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Fix battery drain, missing GPS data after updating to iOS 14, watchOS 7

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Fix GPS data loss iOS 14
It's not easy, but it's essential.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple has acknowledged problems with iOS 14 and watchOS 7 that can cause some users to lose GPS data and experience excessive battery drain on Apple Watch and iPhone — among other things.

There is a way to fix these issues and prevent future data loss, and it means resetting your devices. We’ll walk you through it.

Microsoft tries to make Surface Pro X a better iPad Pro rival

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Surface Pro X 2020 has an quicker SQ 2 processor.
Surface Pro X is Microsoft’s chief rival for the iPad Pro. A new version should offer improved performance.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft unveiled a faster version of the Surface Pro X on Thursday. This updated tablet/laptop has an improved version of the Arm-based processor that debuted in the original last autumn. Performance of first-generation model didn’t impress reviewers or power users. Hence the new iteration.

The Surface Pro X competes head-to-head with Apple’s iPad Pro line. Both even use similar processors.

‘Self-healing’ display could make folding iPhone invincible

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Apple filed for a ‘self-healing’ folding iPhone patent on Thursday
Of course a folding iPhone screen won‘t develop a crease. But Apple is still exploring how to make this possible.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is working on a solution for the biggest drawback of folding displays. The first generation of foldable handsets made by rival companies develop a crease where the screen bends, but Apple engineers want to put a bendable display that includes a self-healing material in a folding iPhone.

How to use Smart Selection in iPadOS 14

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How to use Smart Selection in iPadOS 14
Smart Selection makes your iPad and stylus even more useful.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

Smart Selection in iPadOS 14 can be amazingly useful for anyone who takes notes with their iPad. This new feature lets you handwrite some words, then turn them into text at any point later on.

Here’s how it works.

Fast-moving iOS 14 icon pack designer makes 6 figures in 6 days

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Dark icons
What could be more sleekly minimalist? (You get a set of lighter icons, too.)
Photo: Traf

San Francisco-based graphic designer Traf was one of the first to jump on the idea of creating high-quality icons for iOS 14 users to customize their Home screens — and he’s reaping the benefits.

In a new blog post, Traf writes that it took him just six days to rack up 3,626 sales of his stunning monochrome icon set. Because he charged $28 for them, he made $101,528 — officially passing the six-figure mark.

Players have spent an astounding 10.4 million combined years playing Fortnite

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The evolution of Fornite
The evolution of gamerkind.
Photo: Game.co.uk

Here’s a slightly crazy statistic: Gamers around the world have spent a combined 10.4 million years playing Fortnite, according to a new report. That’s considerably longer than the 6 million years humans have been around in some form.

In total, the top 10 games played online have been played for some 19.2 million years. World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Grand Theft Auto V and Witcher 3 make up the rest of the top five.

Safety first! Get a smart bike helmet with a built-in LED signaling system

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Lumos Main (1)
Lumos helmets boast LEDs that act as turn signals and brake lights. And they work with iPhone and Apple Watch!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

More people are riding bikes than ever, especially in big cities. With pandemic fears causing folks to avoid public transportation, and lessened traffic due to all the shutdowns, it’s the perfect time to take it to the streets on two wheels.

Safety is always a legit concern for cyclists, especially with more on the road. And these LED-laden helmets enhance riders’ protection in multiple ways. Plus, they are app-enabled and work with iOS devices and Apple Watch.

Apple could be banned from offering preinstalled iPhone apps in Europe

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iOS 14.0.1
iOS 14.0.1 lets you set Gmail as your default email application, and have it actually stick.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s default apps could potentially be banned from coming preinstalled on new iPhone and iPads in Europe, according to draft European Union legislation.

The so-called Digital Services Act is intended to level the playing field for smaller companies wanting to compete with “gatekeeper platforms” (aka tech giants). The EU currently has two investigations into the App Store and one into Apple Pay.

Despite attacks, TikTok enjoys another month as world’s top social media app

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U.S. investigations of TikTok gather steam.
TikTok was the top social media app in August.
Photo: Kon Karampelas/Unsplash CC

TikTok may be facing a possible extinction-level event in the U.S., but that’s not stopping its worldwide success as the popular video-sharing app just racked up yet another month as the world’s most downloaded social media app.

According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, TikTok enjoyed 63.4 million installs worldwide in August 2020. That’s up 1.7 percent from August the previous year. TikTok was the no. 1 social media app in the App Store, Google Play store, and — unsurprisingly — both combined.

Apple TV app could soon be available on PlayStation and Xbox consoles

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Sony-DualShock-4
Your PlayStation will be able to double up as an Apple TV+ viewer.
Photo: Sony

Since the days of the PlayStation 2’s in-built DVD player, for many people their games console has been the primary media hub for their TV. Despite this, Apple TV+ is not currently available on the top games platforms.

That may soon change, according to reports that claim that Apple is supposedly working with Microsoft and Sony to introduce its Apple TV app to Xbox and PlayStation.

This designer’s setup is built around Macs old and new [Setups]

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MacBook Pro Setup
This setup combines new and vintage Apple products.
Photo: u/jhoule1394

COVID-19 forced Jeff Houle to work remotely, which was not a problem since he prefers his personalized WFH desk rather than his drab office desk. Houle is an avid collector, whether it is Disney pins (see the cork board) or old Apple products.

But when it comes to Macs, he does not just collect them. He finds unique ways to reuse them. He held on to his iBook G4 and iMac G4 (which he got at a swap meet for $10) to play old games like the original Sim and Oregon Trail — where he probably found the iBook.

Top picks from the Cult of Mac Store

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Cult of Mac Store's hottest products
Don't miss out on these awesome new accessories.
Photo: Elago

Looking for some great accessories for your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac? The Cult of Mac Store is full of them, and we’re adding new ones all the time that you won’t want to miss.

This week’s top picks include a terrific wireless charging stand from Zens, must-have MacBook protection from Elago, an ultra-cool protective sleeve for your Apple TV remote, and more!

HoloVista takes VR iPhone gaming to a beautifully surreal new high

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‘HoloVista’ debuted Wednesday on the iPhone App Store.
Use virtual reality to explore an opulent but very strange mansion in HoloVista.
Screenshot: Aconite

The drawback to virtual reality gaming on an iPhone is it requires players to look at the world through their handset’s screen. Rather than try to escape that limitation, the new VR game HoloVista embraces it.

The player takes on the role of a character who’s also looking at the world through their iPhone. But what they’re seeing is a strange mansion they’ve been asked to photograph.

iOS 14.2 public beta 2 brings dozens of fun new emoji [Updated]

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iOS 14.2 beta 2 is all be out emoji.
iOS 14.2 beta 2 includes a random collection of new emoji.
Graphic: Apple/Emojipedia

Apple seeded a second beta of iOS 14.2 to everyone on Wednesday, along with the iPad equivalent. It brings plenty of fun new emoji like ninja, the transgender symbol and a certain Italian hand gesture. And beta testers get Shazam music recognition integrated into the Control Center.

But anyone hoping to get an iPhone 12 in October might want to skip this beta.

Apple Watch false positives could risk overburdening hospitals

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Apple Watch
Study raises some important questions. But more work is needed.
Photo: Jim Merithew / Cult of Mac

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic are worried that false positives from the Apple Watch’s pulse-reading sensor could overburden medical services.

This is the pulse rate sensor available with all models of Apple Watch. It is not to be confused with the newer ECG heart rate feature on newer devices.

Save almost $100 on Apple Watch 5 as Woot clears out new stock

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Get Apple Watch 5 at its lowest price yet
Bag yours before they're all gone!
Photo: Apple

Woot is offering some of the biggest discounts we’ve seen so far on Apple Watch Series 5 for a limited time only. You can pick up new, open-box models with GPS for as little as $329.99.

Both 40mm and 44mm options are available in silver, gold and space gray. Stock is limited, so bag yours before they’re all gone!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Apple boots pair of RSS readers out of the App Store in China

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AllOfUS says Apple helps censorship in China
Apple faces a tough situation in China.
Photo: AllOfUs

Apple has reportedly removed a pair of RSS reader apps, Reeder and Fiery Feeds, from the App Store in China due to their ability to allow users to access information the country would rather they not see.

It’s not clear exactly what prompted this particular banning, but China has been cracking down on RSS feeds since 2007. That year, it initiated a blanket ban on all web-based RSS feed aggregators. In 2017, Apple removed RSS reader app Inoreader from the App Store in China.

In other words, this may be less a case of “What did Reeder and Fiery Feeds do wrong?” than “how did they manage to survive as long as they did?”

Take control of your daily tasks and to-do lists with this handy app

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Pagico 9 Task Management
Boost your productivity with this tool's task timeline, project visualization, daily planning and cross-links.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You’re not alone. These days, it’s harder than ever to stay focused on tasks both big and small. Times are strange but life goes on. To help you stay focused on work, errands and to-do lists, this app — which runs on Mac, iPhone, iPad and more — brings together a ton of intuitive tools and features.

Apple’s biggest manufacturer is building AR glasses of its own

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Apple Glasses
Apple is also reportedly developing its own AR glasses.
Concept: Taeyeon Kim

Foxconn, Apple’s biggest manufacturing partner, is reportedly developing its own augmented reality (AR) smart glasses. These will be used in retail, smart factories, and smart medical care.

The AR glasses will utilize micro LED displays, one of the next-gen display technologies that Apple plans to use in future products. Apple is also said to be hard at work on its own AR glasses, tentatively dubbed “Apple Glass.”

Candy Crush Friends Saga passes $200 million in lifetime player spending

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Candy Crush
continues to go from strength to strength.
Photo: Nathan Love/King/Candy Crush Friends Saga

Candy Crush Friends Saga has surpassed $200 million in lifetime player spending across both the iOS and Google Play app stores, a report from app intelligence first Sensor Tower claims.

In total, the Candy Crush franchise has earned more than $1 billion so far this year.

Apple CEO Tim Cook awarded first stock grant in nearly a decade

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CEO Tim Cook photo via Fox Business
That's a reason to smile!
Photo: Fox Business

Tim Cook may well stay at the helm at Apple until at least 2025, according to SEC filings which detail the stock options that will vest in that time. Cook will receive 333,987 units of restricted stock options, vesting in thirds beginning April 1, 2023.

“For the first time in nearly a decade, we are awarding Tim a new stock grant that will vest over time in recognition of his outstanding leadership and with great optimism for Apple’s future as he carries these efforts forward,” Apple’s board of directors told Reuters.

iOS 14.2 adds more evidence iPhone 12 won’t come with EarPods

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Apple's new EarPods brought big improvements over previous versions.
This could be the end of the road for EarPods coming packaged with the iPhone.
Photo: Juanibb/Wikipedia CC

A “minor code tweak” discovered in iOS 14.2 appears to confirm previous reports that Apple will not package EarPods with the iPhone 12.

The rumor was originally suggested by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo back in May. This change in language, hidden in iOS 14.2, seems to lend credence to that idea.