Mobile menu toggle

News - page 899

Apple blames third-party battery for exploding headphones

By

Apple doesn't say which batteries should be used with its devices.
Apple doesn't say which batteries should be used with its devices.
Photo: ATSB

Apple has blamed a third-party battery for the explosion of a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

Apple does not specify which batteries should be used with its devices, and the owner, who was wearing the headphones when they blew up on a flight between Australia and China, is “disappointed” with the company’s response.

More evidence hints at massive iPhone 8 price hike

By

France fines Apple $27 million for intention iPhone 'throttling' controversy
Increased component costs will make Apple push up its prices.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Rumors that the iPhone 8 may come with a $1,000 price tag are seemingly backed-up by a new report claiming that components for the next-gen handset will be considerably higher than those for its predecessor.

According to China’s Economic Daily News, the 3D Touch module alone for the iPhone 8 will cost 150 percent more than the comparable module for the current LCD iPhone.

Apple to ramp up production of 10.5-inch iPad Pro

By

x
The new iPad Pro may feature smaller bezels.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly planning to increase production of the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro ahead of its official debut.

The device is said to have entered mass production back in March or April, with monthly shipments currently at around 500,000 units. However, in July, that figure will rise to 600,000.

Tim Cook spotted testing glucose tracking on Apple Watch

By

Tim Cook takes home $125 million for Apple’s best year since 2009
What's Tim hiding up his sleeves?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The next major breakthrough for Apple Watch is currently being tested by none other than Apple CEO and fitness freak Tim Cook.

A new report claims that Cook has been spotted walking around Apple’s corporate headquarters wearing a special Apple Watch attachment that could be a game-changer for people with diabetes.

Pioneer’s latest head units ship with CarPlay as standard

By

Pioneer's new NEX series plays nicely with iPhone.
Pioneer's new NEX series plays nicely with iPhone.
Photo: Pioneer

Pioneer today unveiled its latest lineup of NEX aftermarket head units — all of which come with CarPlay as standard.

Each features an improved touchscreen up to 7 inches in size, and Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calls and media streaming. They can access Spotify on your iPhone without using CarPlay, in addition to videos stored on a USB stick.

How Bluetooth mic on AirPods is useful for iPhone videos

By

Earphones
AirPods aren't as good without iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Photographer, videographer and online instructor Cielo de la Paz uses the iPhone and other Apple products for a lot of her work. She never envisioned she’d find value in the new Apple AirPods.

But she recently discovered how the AirPods’ Bluetooth microphone, combined with the iOS app MoviePro, solves a big problem when she shoots some of her tutorials.

Apple tells Chinese app makers to cut tips or pay up

By

What’s it like to have your startup bought by Apple? Stressful
Apple wants to take its cut of the money Chinese app users send as tips to content creators.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has risked upsetting customers in China by revealing plans to take a percentage of donations that are sent to content creators on social media, via the “tip” function of local apps like WeChat.

Apple previously told developers to disable the feature, but it has since reconsidered and decided that this represents an opportunity to make some money. Since they are considered in-app purchases, Apple wants to take its usual 30 percent cut of payments.

Microsoft is stealing the iOS Control Center for Windows 10

By

Windows-10-Control-Center
Control Center in Windows 10 looks very familiar.
Photo: Windows Central

As part of some big improvements coming to Windows 10, Microsoft is stealing the iOS Control Center to give users a quick and easy way of changing display brightness and toggling settings from the desktop.

Unlike Apple’s Control Center, however, Microsoft’s will be customizable.

Number of Siri-style AI assistants will overtake humans by 2021

By

unnamed
How Ovum thinks AI assistants will occupy the marketplace in 2021.
Photo: Ovum

The number of AI assistants by 2021 will outnumber the current world population, according to market research group Ovum’s new Digital Assistant and Voice AI–Capable Device Forecast.

The report highlights the growing popularity of Siri-style smart assistants, and also offers some intriguing predictions as to which AI assistants will become big, and which will be also-rans.

Laptop and tablet ban on flights from Europe won’t happen after all

By

Emirates
Emirates is one of the airlines affected by the ban.
Photo: Emirates

The Trump administration won’t be expanding its ban on the use of laptops, tablets and other large electronic devices to flights entering the United States from European airports, after all.

U.S. and EU officials reportedly decided against a ban on laptops and tablets in cabin baggage on flights from Europe, although “other measures” designed to keep passengers safe are still being weighed up.

Tim Cook meets with YouTubers to celebrate accessibility

By

Screen Shot 2017-05-18 at 12.08.20
Apple is working hard to make sure its products can be used by everyone.
Photo: Apple

A cup of coffee with Tim Cook can cost thousands of dollars, but to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day Apple’s CEO has made an exception.

To promote Apple’s stance on Accessibility, Apple invited three YouTubers with disabilities to its campus for a cup of joe and a casual chat with Tim Cook. In their brief interviews, they discuss everything from the challenge of getting Apple Watch algorithms to recognize wheelchair movement to Apple’s history as a company with values.

Check them out below.

92% of iPhone users will stick with Apple when upgrading

By

iphone 8 display
iPhone 8 could arrive on time after all.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Even the biggest of iPhone fans would admit that the device has become somewhat boring in recent years, but that hasn’t had any impact on loyalty to the Apple brand.

According to a new study, a whopping 92 percent of iPhone owners who plan to upgrade within the next 12 months will choose another Apple smartphone. That’s the highest retention rate among any smartphone maker, and it suggests iPhone 8 will be huge.

Jimmy Iovine says free music streaming is screwing artists

By

apple-music
Apple Music doesn't have a free tier.
Photo: Apple

Jimmy Iovine wants people to pay for music again and he’s got a plan that just might work: make free music streaming suck.

The Apple exec and music industry legend sat down for a new wide-ranging interview, during which Iovine lamanted that artists aren’t getting paid enough for their music anymore. And it’s mostly Spotify and YouTube’s fault.

Google Photos is getting some incredible new features

By

Google Photos sharing
Sharing have never been easier.
Photo: Google

Google Assistant may have just made its way to iPhone, but it’s not even close to the most exciting thing to come out of Google I/O today.

That would be all of the incredible new features coming to Google Photos, including new sharing options, stunning Photo Books you can build in just a few taps, intelligent photo editing, and Google Lens integration.

Gmail for Android and iOS is getting Smart Reply

By

Smart Reply in Google Inbox.
Smart Reply in Google Inbox.
Photo: Google

The official Gmail app for Android and iOS is getting Google’s impressive Smart Reply feature.

By taking advantage of machine learning, Smart Reply can help you power through outstanding emails in your inbox by suggesting suitable replies that are friendly and conversational.

New photos claim to reveal final design of ‘real iPhone 8’

By

Is this what the iPhone 8 will look like?
Is this what the iPhone 8 will look like?
Photo: BGR

The internet has become awash with apparent iPhone 8 schematics and fan-made mockups in recent months, but these images claim to reveal the final design of a real device in all its glory.

The design looks familiar, proving previous leaks were right on the money, with glass panels flanking the front and back of the device, a redesigned iSight camera module, and a shiny metal frame that holds everything together.

Four Apple suppliers get dragged into Qualcomm conflict

By

money
Apple apparently wants its manufacturers to withhold payments to Qualcomm.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Qualcomm has filed a complaint against manufacturers Foxconn, Pegatron, Wistron and Compal as part of its ongoing conflict with Apple.

In a statement given today, Qualcomm noted that while iPhone makers Foxconn, Pegatron, Wistron and Compal don’t dispute “their contractual obligations to pay for the use of Qualcomm’s inventions, the manufacturers say they must follow Apple’s instructions not to pay.”

iPhone SE handsets made in India go on sale next week

By

iPhone SE
Designed in California, made in India.
Photo: Sam Mills/Cult of Mac

Apple manufacturing partner Wistron has started work producing iPhone SE models in India at its factory in Bangalore. The handsets are set to ship to customers later this month, most likely as soon as next week.

While no pricing has yet been announced, Apple is reportedly likely to charge significantly less than the $399 and $499 it sells the 32GB and 128GB iPhone SE models for in the United States. In an effort to grow its brand in India, pricing could be as low as $220.

Apple’s accessibility videos shine light on how its tools change lives

By

Screen Shot 2017-05-17 at 12.04.29
Apple's "Designed for" videos focus on accessibility.
Photo: Apple

In keeping with its trend of highlighting regular users in its ads, Apple has debuted a new series of videos on its YouTube channel, showing how Apple’s Accessibility features can help users in their everyday lives.

The seven “Designed for” videos, each running under two minutes, highlight stories like a visually-impaired DJ who uses Apple’s award-winning VoiceOver feature, or a sport-playing teenager unable to use her natural voice, but able to communicate using the TouchChat app on her iPad.

Check them out below.

Apple Pay officially opens for business in Italy

By

Screen Shot 2017-05-17 at 10.56.47
You could say Apple Pay has a pizza the Italian market. You probably shouldn't, though.
Photo: Apple

Apple Pay is officially open for business in Italy, with Visa and MasterCards issued by Boon, Carrefour, and UniCredit all able to used by customers. Additional banks are set to be added later on in 2017.

The Loog is a retrotastic three-string guitar with its own app

By

loog guitar pro
The Loog is the perfect beginner guitar, and looks awesome too.
Photo: Loog

This is the Loog Pro, a three-string guitar suitable for kids, and also for awesome adults. The Pro, along with the new Loog Mini, are the sequels to existing Loogs, and bring a whole bunch of neat upgrades. Why are we writing about it here on Cult of Mac? Because it also comes with a free app to help you learn to play.

Steve Jobs wanted Jeff Goldblum to be ‘voice of Apple’

By

Screen Shot 2017-05-17 at 10.23.25
Jeff Goldblum appeared in a 1998 ad for Apple.
Photo: Apple

Steve Jobs wanted The Fly and Jurassic Park actor Jeff Goldblum to be the “voice of Apple,” the actor claimed in a recent interview on the Today Show in Australia. “Steve Jobs called me up a few decades ago,” said Goldblum. “That was early on, and I did not know it was Steve Jobs.”

Sadly it didn’t exactly happen like that. It seems that, unlike life, Steve Jobs, uh, couldn’t find a way