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The Shelf is like a Desktop for iOS 11

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The shelf in action
The Shelf may prove to be the handiest iOS utility ever.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

You know how on your Mac you always drag stuff to the desktop as a kind of temporary holding spot? You might be gathering together some photos, or just keeping a PDF until you work out where to put it, or until you have emailed it and can delete the original. That kind of thing isn’t possible in iOS, because a) there is no real concept of files, at least not in the Mac way, and b) there’s no desktop. But that’s about to change in iOS 11. The new Files app takes care of a), and thirdparty apps like The Shelf will be able to take to role of the desktop.

Apple Park gets greener in latest drone video

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Apple Park
The Apple spaceship is nearly ready for launch.
Photo: Duncan Sinfield

The race to complete Apple Park’s Steve Jobs Theater before the iPhone 8 unveiling looks nearly over in the latest drone video that showcases Apple’s spaceship campus.

Construction crews are still spread across the gorgeous grounds putting the finishing touches on landscaping and other projects but from the look of things, it won’t be long before Apple employees finally move in.

Take a look:

Is that an iPhone 8 in Tim Cook’s pocket?

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook greeting employees at CTS.
Photo: Tim Cook

When Apple CEO Tim Cook paid a visit to testing equipment supplier CTS in Cincinnati this morning, he might have accidentally revealed that he’s already using an iPhone 8.

Cook tweeted a photo of himself talking to workers at the manufacturing facility, but the web is abuzz with what was hidden in his pocket. The outline of a device in his pocket appears to be an iPhone that’s too narrow to be an iPhone 7 Plus but too big to be an iPhone 7.

Price tag on iPhone 8 will likely start at $999

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face tracking
Facial recognition could be the next big thing on iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Getting your hands on Apple’s next generation iPhone won’t be cheap.

According to the latest report from the New York Times, the iPhone 8’s price tag will start out at a whopping $999, making it the most expensive smartphone Apple’s ever introduced.

Apple to build $1.3 billion data center in Iowa

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Apple's Iowa data center
An aerial view shows what Apple's Iowa data center will look like.
Image: Apple

The next great Apple data center powered by renewable energy is coming soon to Iowa.

Apple revealed today that it plans to invest $1.3 billion into a new data center in Waukee, Iowa, that will help create more than 550 construction and operations jobs in the city near Des Moines. Along with splurging on the data center, the company will also create a $100 million Public Improvement Fund to boost infrastructure in the Des Moines area.

How to convert screenshots from PNG to JPEG on iOS

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PNG to JPG
Nothing says 'JPG conversion' better than an over-copied photo of Killian's hair on a dusty red velvet cushion.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Yesterday, we saw how to set the default screenshot format on your Mac to JPEG instead of PNG, in order to make your screenshots more universally usable. You can’t change the default screenshot file type on iOS, so today we’re going to look at the next best option — converting PNG to JPEG as easily and quickly as possible.

Star Wars characters storm Apple Stores via AR

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Star Wars
Head to your local Apple Store to find AR Star Wars characters.

Popular Star Wars characters will pop up in Apple stores and other retail outlets around the world next week in a promotional event powered by augmented reality. Apple and Disney teamed up for the Star Wars promo, which coincides with the release of new toys for the upcoming movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Apple Watch will remain smartwatch king for years to come

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Theater Mode finally makes its way to Apple Watch in watchOS 3.2 beta 1.
Apple Watch will remain king, but it will still face some challengers along the way.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple will rule the wearables roost through 2021, claims research firm Gartner — although it’s likely to see its dominance eroded along the way.

Gartner claims that 41.5 million total smartwatches (including those made by all companies) will sell in 2017, generating a massive $9.3 billion. That number will almost double by 2021, however, when the firm thinks smartwatch sales will hit 81 million units for the year.

New ‘leak’ might show critical iPhone 7s component

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iPhone 7s logic board
This could be the guts of iPhone 7s.
Photo: Benjamin Geskin

The guts of Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7s have apparently been revealed in yet another leak.

A reliable tipster posted photos today of what is believed to be the iPhone 7s logic board, which ties together all the handset’s components. It’s one of just a few iPhone 7s leaks we’ve seen ahead of the handset’s unveiling this fall.

Upgrade your iPhone photography game, and more [Deals]

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collage-2017-08-18 (1)
From clip-on camera lights to double-sided phone mounts, these are the iPhone accessories you're looking for.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your iPhone is a splendid device. But to make the most of its potential, you need the right accessories. That’s why we’ve rounded up a group of accessories that covers all the bases. We’ve got a double-sided magnetic phone mount, and trio of extra long, MFi-Certified Lightning cables. On top of that, we’ve got a clip-on light and a set of five lenses that’ll transform the way you take photos with your phone. Plus, most are discounted by more than 70 percent. Read on for more details:

iPhone may soon challenge Galaxy Note with Apple Pencil support

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Apple Pencil
Apple Pencil won't be exclusive to iPad Pro for long.
Photo: Apple

Apple Pencil has become such an essential accessory for iPad Pro owners that Apple is working on bringing it to the iPhone.

New patents again reveal the company’s work on making the iPhone compatible with its beloved stylus, just a day after Samsung announced its new Galaxy Note 8, a smartphone that has become so popular thanks to its S Pen.

Zombie-blasting Death Road to Canada gets massive update

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Death Road
New characters, locations, and weapons? Check, check, and check again.
Photo: Rocketcat

For my money, Death Road to Canada is one of the best games to have landed on iOS in recent times. A crazy mash-up of randomly-generated zombie survival RPG, actioner, and text-based interactive fiction game, it’s a combination that totally shouldn’t work, but — like peanut butter and jelly — totally does.

And now it’s just got a massive update to more a great game even, well, greater. Check out the trailer below.

Barclays analyst thinks big winner of iPhone 8 will be… Samsung?

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iPhone color
High price may put a lot of people off the new iPhone, analyst claims.
Photo: Ben Miller

The iPhone 8 is set to be Apple’s most exciting handset refresh since 2014’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but not everyone is tripping over themselves to lavish praise on Apple before the phone event makes its debut.

Case in point is Barclays Mark Moskowitz who, in a note to clients, claims the big winner from this year’s iPhone 8 is going to be… Samsung?

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.