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Why the Apple Watch is keeping me awake at night

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Apple Watch
There's a definite downside to Apple Watch obsession.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

No gadget ever caused me to lose as much sleep as the Apple Watch.

I wish I could forget about Apple’s shiny new smartwatch, but the damned thing has me under its spell. It’s the curse of Cupertino, and I’m just another hapless a victim.

Light-up signs let co-workers know to stay away

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A Wired In sign for the desk can let co-workers know you can not be disturbed.
A Wired In sign for the desk will let co-workers know you cannot be disturbed.
Photo: Wired In

Everything about your vibe – the earbuds, furiously typing fingers and intense body language – says do not approach. But the steady stream of co-workers stopping by your desk can’t take a hint.

You could tell people “Can’t talk now!” but you’re afraid to come off as rude. Your politeness is killing your productivity.

A Utah startup called Wired In has come up with a simple, sleek desk accessory that does the talking for you. It’s a light-up sign that lets people know you’re in the zone without insult or anxiety.

Kahney’s Korner: Cultmaster lays down an Apple Watch rant

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In the first Kahney's Korner, our fearless leader rants and raves about the Apple Watch.
In the first Kahney's Korner, our fearless leader rants and raves about the Apple Watch.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

So here we go. A new video series featuring, of all people, our Editor and Publisher Leander Kahney.

You’ve heard him on the CultCast. You’ve read his books.

You’ve been educated, entertained and occasionally enraged at his stories here on Cult of Mac. And now he is going to come into your lives in talking pictures with his new video series, Kahney’s Korner. The format is pretty loose, but he is never at a loss for words, so this should be pretty fun.

Bentley celebrates excellence by shooting its latest ad with iPhone 6

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The iPhone was once again the star of this year's Bentley shoot.
The iPhone was once again the star of this year's Bentley shoot.
Photo: Bentley

Luxury carmakers Bentley have once again turned to the iPhone to shoot the company’s latest short film: A video showcasing four major designers on London’s Savile Row, each given a commission to create a bespoke “driving jacket” for the high-end auto company.

Check out the short film and a special behind-the-scenes video below:

Smile! iPhone 6s camera is set for a major upgrade

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iPhone-6-Plus-cam
The fabled 12MP camera could finally be here.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 6s is set to get a considerable camera boost, as per a Weibo posting from Kevin Wang, IHS Technology’s research director in China.

After years of using 8MP cameras in its iPhones, Wang claims the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are likely to boast 12MP cameras — theoretically greatly improving the current standard of iPhone photography, which is already pretty darn high.

But there’s a twist.

Newt Gingrich asks the Internet to help him review Apple Watch 

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Here is the new face of tech journalism.
Here is the new face of tech journalism.
Photo: Newt Gingrich (via YouTube)

Former House Speaker and architect of the “Contract with America” Newt Gingrich has joined Mashable as a tech blogger.

You did not misread that.

The new reviewer took to Twitter this evening to ask for some suggestions for his upcoming coverage of the Apple Watch, and he probably should have suspected he’d get some weird responses.

Apple objects to RadioShack data selloff

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RadioShack
Everything must (or must not) go.
Photo: Wikipedia

RadioShack’s bankruptcy proceedings have hit another interesting bump; Apple has joined the states of Texas and Tennessee in trying to prevent the liquidating company from selling off its customers’ data.

The latest complaint is just one more obstacle to RadioShack’s already checkered attempts to go out of business.

Here’s what your Apple Watch can do with nothing but Wi-Fi

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Apple Watch
Sometimes, it's okay to leave the phone at home.
Photo: Apple

Your Apple Watch doesn’t need an iPhone to make it whole.

The new wearable is capable of performing a variety of tasks without a tether to your phone. All it needs is a connection to a familiar Wi-Fi network, and you can start putting it to use even if its iPhone buddy isn’t around.

Critics are going mad for Fury Road

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Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron headline this already successful reboot.
Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron headline this already successful reboot.
Photo: Warner Bros.

Mad Max: Fury Road is crushing it, according to spectacular early reviews all over the ‘net. Review aggregator Metacritic has the apocalyptic film pegged at a 91 out of 100 based on 39 reviews and competitor Rotten Tomatoes has its own aggregate hitting the 99/100 mark, based on 133 reviews.

That’s a lot of awesome right there.

The new post-apocalyptic car-fetish reboot comes to theaters this Friday and if the early reviews of the film, written and directed by original Mad Max creator George Miller, are any indication, it’s one hell of a ride.

Let’s take a look at a few of the better reviews to see what all the fuss is about.

Banish storage-hogging apps from your Apple Watch

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Apple Watch
Which apps take up the most space on your wrist?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

My Apple Watch says I’ve used 1 GB of storage space, with 5.2 GB left over and available.

As those two numbers reverse, I’ll start looking at which apps are taking up the most storage on my wrist, then eliminating the ones that take up too much space.

Here’s an easy way to figure out which storage-hogging apps need to go.

Apple says HomeKit is on track for June launch

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Apple announced HomeKit to developers at WWDC last year.
Apple announced HomeKit to developers at WWDC last year. Photo: Apple
Photo: Apple

It’s been nearly a year since Apple unveiled the HomeKit platform, and we’re still waiting on an official launch. A report earlier today claimed that Apple is delaying the launch of its home-automation platform until August or September, but an Apple spokesperson has refuted the report, saying everything is ontrack for the June launch.

The CW’s incredibly ambitious Legends of Tomorrow is full of potential

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It's a good time for DC fans, with another new show headed your way.
It's a good time for DC fans, with another new show headed your way.
Photo: The CBS/Warner Television Network

Legends of Tomorrow is the latest DC Comics-inspired bit of television from The CBS/Warner Television Network (The CW) to get a preview trailer, with quite a lot of awesome packed into its four minutes.

You’ve got a girl with wings and a past-lives complex (Hawkgirl), a deceased assassin (White Canary from Arrow), a pair of criminals (Heatwave and Captain Cold from The Flash), a goofy billionaire a ton of tech (The Atom, also from The Flash, played by Superman Return‘s Brandon Routh) and a combustible half a hero (Firestorm) played by venerable character actor, Victor Garber. Oh, and a Dr. Who favorite (Arthur Darvill) playing a time traveler (Rip Hunter) from the future.

So many variables, it could go either way, of course. Check out the promising trailer to make up your own mind.

Why this developer is giving up on pixel art in his games

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Pixel art can be beautiful, but ultimately self-defeating for game devs.
Pixel art can be beautiful, but ultimately self-defeating for game devs.
Photo: Dinofarm Games

Blake Reynolds, lead artist at Dinofarm Games (Auro, 100 Rogues), has come to the conclusion that “pixel art” is over. He’s decided to hang up his digital pencil tool and create art for games that current audiences can understand.

Auro,” he writes, “is likely to be the last Dinofarm Games title to feature pixel art.”

Rock the hive with this Alien-inspired, 3-D-printed guitar

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Let the creature from Alien inspire you to aggressively shred on this 3-D-printed guitar.
Let the creature from Alien inspire you to aggressively shred on this 3-D-printed guitar.
Photo: MyMiniFactory

Francesco Orru has a guitar that would make H.R. Giger proud and put Sigourney Weaver on edge.

The designer used a Delta Wasp 3-D printer to create a guitar with a body shaped like the killer creature from the 1979 sci-fi classic Alien.

Pieces of the guitar could be yours for around $150, but be prepared to also shop for volume and tone pots, a neck and Stratocaster neck plate, humbuckers, tuning pegs, a bridge and, of course, strings. Plans are also available for free download at MyMiniFactory.com to do your own 3-D printing.

Jeb Bush thinks Apple Watch can replace Obamacare

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IMG_0472.JPG
Jeb Bush is in love with Apple Watch

Presidential hopeful Jeb Bush hasn’t officially announced that he’s running for office, but he’s already hitting the campaign trail and he’s brining his Apple Watch with him.

In Tempe Arizona today, Jeb held a town hall meeting at the Chamber of Commerce and stopped to rave about his Apple Watch. It’s so amazing, he says he even thinks it should replace Obamacare.

Software problems may push back HomeKit launch to fall

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HomeKit
HomeKit is all about letting your things talk to your other things.
Photo: Apple

Apple announced its HomeKit platform at last year’s WWDC, but fans hoping to get a closer glimpse of Apple’s home automation platform will have to keep on waiting, as a new report claims Apple is delaying the launch of HomeKit until August or September.

How to control third-party camera apps with Apple Watch

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You can use the music glance to snap pics.
You can use the music glance to snap pics.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

The remote camera shutter and viewfinder is one of the most useful Apple Watch features, but there’s just one problem: It only works with the default camera app.

Apple hasn’t opened up the remote shutter API to developers yet, however, there’s still a way to turn your Apple Watch into a remote shutter for apps like Snapchat and Camera+. Instead of using the remote shutter app, you can actually use the volume slider in Music glance to snap pictures with your iPhone.

It’s super easy. Just follow these steps:

Apple’s collaborative search patent makes it easy to check in with friends

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Apple's patent will help you find a coffee shop convenient to all your friends.
Apple's patent will help you find a coffee shop convenient to all your friends.
Photo: Warner Bros. Television

You can add all the high-tech features you want, but ultimately one of the best ways to make people buy gadgets is to ensure that the devices are the same ones already used by their friends.

That’s the concept behind a newly-published patent application, titled, “Collaborative Location-Based Search Results.” It describes a way in which multiple iPhone users in different locations can search for shared information — say, finding a restaurant or movie theater that’s equally convenient for every member of a group of friends to reach.

007 would Bond with these historic spy gadgets

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A spring-wound 35mm camera concealed in a modified cigarette pack was an ideal spy tool.
A spring-wound 35mm camera concealed in a modified cigarette pack was an ideal spy tool.
Photo: International Spy Museum

Never mind that espionage is a dangerous line of work. The secret agent game promises plenty of intrigue and lots of fun spy gadgets.

 If I knew exactly what today’s tools of the trade are, someone would probably have to kill me. Politics and enemies change but spies’ needs are essentially timeless: Disguises and false papers maintains a cover, tracking and listening devices record movements and conversations, and small, secret cameras copy documents and photograph dubious characters.

A hidden weapon can get a spy out of a jam. A concealed cyanide pill — so the intensely devoted might say — beats interrogation.

We love our spy stories. It is why the James Bond film franchise endures, James Patterson sells books and there are spy museums from Prague to Washington, D.C. (where there are two). Here’s a less-than-clandestine peek into the shadowy spy gadgets that filled the world of espionage over the years.

UBS thinks iPhone sales will shatter expectations this quarter

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The iPhone 6 is big. And not just in terms of size, either.
The iPhone 6 is big. And not just in terms of size, either.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

According to a new research note issued by UBS’s Evidence Lab, the latest quarterly sales for the iPhone are set to be even more impressive than most people are anticipating.

And given that nobody is sleeping on the iPhone’s success as it is, that means some astonishingly big numbers.