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Porn, gambling apps abuse Apple’s developer program to sneak onto iPhones

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Apple Developer Enterprise Program
Apple’s Developer Enterprise Program can be misused to distribute iPhone software that violates the company’s community guidelines.
Photo: Apple

It turns out Facebook and Google aren‘t the only companies misusing the system Apple created to allow companies to share internal iOS apps with their workers. Software with hardcore pornography and  gambling have been distributed to the public via the Developer Enterprise Program.

Epic confirms massive changes for Fortnite 7.40

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Fortnite hand cannon
Epic won't tolerate Fortnite hacks.
Photo: Epic Games

Epic Games will make big changes to Fortnite’s planes, zip lines, rocket launcher, and more in its upcoming 7.40 update.

The balance tweaks to some of the game’s more controversial weapons and items come amid growing complaints from the community about the current state of Fortnite. And Epic says these are just some of the changes on the way.

WWDC 2019 is probably set for June 3-7

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WWDC 2019
Apple CEO Tim Cook on stage for WWDC 2018.
Photo: Apple

Apple has likely booked the San Jose McEnery Convention Center to host WWDC 2019 from June 3 to June 7.

The tech giant typically waits until March to announce the dates for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. However, a city events calendar lists June 6 for the conference’s big party for attendees, the WWDC Bash.

Apple throws in the towel on plans for flagship store in Stockholm

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Stockholm
The Apple Store that will never be.
Photo: Feber

Apple has reportedly ditched ideas to develop an Apple store in Stockholm, Sweden. This came after the Stockholm City Council vetoed plans for a proposed flagship retail store in the area.

According to a member Stockholm Urban Development Committee, Apple representatives were extremely upset after their proposal was rejected. The company had already made revisions to its proposal in order to fit the proposed historic location better. Apple also turned down officials who said they would help find a new location for the Apple Store.

Qualcomm fined for offering illegal kickbacks to phone-makers

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Qualcomm patents
Qualcomm lost its battle with South Korea's FTC.
Photo: Qualcomm

Qualcomm has suffered a blow by losing a lawsuit to South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission. Korea’s FTC alleged unfair business practices that allowed Qualcomm to hold onto its monopoly position as a mobile chip maker.

The case covers the 2000 to 2009 period, but Qualcomm has spent the past decade fighting it. Qualcomm must pay a total of $242 million in damages, although part of this will be reconsidered at a lower court.

Train yourself to type better and faster [Deals]

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Get your typing speed and accuracy up to snuff with dozens of games and exercises.
Get your typing speed and accuracy up to snuff with dozens of games and exercises.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Emails, articles, reports, social media, basically any task that involves typing can turn into a real time drain. So it makes sense to improve your speed and accuracy at the keyboard. In the modern workplace after all, typing is a basic skill worth keeping sharp.

Apple might make us wait until fall for brand-new AirPods

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AirPods and case
But wireless charging could come sooner.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

We might be waiting a while to get our hands on Apple’s second-generation AirPods, according to a prominent tipster.

The new wireless earbuds — rumored to bring “Hey Siri” support and new color options — may not appear until this fall. In the meantime, Apple could launch a wireless AirPods charging case.

$723 million bailout could rescue struggling Apple supplier

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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?
Japan Display has struggled to catch up rivals in OLED displays.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Chinese and Taiwanese investors reportedly will throw a lifeline to Apple supplier Japan Display in the form of a $723 million bailout.

Taiwanese panel-maker TPK Holding, also an Apple manufacturer, and China’s state-backed Silk Road Fund would give the cash to the struggling Apple supplier in exchange for a 30 percent to 50 percent stake in the company.

Tim Cook talks cutting iPhone prices in China

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iPhone sales are finally rebounding in China
Cook opened up about Apple's iPhone pricing in China in a new interview.
Photo: Tim Cook/Weibo

Apple has cut iPhone prices in China to try and win back growth after falling demand for its smartphones. However, from the sound of things, the company isn’t totally sure this is going to be the guaranteed magic bullet it needs to turn things around.

In a new interview with NPR, Tim Cook strikes a note of caution when he says that, “We’ll see how that works out for us.”

AirPods are Apple’s second-fastest-selling new product of all time

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airpods
AirPods have been a massive smash hit for Apple.
Photo: Ste Smith/ Cult of Mac

AirPods are Apple’s second-best-selling new product of all time, a new report by Above Avalon analyst Neil Cybart suggests.

Cybart estimates that Apple is on track to sell 40 million pairs of AirPods in 2019. That represents almost 90 percent year-over-year growth. While impressive, this is nothing compared to the interest expressed through Google searches — which leaped up 500 percent last holiday season.

Apple names senior exec to promote its augmented reality initiatives

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There are plenty of AR apps but few people have heard of them. An Apple veteran has been tasked with changing that.
Frank Casanova is Apple's new AR boss.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s augmented reality efforts have a new spokesperson. Frank Casanova has been named head of marketing for Apple’s AR offerings.

Apple has been hard at work in this area for years, but its developer tools and the resulting AR apps haven’t attracted significant attention. Perhaps that’s why there’s a new senior director in charge of promoting them.

ThunderMag revives MagSafe for Thunderbolt 3 connections

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ThunderMag replaces MagSafe for USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 connections.
ThunderMag replaces MagSafe for USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 connections.
Photo: innerexile

MagSafe break-away cables were a great way to keep MacBooks from getting damaged but Apple stopped using them as part of the transition to USB-C.  ThunderMag is a new accessory that replicates this feature.

Its inventor claims there’s no data or charging slowdowns, as have plagued earlier attempts to replace MacSafe.

Enhance the capabilities of any Apple device with one do-it-all hub [Deals]

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Keep all your and your team's devices connected and charged with a single, massively useful hub.
Keep all your and your team's devices connected and charged with a single, massively useful hub.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

No matter what Apple devices you use, there are probably some annoying gaps in its performance. Maybe its batteries run out quick, or its storage, or you find transferring data between devices a hassle. So any device that can address all these shortcomings and more is welcome indeed.

App Store spending hit all-time high in 2018

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Apple removes 17 malware apps which secretly clicked on ads
iPhone users spent much more in the App Store last year, on a wide variety of apps.
Photo: Apple

iPhone users in the US spent, on average, $79 last year on software. That’s up 36 percent from 2017, according to figures from a market analysts firm. Spending on premium apps and in-app purchases has more than doubled since 2015.

Of the 2018 total, $44 was spent just on games, a 22 percent increase year-over-year.

Amazon buys mesh Wi-Fi router maker Eero

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eero
Eero monitors things like network throughput and interference, adjusting itself automatically.
Photo: Leander Kahney / Cult of Mac

Right when Apple has decided to get out of the router business, one of its biggest competitors is ready to jump in.

Amazon revealed today that it reached an agreement to acquire mesh Wi-Fi router maker Eero, giving the online retailer another powerful tool in its effort to dominate the smart home market.

Samsung’s first TVs with AirPlay 2 and iTunes are now on sale

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Samsung TV
iTunes is now available on some Samsung TVs.
Photo: Samsung

The first wave of AirPlay 2 enabled TVs are already here.

After revealing at CES 2019 that some of its new TVs would ship with an iTunes Store app and AirPlay 2 support, Samsung announced today that its QLED TVs are shipping out now. Sharing video from your iPhone to the big screen just got a whole lot easier.

How to send GIFs without sending GIFs

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It’s hard to convey a moving photo with a still image, but doesn’t this smoothie look delicious?
It’s hard to convey a moving photo with a still image, but doesn’t this smoothie look delicious?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Quick question: How do you send a GIF selfie from your iPhone? One answer is just don’t bother. It’s too much hassle. Another way is to use this handy shortcut to make one. But there’s a third way, which is also the best way: Don’t send a GIF at all.

If you and your intended GIF recipient both use iOS devices, there’s a much better option.

Samsung teases folding phone ahead of February event

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Galaxy S10
The S10 is nearly here.
Photo: Samsung

The folding future of smartphones is nearly here.

Samsung is set to unveil its folding Galaxy S10 smartphone at an event next week, but the company is already giving fans a little glimpse of what to expect. In a new video to hype the event, Samsung shows off the fold of the new S10 and it looks like it could be pretty amazing.

Watch the future unfold:

‘Culture of fear’ dominates Apple’s secretive satellite office

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apple park
Working for Apple isn't always a dream come true.
Photo: Apple

People that worked for Apple through a staffing agency have revealed some grim details of what it’s like to work for Apple as a contracted employee.

Working on Apple’s mapping projects just a few miles from Apple Park sounds like a dream opportunity, but it turns out the Silicon Valley-based gig isn’t nearly as glamorous as you’d think. A new report about Apple’s temporary workers reveals the “culture of fear” contracted employees face.

Jamstack Bluetooth speaker clamps onto your electric guitar

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It’s bigger than it looks here.
It’s bigger than it looks here.
Photo: Jamstack

The $249 Jamstack is a Bluetooth speaker that clips onto your electric guitar, hooks up to your iPhone, and lets you run iOS amp simulation and effects apps. It’s like adding a teeny-tiny amp to your guitar, only with way more wires.

For practice, it looks pretty neat — but for recording, it seems killer.

Apple brings veterans’ health records into 21st century

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Apple Health Records veterans
It’s a first for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Photo: Apple

Apple today confirmed that the Health Records feature on iPhone will soon be available to veterans.

The company is working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that, for the first time, U.S. veterans receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration will have access to their health records directly on their iPhone.