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Stop your boss from reading your private Slack chats with Shhlack

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Slacking off? Then hide your private chats from your boss with Shhlack.
Slacking off? Then hide your private chats from your boss with Shhlack.
Photo: Giorgio Minguzzi/Flickr CC

Did you know that your boss can read your private Slack chats? That’s right — whenever you switch to a direct messaging session to avoid Slack’s public chat thread, you might think you are chatting away from your boss’s prying ears, the virtual equivalent of a quick word in the stairwell.

However, that’s not the case. The boss can drop in and spy on your “private” chats at any time. Luckily, there’s a way to fix that, using a tool called Shhlack.

Huge PUBG Mobile update adds War mode and lots more

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PUBG Mobile 0.5.0
PUBG Mobile is bigger and better.
Photo: PlayerUnknown

PUBG’s mission to fight back against Fortnite continues today with a massive update that brings a whole host of awesome new content to mobile.

Players can enjoy a fast-paced War mode and a brand new sniper rifle, join clans, chat with friends, earn new achievements, and lots more.

The future of high-speed broadband is in your iPhone X

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VCSEL
The laser in the iPhone X's Face ID could one day transform the speed of broadband.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

That nifty little laser in the iPhone X that scans your face to create a custom animated emoji could also connect cities with ultra high-speed broadband.

That’s what a team of researchers in Europe have discovered by combining the laser with silicon photonics to create long-wavelength, high-capacity communications. If implemented, it could make data logjams a thing of the past.

Kase ultrathin iPhone cases and Lightning cables prove simplicity is sexy

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These Kase ultrathin iPhone X cases live up to the sleek simplicity of Apple design philosophy.
These ultrathin iPhone X cases live up to the sleek simplicity of Apple design philosophy.
Photo: Kase

This post is presented by Kase.

One of the main reasons to get an iPhone is the sleek, minimalist design. But plenty of the other necessaries — protective cases, replacement charging cables, etc. — look like afterthoughts or add-ons. Apple puts plenty of time and care into creating devices that prove pleasing to the eyes and hands, and we all pay plenty of money to enjoy them.

Anyone looking for Apple-worthy design and durability can dig this line of cases and cables from Kase.

Apple issues thermal throttling fix for 2018 MacBook Pros

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2018 MacBook Pro
Apple just released a fix that will speed up every 2018 MacBook Pro, no matter the processor or screen size.
Photo: Apple

Ever since the debut of the 2018 MacBook Pro, there’s been controversy about the top-tier version suffering thermal throttling. Apple today apologized for this problem, and released a fix.

It also seems every version of the new Apple laptop will down-clock itself to prevent overheating. The slowdowns occur even when it’s not totally necessary to stop the machines from being damaged.

Watch this itsy-bitsy spider get stuck inside an iMac screen

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iMac
Yes, that's a real spider stuck behind the screen.
Photo: Timothy Buchanan

Apple’s iMac computers make a surprisingly good home for spiders. Or at least one really tiny spider that found its way in between one shocked owner’s LCD panel and front glass.

The spider can be seen crawling around inside the iMac on a video posted to YouTube. At first, the owner thought it was a digital prank. But when he starts moving different app windows over it and the spider starts running around, he realizes this is no joke.

If you have arachnophobia you might not want to watch:

Future iPhones may pack moving camera sensors for external lenses

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Moment lens on iPhone
Don't retire that wide-angle lens attachment just yet.
Photo: Moment

A lens attachment can extend the view of your native iPhone camera. It can also botch an otherwise nice image if not attached properly.

Apple is suggesting hardware and software changes to the iPhone and iPad camera systems that can reduce operator error and aid an extra lens in delivering that promised DSLR quality.

Trump may not spare iPhone from trade war

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Apple waives developer fees for nonprofits, others in 8 additional countries
iPhones could get caught in crossfire of U.S-China trade war
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Tim Cook was reportedly assured that the iPhone wouldn’t been among the items to be hit with an import tariff as part of the United States’ burgeoning trade war with China.

However, according to a new report, it may wind up being hit with two sets of charges: one on iPhones imported from China, and another tax levied in China itself. Ouch!

Foxconn is hiring to ramp up production for iPhone refresh

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iPhone sales drive Apple’s biggest supplier to big profits
Foxconn is one of Apple's oldest suppliers.
Photo: CBS

This year’s iPhone refresh could be the super cycle Apple’s been waiting for — and manufacturer Foxconn is taking steps accordingly.

As per a new report, the manufacturing giant, which employs around 1 million people in China alone, is ramping up its hiring for people willing to work on the iPhone production line. And it’s offering incentives to help with the recruitment drive!

WhatsApp is bringing media previews to iOS notifications

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WhatsApp on iOS
WhatsApp users have been waiting for better notifications.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp notifications on iOS are about to get a lot more useful.

The popular messaging service is now testing media previews that let users view images and even animated GIFs before opening a message. Today’s update has also added the ability to use Siri to send messages to groups.

eBay promises Apple Pay support in 2018

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Antitrust investigators want to know if retailers were compelled to use Apple Pay
It’ll take years to roll out to everyone.
Illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

eBay is giving shoppers the ability to purchase items with Apple Pay this fall.

The service will become a primary payment option on the eBay website and in the mobile app. A small group of Marketplace customers will get the chance to try it before it rolls out to everyone in a few years.

Apple’s stunning new Milan store is an elemental masterpiece

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Milan
Apple's most attractive Apple Store yet?
Photo: Apple

Apple is set to add another architectural marvel to its roster of stunning Apple Stores when it opens its new location in Milan, Italy next week.

To celebrate the occasion, Apple has released some attractive pictures of the Apple Piazza Liberty — which includes a gorgeous above-ground fountain, leading down to a fully-stocked underground store. Kind of like the company’s iconic Fifth Avenue venue in New York, with an extra sheen of high fashion chic.

Fortnite 5.10 brings new weapons and challenges, iOS improvements

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Fortnite first birthday
Celebrate Fortnite’s first birthday with special rewards.
Photo: Epic Games

This week’s Fortnite 5.10 is rolling out now, adding new weapons, new challenges, and some nice improvements for players on iOS.

The brand new compact SMG makes its official debut, and there are a series of challenges and rewards to enjoy for Fortnite’s first birthday. An improved Playground mode is also available for a limited time.

Verizon wants to team up with Apple or Google for 5G TV

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apple tv
The long-rumored Apple live TV package could get a helping hand from Verizon.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Verizon wants to hook up with either Apple or Google to provide TV services when it launches its super fast 5G service to customers in Los Angeles and Sacramento, a new report claims.

The idea is that packaging Verizon’s 5G online TV with either Google’s YouTube TV or an as-yet-unnanounced Apple TV package would help Verizon to showcase its new service.

Juuk’s Velo Apple Watch bands are classic to the core

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juuk
The Velo by Juuk — an aluminum, three-link band shown here in Obsidian.
Photo: Juuk

Juuk’s engineered, aluminum Apple Watch bands are always on point. Then they elevate things even more.

The Velo is the first in Juuk’s luxury lineup of aluminum bands to feature a tapered, three-link design. And, the popular Obsidian finish is finally back in stock! This classic band comes in four additional finishes — Midnight, Ruby, Cosmic Grey and Silver. Check them out below.

Apple will answer HomePod owners’ burning questions during live Q&A

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Apple will provide HomePod tech support at a special online event in a few days. Get your questions ready.
Apple will provide HomePod tech support at a special online event in a few days. Get your questions ready.
Photo: Apple

The HomePod is a new product and Apple wants to be sure owners of this smartspeaker are getting all the benefits. That’s why the company scheduled a live chat with HomePod specialists for later this week. It’s open to anyone with questions.

A lot of people get tech support on their electronics from friends, but the $349 HomePod is struggling to compete against the much cheaper Amazon Echo, so many users probably don’t know someone else with this device.

Hands on with Ullu’s colorful leather Apple Watch bands [Unboxing]

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ullu
A tiny bit of color goes a long way!
Photo: Ullu

Renowned for its snap-on iPhone cases, Ullu also makes a beautiful assortment of luxurious, leather Apple Watch bands.

Crafted for an excellent finish and fit, these well-padded and stitched bands come in either hand-painted or premium leather.

Our very own Nadine Kahney gives us a hands-on look at the Ullu Premium Leather Band in Tangerine, available for purchase in Cult of Mac’s Watch Store. Check it out below.

Consumer Reports says MacBook Pro thermal throttling is a feature not a bug

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The new MacBook Pros feature True Tone technology for
The 2018 MacBook Pro with a Core i9 processor is subject to thermal throttling, but it's hardly alone in that.
Photo: Apple

The top-of-the-line MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i9 processor has gotten some bad press. The new laptop reportedly is subject to thermal throttling, which is a fancy way of saying that its CPU gets so hot that it slows itself down before burning up.

But before anyone criticizes Apple too much, Consumer Reports came to the company’s defense. The consumer-testing organization points out that other laptops with top-tier processors are also subject to thermal throttling.

Samsung accidentally leaks its next Apple Watch competitor

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000DF237-B536-40BB-92D3-C46E305F9DDF
Behold! The Samsung Watch in rose gold.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung is planning to take on Apple Watch with a totally rebranded smartwatch of its own — and we already know what it will look like.

Samsung leaked photos of the upcoming smartwatch on its own website this morning. Unlike previous versions of the company’s watch, this one looks a bit more stylish. You’ll probably be shocked to know it borrows some design elements that make Apple Watch so appealing.

How to make your iPhone videos sound as good as they look

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The quickest and easiest way to improve iPhone audio is with a Lightning mic.
The quickest and easiest way to improve iPhone audio is with a Lightning mic.
Photo: Zoom

Your iPhone camera is amazing. Especially for video. Modern iPhones capture 4K video, and pretty much any iPhone from the past few years can easily do high-definition 1080p. It’s also likely that your videos will be stabilized, so they look smooth, like they were shot with a Steadicam, not a shaky human hand.

The sound, though, isn’t as good as the image. The iPhone’s microphones are good, but not nearly as high-end as its camera. Also, the best place for a microphone often isn’t right next to the lens. It’s better to put it as close to the sound source — usually a person speaking — as possible. The good news is that it’s easy to get much better sound on your iPhone videos. Here’s how.

Fortnite’s Playground mode returns alongside birthday rewards

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Fortnite first birthday
Fortnite will celebrate its first birthday in style!
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite’s hugely popular Playground mode is making a comeback this week with support for squad battles, the all terrain kart, and “lots more loot.”

Epic Games has also promised birthday rewards when you complete challenges and quests in-game to celebrate Fortnite’s first anniversary. It’s sure to be a crazy week for fans of Battle Royale.