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Korvpressor 2 massages your songs to perfection

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Korvpressor 2 inside GarageBand.
Korvpressor 2 inside GarageBand.
Photo: Klevgrand

Korvpressor 2 is an amazing update to what was already one of the best music production apps on iOS — as we’ll see in a moment. But the real reason I’m writing about it today is the beautiful interface. I mean, look at it. Just look at it. Oh, and it also comes on Mac.

Most college students prefer Mac, if they can afford one

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Swift
Students in higher education prefer Macs, but many of them can’t afford one.
Photo: Apple

A majority of today’s college students are Mac fans. A new study found that 71 percent those in higher education either use or would like to use macOS computers. But there’s an important caveat: many of these students actually use other types because they can’t afford Apple’s offerings.

Samsung screens could be packed into OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Pro

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MacBook-Pro-concept
What a future MacBook Pro might look like.
Photo: Viktor Kadar

Samsung will be at least one of the suppliers for future MacBook Pro and iPad Pro upgrades with OLED displays, according to a new report.

The South Korean company, which already supplies OLED screens for the iPhone, has reportedly provided Apple with sample panels ahead of big product refreshes — but there’s no word on when we’ll see them.

Wireless charger suggests AirPower’s problems are solvable

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wireless charging
Set it and forget it. Source changes smartphones without a search for a precise charging connection.
Photo: Spansive

We waited two years for AirPower and in the end, Apple could not deliver. Numerous engineering challenges forced Apple to do something it rarely does – give up.

But the hurdles facing the team producing Apple’s first multi-device wireless charger are not insurmountable.

Consider the Source – a wireless charger and first product by tech startup Spansive that goes on sale today for $189. Its multiple charging coils allow a person to simply set their phone on the surface without having to move it around until a precise charging point is engaged.

Pegatron moving iPad and MacBook manufacturing out of China

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The screen really is beautiful.
New iPads could be made in Indonesia.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Apple manufacturer Pegatron is reportedly set to start assembling MacBooks and iPads in Indonesia, starting next month.

The news comes at a time when more and more people are concerned about a burgeoning trade war between the U.S. and China. Because a large number of Apple’s products are manufactured in China, the possibility of new import tariffs could have a detrimental impact on the company.

Huawei OS could fight Android (and Windows) next year

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Huawei P20 Pro
It’s just a backup plan for now.
Photo: Huawei

Huawei is developing its own operating system that will power its smartphones and other devices if it cannot rely on Android.

Richard Yu, head of the company’s consumer division, has now confirmed the software could be ready in early 2020. Android and Windows remain its top preference for now, however.

Ditch portable batteries for a mobile charging hub [Deals]

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This one power pack plugs straight into the wall, and can charge via microUSB, USB-C, Lightning, or Qi-wireless.
This one power pack plugs straight into the wall, and can charge via microUSB, USB-C, Lightning, or Qi-wireless.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Being able to charge mobile devices on the go is a must. But as technology improves, portable batteries are evolving into something a lot more than just an extra battery in your backpack. Nowadays, you can carry around a bona fide portable power hub.

Jay-Z’s Blueprint trilogy is finally available on Apple Music

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Jay-Z 2
Almost all of Jay-Z's back catalog is now available on Apple Music.
Photo: Mikamote/Wikipedia CC

Thanks to his rival Tidal streaming service, Jay-Z was somewhat M.I.A. from Apple Music for a while.

Somewhere along the line, the tide started to turn. Jay’s 4:44 album landed on Apple Music. As did Everything is Love, his collaboration with wife Beyonce. Now the Blueprint trilogy — home to what is probably Jay-Z’s greatest album — has arrived on Apple’s streaming service.

Ex-student pleads guilty to $895,000 fake iPhone scam

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iPhone X Product Red Wallpaper
The scam involved swapping out counterfeit iPhones for real ones.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

An ex-Oregon engineering student from China has pleaded guilty to a scam involving counterfeit iPhones.

Quan Jiang and another student, Yangyangg Zhou, were involved in a scheme featuring imported fake iPhones. They then swapped them out for legit devices under Apple’s warranty scheme. The scam cost Apple a massive $895,800.

WhatsApp will start showing you ads in 2020

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WhatsApp stickers
It's time to upgrade if you haven't already.
Photo: WhatsApp

Conversations with your friends won’t be the only thing that shows up inside your WhatsApp next year. Facebook has confirmed ads will also start appearing in 2020.

You’ll see them in WhatsApp Status, the messaging platform’s answer to Instagram Stories.

2019 iPhones already popping up in regulatory filings

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pre-orders
Just in case you worried that Apple wasn't going to release any more iPhones!
Photo: Apple

One way to get an idea of what Apple devices are on the way is to check the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) regulatory database. The database just got a new update — confirming a number of new 2019 iPhones.

11 new models have shown up, described as “Apple smartphones.” While it’s absolutely no surprise that new iPhones are on the way, this year’s update is slightly earlier than normal. Apple devices typically turn up in this database a couple of months before launch. Although don’t get too excited about a summer iPhone release!

Playdate is a handheld gaming device created by iOS and Mac devs

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Playdate 2
Coming soon to a pocket near you?
Photo: Panic

Panic, a company known for developing apps for iOS and macOS, today announced plans to enter the hardware market with the launch of the Playdate, a new handheld gaming system.

The device boasts a d-pad, A and B buttons, and an innovative hand crank on the side which will be incorporated into games as a gameplay mechanic.

Mario Kart Tour a disappointment to early beta testers

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Mario Kart Tour screenshots
Here's your first look at Mario Kart Tour for mobile.
Photo: Resetera

Mario Kart Tour’s first beta test kicked off this week. Nintendo asked testers to refrain from posting images and videos online, but that was never going to happen. And that’s great for those of us who didn’t get beta invites.

Screenshots and clips of the game have now started popping up all over the place. There’s a lot to be excited about if you’re a Mario Kart fan, but it’s not all good news.

Hold tight! Apple investors may be in for a rough ride

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
AAPL has had a turbulent year.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

CNBC’s Mad Money host Jim Cramer says that Apple investors are going to have to buckle up for a bumpy ride.

“You need to strap yourself to the mast if you’re gonna hold onto this one,” he said. Cramer is mainly concerned about what will happen if China’s “Communist Party does anything to limit iPhone production.” That could prove disastrous for Apple.

Get an all-purpose PDF editing app for under $20 [Deals]

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Make PDFs easy to read and edit with one simple tool.
Make PDFs easy to read and edit with one simple tool.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

PDFs are one of the most popular file formats around for one fundamental reason: they offer high quality files at a comparatively small file size. Trouble is, they can be tough to work with. Oh, let’s not mince words. PDFs are a beast. Without the proper tools, trying to add a graphic, shift text or even correct a simple typo in a PDF can be an exercise in frustration.

How to remove Siri from MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar

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Free your Touch Bar from Siri's evil grasp.
Free your Touch Bar from Siri's evil grasp.
Photo: Aaron Yoo/Flickr CC

Maybe you’re one of the non-vocal majority that doesn’t mind the Touch Bar. Perhaps you even like it. And maybe, at the same time, you can’t see the point of Siri on the Mac.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could tailor your MacBook Pro just for you? A lovely, handy, beautiful Touch Bar, only without that dumbo Siri? Well, yes it would. Here’s how to remove Siri from the Macbook’s Touch Bar.

Casey Neistat dipped his Apple Watch in gold and it still works

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Apple Watch
Of course Casey Neistat would try this.
Photo: Casey Neistat

YouTuber Casey Neistat found a way to bring back the color gold color option to the new Apple Watch Series 4: dunk it in 24 carat gold.

Apple hasn’t made a gold watch since the Apple Watch Edition was cancelled, so Neistat enlisted JerryRigEverything’s creator to come up with a solution. The entire process is a little bit more complex than just dipping a watch in gold, but it’s also so simple you could do it in your living room if you wanted.

Prepare to be amazed:

WWDC app for iOS gets neon logo update and new stickers

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Neon
Apple’s going all-in on neon for WWDC 2019.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s WWDC app for iOS just received a fresh coat of paint ahead of the annual Worldwide Developer Conference that kicks off in less than two weeks.

The update adds a new neon Apple logo to the app icon that is the same style as the wacky neon unicorn on media invites that came out today. One of the coolest things of the new update is that you can customize the Apple logo. Oh, and it comes with some sweet new stickers for iMessage.

Apple’s wacky unicorn invites press to June 3 WWDC keynote

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WWDC 2019 invitation
The press invitation to WWDC 2019 includes a familiar character.
Photo: Apple

Invitations to the keynote address for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference just went out. The design features a unicorn whose brain is exploding with ideas. WWDC 2019, scheduled for early next month, is expected to feature the unveiling of iOS 13, macOS 10.15 and more.

iOS 13 wishlist: 6-ish ways Apple could improve audio

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This is what pre-iOS 13 audio looks like to a visitor from next year.
This is what pre-iOS 13 audio looks like to a visitor from next year.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

 

There’s one big thing I wish for when I kneel next to my bed at night, cross my fingers and think of iOS 13: better audio. Not better quality audio. That’s already great. I just want better control, and better features.

And this isn’t just specialized podcasting or music-making stuff. There are problems everywhere. You know how when you’re listening to music, and you open up the camera app, and your music stops playing? That kind of problem. Which is number one one on my list by the way. Check out the rest:

Apple reveals new way to stop ads from tracking you

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Apple
Safari is about to get a big privacy boost.
Photo: Apple

Apple revealed this morning that it has new plan to stop online ads from tracking internet users across the web.

With some new technology that will soon be implemented in Safari, Apple thinks it has found a way to give both advertisers and privacy advocates what they one. It’s called Privacy Preserving Ad Click Attribution and even though the name is lame, it could be a game changer.