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Apple removes 17 malware apps that secretly clicked on ads

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Apple pays $467k for doing business with blacklisted app developer
Apple has given malware apps the boot.
Photo: Apple

Apple quietly removed 17 sketchy apps from the App Store for delivering malware. All made by one developer based in India, the apps secretly generated money by clicking ad links and opening background windows without users’ knowledge.

Although less malicious than some other malware, the apps still threatened to slow down devices or drain batteries.

Mouse support on iPad could be ‘perfect distruption’ to PC gaming

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iPad Pro as your desktop computer
There's just one problem — and that's Apple.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Better mouse support on iPad could be the “perfect disruption” to PC gaming, one analyst believes.

Apple has already added the ability to control iPhone and iPad with a mouse in its latest software updates. Future enhancements could help it become a more compelling notebook computer replacement.

But will Apple ever give us full mouse support in iPadOS?

16-inch MacBook Pro leaks! We talk about them, on The CultCast

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CultCast #411
A new leak shows the 16-inch MacBook Pro isn't quite what we expected...
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: The new 16-inch MacBook Pro just leaked, but its “new design” leaves a lot of people disappointed. Plus, we’ll tell you why 2020 could deliver Apple’s most impressive hardware in years. And stick around for our favorite new router, mouse, keyboard and iPhone 11 case in an all-new Under Review!

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

Apple awarded prize for ‘environmental leadership’ in China

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Apple awarded prize for 'environmental leadership' in China
Apple has pushed its supply chain to shape-up on environmental issues.
Photo: Apple

Apple has scooped up a first-of-its-kind prize for its environmental work in China.

The company was awarded the Green Supply Chain CITI Outstanding Brand title for “environmental leadership” across its entire supply chain. It’s a recognition of all the work Apple has done in the country.

Gmail finally goes dark for iOS 13

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Gmail iOS iPhone X
Get the latest update today.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Gmail is the latest to pick up a brand-new dark mode for iOS 13.

Google started making the feature available to a small number of users back in September — but now all should be able to take advantage of it. And it looks particularly good on OLED displays.

Woz: I don’t think true self-driving cars will arrive in my lifetime

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Woz: I don’t think true self-driving cars will arrive in my lifetime
Woz isn't convinced the technology will arrive any time soon.
Photo: Nichollas Harrison/Wikimedia Commons CC

Apple is working hard on a self-driving car project, but company co-founder Steve “Woz” Wozniak seemingly isn’t convinced that autonomous vehicles will be ruling the roads anytime soon.

At a recent auto conference, Woz pulled back his predictions about when self-driving cars will take over; saying that there are too many challenges in Level 5 autonomous vehicles.

Ex-Apple insider trading lawyer charged with… insider trading

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Apple logo
A former Apple lawyer faces criminal insider trading charges.
Photo: Cult of Mac file

A former top lawyer for Apple, fired after the SEC charged him with insider trading, was formally indicted on multiple charges of wire and security fraud, the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey announced today.

One of Gene Levoff’s responsibilities for Apple was to guard against the very activity that finds him in trouble.

You might never get to buy this amazing iPad keyboard [Review]

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Sentis Libra iPad keyboard with trackpad
An iPad Pro with Sentis Libra attached could be mistaken for a MacBook.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Sentis Libra gives an iPad Pro a keyboard and trackpad, allowing it to act as both a tablet and a laptop — something no MacBook can do.

However, rival keyboard maker Brydge accuses Sentis of using its patented design. Cult of Mac has both a Libra prototype and the most recent Brydge Pro, and we compare the two and let everyone judge whether the accusations made against this device stand up.

The Libra is undoubtedly great, including a highly-functional trackpad. So the real question is, who deserves credit for the design?

How to disable iOS 13’s link previews

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Link previews
The iPad version has a toggle directly over the preview image.
Photo: Cult of Mac

In iPadOS and iOS 13, long-pressing a link does two things simultaneously. It brings up a contextual menu with options for sharing and so on, and it loads a preview of the linked web page. Apple calls this a link preview.

But what if you don’t want a link preview? Maybe you’re on a cellular connection and you don’t want to waste data by loading pages you won’t read. Or maybe you only need the link, and never want to see the page. What if it’s a link to a huge image, or an MP3? Or perhaps it’s a link in an email, and you want to use the contextual menu to check the URL for scams. In this last case, there’s no way you want that link to load. It could prove disastrous.

The good news is that you can disable link previews in iOS 13 with a single tap.

Apple Pencil with a built-in screen is genius

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Apple Pencil with touchscreen patent filing
Not resting on their laurels, engineers are looking for ways to improve Apple Pencil.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

A next-generation Apple Pencil could have a built-in touchscreen. And it’s apparently an actual improvement, not just something bolted on to make it cost more. The display would let the user know what color they’re about to draw with.

Change these settings to make your Apple Watch battery last all day

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Keep your Apple Watch going all day long.
Keep your Apple Watch going all day long.
Photo: Alvaro Reyes/Unsplash

My Apple Watch Series 5 gets seriously good battery life. I can easily get 24 hours out of it, but I don’t really stress it by doing multiple daily workouts or by streaming audio directly to Bluetooth headphones. But what if your watch has trouble lasting the whole day? Or if you’re traveling, and not able to just stop and charge the watch whenever it needs a quick boost?

Today, we’ll check three settings that can prolong your Apple Watch battery life.

iPhone 11 sales took off like a rocket

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iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro
The more-affordable iPhone 11 is outselling either of the Pro series models.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 11 along with the Pro series reportedly accounted for a sizable chunk of Apple’s August-through-September handset sales, even though they were only available for two weeks during that quarter.

The most popular new model is the 6.1-inch iPhone 11, which costs significantly less than that iPhone 11 Pro series.

Apple TV app is now available on Amazon Fire TV devices

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Apple TV app is now available on Amazon Fire TV devices
And just in time for Apple TV+, too!
Photo: Amazon

With just days to spare before the launch of Apple TV+, Apple has brought its TV app to Amazon streaming devices. This means that owners of the Fire TV Stick 4K, second-gen Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Basic Edition can watch shows from Apple’s streaming service and more.

Amazon has said support for other Fire TV devices will follow. That will include the likes of the Nebula sound bar, Fire TV Edition smart TVs, Fire TV Cube, and more.

Huawei CEO spotted with an iPad at the airport

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Huawei CEO spotted with an iPad at the airport
Ren Zhengfei is a big fan of Apple.
Photo: Weibo

Huawei may be waging war on Apple in terms of sales, but it’s pretty clear whose devices Huawei’s CEO prefers. Spoiler: It’s seemingly not Huawei’s.

An image on Chinese social media shows Huawei CEO in an airport security line. The issue? That an airport security officer is busy inspecting his iPad. This isn’t the first time he’s shown a preference for Apple devices, either.

Apple chipmaker racing ahead with its next next-gen nanometer process

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Apple chipmaker racing ahead with its next next-gen nanometer process
TSMC is preparing for the future.
Photo: Apple

Apple chipmaker TSMC is busy preparing the nanometer process for its next-next generation chips, which could find their way into future Apple devices.

The leading chipmaking giant has secured 30 hectares of land in the Southern Taiwan Science Park. This is where it will house the foundry for chips made using its 3 nanometer process. Based on past progress, these would hit the iPhone sometime around 2021 or 2022.

Judge Dredd: Crime Files brings lawman of the future to App Store

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Judge Dredd: Crime Files brings lawman of the future to App Store
It's like a comic book experience bought to your iPhone!
Photo: No Yetis Allowed

Famed 2000AD lawman Judge Dredd has arrived in the App Store. Get ready for Judge Dredd: Crime Files: a collectible card-based strategy adventure RPG.

Boasting all your favorite Dredd characters and a story written by current writers of the comic, this should be a hit with anyone looking for a zarjaz gaming experience!