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Apple Pay says ‘G’day’ to Australia

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Apple Pay iPhone
Apple Pay finally an option for digital purchases.
Photo: Apple

Apple Pay has finally made its way to iPhone and Apple Watch users in the Land Down Under, but only if they’re using American Express.

One day after the mobile payments service launched in Canada, Apple has flipped the switch for Apple Pay in Australia, allowing iOS device owners to make payments at any retailer that accepts Amex contactless payments.

Here are some of the stores participating in the launch:

Bing’s redesigned iPhone app focuses on instant answers

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bing-iphone-app-redesign - 2
Bing's new app is both pretty and powerful.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft released a completely revamped Bing app for iPhone today with a redesigned home page and a much larger emphasis on instant answers to search queries. Finding what you’re looking for now takes much less time.  It’s possible that this release is a stepping stone to the iOS debut of Cortana, Microsoft’s answer to Google Now.

Learning to build 20 iOS games will cost you 20 bucks with this lesson bundle [Deals]

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This bundle of four lessons lets you cut your teeth on developing for iOS with 20 different games.
This bundle of four lessons lets you cut your teeth on developing for iOS with 20 different games.

If you think playing games is satisfying, try making them. Actually, try making 20. This bundle of four mobile game-making lessons from StackSkills usually goes for over $2,000. But right now the whole thing is just $20 at Cult of Mac Deals. Receive another 10% off with coupon code EARLY10.

Samsung Pay to beat Apple Pay to China next year

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samsung-pay-to-beat-apple-pay-to-china-next-year-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201508samsung-pay-jpg
Samsung Pay will expand next year. Photo: Samsung
Samsung Pay will expand next year. Photo: Samsung

Samsung is already fighting Apple Pay head on in the U.S., and now the South Korean company wants to beat it to new markets. A new report claims Samsung Pay will make its way to China, Spain, and the U.K. next year — only one of which is already supported by Apple Pay.

High-tech megaphone will translate your speech in real-time

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An airport worker holds the Megaphoneyaku, which can broadcast messages in three languages.
An airport worker holds the Megaphoneyaku, which can broadcast messages in three languages.
Photo: Tohru Watanabe/Mainichi Newspapers

A blaring megaphone is an effective way to get people’s attention. But what if the people in the room speak a multitude of languages?

A Tokyo airport is trying to solve the language gap with international travelers with a megaphone that lets the user communicate in three different languages. A worker speaking one of three languages, Chinese, Korean or English, can have their message broadcast in the other two.

Apple stock is a Must Buy, according to Goldman Sachs

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Apple raked in the cash last quarter.
Apple's untapped financial frontier could be software.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

I’ll never cease to be amazed by how Apple can announce record-beating quarters and introduce hit product after hit product, only for Wall Street to turn around and channel the old disapproving parental message of, “We’re not angry, just disappointed.”

Fortunately, Goldman Sachs has broken with tradition by issuing a note to clients with its strongest of recommendations that they buy AAPL stock — stamping it with a “conviction buy” rating, based on Apple’s potential for continued growth.

Apple begins selling official Watch charging dock

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Finally, a dignified way to charge your Apple Watch!
Photo: Apple

Apple today launched an official $79 charging dock for the Apple Watch, which functions both as a flat charging puck and in Nightstand mode — giving you the option of either charging your smartwatch in a flat position with the band open, or else on its side.

Stress test shows how tough it is to snap an Apple Pencil while it’s charging

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The Apple Pencil makes drawing on an iPad Pro incredibly precise.
Don't worry -- the Apple Pencil's pretty rugged.
Photo: Apple

One of the neatest features of the new Apple Pencil is its ability to easily charge it by plugging it into the Lightning port of your iPad Pro — with 15 seconds of charge giving you an impressive 30 minutes of use.

But how easy is it to break Apple’s high-tech stylus while it’s in this vulnerable position? In the long tradition of people buying the latest Apple products solely to break them carrying out informative stress tests for would-be customers, YouTuber Zach Straley recently picked up an Apple Pencil for this exact reason.

Check out the video below.

iOS 9 adoption runs out of steam after a starting sprint

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It's time to get ready for your iOS 9 upgrade.
iOS 9 adoption is starting to slow down.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

What does my performance in the gym have in common with iOS 9 adoption? Apparently the fact that both start strong, get a bit overconfident, and then run out of steam far too quickly.

That’s according to Apple’s latest developer figures, at least, which show that roughly 67 percent of eligible iOS users are currently upgraded to the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system.

Best Black Friday Apple ads: Crazy-cheap iPad mini you can buy right now!

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Black Friday header

Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac

Summary: Current-gen iPad mini with a $125 gift card, iPhone 6s and $250 gift card for $0, and more. Just avoid the Apple Store.

Despite Apple turning in bland Black Friday offerings year after year, the company’s products do see some crazy-good discounts this season. We’ve combed through all the available ads and hand-selected the very best of what you can expect to find this month.

If you are going to brave the store to try and get these deals, be warned: Apple deals disappear fast, so don’t get distracted. Once you’re inside or online, head straight to the Apple section.

Jony Ive: Why Apple Pencil won’t replace your finger on iPad Pro

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iPad Pro and Apple Pencil keep designers happy and eraser dust-free.
Apple Pencil has been one of the most-praised features of the iPad Pro.
Photo: iPad

Given that Apple Pencil critics love to whip out Steve Jobs’ quote about how, “If you see a stylus [on the iPad], they blew it,” it was always going to take a require a good reason for Apple to adopt the stylus, as it did for the iPad Pro.

In a new interview for design journal Wallpaper, Jony Ive lays out some of his thought process on the decision — which, from the sound of things, Apple didn’t exactly take lightly.

Google Maps takes on Yelp, offers prizes for local map experts

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google-maps-takes-on-yelp-offers-prizes-for-local-map-experts-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201511points-and-profile-fixed-3-jpg
Might as well earn some points and help people find cool stuff.  Photo: Google
Might as well earn some points and help people find cool stuff. Photo: Google

Google Maps offers a ton of local info when you use the navigation system on your Android or Apple smartphone, including local businesses, eateries, or interesting spots.

The company is expanding its Local Guides program in Google Maps, which will let you share your own discoveries directly to the map, making it more useful for others as well as competing with Yelp, which has a similar service.

But wait, there’s more. With every bit of local expertise you share with Google Maps through the Local Guides program, you’ll get points.

Real prints come to life with this app and printer

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Point your phone at a LifePrint print and watch the moment in motion.
Point your phone at a LifePrint print and watch the moment in motion.
Photo: LifePrint

The newspaper that covers the wizarding world of Harry Potter publishes photos that move on the page. For us Muggles, there’s LifePrint, a pocket-sized printer that brings a similar magical to our still photos.

The LifePrint device lets you embed a video inside a printed photograph, using augmented reality and requiring the viewer to point their smartphone at the picture to bring it to life.

Smart email app Spark coming to iPad and Mac

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Your Apple Watch is never going to be the device from which you reply to most of your messages, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have its part to play in helping you stay on top of your Inbox.Unlike the functionality of Apple’s own Mail app on the Apple Watch — which lets you only flag messages, mark them as unread, or delete them — Spark allows you reply to messages using quick responses or dictation. The accompanying iOS app is a great email tool in its own right.Download: Spark by Readdle (free)
Hopefully email will start to suck less on more devices.
Photo: Readdle

Readdle’s beloved Spark email app for iPhone and Apple Watch is also coming to the iPad and Mac. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that development is underway for the apps in an email to Cult of Mac. The iPad version will likely make its debut next month in December, while a Mac version is a little further down in the pipeline since it’s only currently in the planning stages.

Apple Black Friday Predictions: Doorbuster iPads and first deals on Apple Watch

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Apple Store, Fifth Avenue

TL:DR: Whatever you do, don’t shop the Apple Store sale.

While some Apple fans may think the only way to purchase iDevices is at full price, the truth is that the majority of Apple products will see various discounts, especially on Black Friday.

The trick is knowing where to look. In previous years, Apple authorized resellers have undercut Apple on Black Friday by as much as 13%, and this year will be no different. So before you spend a dime at the Apple Store, check out our Black Friday predictions to find out how you can get Cupertino’s tech at a fraction of the cost this year.

Kanga Hoodie sports single, iPad Pro-sized pocket

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Kanga Hoodie
The Kanga Hoodie contains the biggest pocket you've ever seen.
Photo: KickShark

The appropriately named Kanga Hoodie drops the recent trend of fitting as many little pockets as we can into everything in favor of one huge pocket that goes all the way around your body.

The project is looking for some cash from crowdfunding site Kickstarter to finish production, and it’s looking to do some good in the process.

Wacom’s Bamboo Fineline stylus delivers precision on the cheap

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Bamboo Fineline Stylus 1
Wacom is phasing this model out, but it's still a great product.
Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac

Best List: Bamboo Fineline 1 stylus by Wacom

Wacom is to graphics tablets what Kleenex is to facial tissues, so it’s no surprise that the company knows its way around a stylus. And the original version of the Bamboo Fineline is a great entry point for those looking to start drawing, sketching, and taking notes on their iPads.

Glance conference will take a long look at Apple Watch

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Chances are you'll see quite a few more of these in the coming years.
The attendees of the Glance conference are interested in what makes the Apple Watch tick.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

An upcoming summit aims to get to the bottom of what is going on with the Apple Watch.

The Glance conference, which describes itself as “the first conference on the business of Apple Watch” is going down in San Francisco next month. It will bring venture capitalists and industry insiders together to try to figure out the wearable.

New Apple TV ads showcase apps and games

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Apple TV might get exclusive TV shows.
Apple TV might get exclusive TV shows.
Photo: Apple

The new Apple TV is all about apps and games, so it makes sense that there are five new ads from Apple on its YouTube channel that are all about specific games and apps.

Check out the videos below for streaming media apps like Netflix and HBO, along with a trio of gaming titles, including Apple TV ads for Asphalt 8 from Gameloft, mega-hit casual Crossy Road from Hipster Whale, and Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition: Star Wars from the House of Mouse.

Where the ease of mobile and the power of desktop photo editing meet

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Macphun's Creative Kit contains five powerful photo editing apps in one package, with extensions for Photoshop, Lightroom, Apple Photos, and more.
Macphun's Creative Kit contains five powerful photo editing apps in one package, with extensions for Photoshop, Lightroom, Apple Photos, and more.
Photo: Macphun

One thing that apps like Instagram and VSCO have mastered is making photo retouching on a mobile device (e.g. smartphone, ipad, etc.) a breeze. Simple sliders grouped in easily understandable categories and real-time results make the editing process a snap. It’s fun and easy to dial in the overall look of an image on your phone’s screen! However, with that convenience, comes limitations. For instance, if you want anything more precise than a slider you’ll have to open up a professional application like Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture.