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News - page 784

Apple vows to zip Siri’s loose lips in future update

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has promised it will fix Siri’s newly-discovered privacy problem in a future software update.

The flaw allows anyone to read your unread messages and other notifications without your passcode — even those that you’ve chosen to hide. It’s not yet clear if Apple will have the fix ready in time for iOS 11.3, which is already on its sixth beta release.

How Spike Jonze created that brilliant HomePod ad

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From The Rock to 'Your Verse': Apple's best ads of the 2010s
Mini-documentary sheds light on one of Apple's best ads in years.
Photo: Apple

A new video reveals the creative process behind Spike Jonze’s brilliant short film “Welcome Home,” which paints the HomePod as a miracle device.

Not just one of the best Apple ads in ages, it’s one of the best adverts anywhere. The HomePod commercial stars English singer FKA twigs as a city dweller whose drab apartment is transformed into a colorful wonderland by an Apple smart speaker.

Apple logo creator will share his design secrets at live event this month

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Janoff
Rob Janoff was the designer of Apple's iconic corporate logo.
Photo: Fiverr

The Apple logo is among the most iconic corporate symbols in the world, and (with minor color-related tweaks over the years) has been used to represent Apple since 1977.

If you want to hear the story behind it, from original designer Rob Janoff, you’ll get your chance this month — when Janoff appears at an event in New York City, discussing all things design.

2018 iPhone production starts early to bring Face ID to the masses

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Face ID iPhone X
Face ID will be on all three of Apple's new iPhones this year.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

All three of Apple’s proposed iPhone models for 2018 will reportedly include 3D sensing tech for augmented reality and Face ID — which means that Apple has its work cut out producing all of them.

As a result of last year’s 3D sensor production issues, it’s therefore getting started on manufacturing earlier this year, with trial production set to kick off as early as the second quarter of 2018.

YouTube becomes App Store’s top-grossing app for the first time

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YouTube dark logo
The world's most popular video streaming app is unsurprisingly a big money spinner.
Photo: YouTube

After eight years in the App Store, YouTube finally climbed to reach the number one spot for highest-grossing app in the U.S. this week.

Until now, YouTube has never ranked higher than the number three spot. While it’s not clear exactly what pushed YouTube into pole position, revenues have gotten a big increase in recent years due to the launch of its $9.99 a month YouTube Red service.

iPad Pro X concept wows with edge-to-edge design

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iPad Pro X
A concept iPad Pro X drawing shows an all-screen design, dual cameras.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Here’s what an iPad Pro with an iPhone X-style, edge-to-edge display might look like. Concept designer Martin Hajek combined the rumored iOS tablet with the logo for Apple’s next developer conference. (That’s where we might get our first actual glimpse of the device.)

Apple Watch can detect serious heart problem

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Apple Watch alerts user of irregular heart rhythms in sleep
Apple Watch alerts user of irregular heart rhythms in sleep
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch can accurately detect atrial fibrillation, a serious heart condition that is a leading cause of stroke, and could also help identify if you’re at risk of a apple watch heart attack.

This advanced feature remains in testing. However, a new medical study offers proof that wearables can do far more than simply track fitness. In fact, they could actually keep the wearer alive.

Ad blitz will make listening to music on YouTube unbearable — on purpose

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YouTube Music
A for-pay YouTube music service is in development, but free users have to be convinced to switch.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Freeloaders who use YouTube as a cheap alternative to Apple Music should get ready to be annoyed. YouTube is about to intentionally irritate users who treat the video site as a jukebox by increasing ads between songs.

The goal? Driving subscriptions to an as-yet-unannounced paid YouTube music service.

Proposed E.U. laws crack down on tax-avoiding tech giants

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
Europe has been pushing for tech giants to pay their share.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The European Commission wants tech giants like Apple and other “digital businesses” to pay their fair share of taxes, and it’s announced new proposals to help implement this.

As previously suggested by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, the proposed rules mean that companies would have to pay taxes throughout the EU, and not just in the location of the European headquarters.

Just 5 U.S. companies beat Apple at hiring game

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Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
LinkedIn based its observations on data from its 546 million+ users around the world.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

According to LinkedIn, Apple is the sixth most sought-after employer among jobseekers (or potential jobseekers) in the United States.

That’s pretty darn good, but it still leaves six companies people would rather work for. All tech giants, these include Amazon (in first place), Alphabet, Facebook, Salesforce and Tesla. The numbers are based on data from LinkedIn users across the U.S.

Jimmy Iovine will step back from Apple Music this summer

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Iovine
Jimmy Iovine’s days at Apple are numbered.
Photo: Apple

Jimmy Iovine will step back from his role at Apple and transition into a consultancy position this August, according to a new report.

Sources say he will “support” Apple executive Eddy Cue while spending more time with his family. It’s the second time we’ve heard that the Beats co-founder will leave Apple this year, but Iovine has previously labeled the claims “fake news.

WhatsApp co-founder: Delete Facebook, regain your privacy

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Facebook
Should you delete Facebook? WhatsApp co-creator Brian Acton says yes.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Facebook is having a bad time right now. Despite being the world’s most popular social media network, a growing number of people are calling on users to delete their Facebook profiles. This follows the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal, involving the acquisition of data associated with 50 million Facebook profiles.

The latest person who thinks you should cut the Zuckerberg cord? Brian Acton, the co-founder of WhatsApp, which was bought by Facebook for a massive $16 billion back in 2014.

You’re winning PUBG Mobile because you’re playing against bots

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PUBG Mobile
PUBG Mobile is easy at first.
Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

So, you’re racking up wins in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds on iOS and you’re thinking about quitting your day job, ditching the wife and kids, and going pro. But wait!

You’re probably finding the game relatively easy if you’re a new player because you’re going up against bots. PUBG Mobile uses bots to ease new players into the game, then gradually reduces the number of them as you improve and level up.

2018’s iPhone X refresh could cost less than last year’s model

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iPhone X
$1,000 price point was a sticking point for iPhone X.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The iPhone X’s $1,000 price point has been hard to swallow for a lot of customers, which may help explain why sales have supposedly been a bit disappointing.

That could change in the near future when Apple launches its 2018-era 5.85-inch OLED iPhone. According to a new report, Apple has managed to reduce its manufacturing bill of materials (MBOM) for this year’s iPhone X-sized handset to a level much lower than that of its present flagship.

YouTube lets you livestream right from your browser

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YouTube livestreaming
You can give fiddly streaming software the boot.
Photo: YouTube

YouTube has made livestreaming easier for everyone by allowing us to broadcast directly from a web browser. Chrome now lets you “go live” with nothing but a webcam — and support for other browsers is coming soon.

It’s going to get a lot easier to livestream from your smartphone, too, unless you use an iPhone.

Apple blocks bogus ‘What’s New’ messages from App Store

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The App Store rules for What’s New change
There’s a change in the App Store‘s policy about “What’s New” messages.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Developers soon will need to get approval from Apple for the descriptions of software updates posted in the App Store. The goal seems to be to prevent unscrupulous devs from using this high-profile messaging area for nefarious purposes.

Apple’s mysterious self-driving car fleet just keeps growing

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Apple Car might be coming, but will it be special?
Apple’s self-driving car fleet is wheel-y big.
Photo: Aristomenis Tsirbas/Freelancer

Apple hasn’t yet publicly announced its interests in building a self-driving car, but its research in this area is continuing to speed ahead — with Apple receiving now having more permits to test in California than both Tesla and Uber.

From 27 permits only a few months ago, Apple today has 45 permits to test autonomous vehicles on public roads in California. By comparison, Tesla has 39 and Uber has 29.

Samsung Galaxy S9 is tougher than iPhone X, but still breaks with one drop

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Samsung Galaxy S9
Lesson learned: Don't drop expensive smartphones.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung says that its new Galaxy S9 smartphone has been designed for “enhanced durability,” but just how durable is it? And, perhaps more importantly to Apple fans, how does it stack up against the iPhone X?

Those question are answered in a new drop test video created by insurance company SquareTrade. In a variety of tests — ranging from back-down drops to tumbles — the new Galaxy S9 is put through its paces to test just how tough it actually is. Check out the video below.