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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.

How to prevent AirPods from automatically switching to different devices

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AirPods-Pro-how-to
Take care of switching manually like you used to.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple recently gave AirPods and AirPods Pro the ability to automatically switch between different devices depending on what you’re doing. Sometimes the feature is useful, but other times it’s really frustrating.

You may have noticed it after updating to iOS 14 on your iPhone or iPadOS 14 on your iPad. The good news is, it’s possible to disable the feature and take care of switching yourself.

We’ll show you how.

10 awesome accessories for your new Apple Watch

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juuk
Treat your new Apple Watch to some of the best accessories!
Photo: Juuk

Now that you’ve got your shiny new Apple Watch, you’ll want some great accessories to go with it. A sturdy charging stand, essential protection, and a selection of great bands are all must-haves.

We’ve rounded up 10 awesome accessories for any new Apple Watch owner to help get your collection started. They’re some of our favorite items available right now, and they’re all nicely priced.

Fuel cells could power future iPhones for weeks at a time

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A fuel cell iPhone or Mac is a possibility.
Apple engineers are always looking to the future. Today, it’s patent for a fuel cell for an iPhone or iPad.
Photo: RF._.studio/Pexels CC

Rather than traditional batteries, a future iPhone or Mac might be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Apple on Monday received a patent for a fuel cell that might be used in future devices. The goal is a device that can go days or weeks without needing to be refueled.

Belt out your favorite songs with mobile karaoke

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Karaoke On Demand
Sing your favorite tunes anywhere and anytime with Karaoke On Demand.
Photo: Bruce Mars

Few things are as therapeutic as passionately singing your favorite songs completely out of key. Even better if your friends are in on the fun. That’s the joy of karaoke — and this app makes it easy to pop up a karaoke session just about anywhere.

iPhone 12 production runs 24 hours a day, with big bonuses for top workers

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Apple's relationship with Foxconn on the rocks
Tim Cook meeting with a member of the iPhone production line.
Photo: Apple

Production is running full-tilt for the iPhone 12, the South China Morning Post reported Tuesday.

According to the publication, production is running 24 hours per day, with no vacations allowed and mandatory overtime. There are also “juicy bonuses” for employees who put in the time.

Custom iPhone 12 variants pay tribute to Apple’s very first computer

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Caviar iPhone Apple-1
How many Apple has changed since 1976!
Photo: Caviar

Russian company Caviar is known for producing blinged-out Apple devices that would make billionaire fat cats and 2000-era rappers say “that’s a bit over-the-top.”

But its latest creations, infinitely more humble and low-fi in appearance, are easily my favorite of its customized devices. Caviar will produce a pair of iPhone 12 models patterned after the original Apple-1 computer, as built in 1976.

Save $100 on the highly rated, dirt-busting Deebot N79S robot vac

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Save on Deebot N79S robot vac
Let the N79S take care of the cleaning for you.
Photo: Deebot

Leave the vacuum cleaner in the cupboard, sit back and relax, and let the Deebot N79S take care of the dirty floors for you. This highly rated robot vacuum is a steal at $100 off for a limited time only.

The N79S cleans hard floors and carpets with ease with its powerful suction, and runs for up to 110 minutes on a single charge. You can control it with your phone, or by using Amazon Alexa.

Bag yours today before the price returns to normal.