"I don't have these features. Would you like me to search the web for you?" Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Siri kind of sucks, despite its increasingly prominent role in the Apple ecosystem.
With the general verdict on the HomePod being “great speaker, shame about Siri,” what does Apple need to do in order to catch up with its rivals? Here are six Siri improvements we’d love to see Apple implement as soon as possible.
Apple has had a number of challenges growing its market in China. Photo: Apple
Apple has completed the transition of iCloud accounts registered in China to state-run Chinese servers, and privacy and human rights advocates are (rightfully) worried.
In addition to transferring the accounts to state-run servers, Apple may have also transferred the digital keys to Chinese jurisdiction, although Apple says it retains control of them. Nonetheless, it’s a concerning event — especially at a time when people are already worried about Xi Jinping, ruler of the Communist Party of China, ramping up censorship as part of the bid to establish himself as president for life.
Perfect for those long commutes or road trips, these four gadgets will make driving a bit more fun. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Your iPhone makes daily life a lot easier. But when driving, the most you can expect is getting directions. That’s why we’ve rounded up four awesome iPhone car accessories. From smart license plates to wireless charging, speed trap detectors and more, there’s something in here for anyone who wants their phone to be a true road companion. Read on for more details.
The Apple Watch is an incredibly versatile fitness tracker. Photo: Apple
The Apple Watch continues its mission to become the most versatile fitness trackers around, with Apple today introducing the ability for Apple Watch Series 3 wearers to track detailed information about both snowboarding and skiing runs.
Skiers and snowboarders running watchOS 4.2 can now use their Apple wearable to measure these activities, via new updates to apps available in the App Store. Users can record runs, see vertical descent and other stats, and contribute active calorie measurements directly to the Apple Watch Activity app.
Haters greeted the iPhone X’s “notch” with overwhelming criticism, and yet, a growing number of rival smartphone makers are stealing it. OnePlus is another one of them, according to these leaked photos, which reveal the upcoming OnePlus 6 ahead of its official debut.
It's just like the fighting game you know... but with cards. Photo: Bandai Namco
Like Tekken? Have an iPhone? Then you might just want to check out Tekken Mobile, a new worldwide release of the iOS fighting game that soft-launched this past summer.
Unlike it’s console big brother, however, this isn’t a direct port of Tekken in the style of, say, Street Fighter IV: Champion Edition. Instead, it’s a simpler card-based “swipe fighter” game reminiscent of a title like the mobile version of Injustice 2. Check out a couple of videos below.
Celebrities and activists want Apple to ditch its NRA apps. Photo: NRA
Apple is one of three companies, including Amazon and FedEx, named in a celebrity and activist boycott of companies with supposed ties to the National Rifle Association (NRA).
If you’re wondering about what possibly links the typically progressive Apple could have with the more conservative NRA, it’s apparently related to Apple’s silence over whether it will remove the NRAtv streaming TV station.
This is about half of Benj Edwards‘ computer collection Photo: Benj Edwards
Many people can’t bear to part with their old computers, and slowly build a collection of aging models in their basement. Benj Edwards took that impulse to the next level: He owns at least 228 unique devices, many of them classic Apple products going back to the 1980s.
Now he’s put them all up for sale. Ready to start your own computer museum?
The Computer History Museum named former Apple executive Dan’l Lewin as its new CEO and President today.
Lewin was one of Steve Jobs’ top guys back in the early days of Apple. He served in a number of marketing roles from 1981 to 1985 and was recruited by Jobs to join his new company, NeXT, after Jobs was fired from Apple.
Ring, known for its doorbells that can stream live video to phones, has been purchased by Amazon. iPhone users afraid of getting locked out of the system needn’t fret, though, because Ring has promised that it’s still working on adding HomeKit support.
If you've used screenshot markup on iOS, you already know how ShotBox works. Photo: Josh Parnham
If you like Instant Markup on iOS, then you’re going to love ShotBox. It’s a free app, available from the Mac App Store, that automatically pops up a panel of markup tools whenever you take a screenshot. It’s almost exactly like the Instant Markup tools built into iOS 11.
Samsung's AR Emoji give Galaxy owners a taste of iPhone X. Photo: Samsung
A signature feature of Samsung’s new Galaxy S9 flagship phone is AR Emoji, which bear a very strong resemblance to Apple’s Animoji. But Samsung’s mobile chief claims that’s a complete coincidence.
iPhone X takes the best still images. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Want to take your iPhone photos to the next level? Apple’s got a few tips that just might do the trick.
The iPhone-maker dropped two new ads today that are focused on helping iPhone users improve the composition and framing of their photos. Apple’s new how-to videos cover using the telephoto lens on the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. There’s also some info on how to experiment with framing.
Microsoft lets Windows 10 users stream Xbox One games to their PC, but it doesn’t support Mac. Now there’s a third-party solution that lets Apple fans get in on the action.
Here’s how to stream Xbox One games to your Mac using OneCast.
The 2018 iPhone lineup could be prettier than ever. Photo: Martin Hajek
Gold iPhones are set to make a big comeback in 2018 and based on these gorgeous mockups, the wait will definitely be worth it.
Concept designer Martin Hajek has busted out a few mockups on what the 2018 gold iPhone X might look like with both black, white and gold highlights dominating the device.
Apple is loading up with original content. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple is teaming up with M. Night Shyamalan for a mysterious new TV project.
Shyamalan reportedly struck a deal with Apple to executive produce a new TV show that’s being described as a psychological thriller, but other details are being kept under wraps.
With Live Photos new key-photo settings, you can go back in time. Photo: Cult of Mac
When you take a Live Photo, your iPhone automatically picks a key frame to serve as the non-animated thumbnail. Depending on your subject, this automatic pick may be terrible, showing a blurred frame, or worse. If you’ve shot a photo of a skateboarder popping a sweet heel flip, for example, the still frame may not even have the skater in it.
The good news is that you can easily choose your own key frame.
The Vuzix Blade AR smart glasses offer a glimpse of the future. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
BARCELONA, Spain — The best product I’ve tried out at this year’s Mobile World Congress is the Vuzix Blade AR glasses. These smart specs superimpose a sharp, high-definition display over your regular vision, making real life resemble an awesome Xbox game.
The Blade basically delivers on everything that Google Glass tried to do, but without sucking. I was skeptical about the rumors that Apple is developing its own augmented reality glasses. But what I saw through the lens of a Vuzix Blade showed me how far this technology has come — and just how cool Apple AR glasses could be.
Woz could've been rich off bitcoin, now he's just rich off Apple. Photo: Reddit
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has a cautionary tale for people hoping to strike it rich off bitcoin.
During an appearance at the Economic Times global business summit, Woz admitted that he had been scammed out of several bitcoin worth about $70,000 earlier this year by falling for a common fraud tactic that can happen to any bitcoin buyer.
Apple went all-in on unibody design in 2009. Photo: Apple
Apple is launching a pilot repair program in the U.S. for iMac models released in mid-2011.
The machines will be classified as “vintage” next month, but for a short time, Apple will allow its stores and Authorised Service Providers to continue carrying out repairs.
Guard your online life with fewer restrictions for a year with this great VPN deal. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The internet is still like the wild west, with the online equivalent of the railroad companies looking to carve it up. It’s going to take people power to keep the internet open, like today’s Operation: One More Vote. But there are personal steps we can each take to maintain our privacy and freedom of movement online.
AC Wellness clinics will open in California this spring. Photo: AC Wellness
Apple plans to launch new wellness clinics that will offer employees and their families “the world’s best healthcare.”
AC Wellness will be independently operated, according to its official website — but job listings suggest it is a wholly Apple-owned subsidiary. One of its clinics will be situated inside Apple Park, the Cupertino company’s brand new headquarters.
Cydia is now compatible with iOS 11. Here’s which tweaks you can use. Photo: Cydia
iOS 11 finally has its first jailbreak with Cydia support. Electra 1.0.1 is compatible with all of Apple’s latest devices — including iPhone X and the 10.5-inch iPad Pro — and all versions of iOS 11 up to iOS 11.1.2.