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Apple issues $1 billion green bond to fight climate change

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Can solar farms feed yaks?
Yak-friendly solar farms are one of Apple's big green projects.
Photo: Apple

Apple is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to fighting climate change.

This morning, the iPhone maker issued a new $1 billion bond on with a special rule that proceeds raised from the bond sale will go towards investment in renewable energy projects.

This add-on makes your Sonos compatible with everything

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The ultimate Sonos companion.
The ultimate Sonos companion.
Photo: Darlite

Sonos makes some of the best wireless speakers money can buy, but they’re not compatible with some of the most popular streaming apps. Darlite is a new device that changes that.

It’s the first accessory that unlocks “the full potential of your Sonos system” by allowing you to connect to devices and services over Bluetooth, AirPlay, DLNA, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Google snatches Apple chip architect to work on future Pixel phones

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Google Pixel
Future Pixel phones could benefit from Google-developed chips.
Photo: Google

Google has hired away veteran chip architect Manu Gulati from Apple, with the goal of building its own custom chips for future Pixel phones.

Gulati has been working on chip development at Apple for almost eight years. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is now employed as Google’s lead system-on-a-chip Architect.

Apple’s latest iPad Pros go on sale in stores

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Screen Shot 2017-06-13 at 15.18.23
The new iPads are available to buy now.
Photo: Apple

Want to buy Apple’s new 10.5-inch and/or 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablet? A week after making their debut at the Worldwide Developers Conference, they’re now available to pick up and purchase at a brick-and-mortar Apple store near you.

The new iPads were made available for preorder immediately following Apple’s jam-packed WWDC 2017 keynote, and started shipping to customers this week. Still, if you hurry you can still be among the first to own one!

Tim Cook calls self-driving cars ‘mother of all AI problems’

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And here it is in all its glory.
Cook confirms that Apple is interested in autonomous systems for cars.
Photo: Motor1

Tim Cook has shared some details on Apple’s electric car plans, describing self-driving cars as “the mother of all AI projects.”

“We’re focusing on autonomous systems,” Cook said in an interview with Bloomberg Television, which was conducted on June 5, but only published online today. “It’s a core technology that we view as very important … It’s probably one of the most difficult A.I. projects actually to work on.”

Two-factor authentication required for iOS 11, macOS High Sierra

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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: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple will automatically migrate iCloud users to two-step verification when they upgrade to iOS 11 or macOS High Sierra.

Apple says its “most advanced” account security is required to use some of the latest features of its operating systems, so it’s no longer optional if you plan on updating your devices.

iPhone app uses camera flash for Morse code messaging

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morsecode
You won't have to worry about emoji-filled messages!
Photo: Lim Peng Hoe

With their focus on colorful emojis, stickers, GIFs and pretty much anything else that could possibly lure lucrative teen users, today’s messaging apps are seemingly getting more and more alike with each “fresh” upgrade.

A recent app tries to shake up the formula a bit by bringing back a decidedly more retro form of messaging — Morse code. Here’s how it works, and why you should get it.

Upgrades turn Logitech Circle 2 into versatile security camera [Update: Now works with HomeKit]

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Logitech Circle 2 Wire Free
New features and accessories make the Circle 2 far more useful.
Photo: Logitech

Update: A software update in September 2017 made Logitech Circle 2 HomeKit compatible.

Major upgrades to Logitech’s Circle cam — including HomeKit compatibility coming “soon” through a software update — turn it from a cute desktop camera into a bona fide indoor-outdoor security device.

Circle 2 packs a 180 degree wide-angle lens and brings 1080p HD streaming, night vision and two-way talk and listen. The updates come in the form of new, better power options and a handful of accessories that make the Circle 2 more useful in more environments than its somewhat limited predecessor.

iPhone 8 comes to life with iOS 11’s new ARKit

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ARKit will be a game-changer for iPhone rumormongers.
ARKit will be a game-changer for iPhone rumormongers.
Photo: ConceptsiPhone

Apple’s new ARKit tech could completely change the way we view the world, including when it comes to iPhone rumors.

Using the newly release ARKit framework Apple debuted at WWDC 2017, the folks at ConceptsiPhone have created a new video that brings the iPhone 8 into the real-world. What’s most impressive is ARKit’s ability to track the iPhone 8 concept, making it look like someone got heir hands on an early unit.

Check it out:

The ultimate Apple Watch charger, AI enhanced air con and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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The
The "most advanced" Apple Watch charger.
Photo: qCharge

CRBug-2Apple Watch chargers don’t have to be fiddly and cumbersome. qCharge’s built-in battery lets you charge yours wirelessly during short weekends away so that you can leave the cables at home.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We’ve also got an AI-enhanced air conditioning unit, a bracelet that keeps track of your child’s wellbeing, and more!

‘Leaked’ iPhone 8 parts reveal big design changes

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Photos of alleged glass panels for the iPhone 8, 7s and 7s Plus.
Photos of alleged glass panels for the iPhone 8, 7s and 7s Plus.
Photo: Reddit

The internet might have just gotten its first real look at the iPhone 8, in the form of “leaked” component photos that offer hints at the possible new design of the highly anticipated device.

Pictures that allegedly show the iPhone 8’s front and rear glass panels got posted online today by a person who claims the parts come from a source in China. While we can’t verify the authenticity of the images, they look legit — and they line up with rumors regarding big changes coming to the iPhone 8.

Take a closer look at the iPhone 8 front and rear panels:

iOS 11 code hints Drag and Drop may come to iPhone

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Would Drag and Drop work well on iPhone's smaller screen?
Would Drag and Drop work well on iPhone's smaller screen?
Photo: Apple

One of the best new iOS 11 features for iPad could soon make its way to the iPhone.

iOS 11 was unveiled one week ago at Apple’s WWDC 2017 keynote where the iPad got some much-needed productivity features like Drag and Drop. It appears that Apple may be testing bringing the feature to the iPhone as well. One clever developers dug into the first iOS 11 beta and discovered that Drag and Drop can be turned on for the iPhone too.

iPhone retailers in India can slash prices to boost sales

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iPhone in India
iPhone's high price tag puts it out of reach.
Photo: CC: Aasif Iqbal J/Flickr

Apple is giving iPhone retailers in India permission to slash prices in a bid to boost sales.

Even the company’s older handsets are still too expensive for the vast majority of local consumers, and sales are suffering as a result. Apple has no choice but to cut prices if it wants to be successful in one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets.

10.5-inch iPad Pro review roundup: Apple’s most impressive tablet yet

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pro-motion-ipad-pro
Here's what early reviews are saying about the iPad Pro.
Photo: Apple

The first reviews for Apple’s 10.5-inch iPad Pro are out, and they’re good! From its blazing fast speed to its new variable refresh rate ProMotion feature, the first reviews make it sound like Apple’s latest model could be its most perfect tablet yet.

We’ll be getting our own order delivered this tomorrow, but for now, here are the first impressions as reported by the lucky folks who got to test pre-release units:

Minecraft on iOS is getting cross-platform multiplayer

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Minecraft
You'll be able to team with friends on console!
Photo: Microsoft

Minecraft: Pocket Edition is getting support for cross-platform multiplayer, giving iOS users the ability to team up with friends on other devices — including consoles.

The latest systems from Nintendo and Microsoft will be compatible, alongside computers running Windows 10, but Sony is yet to pledge support for its own hardware.

Missed WWDC? You can catch up now on YouTube

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Don't miss out on WWDC 2017!
Don't miss out on WWDC 2017!
Photo: Apple

If you missed Apple’s big WWDC keynote last week, you can catch up now on YouTube.

The entire event runs for just under two hours and 20 minutes, but the beauty of watching it later means you can skip forward to the most exciting announcements.

Taiwan’s first Apple Store will grace one of world’s tallest buildings

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Screen Shot 2017-06-12 at 11.34.47
New Apple store is rumored to open by the end of this month.
Photo: Tim Cook

Tim Cook has confirmed that Apple is set to open its debut Apple store in Taiwan. “Here comes Apple Taipei 101, our first store in Taiwan,” Cook wrote on Twitter.

The store will be located in Taiwan’s iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper, the iconic supertall skyscraper in Xinyi District, Taipei, which was the world’s tallest building until it was overtaken by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2009.

Check out Apple’s WWDC 2017 in sketchnotes

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What an action-packed week of WWDC
What an action-packed week of WWDC
Photo: Andy McNally

What an amazing week it was at this year’s Apple WWDC, which returned to San Jose, California.  It was a week packed with events, announcements, developers, Apple Fans, and sketchnotes.  Take a look back at the week in sketchnotes.

A visual overview of Apple’s essential design principles

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Apple design places a premium on simplicity in an effort to provide
Apple design places a premium on simplicity in an effort to provide "a delightful experience."
Photo: Andy McNally/Cult of Mac

Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines have been the core of the company’s design philosophy ever since the Macintosh in 1978. Apple design evangelist Mike Stern gave an overview of the ever-evolving guidelines during a Wednesday session at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference.

The session, entitled “Essential Design Principles,” is one of my favorites, in large part because I’m a designer myself. I’ve distilled the essential Apple design principles he talked about in the sketchnotes above.

Cult of Mac Magazine: WWDC 2017 wrap-up, Hands-on with iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra, and more!

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What did you think of this year's announcements at WWDC?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine, we cover all of Apple’s biggest updates and announcements unveiled at last week’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, Calif. Apple is back in a big way!

Check out hands-on videos featuring all the brilliant new features of iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. Plus, everything you need to know about iOS 11’s new Files app and so much more.

Click iTunes for a free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine. Here are this week’s top stories.

Hands on: Does watchOS 4 give Apple Watch what it needs?

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Apple Watch
watchOS 4 is available to developers, take an early look at what's new with our video!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Along with new versions of iOS and macOS, Apple unveiled its next major update for the Apple Watch at WWDC. The first watchOS 4 beta is now available to developers, and we’ve been trying out all its new features and improvements.

Check out the video below to see watchOS 4 in action.