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Apple Music snaps up documentary about legendary music exec Clive Davis

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Clive Davies
Star-studded documentary is the latest Apple Music acquisition.
Photo: Tribeca Film Festival

Apple bought new music documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, revealing the acquisition prior to the film’s opening night screening at the Tribeca Film Festival.

The documentary is based on the best-selling autobiography by Davis, the legendary music exec who played a key role developing artists from the 1960s through the rise of hip-hop.

Apple wants all its devices to be made from recycled or renewable materials

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iPhone 7 back
Future iPhones will be made from 100 percent recycled and renewable materials.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has pledged to end its reliance on mining, and to make its devices from only renewable or recycled materials — although it’s not announced any timeline to do so.

The pledge was announced as part of the company’s Environmental Responsibility Report.

Apple produces half a gallon of fake sweat every day for product testing

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C90E-PbUMAA1RZ_.jpg-large
It sure beats the real sweat Apple engineers make!
Photo: Arielle Duhaime-Ross/Twitter

In addition to the tech it publicly releases, Apple invests in some pretty wacky technology most people never even hear about.

One example? The half-gallon of synthetic sweat Cupertino pumps out every single day to see how well its products withstand the day-to-day rigors of real-world use. Yes, really!

Best List: These ‘social’ headphones let you share your music [Review]

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Wearhaus Arc Headphones
The Wearhaus Arc headphones are the first 'social' headphones that allow music sharing between headsets.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Best List: Wearhaus’ Arc ‘social’ headphones

Wearing headphones tends to cut you off from the world, but Wearhaus’ Arc headphones are more sociable.

The wireless Arc headphones allow multiple headsets to stream audio from the same source. Think silent disco, watching a movie together, or sharing tunes with your BFF.

NYC Apple store’s glass cube will be dismantled

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apple-store-fifth-avenue-nyc-new-york
Hopefully the glass cube comes back.
Photo: Simone Lovati/Flickr CC

Apple’s giant glass cube in New York City is about to come crashing down.

The iPhone-maker’s most iconic retail store is set for major renovations this year, and according to a new filing, the glass cube is scheduled to be dismantled and removed.

Finally, a sensible way to store and charge Apple Pencil

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The ProBack stores and charges the Apple Pencil and even has a place for the pencil cap.
The ProBack stores and charges the Apple Pencil and even has a place for the pencil cap.
Photo: Studio Tika Innovation

For all the intricate thought that went into the design of the Apple Pencil, a safe and elegant way to store and charge it with the iPad Pro was an obvious detail seemingly overlooked.

An accessories startup has produced a smart case for the iPad Pro that conveniently docks and charges the pencil along an edge.

A simple way to avoid common email mistakes

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The MailButler plugin adds a range of super-useful features to Apple Mail.
The MailButler plugin adds a range of super-useful features to Apple Mail.
Photo: Feingeist Software

This post is brought to you by Feingeist Software, maker of MailButler.

If your inbox is a disaster zone that fosters common email mistakes, perhaps it’s time to get a little help. MailButler is a simple plugin that adds lots of features and functions to the stock Mail app on your Mac. It will help you avoid the dreaded “accidental send” and other common email mishaps.

PornHub’s new AR app makes your nude pics safe for work

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Pornhub image
TrickPics takes the 'N' out of 'NSFW' pics.
Photo: PornHub

Sending a saucy pic to a significant will no longer put your naughty bits in danger of being exposed to the entire internet, thanks to a new app from PornHub.

The new app called TrickPics taps into the power of augmented reality to cover up your private parts. It’s basically like Snapchat lenses, only instead of turning your face into a cute puppy, it turns package into a Christmas gift box.

Week’s best Apple deals: Bring game night to your iPhone

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iOS games Apple deals
It's time to get a Ticket to Ride on your iPhone.
Images: Asmodee Digital, Apple, Zinsoko

If you love hit board games like Ticket to Ride and Splendor, you’ll love this week’s roundup. You’ll find heavily discounted iOS versions of those hit games, plus hot buys on earbuds, AirPort Express and more in the best Apple deals of the week.

China wants to tighten screws on livestreaming apps

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China
Tim Cook meeting with China's vice premier on a previous visit.
Photo: Apple

Apple has run into another hurdle in China, with internet regulators in the country reportedly calling on Apple to “tighten its checks” on live streaming apps which appear in the App Store.

While no specific live streaming apps are mentioned, popular apps include Periscope, Facebook Live, and others. Apparently the concern on this occasion concerns possible “management loopholes” with the apps in question. However, this is far from the first time the Chinese government has kicked up a fuss about Apple.

Galaxy S8 review roundup: Samsung just schooled the iPhone

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Galaxy S8 Infinity Display
Samsung has a winner in the Galaxy S8.
Photo: Samsung

The first reviews of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have dropped a day ahead of their official launch in many markets, and there’s one thing to take away from them: Samsung just knocked it out of the park with its best smartphones to date.

Despite the problems the company encountered with the Galaxy Note 7 last fall, it has managed to produce two new devices that don’t disappoint. From gorgeous design and impressive cameras to the best display on the market, the Galaxy S8 series has it all.

It might not perfect, but the changes and improvements Samsung has made show Apple what a smartphone should be in 2017, and make it even more difficult for the iPhone to catch up.

Here’s our review roundup.

It’s time to really perfect your Excel skills [Deals]

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CoM - eLearnExcel Microsoft Excel School- Lifetime Subscription
With this lesson bundle, you can up your Excel chops and make yourself even more marketable.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

OK, let’s face it: Excel is anything but sexy. But the spreadsheet software is essential to any digital workplace, so it’s well worth knowing how to use it. If you’re looking to boost your skill level with this essential app, take a look at this bundle of lessons from eLearnExcel.

With a lifetime license to eight lesson modules, you’ll learn the ins and outs of one of the most widely used applications in business today. It’s an instant upgrade to your marketability, offering crucial knowledge and even certification. And right now you can get lifetime access to eLearnExcel Microsoft Excel School for a mere $39 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Y’arrr! Tempest: Pirate Action RPG boards the App Store

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tempest-android-game-apk
Download it now, ya scurvy sea dog!
Photo: HeroCraft

Steve Jobs once said that it’s better to be a pirate than to join the navy. More than 30 years on, you can put that mantra to the test, courtesy of a new iOS game that’s just landed in the App Store.

Called Tempest: Pirate Action RPG, it’s a premium adventure role-playing game which lets you assemble a vicious crew of salty sea dogs, arm yourself to the gunwales, and go out in search of buried treasure. Check out the trailer below.

‘Leaked’ iPhone 8 drawings reveal surprising design

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iPhone 5's straight edges could be making a comeback.
iPhone 5's straight edges could be making a comeback.
Photo: Sonny Dickson

A new photo of what is believed to be iPhone 8 schematics reveals a surprising new design direction.

Apple appears to have done away with the smooth curves we’ve come to expect from its smartphones in recent years, opting instead for sharper edges and flat sides. This image suggests the next iPhone will be much like the iPhone 5, only bigger.

Much bigger.

Apple places massive chip orders for iPhone 8

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iPhone-7
Apple plans to sell 230 million next-gen iPhones.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Chip orders reveal demand for the next-gen iPhones is set to exceed 50 million units during the second half of 2017, and hit a total of 220 million to 230 million units, according to a new report.

The new handsets are likely to be Apple’s biggest iPhone refresh since 2014’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus-era devices, and promise to boast major new features. And it seems Apple’s willing to bank on that leading to massive demand!

Photolemur fixes your snaps on autopilot [Review]

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photolemur
Photolemur analyzes the image by detecting faces, exposure and colors and brings just the right pop to a finished photo.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

Some photographers spend hours tweaking an image, using powerful editing software to pull details out of shadows and wring out every ounce of color.

A new program called Photolemur for Mac and Windows understands you don’t have that kind of patience or expertise. If you can drag and drop, you’ve pretty much mastered the program.

Imagination in trouble as Apple slashes its royalty rate

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Apple patches things up with mobile GPU maker Imagination
Imagination has confirmed that Apple will no longer use its graphics processing technology.
Photo: Apple

Not only is graphics chip designer Imagination Technologies getting kicked to the curb so Apple can bring its chipmaking technology in-house, but the company is also set to have its remaining royalty rate cut.

According to a new report, Apple is planning to pay Imagination just one-third of its current royalty rate as it winds down its supply deal with the British company over the next two years.

Tim Cook accepts Free Expression award, says companies should have values

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook at Auburn University earlier this year.
Photo: Tim Cook/Twitter

At an event in Washington D.C. last night, Tim Cook accepted the Free Expression Award at the First Amendment advocacy Newseum.

The award was designed to celebrate the fact that Cook has taken a public stand on issues such as racial equality, climate change, privacy, LGBT rights, and more.

Apple Music is hooking up with Facebook Messenger

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apple-music
Grab the latest update from the Play Store now.
Photo: Apple

Facebook is aiming to make its Messenger app the go-to spot to talk about music with a new update that makes it easier to share songs with friends.

During the company’s F8 developers conference this morning, Facebook unveiled a new way for third-party apps to integrate with communications platform. And Apple Music is one of its first partners.

Apple makes iWork and iLife apps free for all

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You no longer need to buy a new Mac to get GarageBand for free.
You no longer need to buy a new Mac to get GarageBand for free.
Photo: Apple

The best apps made by Apple for iPhone and iPad are finally available for free to all users.

As part of an update to its iWork and iLife apps this morning, Apple changed the price for both the Mac and iOS versions, giving customers access to a suite of apps that can be used for music and video or getting work done.

Apple stores will go green for Earth Day

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Apple Store
Apple's shelling out billions to go green.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s retail employees will be seeing green this weekend as part of the iPhone-maker’s Earth Day celebration.

To raise awareness on the battle to fight climate change, Apple store employees have been given green shirts to wear in replacement of the tradition blue shirts starting on Thursday April 20.

iPhone 8 could be last to include headphone jack adapter

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AirPods
Apple should include free AirPods instead.
Photo: Ste Smith

Apple’s mission to kill the use of headphone jacks on the iPhone may be completed by 2018, according to a new report from Barclays.

In a note to investors today, the research bank says the three new iPhone models Apple introduces this year will all come with a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, but this could be the last time buyers get a free dongle.

iMac’s terrible code name was an in-joke between Jobs and Schiller

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iMac design: The iMac G3 was a bit fatter than model than today's models. The iMac code name was
The iMac G3 could have had a very different name.
Photo: Apple

The first iMac’s frightful code name was an in-joke that reflected Steve Jobs’ respect for Sony. The working name — “MacMan” — was so horrible it would “curdle your blood,” according to Ken Segall, the Apple exec who eventually came up with the name “iMac.” Nearly 20 years after Apple shipped the iMac G3, we now have an explanation for the craptacular internal name — courtesy of Phil Schiller, the guy who came up with it.

Expand your creativity with this Mac app kit [Deals]

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CoM - The Supersized Creative Mac Bundle
This bundle of 12 apps and 3 lessons will upgrade your and your Mac's productivity potential.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your Mac is a creative powerhouse — if it’s loaded with the right apps. With the Supersized Creative Mac Bundle, you’ll supercharge your computer with a dozen top-notch creative apps, like Storyist and Aurora HDR.

Plus, the bundle comes with more than 25 hours of coursework covering the essentials of digital photography, video and web design. This is the shot of productive and creative energy you’ve been looking for. And right now, you can get the Supersized Creative Mac Bundle for just $29 at Cult of Mac Deals.