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Find the right mobile mount for your car [Deals]

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collage-2017-03-28
We've got just the right car mount for your situation.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Almost everybody uses their phone on the reg. But for those of us who also drive all the time, the phone can easily become a costly and dangerous distraction. That’s why having a good spot to place your phone when you drive is essential, and we’ve gathered some of the best mobile mounts on the market right here at the Cult of Mac Store. Whether you’d like a swivel mount or a flexible arm, one that connects to the windshield, air vent, or even your old CD player, we’ve got you covered. Read on for more details:

Galaxy S8’s facial recognition can be fooled by a photo

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Galaxy S8 in hand
Galaxy S8's facial recognition is just a bit of fun, apparently.
Photo: Samsung

Facial recognition is one of the myriad new features of the Samsung Galaxy S8, but only one a couple of days after the phone’s announcement, Samsung’s latest security method seems… well, a little bit unsecure.

Already a video has appeared online showing the phone being unlocked with a picture, while according to industry sources it’s a feature that’s designed to be no more than a bit of fun. Because security’s no fun, apparently.

Apple’s Indian App Accelerator is open for business

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
Apple is pushing into the Indian market.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s brand new App Accelerator in Bengaluru, India, is officially open for business!

Plans for the 40,000-square-foot office space were first announced by Tim Cook during his visit to India last year. The App Accelerator’s purpose is to offer guidance, inspiration, tutorials, and feedback to local developers building iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and Mac OS apps.

iPhone returns to Indonesia after one-year absence

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iPhone-7
Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

After an absence of more than a year from Southeast Asia’s largest smartphone market, the iPhone arrives back in Indonesia today with the long-awaited debut of the iPhone 7.

Apple has been unable to sell the previous iPhone 6s, 6s Plus and iPhone SE generation of its handsets after a ruling in the country that all makers of 4G smartphones must have 30 percent of “local content” — meaning hardware, software, or an investment commitment.

Apple targets students and travelers in new iPad Pro ads

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iPad Pro comes with all-day battery.
iPad Pro comes with all-day battery.
Photo: Apple

Apple continued its new ad campaign series for the iPad Pro today by publishing some new ads that showcase how the tablet is the perfect laptop replacements.

The three new ads are aimed at students and frequent travelers by highlighting the iPad Pro’s lightness, ability to carry textbooks and notes on the same screen, as well as its all day battery life that can keep you entertained on a 12 hour flight. Like the previous set of iPad Pro ads, the quirky new videos feature tweets from real people with real problems.

Watch all three short ads below:

Middle East airlines lend iPads to skirt tablet ban

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Airlines are offering loaner laptops on flights from the Middle East.
Airlines are offering loaner laptops on flights from the Middle East.
Photo: Qatar Airlines

Two airlines from the Middle East are coming to the rescue of fliers that have been effected by President Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning the use of tablets and laptops on flights to the United States.

Both Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways launched new electronics loaner programs for passengers this week, giving customers the option to rent an iPad while their own device is safely stored inside checked baggage.

Apple plans to fight climate change despite Trump agenda

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One of Apple's many solar farms.
One of Apple's many solar farms.
Photo: Apple

While President Donald Trump gets busy gutting the Environmental Protection Agency, many of America’s largest companies plan to fight climate change without his help, including Apple.

During the reign of Tim Cook, Apple has made renewable energy and going green one of its top priorities. According to a new report, that won’t change now that there’s a new administration in the White House.

iOS 11 concept supercharges the Home screen

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The Home screen becomes more than just an app launcher.
The Home screen becomes more than just an app launcher.
Photo: Matt Birchler

It’s about time Apple made our Home screens more useful. It could start by taking tips from this iOS 11 concept, which imagines more informative icon badges and support for complications similar to those on Apple Watch.

Rip, convert and manage digital media like a pro [Deals]

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CoM - MacX Media Management Bundle
Get on top of your media files with this trio of powerful MacX apps.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you’re making hard copies of your files or trying to get a video to work better on your phone, having a solid set of media apps can really come in handy. This trio of MacX media management apps offers a comprehensive toolset for anyone working with digital video, audio, or any other kind of file. The MacX Media Management Bundle includes MacX DVD Ripper Pro, Video Converter Pro, and MediaTrans, and right now you can get the whole bundle for just $20.99 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Beware phone scammers who warn of iCloud hack

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Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Hacker who tried to extort Apple for $100k is spared prison
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Got a call from “Apple Support” to say your iCloud account was hacked? Hang up and ignore it.

Phone scammers are calling unsuspecting iPhone and iPad users and trying to trick them into handing over their iCloud account details. Once they have them, they can purchase whatever they want, and it’s you who foots the bill.

iPhone returns to Argentina after 8-year absence

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Something worth singing about!
Photo: Evita, Buena Vista Pictures

The iPhone will start selling widely again in Argentina next month, after a period of 8 years during which it was blocked, due to laws requiring companies that wanted to sell devices to set up local manufacturing facilities.

The move comes as President Mauricio Macri attempts to re-open Argentina to global trade. The laws barring the iPhones from being supported by local carriers carriers Telefonica SA, America Movil SAB and Telecom Argentina SA came into being in 2009, courtesy of President Macri’s predecessor, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Galaxy S8 is world’s first phone with Bluetooth 5.0

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Galaxy S8
Galaxy S8 is expensive to buy and to build.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s new Galaxy S8 is the world’s first smartphone to offer Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.

It’s faster and more reliable than the Bluetooth 4.2 technology currently found in today’s flagship devices — including iPhone 7 — and it can stream audio to two sets of wireless headphones or speakers simultaneously.

iPad teardown throws shade on ‘brighter screen’ claim

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ipad
Apple's new iPad is cheaper, but maybe not necessarily brighter?
Photo: Apple

Update: “We put the new iPad through more tests,” iFixit notes. “The display on the iPad 5 has ~44% greater luminance than the LCD in the Air 1.” Well, we guess that answers that!

Apple claims that its latest iPad boasts a “brighter 9.7-inch Retina display” than its predecessors.

However, our friends over at iFixit call that claim into question with their teardown of the device — which prompts them to ask, “Brighter than what?”

Xcode 8.3 provides more hints at 120Hz iPad Pro displays

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

The latest update to Xcode has provided another hint that Apple’s next-generation iPad Pro will feature a faster 120Hz display.

Existing iPhone and iPad displays max out at 60Hz, but higher refresh rates allow for a smoother experience when playing graphically intensive games and using Apple Pencil.

Total Android app revenue could surpass iOS this year

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The Apple brand is the big difference.
Numbers are tipping in Android's direction. Kind of.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The iOS App Store is expected to remain the most lucrative app store around for at least the next five years, but according to a new report Google Play and various third-party Android stores are likely to overtake it in total revenue as early as this year.

The insight comes from app analysis company App Annie, which suggests that total worldwide mobile app store downloads will exceed 352 billion in 2021, while gross consumer spend across all app stores will surpass $139 billion.

Week’s best Apple deals: First discount on the new iPad

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Want to save some bucks on the already-affordable new iPad?
Want to save some bucks on the already-affordable new iPad?
Photos: Apple, passion201314

After a disappointing post-iPad-announcement week, we’re already seeing the first discount on the new iPad. You’ll find that, plus a huge gift card with an iPhone 7 and more, in this week’s grab bag of the best Apple bargains.

Apple shows off new renderings of flagship Chicago store

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Apple is setting up shop right on the riverfront.
Apple is setting up shop right on the riverfront.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new digs in Chicago are shaping up to be one of its most beautiful flagship stores ever, based on new renderings released by the iPhone-maker.

The current structure Apple is renovating on North Michigan Avenue doesn’t look like much, but once it’s finished, the new Apple store will feature massive glass walls an inviting open layout.

Here’s another angle:

Hands on: Samsung’s new Galaxy S8 vs. the iPhone 7

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The S8 looks stunning next to old smartphones.
The S8 looks stunning next to old smartphones.
Photo: Casey Neistat/YouTube

Samsung just barely took the wraps off its new Galaxy S8 and S8+ this morning, but famous YouTuber Casey Neistat already managed to get his hands on the sleek new devices. We gotta say, Samsung’s new smartphones make the iPhone look old.

In his new vlog, Neistat goes hands-on with the S8 and S8+ and compares them directly to Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Neistat admits the review is a bit biased as he’s worked with Samsung in the past. However, in his side-by-side tests with the iPhone 7, it’s not hard to see that Samsung probably has a big hit on its hands.

Prepare to drool:

How the Galaxy S8 stacks up against iPhone 7

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Galaxy S8 in hand
Galaxy S8 is the smartphone to buy, says Consumer Reports.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung delivered the Galaxy S8 series today, and the phones are everything fans hoped they would be. The gorgeous, curved-glass form factor packs the latest specifications, stunning Infinity Displays and features like iris scanning.

But how do the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ stack up against iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus?

Apple Mail manager leaves to work on third-party email app

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Former Apple Mail engineer Terry Blanchard.
Former Apple Mail engineer Terry Blanchard.
Photo: Readdle

One of the most important engineers behind Apple’s own Mail app has decided to leave the company and lend his skills to another email app creator.

Readdle, makers of the popular Spark email app for iOS, has hired away former Apple Mail engineering manager Terry Blanchard to work on ‘the future of email’ after he helped Apple develop its email app for the past six years.

Google Calendar finally arrives on iPad

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GoogleCalendar
You can now get Google Calendar on your iPad.
Photo: Google

One of the most popular digital calendar services is the world is finally coming to iPad.

Google revealed today that its Google Calendar app for iPad is officially ready for download, bringing all of the popular Calendar features from the web to Apple’s tablet.