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News - page 787

Google ‘borrows’ from iPhone X for Android P design

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iPhone X Notch
How's battery life on your iPhone with iOS 11.4?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

New screenshots reveal Google took inspiration from iPhone X when designing its upcoming Android P update.

The operating system’s refreshed user interface features a multitasking interface that looks like it was pulled straight from iOS — as well as a familiar virtual Home button.

Russia wants Apple to pull Telegram from local App Store

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Telegram flames
Telegram is one of the world's most popular messaging apps.
Photo: Telegram/Cult of Mac

Russia’s state telecommunications regulator wants Apple and Google to remove the Telegram messenger app service from their respective app stores.

This follows a recent court decision in which a Russian judge ruled that Telegram, the world’s ninth most popular mobile messaging app, should be blocked in the country. This is due to the company’s refusal to give Russian state security services the encryption keys to access messages sent using the service.

Samsung will start OLED production for next-gen iPhones next month

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iPhone plus model next to iPhone X
Apple will release two new OLED iPhones this year, along with an LCD model.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Samsung is reportedly ramping up to start OLED panel production for the next-generation iPhone X and iPhone X Plus.

According to a new report, Samsung was hit hard by the downturn in iPhone X sales, which saw Apple slashing order numbers in half. As a result, OLED production was shut down for several months, only to be restarting in May. Capacity will double in June.

New ads showcase kids’ creativity with the Apple Pencil

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Apple Pencil ad
Apple's new ad campaign is aimed at users in Turkey.
Photo: Apple

There are plenty of pro-grade applications for the iPad, but that doesn’t mean that kids aren’t also benefitting from Apple’s tablet and the Apple Pencil stylus.

In a new series of ads which debuted on its Turkey YouTube channel, Apple shows off images drawn by kids using the Apple Pencil. Check them out below.

More goes into ‘Hey Siri’ than you might think

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Siri Alexa in voice report
Many people might be unaware that their iPhone has a neural network devoted to listening for them to say "Hey Siri".
Photo: Apple

Having your iPhone respond to “Hey Siri” seems like such a simple thing, but it’s actually quite complicated. Recognizing this code phrase, and the person who said it, is critical for Apple speech-recognition system.

A post in Apple’s Machine Learning Journal just published today describes many of the challenges developers overcame to make this work.

Spotify swipes a major player from Apple Music

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Apple Music
Although Apple Music' subscriber base is growing steadily, there have been two high-profile executive departures in a week.
Photo: Apple

The head of Hip-Hop/R&B Programming at Apple Music, Carl Chery, is reportedly headed for rival Spotify. 

Chery worked for Apple since 2014, and was responsible for helping to launch the careers of Cardi B, Bryson Tiller, Post Malone, and others.

James Comey isn’t a fan of iPhone encryption

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James Comey
In his new book, James Comey says that law enforcement should have a backdoor into locked iPhones.
Photo: FBI

James Comey is an controversial figure. His new book shows he’s strongly opposed to Donald Trump, but he may have also helped get Trump elected President. And the former FBI director is opposed to the encryption that protects the privacy of iPhone users.

Comey’ s book, A Higher Loyalty, says Apple’s decision to encrypt the contents of iOS devices by default “drove me crazy.”

This box turns your iPad into the ultimate guitar pedalboard

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iRig Stomp I/O Pedalboard
Nothing can bad can happen to your iPad down there on a stage floor. Nothing.
Photo: IK Multimedia

Electric guitar players have effects pedals. It’s an addiction, and a law of nature. We keep buying little stomp boxes in pursuit of the perfect sound, and of course we don’t even call it sound. We call it “tone.” But the sensible players don’t try to beat the addiction. They switch to software. Instead of buying and trading expensive hardware boxes, they move to something like iOS effects apps, which let you experiment at a fraction of the cost.

And that’s where IK Multimedia’s new iRig Stomp I/O Pedalboard comes in. It’s a hardware pedalboard that provides guitar players with a familiar front-end to all those amazing iOS effects.

Apple drops second beta of iOS 11.4

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iOS 11.4 beta 1 brings back big features we saw in previous betas, including AirPlay 2, multiroom support in Home app, and Messages on iCloud.
iOS 11.4 brings back some cool new features Apple teased us with before.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Developers received a new batch of beta updates this morning, including the second beta build of iOS 11.4.

The new build brings a number of new features to the iPhone and iPad, including some that were pulled from iOS 11.3, like AirPlay 2 and Messages on iCloud. Apple has added a number of bug fixes and performance improvements in the new builds as it preps it for a public release.

Epic Apple Park drone video could be the last one ever

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Apple Park
Apple's new "Spaceship" campus is contributing to soaring property values.
Photo: Duncan Sinfield

New drones videos of Apple Park are about to become extinct.

Apple is ramping up security when it comes to drones hovering over its new headquarters. Droner Duncan Sinfield has flown at the campus since the early days of construction. However, on his latest flights, Duncan says Apple security has been able to track down his precise location in ten minutes.

Check out his latest footage, it could be his last:

Netflix calls itself the ‘anti-Apple’ at its own peril

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Netflix iPhone
You’ll have to pay extra to keep four streams.
Photo: Netflix

As the current king of the streaming video world, Netflix knows it’s got a target on its back — and it’s certainly sweating because Apple wants to steal its crown. So Netflix is using a tactic once employed by Apple, positioning itself as a scrappy, nimble upstart able to easily outflank its deep-pocketed adversaries.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings even called his company “the anti-Apple” this weekend, painting Cupertino as a secretive company limited in its operational speed by obsessive top-down control.

That’s a misreading of the situation, and a serious strategic mistake. In fact, if Netflix misplays its cards, it could find itself Sherlocked.

Apple should battle smartphone addiction, iPod creator says

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What does Tony Fadell,
Tony Fadell wants Apple to help fight smartphone addiction.
Photo: Nest

Former Apple executive, father of the iPod and current Nest CEO Tony Fadell wants Apple to do more to battle smartphone addiction.

In a newly published op-ed, Fadell argues that it would be “easy” for Apple to create a deep dashboard that could reveal exactly how much time we spend on different apps.

How Apple could use its massive cash pile to educate the world

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tech tax
Apple University could be opened in empty Apple Stores after they've closed.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s got a pile of cash on hand that’s estimated to exceed $285 billion. So how should it spend it? Over the years, we’ve heard plenty of ideas — ranging from buying Disney to giving large sums of money back to shareholders.

Scott Galloway, clinical professor of marketing at the New York University Stern School of Business, has a different suggestion. His concept? That Apple should launch the world’s largest tuition-free university.

Apple Watch could finally get support for third-party faces

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Apple Watch
Will Apple finally deliver one of our most-requested features for watchOS?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

A watchOS update could finally add support for third-party Apple Watch faces soon.

Apple Watch fans have been calling for third-party face support since the device made its debut three years ago. A note discovered in the latest watchOS code suggests developers may soon get permission to build the custom faces we badly crave.

Swollen batteries in Apple Watch 2 get free repairs

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Apple Watch battery
An overcharged Apple Watch battery can begin to swell up. If this happens, it needs to be replaced.
Photo: iFixIt

The battery in an Apple Watch 2 can fail, and even swell up. This is a rare problem, but Apple will fix the watch if it occurs.

Swelling is a problem that has long plagued lithium-ion batteries from laptops, phones, and other electronics. The only fix is a replacement of the battery.

Cult of Mac Magazine: How Apple Watch could shape up for fitness, and more!

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cover
Apple has been hard at work getting its Workout and Activity apps into shape, with major upgrades rolling out every year. WWDC 2018 should be no exception, but will these Apple Watch fitness features show up?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine: When it comes to fitness apps on Apple Watch, sometimes it feels like Cupertino is running before it can walk. Fancy new features like Heart Rate Recovery are very welcome, but a few of the basics remain missing.

Apple could make major strides when it releases watchOS 5. So in the second of three posts about the future of watchOS, I’ll focus on five essential fitness features I’m hoping we’ll see at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference.

You’ll find that story and more in this issue. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

Cameras might soon bust drivers who use iPhones

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Cameras look for distracted driving
Cameras will be looking for distracted driving in Australia. The U.S. can't be far behind.
Photo: NYPost

Cameras that automatically give tickets to speeders are old news. So are red-light cameras. Now Australia is exploring using cameras to ticket motorists who are on their cell phones while driving.

Australia might become the first country to legalize using photographic evidence alone to enforce distracted driving laws.

Congress criticizes FBI quest for iPhone ‘backdoor’

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FBI director says Feds still can't unlock iPhone in Pensacola shooting case
The FBI took some Congressional-strength flack today for wanting an iPhone backdoor for law enforcement.
Photo: Dave Newman/Flickr CC

Congress has called the FBI on the carpet for its attempt to require Apple to build a backdoor into the iPhone. A letter went out today from a bi-partisan group of representatives  accusing the law enforcement agency of over-stating difficulties in unlocked iPhones involved in crimes.

The ten congresspeople wrote that the FBI deliberately didn’t explore all the options to unlock the iPhone belonging to a mass shooter because they wanted an excuse to force Apple to modify iOS so it’s easy for law enforcement to access.

See the gold iPhone X revealed by FCC filing

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Gold iPhone X
The FCC posted pictures of a gold iPhone X. DOes this mean it's coming soon?
Photo: Apple

Apple never made a gold version of the iPhone X, but there are rumors that will change soon. And the FCC added weight to these by releasing a picture of Apple’s flagship smartphone in that color.

The images were submitted to the government agency in last fall, but only recently appeared on its site. It’s not clear if this is a sign that a release in this color is imminent.

Leaked Apple memo details efforts to stop leaks

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Apple leases new offices near to Apple Park
Apple is cracking down on leaks.
Photo: Duncan Sinfield

Apple issued a stern warning to employees this week about leaking confidential information to the media.

In a leaked memo detailing Apple’s efforts to stop leaks, the company says it caught 29 leakers in 2017. Of those caught, 12 were arrested. Apple told employees they are “getting played” by journalists and bloggers that approach them with flattery in exchange for information.

No, Apple isn’t killing iTunes music sales

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iTunes music sales still around
No matter what the rumors say, iTunes music sales aren't ending in slightly less than a year.
Photo: Apple

Editor’s Note: This article is from 2018. For the latest information about Apple’s plans for iTunes, please read: macOS Catalina takes Mac to an all-new level

 


Apple flatly denies a persistent rumor that it’s going to end iTunes music sales on March 31, 2019. The basis for the rumor is vague statement from an Apple Music executive and a change in way most people listen to songs.

In the glory days of the iPod, Apple raked in millions selling individual tracks for 99 cents. Fast forward a decade to so, and streaming services are all the rage. This leaves people wondering how long Apple will keep selling music tracks.

Cheaper HomePod might be in the works

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refurbished HomePod
Apple might be planning cheaper HomePod to boost sales
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

HomePod sales have fallen well below expectations, according to one of the best Apple analysts in the game.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told investors today that Apple is considering making a low-cost version of the HomePod in order to give disappointing sales a boost.