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iPhone 9 is not the name for Apple’s 6.1-inch handset

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We might have just found out all the 2018 iPhone prices.
The iPhone on the right might be not be called what we've been thinking.
Photo: MobileFun

We know almost all of the specifications of the 2018 iPhones that are being announced this week, but the names remain something of a mystery. A mystery that might have been solved thanks to a leak from the wireless service provider China Mobile.

This confirms two of the product names from previous rumors, but the third comes out of left field.

Change your Apple Watch crown color with WatchDots [Review]

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Apple Watch watchdots
Customise your Apple Watch with WatchDots
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

I love my Apple Watch Series 3, but there’s one thing about it that annoys me: that red dot on the Digital Crown.

However, just because Apple thinks you should be stuck with a giant red dot on the side of your wrist, that doesn’t mean you need to put up with it. You can customize Apple Watch with a cool accessory called WatchDots.

Trump gives Apple impractical advice on escaping his trade war with China

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President Trump: Apple encryption could protect ‘criminal minds’
Pres. Trump wants Apple to assemble the iPhone in the U.S., but that would do almost nothing to change the U.S. trade deficit.
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC

This week, Apple warned the Trump administration that tariffs going into effect against China will raise the cost of many of its products.

President Donald Trump responded with a tweet suggesting that Apple build its products in the U.S. instead of China. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

How to stream NFL games on Apple devices in 2018

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How to watch NFL draft 2017
It's never been easier to stream NFL games.
Photo: Skitterphoto/Pexels CC

By Chris Brantner

With the football season heating up, it’s time to make sure you have a way to catch all the biggest matchups. Luckily, watching NFL games no longer requires you to pay for an overpriced cable subscription. And Apple users have a plethora of options to stream pro football without cable this season.

No matter which Apple device you use, you’ll find a wide range of apps to let you watch NFL football. Here’s a rundown of some of the best options for streaming NFL games this season.

Get plugged into the IoT on a budget for the home [Deals]

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These deals prove you don't need to be rich to get in on the Internet of Things.
These deals prove you don't need to be rich to get in on the Internet of Things.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’ve read about technology in the last five years, you’ve heard about the internet of things. It represents a merging of the physical and digital worlds, where devices of all kinds are network-enhanced.

That futuristic world is already here, and we rounded up some of our best deals on IoT-ready gear so you can embrace it fully. You’ll find great buys on an Alexa-enabled smart clock, an app-connected outlet, a mini vacuum droid and more.

Cult of Mac Magazine: What to expect from next week’s big Apple event, and more!

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cover
In this week's Cult of Mac Magazine: Cupertino is calling the faithful to "Gather Round" on Sept. 12 for the unveiling of the latest, greatest iPhones and other new Apple products.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine: The annual Apple event we’ve all been waiting for is right around the corner.

On September 12, Apple will host a special keynote from the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, where it will reveal all the hardware it has planned for this fall.

We’re expecting a slew of big announcements, including updates for the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch — all of which will be covered by Cult of Mac. You’ll find that top story and much more. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

Apple in talks with major newspapers for subscription service

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Texture
Texture might add daily news.
Photo: Apple

Apple is trying to get three of the biggest newspapers in the U.S. to join forces for a new subscription service.

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post have all allegedly been in talks with Apple this summer. Apple is proposing that the newspapers join its digital magazine service, Texture.

Trump’s tariffs would make Apple gear more expensive

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President Trump: Apple encryption could protect ‘criminal minds’
Trump's trade war with China will hit consumers' wallets the hardest.
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC

President Trump’s latest list of proposed tariffs on products manufactured in China would have a negative impact on some of Apple’s most popular products.

In a letter sent to the U.S. Trade Representative, Apple says the Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Pencil would be caught in the crossfire of Trump’s escalating trade war with China. And regular consumers stand to lose the most.

Apple Music launches its own ‘Top 100’ song charts

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Streaming services like Apple Music dominate the US music market
Streaming services like Apple Music dominate the US music market
Photo: Apple

Apple will begin publishing “Top 100” Apple Music charts from its 50 million-plus subscribers as it seeks to apply more muscle in an ultra-competitive music-streaming business.

Apple quietly launched a software update today to roll out the numeric charts that will show a global “Top 100” plus lists for the top-streamed songs in every country the service is offered.

Here’s what we think we know about the 2018 iPad Pro lineup

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Both the 2018 iPad Pro tablets have undergone the most significant redesign yet.
Both the 2018 iPad Pro tablets have apparently undergone the most radical redesign yet.
Photo: MySmartPrice

Apple is about to make the most significant change to its iPad lineup since 2015. And you don’t have to wait to find out what’s coming because just about all the details have already leaked out.

From what we can tell, Apple is going to make its Pro tablets better by making them smaller. However, there are some odd changes that have many people worried.

Smartphones covered in camera lenses will change everything

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multi-camera smartphones
Take a picture or nine with this smartphone prototype from Light.
Photo: Light via Photo Rumors

Mobile phone photography has been through a mostly meaningless megapixel war. Now on to the next battle – the smartphone with the most cameras.

Apple, true to its playbook, will watch while other companies fire opening salvos with smartphones packing three or more lenses.

What to expect from Apple’s ‘Gather Round’ event next week

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What to expect from Apple Sept. 12
You should be very, very excited.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The annual Apple event we’ve all been waiting for is right around the corner.

On September 12, the company will host a special keynote from the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, where it will reveal all the hardware it has planned for this fall.

We’re expecting a slew of big announcements, including updates for the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Here’s our roundup of everything Apple is likely to deliver at its “Gather Round” event.

Top Mac app steals your browsing history and sends it to China

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The CIA has a team of more than 5,000 hackers.
If you've downloaded Adware Doctor, you may want to reconsider!
Photo: Brian Klug/Flickr CC

A top paid app in the Mac App Store has been revealed as stealing the browser histories of anyone who downloads and uses it.

Adware Doctor is among the top grossing paid apps in the App Store’s utilities category. According to a report by TechCrunch, Apple was warned about the data pilfering several weeks ago, although it has still not pulled the app.

Learn app development for iOS 12 in just 10 days [Deals]

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Spend 10 days learning the inner workings of the iOS 12 beta.
Spend 10 days learning the inner workings of the iOS 12 beta.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

iOS 12 is coming soon, so now’s the time for developers to get familiar with all the new features in Apple’s next-gen mobile operating system.

This course offers a 10-day tour of the tools and concepts behind building apps in iOS 12. It’s suitable for all skill levels, and right now it’s available for just $15 at the Cult of Mac Store.

Apple veteran critiques tech’s flawed drive to solve healthcare

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Health
Tech wants to disrupt the healthcare profession.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

A number of tech companies are excited about the possibility of revolutionizing healthcare. However, a long-time Apple veteran believes that the “fast fail” approach employed by many Silicon Valley startups is fundamentally at odds with the requirements of digital health.

Interestingly, while her critiques certainly apply to a number of companies, they don’t totally apply to Apple. That certainly bodes well for the company’s health ambitions going forward.

iPhone Max, and the practical processes behind Apple’s creative genius, on The CultCast

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CultCast MacBook 2018
Are you ready to take your next iPhone to the max?
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: Get ready for the iPhone Max! Plus: Rumors indicate Apple’s new iPhones will receive a serious price cut; Apple is working on the one feature the  Watch desperately needs; and Leander reveals Apple’s secret sauce — the design and creative processes Cupertino developed over the years that help it create some of the world’s most iconic products.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off your first hosting plan or domain.

Qualcomm makes a tactical error in its battle with Apple

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Qualcomm patents
Apple's battle with Qualcomm has raged on for well over a year.
Photo: Qualcomm

Qualcomm has seemingly made a big tactical error in the pre-trial run-up to its infringement court case with Apple — and now it’s trying to get out of it.

According to a report of the events, Qualcomm failed to dispute Apple’s legal argument that certain patents in the case were either invalid or that it did not infringe on them as suggested. Now that we’re closer to the trial, Qualcomm’s lawyers have seemingly realized that this wasn’t the best idea. And the judge isn’t too impressed.

Condé Nast executive joins Apple’s growing News team

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Apple News
Apple has a new head of news business.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has hired ex-Condé Nast executive Liz Schimel to work as part of its Apple News team. Schimel joined the company earlier this summer, and will serve as the “head [of Apple’s] news business.”

It’s another illustration of how Apple is increasing its focus on this area. This comes at a time when rival tech giants like Facebook are more worried than ever about their role in helping disseminate news online.

Everything we think we know about the 2018 iPhone lineup [Updated]

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iPhone X
Behold, the iPhone Xs.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is set to unleash its newest iPhones on the world in just a couple weeks and based on the rumors, these will be the most lust-worthy phones to ever come out of Cupertino.

Not only will the 2018 iPhone lineup include the biggest iPhone display Apple’s ever made, it will also be more colorful and more expensive than ever. We’ve been keeping our pulse on all the rumors leading up to Apple’s big September 12 unveiling and have a pretty solid idea on what’s coming through the pipeline.

This is what the 2018 iPhone lineup will look like:

No one knows what 2018 iPhone models will cost

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This could be the iPhone XS Plus and iPhone XS, Apple's 2018 iPhone models.
What will these two devices cost? Your guess is probably about as good as any analyst's.
Photo: Lee Gunho

A hot topic of debate among Apple analysts is the prices for the three iPhone models expected next week. And there have been some leaks suggesting prices for the 2018 models. Thing is, none of these agree.

At this point, there’s enough disparity between what the rumors say and the various analysts’ predictions to question whether there’s a point of paying attention to any of them.  

How to work when it’s really, really noisy

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Construction noise can drive you crazy.
Construction noise can drive you crazy.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

As I write this, there’s a truck outside my window using its crane to shovel molten blacktop onto the street. Its diesel engine is revving hard, and has been for the last half hour. For the past two years, there’s been an apartment building under construction across the street from my office. Starting at (and often before) 7 a.m., six days a week, I’ve enjoyed a symphony of pumped cement, circular saws screeching through thin metal sheets, over-revved forklifts, and drilling into reinforced concrete.

I mention this to tell you that I know a thing or two about writing in a noisy spot. I also know how to stop it driving you nuts.

The wait is over for iPad version of Minecraft: Education Edition

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Minecraft: Education Edition can teach math, science, history, and more.
Students can now download Minecraft: Education Edition for their trusty iPads.
Photo: Microsoft

Kids love Minecraft and iPad. Teachers love applications that turning learning into a game. All of these come together with an iPad version of Minecraft: Education Edition. 

After being announced last month, this application just debuted in the iOS App Store.

Another celeb gets caught promoting Android from their iPhone

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When you're getting paid to promote the Google Pixel 2 XL, don't use your iPhone.
When you're getting paid to promote the Google Pixel 2 XL, don't use your iPhone.
Photo: Anushka Sharma/Marques Brownlee

It’s happened often enough now that it’s a thing: A celebrity is paid to gush about how much they love an Android device but they make their Twitter posts from an iPhone.

It’s a black eye for Android because it makes it clear which phone the celebrity really likes.