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Apple seeds iOS 12 beta 4 to developers

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Photos app
The new and improved Photos app on iOS 12.
Photo: Apple

A fresh new version of iOS 12 is waiting for developers to download, bringing with it a fresh batch of fixes and some UI tweaks.

Apple released iOS 12 beta 4 this morning for both iPhone and iPad. The update arrived exactly two weeks after Apple dropped the last beta, which added more detailed Map data along with other improvements.

Apple wants to embed stretchable displays in your clothes

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One of Apple's stretchable displays could be built into your sleeve.
One of Apple's stretchable displays could be built into your sleeve and function as an external screen for your iPhone.
Photo: Apple

It sounds like science fiction, but Apple has created a method for making stretchable displays. This means that, instead of your computer being in your pocket or on your wrist, it could be made into your shirt.

Phones with flexible displays are expected in the next year or so, but these are just intended to be foldable. The screen Apple is just received a patent for could be wadded up into a ball.

Dedicated Apple fan creates needlework Mac masterpieces

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Glenda Adams
And you thought your old Macs loaded slowly!
Photo: Glenda Adams

So you’ve got your perfect Apple geek room: Steve Jobs biographies on the bookshelves, iMac Pro on your desk, and maybe a couple of rare vintage Macs locked in a display cabinet.

Looking for something for the wall? Look no further than the work of Glenda Adams. A long-time Apple fan, she’s been busy creating miniature needlework masterpieces modeled after classic Apple interfaces. And, man, are they awesome!

Ex-employee accused of stealing Apple Car plans pleads not guilty

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Apple Car might be coming, but will it be special?
Xiaolang Zhang is being charged with stealing trade secrets.
Photo: Aristomenis Tsirbas/Freelancer

The former Apple employee arrested for allegedly stealing plans for the Apple Car has pleaded not guilty to his charge.

Xiaolang Zhang was indicted on one single charge of trade secret theft. He’s accused of stealing a 25-page blueprint for a circuit board for Apple’s autonomous vehicle.

Apple App Store revenue almost double that of Google Play

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iPhone App Store
Apple's redesign of the App Store with iOS 11 probably helped increase software downloads and revenue.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

In the battle of the mobile software stores, Apple has a huge lead. Consumers spending in the iOS App Store during the first half of this year was almost double that of rival Google Play.

But there’s good news for both companies, as each experienced solid year-over-year growth. 

Apple seeds fourth macOS Mojave beta to developers

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macOs Mojave
macOS Mojave's dynamic wallpapers are gorgeous.
Photo: Apple

The fourth beta of macOS Mojave is already here after Apple seeded a new update of the upcoming Mac update to developers this morning.

macOS Mojave is the first of Apple’s big 2018 software updates to get a fourth beta build. The company came out with iOS 12 beta 3 and macOS Mojave beta 3 less than two weeks ago, but some fresh fixes for the Mojave build is already here.

Grab Apple’s beautiful iPad Pro wallpapers for free

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One of several iPad Pro wallpapers available for free.
This is one of several iPad Pro wallpapers available for free. No strings attached.
Photo: Apple

 

Anyone in an Apple Store recently may have seen the really spectacular images pre-loaded on iPad Pro models. But now you don’t have to leave your chair to see them because they’re all available to download.

There is a caveat: they aren’t being distributed by Apple, just someone who copied them off a tablet and shared them.

2018 MacBook Pro review roundup: Apple unleashes a speed demon

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2018 MacBook Pro
This isn’t good.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new MacBook Pro offers buyers significantly improved performance at the same price as last year’s models, as well as a “quieter,” improved butterfly keyboard and a True Tone display. But is it worth the upgrade?

Early reviews of the 2018 update are out now. Here’s what they say about Apple’s fastest and most impressive laptop yet.

MLB slugger credits iPad for improving his swing

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J.D. Martinez
You should watch J.D. Martinez on the iPad as he swings a bat. He does.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez is headed to the All-Star game leading the American League in home runs and RBIs thanks largely to a lineup of iPads he uses to record every swing.

Martinez was laughed at by veteran teammates when he first tried using the iPad in 2014 as a struggling Detroit Tiger. Now, Martinez is widely admired for his preparation, work ethic and iPads he brings to the ballpark.

Apple adds more hair, animals, and superheroes to new emoji

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New Apple emoji offer more hair options, including the ever-popular no hair option.
New Apple emoji offer more hair options, including the ever-popular no hair option.
Graphic: Apple

Tomorrow is World Emoji Day, and there are two important takeaways. One is that we didn’t make that up; World Emoji Day is really a thing.

The other is that Apple is celebrating by showing off the over 70 new emoji characters coming to iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac later this year.

Pro Tip: How to hide photos in your iPhone Photos library

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It's easy to hide your photos in iOS -- and just as easy to find them.
It's easy to hide your photos in iOS -- and just as easy to find them.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Pro Tip Cult of Mac bug Did you know that you can hide photos in your iPhone’s Photos library? This lets you keep photographs away from prying eyes, while still having access to them yourself. And — ironically — it also makes it very easy to find all the embarrassing/explicit photos on somebody else’s iPhone.

Fortnite update makes gunfights easier than ever

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Fortnite iOS 14
Everyone should welcome skill-based matchmaking.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Fortnite season five is now in full swing, giving players new areas to explore, a new vehicle to ride around in, and more. The latest Fortnite update also makes huge control improvements.

Players on iOS will find gunfights easier thanks to autofire, while those on Nintendo Switch can enjoy more accurate aiming with motion control.

Samsung plans to copy 2018 iPhone lineup with three Galaxy S10 sizes

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iPhone X
The 2018 iPhone lineup could be prettier than ever.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Samsung apparently plans to follow copy Apple’s 2018 iPhone lineup by releasing three different sized phones when it comes out with the Galaxy S10.

Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo sent out a new report on Samsung’s plans and revealed that the company’s new Android smartphones will also come with a feature Apple gave up on.

Save time and money on parking with ParkWhiz [50 Essential iOS Apps #38]

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ParkWhiz Start Search screen
ParkWhiz makes finding parking as easy as searching our destination.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

50 Essential iOS Apps: ParkWhiz appIf you live near a big city, or travel to metro areas frequently, you know what a pain in the butt parking can be. Parking lots and garages use confusing signage to trick you into spending more money, and some less expensive spots are often poorly labeled or hidden entirely. With ParkWhiz, you can get the most bang for your buck, and know exactly what you’re getting. Best of all, you’ll save time so you can enjoy your trip without adding stress.

Apple won’t give your older MacBook an improved keyboard

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Apple MacBook Pro keyboard
How’s the sound on your 2018 MacBook Pro?
Photo: Apple

Apple refreshed its MacBook Pro lineup last week, and faster Intel processors weren’t the only thing to be excited about. The update also brought a quieter keyboard that’s less prone to being ruined by dust.

Unfortunately for existing MacBook and MacBook Pro owners, Apple won’t fit its newer keyboard into older machines — not even if yours is in need of repair.

You can now listen to an opera about Steve Jobs on Apple Music

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Steve Jobs Revolution
Now available wherever fine music is sold or streamed.
Photo: Pentatone

If you’ve ever wanted to listen to an opera based on the life of Steve Jobs, now’s your chance!

Called The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, the 95-minute production comprises 19 different scenes from Jobs’ life, taking him from childhood through the founding of Apple with Steve Wozniak to his departure and eventual return to the company he helped create. Here’s how you can listen.

Apple has a surprising amount of unsold iPhone X inventory

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iPhone X wireless charging
Did Apple misjudge its iPhone X predictions?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is sitting on a massive stockpile of unsold iPhone X devices, a new report claims. The backlog reportedly equals almost three times the number of the high-end handsets already shipped.

If correct, this would be unusual for Apple. The company normally proves very good at forecasting the number of units it should manufacture. The rumor suggests that, even nine months after the iPhone X went on sale, Apple is still trying to get to grips with the exact demand for the device.