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Listen up: Updated AirPods are supposedly coming in 2018

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AirPods in case
Next-gen AirPods could be even smaller.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is planning to release an updated version of its AirPods wireless earbuds in the second half of 2018, respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims in a new note to clients.

While he doesn’t share too many details about what the new AirPods will do differently, he does suggest that they will adopt a smaller quartz component — quite possibly making them even smaller than the first-gen model currently available.

One analyst thinks Apple stock won’t be climbing much more for now

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iphone x
Nomura Instinet analyst thinks iPhone X growth is fairly reflected in current share price.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

With the exception of a few software-related blips, Apple has had an incredible 2017 — but its phenomenal run of success could be coming to an end, claims one analyst.

Nomura Instinet analyst Jeffrey Kvaal has lowered his recommendations concerning AAPL from “buy” to “neutral,” suggesting that the current share price adequately reflects iPhone X sales.

Apple replaces India boss as it struggles to grow in the country

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
Apple's India growth plans aren't going as hoped.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s Indian boss Sanjay Kaul is reportedly leaving Apple with immediate effect, following the company’s slowest growth in India in more than five years — and no sign of things turning around soon.

He will be replaced by Michel Coulomb as its top sales executive in India, previously the managing director for Apple in South Asia.

Apple’s 2018 shareholder meeting will take place in Steve Jobs Theater

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steve jobs theater
The Steve Jobs Theater in all its glory.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s next Annual Meeting of Shareholders will take place on Tuesday, February 2018 at the Steve Jobs Theater at the Apple Park Campus.

Due to limited seating in the venue, Apple has asked shareholders to register in advance of the meeting should they wish to attend. “We anticipate there may be more shareholders who would like to attend than we have seats to accommodate,” Apple notes.

Save big on a year of VPN protection [Deals]

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Get a year of powerful VPN protection for a fraction the usual price.
Get a year of powerful VPN protection for a fraction the usual price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You already know the score. Spending time online means exposing yourself to data or identity theft, surveillance, and annoying content restrictions. Connecting through a virtual private network is one of the easiest and most effective ways of avoiding all of that.

Apple seeds macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 beta 2 to developers

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macOS High Sierra
A new High Sierra beta is available now.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has seeded its second macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 beta to registered developers.

The release comes just one week after developers got their hands on the first macOS 10.13.3 beta. There are no significant user-facing changes in this update; it is mostly focusing on ironing out bugs and issues with High Sierra.

Apple shrugs off recent bugs as ‘one bad week’

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Phil Schiller said Apple won't release the HomePod till it's satisfied with the quality.
Phil Schiller said Apple won't release the HomePod till it's satisfied with the quality.
Photo: Digital Trends

Apple fans and enthusiastic gadget reviewers will ultimately remember 2017 as the year of a reinvented iPhone. But as the year draws to an end, Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller has a few other things on his mind, such as delays in releasing the company’s first smart speaker and a “bad week” of software bugs and security holes.

Next-day delivery of iPhone X is a sprinkling of Christmas magic

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iphone x
Order an iPhone X today and you'll get it tomorrow!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone X supply has seemingly caught up with demand, as the Apple Online Store is now offering next day delivery for its next-gen iPhone.

All models are available in the U.S. Apple Store, marking something of a Christmas miracle for Apple — when you consider that the majority of pre-release reports suggested that the iPhone X wouldn’t be shipping to most customers until some time in 2018.

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.

These stealthy wings will prop up your phone

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The SnapWings phone stand gives any phone the ability to hold itself up.
This little add-on gives any phone the ability to hold itself up.
Photo: SnapWings

This post is presented by SnapWings.

To keep your phone propped up at a convenient reading angle, you need a special case with a kickstand or some sort of (typically bulky) iPhone stand. But over at Kickstarter, a new solution just snapped into view.

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.