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Finding Apple TV+ trailers and show details just got way simpler

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Apple spent more than $20 million advertising Apple TV+ last month
With Apple TV+ just weeks away, details on the first round of shows are now easier to find.
Photo: Apple

Apple just launched a website with details about all its upcoming Apple TV+ shows. The site is supposed to be for journalists, but serves as a one-stop shop for everyone to learn more about all the original programs available soon — many are scheduled for next month.

Apple denies it sends everyone’s browser data to Chinese company

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China’s population of 1.4 billion makes it a huge potential market for Apple.
Apple isn’t using the Fraudulent Website Warning to help a Chinese company spy on your web browser.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple refutes accusations that it sends information from every iPhone’s and Mac’s Safari browser to China’s Tencent. These are apparently based on a vaguely-worded explanation in Settings which Apple just clarified.

Safari does use a list of fraudulent websites compiled by this Chinese company to protect users, but only if these users are themselves located in China.

How to make your Mac’s dictionary popup way, way faster

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spotlight popup
A spotlight, looking something up.
Photo: Richard Ciraulo/Unsplash

What happens when you use a three-finger tap on your Mac’s touchpad to look up a word? In olden times, it would bring up a dictionary definition, instantly. Today, it probably doesn’t do anything. Not for a few seconds at least. Or rather, it pops up a panel right away, but then it takes a few seconds to load whatever Siri reckons you might be looking for.

So, how do we stop this madness? Easy. We switch it off in the Mac’s settings, aka System Preferences.

iPhone 11 sales close to exceeding Apple’s expectations

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iPhone 11 camera lenses
iPhone 11 sales are making a splash.
Photo: Apple

iPhone is selling at a rate that almost beats Apple’s production target. The company gave its component suppliers a range of units it expected to sell this year, and actual sales are reportedly at the very top of that estimate.

This is the latest report indicating that the iPhone 11 is selling far better than some predicted before its launch.

Reddit app gets a new BFF: Snapchat

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Reddit logo
Reddit may attract younger users with it new content sharing agreement with Snapchat.
Photo: Reddit

Regular users of Reddit’s iOS app and Snapchat can now share content between the two social media networks, both companies announced today.

Reddit has never partnered with another app but said it will expand the feature to other social media apps down the road.

New iRig audio gadgets for iPhone-toting podcasters and YouTubers

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IRig stream podcasting setup
The new iRig gear makes podcasting portable.
Photo: IK Multimedia

A new batch of iRig accessories from IK Multimedia should make life easier for podcasters and YouTubers who produce on their iPads or iPhones. The gear looks pretty sweet, and — if my experience is anything to go by — it should be well-built, and sound great, too.

Let’s take a look at the new IK Multimedia gadgets.

Fortnite has reached ‘the end’, but your unlocks and V-Bucks are safe

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Fortnite-black-hole
This black hole is all that's left of Fortnite today.
Photo: Epic Games

“The end” has come for Fortnite Battle Royale. A massive in-game event on Sunday sucked the entire world as we know it into a black hole. And almost 24 hours later, there is quite literally nothing.

But don’t worry; all your Fortnite unlocks and V-Bucks are safe. They will still be there when the game returns for season 11 — whenever that might be.

Apple under fire for sending browsing data to China

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pin safari tabs
Apple seemingly has a new relationship with Tencent.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple is under fire for sending Safari browser data to China.

It is known that Safari can send information to Google Safe Browsing to protect users against online phishing and scams. But it seems Apple’s browser is also sending similar data to Tencent in China.

These discounted noise-canceling headphones are perfect for any occasion [Deals]

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Z2 Headphones
This set of over-ear, noise-cancelling headphones last for 35 hours on a single charge.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Few things get quite as much use as our headphones. We use them for music and podcasts on the commute or at the gym, calls at work or at home, or just to watch the YouTube video a friend randomly sends along. No matter where or why, it pays to have a set of headphones that’ll last, and that cut out distractions. We’ve got just that set, at a massive discount.

Apple Amsterdam reopens October 24 with pro filmmaking sessions

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Apple-Amsterdam
Just over one week to wait.
Photo: Apple

Apple will reopen its flagship retail store in Amsterdam on October 24 following months of extensive renovations.

The redesign will feature a Forum and video wall for Today at Apple events. Visitors will also get the opportunity to take part in professional filmmaking sessions to celebrate the store’s reopening.

iPhone SE 2 will be Apple’s most affordable smartphone to date

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iPhone 7
It will cost you under $400.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s second-generation iPhone SE 2 will be its most affordable smartphone yet, according to one reliable analyst.

The upcoming device, which is expected to look like iPhone 8 and be powered by Apple’s new A13 Bionic chip, is expected to cost less than $400 when it goes on sale in early 2020.

Save big on smart bulbs, Adobe training and more [Week’s Best Deals]

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Best Deals of the Week (1)
This week's best deals includes smart bulbs, Adobe CC lessons, and lots more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This week, the best deals in the Cult of Mac Store run the gamut. For starters, we’ve got an awesome iTunes alternative for iOS management, and an energy saving smart bulb with Home App integration. Additionally there’s a powerful email manager, and a comprehensive training bundle for Adobe Creative Cloud. Some are discounted by over 95%, so read on for more details:

Gear4 slim cases protect an iPhone 11 from a 13-foot fall [Review]

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Gear4 Hampton, Battersea, Oxford Eco and Crystal Palace Neon
The Gear4 Hampton, Battersea, Oxford Eco and Crystal Palace Neon are just some of the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro series cases this company offers.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Gear4 cases can save an iPhone 11 or 11 Pro series from breaking if dropped quite long distances, but they aren’t as bulky as typical rugged cases. The lineup for all three of Apple’s latest is surprisingly attractive, given how protective they are.

I tried out several of Gear4’s offerings, and find they might be just what your new iPhone needs.

Do this before you upgrade your Mac to Catalina [Cult of Mac Magazine 318]

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Stop! Don't upgrade your Mac to Catalina until you've done this quick check.
Stop! Don't upgrade your Mac to Catalina until you've done this quick check.

Itching to upgrade your Mac to Catalina? Time to hit the brakes, buster. Before installing macOS Catalina, it’s essential that you do a little due diligence. The new operating system brings some pretty deep changes, and you don’t want to descend into chaos. This macOS Catalina upgrade tip will help you assess the situation.

You’ll find that critical information and more in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Get it now from the iOS App Store. Or hit the links below to read this week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos in your browser.

Apple begins beta testing macOS Catalina 10.15.1

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The Photos app gets a couple of new features in macOS Catalina 10.15.1.
The Photos app gets a couple of new features in macOS Catalina 10.15.1.
Photo: Apple

Just days after the release of its newest Mac operating system, Apple has started beta testing the first update, macOS Catalina 10.15.1

Currently, this offers just a few minor changes for this company’s laptops and desktops.

How to stop Siri from snooping on you

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Stop siri snooping: LOL look how small Apple made the
LOL look how small Apple made the "Not Now" button.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iOS 13.2 adds controls for Apple’s unpopular Siri data collection program. Now, users can opt in to “Siri and Dictation Analytics,” which translates to letting your iPhone or iPad upload all your Siri interactions so Cupertino can improve the virtual assistant’s accuracy.

Previously, Apple disabled this program because of its unpopularity. Now, it’s back — but under your control.

Apple TV+ could take a big bite out of Netflix

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Apple TV+
Apple CEO Tim Cook shows off some of the shows coming to Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ could have 100 million subscribers in 3 to 4 years, according to an analyst that’s bullish on this streaming service set to launch next month.

Strong demand for a rival is bad news for Netflix.

Apple device management: Do it right with Hexnode MDM

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Manage all your organization's Apple devices the easy way.
There's a simpler way to manage all your organization's Apple devices.
Image: Hexnode

This post is brought to you by Apple MDM service Hexnode.

Apple devices are great mobile computing machines and powerhouses for business productivity. But let’s face it, managing Apple devices is no easy feat. Whether you’re a small business or large enterprise, your IT department still ends up tussling with device configuration issues and app-management woes. Why? Because Apple’s native management tools are great on paper, but fall flat in delivering a cohesive device-management experience.

Apple launches in-house studio with Band of Brothers follow-up

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Bandofbrothers
The best WWII mini-series is getting another sequel.
Photo: HBO

Apple is launching its own in-house studio and teaming up with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks to create the first series that it will own full rights to.

The new limited series, titled Masters of the Air, will be a follow-up to HBO’s successful series Band of Brothers and The Pacific.