Mobile menu toggle

Everything to expect from Apple’s jam-packed WWDC 2016 keynote

By

WWDC's opening keynote will be at San Francisco's cavernous Bill Graham Auditorium.
WWDC's opening keynote will be at San Francisco's cavernous Bill Graham Auditorium.
Photo: Milo Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s keynote to kick off this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference is going to be huge. So huge, in fact, that Apple already revealed some stuff early because Tim Cook and his Cupertino cronies won’t have time to cover everything during the jam-packed, two-hour event.

While WWDC might seem like a bit of a snoozefest for Apple fans who don’t know anything about Xcode and Swift, the 2016 edition of the annual developer conference should bring lots of new stuff even normals can get hyped about. The WWDC keynote will give us a peek inside the ever-evolving Apple ecosystem — and thus our clearest picture of the future of all Apple products.

This year, all of Apple’s platforms are set to get major updates, as are some of the company’s most popular services, like Siri and Apple Music. Here’s what to watch for during Apple’s keynote, which will kick off WWDC 2016 next Monday morning in San Francisco.

Heroes of Loot 2, a Logic Pro X upgrade, and other awesome apps

By

appsoftheweek_1024
'Appy weekend all!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

‘Appy weekend everyone! If you’re anything like me, Sunday’s the perfect time for kicking back and catching up on everything you missed during the week — not least the top apps to have either arrived in the App Store, or been the recipient of major upgrades.

Fortunately we’ve done the hard work of sorting through them for you to pick out to pick out the cream of the crop. Check out our picks below.

Adobe lessons, 1,000s of design assets, and more in the latest deals at Cult of Mac [Deals]

By

Easily connect any device to a worldwide VPN network.
Easily connect any device to a worldwide VPN network.
Photo: Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We’re breaking off a brand new week, and as usual we’ve got a bunch of brand new deals. This round, we’ve got a portable VPN portal, a year of Adobe Creative Cloud with comprehensive lessons, an uber-classy iPhone wallet, and more. Take a look:

Catch our WWDC 2016 hardware and software predictions on The CultCast

By

macbook-pro-wwdc-2016
Next week's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco is looking pretty momentous.
Photo: Apple

This week, on The CultCast: it’s our WWDC 2016 predictions! We’ll tell you what hardware and software to expect. Plus: Apple makes huge changes to the prices you’ll pay for apps; this year’s Back to School specials are some of Apple’s best yet; and Steve Jobs… the opera? Don’t miss more weird and wild stories from the Cult of Mac.

Our thanks to Freshbooks for supporting this episode. FreshBooks is the easy-to-use invoicing software designed to help small business owners get organized, save time invoicing and get paid faster. Get started now with a 30-day free trial.

WWDC 2016 preview, Ken Segall talks to Kahney’s Korner podcast, best iPhone 6/6s cases out there, and more

By

The Worldwide Developers Conference 2016 promises to be huge.
The Worldwide Developers Conference 2016 promises to be huge.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Get ready for next week’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2016! We give you a sneak peek of what to expect in Apple’s keynote on Monday in San Francisco. Plus, teenager earns scholarship to WWDC by creating his own news app.

Listen to former Apple ad man Ken Segall — who put the “i” in iMac — discuss what he learned in 12 years working with Steve Jobs on Cult of Mac’s brand-new podcast Kahney’s Korner.

All this, and much much more, in Cult of Mac Magazine, free for you right now.

Here are this week’s top stories.

Put your fitness to the ultimate test with Apple Watch

By

Get set to test yourself to the limit with your Apple Watch.
Get set to test yourself to the limit with your Apple Watch.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

If you want to get in shape, the best way to get started is with some fitness testing. That might sound challenging, but luckily your Apple Watch is all you need to test yourself to the limit.

Fitness tests enable you to establish a baseline so you can see how your physical condition improves over time. And if you are already a fitness fanatic, regular testing enables you to identify areas of weakness and optimize your training program. Here’s how to make the Apple Watch a part of your essential fitness testing.

Will major changes kill the MacBook Pro? [Friday Night Fights]

By

fnf
Don't you want an OLED touchpad on your MacBook Pro?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s MacBook Pro redesign this fall will bring big changes to one of its most beloved notebooks. According to recent leaks, the machine will pack an OLED touchpad above its keyboard, and only USB-C connectivity.

FNF-bugSome fans aren’t happy about that. Many love the physical function keys already found on the MacBook Pro, while others don’t believe it will be a suitable “pro” machine without standard USB ports. But isn’t it time they moved on?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we battle it out over the rumored changes to the MacBook Pro.

Apple Pay may take on PayPal with web payments

By

Apple Pay
Apple Pay is everywhere.
Photo: Apple

Pretty soon when you’re shopping online, Apple Pay might become the quickest way to checkout instead of using PayPal.

Rumors have been floating around the web for months that Apple plans to bring Apple Pay to the web and according to a new report, Apple’s WWDC 2016 keynote will be the site of the grand unveiling.

BitCam brings Mac OS 6-style retro photography to iPhone

By

Screen Shot 2016-06-10 at 19.29.40
BitCam on iPhone.
Screenshots: Iconfactory

Remember those awesome pictures you used to take on your Game Boy Camera? Now you can snap them on your iPhone, thanks to BitCam.

Created by Iconfactory to celebrate its 20th anniversary, BitCam brings retro photography from the ’90s back to life. It even has an 8-bit interface inspired by Apple’s early Mac OS operating system.

Apple takes over Bill Graham Auditorium ahead of WWDC

By

Mo money, mo problems.
WWDC is nearly here.
Photo: Milo Kahney/Cult of Mac

There are only a few days left before Apple unveils its biggest software updates of the year during its WWDC 2016 keynote, and the final preparations are underway.

Apple’s iconic logo was just placed on the side of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco where Tim Cook and company are expected to announce some huge features coming to iOS, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and more.

Cult of Mac got an early look at Apple’s decorations for the event which construction crews are still working on.

Check it out:

Ex-Apple ad man Ken Segall talks Apple and simplicity [Podcast interview]

By

Author Ken Segall worked in advertising with Steve Jobs for more than a dozen years. His new book is called Think Simple.
Author Ken Segall worked in advertising with Steve Jobs for more than a dozen years. His new book is called Think Simple.
Photo: Doug Schneider Photography

Ken Segall is a former Apple ad man who worked closely with Steve Jobs for more than a dozen years. Segall is the guy who put the “i” in iMac and worked on the famous “Think Different” campaign.

The big lesson he learned from Steve Jobs was keeping things simple. But easier said than done. How exactly do you keep things simple?

Segall went out and found 40 business folks who keep things straightforward. His new book based on those interviews is called Think Simple:How Smart Leaders Defeat Complexity.

In a new podcast, Kahney’s Korner, Segall talks about some of those lessons, how Steve Jobs kept things uncomplicated and about how Apple is doing these days without him.

This episode of Kahney’s Korner is supported by TunnelBear, an award-winning service that gives you fast and private access to the internet.

Save big on screwdriver kit that lets you fix your own gadgets [Deals]

By

iFixit's 64-bit driver kit gives you the tools you need to repair your own electronics.
iFixit's 64-bit driver kit gives you the tools you need to repair your own electronics.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Leaving your damaged phone, computer, or other device at the shop is a guarantee you’ll be wasting a bunch of your cash and time, but we’re left with little choice. Electronics these days are built to be hard to repair, unless you’ve got the right tools. That’s what the DIY-repair revolutionaries at iFixit are offering with this 64-bit Driver Kit, the toolbox you need to get your own gadgets back up and running. Right now you can get it for $34.95 at Cult of Mac Deals.

iPhone 7 may come in new ‘deep blue’ color option

By

Screen Shot 2016-06-10 at 15.37.18
What the iPhone 7 might look like in “deep blue.”
Photo: Macotakara

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7 series will be available in a new “deep blue” color option, according to “reliable” supply chain sources. Space gray is expected to get the chop for this year’s model, but the other traditional color options in the iPhone lineup will stick around.

Nancy Pelosi: The U.S. government invented the iPhone

By

Why Salesforce chief gave up AppStore.com for Apple
Steve Jobs? Wasn't he the guy who helped the government invent the iPhone?
Photo: Ben Stanfield/Flickr CC

Apple may be one of the world’s profitable tech company, but you know who invented its biggest single product, the iPhone? If you’re House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the answer is simple: not Steve Jobs, Jony Ive or any combination of Apple employees — but rather the federal government.

Check out the video below.

Apple’s endless battle with Samsung could rage on for years

By

samsungvapple
Who would've thought such small devices could trigger such a big war?
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Holy timewarp, Batman! Despite already being five years old, the U.S. Department of Justice has suggested that the Samsung vs. Apple patent case could continue to rage for at least a few more years — by recommending that the Supreme Court return the case for yet more examination.

By asking the Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court ruling in favor of Apple, the D.O.J. is basically asking that Apple’s current damages award (which stands at $548 million) be reassessed.

MacBook Pro concept shows how useful an OLED touchpad will be

By

Siri might even find a new home on the OLED touchpad.
This is what the new MacBook Pro may look like.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Apple might not unveil a radically redesigned MacBook Pro at WWDC next week, but thanks to artist Martin Hajek we’ve got the next best thing: concept images.

Cult of Mac’s favorite concept artist has created a series of mockups that show just how awesome it will be when Apple adds an OLED touchpad to the MacBook Pro. While last week’s spy photos gave us an early look at the new MacBook Pro’s frame, Hajek’s images show how the OLED touchpad could automatically change based on the apps you’re using.

Take a closer look at the rumored MacBook Pro OLED touchpad:

iMessage may be about to cross the Android divide

By

Your Android friends may soon get blue chat bubbles too.
Your Android friends may soon get blue chat bubbles too.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s iMessage platform may soon be available on products that aren’t designed in Cupertino.

iMessage is set to get its first-ever app for Android, according to a new report citing a “source familiar with the company’s thinking.” If so, it sounds like it could spell trouble for Facebook Messenger and Google’s new messaging app, Allo.

Thieves use Apple Store uniform to steal $16,000 worth of iPhones

By

All it takes is a blue shirt to bypass Apple security.
All it takes is a blue shirt to bypass Apple security.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple may want to rethink its permanent blue uniform strategy after thieves pillaged an Apple Store in New York in broad daylight last week.

Two teenage thieves reportedly pulled off an iPhone heist without employees ever noticing because they were dressed similar to Apple’s staff, says the police.

The week’s best Apple deals: free classes, free headphones and more

By

Update your fancy wrist computer to the latest watchOS.
Update your fancy wrist computer to the latest watchOS.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
With WWDC 2016 just days away, you’d be right to hesitate at buying new Apple gadgets this week. But with experts expecting more new software than hardware, rest assured that these great deals and freebies will still look good next week. Read on for free headphones, free classes at the Apple Store, and more in this week’s best Apple deals.

Sleek skins give your MacBook the marble look

By

home-slider-slide-1
Use UNIQFIND for a unique look.
Photo: UNIQFIND

When you’ve owned a lot of Apple devices, aluminum starts to look a little… boring. But not when you slap a UNIQFIND skin on it.

For as little as $25, these sleek wraps and cases make your MacBook, iPhone, or iPad look like it was made out of marvelous marble.

Siri unleashes her inner khaleesi for fiery WWDC answers

By

Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Tell me your WWDC secrets or I'll throw you in the dungeons of the Red Keep!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s big keynote for WWDC is just a few days away, but if you want some hints about what the company will unveil, just ask Siri.

Apple’s digital assistant won’t spill the beans on iOS 10 or macOS, however asking her questions like “What will happen at WWDC?” currently cause Siri to unleash some hilarious responses that are straight out of Game of Thrones.

Take a look at some of these funny answers: