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Speed test shows original iPhone was a complete slug

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Original iPhone was a complete slug compared to iPhone 12
The original iPhone was tiny, but also slow at basic tasks like taking a picture or just opening its built-in apps.
Photo: PhoneBuff

If you remember the first-gen iPhone being a speed demon compared to today’s models then you’re in for a real surprise. A head-to-head comparison between the 2007 iPhone and the 2020 version shows just how pokey the original one was at even basic tasks.

The test doesn’t unfairly ask the 2007 iPhone to run software it was never designed for. No, the handset is slow running even basic applications.

How to easily share tweets to Instagram Stories in iOS

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Now it's easy to share tweets in Instagram Stories.
Now it's easy to share tweets in Instagram Stories.
Photo: Instagram

Twitter rolled out an update to its iOS app earlier this week that lets users quickly and easily share tweets to their Instagram Stories. It’s now nearly a one-click operation, but not quite.

Naturally, users have always been able to take a screenshot of a tweets and manually upload it to an Instagram Story. But the new interface takes some of the manual labor out of the process, making it simple and fast. And the results look good!

Confessions of a former Mac hater [Setups]

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Ignore the electric guitars and amps. Thisis about Macs replacing PCs.
Ignore the electric guitars and amps. This is about Macs replacing PCs.
Photo: gnophy@Reddit

Sure, it may be overstating things to call Redditor gnophy a former “Mac hater.” After all, he only said he used to be “anti-Mac” and he “couldn’t get along with the OS.”

Well, good news for Apple. He’s finally been assimilated. And it only took many, many years to subdue the software engineer and musician.

iPhone survives 3-day dip in Idaho’s Snake River

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iPhone 12 Pro Shiny sides
The iPhone is impressively durable.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

When his kayak overturned in fast moving water while on Snake River in Idaho, Tom Adams lost his keys, fishing pole, wallet and iPhone.

However, three days later, a dive team found the items — including the iPhone, still in working order. “To all our amazement, [the phone] was still on!” Adams told the East Idaho News. “It was still alarming from my Sunday morning wake-up call reminder.”

Central Park season 2 will bore you with the worst of Broadway [Apple TV+ review]

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Central Park season 2 review: Can things really get worse?
Can things really get worse in season 2? Of course they can.
Photo: Apple TV+

Central Park, the Apple TV+ animated musical about a family living and caring for the titular New York park, returns for more arbitrary, up-with-people high-jinks in its second season.

Nothing brings out the worst impulses in a writer’s room like encouragement. And the second season of the show — created by Bob’s Burgers duo Nora Smith and Loren Bouchard along with Josh Gad (Frozen) — is aggressively larger and more precious than the first. If it’s not your thing, you’ll be looking for the nearest open window.

$135,000 of smuggled iPhones seized by Customs in India

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iPhone India cusoms
The iPhones seized at Customs.
Photo: Hyderabad Customs

Customs officials have seized around 80 iPhones being smuggled through Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, India. The devices included various iPhone 12 models, including the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. They also arrested two passengers who owned the checked-in luggage, and another person reportedly involved in the smuggling.

The smuggling was almost certainly to avoid paying import duty on the devices. Import duties on the iPhone in India were increased from 10 to 15% in late 2017.

Build your dream railroad with this train simulator

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Operate an entire railroad with this AI-powered game
Get lost in this immersive world-building game about trains.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you ever played with model trains when you were little, the Trainz Railroad Simulator Platinum Edition Bundle takes that concept and runs with it — literally.

More than just building models and tracks, this realistic train simulator offers countless directions you can go in. You can chug along in simple modes if you just want to explore routes. Or opt for more-realistic modes if you want to experience what a real-life train conductor might.

Fathom goes in search of whale song and finds a little more [Apple TV+ review]

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Dr. Michelle Fournet stars in the Whaling documentary Fathom
Michelle Fournet wants to understand the humpback whale's song.
Photo: Apple TV+

Fathom, the new Apple TV+ documentary about whales, tells the story of a couple of women who made it their life’s work to figure out why the humpback sings — and what that song means. Though there’s a lot to like here, and the vibes are admirable, the whole effort could have used more … (30-minute pause) depth.

Fathom, which premieres today, keeps the network’s focus on mass-market biological documentary alive. It joins such outstanding efforts as Tiny World and Earth at Night in Color.

Google Fi’s built-in VPN is now available on iPhone

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Google Fi
Protect your privacy online.
Photo: Apple

Google Fi, the search giant’s cellular service, features a built-in VPN for protecting the online activity of users by stopping third parties tracking their location via IP address. The handy, privacy focused feature has previously been available only for Android users. However, Google has announced that it’s rolling out for iPhone as well.

“Starting today, we’re expanding our built-in VPN to iPhone,” Google tweeted Thursday. “With the Fi VPN, you get a private online connection and more protection from hackers included on all plans.”

Apple TV+’s coming-of-age movie CODA gets its first trailer

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Emilia Jones in Coda
Coming to Apple TV+ on August 13.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple Studios has debuted the trailer for CODA, a movie which swept the 2021 Sundance Film Festival — capturing its Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast, Directing Award, Audience Award, and Grand Jury Prize.

A coming-of-age drama starring Emilia Jones and previous Oscar winner Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God), the movie is about a teenaged girl torn between following her musical dreams and staying with deaf family who rely on her. The title is an acronym standing for “Child of Deaf Adults.”

Check out the trailer below.

Hands on: Safari in iOS 15 takes some getting used to, but it’s worth it

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Hands On: Safari in iOS 15 takes some getting used to
Safari in iOS 15 moves the Address Bar and adds Tab Groups.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The most controversial change in iOS 15 — moving Safari’s Address Bar to the bottom of the screen — doesn’t deserve the deluge of criticism some users are heaping upon it.

I tried out the latest iOS 15 beta to check out that feature, plus the new Tab Groups and other changes coming to Safari. Here’s what I like and what I don’t.

Apple TV+ kids show Stillwater wins a Peabody

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Apple original series Stillwater won a Peabody Award.
Apple original series Stillwater won a Peabody Award.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ original animated series Stillwater won a Peabody Award today for excellence in storytelling, and for work that encourages empathy. Actor Goldie Hawn, who has worked extensively with kids on various forms of programming, presented the award in a video.

AirBuddy makes your AirPods work better with your Mac

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Instantly play your Mac's audio with this app
AirBuddy connects your AirPods to your Mac with a single click.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We’ve all been there: You’re running late for a video meeting and you’ve only got a few moments to pull up your presentation and speak to your entire team. In between the dog barking, construction happening just outside your window, and having misplaced your charger, the last thing you want to deal with are audio and connectivity issues between your AirPods and your Mac.

Microsoft copies Apple, puts Android apps on Windows 11

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Microsoft copies Apple, puts Android apps on Windows 11
Running phone apps on a desktop or notebook. Now where have I heard of that before?
Photo: Microsoft

Windows 11 borrows a page from Apple’s playbook and can run applications created for smartphones. In the case of Microsoft’s just-announced operating system update, users will be able to install Android apps from Amazon’s software store.

That’s quite similar to M1-based Macs’ ability to run iOS and iPadOS software as easily as macOS apps.

New Time to Walk stories for Apple Fitness+ feature Randall Park, Stephen Fry and others

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Time to Walk
More inspirational stories to get you pumped.
Photo: Apple

Apple is debuting new episodes of its Time to Walk stories for Apple Fitness+. The new episodes, featuring Randall Park, Michaela Jaé “MJ” Rodriguez, Stephen Fry, Anthony Joshua, and others, will arrive starting June 28.

On the same day Apple will also introduce an Artist Spotlight series, boasting workouts with workouts set to playlists from individual artists — like Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Lady Gaga.

Here’s when Foundation and other big shows hit Apple TV+

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Foundation is coming to Apple TV+ next year.
Foundation on Apple TV+ will be a mix of Star Wars and Game of Thrones.
Photo: Apple/Skydance Television

The wait for the Apple TV+ adaptation of Foundation is almost over. The same goes for The Problem With Jon Stewart. Apple’s streaming service announced the premiere dates for these shows and more, all coming this fall.

The free Apple TV+ trial offered when the service debuted runs out at the end of June, and the iPhone-maker is trying to build excitement for upcoming series by announcing their debut dates.

iPhone 13 will come with new, improved batteries and faster 5G for many users

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iPhone 12
Are you excited about iPhone 13?
Photo: Apple

The next-gen iPhone will boast “more flexible SiP battery modules and LCP antenna modules,” backing up previous rumors that it will come with a new, improved battery and bring new ultra-speedy mmWave 5G to new countries.

A report published Thursday by Digitimes noted that these are two of the big changes expected for this year’s iPhone refresh. Other than this, the iPhone 13 (or whatever Apple opts to call it) will reportedly “see few changes.” Fortunately, from the sound of things that might include pricing.

Maximize your adventures with the World Traveler Bundle, featuring Rosetta Stone

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This bundle includes every travel hack you ever need
Make travel more enjoyable with this bundle of hacks and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The world is opening up again, meaning it’s the perfect opportunity to dust off your passport and visit the places you’ve always wanted to go. The World Traveler Bundle Featuring Rosetta Stone Lifetime Subscription includes everything you need to maximize your travels and enjoy visiting new frontiers to the fullest.

House committee approves antitrust legislation that could hit Apple hard

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App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges
Apple's antitrust woes look set to continue.
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC

A House committee approved antitrust legislation Thursday that threatens many big tech companies — Apple included. In a 24 to 20 vote early this morning, the committee approved the American Choice and Innovation Online Act.

The bill, which still needs to pass the full House, seeks to stop big platforms from advantaging their own products or services over those made by others. That could affect Apple, which not only owns and operates the App Store distribution platform, but also makes products that compete with some of the apps distributed through said store.

France will hear case regarding unfair App Store terms in September

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App Store
Apple is currently fending off App Store complaints around the world.
Photo: James Yarema/Unsplash CC

A case brought by France’s finance ministry against Apple will have its day in court September 17. The case involves allegedly abusive contractual terms imposed by Apple for developers selling software in the App Store.

It’s a similar scenario to the complaint made by Fortnite makers Epic Games, regarding the control Apple has over developers on iOS. The lawsuit follows a three-year probe carried out by the DGCCRF consumer fraud watchdog. It’s also just the latest of many complaints made about the App Store around the world.

Apple looks to China to bolster its growing ad business

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Apple search ads China
Feature launched in China this week.
Photo: Apple

Apple this week launched its App Store search advertising business in mainland China, five years after it arrived in the United States. Called Apple Search Ads, the targeted ads feature works similar to Google ads by letting developers bid to get advertising space for certain keywords.

Debuting Apple Search Ads in one of Apple’s biggest markets comes at the same time that Apple is cracking down on targeted advertising from other companies. Features like iOS 14’s App Transparency Tracker lets users opt out of personalized tracking from other companies. But while they’re struggling, Apple’s seemingly making the move to expand its own ad empire.

Mophie’s MagSafe car vent charger easily powers your iPhone on the road [Review]

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Mophie Snap+ Wireless Vent Mount reviews
The Mophie Snap+ Wireless Vent Mount is unobtrusive but holds and charges an iPhone 12 well.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Mophie Snap+ Wireless Vent Mount uses Apple’s MagSafe system not only to recharge your iPhone but also let the handset magnetically cling to your car’s dash.

I did some road tests with it, as well as the Mophie Snap Vent Mount, a very similar device that doesn’t include wireless charging. Here’s how they performed.