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Apple lets German customers add iTunes purchases to phone bills

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Apple brings carrier billing for app purchases to Germany.
Apple brings carrier billing for app purchases to Germany.
Photo: Cult of Mac

You may soon be able to make purchases in the iTunes store without a credit or debit card.

Apple has been working with a phone carrier in Germany on an agreement that would let people pay for items as part of their phone bills. Users’ phone numbers, rather than credit cards or bank account numbers, will be used to make purchases that will show up on the next bill.

Gorgeous Apple Watch stand may be more than you need

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Sena Apple Watch stand
I may not be the target audience for the Sena Apple Watch stand. Possibly because I have a lamp shaped like Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber.
Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac

It’s hard to resist the allure of a fancy Apple Watch stand, especially if you want to take advantage of watchOS 2’s awesome Nightstand Mode. Sena’s Travel Case and Stand is one such premium accessory, and how useful it’ll be to you depends on what kind of relationship you have with your smartwatch.

It looks great, and it’s definitely high-quality. And while it does solve a couple major issues I’ve been having with my Apple Watch, it offers solutions for some other ones I can’t imagine ever confronting.

Apple’s semi-creepy patent lets you keep a closer eye on your friends

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Screen Shot 2015-10-27 at 09.53.46
"Mr. Bond, I've been expecting you."
Photo: USPTO/Apple

With its pro-privacy stance, Apple’s pretty good at treading the line between usefulness and creepiness, which other tech companies can struggle with.

A newly-published patent, however, may challenge that assertion — describing a method for monitoring another person’s location, via their iPhone, with constant user notifications sent to alert you of any changes in their progress along a route.

Presumably so you can hop in a chair, grab a white cat for your lap, and sit facing the door to greet their arrival with the line, “Mr. Bond, I’ve been expecting you.”

Pro Tip: How to save web pages to iBooks for offline viewing

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Send any web page as a PDF to iBooks in iOS 9.
Send any web page as a PDF to iBooks in iOS 9.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Pro Tip Cult of Mac bugI’m a big fan of getting instructions off the internet: recipes, directions on car maintenance, or video game walkthroughs, for example. The problem is that you need to be online to view them.

Now in iOS 9, however, there’s a way to save web pages to a handy, offline-friendly PDF file. The next time you’re flying on an airplane and trying to get through Broken Age with a walkthrough, you’ll be in luck.

Here’s how to convert any webpage in iOS 9’s mobile Safari to a PDF and then read it in (or send it from) iBooks.

Siri won’t answer music questions if you’re not an Apple Music subscriber

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Siri
Hey Siri
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

If you want Siri to tell you everything there is to know about music you might need an Apple Music subscription to get the right answers.

The three-month trial period for Apple Music has finally ended, and it appears that not signing up for the monthly service may cost you a bit of Siri functionality.

Apple named coolest wearables brand over Samsung, Rolex, Ralph Lauren

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As smartwatches grow in popularity, the Apple Watch will continue to be the hands-on - or wrist-on - favorite.
As smartwatches grow in popularity, the Apple Watch will continue to be the hands-on - or wrist-on - favorite.
Photo: Apple
Apple Watch is the coolest wearable yet, apparently. Photo: Apple
Apple Watch is the coolest wearable yet, apparently. Photo: Apple

Apple Watch is by far the most successful smartwatch to date in terms of sales, so perhaps it’s no surprise that Apple has been voted the “coolest wearables brand” by smartphone users.

The Cupertino company not only beat technology rivals like Samsung and LG to the top of the list, but also high-end watchmakers and fashion brands like TAG Heuer, Rolex, and Ralph Lauren.

Jobs done? Sorkin’s biopic flops on opening weekend

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Michael Fassbender is Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs may play the orchestra, but there's not much of an audience.
Photo: Universal Pictures

Steve Jobs had his toughest two days at the box office this weekend since the real Jobs launched the poor-selling Power Mac G4 Cube.

The long-awaited Aaron Sorkin biopic turned to not be that eagerly-anticipated after all, since it limped to a disappointing $7.3 million on its first weekend of wide release.

Pump up your resume with these top-flight certifications [Deals]

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Arm yourself for the CompTIA-IT certification test with this bundle of 6 courses, clocking in at over 42 hours.
Arm yourself for the CompTIA-IT certification test with this bundle of 6 courses, clocking in at over 42 hours.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

In an age of increasing specialization, stepping up a career means showing certification. That’s especially true in the realm of information technology, and the CompTIA certification is one of the most widely recognized in the business. This CompTIA A+ test prep bundle and will make sure you’re ready to knock it out of the park. Normally going for thousands of dollars, right now you can get access to it for just $59.

Boomerang, Guitar Hero Live and other awesome apps of the week

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appsoftheweek_1024
'Appy weekend everyone!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The weekend’s already half way over but, fear not, Cult of Mac is here to fill you in on the week’s best apps.

In addition to great gadget-hunting and photo sharing apps, we’ve picked out some great games from the past seven days. Check out our suggestions below. You won’t regret it!

This charging hub is like having a tiny R2-D2 for your mobile devices [Deals]

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The Twist+ World Charging Station can charge up to five devices at once from a single outlet in 150 different countries.
The Twist+ World Charging Station can charge up to five devices at once from a single outlet in 150 different countries.

It’s white, cylindrical, has a spinning head and is full of electrical connectors. It’s not Luke Skywalker’s trusty robotic assistant, but the Twist Plus+ World Charging Station could be yours with its ability to charge five devices simultaneously and through outlets anywhere in the world. It’s a game-changer for the international traveler or anyone who travels with more than one mobile device, and right now you can get one for just $34.99.

Why I’m cheating on my Apple Watch

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I now wear two watches when I’m running. Seriously.
Two-timer: I now wear two watches when I’m running. Seriously.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

After six months of trying to log my runs with my Apple Watch, I finally gave up and bought a dedicated GPS running watch.

There’s a lot to like about Apple’s new wearable. The Activity app, for example, is brilliant at helping people lose weight. But the truth is, as a running watch, it sucks.

Should Apple merge iOS with OS X for iPad Pro?

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fnf_1024
It's that time of the week again!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Is merging iOS with OS X a good idea? For the longest time, the answer to that question has been a resounding no from anyone who appreciates good software — but with iPad Pro on the horizon, there may well be a growing case for it.

Friday-Night-Fights-bug-2The iPad Pro has the potential to be the ultimate 2-in-1 — a laptop that could really replace a notebook when you need to get stuff done. But in many ways, it’s being held back by iOS, which is still very much a mobile platform without many of the basics we have on our desktops — like a file manager.

So, is there now room for a new platform that delivers the best of iOS and OS X, perfectly suited to a tablet that doubles as a notebook?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight between Cult of Android and Cult of Mac as we battle it out over that very question!

Futuristic alarm clock wears a retro face

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Snooze with a wave of your hand.
Snooze with a wave of your hand.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Best List: Retro Alarm Clock Radio by Electrohome

Experts say you need to minimize distraction from your smartphones and tablets at night, so I’ve started leaving my iPhone charging in the kitchen. Instead, I now wake up to NPR thanks to this gorgeously retro alarm clock radio from Electrohome.

It’s got everything you need to get you up at the right time, plus a host of features that make it the only alarm clock you’ll ever need.

Mac dev uses Klingon to make app pirates walk the plank

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How do you say
How do you say "Payback's a bitch" in Klingon?
Photo: Edward Brawer

When a Klingon says bortaS bir jablu’DI’reH QaQqu’ nay,’ it’s not good. It means “Revenge is a dish best served cold” and what is likely to follow is some sort of death blow.

So when Edward Brawer, the developer of the dock replacement software uBar, had pirates of his Mac app in sight, he set his phaser to amusement. Users who ripped him off soon saw the titles on apps and folders switched to the Klingon language.

Become your own cyber security expert with this bundle of lessons [Deals]

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These 11 lessons will make sure your business is caught up with the complex world of cyber threats and security.
These 11 lessons will make sure your business is caught up with the complex world of cyber threats and security.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

A key part of running any effective business these days is securing computers and online accounts against threats from hackers. The Cyber Security Professional Training and Certification Bundle offers 11 courses and more than 13 hours of instruction covering everything from the history of the software development to specific techniques for defending against attacks. It’s an ideal way to become conversant in cyber security or prepare for certification, and right now it’s a massive 98% off the normal price, just $39.

How to get iOS 9’s “picture in picture” video mode on your Mac

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Just like your iPad, your Mac can do picture in picture mode, thanks to Helium.
Just like your iPad, your Mac can do picture in picture mode, thanks to Helium.
Photo: Helium

One of my favorite things about iOS 9 is picture in picture mode, which keeps a small window of a movie visible on screen at all times. Unfortunately, OS X El Capitan doesn’t have an equivalent: you can watch a movie while multitasking, sure, but it doesn’t stay on top of your window stack no matter what, which is the genius of iOS 9’s interpretation.

I’m hoping OS X 10.12 will address this issue. In the meantime, though, there’s an app that will give OS X iOS 9-style picture in picture mode. And it’s free!

Sleek Apple Watch 2 concept inspires hope for the future

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Apple Watch 2 concept by Eric Huismann
We hope Apple takes some cues from this cool Apple Watch 2 concept.
Photo: Eric Heisuman

If Cupertino is looking for some ideas for its next wearable, this slick Apple Watch 2 concept would be a good place to start.

The mock-up comes from designer Eric Huismann, and he has some cool ideas for how the future of Apple’s smartwatches could look and behave. Along with some nice cosmetic changes, Huismann’s version of the device also boasts some of the features that didn’t make it into the first wave.

Cast a dark shadow with iOS 9.1’s hidden emoji

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Left Speech Bubble iOS 9.1 emoji
Well, you tell us.
"Drawing": Evan Killham

Pro Tip Cult of Mac bugYou’re probably excited about all of the fun new emoji characters that you just got in iOS 9.1, but one of the new additions won’t show up on any of your keyboards.

The “Left Speech Bubble” emoji isn’t part of the official canon yet, but Apple went ahead and added it, anyway. Here’s what it looks like and how to add it to your pictorial lexicon.

Embrace the new Kindle Paperwhite for reading bliss

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Get a gazillion books at your fingertips day and night with the Kindle Paperwhite.
Get a gazillion books at your fingertips day and night with the Kindle Paperwhite.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Best List: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

My wife is a voracious reader. And a bit of a hoarder.

So I tried to convince her to start reading ebooks on her iPad mini, instead of constantly bringing home new books from the book store. But it was not an easy transition. Partly because she loves to support our local bookstores and partly because she didn’t love the reading experience on the iPad.

Into the house comes a Paperwhite and all that changed.

Tiny shock absorbers could save you a fortune in iPhone repairs

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broken-iPhone-5
An avoidable disaster?
Photo: Cult of Mac

iPhones are pretty tough things, but despite all the Gorilla Glass and engineering magic Apple can throw at them, they’re still susceptible to broken screens when dropped.

That could change in future iPhone models, with a newly-published patent application describing an automated mechanism for protecting the iPhone display with a method straight out of James Bond.

Instagram takes on Apple’s Live Photos with Boomerang

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Boomerang is just like Live Photos.
Boomerang is just like Live Photos.
Photo: Instagram

Instagram’s new app Boomerang lets users create one-second videos of everyday moments, then share them to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

The new app is a lot like the new Live Photos feature Apple introduced on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Boomerang takes a burst of five photos, stitches them together into a mini-video, then plays the clip in forward and then reverse — you know, just like a boomerang!

Here’s how it works: