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Facebook will demote spam posts that beg for attention

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Facebook employees
Facebook employees went through a tense 24 hours.
Photo: Facebook

Facebook has confirmed plans to demote posts that beg for comments, likes, and shares.

It will use machine learning to fight the “engagement bait.” The move, which will happen this week, will impact pages as well as people, so you’ll see fewer spam posts in your news feed.

Beware the App Store’s Cuphead scam

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Cuphead
News of this game's arrival on iOS was too good to be true.
Photo: Studio MDHR

Retro-style run-and-gun game Cuphead has landed in the App Store. Unfortunately, it’s not legit!

One of the Xbox’s best games, the retro-inspired Cuphead arrived on consoles back in September, and immediately became a massive hit — thanks to its combination of addictive gameplay and vintage 1930s-style graphics. Sadly, you’ll have to wait to play the real thing on iOS.

Apple ramps up prices in India following import tax hike

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apple earnings
iPhones just got more expensive in India.
Photo: Steve Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has raised the price of many iPhone handsets in India, following last week’s increase in import duties on the new handset.

In new rules announced last week, the cost of importing smartphones to India was raised from 10 to 15 percent. As we noted at the time, Apple’s choices were to either raise the price of iPhones in India, or to eat some of the cost itself in order to keep pricing competitive. It seems that Apple did some combination of the two — since prices have been increased an average of 3.5 percent.

You control this new iPhone X game by wiggling your eyebrows

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Rainbow
I'd love to have seen Roger Moore play this game.
Photo: Nathan Gitter

When it comes to the iPhone X, facial recognition is most associated with the Face ID biometric security system, but there are other ways to use the front-facing camera on your device.

In a new game, titled Rainbrow, Washington University computer science graduate Nathan Gitter has created an innovative new game mechanic using Apple’s TrueDepth camera system — requiring players to control an on-screen character by raising or lowering their eyebrows. Yes, seriously!

Sold out AirPods won’t be shipping in time for Christmas

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AirPods
Sadly AirPods won't be home for the holidays.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you’re planning to pick up some last minute AirPods as a Christmas gift, sadly you may have left it a little bit too late — because both Apple’s website, and those belonging to other retailers we checked, are all showing that the next-gen earbuds are sold out.

Apple is now quoting the first or second week of January for delivery, having previously got shipping down to just 3-5 days.

Selfissimo!, Life is Strange, and other awesome apps of the week

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

A unique selfie app, created by Google, that summons up your inner supermodel is just of one of the picks for this week’s “Awesome Apps” roundup.

In addition, we’ve got part one of an excellent episodic adventure finally available on iOS, a sound-matching app for any guitar players out there, and an augmented reality-focused update to Facebook Messenger. Check out our picks below.

Jony Ive shakeup! Plus the beauty, the beast, the iMac Pro, on The CultCast

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Jony Ive CultCast
Ive only visits Apple's campus a couple of times a week.
Photo: BBC

This week on The CultCast: Shakeup at Apple! In a surprising turn of events, Jony Ive takes back the reigns of the Apple design team. We discuss what this means for Apple. Plus: The new iMac Pro is out, and the reviews are coming in. We’ll tell you what’s new about this beastly machine with a monster price tag. And we wrap with what Apple got right 2017, and what the company needs to do better in 2018! It’s been a wild year.

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.

This little sensor gives your iPhone an eye for color [Deals]

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This ping pong ball-sized sensor offers precise color codes for paint or digital use.
This ping pong ball-sized sensor offers precise color codes for paint or digital use.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you’re a graphic designer or just need to touch up a spot of wall paint, precise color is key. Out in the world there are endless sources of color inspiration and reference. But without a highly trained eye, matching those colors is basically a guessing game.

Cult of Mac Magazine: 10 things we love about iPhone X, and more!

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cover
Cult of Mac breaks down all the things we love (and hate) about the new iPhone X.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Cult of Mac publisher, Leander Kahney, can’t think of anything to hate about the iPhone X. On the contrary, there are lots of things to love. Kahney breaks down the 10 things he just loves about the iPhone X.

In this week’s issue, you’ll find that story and more. The first iMac Pro reviews are in — see if the new Pro is worth the $5,000 price tag. Check out our Gift Giving Guides and get your holiday shopping out of the way now! Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

iTunes won’t arrive on Windows Store by 2017

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The Windows Store is getting iTunes.
Windows 10 S users still can't get iTunes.
Photo: Microsoft

Windows 10 users hoping for some love from Apple by the end of the year are in for a dose of disappointment.

Apple says it won’t be bringing iTunes to the Windows Store this year. The move comes after Microsoft announced in May that iTunes would be supported on Windows 10 S machines by the end of 2017.

Apple inks deal for new sci-fi series

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apple tvPIC
Apple is beefing up its TV arsenal.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The guy that developed Battlestar Galactica for TV is teaming up with Apple for an all-new sci-fi TV series.

Apple has reportedly inked a deal with Ronald D. Moore that will see the sci-fi TV producer bring his next series exclusively to Apple. The project is being created in partnership with Sony Pictures Television and Moore’s studio-based Tall Ship Productions.

President’s Day sale

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juuk
There are two weeks to get your holiday shopping (and timely delivery) on. Browse our picks for Apple Watch bands that are great to give and to receive.
Photo: Juuk

something political? nah

Foxconn could soon use AI to help identify faulty iPhone parts

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Foxconn Wisconsin
New technology was designed by former Google AI expert.
Photo: Foxconn

Apple manufacturer Foxconn is planning to adopt artificial intelligence image recognition systems for quality control in its factories, a new report claims.

The tech could help identify faulty circuit boards or other components, thereby improving Foxconn’s efficiency when it comes to assembling devices. The AI system was developed by Andrew Ng, a machine learning expert who has previously headed up major projects for both Google and Baidu.

This MacBook case is strong enough to stop bullets

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C6SHELL case for MacBook
This case will protect your MacBook from almost anything.
Photo: C6SHELL

Who says a MacBook isn’t fit for the battlefield? The C6SHELL case made from real carbon fiber is all you need to keep your beloved notebook protected in a war zone.

It’s strong enough to stop bullets, but light enough to carry anywhere.

Import taxes could make iPhone even more expensive in India

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
Apple faces an uphill battle to get the iPhone into customers' hands in India.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple may be keen to grow its business in India, but it’s certainly not getting any favors from the government.

In a new ruling, it’s been announced that the import tax paid on smartphones is being raised from 10 to 15 percent in a decision that will hurt Apple’s business in the country. Unless Apple absorbs the cost itself, this will make its iPhones more expensive at a time when it is desperate to get more handsets into customers’ hands.

10 things I love about iPhone X

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iPhone X looks like a bezel-free flatscreen TV
The iPhone X makes older phones look as dated as a cathode ray tube TV.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Stephen Smith

Earlier this week my colleague Killian Bell published 10 things he hates about his iPhone X.

Like some of our readers, I was shocked. Hates? How could he find one thing to hate, let alone 10?

I can’t think of anything to hate about the X. On the contrary, there are lots of things to love. Here are 10 things I love about the iPhone X.

Samsung’s first Bixby speaker will take on HomePod in early 2018

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HomePod
Apple's smart speaker will arrived early next year.
Photo: Apple

Samsung wants to take on Apple’s HomePod with its own smart speaker, which could arrive as soon as the first half of 2018, a new report claims.

Like Apple, the Samsung smart speaker will reportedly focus on high-end audio quality, as well as functioning as a hub for controlling smart home devices. The smart speaker will reportedly be based around Bixby, the Samsung AI assistant introduced this year for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ handsets.