Have you been infected? Photo: Marcin Nowak/Unsplash
Is your Mac infected by newly discovered malware that was ostensibly created by Milan-based HackingTeam in order to gain remote access to your machine?
The new virus uses some old HackingTeam code and some new tricks to hide its tracks, but it’s mostly harmless, according to researchers.
That doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea to get it off your system. Here’s how.
The government's case against Apple may be starting to crack. Photo: Hurk/Pixabay
A New York magistrate judge has said that the government can’t compel Apple to unlock an iPhone involved in a criminal investigation.
In a ruling filed today, Judge James Orenstein has said that he must “reject the government’s interpretation that the [All Writs Act] empowers a court to grant any relief not outright prohibited by law.” This decision is the latest development in a months-long case that may serve as a precursor to the iPhone maker’s larger confrontation with the FBI.
Which new iOS games made the cut this month? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Today is February 29, which is always a little confusing. It’s cool that we get an extra day in the year (kinda), but we aren’t ever sure what to do with it. Do we keep acting like it’s crappy February, or should we get even more anxious for halfway-decent March? And why haven’t we filed our taxes yet?
We don’t know, but if you’re looking for a way to spend your Leap Day, here are some of the best iOS games from the past month.
Add 128 gigs of storage and the ability to run Windows and Linux on your Mac. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Talk about a power couple — this bundle comes with a pair of tools that expand the capacity and functionality of your Mac. Add 128 gigs of secure and fast storage, and run Windows or Linux alongside OSX on your Mac. It’s a massive upgrade for just $199.
Where will Fitbit’s 10,000 steps a day lead you? Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
Fitbit reported its best-ever holiday sales this week, but investors are fretting because the wearable maker’s guidance for the current quarter is lower than expected. Some analysts are questioning whether Fitbit can hold its own against competition from Cupertino.
Apple Watch has proved to be a fantastic fitness tracker for many Cult of Mac readers. So I was curious to find out how Fitbit’s trackers compare. They may be cheaper than Apple Watch, but are they as effective at promoting healthy habits?
Easily find businesses near you thanks to the updated glances on WatchOS 2.2 Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The fourth beta for watchOS 2.2 adds cool new features that work with the latest version of iOS 9.3 as Apple continues its push to make Apple Watch even more powerful. In today’s video, we’re going to take a tour of all the new changes and improvements the latest beta has in store.
This week on The CultCast: With the FBI-versus-Apple privacy battle heating up, some lawyers say Tim Cook could land in jail; why Siri in the next version of OS X may point to redesigned MacBooks; and, just how much would you pay for a box of Steve Jobs’ old crap? Plus we pitch you our favorite tech and apps in an all-new Faves ‘N Raves!
We doubt we'll see this at any WWDC keynotes. At least, we hope we won't. Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac
Apple has officially asked a judge to dismiss a court order requiring the company to unlock a terrorist’s iPhone at the FBI’s request.
We knew the legal filing was coming, but now we have the actual defenses Apple is using to defend its refusal to create what it calls a “GovtOS” that would let officials potentially bypass the security measures of millions of iPhones. The 65-page document released today details Apple’s history of assistance in the case — and the reasons it believes the original order is both bothersome and possibly illegal.
Get the public betas for iOS and Mac before your friends do. Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac
Want to get your hands on the latest, greatest iOS and OS X features for your iPhone, iPad, and Mac before anyone else does? Do you love checking out all the new stuff in iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan so you can be the first to comment on them?
All you need to do is sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program, and you’ll be able to access the public betas of these flagship operating systems before they’re available to the rank and file.
Here’s how to sign up for (and install) Apple’s latest public betas.
You owe it to yourself to take control of your passwords. And it's easier than you might think. Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor
As we store more and more of our information digitally, it becomes more important than ever to make sure our data is safeguarded. To ensure security, you should always use strong and unique passwords.
Password manager apps aren’t hard to use, and once you get started, they actually offer you more convenience than any other way of maintaining and storing passwords. Not convinced? Let me help you understand….
These headphones will stay fresh and ready to bust out the jams. Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac
Urbanears Hellas Bluetooth washable headphones
You can’t beat the sound quality (or comfort) of a good pair of on-ear wireless headphones, but working out with most pairs can be an exercise in moisture management with a side of stink-appeal.
These new Hellas headphones from Urbanears solve that problem with a removable, machine-washable headband and ear cup. You simply pull off the mesh-covered bits, toss them in the provided net laundry bag, and drop them in your washing machine. You’ll never have to deal with smelly, sweaty headphones again.
The iPad app is even better than the already amazing iPhone app. Photo: George Tinari/Cult of Mac
One of the best email clients for the iPhone just got even better. Spark, which promises that “you are going to like your email again,” is now available for the iPad as well. And this isn’t an all-too-common instance of developers just stretching out the iPhone version of their app and calling it a day. Spark is fully optimized for the iPad’s larger display.
Tim Cook's office has more Easter eggs than a Marvel movie. Photo: ABC News/"World News Tonight with David Muir"
We don’t know if Apple head Tim Cook’s office got a good going-over before ABC News stopped by last night, but we like to think that it’s always that tidy.
The CEO appeared on World News Tonight to discuss privacy and the company’s ongoing conflict with the FBI, but it was significant for another reason. And both Cook and anchor David Muir couldn’t help but point it out.
“Thanks for having us in your office,” Muir said. “I don’t think we’ve ever done an interview in your office before.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever done an interview in the office,” Cook replied.
So what does the head of Apple keep handy when he’s hard at work? A lot of cool stuff, actually.
The Ultimate Mac Shield Bundle will protect your precious computer. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
These six apps will protect your Mac and improve your productivity while using it. From cleaning out cookies and anonymizing your computer’s identification number, to hiding private files and gathering email addresses from any text document, there’s something in here to improve anybody’s workflow and sense of security. Right now the whole bundle is just $29.99.
You're a Terminal command away from keeping your Mac updated more frequently. Photo: Lifehacker
Here’s a surprising fact: By default, OS X only checks for software updates once a week. That’s shockingly infrequent, considering the fact that iOS and Windows both check for critical updates every day.
If you’d like your Mac to keep more on top of things, there’s an easy way to tell it to check for software updates more frequently.
A kind of love that goes skin-deep. Photo: greezer.ch/Flickr CC
Steve Jobs had a way of getting under people’s skin. Still does, if you consider the growing number of Apple fans who have had his iconic face or some other Jobs tribute tattooed onto their skin.
Today we celebrate what would have been the Apple co-founder’s 61st birthday by looking at body art inspired by the pioneer of personal computing.
The new Mighty wants to bring Spotify to those with an active lifestyle. Photo: Mighty Audio
Today, the iPod shuffle you’ve been hoping for is getting a shot at life — no thanks to Apple. Mighty Audio is launching its Kickstarter campaign for the new Mighty streaming music player, a small clip-on device that can stream Spotify wherever you go without having to use your smartphone. A portable, affordable music player with streaming capabilities? Yes please.
iOS 9.3 inched one step closer to its public launch yesterday with the developer release of beta 4, which brings a handful of new features to iPhones and iPads along with a couple of bug fixes.
iOS 9.3 beta 4 doesn’t contain any huge new features or a graphics overhaul, but it polishes up what is already a solid operating system. In today’s video, Cult of Mac will show you all the best new features iOS 9.3 beta 4 has to offer in under two minutes.
6 apps every project manager should have installed on their iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Photo: Allyson Kazmucha/The App Factor
Project management can get overwhelming quickly, especially if you’re juggling multiple initiatives and deadlines at once. From keeping your team on track to ensuring there is good communication and planning between you and your client, there are tons of project management apps available in the App Store to help you tackle even the most challenging of tasks.
I’ve been using my iPhone and iPad to help me manage teams and keep projects moving for the better part of five years now. While my workflow constantly changes as tools and apps become better and better, here are my favorite project management apps that I just couldn’t do without.
Precision-fitted skins from dbrand let you put a personal wrap on your electronic devices. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Best List: MacBook Pro Skin by dbrand
The time I spend hacking away on my laptop at coffee shops, hotel lobbies and conference room floors I inevitably spot another MacBook user with a cooler-looking laptop than mine, filling me with envy.
Well, dbrand has the goods to make the other coffee shop patrons jealous.
Text editor apps are an important part of any writer's workflow. These are currently the top candidates for Mac owners. Photo: Alejandro Escamilla/Unsplash
One thing I do on my Mac more than anything else is write. On average I write about 10,000 words a week, and some weeks, I double that. And that isn’t even counting email and other kinds of communication. That’s why a great text editor app is imperative to my every day workflow. Without it, I couldn’t do my job.
Super-elaborate, open-world games with stats, exploration, or an engrossing storyline are great, but sometimes you just want to put your foot in some ninjas’ faces. And that’s where Kick or Die really delivers.
This mobile title has been out for a couple months, but it’s just received an update that adds some new challenges and bosses. We didn’t play the earlier versions, but the new one is a fast-pased, dead-simple kickstravaganza that will keep your thumbs on their toes, even though that sounds completely stupid and impossible.
Former Apple CEO John Sculley has an interesting idea about how Apple might approach the FBI's request. Photo: Web Summit/Flickr CC
There are plenty of opposing views about how Apple should handle the FBI’s demand to create a backdoor to unlock a dead terrorist’s iPhone.
One idea we haven’t heard before, however, is a concept put forward by former Apple CEO John Sculley: Cupertino could help provide the desired information, but Apple (not the government) could be in charge of reading the messages.
The iPhone and iPad are great companions on and off the stage with the help of these amazing accessories. Photo: Austin Prock/Unsplash
iPhones and iPads have become more than just media-consumption devices in so many ways. From using an iPad as a virtual cookbook to using it as a portable way to develop a website, the iPad and iPhone are extremely useful in everyday life. One of the biggest categories where these devices have made a huge difference is music.