Cult of Mac

Apple is continuing to take preventative measures against the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. by canceling all ‘Today at Apple’ sessions at Apple stores in the U.S. and Canada.

Earlier this week, ‘Today at Apple’ sessions in Seattle and San Francisco stores were canceled until March 29. Cult of Mac confirmed Friday that the company has canceled all further sessions at all retail locations in the U.S. and Canada for the foreseeable future.

Apple reopened all 42 of its retail locations in China on Friday after it was forced to close them last month due to the coronavirus outbreak, that according to Apple’s website.

Production halts in China last month caused by the COVID-19 outbreak have resulted in iPhone shortages in some US stores, according to market analysts.

Fortunately, Apple’s top contract manufacturer said today it’s ramping production back up.

The iPad and iPhone version of Pixelmator will soon get its first major update in years, according to its developer. And the macOS version of this graphics application is also getting new features.

Apple’s updated gadget cleaning guidelines give you the tips you need to keep your iPhone clean during the COVID-19 pandemic. But if you bought a Galaxy smartphone instead, Samsung will clean it for you.

The South Korean company on Thursday launched the Galaxy Sanitizing Service — a free program that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light to rid your handset of germs and bacteria.

Apple played a part in a historical and brutal day on Wall Street Thursday as fears and concerns over the coronavirus accelerate. The Dow 30 plummeted 10% in value as Apple stock lost almost the same.

Apple reportedly signed the contracts it needs to keep streaming songs from the biggest labels. However, there supposedly was no mention in the agreements of an “Apple Prime” that would bundle this company’s music and video streaming services.

It’s apparently nearly back to business as usual at Foxconn, the company that assembles most iPhones. Its general manager says plants in China and Vietnam are once again getting the components they need.

Production had been tremendously slowed by the COVID-19 outbreak in China, but the epidemic is now nearly over in that country.

The cast and crew of The Morning Show will halt production for two weeks over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

The break is a precaution and not because of possible exposure. The series studio, Media Res, and Apple made the decision together, according to reports.

Open up a newspaper, visit a news site or turn on the TV, and you’ll see the end of the world is nigh. And, of course, the COVID-19 coronavirus is serious business, especially if you are in one of the vulnerable categories.

But that doesn’t mean you need to panic. In fact, panicking about anything usually just makes things worse. So, how do you stay informed about the rapidly spreading disease without succumbing to media terror?

Plague Inc., the popular game pulled from the Apple App Store in China last month, may soon have company – by the thousands.

A new report predicts some 21,500 App Store for-pay titles in China could get tossed because developers will be unable to meet a June 30 deadline for having a license.

Imagine an iMac that can extend its display onto the walls around it. That could be possible in the future according to a new Apple patent, published on Thursday, that details an all-in-one with built-in projectors.

Jerry Manock is one of the great unsung heroes of Apple design. As the father of Apple’s Industrial Design Group, Manock made an indelible contribution to the company’s long line of hit products.

He may not be a household name like Jony Ive, but, starting with the Apple II, Manock played a massive role in making the company what it is today. In an exclusive interview with Cult of Mac, the 76-year-old industrial designer recounts many colorful stories about Cupertino’s past — including one that shows even Steve Jobs got nostalgic.

Apple shares, like the broader stock market, are taking a coronavirus-induced plunge. But when is the right time to buy in order to secure yourself a bargain?

Not right now, claim analysts who spoke with CNBC. Although AAPL is currently down around $70 from its February high of $327.20, analysts think there’s further for it to fall.

At least one of Apple’s 2020 iPhones is likely to boast a 3D depth-sensing camera on the back, a report from Fast Company, published Wednesday, claims.

The camera sensor will make it possible to carry out “new photo and video effects,” the report suggests. It could also improve the augmented reality (AR) functionality of the new device.

The Cult of Mac Store is full of so many deals that some must leave for others to come in. Among our outgoing deals you will find deep discounts on language lessons, cloud backup, six-month phone plans and intuitive website-building tools.

Apple could deliver its first Macs powered by ARM chips before the end of 2020. Reliable TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Thursday said he expects the machines to begin shipping during the fourth quarter, or in early 2021 at the latest.

The transition will come ahead of a major MacBook redesign next year.

The world might finally wave goodbye to Apple’s controversial and much-hated MacBook butterfly keyboards by summer, according to a new report, published Thursday, by respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In his latest research note, Kuo writes that Apple will launch new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models featuring the scissor switch keyboard design. Apple laid the groundwork for the return of the scissor switch Magic Keyboard when it ditched the butterfly keyboard for its 16-inch MacBook Pro upgrade late last year.

Apple and other tech giants this week participated in a White House conference call discussing with the Trump administration their role in grappling with the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

The conference call took place Wednesday, hosted by US Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios. In addition to Apple, other attendees included representatives from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, and Twitter. Kratios’ focus was on getting these companies to remove fake news relating to the outbreak. But it wants them to help out elsewhere, too.

Apple is one of 40 companies to sign an open letter published Wednesday by the Human Rights Campaign. The letter protests U.S. bills that will target the LGBTQ community — in particular trans people.

One such bill is the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act. This was passed last week by the Alabama Senate in Tim Cook’s home state. It would make it a felony for doctors to prescribe puberty-blockers or hormones to minors. Companies signing the letter say that legislation such as this does not reflect their values.

Ahead of its debut on Apple TV+ April 24, Apple has dropped the official trailer for Beastie Boys Story, its upcoming feature length documentary on the pioneering American hip hop group.

Beastie Boys Story is directed by Spike Jonze, the music video, feature film and documentary director who first worked with the band on the music video for Sabotage.

Apple has told its retail store employees worldwide not to recommend customers physically try on an Apple Watch or in-ear AirPods, in an effort to cut down on the spread of coronavirus.

Customers can still ask to try on ‌the products, but employees have been told not to offer the opportunity, according to a published report Wednesday.

Magrig Adapter lets USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 cables easily disconnect if they get yanked on. It’s a revival of MagSafe, which Apple used to build into MacBooks.

There are competing options, but most of these can only transfer power. Magrig, on the other hand, promises up to 40Gbps data transfers as well as 100W of power.

Sandwich chain Jimmy John’s will throw in a free drink to customers in its loyalty reward program who make a $10 purchase with Apple Pay.

This will encourage iPhone users to visit Jimmy John’s — and also to set up Apple Pay on their phone or Apple Watch.