Do you think that Apple Stores have gotten worse over time? Photo: Apple
Apple Stores have long been leaders when it comes to the customer experience. But that’s starting to change, as decisions made by Apple erode some of the things which once made them great.
At least, that’s according to a new article from Bloomberg, which singles out a few key examples.
Ahrendts at an iPhone keynote during her tenure at Apple. Screenshot: Apple
Apple’s former retail boss Angela Ahrendts was one of Apple’s most well-compensated executives during her time at the company. But in her first interview since parting ways with Apple, Ahrendts reveals how worried she was initially about joining.
“I was, on my own accord, incredibly insecure,” she told LinkedIn’s Hello Monday podcast. “I’m 54 years old, and it’s Apple, for God’s sake! I don’t speak that language. I am not a left-brain engineer operator. I mean, I could talk myself out of it forever.”
This slim international charging strip supports EU, UK, US, and AU outlets. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Traveling internationally is enough of a hassle on its own. Dealing with the different standards and formats involved in powering our gear makes it even more of a headache. So instead of carrying around a bag full of converters and adapters, just get this adaptable powerstrip.
Samsung has confirmed it will cancel preorders for the Galaxy Fold if it is unable to ship the device this month.
The South Korean company’s first foldable phone was scheduled to ship on April 26 but has been indefinitely delayed as a result of technical problems with its flexible screen.
Twitter says this feature was much-demanded by users. Photo: Twitter
If you’ve ever dreamed of being able to add a GIF into your Twitter retweet (and what self-respecting citizen of 2019 has not?), this is your lucky day!
Twitter has introduced the ability for users to retweet a message with an accompanying GIF, photo or video. “People come to Twitter to share their thoughts on interests, events, and news, and we wanted to give them more ways to express themselves,” the company said. “Also, you asked for this!”
Apps were developed by a developer in the Ukraine. Photo: Apple
Apple has booted three dating apps out of the App Store on the advice of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The three apps, all created by the same developer, allowed kids to sign up under the age of 13.
Several people reportedly face criminals charges for contacting kids through the apps.
Anti-robocall bill is one step closer to being passed into law Photo: rawpixel.com/Pexels CC
The European Union decided that there’s enough evidence to justify a formal investigation into Apple’s business practices. This is a result of Spotify’s accusation that Apple is using its control of the App Store to squeeze out competition.
With original content being developed for television, Apple is reportedly looking to create podcasts. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple’s ongoing project to make it relatively simple for developers to port iPad software to macOS is apparently on schedule. This will reportedly be a highlight of next month’s developers conference.
In addition, Apple executives will unveil several of their own iOS apps ported to macOS 10.15, as well as a Mac version of the Music app.
Apple CEO Tim Cook sounded absolutely ecstatic to count Warren Buffett as one of his company’s investors during an interview at Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholders meeting this morning.
Cook made a cameo in the company’s opening video — that also introduced Apple’s new Buffett-themed game — and sat down with CNBC to talk about his relationship with Warren, Apple’s culture, privacy and more.
This is the web without content blockers. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Way back in iOS 9 days, Apple added “content blocking” to the iPhone and iPad. More commonly known as “ad-blockers,” this tech lets you use third-party apps to block ads, malware, trackers, comments, and more, in Mobile Safari. Apple itself doesn’t do any more than make blocking possible. To actual decide what to block, you need a third-party app.
Enabling ad-blocking is easy, once you know how, and you can set-and-forget it once done. Or you can keep on top of things, adding custom rules, and white-listing trusted websites. Here’s how.
Apple shares suffer biggest decline since August Photo: White House
Apple started its work week to news of its stock in freefall thanks to Sunday tweets by President Donald Trump threatening to tag more Chinese goods with a 25 percent tariff unless the two countries can reach a trade deal by Friday.
This may be just another Trump Twitter rant to put pressure on negotiations. But if he follows through on an additional $200 billion in goods, Apple may be forced to build iPhone, iPads, and Macs elsewhere.
The new Buchla Thunder layout for the Sensel Morph. Photo: Sensel
The Sensel Morph is a different kind of “keyboard” for the iPad or Mac. It’s a pressure-sensitive panel onto which you can slap various silicone overlays, turning it from a QWERTY keyboard into a piano, a movie-editing controller or many other specialized interfaces.
It’s a customizable, wildly imaginative input device designed for musicians, video editors, illustrators, writers and other creative types.
Microsoft kicked off its annual Build 2019 developer conference this morning and to the surprise of Apple fans, the Windows-maker showed off some new software that runs on Mac.
Windows 10 users have been able to test early builds of Microsoft’s Edge Chromium browsers since last month, but it looks like Mac users won’t have to wait long to test out Edge. Microsoft doesn’t have a launch date yet, however, it briefly teased Edge running on macOS in a new video.
Get ready to sling papers till your fingers hurt. Photo: Apple
Apple finally came out with its first new video game for iPhone since the App Store debuted in 2008, and it’s dedicated to the iPhone-maker’s largest shareholder, Warren Buffett. It’s called Warren Buffett’s Paper Wizard, and it sounded like a joke at first.
Apple CEO Tim Cook made a cameo appearance at Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholder meeting this morning to reveal the new game. In Paper Wizard, players cruise around tossing newspapers at houses as an homage to Buffett, who worked a paper route as a kid to make money. Now he’s one of the richest men in the world (and with his own paper boi video game to boot).
Details leaking out ahead of next month’s iOS 13 announcement indicate it will offer plenty for iPad, but iPhone won‘t be overlooked. Photo: Apple
The unveiling of iOS 13 is expected in less than a month, and a new report spills details on many of the improvements supposedly coming. For iPhone users, iOS 13 is bringing refinements to already existing features. iPad users, on the other hand, are supposedly getting plenty of new capabilities.
Apple Watches running watchOS 6 could be significantly more independent from iPhone than their predecessors. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
Apple Watch is reportedly going to become less tied to iPhone this fall. An unconfirmed report indicates that watchOS 6 will have its own App Store, allowing wearers to download software directly.
Save 88% on comprehensive and essential VPN protection. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Online life is full of threats to our privacy and data, so there’s no reason to surf without a VPN. Not sure where to start with VPNs, or daunted by the cost? We’ve got a deal for you.
Intel processors have overstayed their welcome in Macs of all types, but especially MacBooks. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
It’s past time Macs stopped depending on Intel processors. There’s new evidence to show they’ve outlived their usefulness. A switch to Apple-designed chips will make macOS devices better for a variety of reasons, including increased speed and battery life.
iPads and iPhones already use processors designed by Apple. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the company is pushing forward with plans to ditch Intel’s processors in Macs, too. The first MacBook or iMac with an Apple processor could be out as soon as 2020.
Check out this week’s amazing apps Photo: Cult of Mac
This week we control our HomeKit homes form our wrists, control our iPad music with Audiobus 3.4, get help talking to foreigners with Day Interpreting, and more.
The Logitech Crayon costs less than the Apple Pencil, and it now works with the 2018 iPad Pro and other recent iOS tablets. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iPad is a great educational tool, no matter the age of the student. But some children are too young for a keyboard. That’s where the Logitech Crayon comes in. It’s a digital pencil designed for students to write and draw on a variety of iPad and iPad Pro models.
This portable safe protects your most valuable gear from splashes. scrapes and RFID scanners. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
When your phone, credit cards, and other electronic essentials go everywhere with you, they also go places that are risky. Think the beach, poolside, hikes, or anywhere someone might have a card scanner.
Hey bub, wanna buy an Apple Watch that, uh, fell off a truck? Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
Hundreds of Apple Watches were reportedly stolen from an Amazon warehouse. And the thieves didn’t have to break in to carry out their caper — they worked there.
Get the latest rumors about what's coming in iOS (and macOS). Cover: Marty Cortinas/Cult of Mac
With rumors, leaks and discoveries coming in hot and heavy, we’re getting a pretty good idea of exactly what iOS 13 and macOS 10.15 will look like when they land.