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Apple Watch will soon control Whirlpool appliances

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apple watch 1
Control everything from your oven to your dryer from your wrist.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

CES 2018 bug Nothing says “we’re living in the future” quite like the ability to control household appliances using your smartwatch. Fortunately, that’s what you’ll be able to do with manufacturer Whirlpool’s Wi-Fi-connected ovens, washing machines and dryers from later this year.

Announced at CES 2018, the company’s Whirlpool app will work with Apple Watch from later in 2018, giving you the ability to control upwards of 20 smart Whirlpool appliances from your wrist.

Intel’s first chips with AMD graphics mean new hope for MacBook Pro

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Intel AMD chip
Intel forms unlikely friendship with AMD.
Photo: Intel

CES 2018 bugUnlikely duo Intel and AMD have delivered a new generation of Core processors with discrete Radeon RX Vega M graphics.

They are the most powerful processors available for notebooks, Intel says, with each unit packing 4GB of memory dedicated to video. There’s a good chance you’ll see them in a future MacBook Pro.

DJI’s new Osmo 2 gimbal makes smooth iPhone footage cheap

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Osmo 2
The Osmo 2 is insanely cheap!
Photo: DJI

CES 2018 bug Capturing super-smooth video on your iPhone is about to get a lot easier (AND cheaper) thanks to the folks at DJI.

Ahead of the opening day of CES 2018, DJI unveiled its newest handheld smartphone gimbal today called the Osmo 2. The new gimbal packs simplified controls to allow anyone to record shake-free video from their iPhone, and it’s got some new tricks you won’t find on its predecessor.

This smoke detector can also run Siri and be an AirPlay 2 speaker

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smoke detector
That's one versatile alarm.
Photo: First Alert

CES 2018 bug Want a smoke detector that can double as a premium HomeKit-enabled smart speaker? Of course you do, and smoke detector company First Alert is here to help.

Debuting at CES 2018, First Alert’s Onelink Safe & Sound smoke and carbon monoxide alarm is an in-ceiling device that could save your life. But it also can be utilized as an entertainment system, with support for Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Google Assistant AI voice assistants.

We could be waiting another 4-6 weeks for HomePod

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HomePod
Apple's smart speaker was originally scheduled for the holidays.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s eagerly anticipated HomePod smart speaker will launch in the next four to six weeks, claim tech analysts at the research firm GBH Insights.

The artificial intelligence-infused smart speaker, powered by Siri, was originally supposed to launch in December 2017. However, with just weeks to go, Apple wound up delaying the launch until an unspecified time in early 2018, saying that “we need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers.”

iPhone X users report overheating, excessive data consumption

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iPhone X
Ready to ditch your iPhone X already? There's still time to get a great price!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Life with an iPhone X isn’t as rosy as it should be for some adopters. Many report that their handsets are plagued by frequent overheating and excessive data consumption. Some have even resorted to placing their handset in a freezer to cool it down.

This smart shower can be controlled by Siri

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moen shower
"Hey Siri, run me my morning shower!"
Photo: Moen

CES 2018 bug Even in the days of water-resistant iPhones, taking a shower with Siri sounds risky. But bathroom fixtures company Moen wants to make it possible, useful and, well, less dangerous with its new smart shower system.

Unveiled at CES 2018 in Las Vegas, the new U by Moen shower system allows users to control the water temperature and other features with voice control, either using Apple’s AI assistant or Amazon’s Alexa via an in-shower control panel.

Latest Foxconn suicide raises concerns about working conditions

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Foxconn Wisconsin
Foxconn is one of Apple's leading manufacturers.
Photo: Foxconn

Another Foxconn worker committed suicide over the weekend at the firm’s phone assembly plant  in Zhengzhou, China, according to U.S.-based Chinese workers’ rights organization China Labor Watch (CLW).

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, January 6, when 31-year-old Li Min jumped to his death from the factory. CLW posted video showing the aftermath of the suicide. No explanation for why Li Min took his own life have been made public, although he had only been working and living at Foxconn for a little over two months.

Nvidia unleashes 65-inch TVs fit for gaming

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NVIDIA gaming TV
NVIDIA's BFGDs bring ultra-fast gaming to the big screen.
Photo: NVIDIA

CES 2018 bugNvidia has unleashed the world’s first lineup of big-screen TVs fit for gaming.

They’re called BFGDs (Big Format Gaming Displays) and they’re capable of displaying 4K content at an ultra-fast 120Hz. They boast support for Nvidia G-Sync and HDR — and they have a Shield TV built right in.

Apple shareholders demand study on smartphone addiction among kids

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Summer camp is coming to an Apple Store near you.
Kids drawing on an iPad at an Apple Store.
Photo: Apple

An activist investor and pension fund with shares in Apple is asking the company to respond to a “growing public-health crisis” concerning smartphone addiction among young people.

Jana Partners and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, or Calstrs, sent a letter to Apple over the weekend, asking it to develop software to let parents limit phone use. They also want Apple to carry out a study investigating the impact of smartphone overuse on mental health. The two groups control a total of around $2 billion worth of AAPL shares.

Death Road to Canada, and other awesome apps of the week

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

A well-timed January update of one of my favorite games of the last year — combining road trip action and zombie invasion — is just of one of the picks for this week’s “Awesome Apps of the Week.”

In addition, we’ve got a great arcade-style space blaster, a superb data-heavy weather app given an iPhone X polish, and an excellent task manager. Check out our picks below.

Cult of Mac Magazine: Why you shouldn’t panic over iPhone and Mac CPU flaws, and more!

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cover
Apple's A series chips could also be vulnerable to a nasty flaw.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

A nasty CPU flaw that leaves computer users’ most sensitive data at risk is also present in iPhone and iPad processors, Apple confirmed Thursday. The “Spectre” bug has been discovered in the mobile ARM processors that power iOS devices, as well as Apple TV — but there’s probably no need to panic.

In this week’s issue, you’ll find that story and more. Learn how to get the longest life out of your iPhone battery. Get a sneak peek at next year’s emojis. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

App Store and Google Play raked in $60 billion last year

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iOS 11
iOS 11 made big changes to the App Store.
Photo: Apple

2017 was a great year to be an app developer, based on new data that show smartphone users spent more money than ever on apps last year.

According to a new report from Sensor Tower, customers spent $58.6 billion on apps and games in 2017 on the App Store and Google Play. And iOS developers took away the most cash.

Apple orders new TV series all about extravagant homes

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Steve Jobs Theater
The meeting takes place inside the Steve Jobs Theater on February 26.
Photo: Duncan Sinfield

Get ready to dive into the lifestyles of the rich and fabulous with a new Apple TV show that just got the green light.

Apple reportedly gave a straight-to-series order for a new docuseries called Home that will explore some of the most extravagant abodes in the world, along with the minds that made them.

AirPower knockoffs are already rolling out of China

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AirPower
Will we finally get a release date for AirPower?
Photo: Apple

It’s taken no time at all for Chinese companies to copy one of Apple’s most anticipated products of 2018, and it’s not even out yet.

Apple’s AirPower wireless charging pad isn’t expected to roll out for a few months, but one company in Shenzhen China has already come out with its version that looks and performs just like Apple’s.

Check it out:

Justin Timberlake channels his inner Steve Jobs in new music video

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Justin Jobs?
Justin Jobs?
Photo: Justin Timberlake/Vevo

Justin Timberlake is bringing Jobsy back.

In the new music video for his song “Filthy”, Justin Timberlake does his best Steve Jobs impression for the unveiling of a futuristic robot. The track is the first song released from Justin’s highly-anticipated new album Man of the Woods that’s coming out next month.

The video kicks off with Justin donning Steve Job’s iconic black turtleneck and glasses while gazing onto the stage with Job’s famous pose. One thing’s for sure though. Steve Jobs never had dance moves like these:

What to expect from Apple in 2018

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iPhone plus model next to iPhone X
Could we see a iPhone X Plus this year?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

We’re only five days into the new year and I’m personally already itching to see what Apple has planned for this year.

While 2017 was a disappointment of a year in general, Apple released some brilliant products. But what better way to get excited about the year than rounding up all of the rumors for what to expect this year.

Steve Jobs portrait made out of e-waste is up for sale

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Jobs portrait
A Jobs portrait for the tech lovers out there.
Photo: Jason Mecier

From movies to operas and comic books to action figures, Steve Jobs has certainly inspired a lot of creativity over the years. One of the most original creations we’ve come across, however, is this portrait created entirely out of e-waste by San Francisco artist Jason Mecier.

Recreating the iconic Albert Watson 2006-era photo of Jobs — originally commissioned by Fortune magazine and memorably used from the cover of Walter Isaacson’s 2011 biography — the portrait is currently up for sale.

Delayed Apple products more common under Tim Cook

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Tim Cook still hid a few surprises up his sleeve for the iPhone X event.
Tim Cook is widely hailed as an operations genius.
Photo: Apple

Tim Cook may be considered an operations genius, but during his stint as Apple CEO product delays have increased substantially compared to Apple under Steve Jobs.

That’s according to a new report, which points out that there have been delays with the launch of several major new products launched by Cook as CEO. Meanwhile, the average length of time between Apple announcing a new product and shipping it stands at 23 days over the past six years, compared to 11 days’ average for the six years previous.

Neutrogena’s iPhone skin scanner tells you what’s wrong with your face

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Neutrogena SkinScanner iPhone
Get a better understanding of your skin with the Neutrogena SkinScanner.
Photo: Neutrogena

You can buy cosmetics to fix almost any skin complaint, but how do you know which ones you actually need? Neutrogena wants to help with its new SkinScanner.

This iPhone attachment packs clever sensors that can provide you with a better understanding of your skin. Its companion app keeps track of changes over time, and helps you find products that can help you in your pursuit of a better complexion.

iPhone throttling lands Apple in hot water with Brazilian authorities

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iPhone battery
Brazil demands easy iPhone battery replacements.
Photo: iFixit

Apple is in trouble with Brazilian authorities for throttling the performance of older iPhones.

A state agency dedicated to tackling consumer issues has demanded that Apple explains to customers how they can obtain cheap battery replacements. Company employees have reportedly refused to sign the notification.

Death Road to Canada update makes a great game so much better

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Death Road
Now with added chainsaw hands.
Photo: Rocketcat

The brilliant Death Road to Canada was probably my favorite iOS game to land in the App Store last year. A completely bonkers mash-up of randomly-generated zombie survival RPG, action game, and text-based interactive fiction game, it’s one of those combinations that, in a sane world, never would have worked.

This week, the game got a perfectly timed 2018 New Year’s upgrade, adding a few nifty features that promise to make a brilliant game even, err, brillianter. Check out the deets below.