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AI boosts Microsoft Translator for iPhone

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Microsoft Translator
Need to talk to the waiter in a French restaurant? Microsoft Translator wants to help, even if you're offline.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Microsoft Translator has been around for a while, but this app is getting a huge improvement: artificial intelligence-powered translations even when the iPhone is offline.

Using translation apps in a foreign country can be nerve wracking.  Such software almost always depends on remote servers to do the hard work. Microsoft, however, has squeezed the necessary AI into a mobile app.

‘Trustjacking’ is the dangerous new iPhone hack you’ve never heard of

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iphone
What’s on your wish list for a future iPhone?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

You might want to think twice before plugging your iPhone into a friends laptop for a quick charge.

Security researchers have discovered an all-new type of iOS hack called “trustjacking” that uses one of a little-known WiFi feature to access a device’s data, even when the targeted device isn’t in the same location anymore.

How to add extra filter packs to the iPhone’s Photos app

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filter packs iPhone
Captured, edited, and filtered, all inside the Camera and Photos apps.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

One lesser known ability of the Photos app on your iPhone is that is can use third-party filter packs. If you install a photo-editing app that supports them, then you can apply that apps filters without ever leaving the Photos app. This makes it super quick to add sophisticated effects to your pictures, and you can revert to the original photo at any time in the future.

Today we’ll see how to use these filter packs, and look at a couple of great apps that have them.

Smart lock lets you unlock your home with Apple Watch

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Apple Watch August lock
It’s all thanks to the August Smart Lock.
Photo: August

If you’re forever losing your keys, why bother using them at all? Now you can unlock your doors using your Apple Watch, thanks to the August Smart Lock.

It’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to get into your home, and you don’t even need your iPhone.

Vulse app brings gestural and touch effects to guitar

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vulse for iPhone
Like an electronic whammy bar.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Vulse is a neat app for musicians. More specifically, it’s for guitarists. The app has been around for a while, but got a big old update this week that makes it worth a new look. The idea of the app is that you stick your iPhone onto your guitar, just below where you strum the strings, and then use a combination of wild flailing and screen-stroking to apply crazy effects on the fly.

Here’s how Apple is fighting GrayKey iPhone unlocker

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GrayKey can bypass iPhone security
iPhone unlockers are blocked if a week goes by without the correct passcode being entered.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple hasn’t found the security holes that iPhone unlocking tools use, but iOS 11.3 took a step that makes these cracking devices less useful. Police now have a limited amount of time to circumvent the user’s passcode before it becomes impossible.

This is part of an ongoing struggle between Apple and law enforcement agencies. The iPhone maker wants to protect the privacy of users, while police want access to information stored on devices used in crimes.

Stay ahead of the storm with Dark Sky Weather [50 Essential iOS Apps #2]

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Dark Sky app on iPhone
The Dark Sky app provides a useful look at the next hour.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

50 Essential iOS Apps: Dark Sky Weather app Weather is something we all deal with, and an accurate idea of what’s coming can help inform your day-to-day decisions. With the Dark Sky Weather app, you can know exactly when to expect a change in weather conditions.

Unlike many of its competitors, Dark Sky goes deeper than a simple high-level summary of the day’s forecast. It offers hyperlocal forecasts for your exact address, with down-to-the-minute notifications about changing weather conditions. Uncannily accurate, it’s a shining ray of light in the storm of weather apps.

Master the art of public speaking [Deals]

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Get the skills and confidence to be an effective public speaker.
Get the skills and confidence to be an effective public speaker.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There are few things more stressful than public speaking. But there are also few opportunities to make an impact with your ideas or message. Just think of Steve Jobs, and what comes to mind? Probably a mental image of him speaking on stage.

Chrome adds Windows Defender to protect your Mac

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Windows Defender Google Chrome
Windows Defender is now available inside Google Chrome.
Photo: Microsoft

Windows Defender, which protects Windows 10 PCs from malware, can now keep your Mac safe from inside Google Chrome.

Microsoft has turned its antivirus app into a Chrome extension that promises to detect phishing links in your emails and dodgy sites that distribute malicious software. It’s 99 percent effective, according to Microsoft, which makes Windows Defender better than rival browser protections.

Apple Music is poised for some massive growth in the near future

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Apple Music
Apple Music could pass 100 million subscribers in the next three years.
Photo: Apple

Apple Music recently passed the 40 million paid subscribers mark. Just like old reports about now-tiny-looking “records” set by Apple, however, those numbers could soon be dwarfed thanks to Apple Music’s rapid growth.

According to a new report, Apple Music is set to achieve annual growth of 40 percent a year over the next three years. By our math, that would mean that Apple is looking at around 110 million users by around 2021.

Still Here is a gorgeous platformer about the end of humanity

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Still Here
Could this be one of the year's most stunning iOS games?
Photo: Still Here

2018 is shaping up to be one heck of a year for iOS gaming. The latest example? A stunning new game called Still Here, set to debut in the App Store later this month.

Set in an alternate version of reality, in which mankind has vanished and been replaced by artificial lifeforms, it’s a gorgeous platform game boasting lush animation and visuals. Check out the trailer below.

Fortnite could make $500 million on mobile this year

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Fortnite base
Fortnite is a runaway hit on iOS.
Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Just in case you’ve somehow not heard, Fortnite is so hot right now. According to new figures released by Sensor Tower, it grossed more than $25 million in its first month on mobile.

Think that’s impressive? Based on the fact that it’s not yet available on Android, that figure could rise to surpass $500 million this year if this situation changes.

Apple considering AirPod charging case with Bluetooth speaker

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Bluetooth in iOS 11
The AirPod charging case will do so much more, if a new Apple patent turns into a real product.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The case for your Apple wireless earbuds is necessary to charge them, but it’s useless the rest of the time. But what if this AirPod charging case was itself a speaker?

That’s the concept behind a patent Apple just received. Whether it will turn into an actual product is anyone’s guess.

App to hide secret porn stashes booted from iPhone App Store

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Private Photo
There's little doubt what kind of images were expected to be hidden by Private Photo.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple apparently removed some software from its App Store that allows users to hide images behind an innocent front. However, this doesn’t appear to be part of a general crackdown on this type of app.

Digital Mind Co.’s Private Photo (Calculator%) got singled out by police and parental watchdog groups who were concerned that teenagers would use it to conceal illicit images. The app functions as a calculator, but entering a password allows access to a secret image vault.

Apple lays groundwork for bendable iPhone

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Martin Hajek
A curved iPhone would be just a first step toward a bendable iPhone.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Apple today received a patent for a device with a bendable display. Sadly, that doesn’t mean that an clamshell iPhone is right around the corner. The wait for an iPad that be folded up and slipped in a pocket is probably still going to be a long one.

The patent was filed in 2016 because Apple is just preparing for the day when bendable displays are a reality.

Get your Star Wars fix with these Solo iPhone cases

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otterbox
Just in time for Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Photo: Otterbox

The most anticipated Star Wars movie of 2018 is nearly here and OtterBox has got the official cases to get you ready for the premiere.

OtterBox’s new Solo: A Star Wars Story Symmetry Series cases are out in advance of the film, providing fans with three awesome artworks to choose from that pay tribute to some of the most classic characters in a galaxy far far away.

The best Apple Pencil apps that aren’t for drawing

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apple-pencil-jar
Don't leave your Apple Pencil in the jar.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

You have a new iPad, and you have a new Apple Pencil. Time to learn how to draw, right? Not necessarily. Just like a regular pen or pencil, there are ton of other things you can do with an Apple Pencil. You can write, of course, but you can also play games, compose musical scores, do coloring in books, edit photos, and even play the Apple Pencil like a musical instrument.

Let’s take a look at the best non-drawing apps for Apple Pencil.

Awesome wireless earbuds, Qi charging mousepads, and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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TicPods Free
TicPods Free are the affordable alternative to AirPods.
Photo: Mobvoi

Crowdfund Roundup bugYou no longer have an excuse to keep using wired headphones with your iPhone. TicPods Free are the affordable wireless earbuds that combine awesome audio with noise cancellation and intuitive touch controls.

They’re just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We’ve also got a mousepad that wirelessly charges your iPhone, intelligent sleep masks, and more!

The next big Castlevania game is an iOS exclusive

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Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls
Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls is coming to iPhone and iPad, but not consoles or PCs.
Photo: Konami

Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls is the next chapter in this side-scrolling game series. It’s the first new installment since 2014, and will only be for iOS.

This long-running RPG series from Konami began on the original Nintendo Entertainment System back in 1986. Grimoire of Souls includes classic characters and music from the earlier versions.

Apple doubles down on AI in Seattle

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Siri
Siri needs all the AI talent it can get.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s is slowly invading the home turf of some of its biggest rivals in Seattle.

The iPhone-maker has reportedly secured more office space in one of the biggest skyscrapers in Seattle, where Amazon, Microsft and Facebook all fight for top tech talent.

Intel speeds up chips by offloading virus scans

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Intel-Kaby-Lake
Intel will task GPUs with antivirus scanning.
Photo: Intel

Intel plans to offload virus scanning to improve the performance of its processors.

It will allow antivirus programs to use its integrated graphics chipsets when scanning for attacks, which will reduce processor and power consumption on some machines. It could mean that you’ll get more use out of your MacBook in between charges.

iPhone X price tag is its real killer feature

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iphone
iPhone X made more profits in Q4 than 600 Android device makers.
Photo: Apple

According to new research from Counterpoint, Apple took home a massive 86 percent of total handset market profits for the fourth quarter of 2017.

Most impressive of all is the fact that the iPhone X, which was slammed as being too expensive, earned 5x the combined profits of more than 600 Android device makers. Maybe that $1,000 price tag wasn’t such a mistake after all!