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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”!

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.

Give your iPhone a new set of superpowers [Deals]

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collage-2017-04-14
Add grip, extended vision, extra life, and other powers to your smartphone with this bundle of accessories.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your iPhone comes out of the box full of possibilities. But with the right accessory, you can vastly expand the powers of your phone. This bundle of upgrades will allow your iPhone to cling to walls, see into your house no matter where you are, throw its voice, and add up to 10 extra lifespans.

It’s like Jedi training for your iPhone!

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.

Best List: These ‘social’ headphones let you share your music [Review]

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Wearhaus Arc Headphones
The Wearhaus Arc headphones are the first 'social' headphones that allow music sharing between headsets.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Best List: Wearhaus’ Arc ‘social’ headphones

Wearing headphones tends to cut you off from the world, but Wearhaus’ Arc headphones are more sociable.

The wireless Arc headphones allow multiple headsets to stream audio from the same source. Think silent disco, watching a movie together, or sharing tunes with your BFF.

Galaxy S8 review roundup: Samsung just schooled the iPhone

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Galaxy S8 Infinity Display
Samsung has a winner in the Galaxy S8.
Photo: Samsung

The first reviews of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have dropped a day ahead of their official launch in many markets, and there’s one thing to take away from them: Samsung just knocked it out of the park with its best smartphones to date.

Despite the problems the company encountered with the Galaxy Note 7 last fall, it has managed to produce two new devices that don’t disappoint. From gorgeous design and impressive cameras to the best display on the market, the Galaxy S8 series has it all.

It might not perfect, but the changes and improvements Samsung has made show Apple what a smartphone should be in 2017, and make it even more difficult for the iPhone to catch up.

Here’s our review roundup.

‘Leaked’ iPhone 8 drawings reveal surprising design

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iPhone 5's straight edges could be making a comeback.
iPhone 5's straight edges could be making a comeback.
Photo: Sonny Dickson

A new photo of what is believed to be iPhone 8 schematics reveals a surprising new design direction.

Apple appears to have done away with the smooth curves we’ve come to expect from its smartphones in recent years, opting instead for sharper edges and flat sides. This image suggests the next iPhone will be much like the iPhone 5, only bigger.

Much bigger.

Sources confirm some of iPhone 8’s biggest upgrades

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iPhone 7
Technical challenges could put the kibosh on some of iPhone 8's possible features.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next iPhone refresh will be the device’s biggest in years, but some of the more dramatic upgrades could be curtailed by technical challenges.

In its report on the new iPhone 8, Bloomberg corroborates many previous rumors about the next-gen iPhone, but suggests that more “ambitious” features may be scaled back or ditched due to manufacturing problems.

How to spot Apple’s self-driving cars in the wild

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tim cook in a car
Tim Cook and Apple are getting serious about the auto industry.
Photo: Tim Cook/Twitter

Apple finally received permission from the California DMW to test self-driving cars on public roads this week, but spotting an Apple Car in the wild won’t be easy for fans.

Instead of making its own automobile for the streets, Apple will simply be testing its autonomous vehicle software using other company’s cars. Apple has permission to drive only three cars, so seeing them on the road might be tough.

Here’s what to look for.

Buy two Just Mobile Apple Watch accessories, get free Lightning cable!

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just mobile

Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Now’s the time for an excellent deal on Just Mobile’s design-award-winning accessories for Apple Watch. For the month of December, you’ll receive a $20 AluCable Flat lightning cable for free with the purchase of two ($50 worth of) Just Mobile accessories.

Cult of Mac has reviewed and recommends Just Mobile’s offerings, whether you choose the HoverDock, TimeStand or Lounge Dock. Check them out below, pick a few up for the holidays and receive your free Just Mobile AluCable Flat lightning cable this month only.

How to shoot iPhone video like a pro

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iPhone video tips
Learn all you need to know to get the most out of your iPhone's camera.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

While iPhones have pretty much replaced standalone video cameras, they don’t offer the same level of polish that a dedicated video camera or DSLR produces. It’s true that “the best camera is the camera you have with you,” but you can almost always spot a video shot on a phone.

The quality gap isn’t purely due to the lenses and tech within our phones, though. Bad habits make plenty of iPhone videos look lackluster. To show just how good an iPhone video can be, I put all my filmmaking knowledge to use for the montage below.

Instead of using my $3,000 video camera, I picked up my iPhone. With a minimum of accessories, I managed to produce what I think is a pretty cinematic video. You can see the results below — and then I’ll give you some useful tips and tricks for shooting iPhone videos like a pro.

The secret lives of iPhone factory workers, this week on The CultCast

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This week: an iPhone factory mole tells all.
This week: an iPhone factory mole tells all.

This week on The CultCast: Official new Nvidia drivers make your Mac compatible with the best GPUs on the market! Plus: A mole gives us our best look yet at what it’s really like to work in an iPhone factory; Apple’s working on a “breakthrough” diabetes treatment with the Apple Watch; and the saga of Ron Wayne, the forgotten Apple co-founder who traded his $22 billion of Apple stock for just $800.

Our thanks to Casper, maker of the internet’s favorite mattress, for supporting this episode. Learn why and save $50 off your order at casper.com/cultcast.

Never plug in your iPhone again with this innovative case [Deals]

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CoM - CoBattery
This charging case uses replaceable batteries, meaning you'll never have to plug your phone in again.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There are plenty of iPhone charging cases out there, but none of them are quite as game-changing as this one. Usually, you’ll plug in your phone as usual, which charges the case at the same time to extend its lifetime. CoBattery uses a different approach that means you’ll never have to plug your phone into the wall again. It’s a clever, simple case design that could change the way you use your phone while protecting it. And right now you can get a CoBattery Charging Case Kit for just $59 at Cult of Mac Deals.

New iPhone 8 schematics hint at slimmer bezels, rear-facing Touch ID

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iPhone 8 concept
The OLED revolution has begun.
Photo: Concept

Yet another set of schematics for iPhone 8 have surfaced ahead of its official debut, again hinting at slimmer bezels that make room for a larger display, and the removal of the Home button.

The latest also suggest that Apple will relocate its fingerprint scanner to the back of the device to retain Touch ID functionality.

Man builds working iPhone 6s using spare parts bought in China

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These are the 4 main parts you need.
These are the 4 main parts you need.
Photo: Strange Parts

Want to save a ton of money on a new iPhone? Try building your own.

Using a bunch of replacement parts bought at a marketplace in China, an ingenious YouTuber proves it’s entirely possible to build your own iPhone 6s. It turns out buying the parts is way cheaper than getting an iPhone 6s directly from Apple, as long as you’re cool assembling the tiny parts on your own.

Awesome Mac Pro concept packs expansion slots pros want

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Apple should steal ideas from this Mac Pro concept.
Apple should steal ideas from this Mac Pro concept.
Photo: Curved

Professional Mac users will have to wait until 2018 for a glimpse at the new Mac Pro Apple is working on, but if the next-gen computer looks anything like this new concept, it might be worth the wait.

German site Curved created a Mac Pro concept that shows how Apple could add modular features, allowing professionals to swap out pretty much every component. The concept artists even dreamed up a Cinema Display that packs plenty of ports for expansion.

Take a closer look:

7 ways working at an iPhone factory will drive you crazy

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Foxconn
But there's a definite chance of further delays.
Photo: Foxconn

NYU graduate student Dejian Zeng pulled back the curtain on Apple’s factories in a tell-all that details his six-week stint working on an iPhone assembly line in China.

Zeng’s lengthy interview reveals details on everything from conditions inside a Pegatron dormitory to how Apple slowly shifts production for new iPhone models. Some of the most interesting bits, though, are the tiny details that show how working in an Apple factory could drive you crazy.

Here are the wildest details Zeng revealed.

How to watch the NHL playoffs on any Apple device

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How to watch NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2017
Ready to watch the NHL playoffs 2017? Here's how.
Image: NHL

By Chris Brantner, guest blogger

Catching every game of the NHL playoffs can seem slightly complicated — especially for cord cutters. Coverage is shared across multiple networks, including NBC, NBCSN, USA, CNBC and NHL Network.

If you’re reading this article, odds are you’re in the Apple ecosystem and you’re wondering how to watch the Stanley Cup games online. Luckily, plenty of options for watching the NHL playoffs exist, many of which work great on Apple TV, iPhone, iPad and Mac.

These armored Lightning cables are made to stay, not fray [Deals]

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CoM - Toughlink MFi-Certified Metal Braided Lightning Cable
This super tough Lightning cable will outlive your iPhone.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The cables we use to keep our iOS devices charged and synced are prone to fraying and breaking. Pleasing as the soft white standard Apple cables are, they’re fragile – you want a tougher cable. That’s why this pair of cables from Toughlink is worth checking out. They’re something like Iron Man would carry around to charge his iPhone, super tough, MFi-certified, and built to last. And right now you can get a pair of Toughlink MFi-Certified Metal Braided Lightning Cables for just $29.99 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Cool iPhone 8 concept imagines iOS without a Home button

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iphone 8 concept
This is what the iPhone might look like without a home button.
Photo: MacCityNet

Apple is expected to ditch the Home button with the iPhone 8, but that could create some new problems, like, “How will you get back to the Home screen?”

Switching between apps wouldn’t be the same without a Home button to click. An interesting new iPhone 8 concept out of Italy explores how changes within iOS could provide a seamless experience if Apple removes the only navigation button on the iPhone.

Check it out:

How to make your videos more amazing with Clips

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Clips will make your lame videos look super-mega LIT!
Clips will make your lame videos look super-mega LIT!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new Clips app wants to be your go-to for making short, fun videos geared for social networks. Clips is the perfect tool for the social media generation, allowing users to bust out engaging videos in seconds.

While the user interface is pretty simple, Clips packs a bevy of tools that help put a unique spin on your shots. Getting the hang of all the features can take a while, so we’ve rounded up some pointers on how to make the most of the new app.

Follow these Clips tips to make your videos pop.

Apple reveals its future Mac plans, this week on The CultCast

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In an unprecedented move, Apple is talking about future Macs.
In an unprecedented move, Apple is talking about future Macs.

This week on The CultCast: Apple just revealed its future Mac plans … on purpose! It’s unprecedented, and we’ll unpack it all for you. Plus: Apple promises an all-new, “rethought” Mac Pro and Apple display; Apple’s plans to make the Mac “pro” again; new pro-level iMacs coming this year; and we review a top-secret new smart speaker and a clever  Watch stand that true Mac fans will love.

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