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Apple allegedly considering a foldable 5G iPad

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Folding iPhone 2
Are you in the market for a folding iPad?
Photo: Foldable News

Apple’s planning the biggest design change to the iPad in its near-10 year history, a new report claims.

According to a report from IHS Markit, Apple is developing a folding iPad. This future tablet will boast a MacBook size screen, but foldable into something a fraction of the size. Oh, yes, and it’ll supposedly have 5G capabilities, too.

Score extended July 4th deals on gear, apps and lessons [Deals]

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photo-1531718748519-a5fbb6cf972d
July 4th is over but the deals roll on at the Cult of Mac Store.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

July 4th has come and gone. The tanks are back in their garages. But the deals roll on at the Cult of Mac Store. We’ve got big discounts on a 3-in-1 charging pad, a five-part course in Microsoft Excel, and a powerful, intuitive photo editing app. Most are discounted by about half or greater, read on for more details:

Why’d Jony Ive quit Apple? Troubling details emerge … this week on The CultCast

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CultCast 395
Just why did Jony call it quits?

This week on The CultCast: A new report details why Jony Ive is departing Apple, and it paints a troubling picture. Plus, Leander tells us about the “fiddle factor,” the unique quality that made Ive our time’s greatest designer.

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..

Minit is an adventure game with a 60-second time limit

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Minit
Minit has a decidedly vintage feel.
Image: Devolver Digital

In an age of open-world sandbox titles, many games try to get you playing for hours on end. That’s not the case with Minit, an adventure game which just arrived in the App Store.

As its name implies, Minit is a title in which each game lasts, well, one minute. That means that you’ve got just 60 seconds to try and complete each stage. Check out the trailer below.

Team Rocket hot air balloon signals Pokémon Go arrival

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Pokémon GO’s best year yet shows novelty doesn't have to wear off
Pokémon GO’s best year yet shows novelty doesn't have to wear off
Photo: The Pokémon Company

A Team Rocket hot air balloon flown over Dortmund, Germany, this week all but confirms the evil gang’s imminent arrival in Pokémon Go.

Emblazoned with a Team Rocket logo, the balloon appeared on day one of Europe’s first ever Pokémon Go Fest. It’s the latest in a number of teasers Niantic has put out to signal Team Rocket’s introduction.

But what will it mean for Pokémon Go?

New hope for Apple Stores finally making it to India

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iPhone sales are showing signs of life in India
Apple has been trying for its own retail stores for years.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s much-delayed dreams of opening an official Apple Store in India may finally be close to coming true.

In Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s maiden budget speech, the minister announced the relaxation of laws concerning single brand stores. These rules stated that 30% of goods sold in these stores had to be sourced locally. However, it seems they may no longer apply.

Apple paid Samsung $683 million for missing OLED display targets

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iPhone XS crazy performance means speed at your fingertips.
Samsung makes the displays for the iPhone XS and XS Max.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple paid Samsung 800 billion won ($683 million) during the second quarter of the year. The payments covered the cost of display panels after Apple missed a sales target both companies had agreed on.

The cash influx represents a rare bright spot during a three-month period in which Samsung’s profits are forecast to plunge an overall 56%.

PhotoGrip Qi is a camera grip and wireless charger in one [Review]

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Adonit PhotoGrip Qi
The Adonit PhotoGrip Qi is charging this iPhone XS Max while taking this picture.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Adonit actually found a way to make taking vacation pictures with your iPhone easier. The PhotoGrip Qi turns your phone into an old-school point-and-shoot. Plus it includes a tripod with a remote shutter button. On top of that, its flexible iPhone clamp wirelessly charges the handset.

I still remember the days before phone cameras. Come see how well Adonit did re-creating that experience.

Stranger Things x Fortnite crossover skins leak out early

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Fortnite-x-Stranger-Things
Yes, you can play as a Demogorgon.
Photo: Netflix

Stranger Things season three is finally here, and according to early impressions, it might just be the best one yet. It’s also going to mean big things for Fortnite Battle Royale fans.

The hit Netflix show has already started making its mark inside the game, with portals to the Upside Down recently appearing in Mega Mall. And now we’ve got our first glimpse at new Stranger Things skins.

How to create smart playlists in Apple Music on iOS (finally)

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Cassette tapes
Let's do this.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

It’s impossible to create smart Apple Music playlists directly on the iPhone. Or rather, it was impossible. Previously, you had to fire up iTunes on your Mac or PC, create a smart playlist there, and then let it sync to your iPhone over iCloud.

Even in iOS 13, this is still the case. But now there’s another way. A new iOS app called Miximum can create smart playlists, and even sync them to the regular Apple Music app. It is, as they say, a game-changer.

It’s not just you, Apple online services hit with multiple problems [Updated]

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Out of Order
This sign should be posted on many of Apple’s iCloud services.
Photo: publicdomainpictures.net

Apple reports that every iCloud service is currently experiencing problems. This affects users of iCloud Drive, Keychain and many more.

However, this doesn’t seem to be cropping up for every user. And many of this company’s other online services are running fine.

Update (3:40pm): All today’s issues with Apple services have been cleared up.

Every USB device I’ve plugged into an iOS 13 iPad so far

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Pile of usb junk
Now you can plug in almost everything, including the kitchen sink
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The USB port on your iPad has gotten a massive update in iOS 13/iPadOS. You can now plug in pretty much everything except a printer, and have it Just Work™. We already know this from Apple’s own PR and WWDC announcements. But what exactly does work when you plug it in? I decided to try it. I took my old test iPad (a 1st-generation iPad Pro) on a tour around various friends’ homes, and plugged stuff in. Here’s what happened.

Fund containing Apple’s giant EU tax bill lost $18 million last year

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
The escrow contains Apple's massive $16 billion fine.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The escrow fund containing the massive $16 billion fine Apple was commanded to pay by the EU declined by $18 million last year.

The funds are being held in an escrow account while appeals by Apple and Ireland make their way through the court. In the meantime, the money is invested — but, at least based on last year, not as successfully as hoped.

Ring in July 4th with new headphones, PDF editors and more [Deals]

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Fourth of July
Ring in the 4th with these deals on workout-ready earbuds, PDF Reader, and resume-boosting lessons.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

For most people, July 4th is a time to relax, barbecue, and watch some fireworks. Here at Cult of Mac, it’s a time to share the best deals of the summer so far. This go-around, we’ve got a set of workout-ready wireless earbuds, a powerful PDF editor, and a certification course in product management. There’s plenty here to enjoy, and more to come, so read on:

Samsung charged for allegedly misleading Galaxy promises

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Galaxy-S10-water
Samsung shows its phones being used in pools, but its warranty won’t cover that.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung has been charged by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly making false promises about its incredibly popular Galaxy S smartphones.

The watchdog says Samsung marketing made misleading representations about smartphone water-resistance.

The South Korean company depicted its devices being used in swimming pools and on the beach — then reportedly turned down warranty claims from customers who suffered water damage when using their phones in similar environments.

Latest macOS Catalina beta includes a stunning new screensaver

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macOS Catalina
It's available now, if you're running the latest beta.
Photo: Apple

While Apple has introduced all kinds of fancy new screensavers for platforms like Apple TV, the Mac doesn’t get all that much love.

However, Apple has made an exception with its latest macOS Catalina beta. As uncovered by Twitter user J Bank, it features an attractive new screensaver to join the other default ones already found on Macs.

Samsung’s new wearable steals Apple Watch 4’s hottest features

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Apple Watch Meidcare
That includes a life-saving ECG app.
Photo: Apple

Samsung’s newest wearable will steal some of Apple Watch Series 4’s hottest features. The upcoming Galaxy Watch Active 2 is expected to get an ECG app as well as fall detection.

The device will be capable of detecting atrial fibrillation — a common heart condition — and of sharing heart data with physicians and other health professionals, a new report claims.

App Store rakes in 80% more than Google Play in 2019 so far

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Apple removes 17 malware apps which secretly clicked on ads
The App Store is ridiculously successful.
Photo: Apple

Customers spent a massive $25.5 billion globally in the iOS App Store during the first half of 2019. That represents an increase of 13.2% compared to the same period one year ago.

While Android devices considerably outnumber iOS handsets, Apple still raked in the majority of profit. Total app spending through Google Play hit just $14.2 billion. That means that the amount generated by Apple’s App Store was around 80% greater than Google Play’s estimated gross revenue.

Apple may be gearing up to replace controversial MacBook keyboard

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MacBook butterfly keyboard
The butterfly keyboard design hasn't been one of Apple's most popular innovations.
Photo: Apple

Many fans hated the controversial butterfly switch keyboard that Apple introduced in 2015. While it’s since worked to improve it, the MacBook keyboards’ low-travel design has caused plenty of handwringing among the Mac faithful.

They might not be around for too much longer, however. According to a new research note from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is set to replace them with a whole new keyboard switch mechanism. This will debut with the 2019 MacBook Air.

Apple debuts pro-privacy billboards in Canada

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Privacy is King
Privacy has been a big push of Tim Cook's.
Photo: Josh McConnell/Twitter

Privacy is one of Apple’s biggest selling points — and it’s continuing the push with a series of billboards in Canada.

Images of the billboards were posted on Twitter by CBC Toronto‘s Matt Elliot and one time-tech journalist Josh McConnell. One billboard in Toronto reads, “We’re in the business of staying out of yours.” Another, also in Toronto, facing King Street West, reads “Privacy is King.”

Microsoft takes on macOS Catalina with Windows 1.0

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Microsoft Windows
Windows 1.0 is the operating system you haven’t been waiting for.
Photo: Microsoft

With great fanfare, Microsoft took to Twitter the announce Windows 1.0. Wait… what?

If this leaves you confused, you’re hardly alone. What this company’s plans are for an operating system that launched in 1985 is a complete mystery.

Using a mouse with your iPad just got way better [Opinion]

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iPad Pro with iPadOS 13 and mouse
iPadOS 13 Developer beta 3 brought real enhancements to mouse support.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple significantly improved mouse support in the latest iPadOS 13 beta for developers. Most notably, the cursor size and color became controllable. And scrolling is much smoother.

These and other changes are very good news to those who intend to regularly employ a mouse when using this tablet with a keyboard.

How to use Wi-Fi and Instant Hotspot in iOS 13

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Instant Hotspot makes connection sharing easy.
Instant Hotspot makes connection sharing easy.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

In iOS 13 and iPadOS, the Wi-Fi connections get a lot of changes. In addition to the familiar Personal Hotspot connection, you can now use and share a new Instant Hotspot. Plus, you can see all your connections at a glance in the revamped Wi-Fi settings screen. Let’s take a look.