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Microsoft launches new social networking app for iMessage

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Get your friends organized with 'Who's In'
Get your friends organized with 'Who's In'
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft is dipping its toes back into the social game with a brand new app for iOS users that aims to make it easier than ever to organize group events.

The app is called “Who’s In” only instead of launching as a standalone iPhone or iPad app, Microsoft’s new software can only be accessed via iMessage.

Subscribe to this suite of Mac apps to get your creative juices flowing

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Setapp Mac apps subscription service
Mac apps subscription service Setapp saves you time, effort and money.
Photo: MacPaw

This post is brought to you by MacPaw, maker of Setapp and proven Mac apps.

Setapp brings the Netflix model to Mac apps, offering access to dozens of legit apps for a modest monthly fee. While the new Mac app subscription service packs plenty of essential utilities, it also includes software designed to delight creatives.

Robotic drawing boards, chipboard wallets and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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You can finally play drums without the drums.
You can finally play drums without the drums.
Photo: Drumistic

Crowdfund Roundup bug If you’ve ever wanted to play the drums but you don’t have the space for a real kit, you need Drumistic. These amazing sensors let you play, record, and improve your drumming with nothing more than a set of sticks.

They’re just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We’ve also got a gorgeous wireless keyboard inspired by classic typewriters, a 100 percent sustainable wallet made from chipboard, a robotic drawing board that controls itself, and more!

YouTube TV arrives to shake up streaming world

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YouTube TV is only available in 5 cities for now.
YouTube TV is only available in 5 cities for now.
Photo: YouTube

YouTube’s new tv streaming service for cord-cutters has finally arrived for customers in five major US markets.

The new service, dubbed YouTube TV, gives subscribers access to dozens of channels that normally would require a cable subscription, putting it in direct competition with the likes of Hulu, Sling TV, DirecTV Now and Playstation Vue.

Here’s how Apple could bring MagSafe to USB-C

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When Apple left off MagSafe connection to its USB-C MacBook, Griffin came up with a solution.
When Apple left off MagSafe connection to its USB-C MacBook, Griffin came up with a solution.
Photo: Griffin

Apple killed its awesome MagSafe power connection feature on the new MacBook Pro, but based on a new patent filing, the beloved port could be ready to make a comeback.

USB-C replaced MagSafe on the MacBook Pro because it can handle both power and data on a single port. It lacks the brilliant safety features of MagSafe. Hwever, it looks like Apple found a workaround similar to Griffin’s magnetic BreakSafe cables.

Gorgeous keyboard brings the typewriter feel to Mac and iOS

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Penna is the retro keyboard you've been waiting for.
Penna is the retro keyboard you've been waiting for.
Photo: Eletron

Still miss the deafening clunk and iconic design of an old typewriter? You can bring it back with Penna, a gorgeous retro keyboard for Mac and iOS.

Packed with Cherry key switches for a firm click, a macro bar for frequent shortcuts, and up to six months of use on just two AA batteries, it’s the old-school keyboard made for modern machines that you’ve been waiting for.

Use your iPhone to put your kitchen to work [Deals]

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CoM - Blue Apron Plans
Cook meals you never thought you could, ordered straight from your favorite device.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Everyone loves home-cooked meals. But our constantly connected lives often leave us too busy or distracted to gather groceries and get it together in the kitchen. With Blue Apron, your Apple devices become a gateway to a steady diet of delicious meals, or just the occasional stay-at-home date night.

It’s a simple and easy way to get gourmet-quality food into your kitchen, and right now you can subscribe to Blue Apron Plans and get three meals for two people a week for just $25 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Neat chipboard wallet is cheap, green and functional

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No animals were skinned for the making of this wallet.
No animals were skinned for the making of this wallet.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

A designer who sets out to reimagine men’s wallets must accept certain time-honored limitations. It has to be shaped to fit in a pants pocket and hold cash and credit cards of a standard size.

No matter the material, color or whether you like your cash folded in half, thirds or tucked in a clip, the look is relatively predictable.

The Chipwallet provides a fresh experience – the user must assemble it themselves.

Western Union lets you use Apple Pay to send money

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Apple in talks to bring Apple Pay to Israel
It's now easier than ever to send money using Apple Pay!
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Western Union has announced that users of its mobile app can now use Apple Pay to make mobile money transfers.

In a move that makes sending money from your account to another person’s as quick and easy as the touch of a finger on your Touch ID sensor, Western Union has expanded its Apple Pay integration beyond simply supporting it in stores.

iPhone 7 bursts into flames on user’s bedside table

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jet black iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
Incident took place in China.
Photo: Apple

A woman in East China’s Jiangsu Province claims that a new Matte Black iPhone 7 exploded while she was charging it next to her bed.

The woman, who is identified only as Yin, says that she was fortunately out of the room when the incident happened. “My phone ran out of battery, so I left it to charge on my bedside table,” she said. “I went out for a walk and heard the explosion when I came home. Then I realized it was my phone.”

Apple could make us wait until November for iPhone 8

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

Apple could delay the launch of its next-generation iPhone until October or November, according to a new report.

It is claimed the company has run into “technical issues” associated with its new curved OLED displays, which means we may not get the spectacular refresh we were expecting this September.

Siri could soon recognize your voice for added security

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Siri could be about to get more security conscious.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Siri may soon respond to your voice and your voice alone, according to a recently-published patent application from Apple.

The security feature would essentially expand the biometric security system of Touch ID to voice, so that Siri’s voice recognition could also be used to unlock devices or potentially even confirm payments on Apple Pay.

Apple Watch competition hots up with second supplier

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Apple Watch
It will deliver a big boost to one Apple supplier.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has reportedly added a second Apple Watch supplier to its manufacturing chain.

Until now, Quanta Computer has been the only assembler of Apple’s wearable, but Compal Electronics is expected to begin shipping Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2 units in the second half of 2017.

Apple execs rake in $13.6M worth of vested stock options

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money
There's money to be made at Apple, apparently.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Restricted stock options for six senior Apple execs vested this month, becoming common stock units with a value of around $13.6 million per person.

The executives in question include Apple COO Jeff Williams, SVP and General Counsel Bruce Sewell, SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller, SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue, SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi, and SVP of Hardware Engineering Dan Riccio.

Sonos Playbase home theater speaker is skinny but can make a noise [Review]

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Sonos Playbase home theater speaker
The new Playbase home theater speaker from Sonos is slim but packs a punch.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Best List: Playbase home theater speaker by Sonos

As TVs get flatter, their sound gets worse. Enter Sonos’ latest home theater speaker, the $699 Playbase, a thin and flat home theater/streaming music system designed to sit underneath your TV.

Like the TV above it, the Playbase is thin, but it packs a significant punch. Resembling a pizza box with rounded corners, it features 10 speakers, including a muscular built-in subwoofer, and it can make quite a noise. In fact, it sounds fantastic.

The Playbase is louder and punchier than Sonos’ current home-theater speaker, the Playbar, and a lot more unobtrusive. You don’t really notice it’s there, until it starts shaking the room.

iPhone 8 may not be as expensive as predicted

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iPhone 8 concept
Apple is already driving an OLED boom.
Photo: iDropNews

The next iPhone Apple unveils may not prove as expensive as some have speculated, according to a new research note from investment firm UBS.

Early rumors for the iPhone 8 claimed it will cost upward of $1,000. However, UBS analyst Steve Milunovich says the real price tag will most likely be a lot less than that. And fans might have Samsung to thank.

Apple retail boss teases new store in Dubai

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Dubai Mall is getting an Apple Store.
Dubai Mall is getting an Apple Store.
Photo: Apple

Apple plans to expand its retail presence in the Middle East by opening a brand new store in the United Arab Emirates.

The new store coming to the Dubai Mall got revealed today by Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s VP of retail, who tweeted a teaser of the location. It will be Apple’s third store in the UAE (and second in Dubai) once it opens.

Apple Music for Android finally gets new iOS 10 design

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music streaming
The latest release also includes Chromecast support.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple Music subscribers on Android got some much-needed love from Apple today in the form of an update that brings a fresh UI to the streaming app.

It’s been nearly a year since Apple unveiled its Apple Music redesign as part of iOS 10 at WWDC 2016, but Android users are just now getting a taste of the interface’s bold, streamlined look.

You don’t need a lawyer to create legally binding documents

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Use Eversign to create legally binding documents.
Don't waste any more time, paper or ink on legally binding documents.
Photo: Eversign

This post is brought to you by Eversign.

We live in the age of freelancing and side gigs, which means lots of contracts and agreements that need to be legally solid. Used to be you’d hire a lawyer to create documents that would pass legal muster — or at least a pen and paper for an official John Hancock. But this is the future, and we don’t need analog documents or lawyers for handling binding agreements.

Microsoft’s new iOS camera uses AI to spice up photos

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Sprinkle is Microsoft's newest app for iOS.
Sprinkle is Microsoft's newest app for iOS.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft is the latest tech giant to get in on the craze of fun camera apps like Snapchat, which are currently all the rage among teens.

The company’s new app, Sprinkles, launched today on iOS as a featured app. While it looks like just another Snapchat wannabe on the outside, Microsoft threw in some crazy AI technology that makes it easier than ever to create and share silly photos.

iPhone X goes retro in this sleek Apple concept

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This iPhone concept comes with some retro flair.
This iPhone concept comes with some retro flair.
Photo: Martin Hajek

The 2017 iPhone is expected to be the most futuristic device Apple’s ever made, but concept artist Martin Hajek shows that dipping into the past could be a gorgeous decision.

Taking inspiration from the original iPhone, Hajek’s retro iPhone concept recalls the curvy aluminum back of the first iPhone and gives it fresh look up front, with a huge screen with barely any bezels.

Take a closer look:

Yes, you can use old iPad Air parts to repair the 2017 iPad

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iPad
The new iPad is thicker than the old iPad.
Photo: Apple

Owners of the new 2017 iPad may be able to cannibalize their old iPads to fix busted components, depending on what breaks on the new tablet.

After discovering that the new iPad is mostly just an updated original iPad Air, the repair gurus at iFixit decided to test whether old iPad parts are compatible with refreshed iPad. Surprisingly, a number of crucial parts from the iPad Air 1 and Air 2 like the digitizer, battery, rear camera and microphone all work perfectly fine.

Superslim MacBook bag holds more than name suggests [Review]

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Slim is in the name, but the limit of what this bag by booq carries is deceptively generous.
Slim is in the name, but the limit of what this bag by booq carries is deceptively generous.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

We all have that skinny friend with the appetite that belies their profile. No matter how many times you’ve sat across the table, you marvel and ask yourself, “Where do they put it?”

The Superslim, a laptop bag designed by booq for the rollout of the new MacBook Pro, is kind of like that friend.