This is Samsung’s brand new smartwatch. Photo: SamsungThis is Samsung’s brand new smartwatch. Photo: Samsung
After announcing its new Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ in New York City this morning, Samsung promised the next big thing is right around the corner.
The South Korean company was referring to its new Gear S2 smartwatch — its first with a round display — which will get its full reveal on September 3.
Boot Camp now supports Windows 10. Photo: Microsoft
Mac users can now use Windows 10 on their OS X machines, thanks to an update for Boot Camp released by Apple this morning.The new Boot Camp 6 update is still propagating through Apple’s servers, but some users have found the update is available on Windows partitions in BootCamp.
Samsung Pay is finally on the way. Photo: SamsungSamsung Pay is finally on the way. Photo: Samsung
Samsung’s new phablets aren’t the only thing we got out of its Unpacked event in New York City today; the South Korean company also announced a launch date for its new mobile payments service. Samsung Pay will be coming to take on Apple Pay in the U.S. on September 28.
The Tilt stand on Kickstarter lets you use your smartphone without removing it. Photo: TiltThe Tilt stand lets you use your smartphone without removing it. Photo: Tilt
It’s pretty difficult to use your smartphone while it’s standing vertically. That’s why when we place our phones on a dock or stand, we tend to neglect them until they’re done charging. Challenging this habit are the makers of the Tilt stand, who seem to think you should be able to use your phone while it’s getting juiced.
A dual-screen iPhone wouldn't be such a bad idea. Photo: Martin Hajek
Apple started a smartphone revolution with the introduction of the original iPhone in 2007, but despite the rise of high-powered phones, people in Japan are still clinging to their flip phones.
The closest Apple ever got to making a flip phone was the disastrous Rokr the company developed in partnership with Motorola, so concept designer Martin Hajek decided to reimagine what it would look like if Apple made a flip phone just for the Japanese market. The concept Apple flip phone comes with two screens — one for typing and another for content — as well as an obligatory lanyard and three color options.
The iPhone 6s hasn't even been announced yet, but you can already pre-order it in Germany. Photo: @OnLeaks
Apple hasn’t yet officially announced the existence of the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus and possibly iPhone 6c, but German provider Deutsche Telekom is already letting you place orders.
The carrier has set up a special “online reservation service” where would-be next-generation iPhone owners can get first dibs on the new handsets, set to be announced on September 9.
Robert Cornelius made photography history with the first known self-portrait taken in 1839. Photo: Library of Congress
There was no selfie stick, no hashtags and no sharing with his BFF. In fact, when Robert Cornelius took his historic selfie, he sat still as a stone for 15 minutes, then watched the photo slowly appear on a silver-plated sheet of copper as he breathed in dangerous mercury fumes.
That was instant gratification in 1839.
Cornelius, using a wooden box fitted with an opera glass, likely deserves credit for taking the world’s first selfie. He didn’t make the picture out of vanity, but as an experiment to test a silver-plating method for the daguerreotype photographic process, which had been introduced worldwide just three months before Cornelius’ self-portrait.
Will new Apple TV finally surface in September? Photo: Cult of Mac
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has been chomping at the bit about an Apple TV since 2011, but according to a new research note he sent to clients Thursday, Apple has a good chance of finally releasing its new television at the company’s reported September 9 event.
Seriously, this time. OK, maybe. Let’s call it 50/50.
Questions are being raised about the iPhone 6s' RAM-ing speed. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Everyone is expecting the iPhone 6s to boast 2GB of RAM, but according to a dubious source claiming to be an Apple developer, we may all be wrong.
Switzerland-based Instagram user Fabien Wanner has posted what he claims to be a Geekbench 3 screenshot of the new device, revealing RAM of “just” 1 GB — the same as the current iPhone 6.
An Apple patent application describes a way of identifying people in digital images using face-recognition technology and then making it easy to send copies of the image to everyone in it.
The concept is highly reminiscent of Facebook’s Moments app, which identifies people and places in images and then allows users to easily share with friends, without having to post the pictures to Facebook.
Will the new Apple TV have exclusive shows and movies? Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
It looks like a small number of third-generation Apple TVs, the ones on sale right now, are being quietly recalled by Apple. There hasn’t been a public notice of an Apple TV recall, which could mean only a few units are defective.
If yours is among the faulty Apple TVs, chances are you’ll get an email offering to replace it — and Apple might even drop you an iTunes card for your troubles.
Haptic feedback is a major component in this new technology invented at the University of Tokyo. Photo: Shinoda LabHaptic feedback is a major component in this new technology invented at the University of Tokyo. Photo: Shinoda Lab
HaptoClone is a new creation from researchers in the Shinoda Lab at the University of Tokyo that can let you practically feel what isn’t actually in front of you. It at least gives you the illusion that you’re feeling it. The technology is trippy in theory, but in practice it very well may lead to a more personal level of communication through our smartphones and computers – or dare I say more intimate.
The new waterproof case for the Apple Watch by Catalyst. Photo: Catalyst
While Apple doesn’t recommend submerging the Apple Watch in water, there have been a number of swimmers who say their watches have held up to workouts in the pool.
But since Apple probably won’t honor a warranty for a Watch that stopped after a shower, why risk it? Catalyst, whose waterproof iPhone cases come highly rated by customers and tech journalists, has introduced a line of waterproof cases for the Apple Watch.
Worried about the security of your Dropbox files, even if you use two-step verification? Dropbox has your back now with a new USB key-based system to ensure that you are the only one able to access your files in the Dropbox cloud.
“Today,” Dropbox writes on its website, “we’re adding Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) security keys as an additional method for two-step verification, giving you stronger authentication protection.”
Keep your iPhone humming for up to three hours until your next charge. Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac
iOS 9 brings a bunch of battery-boosting features, most of which work right out of the box. But there’s one battery-saving feature you’ll have to enable yourself.
Called Low Power Mode, this new feature should prove super-useful when you need to eke out just a bit more time with your device — provided you’re not doing anything intense.
Picorama's cute, but it will also mess you up. Photo: MicroCosmos
I like strategy games as much as the next person, but they’re all missing something. Like maybe they could use a pink bunny that tickles opposing pieces to death, or a little, blue, tentacled … thing that can distract enemies with its soothing singing voice. And for good measure, maybe they could throw in a green guy who can fire deadly shots out of his head and an orange monster that eats lightning and fireballs.
Picorama has all those things, and it’s as weird, silly and fun as it sounds. But the iOS game’s innocent art and adorable characters belie a title that will quickly test your strategic and problem-solving skills and have you staring at your iPhone or iPad trying to plan your next move.
Apple's looking for a new home in Chicago. Photo: Zeller Reality
Apple is planning to open a magnificent new flagship store in the heart of Chicago, according to a new report that claims the iPhone maker has zeroed in on 401 N. Michigan Ave. Apple already has one retail store on Michigan Avenue, but supposedly plans to shut down that one and move a half-mile south to the southern tip of the Magnificent Mile.
Carbon-fiber Apple Watch concept. Photo: Feld and Volk
The Apple Watch is the most functional smartwatch you can slap on your wrist, but when it comes to style, it still leaves a lot to be desired. Russian design team Feld & Volk is ready to fix that, though, with an Apple Watch concept that draws upon the latest watchmaking trends used by top manufacturers.
Twitter is now a better place to chat. Photo: TwitterTwitter is now a better place to chat. Photo: Twitter
Twitter has finally delivered on its promise to remove the 140-character limit from direct messages, so you’ll no longer have to send several of them when you’re feeling chatty. The new 10,000-character limit will be available on the web, and in first- and third-party Twitter apps.
Apple Pay is ready to dominate CurrentC. Photo: Wells Fargo
Tim Cook has claimed that 2015 is going to be the year of Apple Pay, but it might not even face serious competition until 2016.
CurrentC, the payments app in development by the consortium of retailers called MCX, might not launch as soon as the company had hoped, the company’s CEO revealed in a recent interview.
If you want to beat Shooting Stars, make sure you buy it. Photo: NoodlecakeIf you want to beat Shooting Stars, make sure you buy it. Photo: Noodlecake
App developers are fighting what seems like a losing battle against software pirates, but some of them are finding new ways to deter users from downloading their latest titles illegally.
Noodlecake, the publisher behind games like Super Stickman Golf and Mikey Shorts, has created the ultimate troll for those who choose not to pay for its newest game: a pirate version that’s impossible to beat.
The Coding 101 Bundle is a comprehensive course in web development, going for less than 1% the normal price. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Saying “I really should learn to code” is like saying, “I really should start going to the gym” — We often say it before thinking of something else to do. This bundle of coding courses will leave you without any excuses, with more than 31 hours of stem-to-stern lessons covering everything from basic web concepts through various key coding languages and the how-tos of developing for multiple platforms.
It usually goes for over $6,000, but right now the price has been slashed to $49 at Cult of Mac Deals.
Breaking news! Apple's shrewd when it comes to driving a bargain! Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Apple is playing off TSMC against Samsung to negotiate better prices for its A9 chips for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, according to a new report.
Competition between TSMC and Samsung to win Apple’s business has been fierce over the past year, with the conflict even going as far as a lawsuit over the alleged leaking of trade secrets.
With both companies having the 14/16nm FinFET process capacity to build A9 chips to Apple’s specifications, Apple is reportedly asking both sides to cut their prices — or potentially lose out on future business.
RollerCoaster Tycoon finally gets the port we needed. Photo: Frontier Developments Ltd.
No-one wanted to love last year’s RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile more than I did. And no-one was therefore more crushed when the “game” turned out to be the soulless, cash-demanding corpse of a once-great franchise-turned-freemium nightmare.
If you join me in that opinion, you can rest easy since RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 just hit the App Store — bringing iOS gamers the straight-up port of the PC classic they deserve, complete with touch controls and not an in-app purchase in sight.