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Animators try their hand at telling the Steve Jobs story

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YouTube is a repository for animated features on the life of Steve Jobs.
YouTube is a repository for animated features on the life of Steve Jobs.
Photo: Adam Holownia,

Cult of Mac 2.0 bugWith all there is to marvel about Steve Jobs and the story of Apple, it’s easy to forget what Jobs meant to animation.

So it’s not surprising that several animators have sought to capture the near-mythological character of Jobs in animated shorts that can be found all over YouTube.

iPhone 7 display is the best LCD ever tested

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iPhone 7
Apple has perfected the LCD.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 7 display may be the new device’s most underrated feature, based on an in-depth analysis by display experts.

Apple’s new LCD display was rated as “visually indistinguishable from perfect” when it comes to image contrast and intensity. The tiniest amount of color variation, seen when viewing the screen from an angle, also yielded top marks.

Hissgate: iPhone 7 Plus emits strange noise when under heavy load

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iphone 7
Apple rode the iPhone 7 Plus' wave into 2017.
Photo: Apple

The first crisis to hit the iPhone 7 Plus is already here, and this time it could be a lot more annoying than Bendgate and Antennagate.

Some iPhone 7 Plus owners are reporting that Apple’s new devices emit a strange hissing noise when performing processor-intensive tasks. And no one is sure what’s causing it.

Hear it for yourself:

Retro controller transports you back to golden age of gaming [Deals]

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This SNES controller has the look and feel of the classic with the functions and features perfect for today's gaming.
This SNES controller has the look and feel of the classic with the functions and features perfect for today's gaming.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you grew up along with the gaming industry, you remember the time when Nintendo was king (before Pokemon Go). Endless evenings spent playing Super Nintendo are among the warmest memories of many childhoods, and this Bluetooth-powered recreation of the iconic controller brings it back. With this controller, you can bring the feeling of the good old days to the best new games, just $49.99 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Apple debuts stylish new ads for Apple Watch Series 2, iPhone 7

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screen-shot-2016-09-19-at-15-08-29
This man is using his iPhone 7 to photograph a deer in a gas station. Seriously.
Photo: Apple

Apple debuted three new ads over the weekend: two of them for the new iPhone 7, and one for the Apple Watch Series 2.

Highlighting the new waterproofing features of all the devices, along with the low-light camera sensor of the next-gen iPhone, they’re strong, artistic ads — which do the job of explaining to you what Apple’s new smartwatch and handset are capable of, without making it feel like you’re being given the hard sell.

Check them out below.

James Corden is embarrassingly funny in new Apple Music ad

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Corden swims with apples. It's, like, a metaphor.
Photo: Apple

Hot off his genuinely hilarious skit with Tim Cook at the start of the recent iPhone 7 media event, James Corden is back alongside Apple executives for a new ad for Apple Music.

Playing himself, Corden pitches various off-the-wall concepts for an Apple Music ad, to more and more bemused reactions from Apple execs Jimmy Iovine, Eddy Cue and Bozoma Saint John.

Check it out below.

This photographer tested the iPhone 7 Plus before anyone else

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iPhone 7 photos
The iPhone 7 Plus handled the tricky light of sunset over the U.S. Open stadium court.
Photo: Landon Nordeman/ESPN

Photographer Landon Nordeman generally knows what to expect when ESPN calls him to shoot an event. But for the recent U.S. Open tennis tournament, ESPN needed Nordeman to report to the courts in Flushing Meadows, NY without any of his cameras.

Once there, an ESPN photo editor discreetly placed in his hands a sleek new piece of gear that would not be available to a clamoring public for two weeks – the iPhone 7 Plus.

“I was excited once I learned it was the iPhone, but thought I would only get to use it for an hour and have to give it back,” Nordeman told Cult of Mac. “I had the phone and shot with it for four whole days. I loved it. I really loved it.”

Exploding Note 7 blamed on Samsung’s rush to beat Apple

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Samsung-Galaxy
This is why you don't rush products.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Samsung’s disastrous Note 7 debacle — in which exploding handsets caused the company to withdraw all 2.5 million handsets already shipped — was reportedly the result of rushing to beat Apple.

According to a new report, Samsung saw an opportunity to capitalize on what it felt was likely to be a comparatively boring iPhone 7, and decided to break speed records unveiling a phone it thought could appeal to disappointed would-be iPhone customers.

Today in Apple history: Powerful, upgradeable Macintosh IIx arrives

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The Mac IIx in all its glory
Photo: Laptopanda

Mon19 September 19, 1988: Apple debuts the Macintosh IIx, an incremental upgrade of its fantastic Macintosh II.

The updated model is the first Mac to come with Apple’s new, improved 1.44MB floppy disk SuperDrive. It also packs a hefty price tag of between $7,769 and $9,300 — the equivalent of $15,817 to $18,934 today.

So don’t even try complaining about the cost of an iMac, circa 2016!

Get years of VPN protection, iPhone 7-ready power cases and more [Week’s Newest Deals]

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You've got the new phone, now get this case that protects and adds 140% charge to the iPhone 7.
You've got the new phone, now get this case that protects and adds 140% charge to the iPhone 7.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Another week, another new batch of big deals on gear and gadgets. This round we’ve got an iPhone 7-ready power case, professional level training in Excel, a cleverly designed wall charger, and three years of top shelf VPN protection. If you’re online and use a smartphone (hey, that’s me too!), there’s something here to pique your interest. Read on for more details:

Early AirPod reviews and iPhone 7 deals you need to know about, on The CultCast

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cult cast

This week, on The CultCast: The AirPod reviews are in, and we’re excited. Plus: the iPhone 7 carrier deals you need to know about; iPhone 7’s Jet Black’s micro abrasions; Series 1 vs. Series 2 Apple Watch; and, Apple, the new NASA?

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to build a website that looks beautiful on any device that visits at Squarespace.com. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off.

Learn a new language, add 64GB to your phone, and more [Week’s Best Deals]

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Take the padlock off of your PDFs with this all-in-one suite of software tools.
Take the padlock off of your PDFs with this all-in-one suite of software tools.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Welcome once again to the weekly roundup of the best deals at the Cult of Mac Store. This week we’ve got a software tool for getting under the hood of your PDFs, a brand new line of Bluetooth earbuds, a Rosetta Stone box set, and a portable drive that’ll add 64GB to Mac, PC, and iOS devices, most of them going for less than half price. Read on for more details:

Set up your new Apple Watch to max out your fitness gains

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Get in shape with your new Apple Watch
Get in shape with your new Apple Watch.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

If you’ve just bought a shiny new Apple Watch Series 2, hoping it will help you get in shape, then here’s some advice: Invest a little time setting it up so your wearable is tailored to your personal fitness level and goals.

These quick and easy setup tips will help you get the most out of your Apple Watch fitness routine.

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from the new Cult of Mac Fitness Handbook. It’s coming soon, loaded with iPhone and Apple Watch fitness tips — and it will be exclusively free for Cult of Mac readers.

Apple Watch Series 2 looks surprisingly repairable

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apple watch 2
Same on the outside. Different inside.
Photo: iFixit

The new Apple Watch Series 2 is more repairable than Apple’s original wearable, according to the first teardown to pry open the new device.

Apple Watch Series 2 looks exactly the same as its predecessor on the outside. On the inside it’s an entirely different story, as Apple’s engineers have refined the internals and made it a bit easier to work with.

Jet black iPhone 7 Plus is a hot item on eBay

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eBay icon
Sold out everywhere, the iPhone 7 Plus is hot on eBay.
Photo: Leander Kahney

With the new iPhone 7 Plus sold out worldwide, some owners are turning a pretty profit on Craigslist and eBay.

There’s a brisk trade in brand new iPhone 7 devices, especially the Plus models in jet black, with many selling for almost twice their retail value.

This premium jet black 256GB iPhone 7 Plus, for example, just sold for $1,775 on eBay, with 29 bids. That’s $806 above retail.

iPhone 7 faces Aussie surf test at Bondi Beach

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iphone 7 surfing in australia
Is iPhone 7 the ultimate action cam?
Photo: SoBadSoGood.

Apple’s waterproofing on the iPhone 7 is looking worthy of the price to upgrade alone.

I can’t count how many iPhones I’ve destroyed over the last nine years during water accidents. But after watching the iPhone 7 take a surfing lesson at Australia’s beautiful Bondi Beach, it looks like Apple totally undersold just how water-resistant the new smartphone truly is.

Watch the iPhone 7 catch waves:

iPhone 7 first impressions: The smartphone you love, only better

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iPhone 7 back
iPhone 7 has landed.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

At first glance, the iPhone 7 looks just like the iPhone 6s … and the iPhone 6. It feels the same in your hand, too. Unless you buy the jet black model, or you’re upgrading from a 4-inch iPhone, you’re not going to get any surprises when you pull this baby out of its box.

But there are some subtle changes you’ll appreciate. This is the iPhone you already know and love — only much, much better.

Apple’s plans for illuminated flag pole outside London store get rejected

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Let your freak flag fly.
Don't expect any such Apple flag outside its London flagship store.
Photo: James Martin/Twitter

When you’re a company the size of Apple, there’s not much you can’t get away with — but apparently erecting an illuminated flagpole in the center of London isn’t one of them.

Apple recently found itself on the wrong end of London’s City of Westminster council after applying to install two external light fittings to illuminate flags outside its iconic flagship Regent Street Apple store.

Last chance to get these Iron Man-grade Lightning cables [Deals]

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This is your last chance to nab these travel-ready, super tough, steel-lined Lightning cables.
This is your last chance to nab these travel-ready, super tough, steel-lined Lightning cables.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With the iPhone 7, Apple has decided Lightning cables will play an even more central role in the way we use our mobile devices. That makes the tough, steel-lined, flexible, MFi-certified Lightning cables by Titan even more valuable.

Built to last, they’re a wise investment for any Apple user, but this is your last chance to save a big chunk off what they cost. Take one last look at these two discounted travel cables from Titan.

Scratch, flame and bend test puts iPhone 7 through its paces

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screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-14-33-14
Bendgate didn't make a return this year, fortunately!
Photo: JerryRigEverything

The iPhone 7 has only been out a matter of hours, and already it’s undergone its first torture tests, courtesy of YouTuber JerryRigEverything.

After exposing his matte black iPhone 7 to various scratches, flames and bend attempts, JerryRigEverything comes to some interesting conclusions.

Check out his iPhone stress test video below.

Tim Cook celebrates happy iPhone 7, Apple Watch 2 buyers

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pic21
A new Apple Watch owner in Hong Kong.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch Series 2 are out today and — while a botched roll-out means not everyone will get the device they want — Tim Cook is keen to show that there are plenty of happy customers out there.

In a post on Twitter, Apple’s CEO writes that, “It’s time! #iPhone7 and #AppleWatchSeries2 are here!”

Well, for some of us at least!