This week: Tim Cook strikes back! Ricky Gervais tore Apple a new one live at the Golden Globes, but TC always gets the last laugh... we discuss.

Plus: we round up the coolest, weirdest, and whackiest gadgets announced at the 2020 Consumer Electronics show.

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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 / @mistercharlie

This week's stories

Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais: Apple ‘runs sweatshops in China’

• * Apple’s first night at the Golden Globes didn’t go exactly as Tim Cook may have hoped — with none of the nominations for Apple TV+ show The Morning Show resulting in award wins. Adding insult to injury, returning host Ricky Gervais quipped that Apple used sweatshops to make its products. And even drew parallels to terrorist group ISIS.

Why Samsung will probably get away with ‘borrowing’ Face ID icon

• * Eagle-eyed viewers spotted something oddly familiar during Samsung’s CES keynote Monday. On a slide regarding Samsung Pass, its new biometric “identity management as-a-service” product, Samsung included a logo that looks (to be polite) “borrowed” from Apple’s Face ID.

Crock-Pot's latest slow cooker comes with Alexa voice control

• * Belkin has quietly unveiled a 6 quart Crock-Pot slow cooker with a new twist: you can control it with Amazon Alexa.

Segway’s S-Pod looks weird, but it’s a lot of fun to drive

• * Segway’s newest self-balancing vehicle is a strange egg-shaped S-Pod wheelchair.

PiBo is a robotic companion for single people

• * It can get lonely living on your own, especially when you've got a landlord that doesn't allow pets or roommates. That’s where PIBO comes in, a cute robotic companion robot from Korean developer, Circulus

Don’t worry: Impossible Foods is already working on fake bacon

• * Impossible Foods CEO Pat Brown has revealed that his company is working on a plant-based version of bacon.

This week: According to a new report, Apple is prepping a new super-charged GAMING Mac for WWDC! We discuss... Plus: full-screen TouchID will be replacing FaceID in a notch-less 2020 iPhone, at least according to a new rumor. And stick around for the second half where we reveal all our favorite apps of 2019!

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.

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 could eliminate iPhone’s notch and Face ID for 2020 flagship

• Apple could deliver a flagship iPhone without a notch in 2020, according to a new report.
• The device is expected to feature a new Touch ID fingerprint scanner integrated into its display — rather than Face ID. Its front-facing camera will also be hidden away behind its screen.
• Analysts at Credit Swiss believe Apple will release a high-end iPhone with Touch ID embedded within its screen in 2020. The technology will replace Face ID, allowing Apple to do away with the handset’s notch.

Why I’m not holding my breath for Apple’s rumored gaming Mac [Opinion]

• Apple is reportedly working on a new “gaming-focused” Mac that it will unveil at WWDC, a sketchy new rumor claims.
• This machine would cost up to $5,000 and be a Mac rival to gaming PCs. It would take aim at the fast growing “e-sports” market, which Apple has not previously catered to. Could such a machine turn Apple into a gaming powerhouse?

My 5 most-used apps this year

• For my job at Cult of Mac, I test a lot of apps. But of course, I also use a lot of apps, for work, for recreation, and for making music. I thought I’d make a short list of my most-used apps this year.

Our favorite apps of 2019!

• Beat maker 3 for iPad
• Launch Bar
• Just press record
• Brave Browser
• Ulysses writing app
• Darkroom photo editing for iPad
• Focos photo editing app
• Alfred 4
• TikTok
• Blind

This week: Apple is entering the space game with their own fleet of satellites... but why? Plus, we wrap up 2019 with our final picks for Best of the Year!

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

Apple exploring satellite network to beam data directly to iPhones

• Apple is building a larger research group to investigate ways to transmit data directly to iPhones and other devices, Bloomberg reported Friday.
• According to the report, Apple CEO Tim Cook has reportedly made the project a company priority.
• Apple is said to be hiring software, hardware, and aerospace engineers to find new methods of data transfer for the iPhone and other products. The goal is to reduce the dependence on traditional wireless carriers.

This week on The CultCast: From the hottest gift of 2019, to our favorite tech and travel locations, it's more of our picks for Best of the Year!

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

AirPods to hit quarterly sales of $4B, surpassing peak iPod sales

• AirPods is has grown into a massive business. How big?
• Last year, in Q4 2018, Apple Watch surpassed $4B quarterly in revenue in, overtaking the revenue earned during the best quarter of peak iPod sales, and now it looks like it may be AirPods‘ turn.
• Asymco published a research note this week estimates that AirPods could overtake the peak iPod revenue of $4 billion next quarter.
• Asymco also believes Apple will see over 50% growth year over year for Wearables.
• The research note also predicts a 51% increase y/y for Wearables and 24% growth in Watch. This results in a Watch revenues of about $5.2 billion.

This is your best shot at snagging AirPods Pro today

• Even though AirPods Pro are basically sold out everywhere, there’s still a chance you could snag a pair today. And with a simple Siri trick, Apple makes it easy for you to snag 2019’s hottest gift.
• If you absolutely want to get AirPods Pro by Christmas, and don’t want to pay a reseller a premium, here’s your best shot for finding a pair ASAP.

Apple joins rivals to create open standard for smart home devices

• Apple is teaming up with Amazon, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance to create a new open and royalty-free standard for smart home devices.
• Project “Connected Home over IP” aims to increase compatibility among smart home gadgets and make development easier for device manufacturers. It should also simplify smart technology for consumers
• This means it shouldn’t matter which smart home platform you’ve chosen to adopt; any and all smart home devices (in the future, at least) should work together seamlessly.

Get ahold of the hot new Cult of Mac book, V2.0!

This week on The CultCast: The new Mac Pro proves Apple’s still got it! We cover our first impressions, plus discuss some of the insane upgrades available for Apple’s new powerhouse Mac.

Plus, we reveal more of our favorite tech, shows, movies, and more in our Best of the Year, part 2!

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 XS, 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.

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

The Cult of Mac book giveaway!

Apple’s powerful Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR arrive at last

It costs $400 to add wheels to your new Mac Pro

• By default the Mac Pro ships with stainless steel feet. And that’s what you should stick with if your machine is going to be stationary most of the time. They look a lot better.
• But for a meager sum of just $400, Apple will install four wheels on the bottom of your Mac Pro that make it easier to cart around.

Apple doesn’t want you defiling Pro Display XDR’s special glass with a regular cloth

• Apple sure likes having its own proprietary version of things it doesn’t deem quite good enough.
• The same is true of the new Pro Display XDR with nano-texture glass for the Mac Pro. No, we’re not talking about the screen itself; but rather Apple’s insistence that you clean it using a special Apple-approved cleaning cloth. But there’s a good reason for it.

Best of the year, part 2!

• Choetech dual wireless charger
• Apple TV+
• Rodecaster Pro podcasting mixer
• Servant
• Roomba

This week: on the cusp of its release, authors Leander Kahney and David Pierini regale us with stories from their new book, The Cult of Mac 2.0, and we hear of the strange and often unbelievable lengths fans go through to celebrate their love of all things Apple.

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 Pro, 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.

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Steve Jobs, the opera 

Kansas fest, the world's largest gathering of nerds celebrating Apple, and swapping old software, hardware, and copies of Nibble magazine. 

The story of Alex Jason, a teen who used lawn-mowing money to build one of the most rare and impressive collections of Apple devices in existence.

Dmitry Lischina, a man who built a career pimping out the iPhones of the rich and fabulous 

Simon Pierro, a magician who weaved his iPad into his mesmerizering act

This week: another Apple event is coming December 2! We’ll tell you what to expect. Plus: the benchmarks prove it—the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is the powerful update we’ve all been waiting for. And, finally, it’s hard to admit, but Apple’s new Mac shows there may be some advantages to a post-Ive era. We discuss.

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 Pro, 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.

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Apple to host surprise event for apps and games on December 2

• Members of the press received surprise invitations from Apple this morning to attend a first-of-its-kind event to honor 2019’s top apps and games on December 2 in New York City.

16-inch MacBook Pro beats predecessors by overcoming thermal throttling

• The higher tier MBP has the same i9-9880H process as previous model.
• In a 30 minute stress test, Dave 2D measured the CPU average speed at 3.1Ghz where previous model was at 2.7GHz.
• Other stress tests show a similar result, the same CPU is about 10% faster in the 16-inch MBP.

13-inch MacBook Pro dropping horrible Butterfly keyboard

• The smaller MacBook Pro will reportedly be upgraded next year with a keyboard that users can trust, just as the new 16-inch version recently was.
• If true, it means the current 13-inch MacBook Pro will be the last with the infamous Butterfly keyboard.
• This improved version is supposedly scheduled for the first half of 2020.

How a Magic Keyboard made it into the new 16-inch MacBook Pro

• In a new interview, Apple marketing SVP Phil Schiller talked about redesigning Apple’s notebook keyboard. And whether or not the non-butterfly keyboard will make it to other Apple laptops anytime soon.

16-inch MacBook Pro shows the advantages of a post-Jony Ive Apple [Opinion]

• Now that Jonny’s stepping away, will Apple tempter the enthusiasm of the design team make their products more practical?

This week on The CultCast: everything you need to know about the new 16-inch MacBook Pro!  Plus our first impressions of this hot new machine...

And we discuss Disney+, and why it may beat Netflix and Amazon as the best streaming service available.

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 XS, 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.

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

16-inch MacBook Pro: MacBook is finally PRO again!

16-inch MacBook Pro wows writers in first hands-on reviews

• Apple finally unleashed its long-rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro on the world this morning, and according to some lucky people who got to play with it early, it was well worth the wait.

16-inch MacBook Pro surprises: No Wi-Fi 6, 720p webcam, 96W charger

• There are some interesting surprises with the 16-inch MacBook Pro that you won’t find in Apple’s press release. So we’ve rounded up the big ones here so you don’t miss anything before buying.

Top 40 tips that make you love the Touch Bar

• Once you get in touch with your Touch Bar, it turns out to have some genuinely useful time-saving features. Especially if you use apps that support it, like Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office. Here are 40 top Touch Bar tips.

Disney+ races past 10 million sign-ups in first day

• After launching on November 12, the Mickey Mouse company revealed this morning that it has already surpassed 10 million sign-ups, making the “millions” Apple TV+ pulled in during its first week look pretty weak.
• Demand for Disney+ exceeded even Disney’s highest expectations. Technical problems plagued the service on launch day as customers flooded servers to watch new shows like The Mandolorian, or old classics from Disney’s huge vault of content. Disney shares are up more than 3% on the news.

This week on The CultCast: SEE, Morning Show, For all Mankind—here are our reviews of Apple’s new TV shows—spoiler free! Plus: the one part of AppleTV+ that needs a total overhaul; and Apple’s new HomePod update includes a new hidden talent.

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.

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 XS, 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.

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Apple TV+ blesses us with highest-quality 4K streams

• Apple’s new service streams the highest-quality 4K content yet. Better than all the rest.
• That’s according to new tests that measure the bitrate of video streams. They reveal See has the highest bitrate so far, closely following by The Elephant Queen.
• See’s average bitrate of 29 Mbps, which can peak to 41 Mbps, is the highest measured so far. The Elephant Queen averages around 26 Mbps, while Dickinson peaks at around 24 Mbps.

Opinion: The worst part of Apple TV+ is the TV app

• The idea of the TV app, introduced in 2016, was to combine all the TV shows and movies from all of the apps and unify the viewing experience into a single interface, with a combined Up Next queue.

How to play relaxing, ambient sounds with your HomePod

• How about a nice, relaxing rainstorm to help you fall asleep? Or some white noise to fill the space left by your grownup children when they left you behind to start their own lives? If you have a HomePod running iOS 13.2 or later, your smart speaker stands ready to help blank out the soul-bleeding silence of your empty life. You just need to ask.