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There are two new ways the Apple Watch could help save your life

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Apple Watch can help diagnose sleep apnea and high blood pressure
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch may be a useful tool for detecting potentially fatal medical conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and sleep apnea (a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing while a person is asleep), claims a new study.

Carried out by the health startup Cardiogram and the University of California San Francisco, the study illustrates that the Apple Watch can detect hypertension with 82 percent, and hypertension with an impressive 90 percent.

Using iPhone X’s dark mode uses less than half the battery power

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grayscale iphone x dark mode
The iPhone X sips power in dark mode.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Did you read our guide to switching on the iPhone X’s Unofficial Battery Saver Dark Mode in order to stretch the battery life of your new iPhone X? Well, it turns out that blacking out as much of the screen as possible really can save a whole lot of juice. In testing, running the iPhone X in dark mode saves a staggering amount of battery power.

Essential iPhone X tips you need to know [Video]

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Watch our latest video to see all the crucial iPhone X tips and tricks.
Watch our latest video to see all the crucial iPhone X tips and tricks.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone X is radically different from every iPhone that came before it. As you strive to get accustomed to life without a Home button, these iPhone X tips and tricks will come in handy.

Check out the video below to see nine iPhone X tips you need to master immediately.

Apple drops big batch of new beta updates

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iOS 11
iOS 11.2 brings Apple TV support to Control Center.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Developers received a bunch of new beta software updates from Apple today that included the third beta of iOS 11.2 and macOS 10.13.3 beta 3 as well.

The new betas contain a number of bug fixes and performance improvements as Apple prepares to launch Apple Pay cash and other new additions to the public later this year.

Apple may launch 6.5-inch iPhone X Plus in 2018

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iPhone x
Would you like more screen?
Photo: Martin Hajek

One of the most reliable Apple analysts in the game is predicting big things for the iPhone X design in 2018.

According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will release an iPhone X Plus next year with the biggest smartphone screen the company has ever made.

Save over $150 on these Jetsons-worthy earbuds [Deals]

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These futuristic Bluetooth earbuds feature great audio, battery life, and comfort.
These futuristic Bluetooth earbuds feature great audio, battery life, and comfort.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Not long ago, the idea of wireless personal audio seemed downright futuristic. Now that it’s a reality, our expectations have caught up.  We expect a set of Bluetooth earbuds to have a good mix of battery life, audio quality, and comfort.

U.K.’s flagship Apple Store robbed in scary nighttime raid

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Apple is the U.K.'s top tech employer.
The exterior of the Regent Street Apple Store.
Photo: Apple

A gang of thieves robbed London’s Regent Street Apple Store in a brazen overnight raid. After threatening a security guard with a hammer, the group of 10 robbers took off on mopeds with an assortment of iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.

The Metropolitan Police were called at 12:45 a.m. Monday, just minutes after the thieves broke into the U.K.’s flagship Apple store. Two iPhone X handsets were recovered at the nearby King’s Cross subway station, but the criminals got away.

Hackers claim they fooled Face ID with cheap mask

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Face ID iPhone X
Face ID has already been hacked.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Hackers may have already proven that Face ID isn’t quite as secure as secure as Apple claims.

Using a simple 3D printed mask, Vietnamese security firm Bkav, has posted a video showing an iPhone X being unlocked after unveiling a composite 3D-printed mask made of plastic, makeup, silicone and paper cutouts for some facial features.

iPad X concept looks edge-to-edge gorgeous

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iPad Pro2
Now this is an iPad we'd love to see!
Photo: Martin Hajek

The iPhone X has brought an all-new design language to the iPhone, complete with jaw-dropping infinite display. But how would Apple’s iPad look if it adopted the same bezel-free aesthetics as Apple’s tenth anniversary iPhone? Concept artist Martin Hajek decided to find out.

Check out a few of his images below.

Apple Watch helps save kitesurfer in shark-infested waters

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Apple Watch Series 3
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.
Photo: Apple

An Apple Watch-wearing kitesurfer claims the device saved his life after he got stranded off the California coast in shark-infested waters.

John Zilles, 49, crashed while riding a hydrofoil, and was left unable to relaunch his kite. Thankfully, he was able to use the cellular capabilities of his new Apple Watch Series 3 to call the Coast Guard.

Some iPhone X users experiencing crackling earpieces

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Photo of iPhone X in a person's hand, used to illustrate iPhone X review
Issue appears to occur when front-facing earpiece is at a high volume.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

A number of iPhone X users are complaining about poor sound quality from the new handset’s front-facing earpiece speaker when it is at high volume. The complaints allege that some users are hearing buzzing or crackling sounds when using the device, regardless of whether this is while making phone calls, listening to music, watching videos, or using apps.

While it doesn’t appear to affect every iPhone X unit, the issue has been widely reported on social media, as well as on websites such as Reddit. It’s not clear whether this is a software issue or possibly one involving the new iPhone’s hardware.

iPhone X likely to be hurting iPhone 8 sales more than originally thought

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iPhone SE 2 could cost $399 just like the first-gen iPhone SE
Apple may switch iPhone 8 production lines to ones for the iPhone X soon.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The iPhone X may prove even more successful than previously thought, and this is likely to have an impact on the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, claims KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a note issued to clients over the weekend, Kuo said that Apple is likely to sell between 22 and 24 million iPhone X handsets over the holiday quarter, with production during the same period likely to be in the region of 25 to 27 million units.

What increased demand means for the iPhone 8, however, is that production is likely to decline by 50 to 60 percent, compared to the holiday quarter. This is due to demand being “lower than expected.”

Flipflop Solitaire, Notcho, and other awesome apps of the week

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

A surprisingly absolutely brilliant mobile version of the classic card game Solitaire is just of one of the choices we’ve made for this week’s “Awesome Apps of the Week.”

In addition, we’ve got an app which works to eliminate the sensor-filled notch from the iPhone X, a destruction-filled endless runner starring a freaking giant dragon, and an augmented reality update to a popular Apple video app. Check out our picks below.

Luxurious leather makes this Apple Watch band feel buttery-smooth [Review]

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clessant
Clessant uses prized Barenia leather from the Haas Tannery in France.
Photo: Clessant

Best List: Clessant Black Barenia Apple Watch Band

When it comes to fashion, it’s hard to beat basic black. However, sometimes you want a little something extra — a design that adds subtle interest without going over the top. The Clessant Black Barenia Apple Watch band does the trick, thanks to fine off-white stitching that looks almost like racing stripes.

Updates for your Mac dock, iPhone camera and more [Week’s best deals]

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The week's best deals include a 3-lens attachment for iPhone, a massively customizable Dock upgrade, and more.
The week's best deals include a 3-lens attachment for iPhone, a massively customizable Dock upgrade, and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Welcome to another new week, and another round of great deals on gear and more at the Cult of Mac Store. This week’s best deals include an update for your Mac’s Dock, and a powerful lens attachment for iPhone. Plus, we’ve got days of coding courses and a slick car mount for your phone. Everything is discounted by a third off or more. Read on for more details:

Cult of Mac Magazine: iPhone X is Apple’s finest smartphone ever, and much more!

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cover
iPhone X looks right at home alongside the best products Apple ever made. We won’t forget this stunning smartphone for a long time.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

For iPhone X, Apple did away with aluminum unibodies, chunky bezels, Touch ID and the beloved Home button. In their place, iPhone X sports polished stainless steel and smooth glass, an edge-to-edge Super Retina HD display, and Face ID. The result proves stunning. Apple just made the iPhone exciting again. But is iPhone X worth $999? Red our full review on iPhone X.

In this week’s issue, you’ll find that story and more. Find out how Apple Pay Cash proves Apple hasn’t lost its attention to detail, and learn how to send money to friends using it. Learn how to squeeze more battery life out of iPhone X, and discover all the trick and tips to mastering your new phone. Check out our review of Juuk’s brand-new aluminum Vitero bands for Apple Watch, which are now available for pre-order. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

Quick tip: How to make Face ID more accurate

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VCSEL
The laser in the iPhone X's Face ID could one day transform the speed of broadband.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

What do you do when Face ID doesn’t recognize your face? Do you reposition your face? Reposition the iPhone? Stare a little harder at the camera, to tell it you really mean business?

Stop! Instead of acquiescing to your iPhone X’s silent demands, you should use this as a teaching moment (and show your phone who’s boss at the same time). Face ID learns how your face changes over time, but you can also teach it to recognize you better. Here’s how.

Juuk’s aluminum Apple Watch band goes rose gold [Watch Store]

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juuk ligero
The Ligero Apple Watch band is built from robust 6061 series aluminum — the same aluminum used in the aircraft, automotive, boating and diving industries.
Photo: Courtesy of Juuk

Juuk’s Rainbow Ligero Apple Watch band is very popular with Cult of Mac readers. The limited-edition aluminum Apple Watch band flew off the virtual shelves of our Watch Store for its striking colors and quality engineering.

The entire Ligero collection also made our top 10 best Apple Watch Series 3 bands. It’s time to introduce the latest must-have finish: Rose Gold.

This band joins a lineup of 10 vibrant colors, five of which are on sale now. Have a look at the Rose Gold, and check out the entire Ligero collection in our Watch Store.

Quick tip: How to scroll to the top on iPhone X

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iPhone X
The iPhone X is overloaded with essential gestures. Here's another one for you to learn.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Ever since the early days of the iPhone, you have been able to tap on the status bar at the top of the screen to quickly scroll a long page back to the top. You may have been at the bottom of a long document, an epic web page or a particularly brutal Instapaper article, and one tap takes you back to the beginning. It’s a fantastic feature that really saves a lot of crazy finger-flicking, and is just plain convenient. Once you get used to it, the few apps that manage to disable the feature seem broken.

And yet now in the iPhone X, tapping the top of the screen no longer scrolls to the top. But don’t worry: There is still a way to do it. You’ll just have to learn yet another gesture.

iPhone X owners hit by ‘Green Line of Death’

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iPhone X
Should we call it GreenGate?
Photo: Nate Heagy/Twitter

Apple may have a bit of a screen problem with the iPhone X.

It wouldn’t be an iPhone launch without some sort of “Gate” plaguing devices. Even though iPhone X has only been out for a week, it looks like the “Green Line of Death” is set to be this year’s overblown disaster.