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Apple sets new Q4 record with $64 billion in revenue

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European Commission could get even tougher on tech in 2020
European Commission could get even tougher on tech in 2020
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple earnings report for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2019 met the most bullish of Wall Street expectations this afternoon with a Q4 record high of $64 billion in revenue and $3.03 earnings per share.

Apple’s stock price started soaring in after-hours trading on news of the positive earnings. With the iPhone 11 on sale for just 10 days during Q4, Apple CEO Tim Cook gave credit to Apple’s booming service business and the Apple Watch and AirPods for pushing the quarter to record heights.

Join the dark side with OtterBox’s Star Wars iPhone cases

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OtterBox Star Wars iPhone cases
What would the Star Wars saga be without droids and Kylo Renn?
Photo: OtterBox

An addition to OtterBox’s Star Wars iPhone cases celebrates Kylo Ren wearing his helmet again, while a second salutes the droids that are so important to these films.

These two join cases with more than a dozen other designs from Lucasfilm’s ongoing sci-fi saga.

Everything you need to know before Apple’s last earnings call of 2019

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Earnings call
Get ready for another record breaking quarter.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is ready to unveil its last earnings report of 2019 this week, and investors are anxiously waiting to hear some good news on iPhone sales.

All early indications point to sales of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro performing even better than expected. But because the new devices were only on sale for the very tail end of the quarter, they might not have given Apple the growth Wall Street is desperate to see.

Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri are set to divulge all the details for Apple’s fiscal Q4 2019 earnings on Wednesday, October 30, at 2 p.m. PDT. Per usual, Cult of Mac will be analyzing all the data right when it drops and there are a couple of areas and metrics that are key to keeping Apple’s stock price soaring.

Zadarma’s VoIP app for iOS helps separate business and personal communications

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Zadarma's VoIP solution now works on iPhones.
Zadarma's VoIP solution now works on iPhones.
Photo: bruce mars/Pexels CC

This VoIP communications post is presented by Zadarma.

Cloud communications platform Zadarma recently released an updated iOS version of its app that offers businesses easy access to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications internationally. Plus, it solves one of modern life’s most annoying problems: keeping business and personal calls and text messages separate.

See featurette gives inside look of Apple’s epic series

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Apple delves behind the scenes of See in new featurette
Apple delves behind the scenes of See in new featurette
Photo: Apple

Apple is turning up the hype for the launch of Apple TV+ this morning with a new featurette for its big-budget series See.

The two-minute-long video shows never-before-seen clips of the show along with commentary from its creators and the cast. Early reviews for See were less than enthusiastic, but after seeing some of the behind the scenes shots, we’re cautiously optimistic that it could mature into something great.

16-inch MacBook Pro leaks again in macOS Catalina

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16-inch-MacBook-Pro-keyboard
Are you ready?
Photo: Apple

Another image of a new 16-inch MacBook Pro (above) has been leaked by macOS 10.15.1 Catalina.

The photo reveals a redesigned keyboard layout, with a Touch ID sensor separated from the Touch Bar. But it does not confirm rumors of a return for the dedicated escape key.

It’s also hard to tell whether this keyboard uses the dreaded butterfly switches that MacBook Pro fans want Apple to abolish. And we could be waiting a long time to find out.

AirPods Pro controls: How to customize & more

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Apple's AirPods Pro, and a dongle for scale.
Control your AirPods Pro by squeezing the stems to play or pause music and noise cancellation.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Your AirPods Pro controls are cleverly incorporated in the earbuds’ stems. The stems are touch-sensitive, and various squeezes or strokes will play or pause music, adjust the volume, answer phone calls, launch Siri, change noise cancellation settings and more.

Here’s how AirPods Pro controls work, and how to customize their settings.

New MacBook Pro with scissor switch keyboard to land in 2020

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16-inch MacBook Pro concept
What does this mean for the 16-inch MacBook Pro?
Concept: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple plans to deliver a refreshed MacBook Pro with a brand-new scissor switch keyboard in 2020.

One reliable analyst says we can expect to see the machine late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter. Apple could unveil it at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference next June.

AirPods Pro first impressions: Awesome audio worth every penny

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AirPods-Pro
The only thing scary about AirPods Pro is how good they are.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The best-selling headphones in the world are now even better. AirPods Pro come with an all-new design that’s now sweat-resistant and capable of blocking out background noise for the first time.

They cost just $50 more than regular AirPods with a Wireless Charging Case. But they’re so much better. Here are our AirPods Pro first impressions.

DJI’s new Mavic Mini is the perfect drone for everyone

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DJI
The Mavic Mini is ready for liftoff.
Photo: DJI

DJI unleashed its smallest and lightest drone on the world this morning and it just might be the cutest drone ever.

The Mavic Mini is so light it’s one of the first (if not the first) mass-market drones that does not have to be registered with the FAA. Don’t be fooled by its tiny size. This little drone can capture some serious cinematic footage and it’s so cheap it won’t hurt your bank account.

If you’ve been thinking of getting your first drone, this is the one for you:

Retroactive app lets you run Aperture, iTunes in macOS Catalina

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screenshot of Retroactive from GitHub
It's OK to update to macOS Catalina. Retroactive will modify Aperture, iTunes and iPhones with the new OS.
Screenshot: Retroactive/GitHub

Apple told us it was time to move on when it killed two of its most popular apps, Aperture for photographers and iTunes, a music storage system that launched many DJ careers.

But an open-source app, aptly named Retroactive, brings new life to those beloved programs so that they can run in macOS Catalina.

2020 iPhones will boast world’s most advanced 5G chips

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2020 could be Apple's greatest year so far
Apple's got some big plans for next year's iPhones.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple will be deploying the world’s “most advanced” 5G mobile processors when it debuts its first 5G iPhones next year, a new report claims.

Apple is lagging behind rivals such as Samsung, Huawei and even smaller companies like Oppo and Xiaomi in launching its first 5G handset. However, the report claims that Apple’s ready to pull the stops out to make its next iPhone special. And it’s hoping for sales to match.

Next Apple Watch Activity challenge will take place on Veterans Day

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Next Apple Watch Activity challenge will take place on Veterans Day
Show your appreciation for Veterans by treating your body with some darn respect!
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Apple is gearing up to celebrate Veterans Day with a new Apple Watch Activity challenge, scheduled for Monday, November 11.

To earn the Veterans Day badge, you’ll need to complete a workout of 11 minutes or more that day. The challenge is open to users in the United States, although you may want to check to see if it’s available if you live in a non-U.S. country. (Not that it should stop you working out, of course!)

Translate and transcribe 12 languages with one pocket-size device [Deals]

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ONE Mini
Translate conversations in 12 languages with AI or with the help of a fluent speaker, plus more, all from one pocket sized device.

When traveling to other countries, it pays to prepare for navigating unfamiliar languages. Usually, that means cramming for a few weeks to learn just enough to get by. But you can skip all that hard work and immersion with this translation device.

Like a real-world version of Star Trek’s universal translator, this pocket-size gadget lets you talk to people using languages you don’t even know.

Brilliant BentoStack organizer now packs a USB-C hub, wireless charging

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Brilliant BentoStack organizer now packs a USB-C hub, wireless charging
It's the solution you've been waiting on.
Photo: Function101

In the market for a Type-C Hub, accessory organizer, power bank and wireless charger for your MacBook Pro and iPad Pro? Of course you are!

The BentoStack PowerHub promises to eliminate desktop clutter with a stackable solution to give you everything you need to use your devices on the go. And it’s all packed into a design inspired by (what else?) a compact Japanese lunch box. Check it out.

Apple’s Jason Momoa series See will ‘definitely’ get second season

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See featurette asks how Apple TV+ show crafted a world without sight
"I'll just repeat the question. Have I got a second series?"
Photo: Apple

The preview episodes of See, Apple’s would-be Game of Thrones fantasy series with Jason Momoa, didn’t exactly take reviewers by storm. Hailed by the Hollywood Reporter as “rarely better than so-so” and the Telegraph as evoking “unintentional laughter,” this show sounds like it’s got a long way to go before it’ll start scooping up major awards as Apple hopes.

One thing it will be getting, however, is a second season — as star Alfre Woodard confirmed to the U.K.’s Radio Times.

Students will get Apple TV+ as part of their $4.99 Apple Music subscription

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Streaming services like Apple Music dominate the US music market
That's another reason for students to sign up to Apple Music.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s launched its first bundle deal for Apple TV+ — but you’ll have to be a student to take advantage of it.

On Dickinson star Hailee Steinfeld’s Instagram page, the singer/actress noted that Apple Music subscribers on Apple’s $4.99 Student plan will receive Apple TV+ in addition to Apple’s streaming music service.

Antitrust investigators want to know if retailers were compelled to use Apple Pay

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Antitrust investigators want to know if retailers were compelled to use Apple Pay
Could Apple Pay be breaking the law?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

European antitrust regulators are asking online retailers if they are contractually obligated to use Apple Pay over rival services.

The European Commission suggests it has information that Apple could have restricted online payments for goods and services using rival payment solutions. This would be in breach of EU antitrust rules.