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iPhone 8’s Touch ID returns to the back in new leak

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iPhone 8 chassis
Touch ID moves again.
Photo: Baidu

The positioning of Touch ID has changed yet again in the latest iPhone 8 leak.

A machined rear panel for Apple’s upcoming device suggests the company still has plans to put a fingerprint scanner on its back — as indicated by earlier leaks. But it won’t be a pain to reach like the Galaxy S8’s.

Apple execs meet with Australian government to talk encryption

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iPhone hack
The Australian government is no fan of strong encryption
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Australia may not be one of Apple’s biggest markets, but that doesn’t mean that Apple’s not taking its impending law changes regarding strong encryption seriously.

In fact, according to a new report, Apple has flown to of its top privacy executives to the country over the past month to lobby the government over its demands. Apple representatives met with Australian Attorney-General George Brandis and members of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s government this week to discuss cybersecurity.

Curtains raise on The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs opera this weekend

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Ashton Kutcher and Michael Fassbender played Steve Jobs in movies. Now Edward Parks III brings his rich baritone voice to the Steve Jobs opera, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.
Your new Steve Jobs, everyone!
Photo: Dario Acosta/Santa Fe Opera

Always wanted to know more about the life of Steve Jobs, but been put off by the lack of show-stopping musical numbers? The Santa Fe Opera is here to offer a solution.

This Saturday, the Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico debuts its long-awaited production, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. It tells the life story of Apple’s co-founder and most iconic CEO in a way no biography has done before.

New Apple data center will boost iCloud in China

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Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple will help launch a new data center in the Guizhou province of China to boost iCloud services locally.

A new report claims the company has signed a cooperation agreement with the government to invest $1 billion in the facility, which will be maintained by a third-party.

Apple issues security updates for all devices

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mac security
Apple released new security updates to keep malicious hackers out.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple issued a laundry list of updates on most of its operating systems to resolve what appears to be security soft spots.

Cupertino offered few specifics but the list includes macOS, tvOS, iOS, watch OS, Safari and iTunes and iCloud for Windows.

Super-smart rings, secure GPS trackers and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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ORII smart ring
ORII is a smart ring that's actually smart.
Photo: ORII

Crowdfund Roundup bugMaybe smartwatches aren’t your thing, but what about an impressive smart ring that lets you take calls, interact with virtual assistants, and more without being too intrusive?

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have the world’s first graphene headphones, a fidget spinner that you can connect to your smartphone for ultra-cool LED effects, and more!

Everything new with Siri in iOS 11

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siri ios 11
Siri gets a lot of love in the latest iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra updates.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Siri often gets dinged for being stupid, but significant upgrades in iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra make Apple’s AI assistant smarter than ever. With advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence, Siri sounds slicker and understands you better on Apple’s updated platforms.

Siri also learned a lot of new tricks, and can now offer suggestions inside other apps. Here’s a brief look at everything new with Siri in iOS 11.

How to use one-handed Maps mode in iOS 11

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one-handed-maps
This is all happening with one finger.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Using one-handed maps is currently suboptimal, because you need two fingers to zoom the map. But in iOS 11, the familiar pinch-to-zoom gesture is joined by a new tap-to-zoom, which lets you navigate the entire interface with a single thumb. This means that you can easily check the map while walking, or even — if you are an irresponsible psychopath — while riding a bike.

Mind mapping can boost your brainstorms and enhance your productivity

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Mind mapping with Mind Vector
Mind mapping, a classic technique for visualizing ideas, is getting a digital makeover.
Image: Mind Vector

This post is presented by Mind Vector.

Many people blame technology for mind-warping things like short attention spans, rotten social skills and fidget spinners. However, technology also offers new ways of engaging with our minds and sharpening our thoughts. Take mind mapping, a popular technique for brainstorming and planning.

Woz says iPhone worth high price, even in China

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Woz: I don’t think true self-driving cars will arrive in my lifetime
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has a growing fascination with cryptocurrency.
Photo: Nichollas Harrison/Wikimedia Commons CC

The iPhone is lagging behind competitors in China. But if Apple notices a sudden uptick in sales, they may have an old friend to thank.

At a tech conference in the Guangdong province of China Tuesday, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak praised Chinese manufacturers for making smartphones with great functions and affordable prices.

But Woz said the iPhone is still worth the extra money.

Change these settings to save data when you travel [Tech Travel Tips]

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music travel offline
Downloading music is just one way to save a lot of data when you travel.
Photo: Cult of Mac

tech travel tips Your mobile data plan takes a hammering when you travel. All the stuff you usually do while sitting in bed using your home Wi-Fi — like reading Cult of Mac and viewing cute capybara GIFs — will eat through your monthly allowance. And that’s before you get to the extra use of maps and Google to find your way around.

Today on Tech Travel Tips, we’ll look at ways to stop your iPhone and iPad from using up all your data in the first few days of your vacation.

Apple stops giving Nokia the stink eye

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Nokia digital health
Nokia’s health devices could return to Withings.
Photo: Nokia

Apple is again selling Nokia devices after settling a legal battle over patent infringement.

Nokia health accessories, which are compatible with iPhone and iPad, returned to the Apple online store on Wednesday almost two months after the two companies reached an agreement.

Last chance: Name your price for 15 top Mac apps [Deals]

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PWYW Biggest Mac App Bundle
Time is running out to name your price for this bundle of 15 premium Mac apps.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Macs are still top of the heap when it comes to performance and reliability. But without the right applications, your computer might as well be a shiny, pricey desk decoration.

But Mac apps are pricey. Loading up your sleek new machine with useful new apps can cost a pretty penny. And let’s be honest, you’ve dropped enough coin on your Mac. That makes this bundle of more than a dozen premium apps worth checking out. It’s packed with games, utility and productivity apps, and plenty more. And right now you can name your price for the whole shebang.

Apple’s new machine learning blog underlines its focus on AI

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Machine learning
Apple is in the blogging business.
Photo: Apple

For a long time, Apple segregated itself from the rest of the artificial intelligence community, refusing to attend conferences, or to let its researchers publish their work in existing journals.

Today, Apple got around this second problem in the most Apple way possible: by launching a machine learning journal of its own.

Maybe Apple hasn’t given up on iPhone SE just yet

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iPhone SE camera
Apple is expected to launch a new iPhone SE in May.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple hasn’t given up on its smallest, most affordable iPhone just yet.

A new report claims the 4-inch iPhone SE is due for a refresh soon, and that it will get its very own event this August. What’s more, the new model will be even cheaper than the one Apple sells today.

Apple funds suppliers who fight back against Qualcomm

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encryption
And just when we thought this case was calming down!
Photo: orangesparrow/Flickr CC

Apple is reportedly paying the legal costs of four of its assemblers, Foxconn, Pegatron, Wistron and Compal, as they challenge Qualcomm in court.

In a filing made late Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, the Apple suppliers allege that Qualcomm has violated two sections of the U.S. antitrust law, the Sherman Act.

Samsung has no interest in taking on HomePod

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HomePod
Samsung doesn't want to fight HomePod... yet.
Photo: Apple

Samsung currently has no plans to take on HomePod with a smart speaker of its own.

Recent rumors have claimed the South Korean company is working on a standalone Bixby device, but a source familiar with its plans says the market is too small to be profitable.

Spotify sued for allegedly streaming 2,445 songs without permission

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Spotify
Spotify has found itself the subject of two new legal battles.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Spotify has been hit with two new lawsuits from music publishers claiming that the streaming music giant has illegally published songs from the label, without the proper permissions.

Artists’ work that is covered in the lawsuit include Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, and Guns ‘N Roses, and others. 2,445 songs are highlighted by the lawsuit.

Nintendo Switch’s new voice chat app goes live… kinda

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Nintendo Switch
Want to chat to your friends on Switch multiplayer? There's an app for that.
Photo: Nintendo

Ahead of launching Splatoon 2 this Friday, Nintendo has published its Nintendo Switch Online app in the iOS App Store.

While the features won’t be available prior to July 21, the app will allow users to carry out voice chat and access the SplatNet 2 portal, where it will be possible to view your game stats, buy extra gear, and invite friends to compete in battles.

Apple creates new managing director role for its Greater China expansion

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New China VP
Isabel Ge Mahe is currently Apple's vice president of Wireless Technologies.
Photo: Apple

Apple has appointed a new vice president and managing director of its Greater China region. Isabel Ge Mahe is currently Apple’s vice president of Wireless Technologies, having worked for Apple since July 2008.

In her new role, she will be based in Shanghai, but report directly to Tim Cook and Apple COO Jeff Williams.

Steven Soderbergh’s secret iPhone movie has Hollywood abuzz

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Soderbergh iPhone movie
Director Steven Soderbergh has reportedly made movie magic with an iPhone.
Photo: YouTube

Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh has the kind of filmography that gives him plenty of negotiating power when requesting money to make a film.

But the star filmmaker is a fan of low-budget, experimental movie-making and one of his upcoming titles was reportedly shot on an iPhone.