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At WWDC, Michelle Obama says diversity is key to innovation

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Michelle Obama at WWDC
Michelle Obama addressing Apple developers at WWDC.
Photo: Kenny Batista

This week, student Kenny Batista will be writing a diary from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California. Kenny won a coveted WWDC Scholarship, which includes food, lodging and VIP access.

SAN JOSE, California — Amazing first two days here at dub dub. Let me give you a detailed, eye-witness journal entry!

Today was Day 2 of WWDC. Former first lady Michelle Obama came in to speak on stage. She was truly inspirational. And Christine Darden, a NASA engineer portrayed in the book Hidden Figures, taught us all about supersonic airplanes.

How to ditch Apple Watch’s horrible honeycomb app screen

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Apple Watch
The honeycomb app screen has always been a pain.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is looking to move away from the honeycomb-style app selection screen that debuted on the first Apple Watch.

With the new watchOS 4 software update coming to the public later this fall, Apple added an option that lets Apple Watch owners change the way they view and select apps.

Ditch the honeycomb for good with these steps:

iOS 11 lets you text requests to Siri instead of talk

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
iOS finally has a command line.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Talking to Siri can be a bit embarrassing when you’re in crowded public spaces, but with iOS 11, Apple is finally allowing users to submit questions to the digital assistant via text.

Apple didn’t mention the new feature during its WWDC 2017 keynote, however it’s already become one of our favorite additions in the new beta because it gives iPhone and iPad owners the closest thing yet to a command line.

To enable the feature, follow these steps:

Apple finally proves it’s serious about AI

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Apple AI
Apple's ready to embrace machine learning.
Photo: Gordon Johnson/Pixabay CC

Sitting on a cash pile of billions, Apple’s not a company that’s used to being left behind. But when it comes to artificial intelligence, that’s exactly what has happened in recent years. While companies like Google and Facebook led the way with cutting-edge AI, Apple lagged. It was embarrassing for a company in Apple’s position to miss out on the single best tech revolution taking place at the moment.

But during Monday’s WWDC 2017 keynote, Apple went a long way toward making amends.

Apple Music loses top exec to Uber

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Bozoma Saint John
Bozoma Saint John is in charge of hyping Apple Music.
Photo: Apple

This story has been updated to include comments from Bozoma Saint John.

Bozoma Saint John, one of Apple’s most entertaining keynote presenters, is leaving the company to work for Uber as the ride-sharing startup’s chief brand officer.

Her task? Fixing Uber’s tarnished image in the wake of sexual harassment allegations and other recent turmoil

iCloud now gives you more bang for your buck

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Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Photo: Apple is offering various new perks for iCloud users.

Apple just updated and simplified its various iCloud storage pricing options, giving high-end customers more for their money and adding a sweetener for families who might want to share a plan.

Significantly, the company eliminated the 1 terabyte iCloud storage option, previously charged at $9.99 a month. Instead, people paying 10 bucks a month for iCloud storage will get 2 terabytes to play with.

Our reactions to one of the most action-packed WWDCs ever, this week on The CultCast

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WWDCs don't get better than this.
WWDCs don't get better than this.
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: In one of the most exciting and action-packed keynotes in years, Apple updates just about everything. Catch our reactions, plus our picks for best in show!

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off any hosting plan.

Apple joins coalition to support environmental efforts, despite Trump

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The staff at the Apple Buchanan Street store give Tim Cook a warm welcome.
Apple is continuing to cheer on environmental efforts.
Photo: Tim Cook/Twitter

Apple has joined a coalition of hundreds of U.S. companies and regulators, called “We Are Still In,” declaring that it will continue to support environmental causes despite President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord.

The initiative is being led by former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. Other non-Apple major tech companies which are taking part include Amazon, Google, Lyft and Spotify, and more. Check out their letter below.

WWDC keynote is proof of Apple’s awesome power and poise

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Tim Cook opening remarks WWDC 2017
Tim Cook presided over one of Apple's busiest presentations in years.
Photo: Apple

Over the last year or so, you could be forgiven for thinking Apple has been dickering about. The company seemed sluggish and slow.

Yeah, there have been a few hardware upgrades, but nothing special, and certainly nothing breakthrough.

And then today! Bam! A jam-packed WWDC keynote with a slew of amazing-looking new hardware and software.

Apple is back, in a big way!

Apple rolls out the red carpet for WWDC Scholarship winners

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Apple gives WWDC Scholarships winners like me a great experience.
Kenny Batista/ Cult of Mac
Photo: Kenny Batista/Cult of Mac

This week, student Kenny Batista will be writing a diary from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California. Kenny won a coveted WWDC Scholarship, which includes food, lodging and VIP access.

SAN JOSE, California — Apple does a great job making its WWDC scholars feel special. The company planned an awesome orientation day for us, full of Apple swag, insights about what Cupertino’s core teams are working on, and one-on-one networking with Apple engineers.

And then there were the secret events throughout the orientation. Hands down, Sunday was one of the most exciting days of my life. Let me tell you about it.

WWDC 2017’s biggest moments in sketchnotes

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ipad-wwdc-keynote

All this week, illustrator and senior UX/UI designer Andy McNally will be sketchnoting Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference for us.

My markers and pens worked overtime to capture all of the news and announcements in this year’s WWDC keynote. I captured three pages of notes on watchOS 4, macOS HighSierra, the iMac Pro, the new 10.5 inch iPad Pro, and iOS 11. The artist in me is excited about trying out the new iPad Pro to test the improved Apple Pencil latency. You can check out all of Apple’s announcements and details here.

Apple Watch gets new Pride band and more

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In time for Pride Month.
In time for Pride Month.
Photo: Apple

June is Pride Month and Apple has issued a rainbow woven nylon watch band for Apple Watch wearers to express pride or show support for the LGBT community.

The band, which comes in both 38 and 42 mm, is part of a new line of summer bands Apple quietly released on a day the bands were overshadowed by the opening day of WWDC 2017.

First look: From cute to badass, Apple’s new hardware impresses

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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

Three of the new hardware products Apple unveiled today at WWDC 2017 won’t be available until then end of 2017, but thanks to a hands-on section Apple hosted to developers, you can already get an idea of what it’ll be like to use the new iPad Pro, iMac Pro and HomePod.

Press members have been busy playing with the new products all afternoon and the early impressions are overwhelmingly positive. Of course, some issues on the iMac Pro and HomePod may still need fixing before launch, but it sounds like fans will love them.

Hardware, software and surprises: Key takeaways from Apple’s WWDC 2017 keynote

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Tim Cook WWDC 2017
Tim Cook uncorked a load of surprises during the WWDC 2017 keynote.
Photo: Apple

If you felt worried about Apple’s supposed lack of innovation, today’s action-packed WWDC keynote should have allayed your fears. Apple execs sprinted through a 2.5-hour technology showcase filled with hardware updates, serious software upgrades and even a whole new product category.

The whirlwind presentation showed the end result of a busy company with almost unimaginable assets. Far more than a sleepy kickoff to an annual developers confab, today’s stunning presentation showed the magical output of an innovation machine firing on all cylinders.

Anyone who pegged Tim Cook as asleep at the wheel better think again. Here are the key takeaways from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2017 keynote.

HomePod leads to string of Twitter jabs

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HomePod
Samsung doesn't want to fight HomePod... yet.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s HomePod is sure to fit in our surroundings. It already resembles a couple of items found around the home, as many astute Twitter users pointed out when Phil Schiller unveiled the new smart speaker at WWDC 2017 Monday morning.

Many thought it looked like a ball of string while at least one saw its look inspired by a roll of toilet paper.

Apple busts out fresh new ads for iPad Pro and iMac Pro

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The new iMac Pro brings awesome firepower to the desktop this December.
The new iMac Pro brings awesome firepower to the desktop.
Photo: Apple

Hot on the heels of it’s big batch of software and hardware announcements at WWDC 2017, Apple has published a series of new ads to its YouTube channel promoting its new products.

Apple fanboys won’t even be able to by the new iMac Pro until the end of 2017, but for now you can lust after it by watching Apple’s teaser ads over and over. There are also some new ad spots for the powerful new 10.5-inch iPad Pro.

Check ’em out:

11 awesome iOS 11 features Apple didn’t bother to mention

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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

Developers just got an early preview of Apple’s upcoming iOS 11 update for iPhones and iPads today during the company’s WWDC 2017 keynote in San Jose.

The new update packs some huge new features that make iOS more powerful and easier-to-use than ever. Apple’s update is so jam packed that some of the best new additions didn’t even get some stage time at WWDC.

HomePod smart speaker will totally rock (and control) your house

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Apple's new HomePod smart speaker is ready to rock your house.
HomePod will launch in December, but supplies will be constrained.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s upcoming HomePod smart speaker will “reinvent the way we enjoy music in the home,” says Apple exec Phil Schiller, who offered a sneak peek at the product today.

Calling it a “breakthrough home speaker,” he outlined how the 7-inch wireless speaker will work seamlessly with Apple Music — and totally rock the house, while also giving you a way to control your house.

New 10.5-inch iPad Pro is Apple’s best tablet yet

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wwdc 2017
Meet the 10.5-inch iPad Pro and improved 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Photo: Apple

Apple just unveiled the 10.5-inch iPad Pro we’ve all been waiting for. It delivers a faster 120Hz display for smoother motion and enhanced Apple Pencil performance, but Apple’s latest A10X Fusion processor for the best performance on an iPad to date. 

iOS 11 brings big UI changes, smarter Siri and much more

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iOS 11 is Apple's biggest update in years.
iOS 11 is Apple's biggest update in years.
Photo: Apple

Developers received an early look at iOS 11 today, Apple’s next big update for iPhones and iPads that adds a host of new features and user-interface changes to make iOS devices better than ever.

“Today we’re going to take the world’s best and most advanced operating system and turn it up to 11,” said Tim Cook.

Apple teases ‘seriously badass’ iMac Pro and other new Macs at WWDC

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imac pro
The iMac Pro looks amazing!
Photo: Apple

Developers got treated to a new lineup of Macs today at WWDC 2017, including a sneak peek at a “seriously badass” iMac Pro coming later this year.

Apple updated both the iMac and MacBook Pro product lines with a bunch of new internal features. The new models bring brighter displays and more powerful CPUs that will make the Mac a VR gaming-machine — and they’re shipping today.