This is Fortnite's brand new map. Photo: Epic Games
Fortnite Chapter 2 is set to finally go live today after more than 24 hours of absolutely nothing. You can’t quite play it yet — but you can enjoy its first official story trailer right here.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Don’t toss your scanner on the rubbish heap. Photo: Francesco Paggiaro/ Pexels CC
Anyone with an older scanner incompatible with macOS Catalina can try VueScan, third-party software that works with over 6000 scanners from 42 manufacturers.
It can save still-functional scanners from ending up on the e-waste pile.
The old iPhone 7 is helping Apple get more sales in China. Photo: Apple
iPhone sales in China are booming, according to the latest research note from UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri.
Investors worried that strained tensions between China and the US would cause some backlash against Apple’s brand in China, but that does appear to be the case based on the latest data from the government.
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.
Is your eGPU working under macOS Catalina? Photo: Apple
Apple’s newest macOS Catalina upgrade has been causing all kinds of havoc for some Mac users. One issue seems to be killing certain eGPU setups — especially for those with a Mac mini.
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.
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 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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.