Apple is definitely on the side of the angels, according to many. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Apple might be a rival to other Silicon Valley tech giants, but that’s not stopping the likes of Microsoft, WhatsApp and Google defending Cupertino’s stance against helping the FBI hack an iPhone.
Check out the privacy-minded Apple lovefest from these big companies, as well as groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Amnesty International.
Protestors show their support for Apple. Photo: DocPop CC
A crowd of several dozen protesters gathered in front of Apple’s flagship retail store in Francisco last night to protest the U.S. government’s attempt to force Apple to aid the FBI in hacking into an iPhone.
Ranging from privacy advocates to casual iPhone owners, the crowd argued that such a move sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the safety and security of millions of iOS users around the world.
That's great and all, but does it come in 38 or 42mm? Photo: Billy Ellis (via YouTube)
An intrepid Apple Watch developer has managed to make a simulation of OS X Yosemite that runs on his wearable device.
15-year-old developer Billy Ellis revealed a quick preview of his latest project on his YouTube page. The program launches from his Apple Watch’s home screen and includes icons for the Finder, Launchpad, Settings, the App Store and Trash. You can see the demo in its entirety below.
Snapchat selfie filters are supposed to be fun and are not meant for users to pursue cosmetic surgery. Photo: Snap
Doodling on a Snapchat is fun; it lets you customize just about any snap with the power of your own artistry, or lack thereof.
If you’ve noticed, though, when you choose the color for said doodle, there’s no white or black options. And what if you want something in between red and white, like, say, pink?
Here’s how to make your images truly your own with custom Snapchat colors.
Open up! The FBI wants in. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
A federal judge has ordered Apple to comply with the FBI’s demands to unlock the San Bernardino terrorist’s iPhone 5c. Apple CEO Tim Cook has boldly and politely refused. However, his reason has nothing to do with whether Apple has the ability to hack the iPhone.
It simply doesn’t want to.
Apple has spent the past few years making its devices more secure by adding Touch ID and a secure element. The iPhone 5c doesn’t have Touch ID, though, so the FBI wants to brute-force unlock it by guessing the terrorist’s PIN. The problem is, iOS will automatically wipe the device after too many unsuccessful attempts — and iOS also delays how often you can guess a passcode. So the FBI created a plan for how Apple can help the bureau get around it.
When it comes to charging docks, not all are created equal. Here are my favorite two and why I like them better than everything else out there. Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor
If there’s a single iPhone and iPad accessory I consider myself to be the most picky about, it would be charging docks and stands. While there isn’t a shortage of options, let’s be honest, most of them aren’t that great. They either don’t dock securely or they’re obsolete when a new iPhone or iPad form factor comes out.
That’s why I’ve narrowed down my vote for best iPhone and iPad charging docks to only two candidates. Yep, just two. Here’s what they are and why I think they’re better than most:
"Be together. Not the same." Photo: Google“Be together. Not the same.” Photo: Google
Google takes a leaf out of Samsung’s marketing playbook in its latest Android ad, with a subtle swipe at Apple and the lack of choice you get when you choose iOS.
“Monotune” is part of the company’s “Be together. Not the same.” campaign, and it’s nothing short of brilliant.
Apple has been hard at work refining and updating Apple TV's App Store. Photo: Apple
Apple just granted the Apple TV App Store another small update today. It now supports developers adding video previews to their app description pages. These videos can be up to 30 seconds and showcase how the app works or aspects of the gameplay.
I'd rather pack one of these than three bricks, personally, but I'm crazy. Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac
Best List: iClever BoostCube 3-port wall charger
I have a bit of an embarrassing problem: Part of my device-charging setup in my bedroom includes a power strip that sits on the floor next to my bed. It isn’t the worst thing ever, but it’s ugly, and sometimes I trip over it. But I may have found a solution in the 3-port iClever BoostCube. It will save my pride, and some space in my bag when I travel, and that’s just good news all around.
Plus, the ports glow an eerie blue when it’s plugged in, and that’s really cool-looking.
The Freedom 251 doesn’t look like this in the flesh. Photo: Ringing BellsThe Freedom 251 doesn’t look like this in the flesh. Photo: Ringing Bells
Android has long been the best platform for smartphone buyers on a budget, and now entry to Google’s ecosystem is even more affordable.
Indian handset maker Ringing Bells just launched the new Freedom 251, an ultra affordable device that looks a lot like an iPhone, priced at 251 rupees — or about $3.67.
Griffin's power station gives both your Apple Watch and iPhone a proper place to recharge. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you’ve opted for the best in smartwatches and smartphones (I’m talking about the Apple watch and iPhone, of course), you shouldn’t be charging them on your windowsill or coffee table. The Griffin Watchstand Charging Station gives you a single, sleek place to charge both. Give your prized peripherals a place of privilege for just $49.99.
Get your username before it’s gone! Photo: NintendoGet your username before it’s gone! Photo: Nintendo
If you’re planning to grab Nintendo’s first smartphone game when it lands next month — or any of the others it has planned for 2016 — then it’s time to claim your Nintendo Account before someone takes the username you wanted.
Since this privacy-versus-security debate isn’t going away anytime soon, here’s what you need to know about it so far — and why it’s a much, much bigger issue than just one legal case.
Tim Cook wants the public to be aware of the importance of this issue. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Apple has posted an open letter, signed by Tim Cook, in response to the FBI’s request that Apple unlock the iPhone at the center of a San Bernardino court case.
While United States magistrated judge Sheri Pym wants Apple to hand the FBI a custom firmware file that would allow the unlocking of the handset in question, Apple argues that this represents an, “unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers.”
And Cook wants the public to be aware of all the details.
Running out of hard drive space on your Mac? These 10 tips can help you free up space you didn't know you were even using! Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor
Is your Mac out of storage space, or getting dangerously close? If so, there are lots of things you can do to free up some much-need disk space. In many cases, you don’t even have to remove personal files and media. From finding and removing duplicate photo libraries to learning how to better utilize some of Apple’s cloud services, we can help you figure out what’s eating your storage and, more importantly, how to fix it.
Let's put the "indestructible cable" through the paces. Photo: George Tinari/Cult of Mac
As important as it was for Apple to make the switch from 30-pin cables to Lightning cables alongside the release of the iPhone 5, there is one significant problem Apple has yet to address over the years: the durability of its charging cables. They bend, fray, tear and sometimes just stop working altogether even with only moderate use over time. Thankfully, third-party accessory makers have caught on to this, and have started offering solutions. One such offering is the MOS Spring Lightning Cable, which claims right on the packaging to be “the indestructible charge/sync cable.”
It's easy to turn your old devices into cash. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Got an old Android you don’t use anymore? It’s useless to you in the bottom of a drawer, but if you dig it out and dust it off, you can sell it to us for cold hard cash!
We’re buying used and broken Android and Microsoft devices through our new buyback program, and we pay more than Best Buy, Gazelle, and Walmart in most cases. We’ll even buy used wearables, watches, and devices that don’t even work anymore.
Visually organize all your data and tasks with a single intuitive app Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Want to stay organized and productive with your data? Tired of juggling USB cords, running out of juice on your laptop or worrying about data theft when you go online? If you answered yes to any of that, check out some of these deals ending in just a matter of hours.
Reports of the iPhone's demise may have been greatly exaggerated. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Forget all the doom predictions about Apple — according to Drexel Hamilton analyst Brian White, the company may have just had its best January since 2008.
Although Apple itself has said that iPhone sales are likely to fall for the first time ever in the January quarter, White claims that his own analysis of Apple’s suppliers suggests that things are looking far from bleak.
If you didn’t catch Steve Jobs in theaters (and, based on the box office, chances are you didn’t!) Universal Pictures Home Entertainment today released the movie on Blu-ray and DVD.
Extras for the controversial, somewhat divisive film include an “Inside Jobs: The Making of Steve Jobs” bonus feature, and audio commentaries from director Danny Boyle, writer Aaron Sorkin and editor Elliot Graham.
And, hey, if you don’t feel like shelling out for it, you can always enter our free giveaway here.
The iPhone may be shrinking, but Apple's supplier base sure isn't. Photo: Martin Hajek
Apple is reportedly adding a new supplier to help build its eagerly-anticipated 4-inch “iPhone 5se” — giving up-and-coming supplier Wistron a piece of the iPhone-producing pie in an an attempt to “nurture” it as a non-Foxconn Apple manufacturer.
The built-in Apple News app won't cut it for many. Try these awesome news and RSS apps instead! Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor
The iPhone and iPad are both great ways to consume news and RSS on the go, or while simply lounging around the house. No matter what service you use — Feedly, Feed Wrangler or something else — there are tons of RSS and news apps that support them. If you don’t need a news aggregator service, or don’t even know what that means, there are still news apps that can help you find interesting things to read.
These are currently the best of the best news apps available for iPhone and iPad — and why I think they’re so great.
Sony's $350 MP-CL1 Pico Projector is small and easy to use. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
You should never take a video projector camping — it completely defeats the object of the great outdoors. Unless you have kids. Then it’s handy to beam a movie onto the side of a tent to keep them quiet while you drink.
Perfect for the job is Sony’s $350 MP-CL1 — a small, battery-powered pico projector. Not much bigger than an iPhone 6+, it beams a surprisingly sharp and bright image that belies it’s small size.
Hook it up to your iPhone via a HDMI cable and adapter, and you’re off to the woods.
DSCVR easily turns almost any mobile device into a VR viewscreen. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Virtual reality is finally here…if you can afford it. Picking up one of those sleek new headsets is going to set you back hundreds of dollars, but why drop so much coin when you’ve already got most of what you need for immersive VR in your pocket? DSCVR easily turns your mobile device into a full fledged VR headset for iOS or Android, and right now you can get one for just $24.99.