Your iCloud data isn’t truly secure because Apple can always access it. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
In a campaign called “Fix it Already!,” the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging tech giants to remedy nine security and privacy problems in their products.
In Apple’s case, it wants the iPhone maker to encrypt iCloud backups so that only users can access them.
Don’t pay full price for a 12-inch MacBook. Photo: Apple
The 12-inch MacBook remains Apple’s smallest and most portable notebook, and it’s a great machine — especially when you get it at a big discount. Woot is currently offering refurbished 2017 models for just $829.99. It’s just one of the awesome offers in today’s Deals & Steals roundup.
You will also find refurbished Apple Watch Series 2 units for under $150, a delicious discount on the amazing Instant Pot, and more than half off Powerbeats3 wireless headphones. Plus, Amazon has knocked $17 off the Apple Magic Keyboard with numeric keypad again.
AluBase is a wireless charger that actually looks good. Photo: Just Mobile
The Cult of Mac Watch Store loves the Apple Watch, yes, but what we really desire is power. While we might never get the power to do whatever we want, there is plenty of power that we can acquire for a reasonable cost. Yes, we’re talking about chargers and electricity here, not dominion over all things.
The store recently added some slick ways to keep your devices full of juice from our friends at Just Mobile. See those below, and be sure to check out all our other power options.
Who needs pockets when you have the Sutter Sling Pouch? Photo: SF Bags
Only in the United States do men try to carry all their essential out-of-home possessions in their pockets. Wallet, keys, phone, spare battery, AirPods, Leatherman. So wedded are men to this principal that they ridicule small bags by calling them “murses.” Either that, or they use things like cellphone holsters or fanny packs, which are pretty much social death.
In Europe (but not in the U.K.), men just carry small bags. And they call them “bags,” or whatever the local name is. Whatever, it’s definitely not el murse. Now, men in the U.S. can catch up to the the rest of the world with WaterField Designs’ Sutter Sling Pouch, a gentleman’s handbag that’s just big enough for you to empty your pockets into.
Analysts recommend Qualcomm make up with Apple soon. Photo: Qualcomm
Qualcomm needs to settle its lawsuits with Apple soon if it wants to be in the first 5G iPhone. Time is running out on this chip maker to supply 5G modems for Apple’s 2020 offering, according to an industry analyst.
Halide, an iOS camera app that entered a flooded photo app category in 2017, quickly rose above most of the others as a must-have tool for serious iPhone photographers.
The creators, wanting manual camera settings and a RAW shooting option, rolled out a new app this week bringing ease to the otherwise complicated task of light and motion painting with long exposures.
The new app, Spectre, requires no technical skill – or even a tripod – to bring the streams of light to urban scenics shot on iPhone.
Apple has contacted podcasters with guidelines. Photo: Incase/Flickr CC
Apple is contacting podcast producers requesting that they optimize the metadata for their shows — or risk having them removed from Apple’s podcast service.
The cautionary email mostly concerns guidelines on including detailed, nonredundant written descriptions of episodes. However, the Apple Podcasts email contains a few surprising directives — like the fact that titles should not include numbers. Provided that’s read as intended, this could cause a few problems!
Is a new iPad mini right around the corner? Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac
A pair of unannounced iPad models have again appeared in a regulatory database ahead of their official unveiling.
The new slates, with model numbers A2124 and A2133, were first spilled by the Eurasian Economic Commission in late January. They are expected to arrive sometime this spring.
These AirDops are the perfect budget wireless earphones. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
It’s amazing how quickly AirPods caught on. In just a couple years, they catapulted from slightly obnoxious accessory of the tech elite to essential part of the Apple experience.
Of course, they retail for about $159, so it’s also amazing how expensive they are. AirDops True Wireless Earbuds offer almost all the features of their expensive cousins from Cupertino — and they cost a whole lot less.
I’m an unabashed fan of pro wrestling — and pro wrestling games, too. As much as I can enjoy the highly polished WWE 2K19, however, my heart belongs to the 2D grapplers of days past.
If you also have fond memories of pumping quarter after quarter into the WWF WrestleFest cabinet at your local arcade, a new iOS game is sure to have you tearing off your America-loving t-shirt in elation. Check out the trailer for Slam Mania below.
One of Cellebrite's hacking devices. Photo: Tryc2/ebay
The Cellebrite hacking tool used by law enforcers for pulling data off locked iPhones costs $6,000 new. However, used units now show up on eBay for as little as $100.
That’s a big discount from the full price. And it seems that Cellebrite, a security firm based in Israel, isn’t too happy about the situation — with very good reason.
iPhone sales have had a tough time in China. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Slowing iPhone sales in China was a major concern for Apple. However, things may be back on the upswing, claims UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri.
According to Arcuri’s latest note to investors, Apple is clearing inventory in the country. This is partially thanks to price reductions. While it would be foolish to suggest that there won’t be more struggles, it seems that the worst could be behind Apple.
Drop into today to enjoy all the new content. Photo: Epic Games
Fortnite season eight has landed, bringing new locations, new weapons, and explosive changes. Players can launch themselves across the map using the new cannon, explore the scorching volcano, and more.
There’s also a brand new Battle Pass with 100 levels, and more than 100 new rewards.
More than half of holiday smartwatch sales were Apple Watches. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
A record 18 million smartwatches sold in the final three months of 2018 — and Apple Watch made up more than half of them.
That’s according to the latest global sales research figures from Strategy Analytics. The firm suggests that Apple Watch represented 51 percent of global smartwatch sales. Samsung took second place, followed by Fitbit, and Garman.
Apple has years to get a real 5G iPhone on the market, according to a well-known analyst. Photo: Cult of Mac/@Siddavarapu
The faster cellular data networks being rolled out now will bring tremendous benefits to Apple, according to a well-known industry analyst. Gene Munster even said today, “Apple will be one of 5G’s biggest beneficiaries.”
He listed a number of current and future products that will see gains from this nascent wireless tech.
Apple’s CEO says people know their iPhone can be trusted to securely hold their health records. Photo: Apple
Apple’s CEO is optimistic about his company’s plan to have the iPhone store all our health records, even though it got a black eye recently: turns out some third-party iOS apps leaked health-related data to Facebook.
But Tim Cook says that people trust Apple because the company has a deep commitment to user privacy, and people know that.
One of Apple's self-driving vehicles in the wild. Photo: Idiggapple/Twitter
Apple’s self-driving car project may be nearing the end of the road.
After rumors surfaced last month that the company slashed its workforce for Project Titan, Apple confirmed today that 190 employees in Santa Clara and Sunnyvale have been released from the self-driving car project.
You'll have to bring batteries in your carry-on now. Photo: Hawaiian Airlines
The US Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration is making it a little bit harder for fliers to haul lithium-ion batteries to new destinations.
Under new rules revealed today, passengers are banned from storing lithium-ion cells or batteries on cargo during commercial flights. There’s also a new ban that prevents companies from shipping batteries with more than 30 percent charge on cargo-only flights.
Sell your car and walk, or take public transit or a taxi. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
You know how when you get into your car, your iPhone starts autoplaying a song after you connect it to your CarPlay-enabled stereo? Who thought that was a good idea? Maybe if you could set it to autoplay the latest episode of your favorite podcast it would be a good feature. But the same song, every time?
The only good thing to take away from this is that Apple’s programmers have decided to stop destroying the planet, and no longer use cars. How else could you explain why this hasn’t been fixed?
Fortunately, you can stop the madness — and it’ll only cost you 99 cents.
Several governments have passed or are working on laws that Apple argues weaken the encyption that protects the privacy of its users. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Australia recently passed a law forcing tech companies to give law enforcement greater access to encrypted messages from users. The U.K. already has a similar law, and India is considering one.
There’s no new legislation in the U.S., but the FBI and other police agencies still want easy access to iPhones and other computers, as well as private conversations.
What’s the time? It’s time to get ill. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
For Apple Watch-owning musicians, the MidiWrist app is pretty wild. It lets you control almost any music hardware or software just by tapping the Apple Watch. The possibilities are almost literally endless — and you can even map the smartwatch’s Digital Crown as a custom controller.
It's like living in your own private air bubble. Photo: Apple
Looking for a smart air purifier you can control using your iPhone? If so, Apple has just the product for you — with the Wynd Plus Smart Air Purifier intelligent personal air quality system. The size of a water bottle, the portable device promises to create a perfect bubble of clean air around users.
Best of all, an accompanying iOS app will monitor your environment and alert you of any changes you need to know about.
Apple's Apple Watch business grew 50% last quarter. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
Apple Watch Activity Competitions are a perfect way to fall out with friends and colleagues. Simply send a challenge via the Activity app on your watch and, if they accept, a seven-day grudge match commences.
With Activity Competitions, a new feature in watchOS 5, it’s not the taking part that counts. It’s the winning. The winner receives a shiny virtual medal to add to their awards, while the loser gets zip.
Fortunately, when you know how Activity Competitions work, you can maximize your chance of winning every time. Here’s how.