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Close up with Apple’s new spaceship campus Theatre

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The roof to Apple's theater looks like a UFO.
The roof to Apple's theater looks like a UFO.
Photo: Apple

Starting in 2017, all of Apple’s keynotes will be held in an amazing new theater in the heart of the spaceship campus, but you don’t have to wait until next year to see what it will look like.

Apple has given curious minds an early look at the 120,000-square-foot subterranean auditorium it has dubbed ‘The Theatre’. Once completed the venue will have a capacity of 1,000 seats below what the company believes is the world’s largest freestanding carbon-fiber roof ever made.

Rugged headphones are on-ear and on-point [Reviews]

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NAD VISO HP30 on-ear headphones offer RoomFeel technology.
NAD VISO HP30 on-ear headphones offer RoomFeel technology.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Best List: NAD VISO HP30 Headphones

I thought I knew myself pretty well by now. Boxer briefs instead of boxers or briefs. Surf before turf. Toilet paper over and not under. And over-the-ear headphones well before on-ear or in-ear.

But the NAD Viso HP30s have me questioning my allegiances to over-the-ear.

Apple seeds new betas for iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and OS X

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iOS 9.3 beta 6 is here!
iOS 9.3 beta 6 is here!
Photo: Apple

Less than a week after dropping a big batch of new software on developers and public testers, Apple is back with a sixth beta build of iOS 9.3 as well as new betas for watchOS, tvOS, and OS X El Capitan.

The software updates bring a host of new features to developers and public testers the iPhone like NightShift mode, folders on Apple TV, multiple Apple Watch pairings on one iPhone, improved Apple News and Apple Music apps, and some great education features for iPad.

Here’s a preview of some of the new goodies:

There’s never been a better time to learn digital design [Deals]

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Learn the principles of responsive web design using HTML5, CSS3 and Bootstrap 3.
Learn the principles of responsive web design using HTML5, CSS3 and Bootstrap 3.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Underpinning the most effective businesses of today is great design. Whether its the way a product is engineered, the way a website operates, the way a game plays, or any other digitally rendered experience, learning the principles of digital design are critical skills that can improve and resume. Below you’ll find massively discounted bundles of invaluable knowledge on all facets of today’s design landscape, but get in on it now — these deals won’t last long.

Apple forced to pay $450 million after Supreme Court rejects e-book appeal

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Apple's eBook appeal is just getting started. Photo: Apple
Apple's e-book legal battle is finally over.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s nearly three year legal battle over charges that it conspired with publishers to raise the price of e-books is finally coming to end.

This morning the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Apple’s appeal, which leaves the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in place. Apple will finally have to pay $450 million as part of the settlement.

NYPD chief: iOS is a gift to ‘kidnappers, robbers and murderers’

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iPhone mobile encryption touch id
Public enemy no. 1?
Photo: Olly Browning/Pixabay

Making it sound like the 2016 version of a souped-up getaway car, NYPD counter-terrorism chief John Miller described iOS as the perfect tool for “kidnappers, robbers and murderers” in a recent interview — all due to its uncrackable privacy policy.

“You are actually providing aid to [felons] who have actually been recorded on the telephones in Riker’s Island telling their compatriots on the outside, ‘You gotta get iOS 8. It’s a gift from God,’ — and that’s a quote — ‘because the cops can’t crack it,’” he said — referring to Apple’s current privacy standoff with the FBI.

Smartphone fingerprint scanners fooled by inkjet printer

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smartphone-fingerprint-scanners-fooled-by-inkjet-printer-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201603inkjet-fingerprints-png
It’s as easy as that!
Photo: Michigan State University
inkjet fingerprint
It’s as easy as that! Photo: Michigan State University

Your fingerprint is supposed to be the most secure method of locking your smartphone, but that’s not the case if your device can be easily fooled. Researchers have been able to hack those from Samsung and Huawei using only an inkjet printer and conductive ink.

Not groovy: iPhone users receive undeletable emails from 1970

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disco
Received any emails from the '70s lately?
Photo: Ste Smith

A strange iOS glitch has some iPhone and iPad users complaining after they received undeletable emails dated January 1, 1970.

The emails in question are blank, with no subject or content — which means that sadly we’re not in line for scalper messages about tickets to the farewell concert of Diana Ross and The Supremes (which took place that month), or reminders about meetings we’re very, very late to.

FBI’s iPhone backdoor could cause companies to flee U.S.

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iPhone hack
There are plenty of ways the FBI's demands hurt the U.S.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

There’s no shortage of possible repercussions to Apple’s current standoff with the FBI, regarding whether or not the company should create a backdoor to help unlock iPhones involved with potential terrorist or criminal cases.

But while Apple (and others) have argued that this represents a damaging blow against privacy, a recently-filed amacus brief in support of Apple by former secure technology company Lavabit has a more direct example of how the FBI’s demands may hurt America: by driving tech companies offshore to avoid having their reputations damaged.

iPhone 6s destroys brand new Galaxy S7 in speed test

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iphone-6s-destroys-brand-new-galaxy-s7-edge-in-speed-test-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201602galaxy-s7-edge-leak-jpg
The S7 Edge shows that on-paper specs aren't everything!
Photo: Evan Blass
The S7 Edge shows that on-paper specs aren't everything! Photo: Evan Blass
The S7 Edge shows that on-paper specs aren’t everything! Photo: Evan Blass

Samsung’s new Galaxy S7 edge isn’t officially out until later this week, but according to some early out-of-the-box speed test comparisons it’s doesn’t fare too well against the six-month-old iPhone 6s Plus — despite having twice the RAM of Apple’s 2GB handset.

Check out the video below:

Craig Federighi on why FBI’s backdoor demands are so harmful

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Hair Force One wants everyone to become a coder.
Cray-Fed says the FBI wants us to return to a world of iOS 7-level security.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s battle with the FBI, over whether it should create a backdoor to allow for the hacking of iPhones, is one of the biggest stories in tech right now.

Over the weekend, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, took to the pages of the Washington Post for an impassioned op-ed about how hard Apple works to stay ahead of criminals and terrorists who want to infiltrate its systems — and why the FBI and Justice Department’s proposed solution to the problem is so “disappointing.”

Stealthy malware will hold your Mac ransom

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Apple takes a hacksaw to estimated trade-in values for its devices
A rare security threat aimed at Mac users.
Photo: Pictures of Money/Flickr CC

Torrenters beware! The first ransomware attack on Mac users in the wild has been discovered, “courtesy” of Transmission, a BitTorrent client for Mac.

The torrent service received a major update last week, but it unfortunately the new software happened to be infected with ransomware, which went on to quietly install itself on the the Macs of everyone who downloaded the update from Transmission’s website.

Hound, Thumb Drift, and other awesome apps of the week

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appsoftheweek_1024
Have an 'appy weekend all!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you’re looking to unwind this fine Sunday by sampling the latest App Store delectables for your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, look no further: Cult of Mac has your hookup!

Whether you’re on the hunt for a fun racing game, a new and surprisingly great alternative to Siri, or a promising photo and video-editing app created by a 16-year-old dev, we’ve got what you’re searching for.

Check out our picks below. You won’t be disappointed.

Tools for getting the most out of WordPress [Deals]

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Get 36 premium responsive WordPress themes, with more added every month.
Get 36 premium responsive WordPress themes, with more added every month.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you work on the web, you’re going to encounter WordPress (if you’re reading this, you already have). Whether you want to build your own site or get hired to build or maintain one for someone else, we’ve gathered some massively discounted tools, skills, and certifications that are guaranteed to help you out.

Take a look for yourself:

Check out this week’s best apps for your Mac [Deals]

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Run the most comprehensive diagnostic tests available to keep your Mac running smoothly.
Run the most comprehensive diagnostic tests available to keep your Mac running smoothly.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Another week, another grip of great apps. Whether you’re looking to keep your computer running in top shape, fix your spotty wifi, or stay focused and productive, we’ve got apps you’ll love at prices you can’t resist.

Take a look for yourself:

Rumors of a super-slim iPhone 7 plus our list of most-wanted features on The CultCast

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Sneeze and it's gone: iPhone 7 may be super-duper thin.
Sneeze and it's gone: iPhone 7 may be super-duper thin.
Concept designs by: Yasser Farahi

This week on The CultCast: Rumors point to an insanely thin iPhone 7, but what about battery life? Plus: Our list of most-wanted iPhone 7 features; why only some of us are excited for iPhone SE; why the new iPad may have a killer new camera; and if you want to hear Leander complain about Mariah Carey and Maroon 5, stay tuned for Leander Loves Pop!

Thinner iPhones, Mac malware and 10 mobile Safari tips you need to know

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Thin is in, baby.
Thin is in, baby.
Cover Design: Stephen Smith/Cult of Mac

With Bendgate not that far behind us, is it really wise for Apple to contemplate an even thinner iPhone?

Sure, it’s an easy selling point for new iPhones, but thinner can also mean more bendable. Take a look at this age-old Apple theme in this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine, along with 10 fantastically useful mobile Safari tips, a way to find out if you’ve been infected by sneaky adware, five amazingly great new iOS games, and some awesome product reviews to help inform your purchasing plans.

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

Here are the top stories of the week:

‘AppleSupport’ has been tweeting like tweens

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AppleSupport Twitter
AppleSupport is open for every question on Twitter.
Photo: Twitter

It’s only been around for about 33 hours, and it was off for nine of them, but Apple’s official support Twitter account has averaged about 1.8 tweets per minute since it premiered yesterday morning.

That amounts to a total (as of this writing) of 3,492 posts, most of which are in direct reply to iDevice users who could use a hand.

Not that into him? Tinder lets you hook up your pals

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It's the sharing economy, ok?
It's the sharing economy, ok?
Photo: Tinder

Swipe left for no, swipe right for yes. That’s how Tinder used to work.

Now you’ll be able to send Tinder profiles along to your friends, playing matchmaker along the way, with a little tap on a Share icon, which is rolling out to users as we speak.

When you find that cute person you think would be perfect for your BFF, you can now send his or her Tinder profile along. You’ll get dibs at the front table for the wedding, of course.

3 awesome endless runners for iOS, all under $3

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Endless runners can provide hours of entertainment. Here are 3 worth having, all for under $3!
These endless runners will provide hours of entertainment.
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailEndless runner games have done exceptionally well on the App Store for a long time. I was introduced to the concept when I played Mirror’s Edge on the PlayStation, and have been hooked on this type of game ever since.

Endless runners leave you little time to make decisions, and that makes these games exciting — and sometimes frustrating!

Should Apple deliver an ‘iPhone Pro’ in 2016? [Friday Night Fights]

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iPhone Pro
Or is it a terrible idea?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

As Apple prepares to take on its first quarter of falling iPhone sales, we’re all wondering what it will do to prevent another one. Some sources say the Cupertino company has something special up its sleeve for this fall’s iPhone refresh.

Friday-Night-Fights-bug-2No, I’m not talking about the 4-inch iPhone SE; I’m referring to the rumored “iPhone Pro,” a second Plus-sized iPhone that will pack two rear-facing cameras and other nice new features aimed at professional photographers — and those who lust after Pro Apple products.

But would an iPhone Pro be a good idea? Would it boost iPhone sales and breathe new life into Apple’s smartphone lineup, or would it simply create confusion?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight between Cult of Android and Cult of Mac as we bicker like schoolchildren over those questions and more!

Finally, a cable organizer that looks good (and actually works)

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Smart-Spools are possibly the most effectively designed solution for keeping your headphones and cables organized.
Smart-Spools are possibly the most effectively designed solution for keeping your headphones and cables organized.
Photo: Darryl Bueckert © 2016

This post is brought to you by Avi, maker of Smart-Spools.

“Cable organizers” is one of those useful product categories that no one can quite seem to get right. The engineering problem seems simple enough: Give me a way to neatly wrap up and stow my peripherals, like earbuds and power cables, ideally in a form that’s compact and not overly complicated to use.

Many have tried, but too often — whether due to improper sizing or an emphasis on form over function — cable organizers end up being less convenient than simply wrapping your headphones around a few fingers and stuffing them in your pocket.

Smart-Spools finally got it right, though.

Virtually indestructible backup battery gets you off the grid for longer [Reviews]

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Rugged, powerful, portable.
Rugged, powerful, portable.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Best List: GoBatt 12000 Rugged Portable Backup Battery by Scoche

Once a year, I head into the backwoods outside of Anchorage and spend a week or so at a public-use cabin by a lake to unplug and clear my head of the necessary evils of urban living.

There’s no running water, no electricity, no internet. It’s delightful, but it takes some planning to keep my iPhone charged up in case of emergency.

I can’t wait to take this rugged, high-capacity, waterproof backup battery with me this year, as it’s the perfect companion for a modern outdoor adventure.

Thimbleweed Park will recapture the glory days of adventure gaming

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Agent Scully, is that you?
Agent Scully, is that you?
Photo: Thimbleweed Park

Ready to get your adventure game on? Thimbleweed Park, coming later this year, could be your ticket to doing just that.

Back in 1987, Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick created Maniac Mansion, the classic LucasArts adventure tale. Now they’re back with Thimbleweed Park, a charming indie adventure game that hopefully brings the genre into the modern world, leaving behind the random puzzles and dead ends of days past.

Check out the new trailer below to see what’s headed our way.