CultCast #356 - What you need to know about #ChargeGate!

This week:

• How Chinese spy chips may be stealing secret data from Apple’s own servers!
• Another week, another gate-we’ll you about #ChargeGate, the huge iPhone XS problem that ended before it even began.
• Tim Cook reveals why Apple really banned Alex Jones, but can't explain why Siri still sucks
• We’ve got another epic MoviePass update for you, and this is the weirdest one yet!
• And we’ll pitch you a hot new electric skateboard, an uber premium keyboard for your Mac, a super portable keyboard for your iPad, and a an AI-powered bicycle light in an all-new Under Review!
• And, in honor and remembrance of Steve Jobs, we conclude with one of his greatest keynotes.

 

This episode supported by

 

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CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

 

Thanks to Kevin McLeodfor the music you hear on today’s episode.

 

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace / @bst3r

 

The Governor’s Lounge awaits you, in The CultClub

http://discord.gg/aKfta89

 

iOS 12.1 beta fixes reported iPhone charging problems

https://www.cultofmac.com/580852/ios-12-1-beta-charging-problems-fix/

• What is charge gate?
• • Well, some, but not all, iOS 12 users have complained that their iPhone or iPad won’t begin charging if it’s in sleep mode when a Lightning cable is plugged in.
  • The charging issue doesn’t occur if the device is awake when the cable is plugged in. It only crops up when a phone or tablet’s screen is off.
• Well this blew up this week when Tim Cook’s arch nemesis Lewis Hilsenteger, aka Unbox Therapy popularized the issue with a new video on his Youtube channel, titled: “iPhone XS has a serious problem”
• But it turns out, the problem seems to be not so serious, as Apple has already introduced a new beta of iOS 12.1 that appears to fix the issue.
• So if you’re experiencing the issue and want to solve it right now, install iOS 12.1 beta 2. Otherwise you could be waiting weeks until this 12.1 gets a final release.
• “Gates’ should be limited to hardware issues!

 

Tim Cook talks privacy, Alex Jones and China in new interview

https://www.cultofmac.com/580798/tim-cook-talks-privacy-alex-jones-and-china-in-new-interview/#more-580798

• Appearing on VICE News Tonight on HBO, Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked if Apple’s stance on privacy is hurting Siri from becoming more competitive with Alexa. Cook pushed back saying any company that says they need all of your data to make their service better is telling you a “bunch of bunk.”
• About booting Alex Jones
• • “We think that what the user wants is someone that does review these apps, someone that does review the podcasts, someone that on like Apple news, where a human is selecting the top stories. And that’s what we do,” Cook told VICE. “We don’t take a political stand."

 

MoviePass is forcing some former customers to re-enroll unless they opt out (MiMeQu)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/10/02/moviepass-reactivating-some-canceled-accounts-unless-users-opt-out/1496858002/

• In an email sent to a select group of previous customers, MoviePass said: "Because we really hope you begin enjoying your MoviePass subscription again, we have chosen you to be a part of a select test group, who beginning Friday, October 5th will be restored to unlimited movies.”
• "To be clear, unless you opt out, your unlimited subscription will be restored and you will begin enjoying unlimited movies again ...  at $9.95 per month, and your credit card on file will be charged on a monthly basis beginning Friday, October 5th, 2018,”
• When Business Insider reached out to MoviePass about the bizarre move, MoviePass doubled down!  Saying it was a  "a terrific one-time promotional offer.”  "If [previous users] are interested in returning to their original unlimited subscription, they can. If they are not, they simply click the link below and opt out," the statement read.
• Now I thought MoviePass would be out of business by now, the vultures are circling.  But they just announced about 65 million in new funding!  Someone believe’s they’ve got a future.

 

Under Review! 

 

Ace bike light by see,sense

https://seesense.cc/pages/see-sense-ace

 

Logictech Craft Keyboard

https://amzn.to/2PcGuig

 

Logitech Keys-to-go

https://amzn.to/2IEZtPV

 

 Doto iPad Case

https://www.dodocase.com/products/durable-sleeve?variant=11544936022059

 

Boosted Mini X Battery-powered keyboard

https://amzn.to/2OFSwDE