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You can tie Nike’s self-lacing shoes with Siri or Apple Watch

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Nike Adapt Huarache
The Nike Adapt Huarache now has an iPhone and an Apple Watch FitAdapt app.
Photo: Nike

Nike continues to add to the technology of its self-lacing shoe line. The FitAdapt system, which includes a built-in motor to adjust the lacing, pressure and fit of two shoe models, can now be controlled by Siri commands, and there’s a new Apple Watch app too.

Apple’s independent repair program makes it easier to get iPhones serviced

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independent repair program
Apple is throwing a bone to third-party repairers.
Photo: Apple

Apple is making it easier for independent repair shops to service out-of-warranty iPhones. It’s doing this by providing them with parts, tools, training, repair manuals and diagnostics previously available only to Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs).

The program has initially launched in the U.S. However, Apple says that there are plans to expand this to roll it out to additional countries in the future.

iPhone photo contest winner dishes on Apple in new podcast

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Shot on iPhone
Judge's comment: "What I find most interesting is the background pattern, uniquely magnified and distorted in every one of the water droplets. I’m drawn to studying and trying to elucidate what that pattern is."
Photo: Andrew Griswold

Each finished work of art has a backstory and Andrew Griswold’s podcast Just Outside the Artboard focuses on what happens between idea and creation.

His first episode, launched Aug. 23, gave him plenty to talk about as one of the 10 winners of Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” challenge.

Scotland’s biggest city will distribute iPads to all high school students

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Podcast transcripts search
iPads are becoming part of the school experience.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Glasgow, Scotland’s most heavily populated city, is planning to spend millions giving an iPad to every middle and high school student.

As part of a new contract, 47,100 iPads will be handed out to students, alongside an extra 4,900 to teachers. But not everyone is happy about the dispensing of these “shiny new objects.”

Stream Ultra HD video and audio to any 4K device [Deals]

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Elmedia Player PRO
Easily manage and stream pretty much any kind of video or audio content.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Today, we’re awash in formats and delivery systems for content. That means it can be hard to keep track of how to play what. So if you’re playing high-bandwidth video and audio from a bunch of different sources, it’s helpful to have one player to handle them all.

Apple is relying on factories in China more than ever

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Hong Kong police arrest smugglers with $1 million of iPhones and other devices
China continues to be the epicenter of Apple's manufacturing.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple may be trying to wean itself off manufacturing in China, but despite its use of factories in Brazil and India, it’s actually relying on China more than ever.

According to Reuters, the majority of Apple suppliers have become increasingly concentrated in China. Although Apple uses small factories outside the country, these are typically used only for small domestic runs.

Apple looks forward to ‘welcoming customers’ to India’s first Apple Store

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Apple's first Indian Apple Store will be located in Mumbai mall
What "Apple Stores" currently look like in India.
Photo: Lawrence Sinclair/Flickr CC

Apple is getting excited at the prospect of opening its long-awaited first retail store in India.

“We appreciate the support and hard work by Prime Minister Modi and his team to make this possible and we look forward to one day welcoming customers to India’s first Apple retail store,” Apple said in a statement Thursday.

Buy one classy Clessant Apple Watch band, get one at 50% off

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Buy one of these great Clessant Apple Watch bands, get a second at half off!
Buy one of these eye-catching bands, get a second at half off!
Photos: Clessant

Still wearing the same old band that came with your Apple Watch? Booooorring! Switch things up with this great deal on classy Apple Watch bands from Clessant.

Right now, when you buy any Clessant band, you get a second one of equal or lesser value at 50% off. But if you want to take advantage of this deal, you’d better act fast. This sale ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific on Friday, August 30, 2019.

Apple opens iOS 13.1 beta testing to the public

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iOS 13 on an iPhone XS
Why wait for iOS 13 when you can already install the first iOS 13.1 beta?
Photo: iHelp BRM/Cult of Mac

Anyone who wants to get a jump on iOS 13.1 can do so: the first public beta of this version was just released.

This includes features that apparently won‘t be in iOS 13 when it debuted in a few weeks.

Secure-erasing your Mac’s disks is no longer secure, Apple says

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secure erase
Encrypting your disk is way safer than trying to 'secure' erase it.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

In the olden days, when you wanted to replace your hard drive with a bigger one, you’d run a “secure erase” on it to completely remove any personal data. This would write zeros to the entire disk, overwriting anything already there.

But now, thanks to advances in storage tech, this no longer does the trick. (Not that you can change your own Mac SSDs now anyway.) The new secure-erase, says Apple, is to just encrypt your disk.

Apple could finally begin direct iPhone sales in India this fall

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iPhone XS in India
Right now, buying an iPhone in India requires going through a third-party retailer. Not for much longer, though.
Photo: Apple

Apple may have finally succeeded in its long, long quest to be allowed to sell its products directly in India. Until now, the company has been forced to go through third-party resellers, but the Indian government today changed the rule that was hobbling Apple.

Being able to deal directly with the public might increase Apple’s poor sales of iPhones in this huge market.

Process and edit your 4K videos faster on Mac

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With VideoProc, processing 4K video doesn't have to take forever.
Processing 4K video doesn't have to take forever.
Image: Digiarty

This post is presented by Digiarty.

Macs are mighty machines, but if you work with video, you discover their limitations pretty quickly. And if you’re thinking a decked-out Mac Pro or other powerhouse computer might be the answer, you’re talking prices that rival down payments on a car or even a house. The best (and most affordable) answer might be to get better video processing software.

Best new (and returning) features in iOS 13.1 beta 1

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iOS 13.1 beta 1 adds Books reading goal, brings back almost every feature dropped in previous betas.
iOS 13.1 beta 1 brings back almost every cool feature dropped from previous betas.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Surprisingly, iOS 13.1 is already in beta. It looks like Apple’s release strategy this year is to freeze the current beta version of iOS 13.0 in order to get it ready for the new iPhones expected on September 10. Meanwhile, Apple continues to test the next version, adding back some features removed during the beta period — Shortcuts automations, for example.

So, what other new (or revived) features will you find in iOS 13.1 beta 1?

Apple apologizes for Siri spying, pledges privacy fixes

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Siri
Going forward, no one will listen to what you say to Siri unless you approve it.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

A revamp of Apple’s program that had people monitoring Siri voice commands for quality control will soon ask users to opt-in first, and only Apple employees will be listening.

“We realize we haven’t been fully living up to our high ideals, and for that we apologize,” the company said in a statement.

T-Mobile Test Drive hands out free mobile hotspots

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T-Mobile hotspot
Anyone thinking of switching their iPhone to T-Mobile can try the service out for free.
Photo: T-Mobile

T-Mobile is so eager to get people to try its network, the company is giving away wireless hotspots. These are good for a month or 30GB of data, and are intended to let potential customers see how well T-Mobile service works at their home, office or school.

This telecom has a bad reputation as being mostly available only in big cities. This promotion seems intended to overcome that.

Qantas Airways bans MacBooks from passengers’ checked luggage

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Apple just added MacBook Pros to its refurb shop.
Probably best not to take this on your travels.
Photo: Apple

Qantas Airways, Australia’s largest airline by fleet size, has joined Virgin Australia in banning certain MacBooks from checked luggage.

Virgin announced its decision yesterday, citing fears that the laptop batteries could catch fire. Other airlines to also ban the laptop include Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration also reminded laptop owners not to bring on board products with recalled batteries, including Apple’s. Now Qantas is following suit.

Punishingly great platformer Dead Cells lands in the App Store

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Dead Cells screenshot
It looks like the greatest Sega Saturn game the Saturn never got.
Photo: Motion Twin

Motion Twin’s celebrated game Dead Cells has finally landed on the App Store. In the process, it gives iPhone and iPad gamers the chance to play one of the most fun indie releases of recent times.

For the uninitiated, Dead Cells combines Castlevania-inspired side-scrolling action with some beautiful graphics and terrific gameplay. The results are an undisputed “must download.” Check out the trailer below.

Learn the many ways of working with data [Deals]

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Data Science for Biz
Get down and dirty with the many dimensions of data in this massive bundle of courses.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Since the world runs on data these days, learning to work with it is a surefire way to boost anyone’s professional prospects. Ready to master the mysteries of big data? This comprehensive bundle of educational courses will prove invaluable.

Apple’s stunning new Miami store pays homage to area’s nautical history

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Miami Apple Store
Check out that stunning ocean-inspired roof!
Photo: Foster + Partners

One of the best things about Apple Store design is how Apple’s architects find ways to embrace local design elements, while still making the stores feel connected to one another.

The latest example of this is the stunning Foster + Partners design for the new Apple Aventura store in Miami, Florida. The most notable aspect of the store’s design is its undulating vaulted roof. This was intended to represent the city’s nautical history.

Consumer Reports says AirPods ‘just don’t sound great’

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AirPods wall display is on show in New York.
AirPods aren't good enough to get Consumer Reports' official recommendation.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s AirPods are some of the top-selling earphones of all time. But according to Consumer Reports, they have a problem: “They just don’t sound great.”

In a series of tests, the consumer testing group pits the second-gen AirPods against Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. And, spoiler alert, their conclusions don’t come down in Cupertino’s favor.

Tim Cook gets lucrative reward for his success as Apple CEO

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Tim Cook interview
"And then I think I'll buy 7 iPhone XS Max units... and a mansion... and a private jet."
Photo: The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer

Apple hit all its performance expectations this year — and CEO Tim Cook is being rewarded for that achievement.

According to a new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, Cook has been awarded 560,000 restricted stock options. At present market prices, that equals around $115 million. Not a bad payday!