pie or iOS 12? Here's how they compare.
Illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Android 9 Pie has landed on Google Pixel devices just a month before Apple rolls out iOS 12. Both come with a long list of new features and improvements, but is one better than the other?

Here’s how Android 9 and iOS 12 compare.

iPhone X smokes Galaxy Note 9 in speed tests

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Samsung leaks Galaxy Note 9 early
The Note 9 looks good in blue.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s new Galaxy Note 9 has lost to the iPhone X in speed test, even though the smartphone packs one of the best processors and more RAM than any of Apple’s phones.

The Galaxy Note 9 was revealed at an event yesterday and has already been scored on Geekbench and a number of other performance testing tools. Despite being newer, the Galaxy Note 9 didn’t even top the OnePlus 6.

Check out the standings:

This McDonald’s is as pretty as an Apple Store

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Is this an Apple Store or a McDonald's?
Is this an Apple Store or a McDonald's?
Photo: McDonald's

People dropping into the new Apple Store in Chicago might be surprised to find that it’s actually a McDonald’s. This fast-food chain’s new flagship restaurant bears a strong resemblance to Apple’s retail stores.

The similarities are more than skin deep. The McDonald’s location strives to be as environmentally friendly as an Apple Store.

Spotify’s free users will soon be able to skip ads

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Spotify app now playing screen
Spotify has a new plan for getting more information on customers.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Spotify is exploring new ways to let users on its free tier skip audio and video ads whenever they want.

The feature gives listeners the chance to get back to their music more quickly by skipping ads they’re not interested in. The company is currently user-testing the feature in Australia, with plans to later roll it out elsewhere.

Taiwan lets Qualcomm off majority of big $773 million fine

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Qualcomm patents
Qualcomm just scored a lucky break in feud with regulators.
Photo: Qualcomm

Qualcomm just saved itself the best part of $700 million , due a settlement with Taiwan’s antitrust regulators.

Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission had accused Qualcomm of abusing its position in the marketplace by refusing to provide products to clients who would not agree to its terms and conditions. Qualcomm was issued a record $773 million fine last year, but most of that has now been reversed.

Face ID can’t stop boom in fingerprint-scanning displays

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iPhone Touch ID
And you thought the days of fingerprint sensors were coming to an end!
Photo: Apple

Apple may have opted for Face ID over in-display Touch ID for the iPhone X, but plenty of lower cost handset makers aren’t in a position to use facial recognition in their handsets — and they’re embracing in-display fingerprint sensors as a result.

According to a new report, global shipments of in-display fingerprint sensors are expected to top 42 million units in 2018. And that number will more than double in 2019.

Apple Pay usage grows strongly outside the U.S.

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Apple Pay iPhone
The number of Apple Pay users almost equals the entire population of the US. But most users live somewhere else.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Most people are still leery about giving up their wallet. Only a small percentage of smartphone owners use their mobile to make purchases at brick-and-mortar stores.  But attitudes are starting to change.

As a result, Apple Pay is growing strongly. Surprisingly, most of that growth is outside of the U.S.

Former Tesla VP returns home to work on Apple Car

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Here's how Apple Car might eliminate blind spots
The Apple Car project just got another valued team member.
Photo: Aristomenis Tsirbas/Freelancer

Doug Field, a former Vice President of Mac Hardware Engineering at Apple, has returned to the company after spending several years at Tesla.

The interesting part? At Tesla, Field was employed as the Vice President of Vehicle Programs with a role overseeing development of new electric vehicles for the company. Now that he is back at Apple, he is reportedly working as part of the “Project Titan” Apple Car group.