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Don’t be afraid of Python; charm it instead [Deals]

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These 7 courses, with more than 50 hours of instruction, are all you need to demystify Python.
These 7 courses, with more than 50 hours of instruction, are all you need to demystify Python.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Python lives up to its name as one of the most flexible and far-reaching languages in web development. Like all coding languages, it can seem like an intimidating prospect to learn and master, but with this comprehensive boot camp you’ll find it’s more accessible than you thought. It clocks in at more than 50 hours of hands-on instruction, and you can get it now for just $39.

An exoskeleton named Phoenix removes cost as a barrier to walking

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an-exoskeleton-named-phoenix-removes-cost-as-a-barrier-to-walking-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201602Phoenix001-jpg
Steve Sanchez says the Phoenix is a breakthrough in exoskeleton comfort. “This is the first suit I’ve tried where I don’t feel like I am riding a robot," he said.
Photo: SuitX
Steve Sanchez says the Phoenix  is a breakthrough in exoskeleton comfort. “This is the first suit I’ve tried where I don’t feel like I am riding a robot," he said. Photo: SuitX
Steve Sanchez says the Phoenix is a breakthrough in exoskeleton comfort. “This is the first suit I’ve tried where I don’t feel like I am riding a robot,” he said. Photo: SuitX

Dr. Homayoon Kazerooni has created bionic machinery that can help a person rise out of a wheelchair and walk. Yet, there’s one barrier preventing some people from walking – cost.

This week, Kazerooni’s work takes an important step forward. His company, SuitX debuted a lightweight exoskeleton, dubbed Phoenix, for people with mobility disorders at an initial price of $40,000, about two to four times cheaper than other devices.

Microsoft is acquiring SwiftKey for rumored $250 million

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Microsoft snaps up another hot app.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Microsoft snaps up another hot app. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
Microsoft snaps up another hot app. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Microsoft is acquiring SwiftKey, London-based makers of the popular virtual keyboard for Android and iOS, in a deal rumored to be worth $250 million.

SwiftKey insists it will continue to develop its keyboard for both platforms going forward — and it will remain free.

How to maximize your El Capitan windows without going full screen

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Don't let OS X windows take over your whole screen.
Don't let OS X windows take over your whole screen.
Photo: Luke Chesser/Unsplash

It used to be that if you wanted to zoom any window on your Mac to see as much of the content inside it as possible, you’d hit OS X’s green button in the upper left of the window.

As of OS X Yosemite, the green button turned into a “full screen” trigger, zooming any window out to completely fill your Mac’s monitor.

If you hate that behavior, here’s an easy way to get the original zoom feature without the full screen.

Apple is spending lots of time at Stanford’s VR lab

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VR may be happening soon, and Apple might want to jump in.
VR may be happening soon, and Apple might want to jump in.
Photo: Sergey Galyonkin/Wikipedia CC

Apple may not have shown much interest in diving into virtual reality over the past few years, but the director of Stanford’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab says the company has shown some intense interest in the space recently.

Speaking at a technology conference this week, Jeremy Bailenson revealed that Apple employees have become regulars in his lab recently — and they won’t say why.

You’ll love this utterly charming math puzzle game

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With a game this great, even non-puzzler fans will have a good time.
With a game this great, even non-puzzler fans will have a good time.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

I’m not a fan of abstract puzzle games, which makes it quite a surprise how much I’m enjoying twofold inc., a fairly abstract puzzle game that challenges you to match colors with a bit of math.

Did I mention I don’t like math games, either? What gives?

DJ Khaled is getting his own Apple Music show

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khaled

Photo: DJ Khaled/Instagram

One of the biggest producers in hip hop (and Snapchat) is coming to Beats 1 Radio.

DJ Khaled revealed on Instagram that he has signed a deal to produce a weekly show for Apple Music called ‘We The Best’ that will broadcast every Friday night. To kick things off, Khaled is going big by exclusively debuting Future’s entire new album Purple Reign.

Check out the trailer below:

Uber’s new logo sure is a bit bizarre

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Uber's new app icon is already getting insults.
Photo: Uber

Uber dropped a surprise announcement today that it has completely changed its logo and branding. The new logo is only slightly modified, featuring an altered font with letters that are closer together. The bigger news is the new app icon reflecting a total branding change. People already aren’t thrilled with it.

The picture you see above is indeed using the new Uber icon. It’s supposed to represent very small, simple forms of matter and technology coming together: atoms and bits.

Best email apps for iPhone

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When the stock email isn't enough anymore, give these mail app alternatives a try.
When the stock email isn't enough anymore, give these mail app alternatives a try.
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailTraditional email isn’t for everyone, and neither is the built-in Mail app for iPhone. If your email needs are minimal, the Mail app works just fine. However, if you live and breathe mail, you’ll want something that helps you triage faster. These are currently the best mails apps available for iPhone.

Badgers and bats halt Apple’s Irish data center plans

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Not an Irish bat, but cute anyway.
Not an Irish bat, but cute anyway.
Photo: Anton Croos / CC Wikimedia

Apple’s plans for a new €850 million data center in Ireland have been put on hold after nearby residents appealed the recent decision to grant Apple rights to build there.

The complaint cites increased traffic and noise due to construction, but also claims that nearby bats and badgers, protected species that live in the nearby forest, will be significantly impacted.

The planning appeals board hopes to have a decision on the objections and make a final call sometime this month.

Apple Watch may get an ‘S’ upgrade in March

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Apple Watch
Get your Apple Watch ready for your new iPhone.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The iPhone might not be the only device getting an incremental upgrade at Apple’s next keynote, which is rumored to take place March 15.

In a note to investors this morning, Apple analyst Gene Munster claims Apple Watch may get a slight hardware upgrade this spring that will include a better processor, improved battery life and other new internal components.

Apple Watch credited for explosive growth in wearable market

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Chances are you'll see quite a few more of these in the coming years.
Chances are you'll see quite a few more of these in the coming years.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Makers of wearable electronics need to thank the Apple Watch for the rapidly growing wearable market, itself poised to see even more stunning gains in the coming year.

“From 2015 through 2017, smartwatch adoption will have 48 percent growth largely due to Apple popularizing wearables as a lifestyle trend,” said Angela McIntyre, director at research firm, Gartner.

Apple is finally giving iPhone users a taste of VR

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The iPhone looks good inside the View-Master VR headset.
The iPhone looks good inside the View-Master VR headset.
Photo: Apple

Apple is supposedly working furiously on product ideas to enter the Virtual Reality market. There have even been reports of several prototypes of VR headsets created by a secret research team said to be comprised of hundreds of engineers.

If Apple has been mind-bogglingly quiet about VR, it did offer a sign of interest recently when the View-Master VR headset appeared for sale on Apple’s website.

You should never go online without protection [Deals]

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ZenMate offers protection and anonymity when you browse online, even via public Wi-Fi networks.
ZenMate offers protection and anonymity when you browse online, even via public Wi-Fi networks.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We all know that the Internet can be a dangerous place, but too few of us ever do anything about it. One of the best and easiest way to ensure a safe and private online experience is to connect through a virtual private network, and few are better than ZenMate VPN. And right now you can get a lifetime premium subscription for just $49.

Google wants its Nexus phones to be more like the iPhone

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The official Google phone is coming.
The official Google phone is coming.
Photo: Google
Google could make its own iPhone rivals. Photo: Google
Google could make its own iPhone rivals. Photo: Google

Google’s flagship Nexus 6P delivered significant design improvements last year, putting its hardware on par with the best devices from rival manufacturers. But Google wants the Nexus lineup to be even more like the iPhone.

To make that happen, the company will reduce its reliance on third-party manufacturing partners like Huawei and LG and assume greater control over Nexus hardware, according to one report.

How to get better deals while shopping online with PriceRadar for iPhone

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No matter what you're shopping online for, PriceRadar can help ensure you get the best possible deal.
No matter what you're shopping online for, PriceRadar can help ensure you get the best possible deal.
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailFrom tech gadgets to clothes to our favorite tv shows and movies, prices for our favorite things are constantly changing online. If time isn’t an issue, I can show you how to get fantastic deals with only one iPhone app — PriceRadar by Francesco Zerbinati. Once set up, you can easily track price drops effortlessly. Here’s how…

Apple has reached testing phase of dual-lens camera samples

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Apple is reportedly testing dual-lens cameras from three different companies.
Apple is reportedly testing dual-lens cameras from three different companies.
Photo: Computerbild.de

Apple is apparently reviewing samples of dual-lens cameras that may go into a version of the iPhone 7.

A tech website based in Taiwan reported Tuesday that Largan Technology, which currently supplies Apple with the bulk of its smartphone cameras, is one of three companies to submit samples.

Apple plans March 15 event for iPad Air 3 and iPhone 5se unveiling

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iPad Air 3 will pick up some tricks from the iPad Pro.
iPad Air 3 will pick up some tricks from the iPad Pro.
Photo: Apple

The grand unveiling of Apple’s newest iPad and iPhone is reportedly just over a month away.

Although the iPhone-maker usually waits until fall to reveal its latest and greatest iOS devices, a new report claims Apple has set its sights on March 15 as the date for its first big keynote of 2016.

Alphabet tops Apple to become world’s most valuable company

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Google logo
Google's logo
Photo: Google

Google’s parent company Alphabet is now the most valuable company in the world, passing Apple in market capitalization today in after hours trading.

This is the first time since February of 2010 that Google has passed Apple in value. The Cupertino-based iPhone maker has held the top spot since 2013 when it passed Exxon Mobile, but thanks to a strong earnings report today, Alphabet has rocketed to the top.

User-friendly soundtrack app easily helps you ‘score’

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Easy and powerful music creation.
Easy and powerful music creation.
Photo: Filmstro

Need to add that special musical magic to your short film or home video, but know next to nothing about film scoring or playing an instrument?

Filmstro’s got your back with a super easy-to-use Mac app that will let you create powerful, custom soundtracks simply and easily without needing to know how to compose or write music.

Best iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch accessories for frequent travelers

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7 must-have accessories for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch owner on the go.
7 must-have accessories for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch owner on the go.
Photo: Unsplash

app-factor-logo-thumbnailI travel frequently, both for work and for pleasure. Over the past few years I’ve found certain accessories I just can’t live without. Whether I’m walking out the door to a coffee shop or I am getting on a plane and need to pack more serious gear, these are the travel accessories I couldn’t live without when it comes to iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.