| Cult of Mac

Apple will open up iPhone’s NFC tech for Brexit app

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Square Terminal could help more businesses accept Apple Pay.
NFC tech hasn't previously been opened up to developers.
Photo: Square

Apple has reportedly agreed to open up its NFC capabilities on the iPhone for a U.K. government app. This Brexit app will help EU citizens apply for residency in the U.K. after it leaves the European Union.

The EU Exit app allows users to scan the chip inside their passports with their smartphone’s NFC reader. While this has been possible to do on Android phones, Apple has not previously allowed developer access to its NFC reading tech.

Apple will soon require all macOS apps to be notarized

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iMac
Apple wants to make macOS as safe as possible.
Photo: Apple

Apple has confirmed that all macOS apps will need to be notarized to be accepted by Gatekeeper after its Mojave 10.14.5 update.

The requirement applies to new and updated apps and all software from developers who are new to distributing with Developer ID. In a future version of macOS, notarization will be required by default.

App Store Search Ads expand to 46 more countries

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App Store Search Ads
Ads are coming to an iPhone near you.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

App Store users in a bunch of new countries will now see ads when searching for apps and games.

Apple on Tuesday expanded App Store Search Ads to 46 new territories. Developers can bid to have their titles appear in search results for specific keywords, which brings more attention to their apps.

Google Inbox will be wiped out next month

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Google Inbox iPhone
We don't need two Gmail clients anymore.
Photo: Google

It’s nearly the end of the road for Google Inbox.

A new popup that has started appearing inside the Inbox app confirms it will be closed down on April 2. Fans of the email client have just two weeks to find an alternative, but Google recommends another of its own.

Leica’s new camera replaces rear display with your iPhone

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M10
The Leica M10-D has old school style.
Photo: Leica

Leica had decided to give one of its most popular new digital cameras an analog redesign. And the iPhone plays a crucial role.

The camera company revealed a new variant of the M10 today. It completely ditches the rear LCD display and replaces it with your smartphone via a new app, making it free of digital distractions so you can just shoot.

iOS devs can now create public beta links through TestFlight

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Apple's TestFlight is used to beta test apps before they're ready for prime time.
Expect easier access to iOS app betas.
Photo: Cult of Mac

It’s now easier than ever for iOS developers to distribute beta versions of their apps.

Apple is allowing them to share public URLs, which allow for quick enrollment when opened on an iPhone or iPad, through TestFlight. Developers no longer need an email address for every tester.

Apple video continues to push devs to use app subscriptions

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App Store
Apple apps no longer dominate App Store search results.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s efforts to encourage developers to use in-app subscriptions continued this week with a new video published to its developer portal.

“Developer Insights” highlights the benefits of a subscription model with reoccurring payments, and features testimonials from app makers who are already enjoying a subscription model. Apple has already held meetings with developers to warn them that one-time purchases are dying.

You can now run Windows 95 as an app on your Mac

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Windows 95 Mac app
It's easier than ever.
Photo: Felix Rieseberg

Take a trip down memory lane by loading up Windows 95 on your Mac. Play classic Solitaire and Minesweeper, and soak up the experience once enjoyed by nearly 70 percent of computer owners in the late ’90s.

It’s easier than ever, thanks to a new app built by Slack developer Felix Rieseberg.

Microsoft confirms plan to kill Office Sway app for iOS

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Microsoft Office Sway on iOS
Bid goodbye to Office Sway for iOS.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft has confirmed plans to discontinue its Office Sway app for iOS.

The service will no longer work on iPhone and iPad as of December 17, 2018. Sway will be removed from the App Store two months earlier. You will still be able to access the service through your web browser, however.