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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.

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.