Apple's supply chain may no longer be quite so brilliant. Photo: Apple
Apple has “lost its supply chain mojo,” claims a new report, suggesting that this year’s iPhone refresh has highlighted that Apple’s once-enviable supply chain brilliance is no longer quite so, well, brilliant.
While there have been component issues Apple has dealt with in the past, this year’s iPhone X manufacturing process has been particularly prone to problems, with the upshot being that supply of the in-demand device is unlikely to match with demand until well into 2018.
iPhone X finally hits Apple's refurbished section. Photo: Apple
Apple is giving iPhone Upgrade Program subscribers a “head start” on their iPhone X pre-order. Starting today, eligible customers can begin the upgrade process so that there is no delay in placing their order come Friday morning.
Has the iPhone X been the iPhone 8's biggest enemy? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are likely performing worse than expected for a full-number iPhone release, according to a new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.
Instead, CIRP suggests iPhone 8 sales figures are far closer to an iPhone “s” release. That makes a lot of sense, given that the iPhone 8 line is shipping the same year as the eagerly anticipated iPhone X.
They’re still running! Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple and Samsung are headed back to court… again.
The two companies are still battling it out over a patent infringement lawsuit that was originally settled in 2012. A successful Samsung appeal means the most recent sum of damages will be reassessed at trial yet again.
Apple Video has a major new executive. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Apple has hired former Amazon Studios alumni Morgan Wandell to head up its international development for Apple’s original content division, Apple Video.
Wandell’s official job title is international creative development for worldwide video. While at Amazon, he helped develop shows including The Man in the High Castle and Goliath, as well as the upcoming Jack Ryan and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
An app that uses AI to ensure any pictures you want to keep hidden stay that way is just of one of the picks for this week’s “Awesome Apps of the Week.”
In addition, we’ve got a great app that saves you waiting in line (like for an iPhone X, for instance), a fun zombie-themed augmented reality survival game, and three new characters in one of the year’s best iOS fighting games. Check out our picks below.
This pair of chargers can juice up your devices almost anywhere in the world. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Travel a lot? Use a variety of devices? Then you know how much of a headache it can be to keep everything charged. Different countries use different plug types, which can mean carrying all sorts of plugs and adapters around in your bag. But with Twist World’s line of chargers, you can adapt to the charging situation everywhere you go, with a simple twist. We’ve rounded up great deals on a pair of Twist World Chargers, check em out:
Wireless charging, distraction-free writing, and more are part of this week's best deals. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
This week’s best new deals in the Cult of Mac Store include some futuristic goodies. From a wireless charging pad to ultra durable wireless earbuds. There’s also a powerful planning platform for iOS and a distraction-free writing app, all of it discounted by half off or more. Read on for more details:
With iOS 11, you don't need to go to a recording studio to collaborate on a song. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
One of the great new features in iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra is shared documents. You can create almost any kind of file, and collaborate on it with other people. We’ll show you how to share and collaborate using GarageBand in iOS 11.
In this week’s issue, you’ll find that story and more. Find out why Apple’s ‘fast’ iPhone 8 charger isn’t as quick as you think. Teach Siri to pronounce a name correctly, and check out some great leather Apple Watch bands in wood and leather. Don’t miss your last chance to win an a free iPhone 8, and more. Get yourfree subscription toCult of Mac Magazine from iTunes.Or read on for this week’s top stories.
We've got the strategies you'll need to lock down your iPhone X. Photo: Apple
This week on The CultCast: You’ll have mere seconds to lock down your iPhone X preorder on October 27. If you’re not ready, you’ll be waiting months! We’ve got the strategies you’ll need to employ to have your order placed seconds after the X goes live. Plus: Steve Wozniak just launched his first new product in years, and it’s actually pretty cool; the really dumb Mac accessory you’ll definitely want; Apple taps one of Hollywood’s best for a new TV series; and stick around for Leander’s new $10,000 bike, Buster’s new affordable action camera, and a new movie service you’ve GOT to try in an all-new Under Review.
Tyke is ready to take a note whenever you need it. Photo: Tyke
Tyke might be just about the simplest app you ever saw. It is also really, really useful. Tyke puts a little icon in your Mac’s menubar, and when you click it, it opens up a text scratchpad. You can jot in a quick note, or paste in some info. And that’s about it.
Apple Music is about to have a bigger impact on music charts. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Billboard is making big changes to the way it measures the hottest songs in the country — and that’s great news for Apple Music.
Streams from paid subscription services like Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited will gain influence on the charts starting in 2018, according to Billboard, which revealed its changes today.
Your music is so hard to get into the iPhone's Music app, it may as well be on CD Photo: Lost Places/Flickr CC
It’s 2017, and yet you still can’t add music to the Music app on your iPhone. If you have an MP3 file that somebody sent you, that you downloaded, or that you created with one of the zillions of powerful apps on iOS, you can’t just add it to your library. Instead, you must add it to iTunes on your Mac or PC, and then manually sync it to your iPhone, either over Wi-Fi or with a cable.
It’s absurd, and today we’re going to fix it. You’ll still need a Mac to be running, but at least you don’t have to actually touch it.
A new iOS 11.1 beta is already out! Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Developers just received a new iOS 11.1 beta from Apple this morning even though the company just released a build of the software update earlier this week.
iOS 11.1 beta 4 has been made available today along with the fourth beta builds of watchOS 4.1 and tvOS 11.1. All three of the new betas bring a number of bug fixes and performance improvements to their platforms.
iPhone X finally hits Apple's refurbished section. Photo: Apple
Apple and Foxconn executives will meet later this month to discuss ongoing iPhone X production woes, according to a new report.
Apple operating chief Jeff Williams is planning to sit down with Foxconn chairman Terry Gou, sources say. It’s likely the subject of that meeting will be to solve manufacturing issues that are causing severe iPhone X supply constraints.
Don't expect anymore Apple keynotes this year. Photo: Apple
Hoping for that long-overdue Mac mini refresh to arrive this year? Don’t count on it. Don’t count on any further product unveilings. Apple executive Craig Federighi has indicated that there will be no more special events this year.
Apple shared a new trailer for its upcoming documentary “Give Me Future” that follows the electronic group Major Lazer on their trip to Cuba to become the first major American act to play in the communist country.
The documentary shows Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire as they plan and execute their concert in Havana. What was expected to be a show with ten thousand or so people turned into a massive concert with a crowd of half a million fans.
Feel like spicing up the digital dimensions of your life? If so, today is your lucky day. That’s because we’ve rounded up massive deals on top shelf accessories, from Bluetooth speakers and headphones, to an awesome digital camera and portable power pack. It’s all discounted by nearly half off or more. Plus, you can get an additional 15 percent off when you use the coupon code “SAVE15” at checkout. Read on for more details:
E3 Supply Co. Apple Watch bands come in a variety of finishes and colors. Made by hand in America.variety of finishes and colors. Made by hand in America. Photo: E3 Supply Co.
Whether they are rebuilding vintage motorcycles or crafting Apple Watch straps, the folks at E3 Supply Co. do everything by hand. It’s not that they can’t afford fancy robots to get the job done — the small team of three prefers to do things this way.
Whether working from their shop in Brooklyn, New York, or from the mini leather workshop in the back of their customized 1977 Toyota Chinook, they do things the old-fashioned way. And now Cult of Mac is thrilled to offer E3 Supply’s handcrafted leather Apple Watch bands in our Watch Store.
iPhone X has already been hit with its first lawsuit.
A Japanese company is suing Apple for allegedly infringing a trademark that covers the word “Animoji.” Apple tried to buy the rights to the name, which it is using for its animated emoji feature in iPhone X, before the handset’s launch.
That's nowhere near enough to meet early demand. Photo: Apple
There are going to be a lot of unhappy Apple fans come November 3. Yet another report from a reliable analyst has reiterated that production issues are affecting early iPhone X supply. Apple will have just 3 million units available at launch.
Go large with this deal on a refurbished iPad Pro. Photo: Apple
This week, get a free ghost stories app and save $15 on an iTunes gift card. Oh, and don’t miss out on a giant refurbished iPad Pro (or a Magic Keyboard)!