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Pokémon Go‘s heartwarming Buddy feature will get even better with Reality Blending

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Pokemon GO
This game is determined to be the very best. Like no game ever was.
Photo: Niantic

Pokémon Go‘s Buddy feature gives you a, well, Poké buddy to go on adventures with, much like Pikachu was to Ash in the animated series.

Now, thanks to a new feature called Reality Blending, the experience is going to get even better — and a lot more glitch-free. If you haven’t seen it, check out the (weirdly tear-jerking) ad for the Buddy Adventure feature below, as well as details about how it’s been improved.

YouTube Kids is now available for Apple TV

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YouTube Kids app restrictions
YouTube Kids is no longer limited to tablets and smartphones.
Photo: YouTube

The YouTube Kids app, a special child-friendly version of the YouTube app with additional parental controls, has landed on Apple TV.

The app was launched on iOS and Android in early 2015. However, while users could previously use AirPlay to stream content from their iPhone or iPad to Apple TV, this is the first time YouTube has created a native Apple TV app for the service.

Insane iPhone sale offers refurbs for as little as $39.99 today only

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iPhone 6s
Quick! They won't last long.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Woot’s insane deals on iPhone refurbs keep on coming, and today’s might just be its best yet. With prices starting at a mere $39.99, there’s never been a better time to pick up a backup — or treat your kid to their first phone.

The only downside to this sale is that it’s good for one day only, and stock is selling quickly. Act fast or miss out!

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

HBO Max hits the App Store with 10,000 hours of content

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hbo.max.logo
HBO Max has one of the deepest content archives of any streaming service yet.
Photo: WarnerMedia

HBO Max, the streaming platform that bundles together new and existing HBO content with a massive WarnerMedia library of TV shows and movies, has officially launched in the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.

The service launches with some 10,000 hours of programming, making this a serious contender to the likes of Netflix and Disney+ from day one. It costs $15 per month (covered by your existing subscription if you’re already an HBO subscribers), although a special offer makes it just $12 a month for the initial year.

Samsung will play a crucial role in creating the iPhone 12

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This iPhone 12 concept borrows from Samsung.
Samsung could profit big from the iPhone 12, too.
Image: ConceptsiPhone

Samsung will once again play a big role in making the next-gen iPhone as it has secured the majority of orders for the OLED displays for the iPhone 12, claims a report published Wednesday.

The iPhone 12 series of phones is expected to be Apple’s biggest upgrade in several years — featuring a new chassis design, OLED screens in every model, and Apple’s first 5G compatibility. And Samsung, Apple’s long-time frenemy, will seemingly get a big, lucrative piece of the pie.

Apple TV+ is becoming home to all things Fraggle Rock

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Fraggle Rock
Apple will air original show, alongside producing new episodes.
Photo: HBO/Jim Henson Company

Apple TV+ will be seriously upping its quotient of Fraggle Rock content, the Jim Henson kids’ puppet show which debuted in the 1980s.

Apple has acquired the streaming rights to all 96 episodes of the original show, which ran on HBO from 1983 through 1987, alongside specials. These will debut on Wednesday, May 27, and will be the first time that Apple TV+ has aired rerun content previously shown elsewhere.

Apple Schoolwork 2.0 update makes assignments easier for teachers and students

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Apple Schoolwork 2.0 helps track Handout due dates.
Notifications that Handouts are due soon are part of Apple Schoolwork 2.0.
Photo: Apple

A major update debuted Monday for Apple’s free Schoolwork app, which helps students and teachers collaborate on school assignments. Version 2.0 not only got an new tab-based design, there are numerous enhancements to make the Handouts feature more useful.

Apple also updated its companion Classroom app, though only modestly.

A Mac lover’s ideal setup [Setups]

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A Mac lovers ideal setup
This setup is pure eye candy.
Photo: Zach Hicks

Busy medical student Zach Hicks spent years developing this mouth-watering, Mac mini-powered setup. His main screen is actually a 43-inch smart TV, which gives him a bunch of screen real estate so he can open up a lot of PowerPoint presentations at once.

To accompany these big screens, he uses an Apple Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse. A HomePod pumps out the audio, while two Philips Hue Bloom lamps illuminate everything. And, if you are wondering about the Apple boxes above his desk, they serve as a visual reminder of his journey to build this dream setup.

macOS Catalina 10.15.5 arrives to save your MacBook battery

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2020 macbook air
A new Battery Health Management feature should extend the time before you think about replacing your MacBook Air.
Photo: iFixit

Beta testing is over, and Apple released macOS Catalina 10.15.5 to the general public today. It includes a new Battery Health Management feature intended to reduce wear and extend the useful life of MacBook batteries.

100 more US Apple Stores will open soon … sort of

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Apple plans to start the slow process of reopening its U.S. retail stores next week.
Apple plans to start the slow process of reopening its U.S. retail stores.
Photo: Open Grid Scheduler/Flickr CC

Apple said Tuesday it intends to open its retail locations in 21 U.S. states. But some stores will reportedly only offer curbside service, with customers not allowed to go in. The dates these Apple Stores would reopen were not announced.

Virtually all of Apple’s storefronts have been closed since March to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Apple Pro Display XDR picks up highest honor in Display Industry Awards

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Pro-Display-XDR
Apple Pro Display XDR was lauded for advancing the state of the art in display technology.
Photo: Apple

The Society for Information Display on Tuesday named Apple’s Pro Display XDR one of its 2020 Displays of the Year, among the industry’s highest honors.

This top-tier display debuted in December alongside the latest Mac Pro. It sports a 32-inch Retina 6K screen, with 10-bit color and a super-wide viewing angle.

Apple could save Messages on Mac with new iPad app port

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Messages-iPad
Messages is so much better on iPad.
Photo: Apple

Apple looks to be gearing up to port iPad’s built-in Messages app over to Mac. The move could immediately fix Messages’ biggest problems on Mac, including its glaring lack of features.

The desktop version of the app still does not support iMessage apps, Apple Pay, message effects and other key features. Evidence of the move has been uncovered in leaked iOS 14 code, indicating it could be executed this fall when Apple drops its next major macOS update.

Gates Foundation buys more than half a million Apple shares

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Bill Gates
Picture this guy investing in Apple. Stranger things have happened!
Photo: Fulvio Obregon

The Gates Foundation, the charitable organization belonging to Bill and Melinda Gates, snapped up more than half a million Apple shares during the first three months of 2020, a new report claims.

According to an SEC filing, reported by Smarter Analyst, the largest private foundation in the world purchased some 501,044 Apple shares in the first quarter of 2020. At present, AAPL is trading at $320.40, having made back the value it lost during the coronavirus pandemic.

Future AirPods could count steps, track heart rate and monitor health conditions

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AirPods Pro settings
Future AirPods won't just play music.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Future AirPods could boast ambient light sensors that track users’ heart rate, head movements and steps taken, Digitimes claimed Monday.

The report says the new health-tracking tech might find its way into Apple’s AirPods in the “coming 1-2” years. The feature reportedly will enable the ultra-popular wireless earbuds to track various activities and potentially monitor certain health conditions.

Get more from your iPhone with 4 useful accessories [Deals]

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iPhone Main
Protect, sanitize, charge, and get more enjoyment out of your phone with these four accessories.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You can instantly level up your iPhone game with any one of these four great iPhone accessories. Plus, you’ll save as much as 80% on these hot deals.

Come for the noise-canceling headphones and portable UV sanitizer, stay for the solar-powered power bank and lifetime VPN subscription!

The biggest discounts are back on AirPods Pro, Powerbeats Pro and more

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Powerbeats-Pro
Bag yours for under $180 before this discount disappears.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest wireless headphones have returned to some of their lowest prices yet, thanks to big discounts from Amazon. You can save up to $50 on AirPods Pro, Powerbeats Pro, and more for a limited time only.

You can also pick up second-generation AirPods for as little as $129, and there are big savings to enjoy on Beats headphones, too.

Huawei overtakes Apple in first quarter to become China’s No. 1 tablet maker

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Huawei MatePad Pro is like an iPad Pro, but cheaper
Unlike most, Huawei had a great first three months of the year.
Photo: Huawei

The iPad no longer rules the tablet roost in China, the country Tim Cook previously claimed is Apple’s future biggest market. According to a Tuesday report from the South China Morning Post, Huawei has overtaken Apple to be the No. 1 tablet maker in China for the first quarter of 2020.

China’s tablet shipments fell a massive 30% in the first three months of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, while most manufacturers (including Apple) shipped fewer units for the quarter, Huawei actually grew 4.3% year on year. In doing so, it claimed 40.2% of the market, next to Apple’s 31.5%.

Amazon slashes a whopping $100 off Apple Watch Series 5

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Next Apple Watch Activity challenge will take place on Veterans Day
Sweet savings!
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Big discounts on Apple Watch Series 5 are back at Amazon. You’ll find up to $100 off some of the most affordable configurations, with a 44mm model with GPS now available for as little as $329 — down from $429.

GPS + cellular options are also available from $399 — down from $499. All are brand-new units that are ready to ship right away, but these discounts won’t last long. Enjoy them today before they disappear.

Former Windows division boss goes all-in on iPad Pro with his new ‘desktop PC’ setup

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Trackpad-3
The iPad is more of a real computer every day.
Photo: Apple

Is the iPad Pro good enough to double as a serious desktop computer? If you ask Steven Sinofsky, former president of the Windows division at Microsoft, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

In a recent tweet, Sinofsky shared a photo of the setup for his “new desktop PC.” And, for a guy who made his name working for one of Apple’s long-time biggest competitors, it’s pretty darn Apple-centric.

No USB-C: Lightning connector will stay until iPhone goes all-in on wireless

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iPhone-Lightning
Lightning isn't going anywhere.
Photo: Tinhte

Apple ditched Lightning for USC-B on the iPad Pro in 2018, but you shouldn’t expect a similar move for this year’s iPhone 12 refresh, according to an Apple leaker.

A Monday tweet by Fudge, aka @choco_bit, suggests that the iPhone 12 will come with a Lightning port. The reliable tipster says Apple will continue to use the proprietary Lightning until the iPhone goes all-in on wireless charging.

Japan will start reopening its shuttered Apple Stores this week

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Apple new store in Japan
Apple's most recent store opened in Tokyo in September.
Photo: Apple

Apple will start reopening Apple Stores in Japan this week, following on from reopening in Australia, Germany, Austria, South Korea, Switzerland, and select stores in the United States and Italy.

Like all other non-China markets, Apple’s Japan retail stores have been closed since the middle of March due to the coronavirus pandemic.