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Why AT&T customers could have a first shot at a 5G iPhone

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AT&T logo
AT&T is way, way ahead of the competition in rolling out mobile 5G.
Photo: Luismt94/Wikipedia CC

Anyone eagerly awaiting a 5G iPhone probably should be an AT&T subscriber. This wireless service provider will have mobile 5G service in a dozen cities before any of its rivals have it in even one.

Still, rival Verizon hit a milestone today by making the world’s first 5G NR call from a smartphone-size device.

Smark translation device feels strangely retro in iPhone age [Review]

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Translator
Can Smark do anything our iPhone can't do?
Photo: Luke Dormehl/Cult of Mac

The Smark modular translator is something like Star Trek’s universal translator, a device able to instantly convert spoken words from one language to another.

In the 1960s, this was pure sci-fi. But here in 2018, translation apps on our smartphones can handle the task with ease and accuracy. At this point, is there any reason for a standalone translation device? Smark offers some features that might make it appealing to travelers.

Trump tariffs may jack up Apple Watch prices by 20%

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Yeah, we're pretty incredulous about your ideas, too, Mr. Trump.
Thanks Donald!
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC

Trump’s latest round of proposed tariffs will negatively impact Apple’s revenues but according to some numbers crunched by an Apple analyst, investors shouldn’t worry about the company’s profits being hit too hard.

Apple revealed last week that some of the proposed tariffs would hurt the profitability of Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod and Apple Pencil. Price increases would be passed on to consumers, however, it probably won’t be more than a 20% jump.

iPhone XS Max is the iPhone fans lust after most

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This could be the iPhone XS Plus and iPhone XS, Apple's 2018 iPhone models.
Get ready for iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max.
Photo: Lee Gunho

The iPhone XS Max is set to be the biggest phone Apple’s ever made once it officially debuts this week. It’s also poised to be the most expensive iPhone you could ever buy, but that apparently isn’t going to deter fans from gobbling up stock as soon as it hits stores.

In a recent poll asking Cult of Mac readers which 2108 iPhone they plan to buy, the pricey iPhone XS Max had more interest than the other two new iPhones and it wasn’t even close.

Check out the results:

How Apple Watch Series 4 will raise the bar for wearables [UPDATED]

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Apple Watch Series 4
Somehow, this official photo of Apple Watch Series 4 leaked out early.
Photo: 9to5Mac

Apple’s biggest keynote of the year is just days away and while the iPhone XS will be the main attraction of the event, Apple Watch Series 4 could steal the show with a bevy of new features.

Rumors about the Apple Watch Series 4 have been heating up leading up to next week’s event. Leaked images of the new wearable have already surfaced online, but there’s still a bit of mystery surrounding the new gadget.

Here’s everything we know about Apple Watch Series 4:

Reliable analyst says iPad Pro will have a USB-C port

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The 2018 iPad Pro has every change we hoped for. And some of the ones we feared.
The mystery port on the 2018 iPad Pro models could be USB-C.
Photo: MySmartPrice

This report would probably be dismissed out of hand if it came from anyone else, but when Ming-Chi Kuo says the 2018 iPad Pro will have a USB-C port it has to be taken seriously.

This analyst has a long history of reliable predictions, so its possible Apple is finally going to make a change to its professional tablets that many people have been requesting for years.

Apple Watch Series 4 set to get ceramic back and electrocardiogram

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Apple Watch's heart rate monitor
Apple Watch's heart rate monitor is set to get a big upgrade.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

New details about the upcoming Apple Watch Series 4 have been revealed just days before Apple is set to unveil the upgraded wearable.

One of the most respected Apple analysts in the business just put out a new report that claims the metal back of the Apple Watch will change to a ceramic design. Even better, the watches will come with a new health sensor.

6.1-inch LCD iPhone might be in short supply this fall

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6.5- and 6.1-inch 2018 iPhone models
Complications could keep us waiting for Apple’s more affordable iPhone.
Photo: OnLeaks

If you’ve been itching to get yours hands on iPhone X but don’t want to spend $1,000 on a phone, Apple’s rumored 6.1-inch LCD handset could be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

But good luck getting one this fall. A new report, citing sources familiar with Apple’s plans, claims the device will suffer supply shortages at launch as a result of “minor complications” with its new display.

What’s more, some of the other products you we were hoping to see this week may not be announced until later.

Bigger iPhones could explain Apple’s booming Services business

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iphone mockups
The biggest iPhone lineup Apple's ever made.
Photo: Macotakara

Is Apple’s push to release ever-larger iPhones anything to do with the growing success of its Services division? That’s the theory put forward by the Wall Street Journal.

Drawing on Kantar data, the report notes how larger screens are linked with greater usage of everything from apps to watching videos. It would also explain why Apple is seemingly in no rush to upgrade its 4-inch iPhone SE, despite the fact that some users love it.

Carpool Karaoke lands Apple a big win at Emmy Awards

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Carpool Karaoke
Carpool Karaoke was a winner at Sunday's Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s foray into original television programming has paid off with an Emmy Award.

Carpool Karaoke, a series spinoff of a segment done by James Corden on the Late Late Show, beat out Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show and the Tonight Show, to win the Emmy in the category of short-form variety series.

The Emmy was awarded Sunday night at the Creative Arts Emmys.

World’s largest carrier spills big 2018 iPhone secret

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iPhone X home screen
iOS 14's Home screen could be very different.
Photo: Apple

The world’s largest carrier just confirmed one big rumor about the 2018 iPhone lineup.

China Mobile has published an image that all but confirms a new Apple smartphone capable of supporting two SIM cards simultaneously. A separate teaser from rival China Telecom also hints at dual-SIM functionality for a next-generation iPhone.

Classic puzzler Professor Layton and the Curious Village coming to iOS

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Professor Layton
Coming soon to an App Store near you.
Photo: Level-5

According to a post on the official App Store Twitter account, the celebrated puzzle adventure game Professor Layton and the Curious Village is on its way to iOS.

Released for the Nintendo DS in Japan back in 2007, and in North America the year after, Curious Village is the first title in the immensely popular Professor Layton series. It was ported to mobile for the Japanese market in June this year, but this is the first time we’ve heard about an English language version for iOS. And we couldn’t be happier!

Apple acquires feature-length documentary and animated movie

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apple tv
Apple's original content catalog is getting even better.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple has acquired the rights to two feature-length films as part of its original content efforts. The first is a feature documentary, titled The Elephant Queen of Athena, while the second is an animated film called Wolfwakers.

The Elephant Queen of Athena was opened up to buyers earlier this year at the European Film Market in Berlin, Germany. Following the story of an elephant matriarch who leads her family on journey across Africa in search of food and water, it’s been likened to 2005’s highly successful March of the Penguins.

Apple removes Mac apps which are stealing user data

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The CIA has a team of more than 5,000 hackers.
Problematic apps were stealing user data and sending it to remote servers.
Photo: Brian Klug/Flickr CC

Apple has removed a series of apps from the Mac App Store after they were found to be accessing users’ private data and sending it to remote servers. The apps in question include Adware Doctor, Open Any Files: RAR Support, Dr. Antivirus, and Dr. Cleaner.

The apps duped users into giving them access to their macOS home directories by promising to perform functions such as scanning for viruses or clearing caches. By accessing the home directory, they were then able to gain access to information about users’ browsing history, and more.

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.