Open the iPhone XS Max and you'll see just $443 worth of components. Photo: TechInsights
An estimate of the component costs for each iPhone XS Max shows that much less than half of the purchase price goes to producing the device. This is Apple’s most expensive phone ever — and likely its most profitable.
The cost of storage went up considerably but Apple managed to save money by removing some 3D Touch components from the display.
One of watchOS 5’s greatest features is the Walkie-Talkie app. If you know other Apple Watch owners, you can just talk into your wrist, like in a 1950s secret agent TV show, and chat to them. It’s way better than having to make a phone call, because the chat is pushed.
Imagine that you’re on vacation camping, or on a bike trip across country, or working in a large (but fairly quiet) job site. You can talk to people as if they are there next to you. And in one way, this is better than a real walkie-talkie: Because it doesn’t use radio, there’s no limit to distance. You can chat to people on the other end of town, or the other side of the world.
Let’s see how to use the Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie app.
Anyone who does their work on a computer likely uses a team management platform like Slack, Hipchat, Asana or Trello. It’s a busy space, with lots of competition, so Israeli startup monday.com is leveraging colorful, adaptive, intuitive design to stand out from the crowd.
Here's what you get when you mount an iPhone to a telescope. Photo: Tom White
An iPhone 7 is not the first camera you’d think about when figuring out how to get good shots of the moon. It certainly wasn’t Tom White’s first choice.
But after trying to get his DSLR mounted to a telescope just so, White wondered if his iPhone could do the job. The end result feels like the view astronauts would have from an Apollo command module in the moon’s orbit.
If you're doing something illegal, you could take a fall for slipping up. Photo: Apple
An Apple Watch Series 4 can detect if you’ve fallen and automatically call 911 to get your injuries tended to. Or get you arrested, depending on the circumstances.
That’s the warning of privacy watchdogs, who point out that 911 calls invite in more than just emergency medical personnel.
iPhone XR carries the same A12 Bionic chip as iPhone XS. Photo: Apple
The iPhone XR replaces 3D Touch with something called “Haptic Touch.” But just what is Haptic Touch? The good news is that — in theory — it lets you use all the same hard-press shortcuts you’re used to. Here’s how it works.
Any future privacy legislation will likely have little effect on Apple as it already bends over backward to avoid collecting user information. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A high-level Apple executive will tell the the U.S. senate tomorrow that the iPhone maker is in favor of federal privacy regulations.
He’ll be testifying along with representatives of Google and other companies likely to argue against privacy laws.
If you use VMware Fusion to run virtual machines on your Mac, it’s time to upgrade.
Version 11 has arrived with full support for macOS Mojave, the 18-core iMac Pro, and the six-core MacBook Pro released this year. The upgrade also adds enhanced Metal graphics rendering, an updated user interface, and more.
Avoid lines and find the iPhone of your dreams with this tool. Photo: Apple
Didn’t get in on the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max pre-order madness and are now lusting after the best smartphone display ever?
There’s a simple tool on the internet that can save you hours of searching so you get the iPhone you want today. All it takes is setting a few filters and you’ll be alerted as soon as your local store has the new iPhones or Apple Watch Series 4 in stock.
The Qualcomm vs. Apple battle rages on. Photo: Qualcomm
Qualcomm claims that Apple stole its chip technology and gave it to Intel — and it says it’s got the proof.
According to the chipmaker, Apple stole “vast swaths” of confidential information and trade secrets, which it used to improve the performance of chips made by Qualcomm rival Intel. The claims are part of a new court filing by Qualcomm.
From weird to wonderful, you won't have any problem finding the perfect case for your new iPhone. Photo: Grovemade
You’ve got a shiny new iPhone XS or XS Max, and you want top keep it that way. Thankfully, there are already a ton of cases available for you. For simple protection, there’s Apple’s own leather or silicone case, but why stop there? You can choose for rugged cases, cases that hold two phones, cases that also work as wallets, and cases that can carry your EarPods.
Even if you don’t normally go for a case, you may like one just so it covers up the iPhone XS’ big camera bump, which really does make the phone wobble on the table. So, sit back, relax, and read our guide to the best iPhone cases around right now.
Apple is helping the stock market go from strength to strength. Photo: Sam Valadi/Flickr CC
Apple’s massive, record-breaking $226.6 billion stock buyback is credited with helping drive the longest-running bull market in U.S. stock market history.
A bull market refers to a market in which share prices are rising, thereby encouraging buying. A new report credits eight companies — including Apple — who have engaged in massive share buybacks as being part-responsible for this 9.5-year bull run. Together, they have formed, “a solid backbone of the stock market’s continued growth.”
This smart irrigation controller lets you supervise all your smart sprinkling needs. Photo: Rachio
Looking for a smarter, high tech way to water your lawn? The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller has your back — by becoming the first smart sprinkler controller to add HomeKit support.
The personal watering assistant will help you monitor and manage your sprinkler system using by using the Apple Home app or asking Siri. This means that can stay on town of your garden maintenance via your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, or HomePod — even when you’re not home at the time.
With task integration, cloud syncing, and customization options, this is a cut above your standard calendar for Mac. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
We all count on our calendars to keep us organized and up-to-date. But even your well-worn iCal and Google Calendar could be more useful. For proof, just take a look at what BusyCal 3 can do.
The first iPhone with ProMotion? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple promises that you’ll get better battery life if you upgrade to the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max. Their cutting-edge A12 Bionic chips and power-efficient Super Retina displays should mean that they last longer than any other iPhone in between charges.
But is that really the case? One battery test has found that last year’s iPhone X actually has more stamina than its successor.
How's connectivity on your iPhone XS? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
It seems the first week with the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max isn’t as sweet as it should be for some. A growing number of users are reporting poor Wi-Fi and LTE performance with both of Apple’s newest flagships.
The problem could be caused by an “antenna issue,” one report claims.
The LCD iPhone XR could be Apple's most popular new handset. Photo: Apple
Apple is shifting orders for the iPhone XR between its suppliers to make sure that there are as few supply constraints as possible when the device finally launches in October.
The location of the Apple Store in question. Photo: Apple
The string of Apple Store robberies in California continued over the weekend — but, on this occasion, everything didn’t go quite as planned for the thieves.
As is becoming routine at this point, a gang of thieves (six in this case) ran into an Apple Store in California’s Santa Rosa Plaza shopping center, and started snatching devices from the stands. However, while five got away with their stolen goods, one was tackled to the ground by mall security and two good samaritans.
Face ID isn't unbeatable. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple’s foolproof Face ID system looks like it has met its match.
Even though Face ID is supposed to faster on the iPhone XS and XS Max, it appears that the security system can be completely fooled by identical twins. If you’ve got a sibling doppelganger, you might want to just use a passcode.
Watch how ineffective Face ID is at distinguishing between these two:
Hey Siri, play may favorite podcast. Photo: Johannes Eret
Siri Shortcuts are proving to be one of the most useful new additions in iOS 12. If you’re a fan of Cult of Mac‘s weekly podcast, The CultCast, we’ve got the perfect shortcut that’ll ensure you never miss an episode.
Among the new features in Office 2019 for Mac is Focus Mode in Word. Photo: Microsoft
Microsoft Office for Mac just got its first major update in years.Previews of the 2019 edition have been appearing for months, but the wait for the full version is over.
It brings loads of new features to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
The long wait for Waze on Apple's CarPlay in-dash system is over. Photo: Waze
For too many years, the only navigation application for CarPlay users was Apple Maps. But iOS 12 changed that. Last week, CarPlay users got access to Google Maps. And now the rival Waze is an option.
This means that all three of the most popular turn-by-turn smartphone navigation titles can be used with Apple’s in-dash system.
Apple wins benchmark and real-world comparisons of the performance of the iPhone XS Max and the Galaxy Note 9. Screenshot: SuperSaf TV
Both Samsung and Apple offer really large smartphones fo those who want to carry a miniature tablet around with them everywhere. Anyone trying to decide between the iPhone XS Max and the Galaxy Note 9 should consider which one offers better performance.
In several head-to-head tests, the iPhone solidly beats its Android-based rival. That’s in both benchmarks and real-world use.
The iPhone XS display is an absolute stunner. Photo: Apple
Apple knocked it out of the park with the new OLED display on the iPhone XS Max.
Reviews have been glowing about the huge new screen ever since it came out last week and now one of the most objective testers in the business has rated it as the best smartphone display ever made.
Safari's Dark Mode looks stunning in macOS Mojave. Photo: Apple
The latest version of macOS is finally here. MacOS Mojave adds Dark Mode, Dynamic Desktop, Finder Stacks, and a fantastic redesigned Finder. While your Mac is updating to the latest version, you may enjoy reading the rest of our Mojave coverage. Check it out.