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How to watch Apple’s WWDC 2019 event today

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The WWDC keynote is one of Apple's biggest events.
The WWDC keynote is one of Apple's biggest events.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Today Apple will announce iOS 13, possibly the new Mac Pro, plus a slew of Mac and Apple Watch-related news. Cult of Mac will not be live-blogging the action — instead you can join our WWDC 2019 watch party or follow along on Twitter. And as always, you can watch the show live.

We’re expecting to learn all about the incredible new iOS 13, which many expect will turn the iPad into some kind of Mac Pro-beating powerhouse1. Also expected is a Marzipan update, and perhaps our first peek at the real new Mac Pro.

Whether you’re watching on your Mac, your iPhone or iPad, or your Apple TV, we’ll show you how to tune in.

You can even show up at an Apple Store and watch it on the big screen!

Trump’s ban on Huawei could be a big win for Apple

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Huawei P20 Pro
Millions of phone buyers might prefer iPhone to the non-Android handsets Huawei will apparently be forced to offer.
Photo: Huawei

A decision by the Trump Administration forced Google to revoke Huawei’s Android license, and a respected analyst says that could cause millions of buyers around the world to get iPhones instead.

iOS 13 hopes: 6 small tweaks that would bring big improvements [Opinion]

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iPhone iOS 12 lock screen
The two application links on the Lock screen are pre-set. iOS 13 really should allow users to choose these.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Reports of significant changes in iOS 13 have been popping up for months, but there are plenty of minor modifications that would enhance day-to-day use of the iPhone and iPad.

Here are half a dozen we think Apple should include in the next iOS version when it debuts this fall.

Manage your own microclimate with an all-in-one A/C and humidifier [Deals]

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EvaSmart2
This futuristic, portable A/C uses evaporative principles to efficiently cool and clean the air.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Hanging an air conditioner half-way out the window is an effective, if noisy way to keep a room cool. But it’s also a technology that goes all the way back to 1902. This is the future after all, so now the air conditioner gets the smart home treatment.

iOS 13 wish list: Giving health & fitness a workout [Cult of Mac Magazine No. 299]

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Cult of Mac Magazine Cover No. 298
Cult of Mac Magazine Cover No. 298
Cover: Cult of Mac Magazine

WWDC is less than a week away and there are already plenty of rumors doing the rounds on what new features Apple has in store for iOS and watchOS. Dark mode, a refreshed Reminders app and a new Find My app all look set to make an appearance.

But will Apple also be giving its operating systems a shot in the arm to improve their health and fitness as well?

Find out what’s going on in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine for iOS.

Or read on to get the rest of the week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos in your browser.

Are the Powerbeats Pro better than AirPods? [Review]

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Powerbeat Pro in charging case
Order yours now!
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Back in 2014 – long before the AirPods – I picked up what would become my go-to fitness earbuds – the PowerBeats2. A year and a half later, the AirPods came out, replacing my PowerBeats2 that were literally falling apart.

Fast forward to now, and I’ve been using my AirPods – both my first gen, and more recently, my second gen – in almost every situation. I use them all the time and carry them almost everywhere I go. But sometimes I hate my AirPods. No matter how simple and convenient they are, they insist on slipping just a little when I wear them while exercising. And if there’s any background noise or wind, even the loudest volume is inaudible while wearing the AirPods.

Even with those minor drawbacks, they were my favorite headphones. Then I got the new Powerbeats Pro.

What to expect from WWDC 2019

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WWDC 2019
It’s going to be big!
Photo: Apple

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference is just days away and it’s shaping up to be one of the most software-packed events in the company’s history.

New software for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and more will be shown off for the first time when Tim Cook takes the stage on June 3rd. Most of the event will be focused solely on Apple’s biggest software updates of the year, but there’s a chance we could see some new hardware too.

Spotify’s Social Listening feature will let you jam out with friends

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Spotify Connect
Screenshots of the upcoming Social Listening feature.
Photo: Jane Manchun Wong

Spotify is about to make it possible to listen along to music with your friends, no matter where you’re at.

The new feature, called Social Listening, will allow users to connect to friends and listen to the same thing they’re playing. You’ll also be able to add your own tracks to the queue and control playback from your phone.

How to stop apps using background refresh to snoop your data

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Refreshing background refresh drink
What could be more refreshing than a rhubarb and soda drink, with something in the background?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Background refresh is what lets your iPhone and iPad download your email while your iPhone is sleeping, to update your weather app while you are sleeping, and to grab all kinds of data so that it’s ready before you need it — news feeds, notes-app syncing, and pretty much anything else.

However, as revealed this week by the Washington Post, plenty of bad apps are abusing the background refresh mechanism. They are using it to send your private data — you location, your email address, your phone number, and much much more.

It’s likely that this is happening to you, because background refresh is enabled by default for newly-installed apps. Fortunately, it’s an easy problem to fix. Today we’ll see how.

Is your iPhone passcode on this list of pathetic PINs?

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GrayKey can bypass iPhone security
Don’t use generic passcodes.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Over 25% of phones can be cracked just by using one of the top 20 most used four digit PINs.

Cyber security expert Tarah Wheeler shared a list of the most popular PINs based on the findings of the folks at the SANS Institute, which is one of the largest cyber security organizations in the world. Some of the passcodes on the list aren’t surprising but there are a couple combinations that we didn’t expect to see.

Make sure your PIN didn’t make the list:

Teen creates DIY AirPods for just $4

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DIY AirPods
We’ve never seen AirPods like these.
Photo: Sam Cashbook

Forking over $200 for new AirPods that you’re probably just going to lose anyway seems like a bad investment. A 15-year old boy found a brilliant and cheap work around though that turns Apple’s wired EarPods into AirPods for just $4.

After seeing one of his friends get gifted a set of AirPods, Sam Cashbook decided to make his own. Using a cheap bone conduction headset he found on eBay, Cashbook managed to hot glue together his DIY AirPods.

They’re ugly, but they work:

Get half off a Smart Keyboard, $470 off Mac mini [Deals & Steals]

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The new 2019 iPad Air, with its 10.5-inch screen, works with Apple's existing Smart Keyboard.
Contact Apple today to claim your free fix.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s own Smart Keyboard is one of the best keyboards you can buy for iPad. It snaps on in an instant, doesn’t require pairing, and never needs charging. It’s even better when it’s half price. Get yours today for just $79.50.

That’s just one of the awesome offers in today’s Deals & Steals roundup. You can also save a whopping $470 on the Mac mini, and $600 on the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display. Plus, you can get the Netgear Orbi while home Wi-Fi system for under $200.

WWDC surprises revealed: iTunes dead, brand new apps, more

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WWDC 2019
It’s going to be big!
Photo: Apple

A new report citing sources familiar with Apple’s plans has revealed a number of WWDC surprises ahead of Monday’s big keynote.

Fans can look forward to software updates that make Apple Watch less reliant on iPhone, and iPad more of a laptop replacement. And a number of brand new apps — one of which will kill off iTunes.

You can now access OmniFocus anywhere in your browser

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OmniFocus for the Web
OmniFocus for the Web is live.
Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

OmniFocus is now available anywhere in your web browser.

The new web app makes it possible to access your tasks on Windows and other operating systems for the first time. It is designed to work alongside OmniFocus for Mac and iOS.

Sadly, it doesn’t allow you to use OmniFocus if you don’t own an Apple device at all.

One more thing? Catch our WWDC hardware predictions, this week on The CultCast

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CultCast 390
Does Apple have any WWDC hardware reveals up its sleeve?

This week on The CultCast: Apple may be prepping the Mac Pro for its big reveal … don’t miss our WWDC 2019 hardware expectations! Plus: The pros and cons of the 2019 MacBook Pro … we discuss. And did you know all the best Get a Mac ads never actually aired? We’ll tell you the odd reason why. All that and soooo much more.

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..

Target recalls 90,000 Lightning cables that cause burns

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Target Lightning recall
Stop using these cables immediately.
Photo: Target

Target is recalling around 90,000 Lightning cables over concerns they could cause fires or electric shocks.

The “heyday” branded cables, which feature a nylon braided cable and metal connectors, “can become electrically charged,” according to a recall notice.

Target has so far received 14 reports of the cables “smoking, sparking or igniting.”

WWDC banners pop up in San Jose ahead of Monday’s keynote

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WWDC 2019 banner
WWDC kicks off on Monday, June 3.
Photo: David Lewis Thomas/9to5Mac

Apple has started erecting WWDC artwork around the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, ahead of Monday’s big developer event.

Banners featuring neon icons and other assets now hang from streetlights and transit stops downtown around the venue that will house this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference. Workers also started decorating the front of the convention center itself.