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Anyone can get in shape in 2017 with the CultFit Home Workout

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Get fit in the privacy of your own home using everyday objects
Get fit in the privacy of your own home using everyday objects
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

CultFit Home Workout If your New Year’s resolution is to get in shape in 2017, but you spend all your waking hours in front of your MacBook, we’ve got the answer: our new CultFit Home Workout.

All you need is your iPhone, plus your Apple Watch if you have one, and some everyday objects you’ll find around your home or office. No gym membership required. It’s a great way to get started on your fitness journey, and it only takes 10 minutes a day.

Xiaomi the exit: Hugo Barra leaves struggling company

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Barra led Xiaomi's international expansion.
Photo: Xiaomi

Hugo Barra, probably the most famous Xiaomi executive to stateside audiences, has left the Chinese smartphone maker — apparently prompted by an incredibly disappointing quarter for Xiaomi.

Having once used its strategy of producing low-end iPhone clones to become the world’s most valuable startup, Xiaomi has had something of a fall from grace lately. Having dropped out of the top five smartphone makers in China last year, Barra’s departure is the latest piece of bad news for the company.

Samsung will make fans wait longer for its iPhone 7 rival

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Samsung Galaxy
The Galaxy S8 won't appear at MWC.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Galaxy fans who are clinging onto their wallets in anticipation of Samsung’s answer to the iPhone 7 will have to wait a little longer.

The South Korean company was expected to announce the Galaxy S8 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. It’s thought the launch was delayed so that Samsung can carry out additional battery checks to avoid another Galaxy Note 7 disaster.

This Mac app lets anybody build a sweet website [Deals]

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This web design app is a powerful tool whether or not you know how to code in HTML or CSS.
This web design app is a powerful tool whether or not you know how to code in HTML or CSS.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

These days, almost anybody can benefit from knowing how to build websites. The sixth and latest release of web design app Flux offers a user-friendly, powerful tool for quickly drafting fully functional sites, whether or not you know any code.

Everything is drag-and-drop, but for those who do know a little bit of HTML and CSS, this Mac app is an especially powerful tool for web design. Right now you can get Flux 6 for just $49.99 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Samsung blames Note 7 explosions on 2 battery faults

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The Note 7 was one of the last year's hottest phones. And not in the good way.
Photo: Hui Renjie

Samsung has pinned the blame on its exploding Galaxy Note 7 phones on two separate problems with the handsets’ lithum-ion batteries — one problem affecting the first units the company released, and a second issue affecting the replacement units Samsung rushed out.

Stay strong in 2017 with CultFit Home Workout, Week 2

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Kill it with a skillet in Week 2 of our CultFit Home Workout.
Kill it with a skillet in Week 2 of our CultFit Home Workout.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

CultFit Home Workout If you got started on your 2017 New Year’s resolution last week with our CultFit Home Workout, we’re here to help you keep up the good work with Week 2. (If you missed it, it’s still not to late to start with Week 1).

All you need is your iPhone, plus your Apple Watch if you have one, and some everyday objects you’ll find around your home or office. No gym membership required. It’s a great way to get started with your fitness journey, and it only takes 10 minutes a day.

Add new exercises to your fitness routine with CultFit Home Workout

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Give your fitness a lift in 2017 with our CultFit Home Workout
Give your fitness a lift in 2017 with our CultFit Home Workout.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

CultFit Home Workout With New Year’s Eve a distant memory, your resolutions for 2017 should now be well underway. To help keep up your good work, here’s Week 3 of our CultFit Home Workout. (If you missed it, it’s still not to late to start with Week 1).

All you need is your iPhone, plus your Apple Watch if you have one, and some everyday objects you’ll find around your home or office. No gym membership is required. It’s a great way to get started with your fitness journey — and it only takes 10 minutes a day.

Musician reinterprets the default iPhone ringtone with an orchestra

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Screen Shot 2017-01-23 at 07.49.06
The iPhone default ringtone is iconic.
Photo: Rainer Hersch

Rainer Hersch is a British conductor, actor, writer and comedian, best known for comic takes on classical music. One of his most notable recent creations? A symphony-worthy compilation of iPhone-inspired — ranging from orchestral takes on its iconic default ringtone to its standard alert sounds.

Hersch plays the xylophone in his video, while being supported by an orchestra playing the clarinet, horn, two violins, viola, cello and percussion.

Check it out below:

Apple sues Qualcomm for charging massive licensing fees

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Apple claims Qualcomm charges it way too much for its licenses.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC

Apple and Qualcomm seem to be headed toward a head-on collision, with Apple suing the the wireless chipmaking company for apparently overcharging for use of its patents.

“For many years Qualcomm has unfairly insisted on charging royalties for technologies they have nothing to do with,” Apple said in a statement. “The more Apple innovates with unique features such as TouchID, advanced displays, and cameras, to name just a few, the more money Qualcomm collects for no reason and the more expensive it becomes for Apple to fund these innovations.”

iOS 11 expected to bring FaceTime group calls

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FaceTime
Is FaceTime getting a big upgrade this fall?
Photo: Apple

iOS 11 will finally give users the ability to hold FaceTime group calls with multiple friends, according to a new report.

Sources familiar with Apple’s plans claim the feature will support up to five participants, and that users will be able to initiate video calling from within iMessage group chats.

Don’t Leave It!, Red’s Kingdom, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
'Appy weekend everyone!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Happy weekend everyone! Depending on where you are in the world, your weekend is either halfway through or coming to an end, but there’s always time to catch up on some of the week’s best apps.

That’s where we come in. We’ve combed through the App Store to highlight what we feel are the best, most important, or otherwise noteworthy apps and app updates of the past 7 days.

Check out our list below. You won’t be disappointed!

Must-have Mac apps with massive discounts [Deals]

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Protect yourself from data loss with this top shelf data recovery system for Mac.
Protect yourself from data loss with this top shelf data recovery system for Mac.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Today at the Cult of Mac Store, we’ve got a list of top notch apps for Mac, going for a fraction their usual price. We’ve got a full disk recovery suite, to a gorgeous PDF flipbook maker, the latest version of Roxio Toast, and a tool for downloading almost any streaming video content. Each is discounted by no less than half off, read on for more details:

7 questions to ask before buying a used phone

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how to buy a used phone
If you want to buy a used phone, you should take some precautions.
Photo: dulnan/Flickr CC

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, checking prices could give you a serious case of sticker shock. Both the iPhone 7 and Google’s Pixel start at $649 and go up from there, with a top-of-the-line iPhone 7 Plus selling for $969.

If you’re OK with having something that’s a little less than the latest model, going with a used phone can save you a bundle. The downside? Getting a good deal — and a phone that works — takes more effort than buying a new phone off the store shelf. If you’re willing to put in some legwork to save cash, here’s what you need to know about buying a used cell phone — and seven questions to ask before doing so.

Merge your iPhone with a game controller, and more [Week’s Best Deals]

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Weather-resistance and incredible sound quality make these earbuds a must-have.
Weather-resistance and incredible sound quality make these earbuds a must-have.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As 2017 revs up, the Cult of Mac Store is humming right along, bringing in great new deals on gear and gadgets. This week, we’ve got a brand new set of water resistant earbuds, a lifetime of premium cloud storage, a game controller that merges with your iPhone, and two years of powerful VPN protection. Everything’s marked off significantly, read on for more details:

Updated MacBook Pro coming in 2017, this week on The CultCast

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New Apple hardware in March on The CultCast
New Apple hardware in March? Reports say yes, indeed.
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: 2017 might bring the super-charged MacBook Pro you’ve been waiting for — yes, another update! Then, a former employee says Tim Cook’s making Apple boring. Is it true? Plus: We get more evidence Apple will be making TV shows and movies; and iPhone 8 may be packing friggin’ lasers and facial recognition.

Supersets will take your fitness to the next level with CultFit Home Workout

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It's crunch time for your fitness resolutions.
It's crunch time for your fitness resolutions.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

CultFit Home Workout It’s the fourth and final week of our CultFit Home Workout. Congratulations if you have made it this far. (If you missed it, it’s still not to late to start with Week 1).

For this easy home workout, all you need is your iPhone and some everyday objects you’ll find around your home or office (plus your Apple Watch if you have one). No gym membership is required. It’s a great way to get started with your fitness journey — and it only takes 10 minutes a day.

Will Trump be good for Apple? [Friday Night Fights]

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How will Apple fare in the Trump era?
How will Apple fare in the Trump era?
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac. Original photo: Michael Vadon/Flickr CC

In case you hadn’t noticed, the United States has a new leader — and President Donald Trump has a bone to pick with Apple. Several, actually.

Will Trump’s “America first” stance and pro-business policies help Apple or give Tim Cook a series of premium headaches? Cult of Mac editors Leander Kahney and Lewis Wallace come out swinging in this week’s edition of “Friday Night Fights.”

Popular photo app sends your data straight to China

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It's not as bad as you think.
Photo: Meitu

A photography app that has become incredibly popular in recent weeks after adding an anime makeover feature has been sending user data back to its developer in China.

Meitu carries out checks to establish if an iOS device is jailbroken and collects information about its carrier before passing it onto Xiamen Meitu Technology. It’s thought the company could be selling the information to marketing agencies for targeted ads.

Foxconn’s next plant could kill Apple leaks

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foxconn
Big Apple leaks could become a thing of the past.
Photo: Foxconn

Foxconn is planning to build a new prototyping facility right alongside Apple’s upcoming research and development center in Shenzhen, China.

The move will “better help Apple create prototypes” of products in the development process, and could mean a lot fewer leaks for curious fans.

Those fuzzy feelings you have about Apple are by design

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Apple nail art
Trading up iPhones was such a big deal to Lauren WIlkin, she artistically marked her nails for the occasion.
Photo: Lauren Wilkin

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ uncompromising demands and brutal assessments of products in development paint a picture of a CEO who cared little about his colleagues’ feelings.

That’s because he was obsessed with yours.

A report published this week points to this and shows what is arguably the most brilliant and enduring part of his legacy.

World’s largest investment firm goes even bigger on AAPL

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
BlackRock now owns 6.1 percent of Apple's outstanding shares.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

BlackRock, a.k.a. the world’s largest asset manager, has just made a massive investment in Apple, according to its latest Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

The firm upped its investment in Apple to a whopping 322 million shares, meaning that now owns the equivalent of 6.1 percent of Apple’s outstanding shares — with a current monetary value of $38.4 billion.

Surf the web safely and anonymously with a VPN [Deals]

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Get online safely and anonymously with this easy to use VPN.
Get online safely and anonymously with this easy to use VPN.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you go online, you’re exposed to a bunch of hazards and headaches. Whether identity theft, data snoops, or location restrictions on streaming, one of the best ways around the pitfalls of the web can be sidestepped with a virtual private network, or VPN. Private Internet Access VPN will guard your connection even over public Wi-Fi networks, and it’s been shown to keep its users safe from hoaxers. Right now, you can get a 2 year subscription for less than 60 bucks at Cult of Mac Deals.