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Samsung confirms it will compete with Apple’s hottest new gadget

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WWDC2017
Samsung has a smart speaker up its sleeve.
Photo: Apple

Surprise, surprise; the rumors were true. Samsung will compete with Apple’s hottest new gadget.

In a new interview following the launch of the Galaxy Note 8 on Tuesday, Samsung mobile president DJ Koh confirmed the company is developing a smart speaker that will take on HomePod and Amazon Alexa. He also hinted that it will be announced “soon.”

How to make JPEG screenshots the default on your Mac

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JPG screenshot location
You'll have to dust off the Terminal for this tip. Seriously, though, kids, don't let your computer get this filthy.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

By default, any screenshots you take on your Mac, iPad or iPhone get saved as PNG files. That’s great, because PNG files are pixel-perfect, and they support transparency (for those neat floating-window shadows).

But they’re not JPEGs, which means they’re not universally supported. Luckily, you can easily make JPEG screenshots the default, at least on the Mac.

Roku continues to trounce Apple TV

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apple tv and siri remote
Apple TV can't compete with Roku.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The gap between Apple TV and Roku continues to widen — only not in Apple’s favor.

According to the latest research data, Apple TV is getting absolutely dominated in the streaming set-top box race. As top rival Roku inches closer toward taking over half the market, Apple TV still struggles to crack into the top three streamers. And the future isn’t looking too bright.

iOS 11 App Store now shows Mac apps previews

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iOS 11 App Store previews mac apps
In iOS 11, you'll never have to shout at this ridiculous warning ever again.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Ever tapped an App Store link for a Mac app while browsing on your iPad, and gotten sent to a useless page telling you that the app is only available on the Mac? Like, you couldn’t possibly want to know the price, or see screenshots, or read any other information about a Mac app while you’re using your iPhone?Well,

Well, those dark, patronizing days are over. In iOS 11, clicking on a link for a Mac App takes you to the proper iOS 11 App Store entry for that app. Right there on your iPad.

How the Galaxy Note 8 stacks up against iPhone 8 and iPhone 7

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Galaxy Note 8
Bigger and better than ever before.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung today delivered its new Galaxy Note 8, and it’s bigger and better than ever.

With a stunning 6.3-inch Infinity Display, incredible new features, and the best smartphone specifications available right now, it’s going to prove to be tough competition for Samsung biggest rivals.

So how does the Galaxy Note 8 stack up against iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and the upcoming iPhone 8? Find out right here.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 is ready to take on the next iPhone

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Galaxy Note 8
Apple should be worried about Galaxy Note 8.
Photo: Samsung

The Galaxy Note 8 has landed, and it’s ready and waiting to take on the next iPhone.

It is Samsung’s best smartphone to date, building upon the strong foundations laid by the Galaxy S8 series, and setting an even higher bar for new competitors.

It boasts everything you want in a modern smartphone and more, including a stunning Infinity Display, iris scanning, dual cameras like iPhone 7 Plus, and the beloved S Pen stylus.

Learn how to make your mark on social media [Deals]

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Social Media
A federal judge blocked federal government contact with social media sites.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Some online content makes its mark online. Other content never gets noticed. The reasons can seem like black magic, but it’s actually more like a science. And in actuality, it needs a little nudging from companies like Marketing Heaven to kickstart the business. That means anyone who is growing a brand, promoting a message, or creating content online can benefit from understanding social media marketing.

Tune into Samsung’s live Galaxy Note 8 event right here

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Note 8 Do Bigger Things
Meet the iPhone 8's biggest competitor.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung is about to unwrap its new Galaxy Note 8 at an event in New York City. This is the device that will be giving iPhone 8 a run for its money this fall, while hoping to convince Samsung fans that last year’s Note 7 fiasco was nothing more than a minor hiccup.

You can tune in and watch the whole thing live right here.

Leading developer says we should be angry at ‘parasitic’ app stores

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Epic's Infinite Blade
The Infinity Blade franchise was a big hit for Epic Games.
Photo: Epic Games

App stores that take a 30 percent chunk of developers’ earnings are parasites, according to Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games.

“The system is pretty unfair at the moment,” Sweeney said during a keynote speech on the future of graphics and games development in the U.K. “These app stores take 30 percent of your revenue for distribution … That’s strange because MasterCard, Visa and other companies that handle transactions take 2 percent or 3 percent of the revenue…. So they’re pocketing a huge amount of profit from your order – and they aren’t really doing much to help us anymore.”

Apple autonomous car morphs into self-driving shuttle bus for employees

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Apple Car might be coming, but will it be special?
Possibly not coming any time soon.
Photo: Aristomenis Tsirbas/Freelancer

Apple’s secretive “Project Titan” self-driving car project has reportedly switched gears, transforming into an effort to build a self-driving shuttle bus. Called Palo Alto to Infinite Loop, or PAIL, the shuttle would carry Apple employees between buildings.

The project may serve as a test bed for Apple’s autonomous car research. But a customer-focused vehicle built by Apple is for now reportedly out of the question. Instead, Apple’s self-driving technology will likely be used by other carmakers eventually.

New ads showcase what’s in store for next week’s Carpool Karaoke

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Carpool Karaoke
Next week's episodes will feature Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Miley Cyrus, and others.
Photo: Apple

To mark the release of two new episodes of Carpool Karaoke: The Series, Apple has released trailers showing what viewers can expect from next week’s installments. The episodes in question will pair Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Miley Cyrus and the rest of the Cyrus clan.

Check the ads out below.

How to unsubscribe from mailing lists with 3D Touch

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unsubscribe with 3d touch
This method for canceling mail subscriptions doesn't even take one click.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Mail app on iOS has a built-in unsubscribe feature that works great. Just a couple of clicks and Mail will attempt to remove you from unwanted future correspondence. But even that method is slow compared to the no-click unsubscribe method that we’ll share with you today.

How to use a USB hub to hook up multiple devices to your iPad

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iPad usb hub
It's a mess, but it all works perfectly.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

You know how the Lightning cable that plugs into your iDevice has a USB plug on the other end? That’s because the Lightning port is a kind of fancy USB port itself. You already know that you can in plug a keyboard, or an audio interface, or a camera, using Apple’s Lightning to USB Camera Adapter. But did you know that you can plug in all of those at once? That’s right — by using a powered USB hub, you can hook up as many accessories as you like to your iPad at once. If you ever use your iPad to work at your desk, with a keyboard, then you can use this tip to build your own iPad docking station.

HomePod setup process leaked by latest iOS 11 beta

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Apple's new HomePod smart speaker is ready to rock your house.
HomePod will launch in December, but supplies will be constrained.
Photo: Apple

The latest iOS 11 beta just revealed what it will be like to set up a HomePod, Apple’s new smart speaker coming later this year.

Pairing HomePod with your iPhone will be quite similar to the AirPods setup routine, based on leaked screenshots of the process. If the leak is accurate, you’ll only be able to set up the speaker using an iPhone or iPad.

‘Leaked’ video shows alleged iPhone 8 with rear Touch ID

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Touch ID
But don't worry — Face ID isn't going anywhere.
Photo: Apple

The debate over whether the iPhone 8 will come with Touch ID has just been reignited thanks to a new video that allegedly shows off some of the devices new features.

A video of an alleged iPhone with Touch ID in the back surfaced on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo today. Although details in the video are hard to make out, it appears to show someone testing the Touch ID sensor during the Q&A process.

Take a look:

Spark email app ensures you’ll never forget an important task

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Spark productivity integrations
Spark now plays nicely with third-party productivity apps.
Photo: Readdle

Spark, one of the finest third-party email clients for Mac and iOS, just got a big update that will ensure you never forget another important task.

The app, developed by the terrific team at Readdle, now boasts seamless integrations for popular reminders apps like Todoist, Wunderlist, Things, and even Apple’s own Reminders app.

Nestlé is sued over a game designed by Apple’s co-founders

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Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak make important connections at the Homebrew Computer Club.
Breakout is a Silicon Valley classic.
Photo: Apple/Computer History Museum

A video game co-created by Apple founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs is at the center of a lawsuit between Atari and confectionary company Nestlé, concerning an ad which screened in the U.K.

The 30-second advert was intended to promote Kit Kat, a chocolate bar made by Nestlé in the United Kingdom (in the U.S. it is manufactured by the Hershey Company). It showed a modified, unlicensed version of the 1975 Atari game Breakout — only with chocolate instead of bricks.

And Atari’s none too happy about it!

Walmart’s new Vudu app for Apple TV has landed

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Vudu Apple TV
Vudu has 4,000 movies for free, and access to your UltraViolet library.
Photo: Vudu

Walmart’s new Vudu app for Apple TV is now available to download from the tvOS App Store.

It provides access to over 100,000 movies and TV shows, and lets you stream your UltraViolet Blu-rays at no extra cost — providing they’re in the Vudu library. But it comes with some annoying limitations.

iPhone 8’s most exciting component leaks out early

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iPhone 8 facial recognition sensor
This could be the sensor that brings 3D facial recognition to iPhone 8.
Photo: SlashLeaks

The most exciting component Apple will pack into iPhone 8 has supposedly leaked out early. The module pictured above is what will allegedly provide the tenth-anniversary iPhone with impressive facial recognition capabilities that could one day replace Touch ID.

AirPods are shipping faster than ever before

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AirPods in case
AirPods aren't as good without iPhone
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Shipping times for AirPods have finally fallen below one month. In most countries, the wait has been reduced to just two to three weeks when ordering from the Apple online store, which is the lowest it has been since the earphones made their debut last December.

Telltale’s new episodic Batman game lands on iOS next month

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Batman Enemy Within
iOS gamers can return to Gotham City next month.
Photo: Telltale Games

Telltale’s episodic point-and-click adventure game Batman: The Enemy Within has finally gotten a release date on iOS.

Episodes one and two of the sequel to 2016’s Batman: The Telltale Series will land in the iOS App Store on September 26. Episode one of the five-part series was released on consoles and PC in early August, but mobile gamers must wait a bit to get their hands on the new title.

In the meantime, check out the Batman: The Enemy Within trailer below.