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Yo ho ho! Apple flies pirate flag to celebrate its 40th birthday

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I assume engineers don't get an accompanying bottle of rum.
Photo: Tommy W Farley/Twitter

In case you didn’t know, Apple turns 40 today. To celebrate, the company is giving a wink to longtime fans with a cheeky nod to its past.

A pirate flag flying outside Apple’s campus at 1 Infinite Loop is a reference to the “Jolly Roger” pirate flag flown by the original Macintosh team when it was developing Apple’s (arguably) most iconic computer back in the heady days of the early ’80s.

Tim Cook drops by Palo Alto Apple Store for iPhone SE launch

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Everyone wants a selfie with Tim.
Everyone wants a selfie with Tim.
Photo: CNBC

The iPhone SE isn’t drawing as big of lines today as the wait to reserve a Tesla Model 3, but Tim Cook still decided to check-in on at least one Apple Store to gauge interest in the tiny new device.

Apple’s CEO was spotted at the Palo Alto Apple Store this morning talking to customers and employees. Cook has visited the store during previous product launches, however the crowds and lines for selfies weren’t quite as long today as usual.

Watch Cook glad-hand iPhone SE customers below:

9.7-inch iPad Pro unboxing: Big things come in small packages

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Looks like an iPad Air, but it's so much more.
Looks like an iPad Air, but it's so much more.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The new, powerful iPad Pro is available at Apple Stores today and we’ve got a fantastic iPad Pro unboxing video to show you all the ins and outs of the new tablet.

Cult of Mac videographer Ste Smith talks us through the packaging, the setup and the latest-greatest device itself in this cool iPad Pro unboxing video that he made right after picking up the 9.7-inch tablet from his local Apple Store.

If you want to get your (virtual) hands on this sexy new iOS device, here’s your chance.

Best document editing and management apps for iPad

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The iPad is great at handling PDFs and other kinds of documents. Here are 4 must-have apps.
The iPad is great at handling PDFs and other kinds of documents. Here are 4 must-have apps.
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailI’ve been spending the past week or so doing some app spring cleaning on my iPad, partially in preparation for the arrival of my new 9.7” iPad Pro on Thursday. During the process I realized that I have way too many document editing apps — half of which I have either never launched, or they didn’t do something I needed so I never used them again.

That’s why I took the opportunity to really cut down. Here are the document management apps that made the cut, and why:

General Electric nearly bought Apple in 1996

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iPhone
The iPhone could've been made by GE.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple Inc. and General Electric are two of the most iconic American companies of the last century, but back in 1996 they almost become one company as GE CEO Jack Welch considered buying the computer maker.

It would have only cost GE $2 billion and the current Apple CEO, Michael Spindler, was begging Welch to pull the trigger on the deal in order to save the struggling company.

Verizon adds $20 fee to all smartphone upgrades

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verizon-adds-20-fee-to-all-smartphone-upgrades-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads20160314777958118_8f2ab75b15_k-jpg
And there's no way around it.
Photo: Mike Mozart/Flickr CC
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And there’s no way around it. Photo: Mike Mozart/Flickr CC

Verizon will soon start charging a $20 fee for anyone upgrading their smartphone with pretty much no loopholes to get out of it. Yes, a carrier is introducing a new fee without much explanation and customers are forced to deal with it. Shocking, I know. The new fee goes into effect April 4.

Fill your Apple TV shortlist with Tribeca films

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Get your fill of high-quality film recommendations here.
Get your fill of high-quality film recommendations here.
Photo: Tribeca Shortlist

Looking to watch peerless films on your Apple TV? Look no further than Tribeca Shortlist, a service for film lovers that showcases a high-quality, curated list of films that are worth watching.

Already chosen as a Best New App for iPhone and iPad by Apple, Tribeca Shortlist is now available on the biggest screen in your home via Apple TV.

10 ways to break your iPhone

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iphone in boiling coke
There's more than one way to fry an iPhone.
Photo: TechRax/YouTube

Sometimes if your iPhone is just in too good condition, it helps to break it in a little. The initial scratch or screen break relieves a lot of pressure. But maybe you ran out of good ideas about how to break it. We’re here to help.

Delightfully retro RPG gets free expansion on iOS, Mac

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Bigger, better, role-playinger.
Bigger, better, role-playinger.
Photo: Paradox Interactive

Paradox Interactive’s hilarious send-up of fantasy tabletop gaming (think Dungeons and Dragons), Knights of Pen and Paper 2, has just gotten a new free expansion.

Called “Back to the Source,” it has two new character classes, higher level caps, an all new mega-dungeon, and a ton of funny stuff packed into it — all for free.

Apparently, the developers missed a saving roll for monetization today.

iOS 9.3.1 brings fix for iPhone-crashing web links

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Get your iOS device up to date fast and easy.
Get your iOS device up to date fast and easy.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

iPhone users suffering from crashing woes on iOS 9.3 are finally getting some relief. Apple has released iOS 9.3.1 to the public, bringing new bug fixes and performance improvements for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

The update comes more than a week after the release of iOS 9.3, which turned hyperlinks into crash bombs for some users.

Samsung’s smart trousers boast a Wi-Fly and get up alerts

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samsungs-smart-trousers-boast-a-wi-fly-and-get-up-alerts-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201603Internet-of-Trousers-jpg
What a glorious time to be alive!
Photo: Samsung
What a glorious time to be alive! Photo: Samsung
What a glorious time to be alive! Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s taking the Internet of Things to the next level with its new Internet of Trousers lineup.

The South Korean company’s smart pants come with cutting-edge wearable technologies like Wi-Fly, get up alerts, and fridge lock, which prevents you from overeating when it detects your waist line is expanding.

Jony Ive and Tony Fadell helped design this fancy $700 juicer

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The Juicero is like a Keurig for juicing.
The Juicero is like a Keurig for juicing.
Photo: Juicero

The iPod of juicers won’t be sold by Apple, but Jony Ive and former Apple exec Tony Fadell each helped design what could become the closest thing.

Juicero, a startup backed by Campbell Soup and Google, is launching the world’s first cold-press juicing system today, that takes the hassle out of liquifying raw vegetables by using juice packs to create a clean and simple press.

Basically, it’s like a Keurig, only it spits out delicious juice.

Upgrade your Mac’s skillset with these utility apps [Deals]

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Keep an eye on your home or office via webcam with this super useful app.
Keep an eye on your home or office via webcam with this super useful app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your Mac can do a lot right out of the box, but it can do more. A lot more. Look no further than these four premium apps for expanding the utility of your favorite computing machine. We’ve found big savings on apps for remaining distraction free while working, saving or working with online video, keeping an eye on your home or office via webcam, and more.

Take a look:

Make killer presentations on your iPhone with FlowVella

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So much potential here.
So much potential here.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Whether you need to make something to show of your science project, make the sale, or help museum patrons understand a work of art, chances are you’ll need to make a slideshow that incorporates images, text and other media. Sometimes, you might even need to make one on the fly.

FlowVella is a free slideshow creation app that works on your Mac, iPad, and now iPhone for making killer presentations both at home and on the go. Here’s how.

March into fun with these hot new iOS games [Reviews]

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March yourself right into fun.
March yourself right into fun.
Photo: Stephen Smith/Cult of Mac

There’s nothing better than kicking back and playing an iOS game that respects your time, money and energy. Games that keep you entertained without costing you too much (especially at first) can be a great way to spend your time, whether you’re chilling on the couch at home, on the subway home after a long day at work, or waiting at the dentist’s office.

Here are all the hot new iOS games we found ourselves playing this month.

FBI will help unlock another iPhone in Arkansas murder trial

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google-facebook-and-others-following-apples-lead-on-encryption-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201601iPhone-6s-Live-Photos-jpg
Seized iPhone and iPod may contain crucial evidence, say prosecutors.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Having reportedly gained access to the iPhone 5c at the center of the San Bernardino shooting case, the FBI has agreed to use its newfound hacking abilities to aid an Arkansas prosecutor unlock an iPhone and iPod belonging to two teenagers who stand accused of murdering a couple.

Apple’s suppliers complain of lower than normal orders for Q2

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It seems neither the iPhone SE or 9.7-inch iPad Pro is driving much interest.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Tim Cook admitted back in January that Apple’s growth wasn’t going to be at usual stratospheric levels during the first three months of 2016. And, based on a new report, things aren’t likely to pick up too much in the April-June quarter, either.

Citing “industry sources,” chip orders placed by Apple to its suppliers are allegedly slower in the year’s second quarter than in the same three month period in previous years.

Think outside the box for super-fast iPad Pro charging

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iPad Pro
Have you picked up a cheap iPad Pro yet?
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

When it comes to charging 12.9-inch iPad Pro, you’re going to be better off thinking outside the box (it came in).

The larger, 29-watt USB-C charger is the one that should have come with the iPad Pro in the first place. It blows the 12-watt included charger out of the water so hard, you’re going to want to get one right now.

This week’s hottest deals on iPad Pro, Apple accessories, more

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These deals are hot, hot, hot!
These deals are hot, hot, hot!
Photos: Apple

One of Apple’s hottest products — the powerful new 9.7-inch iPad Pro, which Cult of Mac called the most important iPad since the original — is already selling at a discount.

We’ve got the scoop on that sale — plus sweet deals on other great gear, including refurbished MacBooks and spiffy Apple accessories — in this roundup of the best Apple deals you’ll find online this week.

Apple hits new milestones in annual supplier responsibility report

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A worker inspecting a MacBook Pro display.
A worker inspecting a MacBook Pro display.
Photo: Apple

Apple performed more accountability audits on its workforce last year that it ever has before, the company has revealed in its 10th annual Supplier Responsibility progress report that highlights the company’s efforts to improve working conditions for all people in its supply chain.

By zeroing in on the amount of hours employees are working, the iPhone-maker’s work-hour compliance rating hit an all-new high, and Apple was able to recoup $4.7 million in excessive recruitment fees for foreign contract workers.

6 ways to stop Facebook app from draining your iPhone battery

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If you're tired of the Facebook app draining your iPhone's battery, try these 6 easy tips!
If you're tired of the Facebook app draining your iPhone's battery, try these easy tips.
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnail Every day I hear at least one complaint about the Facebook app wreaking havoc on iPhone battery life. Unfortunately, this isn’t breaking news — it seems to re-surface, with a new level of severity, every couple of months. Not only does Facebook use tons of battery when left unchecked, it can also take up insane amounts of storage space on your iPhone.

This is exactly why I never let Facebook have permission to access … well, almost anything on my iPhone. Here are some tips that will help you stop the notorious Facebook iPhone battery drain.

Phew! Instagram update restores log out button

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You're not trapped in the same account forever after all.
Photo: Photo: Stephen Smith/Cult of Mac

Head into the App Store and get the latest Instagram update because it solves a huge problem: You can finally log out of your account. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be a breakthrough new feature, but it is now if you’ve been severely confused about how to escape lately.