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Google Maps finally lets iPhone users make pit stops

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Google-Maps-pit-stops iOS
Get it together, U-Stop.
Photo: Google

Android owners have been able to insert detours into their Google Maps routes since October, but now the company is letting iPhone users in on the cool feature.

Starting today, Google is rolling out “pit stop” functionality to the iOS version of its navigation app. The company says it will work in the over 100 countries in which it offers driving directions.

NY judge rules Apple can refuse to unlock iPhone

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iPhone 6 by hurk:Pixabay
The government's case against Apple may be starting to crack.
Photo: Hurk/Pixabay

A New York magistrate judge has said that the government can’t compel Apple to unlock an iPhone involved in a criminal investigation.

In a ruling filed today, Judge James Orenstein has said that he must “reject the government’s interpretation that the [All Writs Act] empowers a court to grant any relief not outright prohibited by law.” This decision is the latest development in a months-long case that may serve as a precursor to the iPhone maker’s larger confrontation with the FBI.

New iPad may pack better camera than iPad Pro

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The next iPad Air could have the same speaker setup as the iPad Pro.
The iPad Pro won't have the best camera for long.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple is rumored to unveil a new 9.7-inch iPad on March 21st, and while it may not pack as big a screen as the iPad Pro, it will be way better at taking photos and videos.

Rather than matching the iPad Pro camera, a new rumor claims Apple may give the new iPad the same sensors found in the iPhone 6s.

How to take better HDR photos with Hydra for iPhone

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Ever take a photo where the foreground is took dark or the background is way too bright? Hydra solves that problem for you.
Ever take a photo where the foreground is took dark or the background is way too bright? Hydra solves that problem for you.
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailThe iPhone has a great built-in camera. Unfortunately, the Camera app itself sometimes falls short. If you’ve ever taken a photo outside only to find the sky way too bright while everything else is way too dark, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Hydra for iPhone does a great job balancing tricky lighting situations. Here’s how it works and why I love it so much…

How to create cheap bullet-time effects using your iPhone and string

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All you need is string and an iPhone to create this effect.
All you need is string and an iPhone to create this effect.
Photo: Nicolas Vuignier

Swiss freeskier Nicolas Vuignier blew our minds with his incredible slinging iPhone contraption that creates killer bullet-time videos. Now he’s unleashing his creation called the Centriphone to the public and it’s surprisingly simple and super cheap to make.

Vuignier detailed the making of the Centriphone in a new video that runs through the seven different prototypes he tested for weeks before finally coming up with the perfect device that flies around its wielder while capturing jaw-dropping 360 degree video.

The best part of the Centriphone is Vuignier made it an open source project so now anyone can 3D print it at home. Even if you don’t own a 3D printer you can still buy one for just $39.

Here’s how to make your own:

8 alternative Uber logos that are better than the real deal

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uber-new-logo-app-icon
Some freelance designers wanted to help out this atrocity.
Photo: Uber

Given that Uber’s new brand and logo aren’t exactly winning any awards, Freelancer posted a contest for its designers to take a crack at giving the online taxi service a new look. The assignment was simply to submit your own idea of what Uber’s redesigned branding should look like. The site received 147 entries from 27 freelancers and the winner was awarded a cool $100.

Shortly after Uber announced its new logo, people took to Twitter to mock it mercilessly because it’s … well, just not that good. Several of the most popular logo submissions by freelancers are arguably miles better than Uber’s.

Check out the winning design, as well as several honorable mentions, below.

Facebook’s Moments app quietly adds video, new upload settings

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Now Moments lets you add video to your private albums.
Now Moments lets you add video to your private albums.
Photo: Moments App

Getting photos from your friends can be a hassle, but Facebook’s Moments app lets you do just that with a private area where everyone can send their photos from events. Think of it as a private photo album that all of your friends are invited to.

Videos are next, as Facebook’s Moments just got updated in the App store, adding a way to add your videos to existing moments, or creating new ones just for video.

Here’s what Apple’s top lawyer will tell Congress tomorrow

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook and Apple aren't backing down.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple’s general counsel Bruce Sewell is set to appear before the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow, when he’ll go toe-to-toe with FBI Director James Comey over whether the bureau should be allowed to force Apple to create a backdoor into iOS.

Tim Cook already explained Apple’s argument against the FBI’s orders, but today the company revealed what will be Sewell’s opening remarks before Congress unloads a barrage of questions — and he’s got some pretty big questions of his own for lawmakers to consider.

5 iOS games that’ll make you leap to the App Store [Reviews]

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Best new iOS games February 2016
Which new iOS games made the cut this month?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Today is February 29, which is always a little confusing. It’s cool that we get an extra day in the year (kinda), but we aren’t ever sure what to do with it. Do we keep acting like it’s crappy February, or should we get even more anxious for halfway-decent March? And why haven’t we filed our taxes yet?

We don’t know, but if you’re looking for a way to spend your Leap Day, here are some of the best iOS games from the past month.

Android Pay is taking its fight against Apple Pay international

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android-pay-is-taking-its-fight-against-apple-pay-international-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201509Android-Pay-png
Android Pay is expanding its reach.
Photo: Google
Android Pay is expanding its reach. Photo: Google
Android Pay is expanding its reach. Photo: Google

Android Pay, which made its debut in the U.S. just five months ago, is already gearing up to take its fight against Apple Pay international.

The U.K. will be the second market served by Google’s mobile payments system, according to a new report — and Britons will be able to sign up by the end of March.

This is how Steve Jobs tricked people into working for him

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walt-mossberg-steve-jobs
No one says 'no' to Steve Jobs.
Photo: Joi Ito/Flickr CC

Going into a big job interview can be an incredibly nerve-wracking experience, but when Steve Jobs is doing the questioning, the tension ramps up to an all-new level.

The Apple co-founder was notoriously difficult to work for, thanks to his intense demands. Being interviewed by Steve for a job was even worse, because as one former Pixar employee explains, the Apple CEO pretty much wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.

Apple’s privacy fight with FBI could land Tim Cook in jail

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iPhone 6s
And all this over one iPhone!
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

With Apple not yet willing to accept court orders to unlock the iPhone at the center of the San Bernardino shooing case, legal experts are weighing in on what penalties the company (and, conceivably, Tim Cook) may face if the parties involved refuse to do so.

The answer? Anything from some pretty big fines to jail-time for Apple’s CEO.

Expand your Mac’s functionality and its storage at the same time [Deals]

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Add 128 gigs of storage and the ability to run Windows and Linux on your Mac.
Add 128 gigs of storage and the ability to run Windows and Linux on your Mac.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Talk about a power couple — this bundle comes with a pair of tools that expand the capacity and functionality of your Mac. Add 128 gigs of secure and fast storage, and run Windows or Linux alongside OSX on your Mac. It’s a massive upgrade for just $199.

Take a look at what’s included:

Microsoft takes aim at Macs in latest Windows 10 ads

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Screen Shot 2016-02-29 at 15.00.01
As this, err, slow-moving creepy crawly shows.
Photo: Microsoft

The rivalry between Apple and Microsoft may not be as fierce as it once was, but that’s not stopped the long-time Apple frenemy from firing shots in Cupertino’s direction in its latest series of ads for Windows 10.

Presented by two insect educators called “The Bug Chicks” (because, obviously, Windows and bugs go together perfectly!), the ads look at various features that Apple computers just don’t offer yet. You know, like that whole “blue screen of death” lark.

How Apple’s favorite reviewer convinced Jobs to bring iTunes to PC

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iPod-man
If you used an iPod on PC, you can thank Walt Mossberg.
Photo: Apple

Bringing the iPod to the PC was one of the keys to making Apple’s breakthrough music player the ubiquitous mega-hit that it became. But, as with the decision to allow an App Store on iOS, then-CEO Steve Jobs wasn’t exactly on-board with the idea from the start.

In fact, according to a new interview with Nest CEO (and former Apple executive) Tony Fadell, it virtually turned into a “knock-down, drag-out” battle between the pro-PC camp at Apple and Jobs.

Until Walt Mossberg, of all people, managed to break the deadlock.

Apple keeps ‘Think different’ slogan alive with renewed trademark

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ThinkDifferent
Still crazy after all these years!
Photo: Apple

Almost a decade-and-a-half after Apple last used its “Think different” advertising slogan, a trademark update proves the company does not plan to retire its iconic mantra. The company recently updated its claim to the “Think different” trademark for the first time since 2009 with a new European Patent and Trademark Office filing.

Steve Jobs comes up short at the Oscars

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Michael Fassbender as Steve Jobs.
You like me, you really like... wait a second!
Photo: Universal Pictures

Bringing its award season to a shuddering halt, Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs biopic had a disappointing night Sunday at the Oscars — with its two nominations failing to turn into wins.

Assassin’s Creed, Art Authority, and other awesome apps of the week

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If you're appy and you know it, check our list!
If you're appy and you know it, check our list!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The weekend’s halfway gone already, but if you fancy a lazy Sunday getting up to date with the very best apps available for your Apple device, Cult of Mac has your back.

From great games to a superb email client or 100,000 artistic masterpieces at your fingertips, check out our picks below — spanning iPad, iPhone and even Apple TV.

It’s easier to speak freely knowing your phone is secure [Deals]

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Guardlock makes it easy to protect the content of your phone calls and stay anonymous.
Guardlock makes it easy to protect the content of your phone calls and stay anonymous.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last few years, it’s that our communications devices are not secure. Guardlock makes sure that at least you can make a phone call without feeling like the walls have ears. It’s peace of mind you can get a lifetime subscription to for  for just $99.

Leaked iPhone SE screen assembly shows it’s missing one key feature

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The iPhone SE is on the left, the iPhone 6s is on the right. What's missing?
The iPhone SE is on the left, the iPhone 6s is on the right. What's missing?
Photo: Nowhereelse.fr

Earlier today, we heard some disappointing news: The 4-inch iPhone SE probably won’t come with 3D Touch, Apple’s new force-sensitive touchscreen technology. Now, a leaked screen assembly purported to be of the iPhone SE seems to confirm that report as being true. Bummer!

Apple event for iPhone SE, new iPad to take place March 21

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Apple takes second spot in list of UK's best employers
The keynote is right around the corner.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

It appears we know just about for sure the date of Apple’s upcoming press event, and it’s probably not what you expected. Apparently, the Apple event to unveil the 4-inch iPhone SE and new iPad will happen on Monday, March 21. The rumor floated around a bit Friday morning, but now we have a much more confident report coming from BuzzFeed.