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Apple could launch a more affordable 13-inch MacBook this year

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

Apple is said to be preparing a new 13-inch MacBook for 2018 that will likely replace the MacBook Air as its most affordable notebook.

Suppliers are already manufacturing displays for the machine, which will reportedly make its debut in the second half of the year, according to industry sources.

Apple spent a fortune lobbying Trump administration in 2017

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President Trump: Apple encryption could protect ‘criminal minds’
Apple took exception to Donald Trump throughout last year. And beyond.
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC

Apple ramped up its lobbying spend in 2017, shelling out $7 million to battle many of the regulations and proposed new laws issued by the Trump administration.

Under Tim Cook, amount spent by Apple on lobbying efforts has more than doubled. However, while last year’s figure was a personal record for the company, it is less than many other big tech giants spent. During the same period, Google spent $18 million on lobbying efforts, while Amazon spent $12.8 million, and Facebook spent $11.5 million.

Awesome Apple Watch tricks to get the most out of your wearable

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Apple Watch Series 3
Make the most of your Apple Watch with these handy tips.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch truly became a useful device with the release of the Series 3. LTE connectivity, more accurate heart rate monitoring, and faster hardware make the Apple Watch a joy to use.

With all the features and functions Apple advertises, there are still plenty of hidden tips and tricks for users to discover. Check out seven of my favorites in our latest video:

Grid Autosport racing game for iOS just got even better

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GRID
This was one of my favorite games of 2017.
Photo: GRID Autosport

Grid Autosport, the iOS “console-quality” AAA racing game, just got even better, courtesy of an update.

It adds additional control options, including better car handling for people playing the game with MFi controllers. It also lets you switch off haptic feedback, as well as fixing bugs and making a couple of additional tweaks.

Apple supply chain spills beans on 2018 iPhone upgrades

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iphone x
iPhone X Plus could be one of three new handsets launching this year.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Sources in Apple’s supply chain have spilled the beans on the company’s iPhone upgrade plans for 2018.

Corroborating claims from one reliable analyst, a new report reveals we will see three new iPhone models this year — each with a different display.

Apple’s old sapphire nightmare continues with new lawsuit

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Apple is gobbling up sapphire supplies at an alarming rate of knots. Photo:
Apple is facing a lawsuit from one of the companies in its sapphire supply chain.
Photo: GT Advanced Technologies

Despite seemingly dropping plans for a sapphire display for the iPhone, Apple continues to be haunted by its brief venture into manufacturing using the material.

In addition to Apple’s sapphire supplier GT Advanced Technologies going bankrupt several years back, this week Apple was handed a lawsuit by manufacturer Hebei Hengbo Fine Ceramic Material. The company claims to have fallen out with Apple over terms for a contract involving high purity alumina melt stock, a material used as part of the sapphire process.

Tim Cook takes first trip to Canada as Apple CEO

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook made a surprise visit to a Toronto Apple Store.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Tim Cook sure racks up the air miles! This week, Apple’s CEO visited Canada, where he made a surprise appearance at a downtown Toronto Apple Store, and took in a Maple Leafs game for good measure.

Incredibly, this is Cook’s first ever visit to Canada since assuming the role of Apple CEO back in August 2011.

Check out the ‘Apple Gray’ bikes at the new spaceship campus

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Apple leases new offices near to Apple Park
Walking around Apple Park will take you a while.
Photo: Duncan Sinfield

Getting around the 175 acres of Apple Park has been made a little bit easier for employees thanks to a fleet of new bicycles on the new Apple campus. And in true Apple fashion, the design of the bikes is very minimalist.

Video of the all-chrome bicycles surfaced online this week after someone visited Apple’s campus. Over 1,000 of the shiny bikes can be found on campus with 2,000 parking spots.

Here’s what the bikes look like.

Add a layer of luxury and protection to your iPhone

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Rmour Silver Corners, a new line of
This new line of "iPhone jewelry" adds an eye-catching layer of bling and protection.
Photo: Creatio Design

This post is presented by Creatio Design, maker of Rmour Silver Corners.

An iPhone is a powerful tool, but it’s also a luxury item. When you spend $1,000 on an iPhone X, it’s not just for the powerful camera and fast processor. You’re investing in something that looks and feels fantastic.

Unfortunately, protecting that investment with a case typically obscures the iPhone X’s intrinsic beauty. The opposite occurs with Rmour Silver Corners for iPhone X, a new line of protective “iPhone jewelry” inspired by medieval suits of armor.

Apple Music finally gives artists the data they crave

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Apple Music for Artists
Apple Music for Artists launches in beta today.
Photo: Apple

Apple is offering musicians an analytics dashboard through Apple Music for Artists. The new tool provides insight into the listening habits of fans, highlighting the number of track plays, song purchases, and more dating back to when Apple Music launched in June 2015.

Disney hires Apple vet to build streaming service

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Photo: Tom Bricker
Disney is planning to take on Netflix.
Photo: Photo: Tom Bricker

Disney is bringing in an Apple veteran to help build its streaming service that will ultimately take on Netflix and maybe even Apple.

Kevin Swint, a former Apple employee that was in charge of the company’s worldwide iTunes movie business, was recently hired by Disney to help the company embrace streaming.

How to mute iMessage threads, and spot those you accidentally silenced

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shhh mute iMessage
Shut those annoying conversations up right now.
Photo: Shawn Rossi/Flickr CC

Have you ever had your regular (important) iMessages swamped by a flurry of notifications for that inane group conversations about matcha-flavored KitKats? Or maybe you want to keep your iPad’s notifications switched on, but you want to mute iMessages from your boss until Monday, because she has no concept of boundaries?

If so, you need iMessage’s handy conversation-muting feature. It’s so easy to use that you may have turned it on by mistake. If you’re no longer getting alerts for certain messages, you may want to check this, too.

How to add sketches and diagrams to emails in iOS 11

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Drawing
If you misspell your markups, you can even go back and edit them before sending.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel / Cult of Mac

If you’re explaining something to another human in person, you’ll often reach for a pencil and paper to make it easier. Perhaps you’re drawing a map, or a quick diagram of that chest of drawers you think would look great in the guest room.

And that’s in person, where gestures and feedback from the listener help communication. Given the limits of email, then, wouldn’t a sketch, chart, or diagram be even more useful? The answer is a resounding “probably,” and the best news you’ll hear today is that it is dead easy to add a drawing to your emails, even without an Apple pencil, and even on an iPhone.

This is what it’s like to control the HomePod

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The HomePod was a no-show in 2017.
HomePod's launch could be right around the corner.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s HomePod speaker has once again leaked new information about its self ahead of its launch, including how you’ll manage its settings once you finally get one.

Screenshots from HomePod testers in France have leaked out online showing the different settings options you’ll be able to choose from in the HomePod iOS app.

Top 10 tips for swimming with Apple Watch

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The Apple Watch touchscreen is disabled in waterproof mode, so how do you finish your workout?
How to use your Apple Watch in the swimming pool when you’re soaking.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Your Apple Watch loves getting wet (provided you own a Series 2 or 3). But when you start a swimming workout, the waterproof mode kicks in automatically, which means the Apple Watch touchscreen stops working. So how are you supposed to use it?

Swimming with Apple Watch certainly takes a bit of getting used to. But if you check out our top 10 tips before you dive in, you’ll discover your smartwatch is almost as indispensable in the pool as your Speedo. Almost.

Another Wall Street analyst expresses doubts about Apple in 2018

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Apple waives developer fees for nonprofits, others in 8 additional countries
Some investors are concerned about iPhone numbers.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Another Wall Street analyst has downgraded Apple shares, based on fears that iPhone demand is getting weaker. Atlantic Equities has lowered its rating on Apple from “overweight” to “neutral” on account of their predictions that Apple will be reporting disappointing sales for the March quarter.

“[We see] signs that iPhone demand is starting to soften, limited visibility into the potential for future iPhone cycles and emerging challenges to the smartphone’s dominance at the centre of consumer technology,” the firm wrote in a note to clients.

Apple will upgrade some iPhone 6 Plus units in need of repair

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iPhone 6 Plus
You may be in for a treat when you visit the Genius Bar.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you have an iPhone 6 Plus in need of replacement, you could be in line for an upgrade to iPhone 6s Plus. An internal document distributed to Apple Authorized Service Providers gives permission for units to be upgraded until the end of March, though no reason is given.

Yes, you’ll be able to mute ‘always listening’ HomePod

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HomePod
Because of course you will.
Photo: Apple

New icons uncovered in the latest iOS 11.2.5 developer build confirm that, yes, HomePod owners will be able to disable the microphone on Apple’s smart speaker should so they wish to do so.

Given Apple’s privacy-conscious policies, and the fact that rival speakers made by Amazon and Google allow the same to be done, it’s no surprise that Apple would make that an option on HomePod. Still, it could help ease fears among customers concerned about the risk of housing an “always listening” speaker in their homes.