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Facebook wants to add a camera to your TV

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Facebook Portal
The Portal is Facebook’s first video calling product.
Photo: Facebook

Facebook is allegedly planning to take on Apple TV and Amazon’s Fire TV with a new set top box of its own.

The social network just debuted its new Portal smart speaker earlier this month and according to a new report its smart TV box could pack some similarly creepy features.

Photoshop for iPad will be useless without the keyboard [Opinion]

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photoshop for iPad
A keyboard is as essential to Photoshop as a screen.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

When Photoshop comes to the iPad next year, it will apparently be the full desktop version, with the same code base, shrunk down to run on iOS. At launch, a few features will be missing, but the plan is parity between desktop and iOS versions.

But there’s one thing that will ruin the iPad version of Photoshop from day one — a lack of keyboard shortcuts.

Apple still wants to make a folding iPhone

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This is an early concept drawing from Apple for a folding iPhone.
This is an early concept drawing from Apple for a folding iPhone.
Photo: Apple

The first foldable smartphones launch later this year. These will all run Android, but Apple has been researching a bendable iPhone. It received another patent today for a mobile device with a flexible screen.

This describes various possible hinge mechanisms, likely the trickiest part of a flexible phone.

All that’s missing from your iPhone XS is a gold skull with diamond teeth

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Aurum Edition
For the iPhone XS user who's bad to the bone.
Photo: Aurum Edition

An iPhone is an iPhone is an iPhone. No matter what kind of case you put on it, it’s hard to have a handset that doesn’t look like all the others.

But if you could cover the Apple logo with a gold skull or ruby-eyed wolf’s head, you’d have something unique.

That’s the speciality of luxury brand Aurum Edition, which has new custom designs for the iPhone XS line and Apple Watch Series 4.

Preordering an iPhone XR? It’s time to sell your old phone

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iPhone 8
Turn your old iPhone into real cash today!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

You’ll be able to preorder your shiny new iPhone XR in just a few days, which means it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to pay for it. It might just be easier than you think.

Start by selling your old iPhone to Cult of Mac. It’s quick and easy, and we pay real cash. What’s more, we typically pay more than other buyback services. Get a quote now and you can hold onto your device until your new iPhone XR arrives.

Take an early look at the redesigned 2018 iPad Pro

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This is the best image yet of the 2018 iPad Pro.
This is the best image yet of the 2018 iPad Pro.
Photo: mysmartprice

A leaked product image goes a long way toward confirming that the 2018 iPad Pro is getting a significant redesign. Apple’s next tablet is shown in a folding case, but it’s clear that the bezels have shrunk and the Home button has disappeared, just as previous rumors indicated.

The image also clearly shows the front-facing sensors needed for Face ID.

The ‘iPod shuffle of Spotify’ is back and better than ever

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Mighty Vibe 1
The Mighty Vibe is the iPod Shuffle but... well, not.
Photo: Mighty Vibe

It’s been a few years since the iPod shuffle was last updated, but there are still plenty of fans out there with fond memories of Apple’s tiniest iPod music player.

If you fall into that camp, you might want to check out the Mighty, a music player that’s basically an iPod shuffle for Spotify. The latest version, called the Mighty Vibe, brings increased battery life and an improved Bluetooth antenna. (It also boasts a refreshed companion app.)

6 ways to stream NBA games on Apple devices

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Find out how to stream every NBA game on your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV.
Find out how to stream every NBA game on your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV.
Photo: tommy bebo/Unsplash CC

By Chris Brantner

With the NBA season’s arrival, it’s time to figure out how to watch your favorite teams. Whether you subscribe to cable or you’ve cut the cord, there are plenty of ways to watch pro basketball on your favorite Apple device.

You can opt to watch on Apple TV or you can choose a mobile device. Luckily, most cable apps and other streaming services work pretty much the same way. As long as you know the network the game is on and the time, it’s just a matter of pulling it up and rooting for your favorite team.

iPhone XS Max easily outlasts rivals in new battery test

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iPhone XS Max battery test
Despite the smallest battery, iPhone XS Max lasts longer.
Photo: Mrwhosetheboss

Apple promises that the iPhone XS Max delivers better battery life than any other iPhone. It also lasts longer than rival devices in between charges, according to a new battery test.

Apple’s most expensive smartphone to date easily outpaces the Sony Xperia XZ3 and the new Google Pixel 3 XL. It even manages to last a little longer than the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 — but there is a catch.

Binge on your favorite books, audiobooks, and magazines with the Netflix for reading [Deals]

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For less than the price of a paperback each month, get unlimited access to a vast library of books, articles, and lots more.
For less than the price of a paperback each month, get unlimited access to a vast library of books, articles, and lots more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Some people say it’s hard to make time for reading. But others find the challenge in being able to afford all the books they’d like to consume. In both cases this subscription service can help, bringing unlimited written content to all your devices.

Apple apologizes after Apple IDs stolen in China

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Alipay
Apple IDs were used to steal money from accounts.
Photo: Alipay

Apple has issued an apology after a number of customers in China had their Apple ID stolen and used by thieves to take money from paired mobile payment services.

In a statement to the Wall Street Journal, Apple said that it is, “deeply apologetic about the inconvenience caused to our customers by these phishing scams.” It noted that this incident affected a “small number” of users.

Happy Steve Jobs Day, everyone!

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Steve Jobs offers a sneak peek at the first Apple store prior to its opening.
"What, only the one day?"
Screenshot: Apple

There’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and … Steve Jobs Day? Yep, it’s true: If you live in California, then today — October 16 — is officially Steve Jobs Day.

So make sure to wear your best mock turtleneck, take the license plate off your car (note: don’t actually do this), put on a Bob Dylan album, and maybe brush up on your calligraphy to pay tribute to Apple’s co-founder!

Our long national nightmare of ‘bagelgate’ is finally over

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Would you eat this bland bagel?
Would you eat this bland bagel? This is the design that set off bagelgate.
Photo: Apple

There are clearly some very strong opinions about bagels. Apple added a bagel emoji to the early betas of iOS 12.1 and some people lost their minds. The proposed image was rather plain, and there was no sign of cream cheese, which was enough to set off a firestorm of protest.

Those who were offended by the emoji can rest easy tonight knowing that Apple has a new version of the bagel that looks more like something a New Yorker would eat. 

Scam subscriptions plague the App Store

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App store
There's a whole of money that can be made on the App Store.
Photo: Apple

Subscriptions mean big business for app developers, but this success has ushered supposed bad actors into the App Store. A new article by TechCrunch shines a light on some of these apparent scam tactics, which could cause a headache for Apple.

iPhone XR looks set to become a massive smash hit

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iPhone XR
Are you excited about the iPhone XR?
Photo: Apple

Respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks the iPhone XR is going to be a massive smash hit for Apple — and it seems everyone is being taken by surprise by how in-demand it will be.

In a recent note to investors, Kuo increased his estimate for fourth-quarter iPhone XR shipments by 10 percent. Instead of 33 million to 35 million iPhone XR units over the quarter, he now thinks Apple’s suppliers will ship out 36 million to 38 million units.

Fortnite 6.1 drops new Quadcrasher and BR tournaments

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Fortnite Quadcrusher
Unleash destruction in the new Quadcrusher.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite’s weekly content update has landed and there are big additions to look forward to for Battle Royale regulars.

Players can now navigate the map in the new Quadcrusher vehicle and take part in in-game tournaments. There are also a whole host of big improvements to look forward to across all platforms, including iOS.

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen dies at 65

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918388A7-B41E-4841-BD44-4A940D084258
Paul Allen (left) and Bill Gates in the early days of Microsoft.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen died today after a battle fighting non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Allen was 65 years old and was also the owners of the Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trailblazers.

Recordings of Saudi dissident’s death probably not from his Apple Watch

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Jamal Khashoggi could have recorded his own last moments with an Apple Watch
Jamal Khashoggi could have recorded his own last moments with an Apple Watch, but it's doubtful he could have transmitted them.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Investigators into the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi claim to have recordings made on his Apple Watch of this prominent critic of Saudi Arabia being killed by Saudi agents. However, experts doubt that these actually came from the journalist’s wearable.

Why Apple’s plan to give away original TV shows is crazy like a fox

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Will Apple's weird plan to give away its TV shows make Netflix nervous?
Will Apple's weird plan to give away its TV shows make Netflix nervous?
Photo: Siniz Kim/Unsplash CC

After spending upward of $1 billion creating original TV shows, Apple apparently plans to give them away for free. That would certainly be a bold move as Apple muscles into original video production, but it might be the craziest idea ever.

Here are three reasons why it’s a smart strategy — and three more why it could backfire.

Jony Ive isn’t leaving Apple any time soon

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"Will design for food."
Photo: Apple

Apple design boss Jony Ive says he’s got plenty left to do at Apple that will keep him there for the foreseeable future.

Making an appearance at Wired’s 25th-anniversary party at the SFJazz Center in San Francisco, Jony Ive was interviewed on stage by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. Ive was asked if he plans to move onto something else, like sailing the sea his yacht, to which Ive emphatically replied that he still has work to do.

How to get a lock-screen weather forecast every morning

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Watch out! Here comes some weather
Watch out! Here comes some weather
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

How would you like to have the day’s weather forecast show up on your iPhone or iPad’s lock screen every morning? Every morning, after a peaceful alarm rouses you gently from your slumber, you can look at your iPhone and see how the day’s weather will unfold. And this is all built-in, no third-party apps or hacks required. You just have to know how to switch on lock screen weather.

iOS 12.1 gets fourth beta, along with tvOS and watchOS

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Now the public can try out the new betas, too.
iOS 12.1 beta 4 is just one of the pre-release versions Apple released to developers today, covering a range of devices.
Photo: Apple

Apple has settled into a steady pace of seeding to developers betas of its operating systems. Near the beginning of each week, expect updated pre-release versions of iOS 12.1, watchOS 5.1, and tvOS 12.1. Today is the fourth round.

These include some hotly-anticipated features, but leave Apple Watch Series 4 users up on the air.

The first 2019 iPhone rumors are already here

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iPhone notch
Is it time for Apple to rebrand the iPhone?
Photo: Antonio De Rosa

The full 2018 iPhone lineup isn’t even on sale yet but new rumors are already coming out about next years models.

One of the best Apple analysts, Ming-Chi Kuo, just sent out a new report to investors with some details about the 2019 iPhone lineup. The good news is if you like big phones, not much is going to change.

Revived Palm phone hopes to become an iPhone companion

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The new Palm is palm sized.
The new Palm is far smaller and simpler than an iPhone, and that's by design.
Photo: Palm

Remember the Palm Pilot? This iconic gadget of the 1990s has returned, sort of. 

At a time when iPhone and its rivals have become big and powerful, Palm will be a small, simple smartphone that doesn’t demand as much attention.

This Siri Shortcut lets you ditch Google Maps for Apple Maps

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Updated Apple Maps rolls out in Pacific Northwest and Midwest
Enjoy turn-by-turn navigation in India today.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

If you click a Google Maps link on your iPhone, it either opens in the Google Maps app or — if the app isn’t installed — it opens Google Maps in Safari. But what if you prefer to have that link open in Apple Maps? To good news is tat it’s an easy fix, using iOS 12’s new Shortcuts app. Let’s see this cool Apple Maps shortcut.