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Here’s what Rome: Total War looks like on iPhone

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Rome: Total War
Coming soon to an iPhone near you.
Photo: Rome: Total War

The classic PC strategy game Rome: Total War is coming to iPhone, and we couldn’t be more excited. The bad news? Developers Feral Interactive have announced that it is taking them a bit longer than expected. The good news? They’ve shared a gameplay video to keep us sweet, and it looks pretty darn awesome.

Check it out below.

This awesome iPhone case doubles as a retro gaming console [Deals]

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Turn your iPhone into a game machine.
Turn your iPhone into a game machine.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There was a time when the little glowing bricks we carried around were called Game Boys. In those simpler days, passing time meant burning through Tetris, not swiping through Tinder. The graphics weren’t great, but the gameplay sure was.

With the Wanle Gamers Console, you can reclaim the nostalgia of portable gaming, and protect your iPhone at the same time.

Apple isn’t taking its power management chips in-house just yet

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chips
Apple's relationship with Dialog Semiconductor will continue for now.
Photo: Intel

Apple’s apparently not ready to produce its own power management chips, based on the fact that it has commissioned the design of new chips from partner Dialog Semiconductor, a new report claims.

That’s significant because a report from last year suggested that Apple planned to use its own chips starting 2018 or 2019. Instead, today’s news claims that Apple will continue using Dialog chips through 2019 or 2020.

European Union could charge Apple tax based on its global revenue

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Apple waives developer fees for nonprofits, others in 8 additional countries
The EU is looking for a way to clamp down on tax avoidance.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is among the tech giants which could be affected by a new European Union initiative that aims to tax tech multinationals at between 2 to 6 percent of their global revenue.

News of the massive potential tax shift was shared by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire in a newspaper interview. Le Maire said that the total amount is likely to be “closer to 2 percent than 6 percent,” and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Apple planning a more affordable MacBook Air for 2018

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Get a MacBook Air for $200 off
It’s about time we saw that new MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

Apple will deliver a “more affordable” MacBook Air this year, according to one reliable analyst.

The existing MacBook Air lineup remains pricey, despite being incredibly outdated. Apple asks customers to cough up at least $999 for fifth-generation Intel processors and a low-resolution display.

These are the 911 calls resulting from Apple Park employees walking into glass walls

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Apple Park Close up
Welcome to the house of pane.
Photo: Apple

Transcripts have been released for three of the emergency calls made earlier this year as the result of employees at Apple Park injuring themselves by walking into glass doors and walls.

More than 3,000 gigantic curved glass panes have been used to form the walls on both side of Apple’s four-story campus, measuring over a mile around. In all, Apple Park uses more than six kilometers of curved glass, in addition to interior glass accessories like doors.

Check out the 911 call transcripts below:

ShotBox, Evoland 2, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
'Appy weekend everyone!
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

A great instant markup app for Mac that lets you easily annotate screenshots is just one of our selections for this week’s “Awesome Apps of the Week.”

In addition, we’ve got a great multifaceted journey through video game history, a music mastering app for iOS, and a card battler based around one of the all-time great console fighting game franchises. Check out our picks below.

AirPods Pro! And the cool HealthKit gadgets you haven’t heard of, on The CultCast

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Oview Sperm tester
The HealthKit Sperm tester. Yup. That's a real thing.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

A reliable source says Apple is working on audiophile-grade headphones with built-in AirPods magic. AirPods Pro? SIGN US UP. Catch the discussion on The CultCast. And stay tuned for: How Apple plans to revolutionize healthcare; the cool, weird and wacky HealthKit gadgets you’ve never heard of; and we wrap up with pro-level whistling, rock accordion, and the best actors of all time in an all-new Get to Know Ur Cultist.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off any hosting plan.

Galaxy S9 vs. iPhone: Did Samsung beat Apple’s best?

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Galaxy S9
Does the Galaxy S9 have what it takes to take on iPhone X?
Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 series, with its edge-to-edge display and features like iris scanning, offered smartphone buyers a refreshing alternative to an all-too familiar iPhone experience in early 2017. Now the Galaxy S9 is here and things are a little different.

The iPhone isn’t boring anymore. With an edge-to-edge display of its own, as well as Face ID, dual cameras, and the incredible A11 Bionic chip, iPhone X has made Apple the smartphone maker to beat once again. Does the Galaxy S9 have what it takes?

Check out our in-depth comparison to find out which is better.

AirPods wireless charging, retro gaming handhelds and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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PowerPod
PowerPod adds wireless charging to your AirPods.
Photo: PowerPod

Crowdfund Roundup bugWhy wait for Apple to sell you another expensive AirPods case when you can add wireless charging capabilities to the one you already have? PowerPod is a silicone sleeve for your AirPods case that adds a Qi-compatible charging coil for next to nothing.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have the ultimate charging system, a handheld console that’s perfect for retro game addicts, and more!

How and why to redirect email instead of forwarding it

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redirect email
This photo is not email, nor is it even regular mail, but it has to do with directions.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

We all know about forwarding email. It’s the electronic equivalent of putting a received letter in a new envelope and sending it on to someone else. But did you know that you can also redirect emails so that it seems like they arrived from the original sender? You could, for instance:

  • Redirect instructions from your boss to a co-worker.
  • Pass an email to someone else without getting caught in an inevitable and endless Reply All mess.
  • Send a customer enquiry to the correct person, with their reply going direct to the customer.

Unless the final recipient is really brain-dead, then this will never work as a scam to trick them into doing all the work your boss assigned to you, but it’s a very practical alternative to just forwarding emails.

Mujjo’s leather cases match iPhone X perfectly [Review]

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Mujjo cases iPhone X
Leather looks good on iPhone X.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

You don’t buy a $1,000 smartphone and stick it in a $4 silicone shell you bought on eBay. You either leave it exposed so that you can enjoy its gorgeous glass and stainless steel, or you sensibly stick it in a beautiful case that complements its premium design.

Mujjo’s leather cases are perfect for iPhone X. Made from full-grain leather with a super-slim profile, they rival Apple’s own leather cases in looks and durability. I’ve been using two of them for over a month now; here’s what I think of them.

Cops will use decoy buses in hunt for Apple shuttle shooter

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Apple bus shooting
20 incidents have been reported since January.
Photo: California Highway Patrol

California cops will use decoy buses and undercover officers to try and catch the person who keeps shooting at Apple employee shuttles.

Google shuttle buses have also been targeted by pellet guns, and at least 20 incidents have been reported since January of this year. The FBI has been called in to help with the investigation.

New Harry Potter game lets you attend world’s best magic school

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Harry Potter
You get to create your own character and guide them through the Hogwarts experience.
Photo: Jam City, Inc.

An RPG set in the Harry Potter universe, but where you get to create your very own wizard or witch and lead them through the Hogwarts school experience, sounds all kinds of amazing.

That’s the basis for a forthcoming iOS game, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, which is set to land in the App Store any day now. Check out the gameplay trailer below.

Galaxy S9 can’t match iPhone’s 4K video recording

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Galaxy S9 camera
Galaxy S9 can shoot 4K video at 60 fps, but not for long.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung tries desperately to outdo the iPhone every year, but it doesn’t always work. Its bid to battle the iPhone X with the Galaxy S9 looks a little weak, with early benchmarks suggesting the South Korean company’s flagship is nowhere near as powerful.

That might explain why the Galaxy S9 can’t match Apple’s latest devices in 4K video recording.

Trump’s aluminum tariffs could drive up Mac and iPhone prices

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macOS high sierra
Anyone who taxes aluminum is no friend of Jony Ive's, you'd imagine!
Photo: Apple

President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on imported aluminum and steel could hit Apple, which is a big user of both, where it hurts.

And if it’s anything like other times that Apple has been slapped with increased import duties, that could translate to increased prices for customers.

Instagram leak exposes video calling plans

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Instagram
Instagram makes sharing Stories simpler.
Photo: Instagram

Instagram is preparing to add voice and video calling to its primary photo sharing app, a new leak has revealed.

Files and icons labeled “call” and “video call” have been discovered buried inside Instagram’s APK package for Android. A video calling button first popped up inside the app back in January, but it was believed to be for internal use only.

Apple defends iPhone slowdown in Canadian parliament

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iPhone SE 2 could cost $399 just like the first-gen iPhone SE
Apple's still defending the iPhone slowdown controversy.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple and Geekbench’s John Poole have testified in front of Canada’s House of Commons committee regarding the iPhone slowdown controversy, and how Apple handled it.

A representative for Apple Canada read prepared remarks, saying that the offending iOS update was intended to help devices continue to use old iPhones for longer. Meanwhile, Poole was asked to explain a few technical details of the slowdown and his thoughts on whether Apple purposely mislead the public.

A stunning 2/3 of Apple devices ever sold remain in use

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Apple Customer Satisfaction
Customers keep using Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s devices don’t end up in the rubbish bin very often. In fact, an analyst determined that about 64 percent of iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches ever sold remain in active use.

This might be the most accurate way of measuring just how satisfied people are with Apple’s products. Far better than customer surveys!

How to track flights in the Mac’s Notification Center

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TodayFlights
TodayFlights tracks flights, and nothing else.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Tracking flights is a bit of a pain. Siri can do it, and if you’re a real plane spotter, you might even trouble yourself to find an app to do it. But for most of us, we track a flight once in a while, whenever someone’s coming to visit. We just want something that is simple to use, and the disappears. That something is TodayFlights, a neat app that adds a flight tracker to the Mac’s Notification Center Today View.