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Apple is operating a secret lab to develop new iPhone screens

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iPhone 6s 3d
Apple is moving yet more development in-house.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple has opened a secret production lab in northern Taiwan, developing screens for future iOS devices, a new report claims.

The company has reportedly hired talent from display makers AU Optronics and Qualcomm — the latter company having previously operated the building. By running its own display manufacturing facility, Apple hopes to reduce its reliance on third party suppliers such as Samsung, LG Display, Sharp, and Japan Display.

Is this the first ‘official band app’ for Apple TV?

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Just as good as real medicine.
Just as good as real medicine.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Androgynous English rockers Placebo just claimed the honor of landing the first “artist” app on the new Apple TV. The free Placebo app is designed to deliver an “immersive” experience for fans while they remain ensconced on their couches.

Ultimately the app, which was released Monday, lets you watch music videos, live video of the band and “exclusive content” from the Placebo archives, all in your very own home.

Pro Tip: Use Apple Watch to send friends your exact location

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Sending your location is just a tap and a press away.
Sending your location is just a tap and a press away.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Pro_Tip_Cult_of_MacOne of the cooler features of having a pocket computer like the iPhone is being able to send a friend your location via Messages. Just a couple of taps on the iPhone and you can let anyone know where you’re at. It’s easy and super useful when you need to get a group together at a specific location.

The Apple Watch has a similar feature, which lets you do the very same thing without ever having to pull your iPhone out of your pocket.

Here’s how.

FAA will force fliers to register drones before Christmas

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Drones and HD cameras are affordable, giving everyone a chance to make beautiful, cinematic video.
Drones and HD cameras are affordable, giving everyone a chance to make beautiful, cinematic video.
Photo: DJI

While you’re writing that thank you note to the Santa who bought you the quadcopter you’ve always wanted, you will also want to take a moment to register your aircraft with the FAA.

The registration rule was signed into law last month by the Federal Aviation Administration and any drone weighing between .55 pounds and 50 pounds must be registered starting Dec. 21.

Samsung is taking its patent fight with Apple to the Supreme Court

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Samsung
Samsung is making a last ditch effort to avoid paying Apple.
Photo: Jim Merithew / Cult of Mac

Samsung agreed to finally pay Apple $548 million for the patent infringement case the iPhone-maker won way back in 2012, but it appears Samsung has had a change of heart and is now taking the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The company filed a 219-page appeal to the Supreme Court today, claiming that the way U.S. courts handle patent lawsuits isn’t fair because juries aren’t given enough information on how to understand the patents. Samsung is also disputing the way patent damages are calculated, noting that if multiple firms sue a company for design patent issues, the company could have to pay multiple times the profit they actually made.

Bored at your job? NASA is looking for new astronauts

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The job of astronaut may require some travel.
The job of astronaut may require some travel.
Photo: NASA/Flickr CC

When companies list “frequent travel may be required” in their job postings, they usually mean flying business class to the annual convention in Omaha and staying at the airport Ramada.

It’s a good business practice to let candidates know this up front — especially when the company doing the hiring is NASA and the openings are for astronauts.

NASA announced Monday it is looking for people with the Right Stuff for work aboard the International Space Station and flights in new commercial spacecraft and well-traveled Russian Soyuz ships. Oh yeah, a trip to Mars is said to be in the works.

Star Trek: Beyond gets fast and furious in first trailer

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Kirk is back.
Kirk is back.
Photo: Paramount Pictures

Star Wars week is finally here, and what better way to celebrate The Force Awakens than with our first look at the next movie in the Star Trek series?

Paramount Pictures debuted the first trailer for Star Trek: Beyond, directed by Justin Lin of Fast & Furious fame. Kirk and the gang are back in action, and it looks like they’ve got a host of new aliens to contend with, including Idris Elba who’s dressed up as some lizard-like alien bad guy.

Check it out:

Expand the functionality of your Mac and mobile with these three apps [Deals]

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These three apps will boost your productivity immediately.
These three apps will boost your productivity immediately.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your tech has a lot of hidden potential, and sometimes unlocking it is just about getting the right app. We’ve gathered three potent productivity-enhancing applications that’ll enhance the way you talk to your computer, capture what’s on its screen, and play videos of any kind on your mobile device.

Investigation into Apple’s Irish tax practices delayed to 2016

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Apple raked in the cash last quarter.
Apple is alleged to have benefitted from illegal tax sweeteners in Ireland.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Having previously said that a verdict on Apple’s Irish tax arrangements would be announced by Christmas, a new report reveals that an announcement won’t be made until February next year after all.

The reason for the delay is additional supplementary questions sent by E.C. investigators, concerning whether or not Apple potentially underpaid on billions of euros of tax in a so-called “sweetheart” deal. The additional questions may relate to a new line of inquiry in the long-running investigation.

Apple analyst thinks 2016 is the year iPhone sales finally crash

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iPhone 6s 3d
Will next year be the year iPhone sales start to decline?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple’s iPhone business may have been stronger than ever in 2015, but — never fear — the Apple doom predictors are never far away.

In this case, the doom report comes from Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty who predicts that iPhone sales will drop for the first time ever in 2016.

BBC’s iPlayer app is finally available on Apple TV

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bbc_iplayer_apple_tv
Just in time for Christmas, too.
Photo: Paul Dunlop

BBC’s iPlayer app has landed on Apple TV in the U.K., joining the other streaming set top boxes — such as Roku, Google Chromecast and Amazon’s Fire TV — for which it was already available.

The app includes a full catalog of programs from the past month, along with live-streaming of BBC TV stations, the ability to start watching a program on your iPhone or iPad and then switch to Apple TV or vice versa, and personalized recommendations.

Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour movie will debut exclusively on Apple Music

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Photo: Wanelo
Is Taylor Swift's reconciliation with Apple the first time she's gotten back with an ex?
Photo: Wanelo

Taylor Swift has announced that she will debut her new concert movie, The 1989 World Tour Live, on Apple Music — six months after her public spat with Apple over artist royalties.

“I have a little surprise for you,” Swift wrote on Twitter, with a link to the trailer of the upcoming behind-the-scenes concert documentary, which will also presumably include appearances from special tour guests such as Ellie Goulding, Justin Timberlake, Mick Jagger, and others.

It’s smart to play it safe with a second MagSafe 2 for your MacBook [Deals]

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MagSafe2
Do you have a backup plan?

If you’ve owned a MacBook for any amount of time, you know that the MagSafe charging brick has a limited lifespan. Besides getting scuffed up and grimy, the rubberized cables are prone to fray which is more than unsightly — the exposed power conducting wires can be dangerous. Add to that the risk of losing your MagSafe (which would never happen, right?), it’s a good idea to pick up this spare for almost half the normal price, only $42.99.

Gorgeous headphone amp isn’t just ear candy

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Lust List Oppo Amp
The Oppo headphone amplifier is almost as beautiful as the iPhone you're going to connect it to.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Best List: Oppo HA-2 portable headphone amplifier and DAC

What kind of audiophile nerd do you have to be to shell out 300 clams to “improve” your iPhone audio? Well, that’s what it is going to cost you to convert your digital audio into analog goodness with style.

You can find cheaper options than the Oppo HA-2 portable headphone amplifier, but few as elegant and sleek.

Great tech gift ideas for people on the go [Deals]

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This travel gear will make life easier for the road warriors on your gift list.
This travel gear will make life easier for the road warriors on your gift list.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

One of the best parts of modern tech is that you can take it anywhere. Not so great is how much traveling with technology can become complicated by, well, traveling, especially in the car. We’ve rounded up some of the best gift ideas for anyone who likes to get around and stay connected.

In Ghana, the global problem of e-waste has local consequences

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Loads of mobile phones end up in Ghana, where they may or may not be recycled properly.
Loads of mobile phones end up in Ghana, where they may or may not be recycled properly.
Photo: Agbogbloshie Makerspace Platform/Flickr CC

Consumers have a nasty habit of throwing out their electronics as soon as newer, shinier models become available, and they rarely ever do so properly. Nearly 42 million tons of e-waste — everything from microwaves and electric shavers to washing machines, laptops, cellphones, TVs and computer monitors — entered the global garbage stream in 2014, according to a United Nations University report.

Like all trash, this stuff doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it stacks up in landfills. Unlike most trash, however, e-waste is often packed with valuable components — as well as toxic chemicals and materials that can cause real damage wherever they end up.

This Slap Kirk game is the Shat

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The creators of this game have boldly gone where no one has gone before.
The creators of this game have boldly gone where no one has gone before.
Slap Kirk gif: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

You’d feel better if you could slap your boss. But common sense, workplace rules and a little thing called your bills remind you to check your rage.

A developer and a musician have teamed up to give us an authority figure we can slap silly. Will Capt. James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise do?

Cult of Mac Magazine: Hating on the iPhone battery case, Apple updates and much more

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CoMM Cover

Cover Design: Stephen Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple releases a new iPhone 6 battery case and everyone hates it. Poor Apple.

This week, we chronicle the beating Apple’s Smart Battery Case takes from the internet, including a look at its insides, how the internet questions Jony Ive’s sanity, and the history of ‘humped’ design at Apple. That, plus accessories just as ugly as the new case, Apples updates to every OS it makes, the things we really don’t need in Apple Watch 2, and how to choose the right running app.

All this and much, much more in this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine. Check out the top stories below.

Pro Tip: Easily edit your iPhone videos with Adobe Premiere Clip

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Cielo de la Paz can provide steady guidance on how to shoot video with the iPhone.
Cielo de la Paz can provide steady guidance on how to shoot video with the iPhone.
Photo: Cielo de la Paz

Pro_Tip_Cult_of_Mac You have so much great video footage on your iPhone, but therein lies the problem. The thought of sitting down at a computer to edit any of it seems like a mountain you have no time to climb.

Cielo de la Paz is happy to help you reach the summit – rather quickly, too. de la Paz is a fearless creator whose soulful wanderings with her iPhone camera inspired Apple to select some of her work for the “Shot on iPhone 6” advertising campaign.

AT&T launches 2-for-1 sale on iPhone 6s and Galaxy S6

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iPhone 6s colors
The iPhone 6s is a steal at this price.
Photo: Apple

It's time for an upgrade. Photo: Apple
It’s time for an upgrade. Photo: Apple

There’s never been a better time to scoop up the new iPhone 6s if you’re on AT&T.

The carrier announced this morning that it’s having a huge ‘buy one get one free’ promotion that includes top of the line Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 5, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

Pro Tip: How to get quick info in Apple Maps with 3D Touch

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Now it's even easier to get quick info on any business in Maps.
Now it's even easier to get quick info on any business in Maps.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Pro_Tip_Cult_of_Mac Maps is shaping up to be a pretty great navigational tool with its tight integration in iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan, as well as with much more error-free data.

I use Maps as a sort of mobile, digital yellow pages, finding businesses in town and looking up their phone number, hours of operation, website address, and more. It’s a couple of taps in, which can seem tedious after a while.

Now, though, with an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, you can get this info in a summarized form, using the new 3D Touch. Here’s how.

What happened to Apple’s faultless design?

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Are these signs of a larger design problem?
Are these things signs of a larger design problem?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Unlike any other consumer electronics company, Apple has been nailing product design for decades. Jony Ive and his incredibly talented team have produced countless iconic gadgets that rivals can only dream of, and it’s the biggest reason why the company is so successful today.

Friday-Night-Fights-bug-2But there are suggestions that Apple’s design prowess is beginning to slip away. Under new leadership, Apple has rolled out a number of products — most recently the butt-ugly Smart Battery Case — that have led some fans to question various design decisions.

Are those fans right to be concerned? Is it downhill from here for Apple’s design team, or is this a whole lot of fuss over nothing?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight between Cult of Android and Cult of Mac as we battle it out over those questions and more — and weigh in with your thoughts down in the comments section!