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Gutted iPhone 4 turned into a work of art

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iPhone art project
This iPhone 4 was laid to rest to be appreciated long after its last text.
Photo: The Incorporeal/Reddit

We watch with both horror and fascination those videos where someone rips apart the latest Apple gadget to see how it is built.

But one member of the r/iPhone thread on Reddit took the dismantling of his iPhone 4 in a different direction: He artfully arranged the pieces for a framed keepsake.

2018 was a wild ride for Apple [Year in Review]

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Year in Review Everything Apple Did 2018
It was a busy year in Cupertino.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Cult of Mac Year in Review 2018 2018 was a rollercoaster year for Apple — with incredible highs, massive dips, and probably an executive or two throwing up along the way.

Apple became the first $1 trillion public company in U.S. history, unleashed some amazing new products, and pulled in record amounts of cash. But it also faced lows, from the iPhone-throttling controversy to a tanking stock price at the end of the year.

One thing that can’t be said, however, is that this was an uneventful 12 months for Cupertino. Here’s a recap of some of the year’s most memorable Apple moments.

Kiwi for Gmail finally makes email manageable on the Mac [Review]

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Kiwi for Gmail on macOS. If you use Gmail, you should be using Kiwi on your Mac (or Windows PC).
If you use Gmail, you should be using Kiwi on your Mac (or Windows PC).
Screenshot: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Did you know that Gmail has more than 1.5 billion users? For a large portion of those users, email is something they must deal with on a regular basis — whether for work-related matters, personal communication or staying updated on the latest deals at their favorite retailers. Staying on top of your email can be a major pain, and even with all the smarts that Gmail offers, once you fall behind, it’s daunting to catch up.

Kiwi helps add a layer of convenience and intelligence to managing your Gmail and G Suite accounts on your Mac or Windows PC, all while offering the familiarity and comfort of Google’s mail platform.

Enter to win a trio of super sleek iPhone XS Max cases

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Armor up with these unsuspectingly resilient iPhone XS Max cases.
Armor up with these unsuspectingly resilient iPhone XS Max cases.
Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac

We know what you’re thinking, “Another Instagram giveaway already?!” The answer is, “Shh, yes we do love our readers and followers that much.”

In fact, we appreciate you all so much, this is round we’re giving away three extra special treats from Spigen, Silk, and Casemate with a total value of $80. Each iPhone XS Max case is both aesthetically and sturdily impressive.

Our Instagram giveaway only lasts this week from December 17, 2018 – December 24, 2018, so check out the details below ASAP.

Apple Music gets the (unofficial) web player it needs

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Apple Music web browser
Don't worry: All log-ins are via Apple's own authentication protocol.
Photo: Playapplemusic

Currently, there’s no officially sanctioned Apple way to play Apple Music in your web browser.

Enterprising software engineer Naveed Golafshani (a.k.a. Reddit user NaveedGol) has sprang to the rescue with a new — totally unofficial — web player at wwww.playapplemusic.com. It allows users to log in using Apple’s own authentication service, and then access their Apple Music libraries online.

Apple accused of misleading iPhone users over screen size

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iPhone x battery percentage
Apple is accused of hiding valuable pixels under its notch.
Photo: Apple

The “notch” on Apple’s iPhone X, XS and XS Max devices is causing more problems — and this time could even land Apple in court.

A new lawsuit filed against Apple late last week alleges that Apple has lied about the display specifications in its newer iPhones. How? By including pixels and screen dimensions hidden beneath the notch and corners. As a result, Apple’s new iPhones don’t boast quite as much screen as they’re advertised as having.

Practice mindfulness with the help of your smartphone [Deals]

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Finding inner peace is easier (and cheaper) than ever with the Aware mindful meditation app.
Finding inner peace is easier (and cheaper) than ever with the Aware mindful meditation app.
Photo: Samuel Silitonga/Pexels CC

It can be hard to find the time to stop and breathe, let alone meditate. With the right app though, you can get regular reminders to check in with the present moment. That’s not what most people think a smartphone is for, but it might be one of the best uses.

Apple offers free audiobooks narrated by celebrities

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Apple Books free audiobooks
‘Great First Listens’ get you started with Apple Books.
Photo: Apple

Apple is offering a bunch of free audiobooks narrated by celebrities, including Kate Beckinsale and Kelsey Grammer.

The giveaway is an effort to promote Apple Books, which saw a big overhaul with iOS 12 — but audiobook fans will probably feel Apple could have done better.

These are the 10 highest-grossing iOS apps this year

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Apple removes 17 malware apps which secretly clicked on ads
Netflix leads the pack with $790.2 million raked in during 2018.
Photo: Apple

Netflix was the biggest earner in non-game apps in the App Store this year. According to data from app analytics company Sensor Tower, the streaming-video powerhouse raked in a massive $790.2 million on iOS during 2018 — or, at least, through November 30.

Here are the other companies that carved out spaces in the top 10 non-game app list.

iPhone’s Face ID obliterates gullible Android rivals

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Facial recognition 1
The iPhone was the only one of the tested smartphones which passed the test.
Screenshot: Forbes

When Apple first introduced Face ID with the iPhone X, many were concerned that facial recognition would make it easier to hack into phones.

Fortunately, Apple’s approach to Face ID has largely allayed people’s fears. But just how secure is the facial recognition biometric technology adopted by Apple and its rivals? A Forbes reporter (and his 3D printed head model) recently demonstrated just how the iPhone stacks up against Android rivals.

These handsome leather iPhone cases replace your wallet [Review]

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Any of these Dodocases can hold your iPhone and your credit cards, driver license, etc.
Any of these Dodocases can hold your iPhone and your credit cards, driver license, etc.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple Pay and electronic IDs are removing the need for a wallet, but why wait? Try a Dodocase that holds your phone as well as your drivers license, credit cards, etc.

We went hands on with three of this company’s leather iPhone wallet cases so we can report how they stand up to real-world use.

We’ve got the wireless chargers you’re looking for [Deals]

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Pick the best wireless charger for your home, office, or car.
Pick the best wireless charger for your home, office, or car.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When it comes to charging, wired is tired, and wireless is…better. And as Qi-compatible chargers catch on, they’re available for way more than just your desktop. So we’ve rounded up 3 of the coolest wireless charging gadgets you’ll find, all at big discounts. Read on for more info:

Turn your iPad into a podcasting machine [Cult of Mac Magazine No. 275]

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Embrace the iPad, podcasting road warriors!
Embrace the iPad, podcasting road warriors!
Cover: Charlie Sorrel/Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The iPad Pro is pro enough for almost anything, but one thing it still can’t handle is making a Skype or FaceTime call and recording it at the same time. This is a total pain for podcasters who like to travel light. Luckily, there’s a neat workaround.

Find out how to podcast from the road in the latest free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Get it now on iTunes, or keep reading for the week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos.

International roaming is a killer. This $42 chip keeps your travel fees in check. [Deals]

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Data roaming
Get access to 4G data speeds when traveling abroad with Flexiroam.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’ve ever made calls or used data across international borders without checking on your service plan specifics first, that’s likely a mistake you won’t make again. It’s called international roaming — and when your U.S. SIM card connects with a mobile network in a foreign nation, you usually start accruing new charges. Those fees typically start at just a couple bucks, but they can go through the roof quickly if you aren’t careful.

How not to burglarize an Apple Store

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This U-Haul truck was used to unsuccessfully try to rob an Apple Store.
U-Haul truck 0 — Apple Store 1
Photo: Berkeley Police Department

If you’ve ever considered breaking into an Apple Store with a U-Haul truck, don’t bother: it won’t work.

A couple of guys tried it in Berkeley, California last night and got away with exactly no Apple merchandise.

Apple inks deal to create new Peanuts TV shows

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peanuts
Good grief! Apple's TV lineup keeps getting bigger.
Photo: DHX Media

Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have scored a new contract with Apple.

The iPhone-maker has reportedly struck a deal with DHX Media that will give Apple exclusive access to new Peanuts content, including TV shows and other original programming.

How to play Apple Music on your Amazon Echo

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Amazon Alexa
The Echo finally plays nice with Apple Music.
Photo: Amazon

Amazon’s Alexa speakers can finally connect to your Apple Music account.

Support for Apple Music on the Amazon Echo was rolled out today, giving iPhone and iPad owners the option to pump out their favorite jams without signing up for an Apple Music competitor like Spotify Premium.

Getting the new Apple Music integration up and running is ridiculously easy, but we’ll walk you through the entire process.

Stop using these terrible, terrible passwords

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Fraudster steals $16k from victim posing as Apple tech support
“Can you believe this guy’s bank password is ‘password’? I love idiots.”
Photo: Donald Tong/Pexels CC

You lock your house, right? And your car? It’s equally important to lock your data with a secure password. But year after year people insist on using the same easily-guessed passcodes.

The list of “Worst Passwords of 2018” is out, and if your favorite is on there you really need to change it to something more secure.

Free Apple II papercraft makes a perfect Christmas tree ornament

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This free Apple II papercraft project will take you back to your Oregon Trail days.
This will take you back to your Oregon Trail days.
Photo: Rocky Bergen

Even amid the three-quarters of a million residents of Winnipeg, Canada, Rocky Bergen felt alone when it came to his love of vintage computers.

But thanks to his papercraft models of classic machines like the Apple II, Bergen has connected with folks in places as far away as Italy and Sweden.

Fortnite’s Infinity Blade is getting a big nerf

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Fortnite Infitnity Blade
The Infinity Blade won’t be quite as frustrating soon
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite’s newest item, which has seen a lot of criticism since being added to Battle Royale this week, is getting a big nerf.

Developer Epic Games has confirmed it is taking away the ability to harvest resources and build structures while carrying the Infinity Blade. It promises to continue monitoring the Blade’s effectiveness after the changes and “make adjustments as necessary.”

Top Apple analyst predicts shrinking iPhone sales in 2019

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iPhone XR test
Apple's stock price decline could continue well into 2019.
Photo: Apple

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is one of the more reliable Apple watchers out there. And he doesn’t have good news for the company.

In his latest note to clients, Kuo slashes his estimate on the number of iPhones Apple is likely to sell in the coming months. Compared to the 50 million iPhones Apple sold in Q1 2018, Kuo thinks the company will sell just 38 to 42 million units.

Struggling iPhone display maker looking for other ways to make money

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iphone XS
Japan Display has lost 80 percent of its value this year.
Photo: Apple

Just a few years back, Japan Display was talking about building a $1.4 billion factory to create iPhone displays for Apple. Jump forward to 2018 and the company is having to reimagine its future for a world in which smartphone growth isn’t guaranteed.

According to a new report, Japan Display has responded by focusing on smart sensors. Compared to one year ago, the firm has shifted one-third of its research staff to sensor development. These would be focused on everything from sleep tracking to assorted healthcare applications.