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Tim Cook will tour Idaho schools with Ivanka Trump

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Tim Cook talks diversity, sustainability, and coming out as gay
Cook’s award shelf is quickly running out of room.
Photo: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook will join Ivanka Trump today to visit schools in Idaho to observe how they use technology for workforce development and STEM initiatives.

The meet-up with Ivanka Trump will come hours after Apple stock prices fell thanks to plans by her father, President Donald Trump, to slap new tariffs on iPhones. Trumps daughter is an advisor in his administration.

IBM CEO agrees with Tim Cook on regulating tech giants

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IBM
Apple and IBM are on the same page.
Photo: Apple/IBM

The CEO of IBM — once Apple’s biggest rival — agrees with Tim Cook about regulating tech giants who gobble up massive amounts of user data for what amounts to surveillance on users.

Echoing Cooks’s words last month, IBM’s chief exec Ginni Rometty addressed top EU officials at an event in Brussels on Monday. Rometty said that the, “irresponsible handling of personal data by a few dominant consumer-facing platform companies” has caused a “trust crisis” in customers.

Apple’s new Entrepreneur Camp helps women in tech

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Apple Entrepreneur Camp
It also offers tickets to WWDC!
Photo: Apple

Apple is launching a new Entrepreneur Camp that’s specifically designed to help app-driven organizations founded and led by women.

The two-week technology lab, which takes place in Apple’s home town of Cupertino, offers one-on-one coding guidance from Apple experts and engineers, as well as “mentorship, inspiration, and insights from top Apple leaders.”

Decompress from holiday stress with a handy meditation app [Deals]

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Backed by machine learning, this meditation app delivers short, daily customized mindfulness exercises to help get relaxed and re-centered.
Backed by machine learning, this meditation app delivers short, daily customized mindfulness exercises to help get relaxed and re-centered.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The holidays can be hell on the nerves. From traveling and prepping big meals to shopping for gifts and adjusting to the changing weather, there’s plenty to stress over. So why not get yourself something that’ll help your mind unwind?

Apple stock falls after Trump threatens iPhone tariffs

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European Commission could get even tougher on tech in 2020
Apple has experienced a run of bad luck lately.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple stock slid 1.9 percent in pre-market trading today, after President Donald Trump laid out plans for new tariffs to be placed on the iPhone.

Overall, AAPL is trading down 20 percent this month. This latest blow comes after six weeks of declines for Apple, which became the first publicly traded U.S. company to pass a $1 trillion valuation earlier this year.

Fortnite picks up epic and legendary pump shotguns, Team Rumble LTM

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Fortnite pump shotgun
Fortnite is finally getting shotgun improvements!
Photo: Epic Games

Epic Games has added epic and legendary pump shotguns to Fortnite Battle Royale this week.

Its version 6.31 update comes less than a week after one employee promised big shotgun improvements that hope to make the pump more effective in close-range gunfights. Players can also look forward to the brand new Team Rumble limited-time game mode.

Lackluster iPhone demand hurts more suppliers

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The new iPhones X go on sale tomorrow. Are you ready?
More suppliers reportedly hurt by cut iPhone orders.
Photo: Apple

 More Apple suppliers are reportedly expecting to see their revenues decline as Apple reduces iPhone orders, amid “lackluster sales performance.” The companies named include Largan Precision, which makes iPhone camera lenses, and Career Technology, which supplies flexible printed circuit boards. However, with Apple securing a new agreement, iPhone 16 deals are expected to remain available in key markets, boosting consumer interest.

This follows on from a multitude of other similar recent reports, citing major Apple suppliers including Foxconn and TSMC.

Apple has an idea to make Animoji even more fun

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animoji
Sound effects could play a bigger role in Animoji.
Image: Apple

Apple is rightly proud of its Animoji and Memoji technology, which uses the front-facing camera on new iPhones to create cartoonish avatars of users — complete with facial expression matching.

But the tech could be about to get even more fun, as described in a recent patent application. Here’s how.

Trump ready to levy 10 percent import tariff on iPhone, MacBook

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President Trump: Apple encryption could protect ‘criminal minds’
Trump is ready, willing, and able to enact iPhone tarrifs.
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC

Apple products have so far escaped the growing trade war between China and the Trump administration, but the grace period may be coming to an end soon. The president is getting ready to put tariffs on additional products being imported from China, and that specifically includes the iPhone.

This leather shield for your AirPods is a travel must have

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A gorgeous leather case armors your new AirPods 2 against theft, damage, and debris.
AirSnap keeps your AirPods protected at all times.
Photo: Twelve South

Find My AirPods isn’t your only line of defense against a lost AirPod catastrophe anymore. Twelve South’s AirSnap is a full-grain leather case tailored to protect your AirPods while also keeping them close at hand.

AirSnap protects both your AirPods and charging case from getting nicked, scratched and dirty while floating around your desk, computer bag, or purse. Plus, it’s available at the Cult of Mac Watch Store just in time to make a great stocking stuffer this holiday season.

How to use AirPods with Apple TV

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Apple TV airpods
You kids don’t know how good you have it.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Are you a late-night movie watcher with sensitive neighbors? Do you hate watching your Apple TV with the volume set too low? Then you might love today’s tip. Did you know that you can use your AirPods with your Apple TV? Sure you did. But did you also know that you don’t need to dig around in your Apple TV’s menus to hook them up? There’s a Siri Remote shortcut that makes switching ultra-convenient.

Last chance! We’ll pay an extra $20 for your old devices

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Apple iPad Pro
There couldn’t be a better time to upgrade your Apple devices.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

With big discounts to be had on Apple devices for Cyber Monday, it’s a great time to upgrade. And you’ll have even more cash to put toward your new iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac if you sell your old device to Cult of Mac — but you’ll need to act fast!

Today is the last day we’ll give you an extra $20 for your trade-ins.

This lovable Mac lookalike is soft enough to hug

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Classicbot
Hardware and software, the Classicbot Plush.
Photo: Philip Lee

There are collectors dying to get their hands on certain Mac prototypes. Put your hands on the one that surfaced in Anaheim, Calif. earlier this month, you’ll want to squeeze it. It’s that soft.

Philip Lee, the Hong Kong toy designer who loves all things Apple, showed off the plush Mac-like prototype toy at the recent DesignerCon 2018.

Score super-thin iPhone cases and more for Cyber Monday

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Totallee's amazingly slim iPhone cases are currently available for 30 percent off the usual price.
Totallee's amazingly slim iPhone cases are currently available for 30 percent off the usual price.
Photo: Totallee

This post is presented by Totallee.

Whether you or someone you love is getting an iPhone XS Max, XS or XR for the holidays, it’s going to need protection. Nobody wants to ding a new gadget, but who wants to mess up the carefully considered form and feel of their iPhone with a bulky case?

Apple offers free coding classes and learning materials

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In December, Apple will offer free coding classes to teach kids and teens.
In December, Apple will offer free coding classes to teach kids and teens.
Photo: Apple

Next month, there will be thousands of free Hour of Code sessions at all Apple Stores around the world. These will help people at a variety of skill levels learn coding

In addition, the company also just introduced new materials to help teach coding inside and outside the classroom.

How iPad is revolutionizing music production

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Make iPad music
Who needs a Mac?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

You know how the iPad is a consumption device, like a kind of digital baby spoon? And that Apple’s tablet computer can’t be used for “real work”? Well, Grammy award-winning music producer Henny Tha Bizness disagrees. He uses the iPad exclusively to make music. He also thinks that in a decade, if you haven’t switched to iPad for music production, you’ll be left behind.

In this great video from YouTube video maestro Jonathan Morrison, Henny talks about how he uses the new 2018 iPad Pro to create his music. As a bonus, he asks a producer who hates mixing on a computer to try his iPad, with predictable results.

App Store antitrust suit might make Supreme Court

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App Store monopoly lawsuit might make Supreme Court. This is the latest chapter in a long-running case involving Apple.
This is the latest chapter in a long-running case involving Apple.
Photo: Supermac1961/Flickr CC

Apple’s legal team could soon be headed to the Supreme Court to face an antitrust case being levied against the company.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard an hour of arguments for an antitrust lawsuit against Apple today. The nine justices appeared to be open to letting the lawsuit move up to the highest court. If Apple loses, we could see huge changes in the App Store.

Save big on these extra-sweet Cyber Monday Deals

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holiday shopping
Get these Cyber Monday deals while you can.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You finally made it through the Black Friday madness, but how about one more day of sweet deals? Save even bigger today with these Cyber Monday deals on gear, gadgets and software.

Take a look at these deals, and score even more savings — up to an additional 75% off — by applying the respective promo codes.

FAANG stocks show signs of recovery after disastrous six weeks

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Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Is this the beginning of the turnaround?
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Tech stocks have bounced back slightly after their dismal showing over the past month-and-a-half. Four out of the five FAANG stocks — Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Facebook — rose more than 1 percent in early trading today.

That’s not to say that the worst is behind them just yet, but it does suggest a turnaround could be on the cards. And not a moment too soon!

72-hour sale features great gear for iPhone photographers

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Moment sale
All the items you need to make that iPhone video masterpiece can be found at one sale through Thursday.
Photo: Moment

Smartphone lens maker Moment is hosting a 72-hour sale with 150 accessories from 14 brands, a one-stop-shop if you’re looking for a special gift for your favorite mobile photographer.

You can even book a trip to places like Japan, Norway, and Kyrgyzstan.

All items, including Moment lenses, camera bags from leading brands and steady rigs for video shooters, are 20 percent off with the code 72hoursale. The Moment sale began this morning for Cyber Monday and ends Thursday at 8 a.m.

The best Cyber Monday deals in tech [Live blog]

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Cyber Monday live blog
More spectacular savings have arrived for Cyber Monday.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Black Friday 2018 has been and gone, but that doesn’t mean the sales have disappeared just yet. Cyber Monday is here to help you pick up big products at bargain prices. You won’t find the best deals at the Apple Store, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save a small fortune on Apple devices.

Third-party retailers like Best Buy, B&H Photo, MacMall, and many more are offering big discounts on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac — as well as all the accessories you’ll want to go with them. There’s plenty of discounts on other tech, too.

You’ll find some of the best deals right here in our Cyber Monday live blog — as well as some helpful tips on where to find more. All you have to do is bust out your credit card and shop!

Apple will help build retail apps for luxury goods company

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GUCCIYorkdale 2
Apple-made apps are coming to a luxury store near you.
Photo: Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine CC

Apple is reportedly teaming up with luxury good business Kering — the company which owns brands Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, and others — to create a set of custom apps for use in store.

Details on the new apps are scarce, but they will reportedly be used to help sales assistants to scan inventories. They will also provide more control over the company’s e-commerce activities.

No, Microsoft didn’t overtake Apple as most valuable tech giant

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money
But that does't mean it can't happen in the near future.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

A number of news outlets reported over the weekend that Microsoft briefly overtook Apple as the most valuable U.S. company. This followed several weeks of precipitous declines for Apple, which has seen billions of dollars wiped off its market cap.

In fact, Apple continues to lead Microsoft with a valuation of $817.6 billion to Microsoft’s $791 billion. The incorrect reports were caused by confusion about Apple’s number of outstanding shares, used to calculate market cap. Microsoft is definitely getting closer, though!

Falling iPhone orders may cause TSMC problems in 2019

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Gather_Round_A12Bionic 2
TSMC manufactures Apple's next-gen A12 Bionic chip.
Photo: Apple

A cutback in chip orders for Apple’s new iPhones is cited as one reason supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will post disappointing earnings for the first quarter of 2019.

According to a new report, the company expects to report a 14-16 percent sequential decline in revenue for Q1 2019. It comes shortly after another major Apple supplier spoke out about a “very difficult” year ahead.