| Cult of Mac

WWDC 2019 changed everything: Here’s what you need to know

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook had a lot of news to share at WWDC 2019.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug Apple unleashed a mountain of software updates (and even some smokin’ new hardware) Monday, during what was arguably one of the best WWDC keynotes we’ve ever seen.

The entire event ran for more than two hours but it felt like there was hardly enough time to get to all the new stuff. iOS 13 got the most attention, for good reason, but Apple also surprised us with better gaming features on Apple TV, the ability to completely control your Mac with your voice, a new Mac Pro and so much more.

If you didn’t have time to watch the entire WWDC 2019 keynote, we’ve rounded up the highlights so you don’t miss a thing.

Apple busts out star-studded Memoji ads for the Grammys

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florida georgia line
Florida Georgia Line sing their hit song "Simple" in new Apple ad.
Photo: Apple

Apple is back with some new Memoji ads just in time for the 2019 Grammy awards.

Just like last year’s ads, the Memoji videos features some of the biggest names in music that have been morphed into singing Memoji. Ariana Grande, Khalid and Florida Georgia Line lend their talents in three new one-minute ads that pack some infectious fun vibes.

Watch all three:

Watch Nickelback get the Memoji treatment

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Memoji Creed
It's like 2001 all over again!
Photo: Danny Kabouni

iOS 12’s Memoji feature lets users create their own custom Animojis. These animated characters use the facial recognition tech from the newer iPhones’ iPhones’ TrueDepth cameras to copy your expressions.

Harnessing these capabilities, Twitter user Danny Kabouni recently recreated the 2001 Nickelback smash hit “How You Remind Me.” The results are, well, they’re pretty glorious.

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.

8 great tricks for the 2018 iPad Pro

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Your new iPad pro has some neat tricks up its sleeves.
Your new iPad pro has some neat tricks up its sleeves.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

How’s that new iPad Pro? I love mine, apart from the short USB-C cable that won’t stretch to my desk while I’m working. You’ve probably been scouring the web for tips and trick to get more out of your new beast. Well, you’re in luck, because we’ve been doing the same, and gathered all the 2018 iPad Pro tips together here, in one place.

How to make a great Memoji

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Memoji are awesome. Here's how to make your own.
Memoji are awesome. Here's how to make your own.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

iOS 12 lets you create Memoji, your own custom Animoji. What’s an Animoji? It’s a little animated character that — thanks to some facial recognition tricks from the latest iPhones’ TrueDepth cameras — copies your expressions live. This turns the cute Animoji critters into little virtual face puppets.

Now you don’t need to rely on a stock Animoji like Apple’s monkey, dog or space alien. You can create your own custom Memoji from scratch. You can make a virtual version of yourself, or you can create an original character. Or, as we’ll do today, you can copy a celebrity. Who? Let’s see …

Android app maker upset at Apple over its use of ‘Memoji’ name

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Animoji
Another app maker is upset that Apple used the Memoji name.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iOS 12’s Memojis — Animoji-style avatars which look like the user, rather than talking poop emojis or animals — are a cool feature that sets Apple apart from some of its Android rivals.

But according to a new lawsuit, the Memoji trademark actually came from an Android app with the same name.

All the new iPhone XS, XR and XS Max features you need to know

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Depth Control
Depth Control is dead-easy to use.
Photo: Apple

Just got a new iPhone XS but are confused about where to find all of its amazing new features?

Apple just put out a new video that gives an in-depth look at all the fun new stuff you can do with the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. Depth Control, Dual SIM, Memojis and much more are all covered in the quick video. It should help you master your new device.

Watch and learn!

Grab Apple’s most stable iOS 12 public beta now

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iOS 12
iOS 12 public beta 4 lets you try out all the new iPhone and iPad features months before the full release, expected this fall.
Photo: Apple

You don’t have to wait to get the new features of iOS 12. You could install a pre-release version and start tinkering with Siri Shortcuts or Memoji now.

Apple just introduced iOS 12 public beta 4, hopefully the most stable version yet. There are both iPhone and iPad iterations.