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iPhone 8 may be Apple’s worst September launch weekend in years

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iPhone
Fans queuing for the iPhone 8 on launch day.
Photo: S Marshall-McCormack/Twitter

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have seen lower adoption rates than any September launch of an iPhone since at least 2013, a new report by “lifestyle engagement platform” Localytics claims.

During its first weekend on sale, the iPhone 8 reportedly seized 0.3 percent of the total iPhone device market share, while the iPhone 8 Plus managed 0.4 percent. By contrast, last year’s iPhone 7 generation of handsets racked up 1.2 percent of the market in its opening weekend.

Apple may switch up iPhone sizes again next year

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iPhone X
Is Apple planning a new iPhone display size for next year?
Photo: Apple

The new iPhone X isn’t even out yet, but already the rumor mill is starting to churn about what Apple plans to offer for next year’s 2018-era iPhone refresh.

The report suggests that Apple is ditching plans to produce an 5.28 inch OLED iPhone, and instead to have its handsets start at 5.85 inches. The three iPhones for next year will therefore reportedly come in screen sizes of 5.85 inches, 6.4 inches, and an unspecified model also in excess of 6 inches.

Apple Watch 3 teardown uncovers bigger battery, small changes

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Apple Watch 3 teardown
Everything that goes into an Apple Watch Series 3.
Photo: iFixit

Apple Watch Series 3 may look identical to its predecessors on the outside, but it’s a different beast under the hood, with powerful new hardware, new chips, and LTE connectivity.

A customary teardown by iFixit has also revealed a bigger battery, and one very minor design alteration to make room for new components.

Apple tells iPhone X component suppliers to slow down shipments

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iPhone 8
Apple is still trying to figure out the demand for its iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus first.
Photo: Apple

You might think that Apple’s busy manufacturing every iPhone X handset it’s able to, but according to a new report, that’s not exactly the case.

In fact, Apple has supposedly told component makers for the iPhone X to withhold shipments until Apple has gauged the sales performance of the recently released iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

Trade in your old Apple Watch. We pay the highest prices

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Apple Watch with brown strap
Cult of Mac will buy your old Apple Watch, and we pay top dollar.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

If you just got a new Apple Watch Series 3 (or are about to), you should think about trading in your old watch.

Cult of Mac has a popular gadget buyback program that pays more for used Apple Watches than competing trade-in services, and it’s a lot easier and safer than Craigslist or eBay.

Cult of Mac Magazine: Everything you need to know about iOS 11 and more!

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Cult of Mac Magazine: Everything you need to know about iOS 11

Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s latest mobile operating system brings tons of great new features. From multitasking to drag-and-drop functionality, iOS 11 will turbocharge your device. Find out how to make the most of your iPhone or iPad in this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine with our roundup of the best iOS 11 tips and how-tos.

In this week’s issue, you’ll find those stories and more. Get the latest on on how iOS 11 will change the way you use your iPad. Check out our roundups of the best new cases for your iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus as well as the best straps to outfit your new Apple Watch Series 3. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

Morphite, Ikea Place, and other awesome apps of the week

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

Apple’s ARKit takes center stage in this week’s “Awesome Apps” roundup — with two impressive demos of iOS 11’s new augmented reality platform that, hopefully, will help convince you that AR is every bit as revolutionary as Tim Cook thinks it is.

In addition, we’ve picked a great open world universe game that’s sure to go down as one of the year’s best iOS titles, and a new entry in a beloved series of legal games (yes, really!). Check out our choices below.

Dodge the Craigslist creeps with a burner phone number [Deals]

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Whether it's for avoiding clingy Tinder dates or staying safe from shady Craigslist sellers, having a second phone number is handy.
Whether it's for avoiding clingy Tinder dates or staying safe from shady Craigslist sellers, having a second phone number is handy.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There are lots of reasons you might want to have a secondary phone number. Maybe you’re dealing with a shady Craigslist seller. Or a clingy Tinder match, or just need to separate your personal and business contacts. Thankfully, it doesn’t take opening up a whole new phone contract.

iPhone 8 reviews: You’re better off waiting for iPhone X

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iphone 8 plus
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus bring good, but nonessential, updates.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 8 was always going to be stuck in a tough spot: It’s a marginal upgrade that lands the same year that Apple introduced the iPhone X, the biggest refresh since 2014’s iPhone 6.

Now that review embargoes have lifted, Apple’s favorite tech journalists are busting out their iPhone 8 reviews. Are the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus worth shelling out for? Check out our iPhone 8 review roundup below.

Teach your kids healthy digital habits [Week’s Best Deals]

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This week's best new deals include an app for keeping kids on the straight and narrow online, and lots more.
This week's best new deals include an app for keeping kids on the straight and narrow online, and lots more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Fall is about to drop, and with the new season comes a bunch of great new deals at the Cult of Mac Store. This week, we’ve got a sleek 6-port USB-C hub and a lifetime subscription to Sticky Password. Additionally, we’ve got an amazing glowing guitar instruction tool, and an app for teaching kids more healthy online habits. Everything’s on sale at big discounts, read on for more details:

iPhone 8 and Apple Watch 3 reviews are in, this week on The CultCast

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iPhone 8 atop AirPower
Reviewers are raving about iPhone 8.

This week on The CultCast: iPhone 8 reviews are in! We’ll tell you what everyone loves about the 8, and why you should get one over the X (but probably won’t). Plus: We round up reviews for Apple Watch series 3, and argue over which model is best. And stick around for what we don’t like about iPhone X; Apple’s A11 chip hits a surprising benchmark; tests show iPhone 8 wireless charging is abysmally slow; Apple quietly hikes their iDevice prices; and we’ll tell you all the best AR apps you need to try.

Best iPhone X and iPhone 8 camera accessories

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8_Roundup_Camera
The new iPhone 8 and X cameras are incredible. These accessories make them even better.
Photo: Moment

The iPhone’s camera is good enough that it can be most people’s only camera — including professional photographers. The iPhone is a multi-purpose computer, though, not just a camera, so it can sometimes do with a little help when it comes to ergonomics, or to adding a little extra reach with a telephoto lens. These are the iPhone 8 camera gizmos you should buy:

Tim Cook ‘couldn’t be happier’ with iPhone 8 launch

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook at the iPhone 8 keynote.
Photo: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook paid a visit to the Apple store in Palo Alto this morning to celebrate the launch of the iPhone 8.

Despite seeing modest lines for the device’s launch around the country, Cook told reporters today he’s “thrilled” with the response to both the iPhone 8 and the Apple Watch Series 3. Many stores across the globe have sold out of the new watch and according to Cook, the iPhone 8 is out of stock in some places too.

Apple’s new ad gives 8 reasons to love iPhone 8

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iPhone 8
The most powerful iPhones Apple has ever made.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 8 isn’t getting as hyped a reception from fans as previous models, but Apple’s making a hard push to lure in customers with its latest video.

Apple’s newest commercial gives people 8 things to love about the new iPhone 8, from durable glass front and back to its insanely fast A11 processor. Most fans are holding out for the iPhone X, however, you might be convinced to upgrade earlier after watching the new 47-second spot.

Best docks to cradle your iPhone 8 or iPhone X

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8_Roundup_Docks
Your new iPhone deserves a dock that's equally as beautiful.
Photo: Grovemade/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new iPhones are its most beautiful yet. And as such, they deserve to be docked in nothing but the finest cradles ever crafted.

Find the perfect dock can be a bit of challenge considering there are a dizzying array of options to choose from. Not all docks are created equal though, so we’ve rounded up the best options for users of all budgets.

These are the docks you should buy:

iPhone 8 takes a beating in first torture test videos

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iPhone 8
The iPhone 8 still looks great.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The new iPhone 8 isn’t just the most beautiful phone Apple has ever made. It’s also one of the toughest ever.

iPhone 8 buyers have already put the new device through a number of torture tests after it went on sale across the globe this morning. Even though the new design sports glass in the front back, early stress tests have shown its more durable than the iPhone 7 in bend test.

Check it out:

Best iPhone 8 battery cases and backup batteries

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battery cases

Even the giant plus-sized iPhones run out of juice eventually, and that goes for the new iPhone 8 as much as any iPhone before it. You could carry a charger with you and spend the day hunting for available wall-sockets, but these days that’s as lame as using dodgy free Wi-Fi instead of reliable and fast LTE. Instead, you should take some backup power with you. There are two options: battery cases, great for really heavy phone users who always run out of power before lunch, and a spare battery with a USB cable that can charge your iPhone, or any device, but stays in the bottom of your bag until it’s needed.

Let’s take a look at the options. There’s also one very cool surprise feature in one of our picks that “wireless” charging fans are going to love.

iPhone 8 gets lukewarm reception around the world

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iPhone
The iPhone 8 queues in Australia weren't what they've been in previous years.
Photo: S Marshall-McCormack/Twitter

Fans queuing for the latest iPhone is something customary for new launches, but according to reports from across the globe, demand isn’t what it has been in previous years.

Interest in the new handset seems to be muted, with Apple stores seeing a fraction of the lines that have greeted previous iPhone launches. At Apple stores in New York City, where typically hundreds of fans are queued up for hours to buy the iPhone, the entire line was gone within the first hour of the store opening.

‘Best-ever’ smartphone camera is the iPhone 8 Plus

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iPhone 8
The camera on the iPhone 8 Plus gets a "best-ever" grade from DxOMark Labs.
Photo: Apple

The cameras onboard the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are the “best-performing” smartphone cameras ever tested, according to a report by DxOMark Labs.

Both iPhones surpassed what DxO once declared the best, the Google Pixel. The 8 Plus scored a 94, two points higher than its single-camera sibling. The Pixel and the HTC U11 both rated a 90 while the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 scored an 88 and 85 respectively.

Learn to become a Microsoft Excel master [Deals]

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Master one of the most-used professional software suites, MS Office, with this comprehensive course bundle.
Share the workload with collaborative working in Microsoft Office.
Photo: Cult of Mac

No matter what kind of office you work in, chances are it’s running on Microsoft Office. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and beyond. These are the apps that any job that involves a keyboard or screen will have to learn. So it’s one of the most useful software to master.