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Apple’s next iPhone may come with enhanced Siri

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Siri may be set to get a serious upgrade when Apple launches its next iPhone later this year.

According to the latest rumor out of Asia, Apple is planning to catch up with the likes of Alexa and Google Assistant by creating a better version of Siri that comes with more artificial intelligence skills.

How to get the most out of Instagram

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These Instagram tips will help you connect with photographers who share your interests.
We don’t want to see photos from everyone we follow.
Photo: Lee Peterson/Cult of Mac

Instagram isn’t simply a social network for sharing images. Used properly, it’s a powerful tool for connecting with like-minded photographers and getting feedback about your images.

I’m passionate about photography, and finding communities I can engage with is really important when it comes to helping me improve and get ideas for new projects. These Instagram tips and tricks, which I use on a daily basis, can really help you grow as a photographer.

If cowboys carried MacBooks, they’d use this bag

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Bring old-West style to your modern life.
Bring old-West style to your modern life.
Photo: WaterField Designs

There is little about a shoulder bag that is personal. Sure you can pick something with a color and shape you can live with, but utility drives the design.

The Maverick, as the name suggests, aspires to stand out from the pack. Created by San Francisco’s WaterField Designs, the full-grain leather bag cut from a single hide presents like a Pony Express satchel begging for a dustup on some dry Western trail.

Secure your iPhone power port with a MagSafe connector [Deals]

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CoM - Plugies Lightning
Charge your iPhone with this handy fast-charging magnetic clip

One of the most useful features on MacBooks are the MagSafe connectors. They keep the power cables magnetically in place, but break free to keep it from going down when you inevitably snag them. Plugies Magnetic Charging Cables let you add this convenient feature to your iPhone and Android devices. This adapter will change the way you charge, and right now you can get one for just $27.99 at Cult of Mac Deals.

New iOS controllers give you that Nintendo Switch feeling

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The new Gamevice controller for iPad mini.
Photo: Gamevice

If you like the idea of the new Nintendo Switch but you do all your gaming on iOS, the latest controllers from Gamevice are going to be right up your alley.

Like Nintendo’s latest console, they slap physical buttons and analog sticks onto the sides of your iPhone and iPad. They’re also powered by your iOS device so there’s no need to charge a battery, and they bring the headphone jack back to your iPhone 7.

Future Apple Watch straps could hide extra components

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Apple Watch
Could this concept be the Apple Watch's "killer app"?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Future Apple Watches could be customized by their users thanks to modular accessories built into their strap links, suggests a newly-published patent.

These add-ons could include everything from extra displays and batteries to blood pressure and sweat sensors, GPS trackers, speakers, and even additional inputs devices such as force sensors.

Qualcomm could slap Apple with a lawsuit of its own

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However, their current business relationship won't be affected.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC

Qualcomm is reportedly considering countersuing Apple after Apple filed a $1 billion lawsuit against the company on Friday.

Apple’s lawsuit against Qualcomm relates to the fees Qualcomm charges for use of its licenses, which Apple says amounts to, “at least five times more in payments than all the other cellular patent licensors we have agreements with combined.”

Tax guru thinks Apple’s bill from Europe could be overturned

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money
Apple's tax structure landed it with a massive bill last year.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple’s massive tax bill from the European Commission is tantamount to an ill-advised “land grab” and could be reversed in court, claims Feargal O’Rourke, the man who heads up the tax practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Ireland.

Speaking at the Irish Times corporation tax summit in Dublin, O’Rourke said he is confident the Commission’s decision will be overturned by the European Court of Justice.

This is what the iPhone 8 might look like

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iPhone8
We hope the iPhone 8 is this beautiful.
Photo: Imran Taylor

An iPhone 8 mockup based on all the latest rumors looks like quite a hit. The iPhone concept art from designer Imran Taylor builds on rumors that Apple might ditch the iPhone 7’s aluminum frame in favor of a stainless steel band sandwiched by two pieces of curved glass.

Taylor’s detailed renders show how incredible the 10th anniversary iPhone might be, if it brings an all-new look rather than relying on the unibody design of the past few years.

Take a closer look.

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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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.