This week: Thanks to a new leak, we now know the exact release dates for iPhone 12, Apple Watch, and more. We'll tell you what to expect!

Plus: Apple stock adventure, part 2! Erfon talks about his massive Apple stock purchase, including how much he spent, why he bought in now, and how much his investment is now worth. We talk real numbers!

And if you’ve been thinking about getting a new Mac with the butterfly keyboard, DON’T DO IT until you hear this episode.  COVID keyboard repairs are now a total nightmare.

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The NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 6 router gives you ultra-fast speeds and wider coverage throughout your home – it’s the biggest revolution in WiFi ever. Check it out today at your local Best Buy and at Netgear.com/bestwifi6.

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

We might know exactly when iPhone 12 will arrive

• Apple will hold an iPhone 12 event the week of October 12, with the device shipping a week later, according to up-and-coming leaker Jon Prosser.

Mark Gurman doesn't like Jon Prosser's new hardware predictions (again)

This week: the brand new iMac may look the same, but it’s so powerful video editors are gleefully buying 2 to 3 at a time—we’ll tell you everything that’s new 🔥

Then: Phil Schiller, Apple Worldwide Marketing VP, and one of Steve Job’s original generals, is stepping down. We’ll remember some of Phil’s most memorable Apple moments.

And forget buying the new iMac, get Apple’s stock instead! Erfon goes all in, and reveals the huge cash stockpile he’s about to dump into Apple stock, why he’s buying it now, and the cash value of his current investment.

This episode supported by

The NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 6 router gives you ultra-fast speeds and wider coverage throughout your home – it’s the biggest revolution in WiFi ever. Check it out today at your local Best Buy and at Netgear.com/bestwifi6.

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 / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

New iMac packs faster internals into all-too-familiar shell

• The wait for Apple’s newest iMac is over. Cupertino today dropped a faster all-in-one with an even more glorious Retina 5K display.

Phil Schiller’s new role as Apple Fellow means big promotion for Joz

• Schiller continues to report directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook in his new position, as an Apple Fellow, and will now lead App Store and Apple Events. Greg “Joz” Joswiak takes up Schiller’s previous role.

10 reasons why I’ll miss Phil Schiller

• Tuesday marked the end of an era. Phil Schiller has stepped down from his role as VP of worldwide marketing.

How Apple made money in the middle of a crushing pandemic

• People around the world turned to Apple products at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. And the result was an 11% increase in Apple revenue during the June quarter.

Apple shares close at new all-time high [Updated]

• Apple shares hit a new all-time high Friday on the back of the company’s shockingly good Q3 earnings.

Apple stock will split 4-to-1

• Apple’s board of directors has approved a four-to-one stock split.

This week: Apple leaker Jon Prosser returns to the internet, and he’s got some tasty new Apple rumors to share... Plus: Tim Cook gets grilled by congress over Apple’s app store, and at least one house member says it’s time to break up Big Tech. And if you love movies, you’ll be happy to hear why new releases will soon be heading to your Apple TV just weeks after release.

This episode supported by

The NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 6 router gives you ultra-fast speeds and wider coverage throughout your home – it’s the biggest revolution in WiFi ever. Check it out today at your local Best Buy and at Netgear.com/bestwifi6.

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

Jon Prosser Lives! And he's got some new Apple rumors to share...

iPhone 12 and New iPads

On the 9to5 New Intel iMac rumor

Tim Cook mostly avoids grilling during historic congressional antitrust hearing

• Apple CEO Tim Cook mostly avoided questioning during Wednesday’s historic congressional antitrust hearing on the business practices of Big Tech.

Universal will sell digital movies just weeks after their theatrical debut

• A new deal means that movie fans won’t be waiting as long to see Universal Pictures movies pop up for sale on iTunes and other digital platforms after their theatrical debut.

This week:

• Apple—and its entire supply chain—will go 100% carbon neutral by 2030, pushing the entire world of tech towards BIG changes…
• A powerful iOS 14 privacy feature will be great for consumers, buuuut may kill a billion dollar ad industry
• Some exciting new podcast features are coming to Spotify
• We talk about CultCast... Video!
• And we’ll tell you about the gadgets we’re testing in an all-new Under Review!

This episode supported by

The NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 6 router gives you ultra-fast speeds and wider coverage throughout your home – it’s the biggest revolution in WiFi ever. Check it out today at your local Best Buy and at Netgear.com/bestwifi6.

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 (and its entire supply chain) will be 100% carbon neutral by 2030

• Apple will become carbon neutral across its entire business and manufacturing chain by 2030, the company said Tuesday.

Apple Is Killing A Billion-Dollar Ad Industry With One Popup

• A new iOS 14 privacy feature spells trouble for advertisement agencies and promises to end an era of personalized ads

Spotify debuts video podcasts for select shows

• This week, the streaming service announced the format’s official debut on a handful of shows.

Under Review gadget picks
Anker PowerCore 10K Wireless
Zens Liberty 16-coil wireless charger
Mophie UV sanitizer with wireless charging

This week: a massive global hack has Apple pushing a bitcoin scam to millions! Plus: iOS 13.6 brings some cool new features to Apple News. And we’ll tell you the newest info on Apple Glass, while pondering the fate of Jon Prosser, the prolific Apple insider who vanished right after leaking them.

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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.

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.

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

Hackers hit Apple’s Twitter account in widespread bitcoin scam

• Apple is one of many companies and people who had their Twitter accounts hijacked on Wednesday. A hacker found a way to post on what seems to be any account, indicating that it’s Twitter itself that has been hacked.

iOS 13.6 brings expanded Apple News features and other cool stuff

• Apple released iOS 13.6 Wednesday, boosting its Apple News offering and bringing other new features to iPhone and iPad.

Apple’s biggest supplier is already making trial lenses for Apple Glass

• Foxconn has reportedly started trial production on polarized, semi-transparent AR lenses that could be used for Apple Glass, according to The Information.

Mark Gurman is still mad about the Apple Glass Prosser story!

This week: we've got more details on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, and Apple Maps gets a new feature that blows us away! Plus: we talk our two week impressions of iOS 14, and a major Hollywood film is coming to Apple TV+. 

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

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Start testing exciting new iOS 14 features with first public beta

• After giving developers start testing iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 at WWDC in June, Apple on Thursday let the general public access pre-release versions too.

14-Inch MacBook Pro With Mini-LED Display Expected to Enter Production in 2021

• Apple suppliers will begin competing to win manufacturing orders for new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Mini-LED displays in the first quarter of 2021, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce.

Tom Hanks thinks having his new movie debut on Apple TV+ is an ‘absolute heartbreak’

• Tom Hanks made a few not-so-flattering comments about the “Apple overlords” in an interview about his new World War II movie Greyhound. The film, which was originally supposed to launch in theaters, was pulled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, it will premiere on Apple TV+ this Friday.

This week: with iPhone 12 right around the corner, a new rumor says it will be missing one key feature, and the internet is not happy.

Plus: it’s a CultCast Exclusive! We’ll tell you how Apple’s planning to bring the Apple store right to your home. And we discuss our favorite new shows and "Mary Jane" accessories in an all-new What We’re Into.

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

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

iPhone 12 might not come with earbuds or a charger in the box

• The iPhone 12 is rumored to not be shipping with packaged earbuds, but according to reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo it may also be lacking another standard piece of kit in its box: A charger.

Microsoft Stores are closing for good

• Microsoft is pulling the plug on its chain of retail stores, the company announced Friday. All stores are going to be shuttered for good, although four — in New York City, London, Sydney, and its Redmond campus — will be turned into experience centers that don’t sell products.

What we’re Into!

Slymer Refined Live Resin

Rowan and Martin’s laugh-in

Seinfeld on Hulu

Reunited Apart

Johnny Carson episodes

This week: we bring you a huge list of great iOS 14 features Apple DID NOT mention on-stage at WWDC 20, and there’s a lot to love. Plus: why iOS 14's new Home screen widgets aren't as powerful as you might think, and get ready to log into websites with Face ID or Touch ID.

This episode supported by

CleanMyMac X is an all in one utility that takes care of your Mac's health: it’s a macOS cleaner, a performance monitor, a malware remover, and occasionally, a lifesaver. And until July 5th, you can go to macpaw.com/cultofmac to get CleanMyMac X with a 30% discount.

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

iOS 14's new Home screen widgets aren't as powerful as you might think

• Widgets in iOS 14 currently offer little more than a tiny snippet of useful information. They can display weather conditions, upcoming appointments, items on your to-do list, and what you’re listening to. But Apple doesn’t make them (or allow them to be) interactive like Google does.

macOS Big Sur

• One of the most significant redesigns since Yosemite 6 years ago. Almost everything has changed.
• macOS now looks a lot like iOS
• All-new sounds. Trash sound different. Move files sounds different.
• Translucent menu bar with new icons
• All-new icons for drives and folders
• Dock has been redesigned with a note iOS-type feel
• Icons for Apple’s apps are now square, like their iOS counterparts
• Message notifications now give much more information
• The icons used in open folders look those those in iOS
• Popup menus are translucent and have new buttons
• New control toggle in the menu bar that brings up icons for Wi-Fi-, Bluetooth, brightness and sound, just like the control panel on your iPhone or iPad
• Maps and messages now look and feel just like the iPhone versions.

iOS 14 hidden features

• Double or triple tap back to activate shortcut
• Widget stacks let you use the same space for up to 10 different widgets. You can swipe through them.
• Smart stack widget uses on device AI to show the right widget based on factors like time, location, and activity.
• Battery notification lets you know when you need to charge your AirPods, or when your Apple Watch has been charged
• Hide home screen pages you’re not using
• Picture in picture will let you watch a video while using another app, but you can also use it for FaceTime, so you can see your caller while doing something else
• • And just like on the iPad, you can move the picture off screen but still hear the audio.
• You probably remember you can have pinned conversations in messages. But did you know can have up to nine pinned conversations and they will sync across Messages in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
• • In group messages conversations, people can now @ your name to speak directly to you, and you can set your notifications to only ping when someone @’s you.
• Memoji get new hairstyles, new face coverings, new headwear, and accurate facial movements
  • More age options
  • "Six new age options let you customize your look whether you’re baby-faced, in your golden years, or somewhere in between.”

FaceTime

• FaceTime can make video calling more natural by helping you establish eye contact even when you’re looking at the screen instead of the camera.
• FaceTime delivers improved video quality with up to 1080p resolution on supported devices

Camera

• Time to first shot is now 25% quicker
• You can now lock an exposure compensation value for photos and videos for an entire camera session while separately locking camera focus and exposure for a specific shot.
• You can now capture QuickTake video in Photo mode on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.

Weather

• Stay informed about severe weather events19 and learn about upcoming shifts in weather, so you know if it will be significantly warmer, colder, or wetter the next day.
• In the U.S. you can see a chart that shows a minute‑by‑minute forecast of precipitation intensity over the next hour.

Health

• New hearing features help you understand how loud you’re listening to media through headphones and how that could impact your hearing over time.

Maps

• Maps now routes cyclists along bike lanes, bike paths, and bike-friendly roads. Preview the elevation for your ride, check how busy a street is, and set routes to avoid steep inclines or stairs.
• Maps lets you know when you’re approaching speed cameras and red-light cameras along your route.
• In the translate app, you can view your recent history and save phrases that you just translated as favorites.

Siri

• 20x more facts
• You can now ask Siri for cycling directions.
• While navigating with Apple Maps, you can ask Siri to share your ETA with a contact.

Car Keys

• Even when your iPhone battery runs low, you’ll be able to access and start your vehicle for up to five hours.

Photos

• You can sort any of your albums, including Shared Albums, by oldest or newest first.

Notes

• Draw lines, arcs, and shapes, including hearts, stars, and arrows. Pause slightly at the end, and your imperfect shape snaps into a perfect one.
• Collapse or expand your pinned notes list.

AirPods

• Adjust your AirPods audio to account for hearing differences. Headphone Accommodations amplifies soft sounds and can tune for your individual hearing, to help music, phone calls, and more sound crisp and clear.
• Connect two sets of AirPods to your Apple TV 4K so you can enjoy movies and shows with someone else without disturbing others.11

Privacy

• Easily switch to Sign in with Apple when logging in to participating apps. You’ll keep the account you already use, but have one less password to keep track of.
• Share only your approximate location rather than your exact location with apps— perfect for apps like local news or weather.
• iOS will display an indicator whenever an app is using the mic or camera, both in the app and in Control Center.

Get ready to log into websites with Face ID or Touch ID | Cult of Mac

• Safari users soon will be able to securely log into websites using Face ID and Touch ID. The new feature, which Apple is rolling out in iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and macOS Big Sur, should take away one of the most irritating things about using the web — remembering, and then typing in, user names and complicated passwords.

This episode: We react to all our favorite WWDC 2020 announcements! And there's a whole lot to discuss.

This episode supported by

CleanMyMac X is an all in one utility that takes care of your Mac's health: it’s a macOS cleaner, a performance monitor, a malware remover, and occasionally, a lifesaver. And until July 5th, you can go to macpaw.com/cultofmac to get CleanMyMac X with a 30% discount.

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.

This week: we talk our WWDC 2020 hardware and software predictions, and there’s A LOT to say. Plus: a new leak details a next generation iPhone with dual displays; the new 5600M MacBook Pro GPU is a absolute MONSTER; and Apple’s back-to-school promo is back for the summer, but with an interesting twist...

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

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Set your reminder for Monday’s keynote via WWDC’s YouTube livestream link

• Apple has posted the YouTube live stream link that will allow viewers to tune into its WWDC 2020 keynote next week.
• The June 22 event will kick off at 10am PT/1pm ET, streaming directly from Apple Park. This is the second time Apple has streamed a Special Event on YouTube, following last year’s iPhone unveiling.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEZhD3J89ZE&feature=emb_title

Redesigned iMacs to iOS 14: Everything we expect to see at WWDC 2020

• Apple execs won’t get to feed off the usual live audience’s energy during next Monday’s WWDC 2020 keynote, but doesn’t mean there’s nothing to get excited about.

Apple’s first foldable phone could feature 2 displays joined by hinges

• Apple’s “foldable” iPhone will use dual displays to get around the foldable screen problem that plagues other folding phones like Samsung’s beleaguered Galaxy Fold, claims Apple leaker Jon Prosser.

16-inch MacBook Pro gets more powerful AMD 5600M graphics option

• Apple has updated its 16-inch MacBook Pro buying options by offering the new Radeon Pro 5600M mobile GPU. This joins the existing Radeon Pro 5300M and 5500M GPU options for the MacBook Pro.

Apple offers college students free AirPods along with deals on Mac and iPad

• Summer is just starting but Apple is already thinking back-to-school. College students and teachers can save up to $200 on a MacBook or iMac. Or up to $100 on iPads. And get a pair of AirPods gets thrown in for free.