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Apple now has second biggest fleet of self-driving test cars in California

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lexus
The 2015 Lexus RX450h is Apple's vehicle of choice.
Photo: Lexus

Apple still hasn’t publicly announced its plans when it comes to autonomous cars. However, in the meantime it continues to grow its fleet of self-driving test cars — which are now the second largest in the state of California.

At present, Apple has 55 self-driving vehicles that it is testing on public roads. That’s up from just three in April 2017, little over one year ago. In March this year, that number was at 45. Apple lags only behind GM Cruise, which has 104 test vehicles on the road.

Brydge 12.9 Series II iPad Pro keyboard lighter, faster and brighter

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Brydge 12.9 is almost a touchscreen MacBook
The Brydge 12.9 Series II might be the closest we get to a MacBook with a touchscreen.
Photo: Brydge

A second version of the Brydge 12.9 add-on keyboard for the largest iPad Pro will debut in July. Its all-aluminum casing will weigh less than its predecessor’s, it will use a newer version of Bluetooth, and the backlight will be brighter.

The Brydge line uses hinges that are also clamps to convert Apple’s tablet into a clamshell laptop. There are versions for all the various iPad sizes.

Alligator leather makes Hadoro AirPods more luxurious and expensive

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These are just some of the color options for Hadoro AirPods.
These are just some of the color options for Hadoro AirPods.
Photo: Hadoro

Apple’s AirPods are more than wireless headphones; they’re fashion accessories. Hadoro AirPods take that to the next level by using alligator leather to make something any starlet or internet billionaire could be proud to be seen carrying.

The French company produces these cases in seven different colors. A black version includes a pair of matching black AirPods. 

Google One offers more cloud storage for less money

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Google One is apparently going to replace Google Drive.
Google One is apparently going to replace Google Drive, bringing lower prices for some cloud-storage plans.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Google cut the price for 2TB cloud storage plan in half, and created a new 200GB option. It also redubbed all its online storage under a new “Google One” name.

The goal seems to be to make Google’s storage offerings for consumers more competitive with Apple’s.

Apple shows off iPhone X’s studio skills in new video

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iPhone X portrait lighting ad
Up your selfie game with iPhone X's portrait lighting feature.
Photo: Apple

Apple debuted a new ad today that showcases the incredible powers of Portrait Mode on the iPhone X.

The fun new ad is similar in style to some of the wild Face ID ads Apple put out earlier this year and highlights how having an iPhone X is like literally carrying an entire array of studio lights in your pocket.

Check it out:

How to protect your Mac, iPhone, iPad from Efail email exploit

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EFAIL lets hackers read encrypted emails on your iPhone.
EFAIL lets hackers read encrypted emails on your iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Researchers in Europe have discovered a way to read the contents of encrypted emails sent with iOS and macOS devices. The so-called Efail exploit is significant enough that the Electronic Frontier Foundation calls it an “immediate risk.”

Apple is certainly working on a patches for all its devices, but there are ways to protect your laptop, phone and tablet now.

Spiffy new iPhone X cases look like original iMac and iPhone

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Spigen Classic C1 iMac inspired iPhone X-case
Spigen's new iPhone X case is inspired by the original iMac G3, bringing some retro charm to Apple's latest handset.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

I test a lot of iPhone cases and rarely get comments. Most of them aren’t that distinctive. But a new iMac-inspired case from Spigen attracted the attention of my teenage kids and even elicited a compliment: “Cool case, Dad!”

Divide and conquer your Mac photo library

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Is your Mac photo library a mess? The PowerPhotos Mac photo app can help.
Is your Mac photo library a mess?
Photo: picjumbo.com/Pexels CC

This post is presented by Fat Cat Software, maker of PowerPhotos.

If there’s one thing photo libraries do, it’s grow. And as they increase in size, they also become harder to organize. Duplicates creep in, folders get mixed up, and the size can easily get out of control. But a Mac app called PowerPhotos offers new moves for managing your digital photo library.

Fortnite leak reveals new weapon and challenges for Battle Royale

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Fornite Battle Royale Bullpup Burst
The Bullpup Burst could make its way to Battle Royale.
Photo: Epic

Fortnite Battle Royale could get a new assault rifle in an upcoming content update.

A “Bullpup Burst” has been uncovered in the game’s data files following its most recent release. The gun deals more damage than the regular three-burst assault rifle, and could be available in epic and legendary varieties.

Week three challenges for season four have also been leaked.

Control your analog guitar pedals with this iPhone app and looper

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DC Pedals Bluetooth Looper will switch your pedals in and out using an iPhone app.
This box will switch your pedals in and out using an iPhone app.
Photo: DC Pedals

There are great guitar effects apps for iOS, apps which take the signal from your electric guitar and process it with weird and/or great-sounding effects. And there are also several Bluetooth gadgets that let you control those apps with your feet.

But what about the other way around? Is there a way to take a guitarist’s collection of old-school analog effects pedals, and control them from your iPhone? Well yes, now there is. It’s DC Pedals’ Bluetooth Looper and VirtualLooper app.

Free app earns you cash back at your favorite restaurants

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Square's Cash Boost rewards program offer new ways to save at Chipotle, Shake Shack and other chains.
Square's Cash Boost rewards program offer new ways to save.
Screenshot: Gabe Trumbo/Cult of Mac

Square’s Cash App just got far more rewarding. The Cash Boost program now offers cash back at several well-known restaurants and stores, including Shake Shack and Chipotle. Even better, now anybody can participate.

With a little strategy, you can save loads of money on everyday purchases. Here’s how you can earn cash back at restaurants every day with the free Cash App.

Embrace automation with Workflow [50 Essential iOS Apps #13]

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Workflow app Webpage to PDF action
Workflow can make the most basic of tasks incredibly simple.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

50 Essential iOS Apps: Workflow appNot all tasks are simple or straightforward. Sometimes a task involve multiple complex or repetitive steps. Having the ability to use a “program” to do these tasks quickly and easily makes you more efficient. Unfortunately, we aren’t all programmers. Workflow for iOS makes performing complex or repetitive tasks a breeze, all without needing to know a programming language.

Colorful iPhones might be coming back this year

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iPhone 5c
Did you like the colorful iPhone 5c?
Photo: Apple

Apple could bring back its multicolored iPhones strategy, last seen with the iPhone 5c, as a selling point for this year’s iPhone 8s handsets.

The LCD model iPhone is likely to be one of the year’s more affordable iPhone handsets, therefore making it more appealing to younger consumers. According to Rosenblatt analyst Jun Zhang, Apple could introduce colors including blue, yellow and pink. 2013’s iPhone 5c came in green, yellow, white, red and blue options.

iPad Pro helped persuade New Yorker artist to paint digitally

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iPad Pro image
Mark Ulriksen has been a celebrated magazine artist for years.
Photo: New Yorker

New Yorker cover artist Mark Ulriksen went from “technologically illiterate” to loving working on his iPad Pro, a new profile article reveals.

Ulriksen painted by hand using acryclic and gouache paint until last October when he splashed out on a fancy new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and copy of the app Procreate.

Apple sued for alleged role in 2016 EgyptAir plane crash

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EgyptAir
The EgyptAir flight 804 crash resulted in the death of 66 people.
Photo: Mehmet Mustafa Celik/Wikipedia CC

The family of victims of a 2016 EgyptAir airplane crash are suing Apple, blaming the plane crash on an overheating iOS device belonging to the co-pilot.

According to the lawsuit, the co-pilot’s iPhone 6s or iPad mini overheated in the cockpit and ultimately caused a fire, which caused the plane to crash. EgyptAir is also named in the suit.

YouTube bingers can now set ‘take a break’ reminders

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full screen youtube iPad safari
Is it time you took a break from YouTube?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Hello, my name is Killian and I’m a YouTube addict.

I know I’m not the only one. There’s a large number of us out there. But now we have help. YouTube’s new “take a break” reminders let you know when it’s time to put down your phone and experience life outside of videos.

Here’s how you use them.

Apple and Samsung will meet in court again today

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Samsung
"Phil? Phil Connors?"
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple and Samsung are heading back to court again today for the latest chapter in their never-ending legal battle.

Seven years after Apple first sued Samsung for copying the iPhone, this is the third retrial over the same five patents being contested in the suit. And we don’t expect it to be the last retrial, either!

iPhone SE with Face ID could debut in September

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iPhone SE 2 with glass back
iPhone SE could be one of six (!) 2018 iPhones.
Photo: Olixar

The next-gen iPhone SE model is coming this year, but according to a new report, you’re going to be waiting for it for a while!

Unlike the original iPhone SE, which debuted March 21, 2016, its iPhone SE 2 follow-up is reportedly going to debut around September. That means that it will be one of four iPhones that Apple will debut in late Q3.

Apple earned more money last quarter than Amazon ever has

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
Apple, in case you didn't know, makes some crazy money!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

From the way that Apple and Amazon are neck and neck when it comes to valuation, you could be forgiven for thinking that they make similar money.

But you’d be wrong: In fact, Apple brought in more cash in the last three months than Amazon has in its entire lifetime. While there’s no getting around how insanely successful Amazon is, that factoid alone shows just how far ahead of the rest of the tech pack Apple actually is!

Verizon spinoff offers unlimited wireless service at $40 a month

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Visible offers discount Verizon service, and it's currently iPhone only.
Visible uses Verizon's network to offer discount service. It's currently iPhone only.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Verizon Wireless spun off a startup that offers unlimited data, voice, and messages for just $40 a month. The new company, dubbed Visible, is currently only offering this service for unlocked iPhones.

But there is a catch: all data connections are always throttled to 5Mbps, well below what Verizon’s network can provide.

Damaged iPhone appears to explode on video

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iPhone explosion caught on security video
Before-and-after of an iPhone explosion in front of a security camera.
Screencap: ABC News

An iPhone reportedly exploded and briefly caught fire in front of a security camera. 

The device was an iPhone 6 that was in the shop for repair. Its battery had supposedly begun to expand, cracking the display.