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Siri ‘leaks’ about HomePod and voice change are old news [Correction]

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Siri voice
With the right question, Siri has loose lips.
Photo: iPad screen capture

Correction: This post has been updated to indicate that the Siri “leaks” making headlines this week appear to be leftovers from WWDC 2017. The somewhat cryptic Siri responses, which caused some confusion, appear to have been removed by the Siri team.

When asked about Apple’s upcoming Worldwide Developer’s Conference, Siri very sweetly dishes two interesting bits of news. Apple’s voice assistant will get a new voice, and she will lend it to a new HomePod.

The Obamas head to Netflix after flirting with Apple

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Maybe the coolest, most tech savvy president ever.
Maybe the coolest, most tech savvy president ever.
Photo: The White House

Former President Barak Obama and his wife Michelle Obama are coming to Netflix.

The duo inked a deal to produce content for the streaming service this week after reportedly being courted by Apple and Amazon earlier this year. Netflix announced the multi-year agreement today which could lead to films, scripted series, unscripted series documentaries and more.

Animoji go on a wild ride in crazy K-pop iPhone X ad

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animoji
Animoji are one of the best iPhone
Photo: Apple

Apple has tapped into the power of K-pop for its wild new Animoji ad that came out today. The South Korean group HYUKOH gave Apple exclusive rights to their catchy new song for the fun ad that features a dazzling array of lights and animated cityscapes.

The minute-long ad is similar in style to the Grammy-themed Animoji ads Apple put out earlier this year. Only in this one, the visuals are ramped up to an all-new level.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride:

The Kindle app puts an entire library in your hand [50 Essential iOS Apps #16]

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The Kindle app is the perfect platform for reading e-books on iPad or iPhone. It's one of Cult of Mac's 50 essential iOS apps.
The Kindle app is the perfect platform for reading e-books on iPad or iPhone.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

50 Essential iOS Apps: Amazon Kindle appReading books. It’s something we’ve all done at some point in our lives. People read for fun, learning or taking a break. The trouble is, having a huge collection of books takes up space and can literally weigh you down.

E-books are the solution, and the Kindle app is an excellent way to enjoy the world of literature without straining your back or your physical space. With the Kindle app, you can carry an entire library’s worth of books on your iPad or iPhone.

Apple drops a spot in Fortune 500 rankings

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European Commission could get even tougher on tech in 2020
Apple's revenues need to get bigger if it wants to rise in the rankings.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Despite closing in on becoming the country’s first trillion dollar company, Apple took a small drop in the annual Fortune 500 rankings.

The rankings released this morning put Apple in the number 4 spot as ExxonMobile leapfrogged the iPhone-maker and Berkshire Hathaway to claim the number 2 spot.

Portable USB-C monitor gives MacBook a second screen

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A second screen that’s as portable as your MacBook.
A second screen that’s as portable as your MacBook.
Photo: AOC

Adding an additional screen to your setup can result in a huge boost to productivity. And now it’s even easier for those who work on the go, thanks to AOC’s portable USB-C monitor.

This 15.6-inch screen is slim and light enough to take anywhere, and it can be hooked up to your MacBook or MacBook Pro using a single cable.

Cupertino wants to squeeze extra taxes out of Apple

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money
Headcount tax would charge Apple for every employee in Cupertino.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Cupertino could introduce a tax that would charge Apple an additional fee based on its number of employees. The city has hired a firm to poll residents asking their thoughts on such a tax, and how it should be spent.

At present, Apple has upwards of 25,000 employees in the Bay Area, although it’s not clear how many of these are specifically based in Cupertino. Apple is Cupertino’s largest employer, and has been for many years.

Déjà vu? Apple analyst remains down on ‘uninspiring’ iPhone X sales

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iphone
We were kidding last time, but this time Apple's really doomed. Seriously.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you thought last quarter’s record Apple earnings were enough to prove the doubters wrong… well, you’d be wrong.

According to a familiar sounding note from Nomura Instinet analyst Jeffrey Kvaal, iPhone sales aren’t inspiring, and Apple could be in for a disappointing next 12 months.

iPhone X dumbbell case will make you think twice about picking up your phone

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Softbank Selection
One way to address the concerns about smartphone's unhealthy impact on our lives!
Photo: Softbank Selection

If you’re anything like us, chances are that you pick up your iPhone way too much. Whether it’s checking your Twitter feed or your WhatsApp messages, calling a friend, or having a quick go on the latest iOS game, the temptation that comes with having a super-power, lightweight computer with you at every moment can be tough to resist.

A new Japanese smartphone case aims to help — in a slightly unusual way. The $100 case seeks to sever your iPhone X addiction by entrapping it in a 22 pound (10kg) dumbbell.

Fortnite leak reveals tough challenges for season 4, week 4

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Fortnite
Team Rumble just got a lot better.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite Battle Royale’s challenges for week four of season four will be available to Battle Pass buyers tomorrow morning. But you don’t have to wait until then to find out what’s in store.

The complete list of challenges has leaked out early — and it’s going to be difficult to conquer thanks to recent changes to the game.

Popular parental teen-monitoring app left user Apple IDs exposed

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TeenSafe
Passwords and email addresses were available in plaintext.
Photo: ZDNet

A popular app called TeenSafe, used by parents to keep tabs on their teenage children’s phone activity, has reportedly been compromised, resulting in “tens of thousands” of account details being exposed.

While no photos, messages or location data was revealed, the database featuring parent email addresses and their corresponding child’s Apple ID email address, plaintext password and device name was accessible. The TeenSafe app described itself as a “secure” monitoring app.

Apple’s $200 HomePod might carry Beats brand

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A cheaper version of the HomePod could drop below the $200 mark.
The rumored inexpensive HomePod might not be called a HomePod. It could be a Beats smartspeaker instead.
Photo: Apple

Rumors indicate Apple’s working on a cheaper version of the HomePod. And now there’s a new wrinkle: this device might be sold under the Beats brand name.

This would let the HomePod name stand as a premier product, while still allowing Apple to make a more affordable smartspeaker.

‘Holy iPad’ plays important role in royal wedding

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A royal wedding is a traditional affair, but an iPad still made an appearance.
A royal wedding is a traditional affair, but an iPad still made an appearance at the nuptials for the Duke and Dutchess of Sussex.
Screencap: CBS

It would be going too far to say that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wouldn’t be married today if it weren’t for an iPad. But one of Apple’s tablets did have an important role to play in the royal wedding.

Bishop Michael Curry delivered a sermon halfway through the ceremony. The good prelate read from notes displayed on his trusty iPad during his address. 

Apple v. Samsung $1 billion patent lawsuit in the hands of a jury

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Apple and Samsung return to court
There's no doubt the design of the Galaxy S copies the iPhone. A jury will soon rule on damages in the Apple v Samsung patent lawsuit.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The decade-long Apple v. Samsung patent-infringement trial is nearing its end. A jury is expected to announce Monday whether the premier Android-maker owes Apple $1 billion for copying the iPhone’s design.

Don’t buy a new MacBook Pro until you hear our newest CultCast

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MacBook Pro CultCast
MacBook Pro's keyboard may be fatally broken.

There are growing reports, tons of complaints, and a new petition claiming the butterfly keyboard in the new MacBook Pro has a critical design flaw that can’t be fixed. This episode we explore the issue with Matthew Taylor, creator of the keyboard recall petition, who tells us what’s going wrong with Apple’s butterfly keyboard, why it can’t be fixed, and why almost 26,000 people are demanding it finally be recalled.

Plus: stick around for a innovative new iPhone gimbal, a very cool throwback iPhone case, and the perfect green screen for your Twitch or Youtube streams in another tech-packed roundtable of our favorite new gadgets.

Our thanks to Udemy for supporting this episode. Whether you’re looking to learn something new or just sharpen your skills, Udemy has over 65,000 courses starting at just 11.99.
Visit Ude.my/CULTCAST or download the Udemy app to learn anytime, anywhere.

Cult of Mac Magazine: Spiffy iPhone case mimics the original iMac, and more!

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cover
In this week's Cult of Mac Magazine: Spigen's new iPhone X case is inspired by the original iMac G3, bringing some retro charm to Apple's latest handset.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine: iPhone case-maker Spigen is launching a set of iPhone X cases inspired by the original see-through iMac G3 and the first-generation iPhone.

With a see-through outer shell, Spigen’s Classic C1 resembles the original iMac. The case commemorates the 20th anniversary of the machine, which Apple launched in 1998. The iMac was the first of a string of hit products following Steve Jobs’ return that turned Apple around.

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.

E3’s leather Apple Watch bands are made the old-fashioned way  

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E3 supply co.
E3 Supply Co. Apple Watch bands come in a variety of finishes and colors. Made by hand in America.variety of finishes and colors. Made by hand in America.
Photo: E3 Supply Co.

Whether they are rebuilding vintage motorcycles or crafting Apple Watch bands, the folks at E3 Supply Co. do everything by hand. It’s not that they can’t afford fancy robots to get the job done — the small team of three prefers to do things this way.

Whether working from their shop in Brooklyn, New York, or from the mini leather workshop in the back of their customized 1977 Toyota Chinook, they do things the old-fashioned way. And now Cult of Mac is thrilled to offer E3 Supply’s handcrafted leather Apple Watch bands in our Watch Store.

Dashlane keeps your password game on point [50 Essential iOS Apps #15]

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Dashlane password manager all items list on iPhone
Dashlane can store all your logins, and makes signing in to websites quick and easy.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

50 Essential iOS Apps: Dashlane password manager appHow many logins and passwords do you have? If the answer is more than one, then ask yourself how many accounts use the same password? If that answer isn’t zero, you need Dashlane. Reused and weak passwords are one of the biggest vulnerabilities on the modern web, but remembering a bunch of unique and complex passwords is nearly impossible. What isn’t hard is using your thumb or face to open a password manager with all your strong passwords.

Developers Union wants free trials for all iOS apps

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iPhone App Store
A new group of iPhone developers wants Apple to offer lime-limited free trials for everything in the App Store.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Four coders have come together to found The Developers Union, whose primary principle is “people who create great software should be able to make a living doing it.”

The group’s first cause is asking Apple to allow free trials for everything in the App Store. The union has plans to advocate for additional changes in the future.

Epic makes big promises for Fortnite on mobile, but one thing’s missing

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Fortnite mobile controller
You can now play at 120Hz on iPad Pro.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Epic Games is preparing a number of big features for Fortnite Battle Royale on mobile.

In its “State of Mobile” update published today, the company promises voice chat and statistics are coming this summer — along with Android support. But one key feature, which we’ve all been patiently waiting for, is missing from its list.