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Epic Games appeals App Store case against Apple

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Epic vs. Apple
The fight continues.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

You might think Fortnite creator Epic Games would be pretty ecstatic with the recent ruling that says Apple must allow developers to offer third-party payment methods inside their iOS apps. But that’s not the case.

Epic has expressed its dissatisfaction with the outcome in recent days, and has now confirmed it has filed a notice of appeal against the decision. It seems the company has no plans to bring Fortnite back to iOS just yet.

Today in Apple history: iPhone 5 brings big changes, new EarPods

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The iPhone 5 packed remarkable upgrades into an incredibly thin design.
The iPhone 5 proves thin is in at Apple.
Photo: Soldier Knows Best/YouTube

September 12: Today in Apple history: iPhone 5 brings big changes, new EarPods September 12, 2012: Apple introduces the iPhone 5, with a super-slim form factor that makes it the thinnest smartphone in the world.

The new iPhone also brings impressive upgrades such as a greatly improved display and the Lightning port. Despite some controversy, it proves a massive hit.

AirPods could soon drop in price

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In the future, your AirPods might take your temperature, check your posture and help with hearing.
Apple might be about to make AirPods more affordable.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel

Apple is expected to introduce the third-generation of AirPods this week. But the current version of these truly wireless headphones reportedly won’t be discontinued. This might result in AirPods 2 dropping in price.

It would be quite a change, as Apple’s earbuds are some of the most expensive on the market.

Get a wireless charger that complements your Apple Watch

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It's time to get a charger that's right for your Apple Watch.
You won't have to eye your Apple Watch battery anymore with this wireless charger.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Apple Watches are great because they’re convenient. It would be weird to ruin that convenience with a bulky charger that hasn’t been fully untangled since you bought it. The Omnia A1 Apple Watch Magnetic Wireless Charger is a super-simple wireless Apple Watch charger that is a perfect match for your watch, both in size and accessibility.

And right now, the Omnia A1 is on sale for $39.99 — a discount of 18%.

Motorcycles can permanently screw up your iPhone camera

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Motorcycles can permanently screw up your iPhone camera
Harleys and iPhones don’t always mix well.
Photo: Javier Aguilera/Pexels

Motorcycle riders, if you’ve noticed that your iPhone pictures have been getting worse, it’s not your imagination. Apple warned that long-term exposure to “high amplitude vibrations” can damage the camera in your iPhone.

And the situation isn’t much better with scooters.

Here are all the changes expected in the iPhone 13

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This concept image shows how the iPhone 13 notch might shrink.
A smaller notch is just one of many changes that leaked out about the iPhone 13 ahead of the impending launch.
Artists concept: Cult of Mac

Apple will almost certainly unveil the iPhone 13 at its “California Streaming” event on Tuesday. But why wait? Virtually all the details already leaked out. Here’s everything we’re expecting for Apple’s 2021 handset.

This won’t be a simple “speed bump” upgrade. Quite a bit is changing.

Apple TV+ might premiere new show or movie every week in 2022

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Apple TV+ might premiere new show or movie every week in 2022
Expect a new Apple TV+ show or movie every every few days next year.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple is reportedly ramping up the pace of new content for its streaming video service. Apple TV+ will allegedly debut a new show or movie every week in 2022.

If true, this would significantly increase the amount of content available in the service that’s about to hit its second anniversary.

Fan of historical fantasy spun by victors? Watch 9/11: Inside the President’s War Room [Apple TV+ review]

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9/11: Inside the President's War Room
This 9/11 doc marks an anniversary people will have no trouble remembering.
Photo: Apple TV+

With the 20-year anniversary of 9/11 around the corner, Apple TV+ funded the new documentary 9/11: Inside the President’s War Room. This was unwise from all but perhaps a business standpoint — but even there it’s a gamble.

Apple TV+ delves into superstar Kevin Durant’s basketball youth in Swagger

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Isaiah Hill and O’Shea Jackson Jr. in Swagger, premiering globally October 29, 2021 on Apple TV+.
Isaiah Hill and O’Shea Jackson Jr. in Swagger, premiering globally October 29, 2021 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Streaming service Apple TV+ offered a premiere date for its upcoming sports drama Swagger, loosely based on superstar NBA basketball player Kevin Durant’s early years in the sport he eventually came to dominate. It looks into the world of youth basketball and the lives it touches.

On Truth Be Told, more tantalizing clues fall into place [Apple TV+ review]

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Truth Be Told review: Things get even more strained for Micah, played by Kate Hudson, in this week's episode.
Micah (played by Kate Hudson) needs to do some serious damage control.
Photo: Apple TV+

This week on Truth Be Told, the Apple TV+ true crime fiction series turns up the heat on podcaster Poppy Parnell and lifestyle (and deathstyle?) guru Micah. The characters find fewer allies everywhere they look.

Poppy (played by Octavia Spencer) knew this case would hurt — but she was hoping the pain would take longer to start.

HomeKit-enabled Yale Smart Cabinet Lock protects your booze and meds

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Secure your valuables with the Yale Smart Cabinet Lock with HomeKit support.
Secure your valuables with the Yale Smart Cabinet Lock with HomeKit support.
Photo: Yale

The Yale lock company dates back to 1868, but that doesn’t mean it’s only about that heavy padlock grandpa had on his shed. These days, it even makes smart locks for your smart home system. The Yale Smart Cabinet Lock, for example, integrates with HomeKit to protect your indoor valuables.

New Keychron Q1 brings keyboard customization to the masses

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Even a beginner can customize the new Keychron Q1 mechanical keyboard.
Even a beginner can customize the new Keychron Q1 mechanical keyboard.
Photo: Keychron

Those who love the old-school touch and feel of a mechanical keyboard have long-admired Keychron for its range of K-series keebs. The newest member of the family offers a new series name, Q1, an affordable price and more customization than the company has yet put out there.

Hardware predictions for Apple’s California Streaming event! [CultCast 509]

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CultCast podcast episode 509: We are psyched for the California Streaming event.
We are psyched for the California Streaming event!
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, Apple Watch Series 7, AirPods 3 and … more? We’re talking hardware predictions for next Tuesday’s big California Streaming event.

Also on The CultCast this week:

  • Jon Prosser’s audacious iPhone 14 leak
  • Facebook’s new Ray-Ban smart glasses
  • More speed bumps for Apple’s car project
  • Erfon’s botfly nightmare! (There will be pus.)

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

Judge orders huge App Store change in Epic v. Apple ruling

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App Store
How you buy iPhone in-app purchases will never be the same after Friday’s ruling from a federal judge.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple has been ordered by a federal judge to allow iPhone software developers to point customers to their own websites to make in-app purchases. Previously, Apple required all these transactions to happen through its payment system. The change will prevent the iPhone-maker from collecting 15% to 30% of the revenue from transactions that go through developers’ direct payment systems.

This is the primary result of the Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit. And it’s exactly what Epic asked for in the first place.

Yo Gabba Gabba! discovers a new home on Apple TV+

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Yo Gabba Gabba! discovers a new home on Apple TV+
Toodee, Foofa, Plex, Brobee and Muno are on their way to Apple’s streaming service.
Photo: WildBrain

A new season of the musical educational show Yo Gabba Gabba! will premier on Apple TV+. Plus, children will soon be able to tune in to Apple’s streaming service to watch previous episodes, which offer music, live-action characters, animation and a very optimistic attitude.

This is part of the growing collection of children’s programming on Apple TV+.

Solve puzzles, collect cute animals in Zookeeper World on Apple Arcade

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Solve puzzles, collect cute animals in ‘Zookkeeper World’ on Apple Arcade
Solve match-3 puzzles to build a collection of adorable animals in Zookkeeper World.
Photo: Kiteretsu/Apple Arcade

Fans of match-3 puzzle games should be pleased that Zookeeper World just launched on Apple Arcade because it isn’t burdened with the biggest drawback of the genre. But it does offer a variety of adorable animals to collect and puzzles to play through.

You might remember this game as simply Zookeeper. It’s been renamed and is now exclusively for subscribers of Apple’s service, which also includes a lengthy list of other games.

UK will use bus shelters, street lamps and traffic lights to expand 5G coverage

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UK will use traffic lights to expand 5G coverage
Making the 5G rollout as easy as possible.
Photo: Mike Carney CC

The U.K. could get a major 5G coverage boost from bus shelters, street lamps, CCTV poles, and traffic signals. The government is exploring novel ways to integrate 5G radio equipment in existing street furniture in an effort to “make it simpler and quicker for mobile companies” to expand the reach of 5G.

Take control of your cord management with this 4-in-1 Apple charger

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This 4-in-1 Apple charger powers up all your devices.
Stop dealing with tangled cords with this 4-in-1 Apple charger.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You shouldn’t need to carry around a separate bag for chargers or learn complex cord management just because you have more than one device that you use every day. Instead, you can consolidate all of your chargers into one without sacrificing charging speed.

The 4-in-1 Multi-Port and Apple Watch Charger can charge four of your devices at once, is a comfortable length without opening itself up to tangles, and is on sale for $18.

Apple blocks Epic’s request to bring Fortnite back to iPhone and iPad [Updated]

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Fortnite iOS 14
Nice try, Epic Games.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Epic Games has asked Apple to reinstate its developer account so that it can bring Fortnite back to iPhone and iPad in Korea, where a new bill could allow it to offer its own payment system alongside Apple’s for in-app purchases.

But unfortunately for Fortnite fans, Apple isn’t having any of it. Cupertino said in a statement to Cult of Mac that it will only allow Epic to return to the App Store when it agrees “to play by the same rules as everyone else.”

Update: A U.S. judge made her ruling in the Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit on Friday, and is requiring Apple to allow  developers like Epic Games to set up their own direct-payment systems. This could bring Fortnite back to the App Store.

Apple Watch 7 will ship this month with ‘dramatic change in design’

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Apple Watch Series 7 concept
Apple Watch Series 7 could look a little something like this.
Photo: Jon Prosser/RendersbyIan

Apple Watch Series 7 will make its debut later this month after issues in its production were resolved, according to a new report published by TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and seen by Cult of Mac.

The new device will introduce the “most significant change in the design of the Apple Watch ever.” Availability could be limited initially, but mass production is expected to begin in late September.