The CultCast (general)

This week: the reviews are in, let's talk about iPhone 12! Plus—the honest truth about of 5G, HomePod gets a game changing new feature, and Jony Ive gets a brand new job.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

This episode supported by

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.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

iPhone 12 and 12 Pro first impressions: Apple does it again

  • The first reviews of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro landed online Tuesday, and the devices’ marquee feature — 5G wireless connectivity — largely went unnoticed.

iPhone 12 sees strong start with twice as many preorders as iPhone 11

  • iPhone 12 has seen twice as many preorders as last year’s iPhone 11, while iPhone 12 Pro is proving more popular than iPhone 11 Pro, according to new estimates from reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Early iPhone 12 and 12 Pro battery tests suggest 5G comes at a cost

  • The new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro bring 5G to Apple’s smartphones for the first time. But it comes at a cost to your battery.

iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 12 vs iPhone 11 Pro Camera Test

HomePod will soon have Dolby Atmos support for Apple TV 4K

  • An upcoming home cinema feature will soon enable Apple HomePod to blast Dolby Atmos audio from Apple TV 4K. The feature, which is on the way as part of a future firmware update, will also support 5.1 and 7.1 channel audio (via The Verge). Only the regular HomePod will get the option, however. The new HomePod mini won’t support Atmos.
Direct download: cultcast_463.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:20pm PDT

This week: it’s our iPhone 12/Pro/Mini and HomePod Mini reactions! We review everything Apple announced at the "Hi, Speed" event, and we dig into all the new features. We’ve got a lot to say….

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

This episode supported by

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.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

With HomePod mini, Apple goes small, cheap and smart

  • Apple took the wraps of the HomePod mini Tuesday, showcasing a pint-size smart speaker that promises high-end audio at a lower price than its big brother. But the most interesting parts might have nothing to do with music.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini look anything but standard

  • Apple showcased the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 handsets Tuesday, showing just how powerful an “entry level” smartphone can be.

iPhone 12 Pro dazzles with new design, 5G, improved cameras

  • Like its predecessor, iPhone 12 Pro comes in two size options. The smaller model offers a 6.1-inch display, while the larger Max model packs a 6.7-inch display — the largest ever in an iPhone. And yet, both devices are just as portable as iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. They’re also available in new color options: silver, graphite, gold, and Pacific blue.
Direct download: cultcast_462.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:47pm PDT

This week: iPhone 12! HomePods Mini! AirTags! Next Gen Macs! Air Power Mat? We’re talking our “Hello, Speed” Apple event hardware predictions.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

This episode supported by

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.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad and other tech sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Apple October event invite might hide AirTags in plain sight

  • The invite to an Apple October product event might have an upcoming device hidden in plain sight. Part of the graphic included with the invite apparently bears a strong resemblance to AirTags, the item-location tags that are supposedly on the docket for the October 13 event.

Apple ‘Hi, Speed’ event on Oct. 13 could bring iPhone 12, new Mac and more

  • Apple just invited the world to an event on October 13. No agenda was announced, but there’s little doubt the star will be the iPhone 12, the first iOS device with 5G wireless networking. Apple hinted at the coming upgrade with the title of the

HomePod mini on the way this year, but don’t expect HomePod 2

  • Apple will introduce a HomePod mini in 2020, but don’t get your hopes up about a sequel to the original HomePod smart speaker, claims a reliable Apple leaker.
Direct download: cultcast_461.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:40pm PDT

This week: whoopsie! Apple accidentally leaks the new iPhone 12 mini—we talk prices and storage options. Plus: Apple’s beefs up AppleCare+ and slashes the cost; and we wrap up with an EPIC update to the Fortnite Vs. Apple app store antitrust case.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

This episode supported by

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.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro 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.

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

CONFIRMED! 'iPhone 12 mini' Name Reappears in Leaked Apple iPhone 12 Case Stickers

  • Earlier this week a proven leaker (L0vetodream) claimed that the iPhone 12 lineup would be named "iPhone 12 mini," "iPhone 12," "iPhone 12 Pro," and "iPhone 12 Pro Max," and today the same nomenclature has appeared again in a photo depicting alleged stickers from unreleased Silicone iPhone cases originating from Apple's international distribution center in Ireland.

iPhone 12 will come in a 64GB storage option after all Don’t bid farewell to the 64GB storage option for the iPhone just yet! According to Apple leaker Jon Prosser, the 5.4-inch

  • iPhone 12 mini and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 will come in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options.

AppleCare+ Updated to Cover 2 Accidental Damage Incidents Every 12 Months, Theft and Loss Deductible Lowered

  • Apple today updated its AppleCare+ protection plan for Apple devices to cover two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months. Prior to now, AppleCare+ covered two incidents of accidental damage every 24 months.

Epic’s decision to bypass Apple’s App Store policies were dishonest, says US judge

  • A US judge hearing arguments in Epic’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple has criticized the game developer’s decision to breach its contract with the iPhone maker by pushing a version of Fortnite with a custom payment system onto the App Store. The decision resulted in Apple removing Fortnite from the App Store.
Direct download: cultcast_460.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:37pm PDT

This week: don't miss our one week reviews of Apple Watch Series 6!  We’ll tell you if it’s worth upgrading... Plus: multiple sources are now confirming a NEW Apple hardware event coming October 13th, where a new “iPhone 12 Mini” may be announced—we’ll tell you what we know. And stick around for more Apple Stock talk! Erfon’s reveals what his $100K investment is worth now after this month’s depressing APPL stock plummet!

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

This episode supported by

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro 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.

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.

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Apple Watch Series 6: Color us impressed [Review]

  • Almost all the reviews of the Apple Watch Series 6 say the same thing: Yeah, it’s great, but it’s an incremental upgrade, and if you already have a Series 5, skip the upgrade.

Multiple sources point to iPhone 12 event on October 13

  • The iPhone 12 will debut at a special event on October 13, multiple sources claimed on Wednesday. The release date will reportedly come shortly thereafter.

Apple’s smallest iPhone 12 could be called ‘iPhone 12 mini’

  • For the first time ever, Apple will adopt its “mini” branding for the iPhone, claims Apple leaker L0vetodream. According to the tipster, Apple will use the name “iPhone 12 mini” for the smallest of four models coming this year.

iPhone Home screen modders go crazy with iOS 14

  • Ever wanted to make your brand-new iPhone look like it’s running Windows 95? That’s the outrageously novel idea that sprang into the mind of Ashley, an 18-year-old from Indiana who wants to work as a graphic designer, after she upgraded to iOS 14 last week.

Apple has lost more than $500 billion in market cap so far this month

  • Apple has lost more than $500 billion in market cap since the start of this month, CNBC reported over the weekend.
Direct download: cultcast_459.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:27pm PDT

This week: we’re talking Apple Watch Series 6, and the freshly leaked AirPods Studio headphones! Plus: we recap all the best announcements from Apple’s Time’s Up event, discuss the power of the U1 chip, and explain Spatial Audio, the crazy good new feature added to AirPods Pro.

Join our CultCast Live stream, Friday Sept 18th @11:30am PT!

https://youtu.be/HngYh6PXdYk

 

 

This episode supported by

Our thanks to Linked In for supporting this episode. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters… head to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.

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.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro 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.

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

Apple Watch SE packs essential features, larger screen for just $279

  • Unveiled alongside Apple Watch Series 6 on Tuesday, the more affordable model packs an egde-to-edge display, a super-speedy S5 processor, fall detection, and more.
  • Compare Apple Watches: https://www.apple.com/watch/compare/

Leaks give us first uninspiring look at AirPods Studio headphones

  • After months of near quiet, a images and even video leaked out supposedly showing Apple’s first over-the-ears headphones, possibly called AirPods Studio.

Apple quietly reveals the Watch Series 6 will be the first with U1 locator chip

  • In September 2019, Apple added a new feature to the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro without saying a single word onstage — and it did it again today with the Apple Watch Series 6.

Apple Updates AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro Firmware to Version 3A283

  • Apple has released new 3A283 firmware updates for the second-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro. What in the update? No clue.
Direct download: cultcast_458.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:39pm PDT

This week: it’s our “Time Flies” Apple event hardware predictions! Are we really getting just an iPad and the new Apple Watch at the September 15th event? We’re not so sure… Plus: the Jon Prosser vs. Mark Gurman epic battle of the Apple leakers takes a big turn, and Apple reveals their newest invention--the Apple Face Mask.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

 

This episode supported by

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro 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.

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

 

This week's stories

Apple preps virtual event for Sept. 15, but don’t expect iPhone 12

  • Apple’s next virtual event will take place on September 15 — but don’t expect to see the new iPhone 12 models.

Apple sets iPhone 11 videos to private on YouTube ahead of iPhone 12 launch

  • Apple frequently sets videos of its older products to private when a replacement product comes to the market. This is done to avoid product confusion in the event that YouTube’s algorithm unearths older videos.

Jon Prosser gets his leaks wrong, kinda….

https://twitter.com/jon_prosser/status/1303150728647671808

https://twitter.com/jon_prosser/status/1303350520548073479

https://twitter.com/jon_prosser/status/1303406324626096128

Design-obsessed Apple designs its own face masks

  • Apple designed its own face masks because of course it did. A company long known for setting itself apart from the competition with superior design couldn’t use over-the-counter masks.
Direct download: cultcast_457.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:13pm PDT

This week: popular Apple leaker Jon Prosser says new Apple hardware is coming next week! But what? We'll discuss.

Plus: what we know about the next gen iPad Air, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple TV, and the killer tracking features coming to Apple’s AirTags.  

And the next iPhone 12 color, revealed!

This episode supported by

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.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro 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.

On the show this week

Sources affirm plans for new iPad Air, 2 Apple Watch models this fall

  • Sources familiar with Apple’s plans have confirmed to Bloomberg that a new iPad Air and Apple Watch refresh are on their way this fall, along with a new Apple TV with a new remote.

Faster Apple TV could get ‘upgraded’ remote with Find My feature

  • Apple’s next-generation Apple TV could debut with an “upgraded” remote and a Find My remote feature, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

iPhone 12 to Come in 'Dark Blue' Color Option

  • Apple will offer a new "dark blue" model in its upcoming iPhone 12 lineup, according to a new report today.

Apple Delays Ad Anti-Tracking Features Planned for iOS 14 [Updated]

  • Apple told some developers that it will delay the enforcement of an anti-tracking feature that's being implemented in iOS 14, reports The Information.
Direct download: cultcast_456.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:27pm PDT

This week: a new leak confirms some exciting iPhone 12 specs! Plus: a new iPad and Apple Watch Series 6 are right around the corner; the Fortnite Vs. Apple case takes an interesting turn; and Erfon divulges how his $95,000 Apple stock investment is performing!

This episode supported by

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro 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.

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

New leak confirms some of the most exciting iPhone 12 specs

  • New images and video of a prototype iPhone 12 Pro Max allegedly fell into the hands of frequent Apple leaker Jon Prosser.

New iPad, Apple Watch Series 6 leak via Eurasian database

  • A listing of multiple unknown tablets by the Eurasian Economic Commission confirms that Apple will soon introduce a range of new 2020 iPad models.

No Apple device can play the new Fortnite season

  • Epic Games and Apple are fighting over revenue sharing, and players are getting caught in the middle. Earlier this month, Epic Games tried to circumvent Apple’s requirement that the iPhone-maker receive 30% of in-app payments. The result was that Fortnite was booted from the App Store.

Judge protects Unreal Engine during Epic Games’ battle with Apple [Updated]

  • In an order issued Monday night, a U.S. district judge blocked Apple from revoking Epic Games’ developer accounts as the legal battle between the two companies moves toward trial.

Apple's Share Price Soars Past the $500 Mark

  • After becoming the first U.S. company to reach a market capitalization of $2 trillion last week, Apple's stock has continued to soar as investors pour money into the company. Apple's stock officially opened Monday above the $500 mark, and shot up as high as $515 before coming back down to around $503.

Historically, AAPL stock splits have seen stock rise 10% in next 12 months

  • Multi-asset investment platform eToro analysed 60 years of data, and found that on average companies that split their stocks see their share price surge by a third in the 12 months after the split.
Direct download: cultcast_455.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:37pm PDT

This week: Battle of the Titans—Fortnite maker Epic Games takes Apple to court over its App Store policies, and they just might get their way. Plus: Apple and its stock hit another astonishing milestone; Prosser was right—Apple has begun rebranding Beats; and Apple TV+ finally makes the move we’ve been waiting for: bundling premium channels for one low price.

This episode supported by

Our thanks to Linked In for supporting this episode. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters… head to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.

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.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro 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.

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Apple expels Fortnite from the App Store; Epic Games sues

  • Early last Thursday, Epic Games launched the Fortnite Mega Drop. This offers up to 20% discounts on in-app purchases made on iPhone, iPad or Android, as long as these are direct payments. Making the same purchases though the App Store costs the regular price.

Epic Games tries to talk Spotify, Sonos into creating anti-App Store coalition

  • Epic Games, maker of Fortnite, is recruiting a team of like-minded companies to join its fight against Apple and its App Store policies, according to a report from The Information (paywall).

Apple hits astonishing $2 trillion market cap [Updated]

  • And early Wednesday, Apple hit a massive $2 trillion valuation, becoming the first publicly traded U.S. company in history to hit this milestone.

Beats 1 becomes Apple Music 1 as Cupertino launches two new radio station

  • Apple is rebranding Beats 1 as Apple Music 1, while also launching two new radio stations, the company said Tuesday. Apple Music Hits and Apple Music Country will both feature their own exclusive radio shows.

Apple TV+ subscribers get 2-for-1 Showtime and CBS All Access bundle

  • A subscription to Showtime costs $10.99 per month, while commercial-free CBS All Access is $9.99 per month, but Apple TV+ subscribers in the US can now also add a bundle of CBS All Access and Showtime for only $9.99 per month more.
Direct download: cultcast_454.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:44pm PDT