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Six community colleges in the U.S. will be teaching Swift this fall

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swift_uikit_macbook_2
Time for your Swift class!
Photo: Apple

Want to learn Swift in school? Apple wants you too as well, which is why its just launched a new app development curriculum for its mobile programming language aimed at high school and community college students.

The curriculum, which is available as a free download today from the iBooks Store, will be adopted by six community college systems serving nearly 500,000 students this fall. No doubt more will follow in the near future.

China is losing interest in the iPhone

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China iPhone sales
Tim Cook meets with Apple store employees in China.
Photo: Apple

Tim Cook hasn’t been shy about proclaiming China Apple’s future biggest market, but right now it’s causing the most problems.

According to analysts at Oppenheimer, Apple’s “Reality Distortion Field” is fading in China, as iPhone sales drop 20 percent. That’s at least twice as bad as any other market.

1Password can now lock down your data when you travel

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Don't give up your data while you travel.
Don't give up your data while you travel.
Photo: 1Password

1Password, the ultimate password management app for iOS, now makes your data even more secure when you travel.

Its new Travel Mode removes every vault from your devices except for those marked “safe for travel.” If you’re asked to unlock your smartphone or tablet at the border, only the passwords you really need will be exposed.

New video reveals redesigned iPhone 8 in all its glory

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iPhone8
Is this what the new iPhone will look like?
Photo: Benjamin Geskin

Designer and leaker Benjamin Geskin has posted a short video online, showcasing what he claims to be an identical dummy unit of the iPhone 8.

Backing up a lot of previous rumors about the next-gen handset, Geskin’s iPhone features a curved glass infinite display, lack of physical Home button, and vertical dual camera setup. Check it out below.

Jony Ive’s BFF has created a spectacular new timepiece

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It's all yours for $12,000.
Photo: Hodinkee

Jony Ive’s BFF Marc Newson may have played a role in the design of the Apple Watch, but he’s now turned his attentions to designing an entirely new timepiece. Although this isn’t one that you’ll be wearing on your wrist!

Instead, it’s a $12,000 limited edition hourglass, designed for the world’s leading online wristwatch magazine, Hodinkee. Check it out below.

Quick tip: How to translate words in iOS with a single tap

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translate dictionary ios
Translate any word with a tap on iOS.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The Look Up feature in iOS, which lets you tap on a word and look it up in the dictionary, the web, Wikipedia, and more, is one of the most useful things about reading on an iPhone or iPad. But did you know that you can also add new dictionaries, including translation dictionaries for foreign languages? That’s right. You can look up words in all kinds of other languages and translate them into English, or vice versa.

Apple begins testing 5G data speeds for iPhone

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iPhone 7 red
iPhone 8 rumors haven't had an impact yet, either.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Insanely fast mobile data speeds could be coming soon to Apple’s iPhone lineup, based on a new filing with the FCC that reveals the company has begun testing 5G network technology.

Apple recently applied for an experimental license to use new wireless technology called “millimeter wave.” The FCC approved Apple’s permit today and revealed some details about the project by making the company’s application public.

How to use Text Replacement to avoid typing the words you hate

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Text Replacement shortcuts in iPhone
Text Replacements are easy to set up, and save a ton of time and hassle. You can even use them with emoji.
Photo: Cult of Mac

What if you could type out any of your email addresses just by tapping on the same key a few times? Or do Google searches over and over on a favorite website just as easily? What about easily typing that special symbol that’s so hard to reach on the iOS keyboard that you usually never bother? All this, and more, can be yours, if only you’ll spend a minute or two setting up some text replacement shortcuts. Let’s do it right now.

Verizon CEO reveals plan to launch TV streaming service

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AOL just got bought by the king of mobile.
Verizon has a massive platform for video content.
Photo: Verizon

Once Verizon’s acquisition of Yahoo finally gets completed this summer, a new TV streaming service could roll out to customers shortly after.

The news that Verizon is planning to enter the highly competitive streaming TV market was revealed today by the company’s CEO Lowell McAdam, who says the platform will be a great place to test out an over-the-top service.

Microsoft takes aim at iPad with new Surface Pro

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The Surface Pro looks slick.
The Surface Pro looks slick.
Photo: Microsoft

The iPad Pro is getting some fresh competition from Microsoft after the company just took the wraps off its newest tablet, the Surface Pro.

It’s been over 16 months since Microsoft’s would-be iPad-killer was last updated. Although its the 5th version of Microsoft’s tablet, this go around the company decided to ditch the number suffixes and pack the Surface Pro with more features than ever before.

DevMate and Paddle join forces for all-in-one software platform

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It's going to be easier than ever to sell your software online.
It's going to be easier than ever to sell your software online.
Photo: DevMate, Paddle

DevMate and Paddle are joining forces to provide macOS developers with a single platform for building, managing, licensing and selling their software online.

The merger will combine the capabilities and expertise of both businesses for a unique, “next-generation platform” that hopes to make life easier for software creators.

National security requests for Apple user data doubled in last half of 2016

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Apple Security Jacket
Apple has shared the number of user data requests it received last year.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

National security requests for user data from Apple doubled in the second half of 2016, compared to the first six months, Apple’s newly-published biannual transparency report reveals.

Apple received somewhere between 5,750 and 5,999 orders during the July-December period of last year, compared to the 2,750 and 2,999 requests it was handed in the January-June period. This represents the highest total count in the 3.5 years since Apple first began releasing this information in a six-monthly report.

Before your Lightning cables fray, get some backup [Deals]

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CoM - 6.5-Ft Apple MFi-Certified Lightning Cable- 3-Pack
With these three extra long, Apple certified cables, you'll be covered for when your Lightning cable inevitably frays or breaks.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We rely on our Lightning cables to keep our iDevices charged and synced. Unfortunately, these soft white cables are pretty prone to fraying and breaking. With something so essential to our digital lifestyles, it’s important to have backup. And, while we’re at it, why not add a little reach? Right now you can get all of the above, when you get a triple pack of MFi-certified, 10-foot long Lightning cables for just $20 at Cult of Mac Deals.

America’s favorite iPhone will surprise you

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iPhone SE
Two new iPhone SE models for 2020?
Photo: Sam Mills/Cult of Mac

Despite the demand for larger, sharper smartphone displays, iPhone SE has beaten out all other smartphones to top the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

Just two of Apple’s devices placed in the top five, and with a score of 87 out of 100, iPhone SE took the number one spot ahead of iPhone 7 Plus and the Galaxy S7 series.

Samsung’s OLED display orders reportedly double for iPhone 9

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iphone 8 display
Early rumor claims iPhone 9 will come in two sizes, both with OLED displays.
Photo: Martin Hajek

The iPhone 8 isn’t even out yet, and already Samsung Display has reportedly signed a deal with Apple to supply OLED panels for the 2018-era iPhone 9.

While Samsung is producing 80 million OLED displays for the iPhone 8, that number will allegedly more than double for the iPhone 9, for which Samsung will manufacture 180 million OLED screens.

India offers Apple a compromise on iPhone manufacturing incentives

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
Apple is already manufacturing iPhones in India.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

To encourage manufacturing in India, Indian authorities have offered to let Apple import smartphone components for use in local manufacturing, tax free.

Apple previously asked for a 15-year tax holiday from paying tax on importing components it needed for Indian manufacturing. The request was denied by authorities, but it seems that a compromise may be reached, whereby Apple will gradually increase the local production of components in India.

CEO who once likened Apple to Hitler steps down

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Yep, they went there. Photo:
CEO Jia Yueting was forced to issue a groveling apology in the aftermath.
Photo: LeEco

The founder and CEO of Chinese tech company LeEco, which makes everything from smartphones to smart TVs, has stepped down from his position as chief executive.

Why would you know Jia Yueting? Because way back in 2015, he was the CEO forced to issue a groveling apology after LeEco issued an ad depicting Apple as Hitler — complete with a red armband showing the Apple logo instead of a swastika.

Apple and Nokia join forces after settling patent dispute

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Nokia
Keeping Nokia at bay isn't cheap.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple and Nokia have settled their ongoing patent dispute and entered a new licensing and business cooperation agreement.

Apple will resume selling Nokia digital health products, formerly sold under the Withings brand, while Nokia will provide Apple with network infrastructure products and services.

Apple’s self-driving car filmed cruising California highway

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lexus
The 2015 Lexus RX450h is Apple's vehicle of choice.
Photo: Lexus

The first video footage of Apple’s self-driving car has already surfaced on the internet, just over a month after the company first received permission to drive on public roads.

Apple’s self-driving car is actually a Lexus RX450h outfitted with sensors powered by Apple’s own autonomous driving software. Video of the car in action reveals Apple’s project is already highway-worthy as the company races to catch up to its competition.

Watch it cruise the road with ease:

Use Notes app to plan your vacation

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notes vacation plan
The notes app is a great way to share the planning of your next vacation.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Here’s the worst way to organize any task: email. You can’t put everything in one place, and even if you could, you could never find it. Apple’s built-in Notes app, on the other hand, is the perfect place to store all those snippets of info you accumulate when planning something like a vacation. You can collect web pages, add checklists and photos, and even sketch maps, or add other media like PDFs or apps. And then you can share that note with any number of people and all read and update it.

Let’s see how it all works.

Apple launches new ‘Switch to iPhone’ ads and website

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Android users can jump to iOS with ease.
Android users can jump to iOS with ease.
Photo: Apple

Apple is turning up the heat on Android with a fresh redesign of its website that teaches smartphone customers how to transition to iPhone.

The new site makes it super-easy for Android users to make the change to iOS by promoting one of Apple’s only Android apps: Move to iOS.

Trade-up to the iPhone 7 and capture all of your trips this summer in perfect clarity

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iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus cameras
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus helped Apple reverse a three-quarter sales decline.
Photo: Apple

Summer is finally upon us and staying up to date with the latest devices is essential for vacation season.  With long awaited trips rapidly approaching, having a great camera to document all your adventures is paramount. Do yourself a favor this summer, sell your old device, and upgrade to a new iPhone 7 or 7 Plus just in time for that beach trip!

New MacBook Pro gives Apple a Q1 sales bump

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MacBook
The new MacBook Pro has been great for Apple's bottom line.
Photo: Apple

Despite a slow global market, Apple’s notebook sales experienced year-over-year growth last quarter, according to a new report that reveals the new MacBook Pro provided the company with a considerable bump in sales.

Notebook shipments were up 6.1% worldwide for the first quarter of 2017 with total shipments hitting 37.81 million units. That’s great news for manufacturers, but TrendForces’ latest findings show that a cool down period could be on the way.