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Ain’t no mountain high enough for this wingsuit daredevil

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Russian BASE jumper Valery Rozov leaves his team behind after a recent wingsuit flight from Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. Photo:  Thomas Senf / Red Bull Content Pool
Russian BASE jumper Valery Rozov leaves his team behind after a recent wingsuit flight from Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. Photo: Thomas Senf / Red Bull Content Pool

Valery Rozov is running out of mountains off which to jump.

The Red-Bull-pedaling daredevil added Mount Kilimanjaro to a recent jump in a wingsuit, traveling a horizontal distance of nearly two miles in a minute-long free fall before pulling his parachute to safely land at Barranco Camp. He was greeted by several Africans, who hoisted him on their shoulders.

“The locals had heard what I was up to and were pretty impressed,” Rozov, 50, told redbull.com.

Apple will live stream March 9 Apple Watch event

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apple-spring-event

Didn’t get your invite to the exclusive Apple Watch event on March 9? Apple’s still going to let everyone in on the action with a livestream of the event from the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Apple posted a link to the live stream for the March 9th event on it’s homepage today. The keynote kicks off at 10AM PDT, when it’s expect that Apple will announce all the details about Apple Watch.

Apple now accounts for 10% of Nasdaq’s index value

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apple_stock_final
This just keeps getting higher and higher. Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

The Nasdaq has been flirting with busting past the 5000 mark for days now, but investors are blaming one stock on holding it back: AAPL.

Apple shares have ballooned to their highest value ever over the past month. After weeks of growth, the stock’s performance has been flattish the last few days, which is a big problem for Wall Street because Apple now accounts for 10% of the Nasdaq’s index value.

Prepare for House of Cards’ return with more dramatic political chicanery

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House of Cards
Now that Frank is president, everything should be smooth sailing. Why are we even doing a third season? Photo: Netflix

Netflix’s super-political drama House of Cards returns for its third season Friday, and if the Muppet version wasn’t enough to hold you over before you watch all the new episodes in one sitting this weekend, we’re here to help.

You should check out these shows if you need a fix of shenanigans and power plays that go all the way to the top.

Google boss says innovation is key to iOS search deal

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Could Apple really dump Google search? Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Could Apple really dump Google search? Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Ever since Apple replaced Google Maps with its own solution there have been rumors that Google Search might be next on the chopping block. Yahoo’s Marissa Mayer has called the Safari search deal one of the premiere search deals in the world, and that her company would be more than happy to take over.

Google’s VP of products, Sundar Pichai, doesn’t sound worried about Google losing its spot anytime soon though. In an interview with Forbes, Pichai touched on his company’s complicated search relationship with Apple, saying the best way to avoid getting sidelined is to keep adding innovative features.

Purchase the Arduino Beginner Course and save 81% [Deals]

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CoM_Arduino

Did you get in trouble when you were a kid because you took your parents’ VCR apart just to see how it worked? If you’ve ever displayed even a casual interest in electronics and a curiosity to learn about how they work, then today’s deal is for you.

For a limited time, Cult of Mac Deals is offering an 81% discount on the Arduino Beginner Course, to quench that thirst for electronics knowledge.

Apple’s next big event coming March 9

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The Apple Watch event invite looks like it was made with a Spirograph. Photo: Apple

Mark your calendars: Full details of the Apple Watch will be revealed March 9.

Invites were sent to the press today for a special Apple event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on that date. The only hint on the invite are two words: “Spring forward.”

Space-walking astronaut safe after water found in helmet

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Astronaut Terry Virts as he works on a robotic arm outside the International Space Station Wednesday. Photo: NASA
Astronaut Terry Virts as he works on a robotic arm outside the International Space Station Wednesday. Photo: NASA

Wardrobe malfunctions can happen with every style of clothing. It’s just a little terrifying when it happens to an astronaut on a spacewalk.

NASA astronaut Terry Virts reported a floating blob of water inside his helmet Wednesday after completing a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk to perform cable and lube work outside the International Space Station.

Once-famous robot lives quietly away from limelight

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Robot
Elektro, a robot built by Westinghouse in 1937, was a star at the World's Fair in 1939-40. Photo: Courtesy of Scott Schaut/Mansfield Memorial Museum
Photo: Scott Schaut/Mansfield Memorial Museum

America’s oldest surviving robot no longer smokes cigarettes.

Long lines of people no longer wait to see him, topless women haven’t danced around him in years and his legs have been broken since that amusement park gig.

But Elektro is home now, his head reunited with his body, cared for by a man named Scott Schaut, who is so fiercely protective that museum requests to borrow the gold robot usually end with him replying “over my dead body.”

Want more bling with your Apple Watch? Just add diamonds

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I'd better get saving! Photo: Brikk
I'd better get saving! Photo: Brikk

Chances are that the majority of people reading this won’t be looking for a way to make the Apple Watch more expensive.

With a rumored price in excess of $10,000 for the 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition, most of us would have to take out a second mortgage on our house before we could dream of picking up the watches on the higher end of Apple’s wearable collection.

For some individuals, however, solid gold just isn’t enough — which is why luxury design company Brikk today announced its plans to increase the decadence by offering diamond-encrusted Apple Watches for sale. Somewhere, you just know that Kanye West is picking up his blinged-out iPhone 6 Plus and getting ready to make an order!

6 brilliant action figures that will empty your bank account

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This Steve Jobs action figure was barred from release by Jobs' family. But the others on this list weren't. Photo: In Icon
This Steve Jobs action figure was barred from release by Jobs' family. But the others on this list weren't. Photo: In Icon

Everyone loves action figures, right?

With the rarer offerings regularly carrying price tags that put them out of reach for most allowances, however, they’re no longer exclusively for kids. With that in mind, here’s Cult of Mac’s list of the must-have figures with price tags to match. Featuring everything from pro wrestlers to sci-fi characters, we’re sure you’ll find something to tempt you.

Play nicely, now!

‘Brand X’ tablets are beating the iPad

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iPad Air 3 will be the smartest iPad yet.
Will the iPad rebound in 2015? Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The iPad might be the king of tablets when it comes to quality, but it is no longer the king when it comes to sales.

A new report from research firm Strategy Analytics says that the iPad is now being outsold by so-called Brand X tablets: generic tablets sold under any brand name that isn’t Apple or Samsung.

iTunes Match users: It might be time to switch to Google Play Music

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It might be time to switch to Google Play Music. Photo: Cult of Mac
It might be time to switch to Google Play Music. Photo: Cult of Mac

It’s not often that Google incontrovertibly one-ups Apple on anything but search, but the company just scored a small but sizable advantage over Cupertino in at least one regard: music storage space.

Google expanded its Google Play Music service Wednesday to match, store and stream 50,000 tracks, twice what Apple allows iTunes Match paid users. Even better for listeners with large libraries? Google Play Music is free.

Apple hopes ‘real-time’ maps will be a Google beater

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No longer is Big Ben frozen in time. Photo: Apple
No longer is Big Ben frozen in time. Photo: Apple

For a long time, Apple Maps was a laughing stock. Then it started getting better. Apple ironed out the glitches, began updating Apple Maps every day, and introduced Flyover, which gave you a 3-D view of major cities as they would look from the sky.

Now it’s taken that technology one step further in an effort to win the mapping war versus Google: Apple Maps is going real-time.

Thanks to a new update, London’s Big Ben clock tower will now show the real time, while the iconic London Eye will rotate. Those are the only real-time updates we’ve spotted so far, but Apple is reportedly looking to add more moving elements to cities over the following year.

Apple is booted off China’s approved government purchase list

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Why visit the Apple Store when you can get stuff deliver same day?
Apple's brand new West Lake Apple Store in Hangzhou, China. Photo: Foster + Partners
Photo: Apple

On the consumer side, Apple couldn’t be hotter in China: not only taking the top spot for smartphone sales in the country for the first time ever, but also beating out the likes of Gucci and Chanel to be named China’s favorite luxury brand.

It is on the more official side of the equation where Apple is struggling, however. In what commentators are calling a response to widespread Western cyber-surveillance, the Chinese government has dropped Apple products from its list of approved state purchases.

Tim Cook to give 2015 commencement address at George Washington University

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Tim Cook is going to BoxWorks.
Tim Cook is giving his second commencement address.
Photo: Apple

On May 17, Tim Cook will be giving the commencement address to the 2015 graduating class of George Washington University. He will also be awarded a honorary doctorate of public service.

It will be the Apple CEO’s second time giving such a speech after addressing his alma mater Auburn University in 2010.

‘Leaked’ Samsung Galaxy S6 looks just like the iPhone 6

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galaxy

Samsung is expected to unveil its new flagship Galaxy S6 smartphone at Mobile World Congress next month, but some leaked images from the XDA developer forums might have just spoiled their big reveal.

The set of images of an alleged Samsung prototype show is a big departure from the other Galaxy devices with rounded edges that make it look more like the iPhone 6. The bottom of the leaked Galaxy S6 looks almost identical to the iPhone 6 bottom.

Here’s the bottom of the iPhone 6 for comparison:

Watch Tim Cook and the president of Israel share the love

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Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO
Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO

Tim Cook is currently visiting Israel in conjunction with Apple opening a new office in Herzliya. As part of the trip, he met with the president of Israel, Reuven Rivlin.

The two leaders showed great respect for each other during a chat at the president’s residence. Along with recognizing an Israeli Apple VP in attendance with Cook, Rivlin thanked the Apple CEO repeatedly for “what you are doing for all humanity.” Cook talked about Apple’s love for Israel as an “ally for the U.S.” and a “place to do business.” Cook also praised Rivlin’s work to “bridge the gap” between nationalities and religions in the Middle East.

NoFlyZone lets you control your air space

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NoFlyZone allows property owners to register their addresses to alert drone operators to fly in their air space. Photo: DJI
NoFlyZone allows property owners to register their addresses to alert drone operators to not fly in their air space. Photo: DJI

Ben Marcus attracts attention whenever he flies his quadcopter and sometimes he lets the curious take the controls.

During those exchanges, many say this: That’s cool, but what about the privacy issues?

Marcus sensed that the concern about camera-outfitted drones unknowingly hovering over our lives was real enough that it could stunt the potential applications of drones.

So he started a company that will let people restrict their own air space.

NoFlyZone launched on Feb. 10 and already has more than 20,000 homeowners signed up to request drone pilots steer clear of their property.

Final Cut Pro X finally gets some love from Hollywood

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Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment

If you plan on seeing Focus starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie this weekend, you will be watching the first major studio film edited entirely with Final Cut Pro X.

Originally criticized as “iMovie Pro” for its incredibly simplistic interface and feature set, Final Cut Pro X has managed to start wooing Hollywood filmmakers by slowly adding back missed tools along with new ones. Now the directors behind Focus think it’s the future of movie editing.

Day in the Life series mastermind reflects on 25 years of Photoshop

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Adobe's Russell Brown, center, placed himself in a photo of the First Couple during a demonstration of Photopshop 1.0 on the Today Show in 1990. Photo: Today Show/YouTube
Adobe's Russell Brown, center, placed himself in a photo with Nancy and Ronald Reagan during a demonstration of Photoshop 1.0 on Today in 1990. Photo: Today Show/YouTube

Photographer and book publisher Rick Smolan was 25 when he made the best picture of his young career while on assignment in Australia. It was a group of aboriginal children playing in golden light with a balloon on a red dirt runway.

But when he looked down at his camera, he realized the shot would be grossly underexposed. Sure enough, when the Kodachrome 25 slides came back, the frame was dark and murky.

“I stuck the slide in a safe deposit box because I knew someday someone would invent something to save that picture,” Smolan, who created the Day in the Life photo book series and America 24/7, told Cult of Mac.

Demand for Apple Watch could use up third of world’s gold

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Apple
38mm rose gold Apple Watch Edition. Photo: Apple
Photo: Apple

We’re still waiting for the final pricing details on the Apple Watch, but if recent reports that Apple plans to sell one million gold Edition units a month are true, Apple Watch could wreak havoc on gold prices and do who knows what to the global economy.

Josh Center at TidBits has done some math on Apple Watch and estimates that if production rumors are correct, Apple will be bidding for a third of the world’s annual gold supply to make enough gold watches to meet demand.

To put those numbers in perspective, Apple needs so much gold it could turn the all 7,000 metric tons of gold stored at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York — you know, the one from the plot of Die Hard 3 — into gold watches in less than a decade.

Epic Batman: Arkham Knight trailer thrills and chills

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Batman may have met his match. Photo: Rocksteady
Batman may have met his match. Photo: Rocksteady

Get ready to watch the epic slow burn in the official trailer for the upcoming conclusion to Rocksteady’s Arkham video game series, Batman: Arkham Knight. Scarecrow is uniting all of Batman’s enemies — Penguin, Two-Face, the Riddler, Harley Quinn, Poison, Ivy, and the Arkham Knight — to take Gotham City and take down The Bat.

Sure, there’s a little bit of Bane-like incomprehensibility in the Scarecrow’s voice-over, and (barring a miracle) the Joker won’t be in town this time around, but this game is looking pretty amazing. The in-game shots of Batman plunging down the skyscrapers of Gotham City, the brutal combat animations, and the just plain high-resolution glory of the fictional city and it’s lone hero make us want to play Batman: Arkham Knight right now.

Check out the epic trailer for the June 2, 2015 game below.

Apple Watch is ready for its closeup in fashion bible Vogue

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apple-watch-vogue
Apple Watch has a multipage spread in Vogue. Photo: Julio Calderon/Twitter

Apple Watch still isn’t available for the masses, but Apple is ramping up its marketing efforts among fashionistas with a multipage spread in the March issue of Vogue.

Multiple versions of the Apple Watch are shown across the seven-page ad, which includes closeups of the watch bands as well as full-size pictures of the entire device to give readers a better idea about whether Jony Ive’s timepiece will fit in with their wardrobes.

Take a look at some of the other ads below: