All the top news and features last week on TUAW you don't want to miss

Last week was a busy one with your favorite TUAW writers posting some excellent How-To guides, commentary and other useful articles. Here's a quick roundup of our recent feature worthy posts you may have missed:

News

• Bill Gates: Apple Pay is "fantastic" and a "real contribution"

• iOS 8's privacy notification not sitting well with some developers

• Apple hired designer Marc Newson on part-time basis to work on "specific" projects

• Thousands of Macs infected with OS X botnet malware controlled via Reddit

• Apple launches tool to check Activation Lock status of an iOS device

• Twitter remembers it has an OS X app, updates it for the first time in 10 months

• Former Apple managers discuss hectic work culture: "These people are nuts. They're just there all the time."

• Assassin's Creed: Identity launches in NZ, coming soon to an iOS device near you

• Apple Watch will rely on a dedicated iPhone app; incorporates a number of design cues from traditional timepieces

• Apple releases OS X bash Update 1.0

• Apple accused of receiving illegal state aid in Ireland

• Fashion boutique Colette shows off Apple Watch

• Game developers praise iOS, not put off by multiple screen sizes

• iPhone 6 models to go on sale in China on October 17

• Apple disables downgrades from iOS 8 to iOS 7

Features

• Rumor Roundup: Screaming from the digital rooftops

• How Apple implemented time-lapse video in iOS 8

• Apple Pay: An in-depth look at what's behind the secure payment system

• Crowdfunding roundup: A Bluetooth boombox, smart lamp speaker and more

• iOS 8's privacy notification not sitting well with some developers

• How to create nested folders and completely hide apps in iOS 8

• Why the Apple Watch will never cannibalize iPhone sales

• iOS 8.0.2 probably not Apple's finest update

• Rumor Roundup: One million yeaaaaars dungeon

• Mobile Safari in iOS 8 supports Animated PNGs

• Slices of Apple episode 8: Real Artists Ship part 2

TUAW will be back next week with another round of handy features, so be sure to drop by to see what's new and what's useful.