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News - page 880

iPhone 8 shipping estimates slashed amid delay concerns

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iPhone leak
TSMC has ramped up production for a September launch.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Shipping estimates for the iPhone 8 have been slashed by one firm amid concerns that the device could be delayed by up to a month.

Following a trip to Apple suppliers, Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts blamed delays on “technological issues” related to the handset’s fingerprint scanner and 3D facial recognition sensors.

Global PC shipments decline as Mac sales stay stagnant

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wwdc 2017
Mac sales are still solid.
Photo: Apple

Global PC shipments declined for the 11th straight quarter, according to a new report from Gartner which found shipments were the lowest they’ve been since 2007.

While most PC manufacturers are experiencing a sales slump, Apple’s Mac and MacBook sales are pretty much stagnant from the same quarter a year ago. Other companies like Lenovo and Asus saw their shipments take a huge dip.

iOS 11 beta 3 hints at possible live broadcasting feature

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iOS 11 Control Center
Apple made big changes to Control Center in iOS 11 beta 3.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Live broadcasting your home screen to other iPhone owners may soon become possible, thanks to a new addition spotted in iOS 11 beta 3.

Apple added a new button to Control Center that hints at the upcoming functionality. The button doesn’t do anything right now, but it shows Apple could add live broadcasting in one of its next beta builds.

Budget smartwatches, smart nightlights and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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Edge case for iPhone
Edge case adds light to your iPhone alerts.
Photo: Edge

Crowdfund Roundup bugiPhone cases don’t have to be boring and unpractical. With Edge, you get cool LEDs that notify you of incoming alerts for any app, let you keep an eye on battery levels at a glance, and more.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have an ultra-affordable Android Wear smartwatch, the world’s smartest nightlight, the coolest e-bike ever, and a high-quality and affordable 3D printer.

Omnigraffle 3 reinvents shareware for iOS

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omnigraffle shareware
Omnigroup has started offering 2-week trials on its $50-100 iOS apps.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Omnigroup launched Omnigraffle 3 for iOS today, and it looks like a fantastic update to the diagramming, chart-making, flow-chart-creating app. But that’s not nearly the most important thing about this release, because Omni may have changed the way paid software works on iOS, and may be making it possible for “expensive” pro-level apps to be viable on the cheap-o app store at last.

You can try iOS 11 public beta 2 (and you totally should)

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The best gesture in iOS 11 isn't just for iPad.
The best gesture in iOS 11 isn't just for iPad.
Photo: Apple

Members of Apple’s public beta software program can get their hands on the second public build of iOS 11 today.

The new beta build was made available this morning, bringing a host of performance improvements, UI changes and new features that take the iPhone and iPad to an all-new level. macOS High Sierra public beta 2, watchOS 4 beta 2 and tvOS 11 beta 2 are also available to download.

Street Fighter IV: Champion Edition hadokens its way into the App Store

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Street Fighter
Ryu going to download this later today?
Photo: Capcom

Enjoy Street Fighter games? If you’re even the slightest fan of the fighting game genre, then the answer is that of course you do!

With that in mind, you’ll want to check out Capcom’s Street Fighter IV: Champion Edition, a mobile port of the well-received 2011 game for Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. And you know what? It’s pretty darn great!

iPhone 8’s main competitor will go on sale a month earlier

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Galaxy Note 7
The new Galaxy Note will go on sale early again this year.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Samsung is again planning to launch its next-generation Galaxy Note handset early in an effort to get a head start on the iPhone 8 — a strategy that backfired in a big way last year.

A Samsung execu told South Korean media that the Galaxy Note 8 will get its big unveiling at an event in New York City in the second half of August.

If you can make a good coffee, you could have a job at Apple

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coffee
Apple is looking for a new barista. Could it be you?
Photo: Mark/Flickr CC

Always dreamed of working for Apple, but lacking the necessary electrical engineering qualification or MBA to get a look in? Don’t worry: there’s a new job you can apply for to get your foot in the door.

Apple is currently searching for a Barista at its Visitor Center in the Bay Area, for a role that will fit anyone looking for a “unique role blending culinary arts with exceptional service.”

iPhone 8’s biggest features could be disabled at launch

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iPhone 8 wireless charging
We may have to wait for an update to activate wireless charging.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Some of the iPhone 8’s biggest new features could be disabled when the handset makes its debut this September.

A new report claims Apple is struggling to iron out software issues that are rendering wireless charging and another major feature unusable for now.

Spotify negotiates lower royalty rate with major music label

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Spotify
Spotify is currently leading the streaming music battle.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Spotfiy has managed to negotiate a reduced royalty rate with Sony Music Entertainment, and is also in talks with Warner Music Group, claims a new report.

In return, Spotify will reportedly hold back albums to paying subscribers for two weeks before making them available to customers on Spotify’s free tier. A similar multi-year deal was agreed with Vivendi’s Universal Music Group earlier this year.

Apple’s new data center will comply with strict Chinese laws

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China iPhone sales
Tim Cook meeting with Apple store employees in China on a previous visit.
Photo: Apple

Apple is setting up a new data center in China, in partnership with local data management firm Guizhou-Cloud Big Data Industry (GCDB), in order to meet new cybersecurity rules.

The new tougher cybersecurity laws were introduced in China last month, requiring cloud services in the country to be operated by Chinese companies.

Why Apple Watch should be worried about its latest rival

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Express Time
The new Ticwatch starts at just $99 if you act fast.
Photo: Mobvoi

Apple Watch has a new rival, and it’s one that Apple should be worried about. That’s not because the new Ticwatch is better, but because it’s ultra-affordable at under $100.

For that, you get a simple and colorful design, GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and Android Wear 2.0.

Original Apple Watch gets extended service coverage

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Apple Watch sensors
Has your Apple Watch's sensor panel popped off?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple has extended its service coverage for the first-generation Apple Watch. If you have a unit with a separated sensor panel, you can get it repaired for free by visiting Apple or an authorized service provider within three years of your purchase date.

Siri sheds users as AI assistants struggle to take over

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Siri's popular, but getting less so.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Siri remains the most widely used virtual assistant but is losing popularity, according to a new report.

What does this mean for HomePod, Apple’s upcoming smart speaker? And what type of person is an AI assistant “superuser”? The study offers some surprising insights.

Train passenger using an iMac clearly hasn’t heard of MacBooks

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train
Well, that's one way to get your work done.
Photo: Twitter

There’s dedication to Apple computers and … well, taking your iMac on the train with you.

While riding the rails in the U.K. recently, a passenger spotted a woman using a full-size Apple desktop in the first-class carriage of a Virgin train — alongside a mechanical keyboard. We’re betting her fellow passengers were pleased!

Not everyone thinks iPhone 8 will spawn the ‘supercycle’ Apple needs

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iPhone8
The iPhone 8 may struggle to beat the iPhone 6.
Photo: Imran Taylor

Pretty much everyone thinks the iPhone 8 is going to be Apple’s biggest hit to date, with some Wall Street pundits even claiming its success will transform Apple into a trillion-dollar company.

Some analysts at Deutsche Bank don’t agree, however. In a note to investors, analysts Sherri Scribner, Adrienne Colby and Jeffrey Rand write that they think “investors will be disappointed by iPhone growth in FY-18 and FY-19.” Here’s why.

New iPhone 8 image casts more doubt over Touch ID’s future

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Touch ID
'Leaked' iPhone 8 image shows no rear Touch ID
Photo: Weibo

An image which has shown up on the Chinese microblogging service Weibo depicts what is claimed to be an authentic backplate for the iPhone 8 — complete with missing rear-mounted Touch ID sensor.

Earlier this year, reports circulated that Apple was considering moving the Touch ID sensor to the rear of its next-gen iPhone, much as Android device makers have been doing. Provided that this image is authentic, it suggests that this is not the case.