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Apple wants to give you new ways to communicate with Siri

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
You may soon be able to access Siri inside Messages.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple wants to give users new ways to interact with Siri, according to a patent application published today.

The patent describes how users may be able to engage in text-based conversations with Siri using an app like Messages. This wouldn’t just be accessible to single users, but could also be drawn on by multiple users in a group chat, perhaps similar to the way that Google’s Gboard keyboard allows users to search without having to load up an app like Safari.

Will Apple’s Siri smart speaker suck? Catch the discussion on The CultCast

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Would you want a Siri-powered smart speaker?
Would you want a Siri-powered smart speaker?
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

This week on The CultCast: Apple’s secret Siri speaker is just around the corner — we’ll tell you everything (we think) we know about it. Plus: Why AirPods are the best product Apple’s made in years; and why Microsoft’s MacBook clone is actually great for Apple fans.

Finally, we’ll deconstruct and decode Tim Cook’s mysterious and quickly deleted accidental tweet, and you’ll be shocked at the truth!

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off any hosting plan.

Qualcomm seeks to ban iPhone imports into U.S.

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Product Red iPhone box
iPhone sales will take a serious hit if Qualcomm wins.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The royalty battle between Qualcomm and Apple just took a nasty turn, according to a new report that claims the chipmaker is aiming to deal a major blow to Cupertino’s iPhone business.

Apple plans to help you count calories

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RFID apple watch
RFID tags could communicate nutritional information with your Apple device.
Photo: USPTO/Apple

Future iPhones or Apple Watches may be able to help users with calorie counting, alongside the step-tracking and other information they already help us keep tabs on.

That’s according to a newly-published Apple patent, which describes device-readable RFID tags the company has invented. These could be used to send nutritional information — such as caloric value, fat and sugar content, and more — from food packaging to your NFC-enabled Apple device.

Apple expands Mac Pro trademark to include augmented reality tech

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The Magic Toolbar could be a baby step toward augmented reality.
Could augmented reality tech arrive on a future Mac Pro?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple updated its Mac Pro trademark to include “augmented reality displays, goggles, controllers, headsets, and 3D spectacles,” alongside a range of other categories.

The additions come shortly after Apple acknowledged that its current Mac Pro doesn’t fulfill all the needs of its pro customers, promising that a new model with a modular design is currently in the works.

With some very interesting features, if this trademark update is to be believed!

Apple teams up with surprising partner for OLED iPhone

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battery
The iPhone 8 is set to get a major display upgrade.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple has added a petroleum refiner to its list of iPhone suppliers — but, don’t worry, we’re not set for a petrol-powered iPhone any time soon!

Instead, Apple tapped Idemitsu Kosan for its expertise in OLED technology, which the Japanese company started researching way back in the mid-1980s.

Apple’s AR tech lets users add and remove objects in the virtual world

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Augmented reality (or AR) could be the next big thing for Apple.
Augmented reality could be the next big thing for Apple.
Photo: USPTO

Tim Cook has made no secret about Apple’s interest in augmented reality tech — and a newly published patent application reveals just how seriously the company takes the technology.

The patent application describes techniques for inserting virtual objects into a real environment, or removing real objects from a virtual one, all in real time.

These stainless-steel Apple Watch bands are 25% off [Mother’s Day Sale]

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rilee
Rilee & Lo's gender-neutral Apple Watch bands fit like a glove. Add a few stacking bracelets to complete the look.
Photo: Rilee & Lo

Fusing tech and fashion is the cornerstone of Rilee & Lo — makers of highly stylish stainless steel Apple Watch bands. Patent-pending for a reason, these bands fit perfectly and come in a range of beautiful finishes.

The bands contain a stretching mechanism allowing them to expand and contract for a super-comfy, close fit.

Grab a band for yourself or a give as a gift — for both sexes. Check out the full lineup of  Rilee & Lo’s stunning bands in our Watch Store.

Apple strikes 2-year deal with Samsung to build curved iPhone displays

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iphone 8 display
Could this be Apple's next iPhone?
Photo: Martin Hajek

Apple reportedly signed a two-year contract with Samsung Display to supply small-size curved OLED panels for future iPhones.

The deal, valued at $9 billion, would see Samsung Display ship between 70 million and 92 million curved displays to Apple this year alone.

Here’s how Apple could bring MagSafe to USB-C

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When Apple left off MagSafe connection to its USB-C MacBook, Griffin came up with a solution.
When Apple left off MagSafe connection to its USB-C MacBook, Griffin came up with a solution.
Photo: Griffin

Apple killed its awesome MagSafe power connection feature on the new MacBook Pro, but based on a new patent filing, the beloved port could be ready to make a comeback.

USB-C replaced MagSafe on the MacBook Pro because it can handle both power and data on a single port. It lacks the brilliant safety features of MagSafe. Hwever, it looks like Apple found a workaround similar to Griffin’s magnetic BreakSafe cables.