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Apple drops new betas for iOS 11.4.1 and tvOS

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Developers must support iPhone X screen iOS 11 SDK
iOS 11 is getting a little bit of love before iOS 12 comes out.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Developers received a fresh batch of beta software from Apple this morning, only it wasn’t the iOS 12 beta 2 that everyone was hoping for.

iOS 11.4.1 beta 3 was released to developers this morning, alongside a new beta for tvOS 11.4.1. Both builds bring a bunch of bug fixes to iPhone, iPad and Apple TV as Apple gets ready to move onto iOS 12 and tvOS 12.

Supreme Court to rule whether developers can sue Apple

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apps wwdc screenshot
Developers suing Apple over the 30 percent App Store commission have to take their argument to the SCOTUS.
Photo: Apple

Software developers filed a lawsuit years ago claiming Apple uses the App Store to enforce a monopoly on iOS software. Apple argues that developers don’t have the right to bring this lawsuit, only consumers do.

The legal maneuvering has dragged on, but U.S. Supreme Court just announced that it will take up the question during its next term, which starts in October.

Smell played! Fortnite update adds stink bombs to Battle Royale

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Fortnite stink bomb
The stink bomb is coming soon to Battle Royale.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Close your eyes and hold your noses because stink bombs are coming soon to Fortnite: Battle Royale.

The new throwable, which will damage opponent players who get caught up in its cloud, will be added in this week’s content update. Epic has already introduced the new Omen outfit and Oracle pickaxe, which can be found in the shop now.

Stay focused on writing with iA Writer [50 Essential iOS Apps #27]

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iA Writer on iPad
iA Writer is perfect for bloggers and others writing on the go
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

50 Essential iOS Apps: iA Writer appThere are dozens of ways to write on iOS. Apple’s own Notes app offers a simple writing platform, while Pages allows for elaborate documents – complete with pictures. While both are good for certain tasks, more serious writers typically want something a little different. iA Writer offers more while doing less, making it the perfect text editor app.

So much for Tidal! Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s joint album already on Apple Music

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Jay-Z and Beyoncé
This is the power couple's first joint album.
Photo: Jay-Z and Beyoncé

Jay-Z may be the founder of Tidal, but it seems that he still cares more about streaming numbers than he does about long-term exclusives for this streaming company. At least, that’s the big takeaway from the fact that his joint album with wife Beyoncé is already available on Apple Music.

The album, titled Everything is Love, debuted on Tidal as a very short-lived exclusive over the weekend. Along with Apple Music, the new album is also available on iTunes, Spotify’s premium tier, Google Play, Amazon Music, and more.

Make editing PDFs less of a pain [Deals]

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Make PDFs into putty in your hands with this award winning editing app.
Make PDFs into putty in your hands with this award winning editing app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you work on a computer, chances are you work with PDFs. They’re a great format for sharing digital documents of all kinds. But try to edit one, and suddenly PDFs can become a pain in the butt.

Apple may have completely scrapped iPhone SE 2

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The iPhone SE proved every smartphone didn't need to be gigantic.
Alas, poor iPhone SE series. We knew you... kind of well.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you’ve been eagerly awaiting the iPhone SE 2… well, you may just have to go right on waiting.

According to a new report, citing case maker Olixar, the 5.8-inch iPhone XI, 6.5-inch iPhone XI Plus and 6.1-inch iPhone 9 are likely to be the only next-gen iPhones we’ll see this year. While the iPhone 9 will act as the affordable, budget-conscious iPhone for 2018, it means that unfortunately people who like the smaller 4-inch iPhone SE form factor will be disappointed.

iOS 12 automatically shares your location when you call 911

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iOS 12 911 calls
iOS 12 will help you get faster emergency services.
Photo: Apple

Apple is making it easier for iPhone users in the United States to be located by the emergency services with iOS 12.

When the update rolls out to everyone this fall, users will be able to automatically and securely share their location data with 911 first responders to help reduce emergency response times, Apple confirmed today.

Foxconn is establishing a corporate HQ in the U.S.

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iPhone sales drive Apple’s biggest supplier to big profits
Foxconn is growing its presence in the United States.
Photo: CBS

Long time Apple manufacturer Foxconn has revealed that its U.S. corporate headquarters will be located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This is close to its proposed U.S. factory in Wisconsin, which will reportedly be used for producing smartphone displays for clients. Foxconn is building a sprawling $10 billion campus in the area as part of President Donald Trump’s bid to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.

HomePod launches in Canada, France, and Germany

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HomePod market share
HomePod has arrived in three new markets.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s HomePod speaker has launched in three new countries, including Canada, France, and Germany.

Users can speak to HomePod in French and German, with French-Canadian language support set to be added later this year. Ahead of the release, HomePod also added support for local news outlets in these countries, allowing users to get flash news briefs from closer-to-home news sources.

How will Apple distribute its original TV shows? Here are three theories

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apple tv
Apple still hasn't spelled out how you'll be able to watch its TV shows.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The biggest question mark currently hanging over Apple’s original TV plans is how exactly Apple plans to distribute it. With the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg in tow, there’s no doubt that Apple has managed to rope in some impressive names for its video content. But how will users be able to watch it?

Here are a few theories.

Celebrate diversity with Juuk’s limited-release Apple Watch band [Pride Month]

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This beautiful limited-edition band by Juuk will be unavailable after May, so grab one now.
This beautiful limited-edition band by Juuk will be unavailable after May, so grab one now.
Photo: Juuk

Juuk’s steel bands for Apple Watch have always impressed us. June is LGBT Pride Month, and Juuk’s hard-to-get Rainbow Ligero Apple Watch band in 42 mm is back in time for the celebrations.

After months in production, we’re happy to have the 42 mm Juuk Rainbow band in stock once more in addition to the 38 mm. Also, Juuk is donating $20 of proceeds for each Rainbow Ligero purchased to Amnesty International Hong Kong to support their efforts to combat discrimination.

Grab one for Pride! Check out the entire Ligero collection in our Watch Store, and read further to learn more.

5G standard completed, ready to provide ubiquitous gigabit internet

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iPhone 5G
A 5G iPhone isn't right around the corner, but it just moved a lot closer.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

4G LTE will soon be supplanted by something better, stronger, and faster. But before 5G can be rolled out, it had to pass an important hurdle: a final design needed to be agreed apron.

The 3GPP agreed on a standard this week, opening the way to significantly faster browsing and downloads.

What iPhone X without the ‘notch’ would look like

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Vivo NEX shows how the iPhone X could have looked
The Vivo NEX shows how the iPhone X without the notch could have looked.
Photo: Vivo

Even though the iPhone X has proved very popular, its screen cutout nevertheless has critics. A rival phone maker unveiled a device that shows why Apple went with the design it did.

The Vivo NEX has a nearly edge-to-edge screen, with no notch in sight. This was accomplished by putting the front-facing camera on pop-out tab. An easily broken tab.

Don’t take your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook to the World Cup

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soccer
While you're enjoying some football, criminals might be grabbing your credit card number thanks to some iPhone hacking.
Photo: Mxmystro/Flickr

The FIFA World Cup, soccer/football’s quadrennial championship, kicked off this week in Russia, and literally billions around the world are watching. If you’re planning to actually attend one of the matches, be sure to leave behind your personal electronics.

This is the recommendation of both British and American government security services. They warn that the odds of your devices being hacked in Russia are very high.

25 Apple Watch-inspired gifts for every type of dad [Save 10%]

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cETEWR
Cult of Mac Watch Store's Father's Day gift guide takes all the hassle out of shopping for pops.
Photo: Carterjett

If Dad wears Apple Watch, Cult of Mac Watch Store’s Father’s Day gift guide gives him what he wants.

We’ve rounded up Apple Watch bands and accessories at price points high, low and in between. Use this code at checkout for 10 percent off your purchase: DAD2018

Save 96 percent on lifelong VPN protection [Deals]

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Protect your online activity with a lifetime of VPN protection.
Protect your online activity with a lifetime of VPN protection.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Going online is full of risks, from data and identity thieves to government snoops and content restrictions. It’s especially risky if you enjoy torrenting or other peer-to-peer sharing. So for all these reasons and more, connecting via VPN is a must.

Samsung Galaxy X folding phone could cost twice as much as iPhone X

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Samsung's concept folding smartphone.
Samsung concept folding device shows what the Galaxy X could look like.
Photo: Samsung

Apple and Samsung are both supposedly working on foldable phones. The Korean company will get its out first though, but hold onto your wallet, it’s going to be shockingly expensive.

An analyst predicts that this device, allegedly called the Galaxy X, will cost about 2M Korean won, or $1815. That’s nearly double the iPhone X, which drew criticism for its $999 price tag.

Get the ‘Netflix of Mac apps’ for just $6 a month [Deals]

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This Mac app subscription service removes a lot of the headache of shopping for software and keeping them up to date.
This Mac app subscription service removes a lot of the headache of shopping for software and keeping them up to date.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Browsing the App Store can feel like staring into an endless abyss. With so much software to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. So it makes sense that the Netflix-style subscription model has come to offer an alternative to scrolling through an endless stream of apps, prices and reviews.

Cult of Mac Magazine: 6 reasons you should switch to Safari and more!

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cover

Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine: In iOS 12 and macOS Mojave, Safari gets solid improvements that will win you back from Chrome — especially if you value your privacy. But while safeguarding your privacy and security on the web fuels many of Safari’s great new features, there’s much more Safari goodness to anticipate.

You’ll find that story and more in this issue. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

Apple lures away senior self-driving car engineer from Google’s Waymo

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Project Titan
One of Alphabet-subsidiary Weymo's senior engineers now works on Apple autonomous cars like this one.
Photo: Idiggapple/Twitter

Jaime Waydo is leaving Google’s Waymo for Apple. This should help silence anyone who doubts that Apple is serious about its autonomous car efforts.

Waydo describes her old job at this Alphabet subsidiary as “Helping make self driving cars a reality!” Presumably, that’s what she’ll be doing in her new position too.