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Samsung recalls glitchy Galaxy Fold review units

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Galaxy Fold specs
The Fold isn't the precedent-setter Samsung may have hoped.
Photo: Samsung

Having pushed back the launch of its Galaxy Fold folding smartphone, Samsung is now supposedly retrieving all units it sent reviewers — without issuing replacements. While there’s disagreement on whether the original units were meant to be returned after 10 days, it seems things aren’t quite playing out as expected.

This comes after early reviewers noted that the $1,980 handset suffered some serious screen problems.

This portable music player is basically iPod shuffle for Spotify [Deals]

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These little Mighty Vibe music players let you take more than 1,000 tracks from your Spotify library anywhere you go.
These little music players let you take more than 1,000 tracks from your Spotify library anywhere you go.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With streaming services like Spotify, the age of the iPod seems to be coming to a close. But we also live in the era of reboots, so it’s no surprise that the classic iPod shuffle-style player is once again relevant in the age of streaming.

Apple expected to pass on some of its massive cash pile to investors

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
At least, according to Wells Fargo.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Analysts at Wells Fargo think that Apple’s going to start handing some of its massive cash pile to investors by increasing its dividend.

Ahead of Apple’s Q2 earnings later this month, Wells Fargo suggests that Apple will be looking to pass on some of the money that it’s accrued in the U.S. through repatriation. The firm also thinks that Apple is going to raise the number of shares that it buys back.

Student accused of robbing Apple Stores sues for $1 billion

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Apple
A lost non-photo ID may have been one of the problems.
Photo: Milo Kahney/Cult of Mac

An 18-year-old student is suing Apple for $1 billion, alleging that he was wrongfully linked to a series of thefts at Apple Stores.

Ousmane Bah, who lives in New York, was arrested in November. He blames facial recognition software used in Apple Stores, which makes it possible to track suspected thieves. He also claims that he could not possibly have been the thief in question.

Zillow’s new app brings 3D home tours to the masses

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Zillow
One of the many house tours available in 3D Home.
Photo: Zillow

Prospective home buyers no longer have to waste time going to houses just to get a look at what its like on the inside.

Zillow debuted its new app this week called 3D Home which makes it easy to create a 3D tour of a property all from your iPhone. Virtual walkthrough tours have usually only been available on high-end homes, but now even the cheapest properties can get in on the action.

iOS 13 will bring new Animoji to iPhone

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Animoji have become one of our favorite FaceTime features.
Animoji have become one of our favorite FaceTime features.
Photo: Apple

iPhone owners can expect to get a new batch of Animoji characters later this year according to newly leaked details regarding Apple’s iOS 13 update.

After revealing Animoji as a feature on the iPhone X, Apple has been slowly updating its library of characters over the last few years. The last iOS 12.2 update added new characters for giraffe, shark, boar and owl and it appears that we’ll get at least four more fun characters to play with later this year

Leaked iPhone 11 mold reveals Apple’s triple-lens camera

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Big changes coming to the iPhone 11 might not be on the front.
Big changes coming to the iPhone 11 might not be on the front. Turn it over though...
Photo: 喵王-搞机/Weibo

Information coming out of Apple’s Asian supply chain has been compiled into what could be a very early look at the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max.

From the front, these look quite a bit like the 2018 models, but the back includes some very significant differences.

Transferring iOS apps to macOS 10.15 could soon be a snap

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Project Marzipan brings UIKit to the Mac
Making an iOS app into a Mac one could some be as easy as pressing a button, thanks to the “Marzipan” project.
Photo: Apple

The days of laboriously converting an iPhone or iPad application to run on a Mac are almost over. Soon, preparing an iOS app to run on macOS will reportedly be as simple as the developer checking a checkbox.

This is part of a trove of good news for developers — and users — leaking out today.

Apple celebrates Earth Day with iPhone shots, conservation efforts and more

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Apple’s out with an update on its mangrove forest conservation efforts.
Apple’s out with an update on its mangrove forest conservation efforts.
Photo: Apple

April 22 is Earth Day in the US and per usual, Apple is celebrating more than pretty much any other tech company.

Apple store workers are busting out their green shirts and turning the Apple logo green. Meanwhile the company has come out with a few ways for fans to participate with Apple Watch challenges, shot on iPhone nature photos and news about Apple’s mangrove conservation efforts.

2020 iPhones will get 5G modems made by Qualcomm

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2020 could be Apple's greatest year so far
2020 could be Apple's greatest year so far
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The end of a protracted legal battle between Apple and Qualcomm paves the way for the chipmaker to supply Apple with 5G modems for the 2020 line of iPhones.

Highly-respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made the prediction in a research note.

Customers rage after JCPenney drops Apple Pay [Updated]

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JCPenny Apple Pay
JCPenny offered no reason for dropping its support for Apple Pay.
Screenshot: Twitter

Struggling retail chain JCPenny has dropped support for Apple Pay according to a message from the company’s Twitter account.

JCPenny, which rolled out Apple Pay to all its stores two years ago, made the announcement in response to a customer’s query and complaints about removing “a very secure form of payment.”

Tenacious repair tech combats misinformation in Apple support forum

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Jessa Jones says the Apple Support Communities forum gives users erroneous information on recovering lost data.
Jessa Jones says the Apple Support Communities forum gives users erroneous information on recovering lost data.
Photo courtesy of Jessa Jones

When Jessa Jones’ twin daughters flushed her iPhone down the toilet, it set in motion an unlikely series of events that led to a feud with Apple.

First, she blew up her toilet to retrieve her phone. Then she taught herself how to fix iPhones. Ultimately, she ended up in a simmering battle in Cupertino’s official support forums.

10 awesome Activity app secrets [Cult of Mac Magazine No. 293]

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Get ready to get ripped with these hidden Activity app features.
Get ready to get ripped with these hidden Activity app features.
Cover: Graham Bower/Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Dig into Apple’s slick Activity app and you’ll find some advanced metrics that can help take your fitness to the next level.

Get the lowdown on 10 features hidden inside the app — plus the week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos — in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. It’s free and it looks the perfect way to enjoy some weekend reading on your iPad. Or use the links below to read the stories on our website.

Hand-crafted wood bands give Apple Watch a rustic look and polished feel

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Each wooden band is made by hand, a rustic touch that is subtle but appreciated.
Each wooden band is made by hand, a rustic touch that is subtle but appreciated.
Photo: Ottm

Ottm makes some of the most unique smartwatch bands yet. Each Ottm band is crafted from hand-selected West African zebrawood, Indonesian sandalwood or Canadian maple. Treated with tung oil for a smooth, luxurious finish, these sustainably sourced bands are really something special.

The result is a watch band completely unique to you — no two bands are the same. Pair it with your Apple Watch, and you’ve got an exotic statement piece and stunning accessory.

With just a few days left to catch Cult of Mac’s Watch Store sale, be sure to grab an Ottm band before it’s too late.

Catch a baby-faced Leander, unboxing his own Ottm band:

Foundation show runner steps down from Apple’s TV adaptation

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Foundation was a major influence on Star Wars, and now it's coming to Apple TV.
Foundation was a major influence on Star Wars, and now it's coming to Apple TV+.
Photo: Bantam Spectra Books

Apple’s TV series adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s epic sci-fi novel Foundation has already experienced its first major shakeup.

Josh Friedman, who was originally tapped to lead the show alongside David S. Goyer, has reportedly decided to step down from the project.

Slope makes iPad a sleek second screen for Mac [10% discount]

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Turning a tablet into an external display for your laptop isn't totally unheard of, but Slope makes it look oh so good.
Turning a tablet into an external display for your laptop isn't totally unheard of, but Slope makes it look oh so good.
Photo: Wiplabs

Slope, a beautifully designed minimalist tablet stand, transforms your iPad into a second Mac screen or even a mini iMac.

Whether you’re pairing iPad with Apple Pencil, Smart Keyboard, or using it as an external display for MacBook or iMac, Slope positions and displays your tablet with utmost style and security.

It’s the perfect way to integrate your new iPad Pro into your desktop setup and Apple ecosystem. This is especially significant with the rumored macOS 10.15 update, code-named “Sidecar,” enabling an iPad to act as a second screen for running macOS software.

Samsung Galaxy Fold reviews: Awesome idea, crap execution

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Galaxy Fold specs
Reviewers who tested the Samsung Galaxy Fold agree it’s a brilliant idea marred by terrible execution.
Photo: Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Fold is the first mass-market phone with a foldable screen, something a future iPhone might someday have as well.

Reviews of this handset are starting to come in and they have a theme: the reviewers really like the device, despite it being terribly flawed.

The Clever Dripper might be the best (and easiest) way to make coffee, ever

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Good morning! I am the Clever Coffee Dripper!
Good morning! I am the Clever Coffee Dripper!
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Good day, sleepy humans. I assume you are a fellow appreciator of delicious coffee, and that you suffer the same morning paradox as me: You just woke up, and are still rather groggy. And yet you also want to make a great cup of coffee. After all, you can’t drink that many in a day without wigging out.

The answer is here: It’s the Clever Dripper, and it’s almost impossible to make a bad cup of coffee with it. Not only that, but it might make the best coffee you’ve ever tasted.