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iPhone shipments suffer shocking decline in Europe

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The iPhone XS Max is 25 percent larger than any previous iOS handset. So how is it as an iPad mini replacement?
There were problems in the Middle East and Africa, too.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

China might be the focus of Apple’s iPhone sales woes, but it’s not the only market where Apple’s smartphones are running into problems.

According to new IDC figures, during the first quarter of 2019 Apple shipped 2.4 million fewer iPhones to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa than it did during the same three-month span in 2018. That’s a decrease of 22.7%.

2019 iPhone could finally take on Google Pixel’s amazing Night Sight

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Pixel 3 Night Sight
The Pixel 3 destroys iPhone in low-light performance.
Photo: Google

Apple is developing its very own Night Sight feature for the next-generation iPhone lineup, according to a new report.

Google’s Pixel handsets have been well and truly beating rivals on low-light camera performance for years now. But it is claimed Apple has a similar feature up its sleeve called “Night Mode” — and we should see it this year.

Wooden iPhone charging stations make any workspace classier [Deals]

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Oakywood Rounup
This roundup of wooden charging stations and stands makes a classy addition to any desktop.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

No matter how many posters or tchotchkes you get, the modern workspace can look pretty bleak. One way to add some life to your desk is to update the necessaries, like charging stations for your iPhone. These wood charging stations from Oakywood do just that, in a variety of designs that make any desktop warmer and more inviting, so we’ve rounded up four of the best. Most discounted by over a third, read on for more details:

The antitrust arguments that could hobble the tech giants

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Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Apple could be the potential recipient of an antitrust investigation.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim has laid out some of the potential antitrust arguments that could be made against tech giants.

Delrahim’s office is reportedly in charge of investigating Google parent company Alphabet, as well as a potential investigation into Apple.

Dropbox overhauls its Mac app, adds a bunch of awesome features

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Dropbox-overhaul
Try it out today.
Photo: Dropbox

Dropbox wants to be the only app you use on your Mac to access your most important files — wherever they are stored.

Its overhauled desktop client brings all your favorite cloud services together inside an all-new design with a bunch of awesome new features. It’s more than an app, Dropbox says, “it’s a completely new experience.”

PBS president says new App Store rules will hurt its educational app

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Recode PBS president 1
PBS's Paula Kerger and Yamiche Alcindor.
Screenshot: Recode

Apple’s efforts to limit data sharing on kids’ apps will hurt one of PBS’s educational apps, the broadcaster’s president and CEO has revealed.

Speaking at Recode‘s Code Conference 2019, PBS’s Paula Kerger said the company’s PBS Kids steaming app will be affected by new Apple restrictions. These stop developers of kids’ apps from including third-party ads and analytics tools. These rules will go into effect on September 3.

Goldman Sachs CEO says he’s already using Apple Card

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Apple Card
Are you excited about Apple Card?
Photo: Apple

The Apple Card hasn’t publicly launched yet, but employees at both Apple and its partner Goldman Sachs are already publicly testing out the credit card.

In an interview at Recode’s Code Conference, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon talked about his experience of using the joint credit card. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he really, really likes it.

Apple looking to snap up a piece of Intel’s smartphone modem business

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intel
Intel has plenty of modem-making expertise.
Photo: Thomas Hawk/Flickr

Intel is reportedly looking to sell its struggling smartphone modem business in several pieces — and Apple could be one of the buyers.

According to a new report, Apple has designs on acquiring Intel’s German modem business. This is one of the most sought-after pieces, and would give Apple a big boost in potentially developing its own 5G modems.

Enjoy your favorite tunes on a retro-style Bluetooth speaker [Deals]

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LuguLake Handheld Multi-Functional Retro Bluetooth Speaker
This retro Bluetooth speaker adds a touch of noir style and modern audio features to your desktop.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Streaming and wireless music are wonders of the modern world. But the devices we use to play that music often look like bad examples of modern art or a prop from a Paul Verhoeven film.

Unlike those atrocities, this retro-style, future-ready Bluetooth speaker serves up a refreshing mix of form and function.

UAG Scout brings serious drop protection to iPad Pro with Apple keyboard [Review]

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UAG Scout for iPad Pro
The UAG Scout shields both a 2018 iPad Pro and an Apple Smart Keyboard Folio.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Some third-party case makers have begun treating the iPad Pro with a Smart Keyboard Folio attached as a single device. Urban Armor Gear is the latest to introduce a lightweight protective case that goes around both, adding drop protection and an Apple Pencil holder.

Don’t miss our hands-on review of the UAG Scout Series, which is available for the most recent 12.9- and 11-inch iPad Pro.

Update April 27, 2020: UAG released a version of the Scout modified for the larger camera hump in the 2020 iPad Pro.

Meet the new head of testing for selfie cameras

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mannequin for selfie camera tests
Sienna never blinks.
Photo: DxOMark/YouTube

The automotive industry has crash test dummies. The lab testing virtually every kind of digital camera made has Sienna, a lifelike mannequin created to measure the quality of a smartphone’s selfie camera.

DxOMark has been an independent tester of conventional digital and smartphone cameras since 2008. Sienna is the newest addition to the team because the French lab only started testing front-facing cameras this year.

iMovie for iOS adds sweet green screen effect

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iMovie on iPhone X
iMovie just got some major updates.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is out with a huge update for the iMovie app on iOS that makes it easy to use your own green and blue screen effects.

Using the new green screen tool, iPhone and iPad users can now swap out a background for something new. This allows you to insert logos, photos or background videos into your videos.

iPhone XS resale value makes Galaxy S10 look pathetic

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Long-term iPhone XR demand could eventually lead to greater sales than the iPhone XS.
Almost a year later, used iPhone XS and XR units are still worth most of what what paid for them.
Photo: Apple

The 2018 iPhone models drew criticism for their high prices, but new data shows that they have held their value. The same can not be said for Samsung’s rival flagship phone.

The Galaxy S10 line lost more resale value in the first month than the iPhone XS and XR did in the 9 months after their release, according to a phone resale company.

iOS 13’s NFC triggers bring Shortcuts to the real world

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With NFC shortcuts in iOS 13, this speaker could become a trigger to play your favorite podcast.
This speaker could become a trigger to play your favorite podcast.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The iOS 13 Shortcuts app brings plenty of radical changes — automatic scheduled and location-based shortcuts, for example — but one super-neat new feature will make a world of difference. Now, if you have a compatible iPhone, you can combine NFC tags with Shortcuts. That is, you can run any shortcut just by tapping your iPhone onto an NFC sticker.

Seriously. Pretty wild, right? You could tap your iPhone onto a sticker atop a speaker in your kitchen, and it would start playing the radio, for instance. Let’s check out how NFC shortcuts will work.

Mobile officially tops TV as American’s biggest time waster

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iPhone XR 1
It’s been coming a long time, but Americans now spend more hours a day on our phones and tablets than we do watching TVs.
Photo: Apple

US adults spend more time on their phones and tablets than watching traditional televisions. While phone use has been on the rise for years even as TV use dropped, the most recent annual survey done by eMarketer is the first in which mobile devices came out on top.

Only a few years ago, TV use was significantly ahead of phones and tablets. Not any more.

Apple Watch 4 with LTE expands its reach across Europe

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Man’s brand new Apple Watch turns out to be toilet plunger
Man’s brand new Apple Watch turns out to be toilet plunger
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch Series 4 with LTE connectivity is now available in Austria and Finland for the first time. You can order yours from Apple or select carrier partners, with prices starting at €529.

Apple’s newest wearable will also arrive in Israel later this week.

Antitrust boss who may investigate Apple used to lobby for … Apple

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European Commission could get even tougher on tech in 2020
Elizabeth Warren says the current antitrust boss for the DOJ used to lobby on behalf of tech giants.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Senator Elizabeth Warren has asked the Justice Department’s antitrust chief to recuse himself from investigating Apple and Google.

The Democratic 2020 presidential candidate said that Makan Delrahim has a conflict of interest. This is due to his history lobbying for the two companies.

Apple cancels plans for new Denmark data center

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Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple has canceled plans to build a second data center in Aabenraa, Denmark.

The news comes two months after construction was halted at another site in Denmark over an alleged dispute between Apple and main contractor Exyte. Apple is now looking to sell the 700 acres of land it owns.