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What you should know about Apple Support scam calls

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What You Should Know About Apple Support Scam Calls: Don't fall prey to increasingly tricky scammers.
Don't fall prey to increasingly tricky scammers.
Photo: Khusen Rustamov/Pixabay License

Once technical hurdles start ruining one’s day, most people would do anything it takes to resolve them as soon as possible and get on with their merry lives. This is especially true if resolving the problem is needed to progress with the task at hand, service a client, or anything along these lines.

When there is a looming sense of urgency, you are much more likely to fall victim to a scam or buy into a false pretense that someone can help you out. What a perfect atmosphere for scammers to prosper — and they’re getting increasingly more sophisticated in their ways. Falling in line with the rest of their repertoire of methods they use to defraud you, there is the infamous Apple Support scam, the latest addition to bad actors’ bag of tricks.

Apple Support app adds repair cost estimates for iPhone and iPad

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Apple Support repair costs
It's now easier to find out how much you'll need to pay.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Got a broken Apple device that needs fixing? The Apple Support app has begun showing repair cost estimates in some locations, giving customers an idea of how much they’re going to have to cough up before they book in.

The estimates appear to be available for “common repair topics” — like replacing broken displays and back panels, or swapping out old batteries — for the most popular iPhone and iPad models in use today.

Apple reaches out to developers with free, live Tech Talks 2021

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Apple reaches out to developers with free, live Tech Talks
Series of online sessions and one-on-one conversations will support developers.
Photo: Apple

Apple will provide one-on-one guidance to developers in a series of online events dubbed Tech Talks 2021. There will be presentations from Apple experts, each followed by a Q&A session. Plus experts will open their virtual doors in “office hours” meetings.

The free series will include more than 100 live sessions and 1,500 office hours. All coming from Apple locations around the world in multiple time zones.

Motorcycles can permanently screw up your iPhone camera

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Motorcycles can permanently screw up your iPhone camera
Harleys and iPhones don’t always mix well.
Photo: Javier Aguilera/Pexels

Motorcycle riders, if you’ve noticed that your iPhone pictures have been getting worse, it’s not your imagination. Apple warned that long-term exposure to “high amplitude vibrations” can damage the camera in your iPhone.

And the situation isn’t much better with scooters.

‘Apple for Kids’ makes it easier for parents, guardians to manage devices

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Apple for Kids online portal
A one-stop shop for support.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

The new “Apple for Kids” online portal, rolled out on Thursday, makes it easier for parents and guardians to manage iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices used by children. The hub includes useful links that will help with everything from initial setup to reversing accidental purchases.

Apple Support app gets step-by-step troubleshooting guides

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Apple Support 4.0 runs on iPhone but covers all Apple products and services.
Apple Support 4.0 has a new, customized user interface to highlight info about products you own.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The official Apple Support iOS app got a facelift, including adding step-by-step guides to fixing common problems. And Dark Mode, too.

The app runs on iPhone or iPad, but offers information on Mac, AirPods and many other Apple products and services.

Apple extends product return period following store closures

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Apple.Retail.Barcelona.2
You'll have 14 days after stores reopen.
Photo: Apple

Apple is extending product return policies after it made the decision to close all retail stores outside of Greater China amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In its updated Temporary Retail Store Closures document, the company says customers will be able to return items for up to 14 days after stores reopen.

Apple OKs disinfecting wipes for cleaning devices

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The Häns Swipe-Clean cleaning solution cuts through the surface's oily residue.
You can use disinfecting wipes on your Apple devices.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

With the COVID-19 virus spreading, you’ve probably never been more thorough about washing your hands. But you quickly defeat the purpose as soon as you touch that disgusting iPhone or Mac keyboard.

It’s true your devices host more germs than apps. So Apple recently updated its product cleaning page, offering peace of mind as we stress out about COVID-19.

iPhone 11 warns you if repair shops install fake Apple display

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iPhonedisplaywarning
Seeing this warning could be bad news.
Photo: Apple

Apple added a new feature in iOS 13.1 that alerts iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max owners when a repair shop has installed a non-genuine display on their device.

In a support document detailing the new warning feature, Apple explains why you should only seek support from technicians who have completed training from Apple and use genuine Apple parts. Of course, Apple parts can be more expensive than knock-off displays, but using the cheap stuff could cause issues with multi-touch, display brightness and colors.