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Tim Cook says Apple ‘stores’ need a new name

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Apple is taking over Carnegie Library.
Apple is taking over Carnegie Library.
Photo: Mr. Tin DC/Flickr CC

Apple’s new store at the 116-year old Carnegie Library in Washington D.C. is the “most historic, ambitious restoration” project the company has undertaken, per CEO Tim Cook.

Doors of the Carnegie Library store will open to customers on May 11. Apple spent around $30 million on the restoration project, but Tim Cook insists the goal of the store isn’t to sell more iPhones, iPads and Macs to people. In fact, he doesn’t even really like calling it a store.

How to use Apple Watch SOS mode

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Watch out!
Watch out!
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

If Apple Watch ever becomes as common as the smartphone, TV dramas will get a whole lot less dramatic. You know how when a beloved character is in danger — perhaps there’s a killer stalking them in their own home — and you scream at the screen, telling them what to do?

Well, the Apple Watch’s SOS Mode pretty much does everything you’re telling them to do. It can call the cops, notify a friend, and track your location, all with a squeeze (and maybe a swipe). That might not be great as a standard storytelling trope, but it’s fantastic for your personal safety.

SEC charges Apple’s failed sapphire supplier of misleading investors

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GT Advanced
The back entrance GT Advanced's old sapphire plant in Mesa, Arizona.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

GT Advanced Technologies, the company that was supposed to make sapphire screens for the iPhone early this decade, has been charged with misleading investors by the SEC.

The SEC’s investigation found that GT and its CEO violated antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws as part of its deal to supply Apple with sapphire. After failing to meet certain performance requirements, GT caused “significant investor harm” by reclassifying over $300 million in debt to Apple. Sadly, the company’s punishment is pretty much just a slap on the wrist.

iPhone sales dropped in every part of the world

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iPhone XR performance is stellar, far better than many Android devices that cost more.
The iPhone XR hasn’t been enough to spur demand for Apple’s handsets.
Photo: Apple

The fact that iPhone sales were down in the first three months of the year is no secret, but new information shows that the decline wasn’t isolated to one or two areas. No, Apple admitted that iOS handset sales dropped in every region of the world.

This battle-tough backpack looks killer, too [Review]

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Thule Crossover 2 backpack
Ready for the world, the Thule Crossover 2 backpack.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

If you’re going to be seen carrying the same bag every day, its look and style are as important to many commuters as the bag’s ability to protect its contents.

Many shoulder bags and backpacks excel in one area and underwhelm in the other. Not the 20L Thule Crossover 2 backpack. It can be reviewed with just two words — ruggedly handsome.

Lobbyists for Apple help shoot down another Right to Repair bill

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Cult of Mac's buyback program pays good money for your gear, even broken ones.
This bill was proposed for Ontario, Canada.
Photo: Warren R.M. Stuart/Flickr CC

Tech lobbyists, backed by companies including Apple, have killed another Right to Repair bill, this time in Ontario.

The bill, put forward by Liberal MPP Michael Coteau, would have compelled companies to provide businesses and consumers with spare parts and repair manuals. It failed in its vote on Thursday after lobbying efforts.

Pick the perfect bag for traveling with your MacBook [Deals]

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This pair of laptop bags offers great choices for carrying your gear comfortably and in style.
This pair of laptop bags offers great choices for carrying your gear comfortably and in style.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The great thing about laptops is that they can go anywhere you do. But not every bag is best for carrying your MacBook in a way that’s safe, comfortable and stylish. So we’re excited to share this pair of bags from RIVACASE, a backpack and a carrying bag, each perfect for stylishly traveling with your most essential gear.

Adobe’s Creative Cloud bundle gets a big price increase

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New pricing 1
No more $10 option!
Screenshot: Peta Pixel/Adobe

Adobe is apparently cranking up the prices for its Photography bundle of applications. But don’t worry: it’s only increasing by 100%.

Adobe’s website is now listing $19.99, rather than its previous $9.99, for the monthly subscription cost for Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Classic. The company claims that it is testing out new pricing options.

General Magic documentary is finally getting a theatrical release

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General Magic documentary tells story of the iPhone that never was!
The game-changing device that never was!
Photo: Spellbound Productions

General Magic, a movie about the most important tech company you never heard of, is getting a theatrical run.

The documentary tells the story of a ’90s startup created by (and employing) some of the greatest minds at Apple. These included Mac veterans as well as future employees such as Tony “father of the iPod” Fadell. General Magic became a big hit at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival, and is now headed to theaters.

Google’s wireless phone service adds Visual Voicemail for iOS

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Google Fi 1
Have you tried Google Fi yet?
Photo: Google

Google brought its wireless phone service, Google Fi, to iPhone late last year. Now it’s given it an update — bringing Visual Voicemail to the iOS app for the first time.

That means that you can get information on the caller, call date, call length and preview of the transcribed message inside the app. This interface easily allows you to expand the preview to read the full message or hear the audio.

Every audiophile’s iPad Pro needs this headphone adapter [Review]

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Satechi Type-C to 3.5mm Audio Headphone Jack Adapter review
Plug headphones or speakers into an 2018 iPad Pro, while also charging the tablet, with Satechi’s latest adapter.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There’s no headphone jack in the 2018 iPad Pro, which is darn inconvenient for anyone who wants to hook their tablet up to a non-Bluetooth pair of headphones or speakers. Fortunately, Satechi makes a small and simple USB-C adapter with a 3.5mm jack. There’s also a second USB-C port so the tablet can charge at the same time.

In addition, Satechi just released a USB-C cable that can handle 100W of power. Be sure to read our reviews of both.

FCC tries to confirm carriers stopped selling phone location data

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Apple Maps reservation OpenTable
You can’t escape your phone company tracking you, but the FCC can make them stop selling the information.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The CEOs of the big four US wireless carriers were asked by an FCC commissioner whether they’ve stopped selling their customers’ real-time location data, as they had promised to do.

Published reports in recent months indicated that the locations of Americans were being sold without their permission of even knowledge.

AirPod survives trip through man who swallowed it

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AirPods sales
Do not eat your AirPods.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple may need to update the specs for AirPods to include one new surprising feature: “stomach-proof”.

One unlucky Taiwanese man discovered this the hard way. After falling asleep, Ben Hsu woke up with one of his AirPods missing. Using Find My iPhone to track down the missing earbud, he started hearing a beeping sound that followed him around the room and realized he made a serious mistake. The AirPod was in his stomach.

How to record Apple Music from your iPhone to your Mac

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Send DRM or other audio up the USB cable, and record it.
Send DRM or other audio up the USB cable, and record it.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Did you know that you can record the music playing on your iPhone, to your Mac, straight up the USB cable? Just hook your Mac up to your iPhone (or iPad), using the Lighting cable that came in the box, and you can record anything. Additionally, if you’re looking to play music while recording video iPhone, this guide will show you how.

It’s just like taping off the radio when you were a kid — or maybe when your dad was a kid — only better quality.

Apple videos explain iPhone AssistiveTouch, VoiceOver, Magnifier accessibility features

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Apple video demonstrates how to use iOS accessibility features
Apple demonstrates how to use AssistiveTouch, which adds a virtual Home button that can perform multiple functions.
Screenshot: Apple

A series of videos from Apple Support walks users through setting up and using some of the features created for users with limited dexterity or vision. These explain AssistiveTouch, VoiceOver, Magnifier and inverted colors.

Watch them now:

This single iPad knob costs almost $400

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My, what a beautiful knob!
My, what a beautiful knob!
Photo: Synclavier

The Synclavier is a digital synthesizer from the early 1980s. Synclavier Go! is an iPad app that mimics the classic synth. But this post isn’t about those. It’s about the Synclavier Knob, an accessory for the app.

The Synclavier Knob is a single knob on a mounting plate the size of an iPad mini. That’s it. Oh, and it costs $399.

Apple Watch shipments shot up 49% last quarter

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Apple Watch in Singapore
When you see someone wearing a smartwatch, there’s a good chance it’s made by Apple.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s wearable is turning into a real success. Shipments of Apple Watch grew 49 percent in the first three months of this year.And it makes up the lion’s share of all smartwatches.

This company’s revenue for this product category grew 30 percent last quarter.

Master the mysteries of ‘Other’ workouts on Apple Watch

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Apple Watch’s Other Workouts are a whole other ballgame
Apple Watch’s Other Workouts are a whole other ballgame
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Everyone knows you can do running, cycling and swimming workouts with your Apple Watch. But did you know you also can log sports like football, golf and boxing? There’s even support for pastimes as diverse as fishing, horse riding and fencing.

These workout types are not easy to find, however. Apple hides them in the “Other” workouts menu. With a bit of hunting around you’ll discover 60 additional options there to choose from.

So, if you’re bored with your regular workout and fancy trying something more exotic, why not give these Other workouts a try? Here’s how to find and use them.

Overcast comes to Mac in impressive Marzipan concept

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Overcast running on macOS
Marzipan is going to bring some great apps to the Mac when it launches.
Screenshot: Steven Troughton-Smith

At WWDC last year, Apple shared a glimpse at the future of macOS. With their “Sneak Peek” of a framework, codenamed Marzipan, they previewed how macOS could support iOS apps in the future.

In macOS Mojave, Apple included a small set of “marzipan” apps – News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home – but the thing most people want to see is their favorite iOS apps on the Mac. Thanks to iOS developer Steve Troughton-Smith, we’ve started to get a pretty interesting idea.

Company in unproven spy chip story moving business out of China

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MacStadium Mac mini server racks
Chips were rumored to have found their way into servers used by the likes of Apple.
Photo: Apple

California-based Super Micro Computer is moving server production out of China. The company was last year at the center of a damaging story from Bloomberg.

The article alleged that spy chips had been placed into server motherboards, including those used by Apple, manufactured by Super Micro. Despite the story appearing to be highly dubious, it seems Super Micro is still having to take action.

Apple wants a German tourist association to change its logo

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Apfelroute logo 1
Do you think this looks like Apple's logo?
Photo: Apfelroute

Apple is pressuring a German cycle path over its logo, which Apple claims is too close to its own iconic logo.

The Apfelroute logo was intended for a cycling path in the Rhine-Voreifel region of Germany. It is scheduled to open on May 19. The logo has already been slapped on uniforms, bike racks, maps and banners by tourism company Rhine-Voreifel Tourism.

Sprint now offers Apple-certified, same-day, in-store iPhone screen repairs

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Sprint Complete: for those
Sprint customers no longer need to put up with cracked iPhone screens.
Image: Sprint Complete

This post is presented by Sprint.

It’s shocking how common cracked smartphone screens are. Sometimes they’re nearly invisible hairline breaks that leave your phone pretty functional. Other times, they’re spider webs of destruction, with tiny shards of glass coming loose.

There are plenty of good reasons to fix your broken iPhone screen, but many of us put off repairs. Maybe it’s the high cost of fixing the screen, or the inconvenience of schlepping the iPhone to an Apple Store. But if you’re a Sprint customer, you now have one less excuse for living with a shattered screen.

Removed parental control app says Apple is being misleading

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Screen Time 1
OurPact was recently booted out of the App Store.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

One of the parental control apps removed from the App Store has hit out at Apple’s “misleading comments.”

A New York Times report initially claimed that Apple had removed apps offering similar features to its own Screen Time tool. Apple then issued its own statement, saying that it removed them due to privacy and security risks.

But the makers of OurPact says it’s not that simple.