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Why app subscriptions are taking over (and how to cope) [Video]

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You can subscribe to just about anything these days ... but why?
You can subscribe to just about anything these days ... but why?
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Over the last couple years, tons of iOS apps switched from one-time purchases to monthly or annual subscriptions. As a user, this can seem frustrating — or annoying even — but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The rise of app subscriptions brings benefits to users, developers and the app ecosystem as a whole. Whether you’re subscribing to your favorite weather app, task manager or podcast player, the subscription model offers perks that never existed in the one-time-purchase world of apps.

Make yourself an expert in Microsoft Excel [Deals]

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Excel bundle
Become more than proficient in Excel with this comprehensive bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There are few applications more common to the modern workplace than Microsoft Excel. So no matter your industry, if you’re looking to boost your resume and skill set, Excel a great place to start. For resume-worthy training, you can’t do much better than this certification bundle.

New 2019 iPhone leak hints at extra camera lenses (again)

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2019 iPhone molds
This year’s iPhones will snap even better photos.
Photo: Mark Gurman

Leaked molds of this year’s iPhone lineup again hint at big camera upgrades for all three models. The molds reaffirm renders recently published by a number of tipsters.

Here’s what they tell us about Apple’s next-generation smartphones.

Apple Card’s colorful packaging revealed ahead of launch

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Apple Card packaging
Here’s how Apple Card will be presented to consumers.
Photo: Ben Geskin

New photos reveal how Apple Card will be presented to consumers when it starts reaching early adopters this summer.

It’s the first time we’ve seen the titanium Card’s fancy packaging since it was announced back in March. It is said to be in beta testing with Apple employees ahead of its launch.

Pro-level keyboard case nearly turns iPad Pro into a touchscreen MacBook [Review]

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Brydge Pro review
Make your iPad Pro into a tablet/laptop with the Brydge Pro.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Since the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is faster than the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the tablet is serious competition for Apple’s notebooks. Its design offers many advantages over a notebook, but most people demand a physical keyboard for their primary computer. Of all the options for this, the Brydge Pro comes the closest to transforming a 2018 iPad Pro into a convertible touchscreen MacBook.

Read our hands-on review to see how well this premium keyboard case performs in the real world.

2020 iPhone should get a boost from TSMC’s cutting-edge 5nm processors

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Gather_Round_A12Bionic 2
The Apple A12 Bionic processor is powerful but the the A13 is coming soon and the A14 is already on the horizon.
Photo: Apple

The company that makes all Apple’s chips is nearly ready to make 5 nanometer processors, down from the 7nm ones it’s manufacturing now. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s innovation reportedly will bring notable performance gains to next year’s iPhone and iPad.

The 2021 models should get a boost as well. And it’s even possible these chips will appear in future Macs.

Score a smart cable that charges devices safely [Deals]

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This Lightning cable upgrade offers extra reach, overcharge protection, high speed charging and more.
This Lightning cable upgrade offers extra reach, overcharge protection, high speed charging and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The standard Lightning cable comes with a number of shortcomings. It’s short in length, vulnerable to nicks or fraying, and can’t keep track of what its charging or when it’s done. This extra long smart cable offers an upgrade on all those fronts.

Breakout! Inside an Apple escape room [Cult of Mac Magazine No. 296]

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An unusual Apple-themed escape room is set to inject some fun into this year's AltConf during WWDC.
An unusual Apple-themed escape room is set to inject some fun into this year's AltConf during WWDC.
Cover: Martin Cortinas/Cult of Mac

Imagine yourself in a nightmare scenario. You’re tasked with making an Apple keynote run smoothly, but Murphy’s law is in full effect. Everything that can go wrong does. Tim Cook is not pleased. And you must wield your Apple knowledge to make things right.

That’s what you’ll experience if you dare to go “Backstage at the Keynote” during WWDC 2019. Find out all about this unusual Apple-themed escape room, which should spice things up at AltConf next month, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine for iOS.

Or read on to get the rest of the week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos in your browser, including our scoop on what’s up with that mysterious rainbow stage spotted inside Apple Park.

iPhone might escape Trump’s tariffs, but Apple will suffer

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iPad and iPhone tariffs aren't happening. Yet.
You still don’t have to pay extra taxes for buying an iPad or iPhone made in China, but that could change.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

No Apple products are included in the additional tariffs on Chinese products that went into effect this morning but Apple is still feeling some pain. The company’s shares have dropped significantly as trade tensions heated up between the U.S. and China.

And future import taxes on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch are likely, according to Pres. Trump.

Save 25 percent with exclusive offer on AluBase Wireless charger [Watch Store]

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You know you want this Just Mobile AluBase Wireless Charger and maybe a Gum Slim Hybrid Battery, too.
You know you want this sweet new wireless charger.
Photo: Just Mobile

If you’ve been waiting for a deal on a great wireless charger, your patience has paid off! Our friends at Just Mobile have set up an exclusive offer for Cult of Mac Watch Store customers on the AluBase Wireless charger.

You’ll save 25 percent on the AluBase with this special pricing. Normally $39.95, you can get the AluBase Wireless for $30. Add the optional fast charge power adapter for just $5 more. But don’t delay too long! This deal is only good while supplies last. Read on to learn more about AluBase Wireless.

Mac’s new Music app won’t be ported from iOS

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iTunes on Mac
iTunes ain’t dead yet.
Photo: Apple

The Mac’s next-generation Music app will be based on iTunes, not ported over from iOS.

Some sources previously stated that the app would be made using Marzipan, which lets developers easily port iPad apps to the desktop. But new information reveals that won’t be the case.

Pay tribute to mom with these Apple Watch gift ideas [Watch Store]

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Rilee & Lo spices up your Apple Watch with sexy, sleek stainless steel watch bands.
A stainless steel stretch-link band for just $40?
Photo: Rilee & Lo

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, so how about gifting a little something for her Apple Watch?

Cult of Mac has rounded up a beautiful collection of Apple Watch bands, chargers and stands specifically picked for Mom in our Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

If you mother is a nerd, a Luddite, a traveler or style maven, we’ve got the goods for her. There’s a unique gift for every Apple Watch-loving momma out there.

Production begins on iPhone 11’s A13 processor

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iPhone XS teardown
It’s a safe assumption that the A13 processor will be faster than the A12 one in the iPhone XS.
Photo: iFixit

One of the most vital components of the 2019 iPhone is already being fabricated. The A13 chip is now in trial production by TSMC, the Taiwanese company that has produced every iPhone and iPad chip for years.

2-in-1 cleaning stick gives you a weapon against on-screen germs [Review]

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Häns Swipe-Clean can handle your gross screens.
Häns Swipe-Clean can handle your gross screens.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

We live on our screens. So do germs, bacteria and a buildup of skin oils.

I will spare you the details and, instead, recommend the Häns Swipe-Clean, a wet-dry tool that wipes away the gross microbial life thriving on your iPhone, iPad and Mac screens.

Get a notepad designed with your desk in mind [Deals]

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This cleverly designed notepad stays out of the way and well within reach.
This cleverly designed notepad stays out of the way and well within reach.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With all the technology at our disposal, there’s still plenty of room for a good old fashioned pad of paper. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for the notepad to change. In fact, since our desktops are dominated by tech, it’s time for the notepad to catch up.

WWDC 2019, revealed! This week on The CultCast

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CultCast 387
WWDC is right around the corner....

This week on The CultCast: WWDC 2019 is right around the corner, and a new report sheds light on everything Apple’s prepping to reveal. We discuss! Plus: The magic of Corning glass, and how making your iPhone just slightly thicker would make it indestructible. And we reveal how (and why) Jony Ive created the massive mystery rainbow stage now present at the heart of Apple Park.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain..

Apple Lisa documentary will tell the story of Cupertino’s most important ‘flop’

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Apple prototypes
In retrospect, the Lisa was pretty darn important for Apple.
Photo: CNBC

A new documentary called Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa promises to tell the story of one of Apple’s most important flops.

Directed by computer historian (and Apple collector) David Greelish, the movie will feature interviews with key players in the machine’s development. It also will place the Lisa in its proper context — as one of the most influential computers of all time.

How (and why) Jony Ive built the mysterious rainbow Apple Stage

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The colorful Apple Stage really pops in the center of Apple Park.
The colorful Apple Stage really pops in the center of Apple Park's massive "spaceship" building.
Photo: Duncan Sinfield

The mysterious, rainbow-colored stage erected inside Apple Park bears all the hallmarks of the company’s meticulous design, according to an Apple document provided to Cult of Mac.

It’s the latest creation by Jony Ive’s team — and it’s just as thoughtfully and intricately designed as you might imagine.

An article explaining the project to Apple employees sheds light on just how much thought, time and intense effort went into building the rainbow Apple Stage. And Jony Ive’s ruminations on the project show he and his collaborators put a lot of thought into it.

Jony Ive puts his mark on stately Carnegie Library Apple store

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Apple Carnegie Library
Old meets new in Apple Carnegie Library, which opens Saturday.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest store is more of a step back in time than the usual step into an all-glass box.

The tech giant proudly gave a sneak peek into its Washington D.C. outlet, a former Carnegie Library where Ive and Beaux-Arts styles blend for a refreshing feel to the Apple retail experience.

Of course, there’s a staircase.

Original iPod hits eBay with sealed packaging, crazy price tag

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Original iPod eBay
How much?!
Photo: BestGadgets/eBay

Apple devices famously hold their value well, and if they’ve never been used, they can fetch a lot more than they originally cost. But would you pay $19,995 for a classic iPod?

That’s exactly how much one eBay seller is asking for a first-generation unit that comes in its “unopened original box.”

Powerbeats Pro preorders will arrive early for some

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Powerbeats Pro
When will yours turn up?
Photo: Beats

Some lucky Apple fans who preordered its new Powerbeats Pro buds are set to enjoy early deliveries.

Apple originally stated a delivery date of May 13 for its latest Beats headphones. However, many customers are now expecting to receive theirs on Friday, May 10.

Your iPhone could be ‘unbreakable,’ if it were just 1 mm thicker

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Corning's Silicon Valley research center
Corning's Silicon Valley research center.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Update: Corning sent an email to clarify some of the claims made in this post, which I’ve included in the body of the post and at the bottom.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Even though the latest iPhones are made from glass front and back, they would be “nearly unbreakable” if just a bit thicker.

That was the message from glass manufacturer Corning during an open house at its Silicon Valley research center Tuesday.

“If the glass on the latest smartphones was just a little bit thicker, it would be nearly unbreakable,” said Dave Young, a Corning marketing communications specialist, at the event.

2019 iPhone cases make way for third camera lens

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2019 iPhone case
Look at the size of that cutout!
Photo: Slashleaks

Case-makers are already preparing themselves for this fall’s big iPhone refresh.

New images show updated case designs for an iPhone XS successor with a larger camera module. They line up with recent rumors that have claimed Apple’s next-generation flagships will have a third rear-facing camera sensor.