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Apple bets big on 5G iPhone lineup despite demand concerns

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iphone-12-pro
An artist's take on 'iPhone 12' with 5G.
Photo: The Hacker 34

Apple is asking suppliers to “crank out” components for its upcoming 5G iPhone lineup, despite some fears that it could launch to weak demand as a result of COVID-19, a Tuesday report claims.

The company is said to have confirmed plans to make around 213 million iPhone units in the 12 months through March 2021 — an increase of 4% over the same period last year.

Some suppliers are concerned that initial orders could end up being “significantly lower.”

Top iOS games are swimming in cash while players are stuck home

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App Store game revenue 1
App Store games ranked by revenue.
Photo: GoldenCasinoNews

There aren’t too many businesses that are thriving right now, but mobile games in the App Store certainly appear to be one of the outliers. Provided that you’re among the top titles, that is!

With many people stuck at home due to COVID-19 lockdown, a Tuesday report from GoldenCasinoNews claims that the top five games in the U.S. App Store hit $9.7 million in daily revenue in April. The leader of the pack right now is the ultra-popular Roblox Mobile, which is raking in approximately $2.7 million daily.

Become a Google apps wizard with a mastery of scripts [Deals]

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Take your business's online integration to a whole new level with 56 hours of lessons in Google scripts, apps, projects and tips -- source code included.
Take your business's online integration to a whole new level with 56 hours of lessons in Google scripts, apps and projects -- source code included.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Google apps like Docs, Spreadsheets and Calendar are super-convenient services. But with the Google Apps Scripts platform, you can string them together so that they become the basis of powerful custom applications. This bundle of courses will teach you how to do it.

Apple restrictions block France’s contact-tracing iPhone app

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Brace yourself for beautiful pictures. iPhone XS and XS Max pack the best cameras yet.
Apple's new platform just won't cut it.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

France is calling on Apple to loosen its Bluetooth restrictions on iPhone that are said to be holding back a government contact-tracing app designed to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Apple currently prevents iOS apps from using Bluetooth connectivity in the background under certain circumstances. Its policy blocks France from moving forward with its app, a Tuesday report reveals.

5G Mini LED iPad Pro may have been pushed back to early 2021

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Adonit Note+ review
You may be waiting a bit longer for the next iPad Pro.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s first 5G-compatible cellular 12.9-inch iPad Pro has reportedly been pushed back from late 2020 to the first quarter of 2021, an Economic Daily News report published Tuesday claims.

As with most hardware delays right now, the issue is the coronavirus pandemic. While China is getting back up and running, it has seemingly impacted production enough to delay Apple’s next-gen iPad Pro later this year.

Apple Ring could let you control devices around you by pointing at them

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Apple Ring 1
Will Apple ever make an Apple Ring?
Photo: USPTO/Apple

Apple hasn’t given up on the idea of an Apple Ring wearable that could be used to control Apple devices by performing specific hand gestures. The concept has been around for a few years, but Apple has yet to launch such a product.

However, on Tuesday it was granted a second patent for its invention, offering some more information about the device. Coming soon to a ring finger near you?

WhatsApp starts pushing out increased group call limit for all

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WhatsApp group calls
Look out for the newest WhatsApp update.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp has begun rolling out a big increase to its group call limit that will make it easier to keep in touch with colleagues and loved ones while stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s now possible to have voice and video calls with up to eight people. The change comes just days after code hinting at a new limit was spotted in an early WhatsApp beta release.

Apple rolls out App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, more in 20+ new countries

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International App Store
Apple's focusing on growing its services business more than ever.
Photo: Apple

Apple announced Tuesday that it is launching a whole host of its services in dozens more countries around the world.

Starting today, the App Store, Apple Arcade, Apple Podcasts, and iCloud are available in 20 additional countries. Apple Music, meanwhile, has picked up an additional 52 (!) international markets.

Sony 4K smart TVs with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit hit store shelves

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Sony X950
The Sony X950 is part of the new 2020 range. All models support Apple's AirPlay 2 & HomeKit.

Sony on Monday launched more than a half dozen smart TV models with 4K HDR LED displays in sizes from 43 inches to 85 inches. They include Airplay 2 and HomeKit, Apple’s wireless audio streaming and home automation technologies.

Sony plans to release more smart TVs throughout the year, including some 8K models. These will also have Apple’s tech.

A $700 curved monitor is only the start of this awesome WFH setup [Setups]

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LG curved monitor dominates this wfh setup
An LG curved monitor dominates this photographer's WFH setup.
Photo: @lioralon

An amazing 34-inch curved monitor dominates the desk of Lior Alon, a photographer from Israel. In addition to the sweet screen, she also uses a high-end Logitech mouse and, of course, Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 — the staple of any great setup.

To finish it off, a pair of super-high-def monitor speakers from Adam Audio and a Steinberg USB interface give her studio-quality sound.

2020 iPad Pro floats like a hummingbird in new Apple video

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Apple mixes up a Muhammad Ali quote in ad for Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
The Apple Magic Keyboard makes the iPad Pro seem to float, much to the amazement of a passing hummingbird
Screenshot: Apple

The latest video from Apple shows off the best trick of the Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro: it apparently makes the tablet float. A passing hummingbird stops by to see how the magic happens.

Watch it now:

AirPods Pro update might not happen till 2021

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Ear tip fit test airpods pro
There might be no new AirPods Pro until next year.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Sources in Apple’s supply chain reportedly indicate that that the next AirPods Pro won‘t be out until later this year, or perhaps 2021. This contradicts other reports that the company could introduce new wireless earbuds as early as next month.

How to share Mac screen without iMessage

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a screen
Unlike the Mac, this screen is difficult to share.
Photo: JD X/Unsplash

Are you the tech-support person for your family and friends? Are you the go-to nerd for fixing up iPhones, Macs and maybe even TVs 1? These days, you can’t just pay a visit to your parents to sort things out, so you’ll have to do it remotely. And if you’re all using Macs, that means screen sharing. You can do this very easily via iMessage — it’s as simple as starting a FaceTime call.

But what if your friend/parent/sibling in need doesn’t use iMessage? Don’t worry — all you need is their Apple ID.

TikTok, Zoom and Disney+ dominate the App Store during first quarter 2020

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apple-music
Which apps have been ruling the App Store during lockdown?
Photo: Apple

TikTok, Zoom and Disney+ have the slightly dubious-sounding honor of being named the three most popular iOS apps in the United States during the age of coronavirus, a new report from app analytics platform Sensor Tower suggests.

The report, which covers the first three months of 2020, sheds light on the way our app habits are changing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In short? We’re downloading a whole lot more apps than usual. That makes the App Store one of the few businesses that’s actually thriving during an incredibly difficult time.

Magic Keyboard review roundup: iPad Pro’s best keyboard yet

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Trackpad
The iPad Pro accessory we've been dreaming of.
Photo: Apple

iPad Pro’s exciting new Magic Keyboard, available to order now from $299, has already made its way into the hands of some reviewers. As you might have guessed, they all have great things to say about it.

Its excellent typing experience, unparalleled trackpad, and ease of use make the new Magic Keyboard one of the best iPad accessories to date, though it’s not quite perfect. Here’s what you need to know before you get yours.

Apple AI experts work to solve big speech-translation problems

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Translation Unsplash
Machine translation isn't easy. But Apple's working to solve it.
Photo: Romain Vignes/Unsplash

Apple is seemingly looking to step up its work in speech translation, showing one more way that Cupertino is looking to incorporate cutting-edge approaches to artificial intelligence into what it does.

In a recent paper, published to the pre-print server arXiv, two Apple research scientists describe the challenges in the field, carrying out a fundamental survey of the problems with current speech translation.

No, they don’t have a magical solution. But the fact that Apple gave them such a task suggests the company takes seriously the need to hone its tools in this area.

Magic Keyboard heavier than iPad Pro; hands-on videos provide first look

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Keyboard
A 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard is heavier than a MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s amazing new Magic Keyboard might be a must-have accessory for some iPad Pro owners, but it comes with one big tradeoff. The combined weight of both devices makes the package heavier than a MacBook Air.

That’s something you’ll want to bear in mind if you use an iPad Pro for its portability. If it doesn’t put you off, however, you’ll want to check out the early hands-on videos that show the Magic Keyboard in action.

Get equipped for remote digital project management [Deals]

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CoM - Remtoe Project Management
Make the most of your remote work setup with lifetime access to digital project management how-to guides, resources, eBooks, and community support.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Project managers are used to working directly with their teams. But work life is changing for everybody, so this bundle includes everything you need for doing digital project management from a distance.

Next iPad Air could boast Mini LED display and under-glass Touch ID

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iPad Air
New iPad Air could have an all-display screen.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The new iPad Air will boast a Mini LED display and display-based Touch ID instead of Face ID, an Apple leaker claims.

Twitter user @L0vetodream, who has previously correctly shared details about forthcoming Apple devices, said that the iPad will therefore feature a full screen display with no notch. Last year’s iPad Air refresh sported a physical Home button.

Apple could be developing its own game controller for iOS, Apple TV

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Fortnite on iPad with SteelSeries Nimbus
Coming this year or next?
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is developing its own game controller for Apple TV and iOS devices that will launch this year or next, according to claims from one tipster, published on Monday. It is said to be part of a big push to improve Apple Arcade.

The information comes from the same source who accurately predicted Apple’s plans for the 2020 iPad Pro refresh and the second-generation iPhone SE.