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News - page 902

Belkin’s new DuraTek USB-C cable looks tough as nails

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Belkin Mixit DuraTek USB-C cable exploded view
Belkin used Kevlar to make the new DuraTek USB-C cable practically bulletproof.
Image: Belkin

Tired of fraying and failing cables? Belkin just launched the Mixit DuraTek USB-C cable, a brawny cord built with Kevlar and a special strain-reducing design that should put an end to premature cable death.

Measuring 4 feet long with USB-C connections on each end, the new DuraTek cable sounds perfect for the latest MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

Android squeaks past Windows to become internet’s most popular OS

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Android rules the Internet.
Android rules the Internet.
Photo: Google

Windows can no longer claim the crown as the most popular operating system on the internet thanks to the rise of smartphones.

During the month of March, Microsoft finally saw its share of worldwide OS internet get eclipsed by Google’s Android operating system, marking the first time a mobile OS is more popular than the software powering PCs.

The lead designer of the original iPhone is leaving Apple

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Promotional image of the original iPhone.
The original iPhone was one of the best-looking iPhones.
Photo: Apple

One of the top Apple product designers of the past two decades is parting ways with the company, according to a new report that reveals there’s been a big shake-up on Jony Ive’s team.

Christopher Stringer was the lead designer of the original iPhone and was one of the top two or three designers on Apple’s industrial design team. Now he has apparently decided to jettison from the company right before Apple moves into its new spaceship.

Apple slashes prices on Beats headphones

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beats solo2
The Beats Solo2 headphones are on sale.
Photo: Apple

If you’ve been wanting to get some Beats headphones on your ears, there may be no better time to buy them from Apple than now.

The online Apple store rarely offers discounts on the company’s own products, but this morning Apple launched a new promo on select Beats headphones and speakers, dropping prices on some items by as much as 50 bucks.

Apple orders 70 million flexible OLED displays from Samsung

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Samsung
Samsung will be an important iPhone 8 part supplier.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is going to need a lot of help from Samsung to bring a totally new display to the iPhone 8.

Samsung reportedly received an order from Apple buying over 70 million bendable OLED for its upcoming iPhone that many fans and rumormongers anticipate will be the most innovative smartphone to ever come out of Cupertino.

Apple updates iOS 10.3 to fix Wi-Fi security problems

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iPhone
A crucial security fix is out for iPhones.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone and iPad owners received a new software update today from Apple in the form of iOS 10.3.1.

The new iOS 10.3.1 update comes just a week after Apple released iOS 10.3, which was its biggest software update of 2017 so far. While iOS 10.3.1 doesn’t contain nearly as many new features as the last update, it does bring some crucial fixes.

iPhone 7 survives explosive encounter with 25 pounds of gunpowder

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Can the iPhone 7 survive 25 pounds of pure black powder?
Can the iPhone 7 survive 25 pounds of pure black powder?
Photo: TechRax

Apple has flaunted the iPhone 7’s new waterproof powers in plenty of ads, but did you know it’s also (kinda) fireproof?

To see just how much damage the new (RED) iPhone 7 can take, one insidious YouTuber placed the new device in a bucket filled with 25 pounds of gunpowder. The giant gunpowder explosion is truly impressive, but your mind will be blown by the condition of the iPhone once the smoke clears.

Enjoy the carnage:

ESPN’s revamped Apple TV app brings more on-demand content

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Get your hands on the new ESPN app for Apple TV now.
Get your hands on the new ESPN app for Apple TV now.
Photo: ESPN

ESPN is rolling out its revamped Apple TV app today, with a fancy new interface and more on-demand content.

The new app shows a live-stream of one of ESPN’s networks when first launched, dropping you straight into the action — and it makes it easier to find your favorite content.

Falling iPad sales aren’t quite what they seem

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iPad mini 4
Is a new iPad mini right around the corner?
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

iPad sales have been falling for years now, but it turns out that Apple’s tablet business isn’t dying quite as quickly as it may seem.

In fact, if you take the iPad mini out of the equation, iPad sales are actually on the up.

Apple TV struggles to gain toehold in living rooms

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apple tv and siri remote
Still not really catching on.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Cupertino might not consider Apple TV a “hobby” any longer, but according to new data from comScore, the streaming device certainly is not viewed as a serious contender in the marketplace.

ComScore’s new figures show that — at the end of 2016 — Roku led the way for streaming TV boxes/sticks in the United States, with 18 percent penetration among Wi-Fi households. Amazon’s Fire TV followed on its heels with 12 percent, while Google’s Chromecast came third with 8 percent. Apple TV trailed in fourth place with just 5 percent.

Pakistani Apple fans sure know how to celebrate a new iPhone

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Pakistani iPhone party
We wish every iPhone was celebrated like this!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The purchase of an iPhone 7 Plus by a Pakistani man triggered an all-out party in Punjab, complete with ad in the local paper and friends turning up to play music at his house.

A video of the iPhone party popped up online, and photos of the ad quickly went viral on social media. Did you and your friends party like this the last time you bought an iPhone?

Apple ditches Imagination graphics to develop its own GPUs

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Imagination
The iPad Air was a massive hit for Apple.
Photo: Apple

Imagination Technologies has confirmed that Apple will no longer use its graphics processing technology in future iOS devices.

The British company revealed that Apple is developing its own graphics processing units (GPUs), and it suspects Cupertino might be ripping off its intellectual property.

Apple TV could package HBO, Showtime and Starz as a bundle

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tvOS just got another new update.
Apple wants to offer TV bundles.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly has a new plan for selling TV, with the goal of selling customers a premium TV bundle, grouping together HBO, Showtime, and Starz.

Although Apple TV already offers these channels on their own, bundling them together as part of a package would take Apple one step closer to its goal of being a serious TV player — and making Apple TV a bit more appealing in the process.

Should fans skip iPhone 8 and buy the Galaxy S8? [Friday Night Fights]

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IMG_3674

You have to be impressed by the new Galaxy S8 — even if you’re a long-time iPhone fan. Samsung’s new phone boasts everything you could want in a smartphone, and it packages it all into a stunning curved-glass shell with an edge-to-edge Infinity Display.

Friday Night Fights bug But can the Galaxy S8 help you forget about the iPhone 8? Should you wait for what might be another boring iPhone refresh, or throw in the towel now and finally make the leap to Android?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we duke it out over Samsung’s latest flagship and whether it can help Apple fans forget about the iPhone.

Sway, Meganoid 2017, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
'Appy weekend!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Looking to get up to speed on the week’s hottest apps? We’ve got your back!

Whether you’re looking for a great “roguelike” platformer, a meditation app from the makers of Monument Valley, or a much-loved calendar app which has finally landed on iPad, we think you’ll find something to entertain you.

Check out our picks below.

Weird and wacky Apple gadgets that time forgot, on The CultCast

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Apple TimeBand: great-great-grandfather of the Apple Watch.
Apple TimeBand: great-great-grandfather of the Apple Watch.
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: The weird and wacky Apple products Cupertino hopes you’ve forgotten! Well, we haven’t, Tim. Plus: The best new features in iOS 10.3 and macOS 10.12.4; rumor mills say Apple might resurrect the PowerBook; iPhone 8 rumors point to a backside Touch ID sensor; and the inspirations for Steve Jobs’ best one-liners.

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.

Ms. Pac-Man invades Google Maps for April Fools’

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google maps pacman
Get your PacMan fix in Google Maps.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

There’s just one day left in March which means a cornucopia of horrible tech “pranks” are about to be unleashed on the internet. Google is getting its gags out early and this year, the company’s April Fools’ Day prank is actually a lot of fun.

Google Maps added a new feature for users this morning on both iOS, Android and the web that allows users to turn city streets into a giant game of Ms. Pac-Man.

iPhone 8 may get True Tone display and two 3D sensors

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iPhone8
We hope the iPhone 8 is this beautiful.
Photo: Imran Taylor

One of the best iPad Pro features may soon be heading to the iPhone.

All three new iPhones in 2017 will get True Tone displays, according to the latest research note from analysts at Barclays that predict Apple will add a “full spectral sensing” ambient light sensor on each device.

Beyoncé lends a hand in colorful Apple Watch ad

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Apple Watch is the perfect workout companion.
Apple Watch is the perfect workout companion.
Photo: Apple

Apple dropped a colorful new ad for the Apple Watch Series 2 this morning to promote the wearable’s fitness features and waterproof design.

The fun new Apple Watch ad features a cast of different athletes going through their workouts while Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” blasts throughout the video. Other athletes and adventurers can be spotted in the minute-long ad that encourages watchers to “live bright.”

Check it out:

Apple hires YouTube vet to shape video strategy

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Planet of the Apps
Not a high point for Apple.
Photo: Apple

In another sign that Apple is gearing up to make a big push into video, the company has hired former YouTube executive Shiva Rajaraman.

The hire comes as Apple is beginning to launch its own efforts to create original video content for Apple Music subscribers, but the addition of Rajaraman could mean Apple is looking to explore other avenues for its video content too.

Galaxy S8’s facial recognition can be fooled by a photo

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Galaxy S8 in hand
Galaxy S8's facial recognition is just a bit of fun, apparently.
Photo: Samsung

Facial recognition is one of the myriad new features of the Samsung Galaxy S8, but only one a couple of days after the phone’s announcement, Samsung’s latest security method seems… well, a little bit unsecure.

Already a video has appeared online showing the phone being unlocked with a picture, while according to industry sources it’s a feature that’s designed to be no more than a bit of fun. Because security’s no fun, apparently.

Apple’s Indian App Accelerator is open for business

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
Apple is pushing into the Indian market.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s brand new App Accelerator in Bengaluru, India, is officially open for business!

Plans for the 40,000-square-foot office space were first announced by Tim Cook during his visit to India last year. The App Accelerator’s purpose is to offer guidance, inspiration, tutorials, and feedback to local developers building iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and Mac OS apps.

iPhone returns to Indonesia after one-year absence

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iPhone-7
Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

After an absence of more than a year from Southeast Asia’s largest smartphone market, the iPhone arrives back in Indonesia today with the long-awaited debut of the iPhone 7.

Apple has been unable to sell the previous iPhone 6s, 6s Plus and iPhone SE generation of its handsets after a ruling in the country that all makers of 4G smartphones must have 30 percent of “local content” — meaning hardware, software, or an investment commitment.