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Records confirm Apple is fighting the ‘right to repair’ bill

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Apple doesn't want users to perform repairs themselves.
Photo: Faris Algosaibi/Flickr CC

New York state records show that Apple has been lobbying hard against the Fair Repair Act, a bill that would force companies to sell replacement parts to customers.

Apple isn’t the only company opposed to the bill. According to New York State’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics, others include Verizon, Toyota, printer company Lexmark, heavy machinery marker Caterpillar, phone insurance company Asurion, medical device company Medtronic, and the Consumer Technology Association are also fighting against it.

New MacBook Pros as WWDC? Don’t miss this week’s CultCast!

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Are you ready for Apple to make Macs
Are you ready for Apple to make Macs "pro" again?
Photo: Cult of Mac

This week, on The CultCast: new MacBook Pros at WWDC? Insiders say yes! We’ll tell you all we know. Plus: why future Macs might get much faster CPUs; Apple makes a big move to bring manufacturing back to the US; and we’ll wrap up with 5 weird and whacky facts about the new Apple Park campus.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off any hosting plan.

Apple blames third-party battery for exploding headphones

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Apple doesn't say which batteries should be used with its devices.
Apple doesn't say which batteries should be used with its devices.
Photo: ATSB

Apple has blamed a third-party battery for the explosion of a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

Apple does not specify which batteries should be used with its devices, and the owner, who was wearing the headphones when they blew up on a flight between Australia and China, is “disappointed” with the company’s response.

More evidence hints at massive iPhone 8 price hike

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France fines Apple $27 million for intention iPhone 'throttling' controversy
Increased component costs will make Apple push up its prices.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Rumors that the iPhone 8 may come with a $1,000 price tag are seemingly backed-up by a new report claiming that components for the next-gen handset will be considerably higher than those for its predecessor.

According to China’s Economic Daily News, the 3D Touch module alone for the iPhone 8 will cost 150 percent more than the comparable module for the current LCD iPhone.

Apple to ramp up production of 10.5-inch iPad Pro

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The new iPad Pro may feature smaller bezels.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly planning to increase production of the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro ahead of its official debut.

The device is said to have entered mass production back in March or April, with monthly shipments currently at around 500,000 units. However, in July, that figure will rise to 600,000.

Tim Cook spotted testing glucose tracking on Apple Watch

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Tim Cook takes home $125 million for Apple’s best year since 2009
What's Tim hiding up his sleeves?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The next major breakthrough for Apple Watch is currently being tested by none other than Apple CEO and fitness freak Tim Cook.

A new report claims that Cook has been spotted walking around Apple’s corporate headquarters wearing a special Apple Watch attachment that could be a game-changer for people with diabetes.

How to activate Photos’ hidden 3D Flyover view

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3d flyover photos
See all your photos on Apple's 3D Flyover map
Photo: Cult of Mac

The iOS Photos app might just look like a simple grid-like list, but it has a ton of hidden power. For instance,  you can see your photos on a full-screen, 3-D Flyover map. And with one simple swipe on a photograph, you can see where it was taken, see other photos taken nearby, and collections photos that your iPhone figures are related to the one you’re looking at. It’s a fantastic way both to find out more about your pictures, and to browse. After all, why limit yourself to flipping through pictures, one by one, in the order you shot them, like some film-camera using hipster luddite, when you can see your photos on a map in Apple’s glorious 3-D Flyover view?

Pioneer’s latest head units ship with CarPlay as standard

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Pioneer's new NEX series plays nicely with iPhone.
Pioneer's new NEX series plays nicely with iPhone.
Photo: Pioneer

Pioneer today unveiled its latest lineup of NEX aftermarket head units — all of which come with CarPlay as standard.

Each features an improved touchscreen up to 7 inches in size, and Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calls and media streaming. They can access Spotify on your iPhone without using CarPlay, in addition to videos stored on a USB stick.

How Bluetooth mic on AirPods is useful for iPhone videos

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

Photographer, videographer and online instructor Cielo de la Paz uses the iPhone and other Apple products for a lot of her work. She never envisioned she’d find value in the new Apple AirPods.

But she recently discovered how the AirPods’ Bluetooth microphone, combined with the iOS app MoviePro, solves a big problem when she shoots some of her tutorials.

Apple tells Chinese app makers to cut tips or pay up

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What’s it like to have your startup bought by Apple? Stressful
Apple wants to take its cut of the money Chinese app users send as tips to content creators.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has risked upsetting customers in China by revealing plans to take a percentage of donations that are sent to content creators on social media, via the “tip” function of local apps like WeChat.

Apple previously told developers to disable the feature, but it has since reconsidered and decided that this represents an opportunity to make some money. Since they are considered in-app purchases, Apple wants to take its usual 30 percent cut of payments.

Microsoft is stealing the iOS Control Center for Windows 10

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Windows-10-Control-Center
Control Center in Windows 10 looks very familiar.
Photo: Windows Central

As part of some big improvements coming to Windows 10, Microsoft is stealing the iOS Control Center to give users a quick and easy way of changing display brightness and toggling settings from the desktop.

Unlike Apple’s Control Center, however, Microsoft’s will be customizable.

Become a spreadsheet ninja with 15 hours of training [Deals]

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Microsoft Office Specialist Excel Certification Bundle
Certify your Excel mastery with this 15 hour pair of comprehensive courses.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

In the modern office, Excel spreadsheets are a part of daily life. Whether tracking invoices and expenses, organizing projects, doing advanced math or just keeping track of phone numbers, these days a mastery of Excel is one of the most portable and useful skills you can have. But let’s face it, for all the benefits of doing so, learning Excel isn’t something most of us have made time for. But with this pair of lessons in Microsoft’s mighty spreadsheet software, you can up your skills and get certified to prove it whether you’re just a beginner or already a pro. And right now, you can get the whole shebang for just $15 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Number of Siri-style AI assistants will overtake humans by 2021

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How Ovum thinks AI assistants will occupy the marketplace in 2021.
Photo: Ovum

The number of AI assistants by 2021 will outnumber the current world population, according to market research group Ovum’s new Digital Assistant and Voice AI–Capable Device Forecast.

The report highlights the growing popularity of Siri-style smart assistants, and also offers some intriguing predictions as to which AI assistants will become big, and which will be also-rans.

Laptop and tablet ban on flights from Europe won’t happen after all

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Emirates
Emirates is one of the airlines affected by the ban.
Photo: Emirates

The Trump administration won’t be expanding its ban on the use of laptops, tablets and other large electronic devices to flights entering the United States from European airports, after all.

U.S. and EU officials reportedly decided against a ban on laptops and tablets in cabin baggage on flights from Europe, although “other measures” designed to keep passengers safe are still being weighed up.

Tim Cook meets with YouTubers to celebrate accessibility

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Apple is working hard to make sure its products can be used by everyone.
Photo: Apple

A cup of coffee with Tim Cook can cost thousands of dollars, but to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day Apple’s CEO has made an exception.

To promote Apple’s stance on Accessibility, Apple invited three YouTubers with disabilities to its campus for a cup of joe and a casual chat with Tim Cook. In their brief interviews, they discuss everything from the challenge of getting Apple Watch algorithms to recognize wheelchair movement to Apple’s history as a company with values.

Check them out below.

92% of iPhone users will stick with Apple when upgrading

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iphone 8 display
iPhone 8 could arrive on time after all.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Even the biggest of iPhone fans would admit that the device has become somewhat boring in recent years, but that hasn’t had any impact on loyalty to the Apple brand.

According to a new study, a whopping 92 percent of iPhone owners who plan to upgrade within the next 12 months will choose another Apple smartphone. That’s the highest retention rate among any smartphone maker, and it suggests iPhone 8 will be huge.

How to use Instagram Face Filters, and post them to your public feed

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instagram-face-filters
The new Instagram Face Filters are pretty rad. Here's how to use them.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Instagram just added Face Filters, letting you add things like spectacles, bunny ears, and princess’ tiaras to your video selfies. Right now, you can only share these clips to your Instagram Stories, or send them directly to other users. But there’s a workaround that lets you post them like regular Instagram videos, putting them in your feed for all your followers to “enjoy.” Let’s find out how.

Jimmy Iovine says free music streaming is screwing artists

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apple-music
Apple Music doesn't have a free tier.
Photo: Apple

Jimmy Iovine wants people to pay for music again and he’s got a plan that just might work: make free music streaming suck.

The Apple exec and music industry legend sat down for a new wide-ranging interview, during which Iovine lamanted that artists aren’t getting paid enough for their music anymore. And it’s mostly Spotify and YouTube’s fault.

Google Photos is getting some incredible new features

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Google Photos sharing
Sharing have never been easier.
Photo: Google

Google Assistant may have just made its way to iPhone, but it’s not even close to the most exciting thing to come out of Google I/O today.

That would be all of the incredible new features coming to Google Photos, including new sharing options, stunning Photo Books you can build in just a few taps, intelligent photo editing, and Google Lens integration.

Gmail for Android and iOS is getting Smart Reply

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Smart Reply in Google Inbox.
Smart Reply in Google Inbox.
Photo: Google

The official Gmail app for Android and iOS is getting Google’s impressive Smart Reply feature.

By taking advantage of machine learning, Smart Reply can help you power through outstanding emails in your inbox by suggesting suitable replies that are friendly and conversational.

New photos claim to reveal final design of ‘real iPhone 8’

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Is this what the iPhone 8 will look like?
Is this what the iPhone 8 will look like?
Photo: BGR

The internet has become awash with apparent iPhone 8 schematics and fan-made mockups in recent months, but these images claim to reveal the final design of a real device in all its glory.

The design looks familiar, proving previous leaks were right on the money, with glass panels flanking the front and back of the device, a redesigned iSight camera module, and a shiny metal frame that holds everything together.

Master Arduino to build your own dream machines [Deals]

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This Arduino board and bundle of lessons is great for beginner and seasoned builders alike.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The coming internet of things is going to require a lot of, well, things. If you’ve got an interest in building physical devices that run on digital DNA, the best place to start is with Arduino. With their simple electronics platform, you can bring almost anything your mind imagines into the real world. From games, gadgets and toys to sensors, robotics and way beyond, Arduino is the ideal canvas for any mechanically-inclined creative. If you’re interested and not sure where to start, or a seasoned builder looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll want to see this pair of can’t-miss deals on a top shelf Arduino board and a set of eight instructional e-books. Read on for more details: