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Apple acquires sleep-tracking startup Beddit

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Screen Shot 2017-05-10 at 12.00.06
That's a mission statement that could have been written by Apple.
Photo: Beddit

Apple has acquired acquired a sleep-tracking app called Beddit, suggesting that tracking users’ hours of shut-eye could be incorporated into a future Apple Watch or iPhone.

Financial terms of the acquisition haven’t been disclosed, although the buyout is confirmed by Beddit in the small print on its webpage.

Known for protecting smartphones, OtterBox now keeps beer cold

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OtterBox introduces its Venture line of coolers.
OtterBox introduces its Venture line of coolers.
Photo: OtterBox

It’s an OtterBox large enough for an actual otter, though insulating mammals won’t be necessary.

But keeping beer and some food cold on outdoor adventures is and that’s why OtterBox Tuesday introduced a new line of Venture coolers – with a cooling insulation that keeps ice for up to 14 days.

Adobe talk show probes creative minds

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Photographer Lindsay Adler talks about her work with Josh Haftel on an episode of Make It.
Photographer Lindsay Adler talks about her work with Josh Haftel on an episode of Make It.
Photo: Adobe/YouTube

When a software company announces it’s starting a talk show, it’s hard to imagine anything less riveting.

But when that company is Adobe and the guests are some of the brightest creative minds sharing how they work, that not only has potential to hold your attention, it could also inspire you to make something for yourself.

Baron Fig packs max features into minimal bags

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Slim, yes, but this bag can haul your daily carry.
Slim, yes, but this bag can haul your daily carry.
Photo: Baron Fig

Baron Fig, the brand that achieved a cult following among designers and artists with high-quality notebooks and pens, has come up with a thoughtful way for you to carry their tools.

Its new line of bags is called Bags for Thinkers, but the thought put into the function of each bag – a backpack, messenger bag and tote – goes beyond a clever name. How each works was created after soliciting the input of the fans of its other products.

Apple briefly became first $800 billion company this week

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money
Apple passed a major milestone yesterday.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple became the first $800 billion company in history this week, as stock rose to a record high yesterday.

In midday trading yesterday, Apple shares rose to $153.70 per share on the Nasdaq. With 5.21 billion shares outstanding, that briefly gave Apple an historic market cap of $801.37 billion.

Apple wants to buy up half a city block in Reno, Nevada

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Apple helped turn Reno, Nevada, into a booming city.
Apple wants a new purchasing and receiving facility.
Photo: Lvtalon/Wikipedia CC

Apple plans to purchase half a city block in downtown Reno, Nevada, to build a new 30,000-square-foot facility, according to city records.

The Reno City Council will discuss the proposal this week at its Wednesday meeting. Discussions concerning Apple taking over the property date back as far as 2012.

Amazon Echo Show brings video to smart-speaker party

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echotouchscreen
Could this be Amazon's new Echo speaker?
Photo: AFTVnews

Update: Amazon unveiled its new touchscreen Echo Show device Tuesday. In addition to smart-speaker functionality, the Amazon Echo Show brings video calls, video flash briefings, YouTube, karaoke-style music lyrics, security camera integration and more. Available for preorder now, the device will ship June 28 for $229.99.

Amazon could debut its new touchscreen Echo smart speaker as early as today, claims a report from The Wall Street Journal.

The latest in a line of popular Amazon Echo voice-activated speakers, the new device is likely to add a 7-inch display and a built-in camera. It will function like the existing Echo, but with the addition of touchscreen-based features.

Apple extends service for buggy Smart Keyboards

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You can thank Microsoft for this... apparently.
You can thank Microsoft for this... apparently.
Photo: Apple

Apple says it will service “functional issues” on Smart Keyboards for the iPad Pro for up to three years, according to internal memos sent to Apple stores and service providers recently.

The company, in the memo sent last week, acknowledged that some Smart Keyboard owners experienced stuck or unresponsive keys as well as non-working Smart Connectors. Apple says it will fix any qualifying keyboards free of charge within three years of the date of purchase. The company will also give a refund to any customer who already paid for service on a Smart Keyboard.

Apple should be worth $1 trillion, Wall Street analyst claims

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Apple could be a $2 trillion company by end of 2021
One of the world's most undervalued stocks, apparently.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Calling Apple one of “the most under-appreciated stocks in the world,” a Wall Street analyst says the company should be worth $1 trillion within the year.

Drexel Hamilton analyst Brian White gave AAPL a price target of $202, an increase of roughly 35 percent — and by far the highest Apple valuation on the books.

Senator says FBI spent $900,000 to hack San Bernardino iPhone

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Proposed bill could hold tech giants more accountable for child exploitation
We may finally know how much the FBI shelled out for answers.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Ever since the FBI got inside the iPhone belonging to the San Bernardino terrorist shooter, there has been speculation over how much the hacking exercise cost the Feds.

A year later, we finally have an answer — and it’s a whole lot of cash, but maybe less than you thought it would be.

Apple slashes affiliate fees for in-app purchases only

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apple
Apple has clarified its position.
Photo: Apple

Apple has confirmed that it won’t be slashing the commissions it pays when affiliates redirect customers to buy apps from the iOS App Store.

In an update to its iTunes Affiliate Resources webpage over the weekend, Apple made it clear that the reduction for 7 percent to 2.5 percent applies only to in-app purchases. As Apple explains, “[A]ll other content types (including music, movies, books, paid iOS apps and TV) will remain at the current 7%.”

That sound you just heard is a ton of website owners breathing a sigh of relief!

iPhone 8 delay? Nah, it will probably arrive the same time as usual

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iphone 8 display
The iPhone 8 is going to be Apple's biggest upgrade since 2014.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Despite rumors claiming the contrary, there will be no delay in the launch of the iPhone 8, claims China’s Economic Daily News.

Citing sources in the downstream supply chain, the newspaper says new iPhones will start selling in October, and not as late as 2018 as some reports have claimed.

Tynker, rvlvr and other awesome apps of the week

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

Don’t want to spend your weekend catching up on paperwork or mowing the lawn? No problem: Cult of Mac is here to help you.

We’ve combed through the various apps which landed in the App Store over the past seven days, and picked out what we think is the cream of the crop. From Hulu’s new Live TV subscription service to a hypnotically fun puzzle game, here’s everything you (may have) missed this week.

Enter to win a Vader-worthy black AmpliFi HD Mesh Router [Giveaway]

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Winning a limited-edition black AmpliFi HD Mesh Router on Star Wars Day is easier than a trench run.
Winning a black AmpliFi HD Mesh Router on Star Wars Day is easier than a trench run.
Photo: Ubiquiti Networks

If the Death Star had Wi-Fi, it would run on something as powerful (and ominous-looking!) as this limited-edition black AmpliFi HD Mesh Router from Ubiquiti Networks.

Assuming you’re ready to surf like a stormtrooper, you’re in luck. Cult of Mac and Ubiquiti are giving away three of these amazing mesh routers in honor of Star Wars Day. How can you win? Glad you asked, buckethead!

Apple’s new Siri speaker could be revealed at WWDC

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Ask Alexa to manage your appointments for you.
Ask Alexa to manage your appointments for you.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple could unveil its new smart speaker powered by Siri at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, according to new claims.

Earlier this week, we heard the company is currently in the process of finalizing the design of its first standalone Siri device, which is expected to take on the Amazon Echo. Now we have an idea what it might look like and when it could be revealed.

These monochromatic Mac setups will grab you by the eyes [iSetups]

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iSetups Episode 4 FI
This week's Mac setups all prove monochrome can easily stand out.
Photo: Powi Hart

For a Mac setup to stand out, it doesn’t need a ton of color. Take the picture above from Cult of Mac reader Powi Hart, for example. Everything in there is either white, black or silver — and it looks fantastic.

In fact, these white-and-black-themed Apple setups have got to be some of my favorites so far. Check out this week’s three iSetups submissions in the video below. iSetups is our new show that highlights the best Apple-centric setups submitted by our viewers. (You’ll also get plenty of tips and tricks for how you can improve your own setup.)

Siri speaker, iPhone 8 delay, Juuk’s new Apple Watch bands and more

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magazine
A Siri smart speaker will bring better audio (and a higher price tag) than the Amazon Echo, and we might get our first look next month.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine, we take a look at how a Siri-powered smart speaker could bring better audio (and a higher price tag) than the Amazon Echo. It’s highly like such a device will be unveiled by Apple at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Plus we’ve got how-tos: You’ll learn how to turn anything into a PDF on your iPhone or iPad, and how to use Apple Pencil to mark up those PDFs in the Mail app.

Also, check out Juuk Designs’ third collection of high-grade aluminum bands for Apple Watch. The new Ligero collection is now on view in our Watch Store.

Here are this week’s top stories.

Will Apple’s Siri smart speaker suck? Catch the discussion on The CultCast

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Would you want a Siri-powered smart speaker?
Would you want a Siri-powered smart speaker?
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

This week on The CultCast: Apple’s secret Siri speaker is just around the corner — we’ll tell you everything (we think) we know about it. Plus: Why AirPods are the best product Apple’s made in years; and why Microsoft’s MacBook clone is actually great for Apple fans.

Finally, we’ll deconstruct and decode Tim Cook’s mysterious and quickly deleted accidental tweet, and you’ll be shocked at the truth!

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.

Rare Prince concert video might be Apple Music’s next exclusive

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apple-music
Grab the latest update from the Play Store now.
Photo: Apple

Apple Music may soon get exclusive streaming rights to an unreleased Prince concert that was performed as a surprise in Minneapolis just before the release of his iconic Purple Rain soundtrack.

If Apple does land the rights, the company may owe a big ‘thank you’ to its rival Spotify, which employs the executive negotiating the deal.

This red hat aims to Make Apple Great Again

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Make Apple Great Again hat
Like a thinking cap, but better.
Photo: Throwboy

A simple message on a red hat helped Donald Trump win the presidency. Could the same work for Apple?

The company Throwboy has thrown down a challenge to the tech giant by offering for sale a red hat sure to land on the heads of at least a few Apple fans. On it in white lettering is the phrase “Make Apple Great Again.”

What your favorite apps might look like on iPhone 8

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Instagram will look great on the iPhone 8.
Instagram will look great on the iPhone 8.
Photo: DailyTekk

You can get a good idea of what the iPhone 8 might be like to use, thanks to a new concept video that imagines how redesigned apps will look on the device.

Apple is supposedly going with a bezel-free design this year, which could give developers more space for new features. Viewing pictures will also be an incredible experience if Apple includes an edge-to-edge display that makes it feel like you’re holding a photograph.

Check it out:

Warren Buffett stays high on Apple despite iPhone slump

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Buffett
Warren Buffet is Apple's biggest investor.
Photo: CNBC

Apple’s big pause in iPhone sales leading up to this year’s new models isn’t worrying one of the company’s biggest investors.

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett says he loves what Apple is doing with its buyback program for investors and even though sales are slow, the stock is still a great buy.

Netflix tops this list of potential Apple takeover targets

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Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

A Citibank analyst says Apple is sitting on so much cash, a likely change in tax code could see Cupertino use its “Merger and Acquisition firepower.” The most likely target would be Netflix.

Citibank puts the odds of a Netflix buyout at 40 percent, according to analyst Jim Suva in a note to clients titled Addressing the Problem of Too Much Cash.

Amazon Prime Video may come to Apple TV this summer

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appletv
Deal may have been agreed directly between Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Amazon will reportedly bring its Amazon Prime Video app to Apple TV sometime in the third quarter of this year.

Although it’s not confirmed, some industry observers have suggested that such a move would have had to be worked out directly between Apple and Amazon CEOs Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos.