Steve Jobs passed away on this day in 2011. Photo: Apple
Today marks six years since Steve Jobs passed away at the age of 56. To mark the occasion, current CEO Tim Cook tweeted out a photo of Jobs and the words, “Make something wonderful, and put it out there.”
There's no denying the iPhone 8 is a great phone, but can it shine through the iPhone X's shadow? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Compared to the radical redesign of the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 Plus looks quite familiar. With the exception of a glass back and a few superficial changes, it employs the same form factor that Apple’s been using since the iPhone 6 Plus. However, it packs some serious internal upgrades that make a difference in day-to-day use.
I picked up the 8 Plus on launch day and have been using it for just over a week. How does it rate? Get my take in the video and written reviews below. Also, don’t miss our huge iPhone 8 and 8 Plus case giveaway at the bottom of the post.
Apple's not the only one struggling with low yield rates for its 3D depth-sensing camera tech. Photo: Apple
Producing sufficient quantities of its 3D depth sensing camera has reportedly been a big pain point when it comes to iPhone X production, but possibly not as much of a pain as it’s likely to be for Android makers.
According to a new report, low yield rates during production for Apple’s 3D sensing modules have caused Android-based smartphone brands to delay their own plans for new smartphone models with 3D sensors.
Apple Music has secured an exclusive documentary based on the upcoming Beautiful Trauma album from Pink. It will be available for streaming this month, featuring behind-the-scenes footage that gives fans a sneak peek at what goes into making a Pink album.
Facebook Stories could quickly see a lot more users. Photo: Facebook
Instagram has started giving users the ability to cross-post their Stories to Facebook Stories.
After testing the feature in Portugal last month, the company is now migrating it to U.S. users. Facebook says it should be available to everyone soon, if not already.
Apple has stopped signing iOS 10.3.3. Photo: Cult of Mac
Downloaded iOS 11 but found that you don’t like it for whatever reason? Well, too bad — because Apple has officially done away with the ability to let you downgrade back to iOS 10.
As it usually does following the release of refreshed versions of iOS, Apple’s stopped signing iOS 10.3.3, last year’s final version of Apple’s iPad and iPhone operating system. While Apple always gives a brief window to let you downgrade to the previous version should you want, that window has now closed for iOS 10.
ResearchKit is as useful for monitoring mental health as physical health. Photo: Apple
Apple’s ResearchKit platform isn’t just about physical wellbeing, it’s also being used to help track mental health.
With that in mind, Duke Institute for Health Innovation has launched a new HomeKit-compatible app designed to help cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers manage the stress accompanying a cancer diagnosis. The app is profiled on Apple’s official ResearchKit blog.
Prepare for new Pixels right after iPhone X Plus. Photo: Google
Google’s new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL might be a little disappointing to some Android fans, but they’re still stellar smartphones. Both sport attractive designs that pack the best hardware available, including excellent cameras, and the speedy Snapdragon 835 chipset.
But can they convince iPhone fans to jump ship? Here’s how the new Pixel lineup compares to iPhone 8 and the upcoming iPhone X.
Touch it, and all kinds of things happen. Photo: Logitech
Logitech’s Craft keyboard comes with one very neat extra — a knob hanging off the corner of its slim body. Called the Crown, this knob can control all kinds of things in different apps. Plus, it works as a handy brightness or volume knob in regular use.
Google's now in the camera business. Photo: Google
Are you the type of person who wants to log every single moment of life, but hate taking your camera out every few minutes just to take photos and videos? Well, Google has got the perfect new product for you.
It’s called Clips. The tiny little device is a camera. Only instead of packing a display and forcing you to click the shutter button, Clips does all the work of capturing moments for you thanks to the power of AI.
Delicious, juicy stickers. Mmmm. Photo: Cult of Mac
iMessage apps aren’t all about stickers. They’re also a neat and handy way to share information from your favorite regular apps. And in iOS 11, they’ve become a lot easier to use. In iOS 10, iMessage apps required several taps just to get to a list to choose what you wanted. In iOS 11, there’s a brand-new dock at the bottom of the app which lets you quickly swipe and tap to the exact app you want, even if you have a lot of them active.
Pixel Buds bring Google's AI smarts to your ears. Photo: Google
The most impressive feature of Google’s new Pixel Buds might not be their audio quality. As demonstrated during the Pixel 2 event today, they work as a real-time translation tool when combined with one of Google’s new phones.
“With Pixel Buds, I can use real-time Google Translate to have a natural conversation in 40 languages,” Google hardware product manager Juston Payne said during the event. “We’re letting you connect with the world around you in a more natural way, by rethinking how a headphone should work, connecting it to cloud-based machine learning and giving you access with the touch of a finger.”
Pixel 2 has the best camera, according to DxoMark. Photo: Google
Google’s newest smartphone lineup just got its official unveiling. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are a decent upgrade over their predecessors, with improved designs and better internals.
But they certainly don’t give Apple or the iPhone anything to worry about.
Google’s Chrome OS platform is finally exciting, thanks to the new Pixelbook.
It sports a premium design that’s incredible thin and light, and powerful hardware that you won’t find in another Chromebook. It’s also compatible with the new Pixelbook Pen, which makes light work of annotating documents, finding information, and more.
Google Home Mini launches this month. Photo: Google
Getting acquainted with the powerful Google Assistant is now more affordable than ever before, thanks to the new Home Mini speaker.
It has all the power of the regular Google Home, but it’s smaller and much more affordable to take on devices like the Echo Dot. You can pre-order yours today ahead of its official launch on October 17.
Sonos speakers connect to over 80 streaming services. Photo: Sonos
Sonos’ new voice-activated Sonos One smart speaker will work with Amazon’s Alexa assistant when it ships later this month, and will add support for Apple’s new AirPlay 2 streaming protocol next year.
The new smart speaker, which will ship Oct. 24, places an emphasis on high-end audio. With its $199 price point and promised compatibility with multiple platforms, it should put pressure on Apple’s upcoming HomePod, which costs nearly twice as much.
Forget your old key ring. This is a key keeper you can ring with your phone or find on a map, so you'll never lose it. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
No matter how high tech our cars get, they still depend on the low tech reality of keys in your pocket. If you forget your keys, there’s no app for avoiding the hike back to get them. But here’s a great new tool that can avoid that headache altogether.
Google's new Pixel 2 XL will be made official today. Photo: Evan Blass
Google’s popular Pixel smartphones turn 1 today. To celebrate the birthday, the company plans to unveil two new models that will compete with iPhone 8 and iPhone X.
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be confirmed during a special event that kicks off at 9 a.m. Pacific today. You can watch the whole thing live right here.
Available in a wide range of styles and colors. Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
Breathe new life into your existing Apple Watch or customize your new Series 3 with a cool, contemporary nylon band inspired by the original NATO strap of the 1970s. Best yet, these bands compare in quality to Apple’s nylon offering, and cost ten bucks less.
Nyloon started with the goal of making high-quality versions of the NATO straps created by the British Ministry of Defence in 1973. The result is a line of sporty, versatile and easily interchangeable nylon bands that sell fast.
Check out Watch Store’s full lineup of Nylon bands for Apple Watch, and read on to learn more about Nyloon’s must-have strap.
Apple News is about to get magazines too. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple is allowing select publishers to test Google DoubleClick ads on its News platform, according to a new report.
It’s said to be part of a plan to make the News app more lucrative for publishing partners, with many disappointed with its existing monetization opportunities.
The E.C. is continuing its battle with Silicon Valley. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The European Commission is continuing its battle with Silicon Valley tech giants by taking Ireland to court, demanding that it reclaim a $17.6 billion tax payment it is owed by Apple.
In addition, it is demanding that Amazon pay it 250 million euros ($294 million) on the grounds that is has enjoyed an illegal “sweetheart deal” in Luxembourg.
Your chance to capture the Iron Throne! Photo: Turbine
With no sign of the next George R.R. Martin book on the horizon, and the end in sight for the acclaimed TV show adaptation, Game of Thrones need to get their songs of fire and ice wherever they can.
Fortunately, Warner Brothers has delivered in this area by finally announcing a release date for the upcoming mobile game Game of Thrones: Conquest. Developed by Turbine, Conquest is an MMO strategy game, set to land in the App Store later this month. Check out the trailer below.