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Last chance for Earth Day bonus: Get an extra $10 for your old Apple gear

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Earth Day gadget buyback
Save the earth and get paid! Trade-in your old Apple gear this week for cash, and take advantage of our Earth Day bonus: an extra $10 on every trade-in.
Photo: Pexels

Last chance! We’ve extended our special Earth Day buyback bonus until Monday.

Americans throw away 9.4 million tons of electronics each year, according to Earth 911. That’s roughly equivalent to the weight of 1.88 million elephants — way more elephants than are even alive today.

Fight that e-waste nightmare by trading in your old Apple gear, and you can take advantage of our Earth Day bonus: You’ll get an extra $10 on every trade-in — just use the coupon code “earthday”!

Touch ID moves to the back in new iPhone 8 renderings

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iPhone 8 rear shell mockup.
iPhone 8 rear shell mockup.
Photo: Weibo

Apple may make the surprising move of relocating the Touch ID button to the back of the iPhone this year, but based on renderings of a leaked schematic, it wouldn’t look that bad.

Several renders, based on the supposed iPhone 8 schematic that hit the internet this week, show what the device’s rear shell might look like during production. It’s not a photo of the real iPhone shell, but for now this is as close to the real deal as we’re going to get.

Here’s another angle:

Apple hires satellite experts for mystery project

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Is Apple thinking about making satellites?
Is Apple thinking about making satellites?
Photo: NOAA/Flickr

A pair of new Apple hirings may hint that the company is setting its sights on the sky.

Two of Google’s top satellite executives have reportedly left the Alphabet-owned company in recent weeks and were hired by Apple. What they’ll be working on isn’t clear, but their experience indicates Apple could be getting serious about satellite internet.

Everything we think we know about the iPhone 8

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iPhone 8 concept
Same size as the iPhone 7, but with a bigger screen.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Thanks to a bevy of leaks that flooded the internet this week, we know more about the iPhone 8 than ever before. Even if only half the rumors turn out to be true, this year’s iPhone is set to be the most innovative device Apple has made in years.

Here’s what we know so far.

Snapchat pays record $7.7 million for geofilters patent

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The previous record wasn't even half that amount.
The previous record wasn't even half that amount.
Photo: Snapchat

Snap, Inc., the company behind Snapchat, just paid a staggering $7.7 million to acquire a “geofilters” patent and prevent it being snapped up by Facebook.

It is believed to be “by far the highest amount paid” for a single patent in Israel — the previous record was less than half that — and it goes to local firm Mobli.

Apple celebrates Turkey’s Children’s Day with new iPhone billboards

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Apple is celebrating iPhone photos shot by kids.
Photo: Apple

As if it wasn’t hard enough keeping on top of Apple’s business in the U.S., Tim Cook has tweeted out an image as an advance celebration of Turkey’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, which takes place on April 23.

The image is a variation on Apple’s long-established “Shot on iPhone,” campaign, except this time depicting photos taken by “young talents” in Turkey. Or, at least, young talents in Turkey fortunate enough to own an iPhone!

Overcast app lets you send podcasts to Apple Watch

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x
Like podcasts? Like Apple Watch? Then this is the app for you!
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Superior iOS podcast app Overcast has issued a new 3.1 update, allowing users to send individual podcasts to their Apple Watch to listen to when they’re not in the immediate vicinity of their iPhone.

This is something that can’t be done with Apple’s official Podcasts app, even though users can send audio files from the iOS Music app.

The one thing Steve Jobs and Bill Gates agreed on

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Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, rivals and friends.
Steve Jobs and Bill Gates shared same view on kids and technology
Photo: AllThingsD

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates didn’t always see eye to eye. When it came to their kids’ relationships to technology, however, it seems they agreed on more than they disagreed on.

That’s based on a new interview with Microsoft co-founder Gates, in which he says he and his wife didn’t allow their children to have cellphones until they were 14 — and limited other screen time as well. Jobs did much the same.

Instagram is finally cracking down on fake accounts

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These Instagram tips will help you connect with photographers who share your interests.
We don’t want to see photos from everyone we follow.
Photo: Lee Peterson/Cult of Mac

Instagram is finally clamping down on fake accounts that aren’t controlled by real users.

Instagress, a service that helped Instagram users gain additional followers for a fee, has been forced to shutdown as a result of the crackdown.

Didi Chuxing may cure world of traffic jams, says Tim Cook

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tim cook in a car
Tim Cook catches a cab with Didi Chuxing's Chuxing's Jean Liu.
Photo: Tim Cook/Twitter

Apple CEO Tim Cook had nothing but high praise for Didi Chuxing CEO Jean Liu in an exert he wrote about her for Time magazine.

Liu was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people of 2017. Cook, who sits on Didi’s board, was asked to write about Liu and said that her taxi-hailing startup is changing how people in China connect and commute with its convenience and flexibility.

Leaked Apple injuries report hints at AR glasses

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Google Glass wasn't meant to be a big success... yet.
What will Apple's AR glasses look like?
Photo: Google

New clues about prototype products Apple is currently testing may have just been revealed by leaked documents originating from Apple’s Cupertino campus.

A report on Apple compiled by an Environment Health and Safety contractor has reportedly leaked online today. Inside the report are over 70 different incidents that occurred on the campus. Most of the incidents in the report are fairly ordinary, but a couple entries hint at Apple developing augmented reality glasses.

Nike unveils new Apple Watch with ‘bone and black’ band

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Say hello to the new Nike Apple Watch.
Say hello to the new Nike Apple Watch.
Photo: Nike

Apple’s partnership with Nike has birthed a fresh new look for the Apple Watch Series 2 aimed at runners with a passion for style.

Nike unveiled its new twist on Apple’s iconic wearable today, dubbed the Apple Watch NikeLab. Nothing is new on the watch as far as hardware upgrades go, but the new “bone on black” band is so gorgeous fitness freaks will probably be lining up to get it on their wrists.

6 iPhone apps every stoner needs on 4/20

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Now that marijuana is  legal in many spots around the U.S., pot apps abound.
Now that marijuana is legal in many spots around the U.S., pot apps abound.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Happy weed day!

Cannabis lovers across the U.S. are busy ditching work to spend some quality time with their bongs today in honor of the number all potheads hold dear: 420.

Buying marijuana has never been easier, thanks to the 2016 elections: Six new states approved measures for recreational or medical marijuana use. Getting into the weed scene is super-easy, too, thanks to a batch of quality apps that help stoners find weed, grow weed and meet other people who love weed.

Grab these pot apps for a great 4/20.

Earth Day videos showcase Apple’s struggle to go green

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Can solar farms feed yaks?
Can solar farms feed yaks?
Photo: Apple

Apple is taking Earth Day more seriously than ever this year. The company just published a new series of animated videos that go behind the scenes on the company’s goal to create zero waste.

The four new videos highlight the crazy things Apple does to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Each one-minute video focuses on challenges the company already overcame, whether it’s making yak-friendly solar farms in China, building breathable walls for Apple Park or creating fake sweat for iPhone tests.

Watch all four right here:

Apple’s AR tech lets users add and remove objects in the virtual world

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Augmented reality (or AR) could be the next big thing for Apple.
Augmented reality could be the next big thing for Apple.
Photo: USPTO

Tim Cook has made no secret about Apple’s interest in augmented reality tech — and a newly published patent application reveals just how seriously the company takes the technology.

The patent application describes techniques for inserting virtual objects into a real environment, or removing real objects from a virtual one, all in real time.

It’s time for Apple Watch to get serious about fitness

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Here's how Apple could improve watchOS 4 for fitness buffs.
Here's how watchOS 4 could improve Apple Watch for fitness buffs.
Image: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Apple puts fitness front and center in its advertising for Apple Watch Series 2, even going so far as to claim the device is a “superior sports watch.” But in reality, it is not a sports watch at all. It’s a smartwatch. And that’s a massively important distinction.

Sports watches, like the TomTom Runner or Garmin Forerunner, are cheaper and more reliable at logging workouts, while smartwatches are jacks of all trades, which usually means they are masters of none. Or at least, not masters of fitness.

The sad fact is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Right now, it’s mostly the software that is letting Apple Watch down. That’s why I’m hoping that with its next major software update, Apple will finally get its smartwatch into shape for fitness fans. Here’s what I want to see in watchOS 4, which Apple will likely unveil at its Worldwide Developers Conference this June.

Apple Music snaps up documentary about legendary music exec Clive Davis

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Clive Davies
Star-studded documentary is the latest Apple Music acquisition.
Photo: Tribeca Film Festival

Apple bought new music documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, revealing the acquisition prior to the film’s opening night screening at the Tribeca Film Festival.

The documentary is based on the best-selling autobiography by Davis, the legendary music exec who played a key role developing artists from the 1960s through the rise of hip-hop.

Apple wants all its devices to be made from recycled or renewable materials

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iPhone 7 back
Future iPhones will be made from 100 percent recycled and renewable materials.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has pledged to end its reliance on mining, and to make its devices from only renewable or recycled materials — although it’s not announced any timeline to do so.

The pledge was announced as part of the company’s Environmental Responsibility Report.

Apple produces half a gallon of fake sweat every day for product testing

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It sure beats the real sweat Apple engineers make!
Photo: Arielle Duhaime-Ross/Twitter

In addition to the tech it publicly releases, Apple invests in some pretty wacky technology most people never even hear about.

One example? The half-gallon of synthetic sweat Cupertino pumps out every single day to see how well its products withstand the day-to-day rigors of real-world use. Yes, really!

NYC Apple store’s glass cube will be dismantled

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Hopefully the glass cube comes back.
Photo: Simone Lovati/Flickr CC

Apple’s giant glass cube in New York City is about to come crashing down.

The iPhone-maker’s most iconic retail store is set for major renovations this year, and according to a new filing, the glass cube is scheduled to be dismantled and removed.

Finally, a sensible way to store and charge Apple Pencil

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The ProBack stores and charges the Apple Pencil and even has a place for the pencil cap.
The ProBack stores and charges the Apple Pencil and even has a place for the pencil cap.
Photo: Studio Tika Innovation

For all the intricate thought that went into the design of the Apple Pencil, a safe and elegant way to store and charge it with the iPad Pro was an obvious detail seemingly overlooked.

An accessories startup has produced a smart case for the iPad Pro that conveniently docks and charges the pencil along an edge.

PornHub’s new AR app makes your nude pics safe for work

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Pornhub image
TrickPics takes the 'N' out of 'NSFW' pics.
Photo: PornHub

Sending a saucy pic to a significant will no longer put your naughty bits in danger of being exposed to the entire internet, thanks to a new app from PornHub.

The new app called TrickPics taps into the power of augmented reality to cover up your private parts. It’s basically like Snapchat lenses, only instead of turning your face into a cute puppy, it turns package into a Christmas gift box.

Week’s best Apple deals: Bring game night to your iPhone

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iOS games Apple deals
It's time to get a Ticket to Ride on your iPhone.
Images: Asmodee Digital, Apple, Zinsoko

If you love hit board games like Ticket to Ride and Splendor, you’ll love this week’s roundup. You’ll find heavily discounted iOS versions of those hit games, plus hot buys on earbuds, AirPort Express and more in the best Apple deals of the week.