The UK’s botched contact-tracing COVID app has run into its latest hurdle — this time the fact that thousands of people have been possibly exposed to coronavirus without being told that this is the case.
The reason for this is that the app used the wrong risk threshold to send out warnings. In essence, it assumed that people were too far away for transmission to be possible — even when they weren’t. As a result, “shockingly low” numbers of people received warnings.
The internet changed a lot about how we communicate. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the sensitivity of giving out your personal phone number to randos.
Craigslist, Tinder dates — heck, even work associates — there are lots of people you might not want to be able to reach you on a whim. This inexpensive private phone line offers an invaluable buffer between you and the unknown.
Apple TV+ isn’t the only department within Apple that’s snapping up Hollywood talent. According to a new report by the Wall Street Journal, Apple is among the tech giants recruiting top movie industry VFX experts and technology to help its AR and VR ambitions.
Want to receive an intimate photo from a romantic partner? You’d better be ready to sign on the dotted line (or, at least, the smartphone screen.)
A new app called e-gree allows couples to create legal contracts that could help stop the saucy selfies from being shared without permission. No legal fees involved.
Don’t expect to see any major design changes when Apple introduces its first Apple Silicon MacBooks at next week’s “One More Thing” event, claims Bloomberg.
The unprecedented third Apple media event in three months will take place on Tuesday, November 10. At the event, Apple will show off the initial Apple Silicon Macs, first announced at June’s WWDC. But it seems that the MacBooks won’t be getting fancy new exterior redesigns to go along with their new processors.
Apple has created a guidelines document for third-party manufacturers who want to create their own MagSafe accessories for the iPhone 12.
It contains specific guidance, such as the fact that MagSafe cases must have a a maximum thickness of 2.1mm, and should be capable of clinging on securely to an iPhone without necessarily having to rely on the magnets to do so.
If you plan to preorder iPhone 12 mini or Pro Max on Friday, November 6, through the iPhone Upgrade Program, then do yourself a massive favor and get preapproved early. It will make the whole process quicker and easier.
We’ll show you how.
Any doubts that the Apple TV+ workplace thriller Severance will be creepy were laid to rest Monday when word got out that Christopher Walken has joined the cast. He’s added an eerie tone to many roles in the past.
He’s just one of multiple big names already involved in the upcoming Apple series. Patricia Arquette is also set to star, while Ben Stiller will direct.
Like many other Americans, I face a momentous decision this week. A choice between two polar opposites, each with hard-core backers who say you’re stone-cold crazy if you don’t go with their pick.
I’m talking about, of course, one of the most pressing decisions of 2020: iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max. They’re the most exciting iPhones in this year’s lineup, for very different reasons.
Accessory-maker Moment unveiled a variety of mounts to help photographers make better use the very advanced cameras built into the iPhone 12 series. These employ the MagSafe magnetic-connection system built into Apple’s newest handsets.
There’s also a new lineup of MagSafe-compatible iPhone 12 cases from Moment.
Those who use a Microsoft Xbox as their entertainment center will soon be able to watch the Apple TV+ streaming video service. A version of the Apple TV software will be released for a range of Xbox consoles next Tuesday, including the newest ones.
The Cult of Mac Store’s big Halloween Sale is almost over, but there’s still time to save on some sweet bands, cases, and other accessories for Apple Watch, iPhone, AirPods, and more.
Enjoy discounts on brands like Mujjo, Elago, and Rilee & Lo — but be quick. This sale ends today!
Apple put an augmented reality Easter egg into the invitation to its November product event. The AR object seems to hint that there’ll be at least one new MacBook on the docket.
The basic graphic in the event invite, which went out Monday, is the Apple logo surrounded by streaks of light. iPhone users can transfer that design to the real 3D world, and put it in motion. That motion looks a lot like a MacBook opening and closing.
Apple sent out invites on Monday to an unprecedented third product launch event. This will almost certainly be the debut of Macs running Apple Silicon, the company’s own processors.
Titled “One More Thing,” the November event is scheduled for 10 a.m. PST on Tuesday, November 10.
Apple Stores will close again in England as the country goes into a second national lockdown, starting Thursday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the lockdown over the weekend as a result of a sharp spike in coronavirus cases. The lockdown — which will last a minimum of four weeks, but maybe longer — means that all non-essential stores will close. That includes Apple stores.
Lots of us have made the commitment to learn a new language, only to watch it fall by the wayside. Unless you’re fully immersed and have plenty of free time, it’s usually not as easy to learn a second (or third) language as it was to learn the first.
The Memrise Language Learning app aims to make it far easier to earn additional languages, using a three-step approach that mimics the way you mastered your native tongue. At the heart of the app are video clips featuring native speakers, who demonstrate all the subtleties of phrasing and tone that carry as much information as the words themselves.
Apple’s long-running battle with patent-holding entity VirnetX took another expensive turn Friday as Apple was ordered to pay $502.8 million for infringing on the company’s patents.
The verdict was decided by a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Apple and VirnetX have been battling back and forth since 2010.
In its latest 10-K annual report, detailing its 2020 financial reports, Apple warns investors that if it’s made to reduce the commission it charges in the App Store, this could have a “materially adverse” affect on Apple’s bottom line.
Apple includes the clause, which seemingly hasn’t been in previous 10-K reports, at a time when Apple’s commission is being challenged. A number of developers and politicians have suggested that Apple’s control of the App Store in unfair, and that it charges too much.
Over the weekend, the first (and arguably best) actor to play James Bond in a movie, Sean Connery, passed away at the age of 90.
Almost immediately, a story began doing the rounds online about the time, in 1998, when Connery told Steve Jobs that he flat-out refused to participate in an Apple ad. Why? Because Jobs was “a computer salesman” and Connery was “f*cking James Bond.”
It’s a great story. It’s also totally untrue.
Moving in with a romantic partner can be complicated and stressful. But an even higher level of stress comes when you merge your financial accounts.
There are ways to work things out, though. This intuitive app makes it easy for couples to plan their financial futures.
Apple’s new Intercom feature for HomePod (and HomePod mini) sounds really interesting and useful. Depending on what Apple gear you own, and what software versions you’re running, you might be able to give it a spin right now.
Our lead story this week will show you how to get Intercom set up (and why you’ll want to). But there’s also plenty of Apple news, rumors and recommendations. Highlights include our iPhone 12 review and a wrap from this week’s surprising financial update: 7 nuggets of truth from Apple’s latest earnings call.
It’s all in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now to read on your iOS device, or get the headlines below in your browser.
Being cooped up just makes the allure of the open road even stronger. And what better way to hit the road than in a brand-new Tesla? We can’t think of an answer either!
We’re extra-excited about this chance to win a 2021 Tesla Model 3 — and support a great charity in the process.
If you’re lucky enough to have already picked up an iPhone 12 or 12 Pro, and you live in an area where 5G is available, you may have noticed that you sometimes see different 5G icons in your status bar.
There are three altogether, and they change depending on what kind of 5G network you’re connected to. Here’s how to understand them.
Apparently there was something to all those complaints about active noise cancellation in AirPods Pro. Apple just launched a program to replace defective AirPods Pro earbuds that have audio problems, including sucky ANC.
Apple on Friday gave developers access to iOS 14.2 golden master, along with the iPadOS equivalent. This is the last step before releasing these new versions to the public.
When available to all, iOS 14.2 will offer plenty of fun new emoji, as well as Shazam music recognition integrated into the Control Center.
