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News - page 902

Classic Sega platformer Ristar is reborn on iOS

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Ristar game
Do you remember this stretchy-armed guy?
Photo: Sega

What better way to close out the week than by reliving the glory days of 1995 with Ristar, a newly released iOS port of the classic Sega Genesis game?

Released as part of the retro Sega Forever collection, the free-to-download game is a classic side-scrolling platformer in the Sonic the Hedgehog mold — only with less focus on speed, and more on utilizing the hero’s stretchy arms in a variety of ways.

What’s next for Apple Watch? Catch the discussion on The CultCast!

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cult cast
Catch our unfiltered reactions to Apple's newest products.
Photo: Apple/Erfon Elijah

This week on The CultCast: What does Apple have in store for the next generation of  Watch? We round up the current rumors and reveal our Series 3 wish list. Then: Could Face ID actually replace Touch ID on iPhone 8? We have concerns. Plus: Proof that a 4K Apple TV is right around the corner; more incredible demos of ARKit; and we share our favorite new shows, movies and board games in an all-new What We’re Into!

Our thanks to EERO for supporting this episode. The EERO router system will blanket your home in hyper-fast, reliable Wi-Fi, and you can score free overnight shipping with code CULTCAST at checkout.

Twitch desktop app finally lands on Mac

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Twitch livestream
After months in beta, the full version is finally here.
Photo: Twitch

After several months in beta, game streaming platform Twitch’s desktop app for both Mac and Windows is finally available in its complete full version.

The app includes all the features you’d expend to find in Twitch’s web browser version, such as voice and video calling. However, it also includes a few features that you’ll only find in the app version. In other words, what are you waiting for, gamers?

Ad mockups depict iPhone 8 in all its gorgeous glory

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iphone 8 render
Take our money now!
Photo: Apple

We’re likely to get our first glimpse of the iPhone 8 next month, but for now designers are having some fun showing off not just how they think the new handset will look — but how it could be marketed as well.

These renders come from South African born designer Quinton Theron, which combine the design elements rumored about the iPhone 8 with some nifty ad-style backdrops.

New content blocker Unobstruct declares war on ‘dickbars’

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Unobstruct content blocker

Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Sick of those annoying bars that follow you around certain websites, urging you to share a story on Facebook? A new iOS app called Unobstruct lets you banish those “dickbars” forever.

The creator of the $1 app says he hopes it sends a clear message to web designers: Nobody wants these weapons of messy distraction.

Apple urged to bring emergency location feature to iPhone

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iPhone 911
iPhone users are at risk without this feature.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has been urged to bring an emergency location feature that could save countless lives to the iPhone.

Advanced Mobile Location (AML), a technology that allows the emergency services to more accurately locate a person in danger, was brought to Android over a year ago — but it still isn’t available in iOS.

Chinese devs sue Apple for removing apps without explanation

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China iPhone sales
Things haven't always been easy for Apple in China.
Photo: Apple

Apple is being sued by 28 developers in China for allegedly breaching antitrust regulations. According to the complaint, Apple charged excessive fees and removed apps from the App Store without a proper explanation.

In the past, Cupertino said its guidelines for allowable apps are consistent across countries. The lawsuit comes as Apple expands its developer relations team in China.

iPhone 8’s Face ID will support Apple Pay, third-party apps

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face tracking
You're going to have to get used to life without Touch ID.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone 8’s new facial recognition functionality will be just as versatile as Touch ID, giving users the ability to authorize Apple Pay transactions, unlock third-party apps, and more.

Apple’s code suggests “Face ID” will even support multiple faces for different users.

Carpool Karaoke episode with Linkin Park frontman may not run

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Linkin Park
Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington passed away at the age of 41.
Photo: Stefan Brending/Wikipedia CC

Apple’s new Carpool Karaoke series may not have found favor with critics, but it’s still stuffed full of musical celebrities — ranging from Metallica to Ariana Grande to Will Smith.

One name you might not find among them, however, is Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington — who recorded an episode of the show last month, just six days before his untimely death at the age of 41. However, according to Apple it might not run.

Facebook ups its focus on video with new Watch service

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Facebook Watch
Will you be watching?
Photo: Facebook

Facebook is expanding its focus on video by introducing a new service called Watch, which will see the company enter the world of original content for the first time.

Available for desktop, mobile and TV apps, the new Watch tab will appear on users’ newsfeeds. It will include links to a variety of shows — including comedy, reality TV and live sport — some of which will be created by Facebook. The move puts Facebook into more direct competition with services like YouTube, as well as Netflix, Amazon, and Apple.

Carpool Karaoke reviews highlight what’s wrong with Apple’s original shows

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carpool karaoke ad
Carpool Karaoke hasn't been the smash hit Apple may have hoped for.
Photo: Apple Music

Apple is 0-2 when it comes to critical acclaim for its original series, after early reviews for its Carpool Karaoke spinoff show have been largely negative. The show debuted this week for Apple Music subscribers.

While it’s still early days for Apple’s original content, between this and Planet of the Apps, things aren’t exactly looking good!

Apple code reveals iPhone 8’s virtual Home button secrets

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iPhone 8 concept
Don't expect this kind of functionality.
Photo: iDropNews

Bidding goodbye to the iPhone’s physical Home button won’t be easy, but there are some advantages to going virtual for iPhone 8.

Not only will it allow for a larger edge-to-edge display, but it also means you’ll be able customize the virtual button. Apple code suggests we’ll have the option to resize it and hide it away if we don’t want it to be displayed on screen at all times.

PSX fave RayCrisis blasts its way into the App Store

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RayCrisis
A fun arcade blaster with a tech theme.
Photo: Taito

Nineteen years after it arrived on the first-generation PlayStation console, RayCrisis, a.k.a. the final installment in Taito’s 1990s trilogy of awesome scrolling shooters, has landed on iOS.

The first two installments of the series, RayForce and RayStorm actually arrived in the App Store waaaaay back in 2012, but RayCrisis has been mysteriously missing in action. Now, finally, it’s possible to get the whole threesome on your iOS device!

Component sales soar as iPhone 8 enters mass-production

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iPhone 6s teardown
Pegatron will team up with an Indonesian manufacturer..
Photo: iFixit

Component suppliers enjoyed stronger sales throughout July as Apple ramps up production of its next-generation iPhones.

Supply chain sources say all three models that will be unveiled in September have now entered mass-production, but shortages are still expected for iPhone 8.

Apple’s R&D spending hints at something spectacular

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R&D
One of Apple's many R&D centers. (This one's in Japan!)
Photo: Apple

This year marks ten years since the launch of the original iPhone and, appropriately enough, Apple has ramped up its R&D spending as a percentage of its total revenue to the level it was during the development of its debut handset.

In other words, something big is coming!

iPhone 8 could silence notifications when you’re looking at it

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iphone
Sounds won't, well, sound when you're paying attention.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 8 might use its 3D facial recognition sensor to silence notifications when you’re looking at the device.

Developer Guilherme Rambo discovered the possible UI element buried inside code accidentally released as part of Apple’s HomePod firmware. Coders digging into the software discovered numerous other details about upcoming Apple devices.

iPhone 8 may only come in 3 color options

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face tracking
Facial scanning may be the iPhone's next big feature.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult fo Mac

Despite rumors of production holdups, the next-generation iPhone won’t face a delayed launch, according to the latest report out of Asia. The new iPhone 8 will allegedly come in only three color options, with manufacturing hitting full swing next month.

Still, getting your hands on one might not be so easy.

Zoom’s Livetrak mixing desk turns your iPad into a music studio

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Zoom livetrak l-12
Zoom’s wonder-box has real knobs and faders, just like a proper music studio.
Photo: Zoom

Zoom’s new Livetrak L-12 could be the only box you need to turn your iPad into a mobile music studio. In one unit, the L-12 combines a mixer, a 12-track recorder, and an interface that lets you hook up all your musical instruments and gadgets to your iPad. And that’s just the beginning.