Mobile menu toggle

Sid Meier’s Civilization looks beyond Earth and to the stars [Deals]

By

The newest Civilization installment and its expansions leaves Earth far, far behind.
The newest Civilization installment and its expansions leaves Earth far, far behind.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you grew up around computers, you’ve encountered Sid Meier’s epic Civilization series, the singular strategy game that put players at the helm of humanity’s history. But as time has gone on the series has moved on, and in Civilization: Beyond Earth – The Collection, the gaze of these games is now pointed at our future among the stars. This bundle of Civilization: Beyond Earth, the Exoplanets Map Pack and the Rising Tide Expansion, an interstellar adventure you can embark on today for $29.99.

Don’t expect your iPhone 7 to be any thinner

By

iPhone-7-plus-scheme
This tells us the iPhone 7 Plus will be no thinner than its predecessor.
Photo: LetemSvetem Applem

Some reports have claimed Apple’s next-generation iPhones will be its thinnest yet, but according to a new schematics leak, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be just as thick as the company’s latest models.

But that doesn’t mean the headphone jack is sticking around.

Apple’s Ireland data center could use more energy than city of Dublin

By

Ireland
Apple's proposed data center in Ireland.
Photo: Apple

As part of a hearing concerning its proposed 850 million euro ($960 million) data center in Athenry, Ireland, Apple has acknowledged that it has no current plans to build power generators on the site, and would therefore be plugging into the Irish national grid.

The result? That according to a residents group, Apple will wind up as the largest private user of electricity in the state, consuming 8 percent of the national capacity — or more than the entire daily power usage of Dublin, which is home to over half a million people.

Apple chipmaker will spend $2.2 billion to gain edge over rivals

By

Apple chips are getting EMI shielding.
TSMC may have won the A10 battle, but it also wants to win the war.
Photo: Apple

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) may have reportedly scored Apple’s A-series orders for the next-gen iPhone 7, but with plenty of rivals on its tail it’s not shying away from putting in the work (and, more importantly, the cash) to ensure it stays Apple’s chipmaker of note.

According to TSMC’s co-CEO Mark Liu, this means spending a massive, record-setting $2.2 billion on R&D this year; a significantly higher figure than the $1.067 it spend researching new processes last year.

Google kills its first Apple TV competitor

By

The Nexus Player is no longer available.
The Nexus Player is no longer available.
Photo: Google

Google has again given up on competing with the Apple TV and other set-top boxes after discontinuing the Nexus Player. The Asus-made device is no longer available from the Google Store — but this doesn’t mean Android TV is dead.

Tim Cook spotted the iPhone in a painting from 1670

By

Is that an iPhone 6s Plus?
Is that an iPhone 6s Plus?
Photo: Pieter de Hooch

Apple is credited with designing the smartphone as we know it today, but it turns out some people were using touchscreen devices in 1670. At least that’s what Tim Cook saw when he laid eyes on a 346-year-old painting from Pieter de Hooch and spotted an iPhone.

Xiaomi has switched from copying iPhones to copying drones

By

Xiaomi is now in the drone business.
Xiaomi is now in the drone business.
Photo: Xiaomi

Xiaomi, aka the biggest copy-cat in tech, has decided to stop ripping off Apple for a bit and instead set its sights on drone maker DJI by unveiling its first cheap knockoff drone, the Mi Drone. And it doesn’t look that bad.

The Mi Drone takes some obvious inspiration from DJI’s Phantom lineup, only its way more affordable. For about $460 you can grab the 4K flier, or if you’re cool with just 1080p video you can buy the cheaper model, priced around $380.

It’s not as portable as other drones we’ve seen like the AirDog, but it comes with 27-minutes of battery life and some killer features that could rival the Phantom 4.

Watch it fly below:

Posture trainer has ways to make you sit up straight [Reviews]

By

Upright posture trainer
You're a monster.
Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac

“It’s alright,” I tell the Upright posture trainer, which is attached to the base of my spine. “I’ll do it right this time.”

I’m not looking at the device itself; that would be impossible. Instead, I’m looking at the three smiley-face icons in the thing’s companion app. The green one is lit up now, but I just slipped into yellow for a second before I caught myself, and if it hits the red one — either from me slouching or overextending my back — it will be unpleasant.

Apple is already working on charging stations for iCar

By

Apple Car might be coming, but will it be special?
Apple Car might be coming, but will it be special?
Image: Aristomenis Tsirbas/Freelancer

The Apple Car isn’t expected to hit the road until 2020 at the earliest, but Apple’s engineers are already laying the foundation for one of the most challenging aspect of electric vehicles: keeping them charged up.

Apple appears to be preparing the ground work for its charging infrastructure, according to a new report claiming the company is scooping up engineers that specialize in electric charing stations.

USB-C battery pack gives your MacBook a full charge on the go

By

Kanex-GoPower
The GoPower is a MacBook's perfect companion.
Photo: Kanex

Apple’s notebooks pack some of the best laptop batteries out there, but you’re always going to find yourself low on power when using your MacBook on the road. Fortunately, Kanex’s new PowerGo battery pack can save the day.

Packing 15,000 mAh of power and USB-C connectivity, it’s capable of giving your 12-inch Retina MacBook a full charge on the go — and it’ll keep your iOS devices topped up, too.

How Samsung plans to make the iPhone 7 Plus look like trash

By

Galaxy Note 5
The next Galaxy Note will be the best phablet by far.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Android

Samsung’s excellent Galaxy S7 series will have almost certainly exacerbated falling iPhone demand in recent months, and now the South Korean company is working to ensure that things won’t be any easier for the iPhone 7 lineup.

New rumors say its next-generation Galaxy Note phablet will be its best smartphone yet, with stellar specifications, outstanding design, and a new virtual reality experience that will make the iPhone 7 Plus look like trash.

Win it Wednesday: 5 Herschel bags to send your old luggage packing [Deals]

By

These five bags by Herschel will put your old luggage to shame, and now's your chance to get them for free.
These five bags by Herschel will put your old luggage to shame, and now's your chance to get them for free.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Herschel is just about the top name in travel gear today, making bags and luggage that are as tough as they are good-looking. Let’s be honest — they put your suitcases and backpacks to shame. Premium bags like these go for a premium price, that is unless you enter this massive giveaway. This Herschel travel bundle includes five items that would normally cost a pretty penny, from suitcases to duffels and backpacks and more, but if you can enter today for a chance to get the whole shebang for free.

iPhone maker replaces half its factory workers with robots

By

Tim Cook greeting Foxconn workers in China. Photo: Apple
Tim Cook meeting with (human) Foxconn workers.
Photo: Apple

Apple manufacturer Foxconn has been talking about investing in robots for years now, but apparently it’s finally done it — replacing more than half of the employees at one of its factories with machines.

“The Foxconn factory has reduced its employee strength from 110,000 to 50,000, thanks to the introduction of robots,” said a government official, adding that “it has tasted success in reduction of labour costs” and that more companies are now likely to follow suit.

Microsoft’s smartphone team is on its last legs

By

windows phone
Is this the blue screen of death for Microsoft's phones?
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft may be doing great in some areas of its business, but it’s struggling in others — with “exhibit A” being its smartphone business.

Having sold off its feature phone business this month, Microsoft has now announced plans to “scale back” its smartphone output — which will impact “up to 1,850 jobs worldwide,” although Microsoft still claims it’s got some “great new devices” being developed for the future.

Check out Terry Myerson, Microsoft’s head of Windows’ message to employees:

Why the MacBook Pro needs an OLED touch pad

By

MacBook-OLED-touch-pad
What the MacBook Pro might look like with a fancy touch pad.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is expected to deliver one of its biggest ever MacBook Pro refreshes later this year, ushering in a thinner and lighter design and amazing new features. One of them, according to a reliable analyst, will be an OLED touch pad.

Here’s why that would be a stellar addition to Apple’s best notebook.

‘Error 53’ plaintiffs claim Apple not living up to reimbursement promise

By

touchid
"Error 53" problem bricked affected iPhones.
Photo: Apple

Apple may have fixed its disastrous Error 53 fault that disables iPhones which had a home button or cables related to Touch ID replaced by an unauthorized third-party.

However, a class action suit brought by a number of iPhone owners is claiming that Apple didn’t do enough — and yet not lived up to its promise to reimburse customers whose phones were bricked by the error.

Apple’s plans for Indian retail stores suffers massive blow

By

apples-india-enterprise-boss-quits-to-sell-android-phones-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201601iphone_india001-780x614-780x614-jpg
India may not be quite the dream market Apple had thought.
Photo: Apple

Apple may be running into problems in China, but it doesn’t seem like its campaign to expand into India — another vast country with plenty of potential for smartphone growth — is going any better.

According to a new report, India’s finance minister has ruled that Apple must conform to local sourcing laws to open official Apple Stores within India, despite previous rumors stating that Apple would be exempted from such rules.

iPhone 7 screen protector confirms no major design changes

By

Spot the difference with today's iPhone 6s.
Spot the difference with today's iPhone 6s.
Photo: Pocket-lint

The iPhone 7 may be boasting a few more internal modifications than we had thought, but think again if you’re expecting Apple to offer a full-on redesign of the design and form factor it has been using since 2014’s iPhone 6.

That’s according to a new photo posted online, reportedly showing a very familiar glass screen protector planned for the next-gen handset, looking very much like the one employed by the iPhone 6 and 6s.

Apple plans to make Amazon Echo rival by opening Siri

By

Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Siri might gets its own product.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The next evolution of Siri could feature a new Apple product designed to directly compete with Amazon’s successful Echo device.

Apple is reportedly planning to make a rival to the Amazon Echo, but the in order to compete with the device’s incredible array of features and services, Apple plans to open up Siri to third-party apps.