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News - page 785

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.

IBM and Apple combine their AI powers to make apps smarter

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IBM
Apple and IBM are working together to make artificial intelligence apps more impressive.
Photo: Apple

Apple has been ramping up its interest in artificial intelligence for the past few years — and its continuing business-focused partnership with IBM is going to help.

Late Monday, one-time rivals Apple and IBM announced that business apps running on Apple devices will soon be able to take advantage of the ability to combine IBM Watson technology with Apple Core ML to create more intelligent apps.

iPhone is two years ahead of its rivals in one important way

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Michael Cohen Face ID
Face ID will remain an Apple exclusive until 2019.
Photo: Apple

While the iPhone is still my pick for the world’s best smartphone, there’s no doubt that some of Apple’s rivals have done a good job of catching up in certain areas.

One place they’re unlikely to match Apple any time soon? Face ID, claims a new report. The reason? Because Apple has bought up so much of the 3D sensing component capacity from manufacturers that Android rivals are stuck two years behind. Ouch!

iPhone X spells doom for pricey smartphones

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iPhone X laying down
I wanted a Galaxy S10, but I'm stuck with iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone X looked set to become the beginning of a worrying smartphone trend when it went on sale last November, sporting a hefty $1,000 price tag. We were sure future flagships would be similarly expensive. But consumers just aren’t having it.

With iPhone X demand showing no signs of improvement in 2018, analysts are warning that the market “may not tolerate” rising smartphone prices.

Fortnite earns $1.5 million (and counting) on iOS

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Fortnite iOS 14
Fortnite is making big money!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Fortnite, the ultra-popular battle royale game, earned $1 million in in-app purchases within its first 72 hours of landing in the App Store — and more than $1.5 million in total.

That would be impressive under any circumstances. What makes this even more so is the fact that, at this point, Fortnite is still an “invite only” game that’s not available to everyone who wants to play it!

Amazon Kindle app gets iPad multitasking at last

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Amazon Kindle in Split View
Amazon Kindle can now be displayed next to another app.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Viewing two applications at once came to the iPad way back in iOS 9, but the Amazon Kindle app only just now supports it. The new multitasking feature enables tablet users to have a book open while using another app.

And this isn’t the only notable improvement in the just-released update to Amazon’s Kindle app.

Handy gadget gives you a grip on your iPad

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iPad accessories
The iPad is not so easy to use when you are moving on your feet. The TabStrap can change that.
Photo: Pack & Smooch

At first glance, the TabStrap looks like a bandage on the hand of a wounded iPad user. It’s not, yet the person who uses an iPad as their main source of personal computing might find it just as much of a lifesaver.

The thick, adjustable wool strap connects to a base that suctions to the back of an iPad. The hand goes through the strap, giving the user a secure grip on the iPad as they swipe, write, draw or tap apps while standing or walking.

Apple batteries could get a whole lot more powerful

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Apple batteries
Even Apple batteries wear out, but longer-lived ones are close to release.
Photo: Apple

A new type of battery promises 20 percent to 40 percent more storage capacity. Even better, one of the companies behind the research has ties to Apple, so the improved lithium-silicon batteries are likely to show up in iPhone and iPad.

Self-driving car kills pedestrian for first time

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Uber - Entry #80 by sankalp - India
Uber’s autonomous car program just recorded its first fatality.
Photo: Uber

Uber’s self driving car program in Arizona has suffered a fatal setback after one of its autonomous vehicles hit and killed a female pedestrian.

The woman was crossing the street in Tempe around 10pm last night but wasn’t using a cross walk when the accident occurred.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds fights Fortnite on iPhone in U.S.

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PUBG Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds
PUBG Mobile reaches the West.
Photo: Tencent

It is shaping up to be a spectacular month for battle royale games on iOS. After the hugely popular Fortnite landed in the App Store last week, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds has made its way to iPhone and iPad.

After a round of beta testing in Canada, the free PUBG Mobile is now available on iOS (and Android) in the United States and other locations around the world.

Blush Gold iPhone X looks fabulous in leaked pics

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Leaked blush gold iPhone X photo looks great.
The iPhone X looks great in gold.
Photo: Ben Geskin

Gold lovers might be able to get their iPhone X gold fix much sooner than expected.

Images of an alleged ‘Blush Gold’ iPhone X have leaked online this week. The images supposedly come straight from the production line, which could mean an official launch isn’t far away.

Your Google apps might snitch if you’re near a crime scene

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Google Maps Feb 18 update
Google location data is being used by investigators, apparently.
Photo: Google

If you find yourself within the immediate radius of a crime that’s committed, you could find your personal data seized by police, with a helping hand from Google.

That’s the takeaway from a recent report about how Raleigh police have presented Google with broad search warrants, requesting user data from all mobile devices with a certain vicinity of particular crimes. In one case, Google was reportedly asked for unique data for all homes and businesses within a 17-acre area of a gun-related incident.

Apple developing its own ‘MicroLED’ displays for future devices

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iphone
MicroLED could eventually replace OLED displays on Apple devices.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly operates a secret manufacturing plant in California where it produces MicroLED displays, a new type of screen that could make future gadgets “slimmer, brighter and less power-hungry.”

Right now, the company is said to still be in the testing phase, manufacturing small quantities of the displays. The tech likely won’t arrive for years. But by developing its own custom displays, Apple could further differentiate its devices from rival products.

Stylish poster shows the evolution of Apple computers over the years

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Moonimal
Wouldn't this look awesome in your study?
Photo: Moonimal

So you’ve got your iMac, iPad and iPhone at the ready. Your bookshelves are heaving under the weight of all the Steve Jobs biographies, and you’ve got a cabinet containing various rare vintage Apple products, like the ill-fated Pippin games console and that weird vertical Mac display from back in the day.

Now all you’re searching for is a little Apple-themed something for the wall to say to visitors “I’m a little bit too into this Cupertino-based tech company.” Well, look no further — because we’ve got the poster for you!

You might be able to play Fortnite on iOS without an invite

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Fortnite iPhone
Fortnite is awesome on mobile. It just needs tweaking.
Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If it took you a while to sign up for early access to Fortnite on iOS, you’re probably still waiting to get an invite — but you may be able to play already.

Lots of fans have reported that they’ve been able to gain access to the game without receiving an email from Epic. If you haven’t already, you might want to try it yourself.

Apple could buy a staggering number of iPhone displays this year

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iPhone plus model next to iPhone X
New iPhones will require millions of new displays.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is rumored to be developing its very own “MicroLED” displays for future devices, but for now, it will continue to buy a staggering number of third-party panels from manufacturing partners.

Sources in the company’s supply chain say Apple could need up to 270 million iPhone displays this year alone.

18-year-old Steve Jobs’ job application sells for big bucks

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Steve Jobs
Before Steve was, well, this guy, he was a teenager with no phone, no car, and no job.
Photo: Apple

A job application filled out by 18-year-old Steve Jobs in 1973 has sold at auction for $174,757 — significantly more than the $50,000 it was expected to raise.

The application reminds us the there was once a time when Jobs was just a regular kid with no employment, no phone, and no car. You know, before he became the billionaire head of the world’s most exciting tech company!

Fortnite, Textor, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
'Appy weekend, everyone!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

Fortnite, arguably the most anticipated iOS game of 2018, is just one of our selections for “Awesome Apps of the Week.”

In addition, we’ve got Google’s AI assistant newly landed on iPad, a neat update to one of the most popular third-party keyboards around, and a great basic text-editing app for iOS. Check out our picks below.

Luck o’ the Irish: Save 20 percent on green Apple Watch bands [Watch Store]

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clessant
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today only, take 20 percent any green Apple Watch band in Cult of Mac's Watch Store.
Photo: Clessant

As St. Patrick’s Day imbibing commences, Cult of Mac offers up all things green for your Apple Watch band-buying pleasure.

We’ve scoured the Watch Store to feature eight special bands in green from these great companies: Casetify, Clessant, E3 Supply Co. and Ullu. Today only, save 20 percent on these Irish-inspired Apple Watch bands by using code IRISH2018 at Watch Store checkout!

Tim Cook gives Steve Mnuchin an Apple Park tour

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FBD6AF3D-20D4-4E24-AE27-6FD7B2194CA6
Steve Mnuchin and Tim Cook at the new campus.
Photo: Steve Mnuchin

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Steve Mnuchin, paid a visit to Apple’s new spaceship campus in Cupertino today.

Mnuchin got a tour of Apple Park accompanied by Tim Cook. The Ape CEO has a history of both working against and with Donald Trump’s administration, and in the duo’s photo that was tweeted this afternoon, it doesn’t look like Tim is particularily stoked.

Check out the full tweet:

MacBook sales might blow up in 2018

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MacBook sales rising
An analyst predicts increasing demand for the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
Photo: Apple

The number of MacBooks shipping in 2018 will grow by double digits, if a reliable analyst’s prediction proves correct. That would give Apple’s laptops stronger annual growth than iPhone or iPad.

T-Mobile and Verizon boast fastest 4G speeds

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Best 4G
T-Mobile and Verizon are battling it out to see which will offer the best 4G.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A quick and reliable LTE connection is a necessity for any iPhone. Verizon and T-Mobile offer the best 4G performance, with AT&T and Sprint not able to keep up.

All four of the national carriers’ networks show improvement over 2017, but some haven’t yet recovered from the deluge of usage that came when they began offering unlimited data plans several years ago.