This week:

• Apple spills ‘realityOS’ again as new AR/VR headset inches closer!
• Don't expect FaceID in your Mac ANYTIME soon...
• Apple’s new Tap to Pay feature lets your iPhone accept contactless payments with ZERO additional hardware
• Absolutely vile: Devs react to Apple’s 27% cut of third-party payments

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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

Apple spills ‘realityOS’ again as new AR/VR headset inches closer

• Another reference to Apple’s unreleased “realityOS” operating system leaked Wednesday in new open source code. It suggests the company’s highly anticipated mixed-reality headset is inching closer to its public debut.

Apple considered Face ID for M1 iMac, but it’s not ready for MacBook yet

• Apple considered bringing Face ID to the M1 iMac, which would have been an ideal candidate for the facial recognition technology, according to a new report.

Apple’s new Tap to Pay feature lets iPhone accept contactless payments

• iPhones are about to become cash registers!

Absolutely vile: Devs react to Apple’s 27% cut of third-party payments

• Dutch regulators — and those in other countries - have been pushing for third-party payments. They have ruled it must accept third-party payments, but they have not stated how much Apple can charge for apps and subscriptions it does not process.

Add ports to your M1 Mac with a Satechi USB-C Multiport MX Adapter [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Cal Digit's new Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a beast

This week:

• iOS 15.4 beta lets you use Face ID while wearing a mask
• iOS 15.4 allows third-party apps to use 120Hz ProMotion on iPhone 13 Pro
• Fun new emoji coming in iOS 15.4 will let you salute, melt and tear up
• Mini-LED iMac Pro launch might slip to summer
• Hey Siri, darken the sunroof glass in my Apple Car

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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

iOS 15.4 beta lets you use Face ID while wearing a mask

• Face ID in iOS 15.4 will let users unlock their iPhones while wearing a mask. The system will simply scan "unique features around the eye area to authenticate," Apple says.

iOS 15.4 allows third-party apps to use 120Hz ProMotion on iPhone 13 Pro

• Apple’s new iOS 15.4 beta eliminates a bug that prevents third-party apps from using iPhone 13 Pro’s super-smooth ProMotion feature.

Mini-LED iMac Pro launch might slip to summer

• The new iMac Pro with a mini-LED display rumored to launch this-coming spring might not come along so soon. It now looks more likely to show up sometime during the summer, display analyst Ross Young said Monday.

Add ports to your M1 Mac with a Satechi USB-C Multiport MX Adapter - Giveaway

• Cult of Mac is giving away two USB-C Multiport MX Adapters from Satechi. This adapter allows you to experience the full potential of your M1 Mac with multitudes of data ports using just a single USB-C port.

How to download Wordle to your device so it stays free forever

• When word went out that The New York Times bought Wordle, panic struck for lots of people who play the popular game. Will the Times ruin Wordle by placing it behind a paywall? (The Times charges for other games.)

This week:

• Apple readies its ‘widest array’ of new products ever for this fall
• Better, faster iMac Pro and Mac mini could reach shelves this spring
• iPad Pro with speedy Apple M2 processor on course for fall 2022
• Apple Maps erects gigantic digital wall to hide Tim Cook’s house

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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

Apple readies its ‘widest array’ of new products ever for this fall

• Apple is preparing to launch the “widest array” of new products in its history, according to a new report. This fall is expected to bring new iPhone models, a more affordable MacBook Pro, and big refreshes for iMac and Mac Pro.

Better, faster iMac Pro and Mac mini could reach shelves this spring

• Add faster versions of the Mac mini to the list of products predicted for an spring 2022 Apple event. The tiny desktop will supposedly be upgraded with the latest Apple processors.

Win an Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker and stop losing things [Cult of Mac giveaway]

iPad Pro with speedy Apple M2 processor on course for fall 2022

• The next generation of iPad Pro will fittingly have Apple’s next-generation processor, the M2. At least according to a generally reliable tipster.

Apple Maps erects gigantic digital wall to hide Tim Cook’s house

• If you find yourself taking a virtual stroll through Palo Alto inside Apple Maps and Google Maps, you're no longer going to see Tim Cook’s house. The modern, four-bedroom condo has had a giant digital wall erected right in front of it.

Turns out it's not that hard to get Apple or Google to erase your house from their maps - we've got a how-to!

This week:

• Apple could scrap 13-inch MacBook Pro, bring 5G to 10.2-inch iPad in 2022
• 13-MacBook Pro’s days are numbered
• 10.2-inch iPad to get 5G, new MacBook Air this year
• Mac Pro with faster M1 chip to complete Apple silicon transition in 2022
• Eurasian filings reveal new iPhone and iPad coming soon
• Apple education store now requires Unidays and only 1 device per 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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

Apple could scrap 13-inch MacBook Pro, bring 5G to 10.2-inch iPad in 2022

• Apple will scrap the 13-inch MacBook Pro this year after introducing a new 14-inch model with a next-generation “M2” chip, one tipster claims.

Mac Pro with faster M1 chip to complete Apple silicon transition in 2022

• Apple will introduce a new Mac Pro with an upgraded M1 chipset by the end of the year to complete its Apple silicon transition, according to a tipster.

Win an Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker and stop losing things [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you live in a big city, you likely suffered the misfortune of having something stolen. Maybe thieves swiped your bike, motorcycle, car or backpack.

Eurasian filings reveal new iPhone and iPad coming soon

• The Eurasian Economic Commission confirmed that Apple plans to release a new iPhone and iPad in the near future. The devices appear in the online database of the regulatory agency.

Apple education store now requires Unidays and only 1 device per year

• The legendary Apple education discount loophole, now closed!

This week:

• iPhone 14 Pro could pack strange ‘hole + pill’ screen cutout to replace notch
• Apple continues testing multiple folding iPhone prototypes
• Apple’s first headset could be 3 years ahead of rivals in computing power
• Apple VR headset won’t create a full metaverse
• Apple’s fancy Polishing Cloth is finally back in stock
• Apple loses head of Mac chip design to Intel

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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

iPhone 14 Pro could pack strange ‘hole + pill’ screen cutout to replace notch

• It was previously believed that Apple would use a hole punch cutout, like a lot of rival smartphone makers. Then that changed to a pill-shaped camera cutout. Now, one analyst, who has proven reliable in the past, says we should expect both. “We now believe Apple will have a hole + pill design on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models,” tweeted Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, on Wednesday. “The smaller hole will not be invisible.”

Apple continues testing multiple folding iPhone prototypes

• Word that the iPhone-maker continues working on folding handset comes from Dylandkt in a thread on Twitter: "For those who are curious about a foldable iPhone, Apple is definitely working and testing multiple prototypes that contain foldable displays. Too many compromises still exist with foldable display technology though.

Apple’s first headset could be 3 years ahead of rivals in computing power

• Apple’s first mixed-reality headset will ship with the same 96W power adapter that you get with some 14-inch MacBook Pro models, according to an analyst, who says that’s proof the device will pack plenty of computing power.

Apple VR headset won’t create a full metaverse

• While Apple is creating a VR headset, it’s reportedly not developing a complete virtual world for users. It plans on virtual reality games, video and other experiences. But these supposedly won‘t be connected into a single VR metaverse.

Apple’s fancy Polishing Cloth is finally back in stock

• Sick of sticky smudges all over your Apple devices? The company’s pricey Polishing Cloth is now back in stock for those who didn’t get a chance to buy one before it quickly sold out last fall.

GIVEAWAY

Win a Journey 3 in 1 Wireless Charging Station for all your Apple gear [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Apple loses head of Mac chip design to Intel – erfon

• The person responsible for overseeing the transition from Intel to Apple silicon left the company. Jeff Wilcox was Director, Mac System Architecture before his departure.

This week: Gurman's back at it laying out what we can expect Apple to release in 2022, plus new intel on AirPods Pro V2, a new cheaper Pro XDR Display, and we'll show you our favorite tech from CES 2022!

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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

Gurman: iPhone 14 Models Without Notch, Redesigned MacBook Air With M2 Chip, and More to Launch in 2022

• In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated his expectations for new Apple products in 2022, including the iPhone 14 series, a redesigned MacBook Air with an M2 chip, an iPad Pro with wireless charging, and more.

Redesigned AirPods Pro 2 will support high-quality lossless audio

• Apple will launch a second generation of AirPods Pro in the fall, according to an analyst who’s also a reliable tipster. The upgraded earbuds allegedly will offer better sound than the current version, via support for lossless audio. And there reportedly will be other changes, too, including a new design.

Apple’s next desktop monitor could cost half the price of Pro Display XDR

• Apple’s next desktop monitor won’t be cheap, but it could be significantly less expensive than the high-end Pro Display XDR, according to a new report.

Apple wins race to $3 trillion market cap

• Apple just became the first publicly traded U.S. company to be valued at a whopping $3 trillion. AAPL stock topped out at $182.88 a share Monday before dropping slightly, bringing the market cap back below the $3 trillion milestone.

Win a Journey 3 in 1 Wireless Charging Station for all your Apple gear [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• The holidays are finally over, and if you were lucky enough to receive an Apple Watch, iPhone or AirPods as gifts, this latest giveaway is for you. Journey, a maker of innovative consumer electronics, is giving three lucky winners its 3 in 1 Wireless Charging Station. Comes in black or white, retails for $99.99 -- they are also having a 30% off sale right now.

CES products

This smart collar wants to be your dog’s Apple Watch

• Most canine trackers use accelerometers and GPS sensors, but Invoxia has gone further with its new collar. The company, which makes a variety of location trackers, said it worked with board-certified veterinary cardiologists to develop deep-learning artificial intelligence (AI) that relies on miniaturized radar sensors for health readings.

Targus backpack uses Apple Find My without AirTag

• You won‘t have to attach an AirTag tracker to the upcoming Targus Cypress Hero Backpack to locate it because it’ll have Apple’s Find My tracking technology built in.

Schlage rolls out first smart lock in US to support Apple Home Key

• Schlage introduced the first smart lock in North America to support Apple Home Key — the Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt — on Tuesday at CES 2022.

Samsung beats Apple to truly wireless charging over Wi-Fi waves

• Despite Apple’s lengthy and ongoing efforts to deliver much-improved charging technologies, archrival Samsung has beaten Cupertino in the race for truly wireless charging. Except you won’t find it in a smartphone … yet.

This week: Apple is about to COMPLETE their move to Apple silicon, which means we're in for an EXPLOSION of new hardware in 2022, including an iMac "Pro", redesigned MacBook Air, new iPads, new Mac Pro, and new Mac Mini "Pro"!

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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

This week's stories

What to expect from iMac in 2022

• 2022 could be the year Apple takes iMac to the next level. Various leaks point to an iMac Pro with a blazing-fast processor and a beautiful screen.

What to expect from MacBook Air and the M2 processor in 2022

• The 2022 MacBook Air will reportedly look different even at first glance, with the classic tapered design being replaced with a squarer casing reminiscent of the 2021 MacBook Pro, but even slimmer. The more svelte design will supposedly still have room for a pair of USB-C ports as well as MagSafe charging, though. And it’ll allegedly be available in the same range of colors as the 2021 iMac.

What to expect from iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini and basic iPad in 2022

• Apple won‘t let the iPad languish in 2022. Most notably, some big improvements are reportedly coming to the display and charging capabilities of the iPad Pro line.

Win a Koala 2.0 iPhone harness from Hangtime [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you like epic adventures, you are going to want to enter our latest giveaway. Cult of Mac is giving away six Koala 2.0 iPhone harnesses from Hangtime to three lucky winners. This super-grip harness is the smartphone leash for life on the go.

Apple hires Meta AR comms chief for its rumored headset launch

• Apple reportedly hired Meta’s AR communications chief recently, a move that fits with Cupertino’s long-rumored plan to launch an augmented reality/virtual reality headset.

This week: we've got our bet look yet at Apple's upcoming mixed reality AR headset, but do Apple fans care!? Plus: we reveal even more picks from our list of Gear 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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

Apple’s first AR/VR headset might look like ski goggles

• Concept artist Ian Zelbo took the rumors about an upcoming Apple augmented reality and virtual reality headset and turned them into a possible design for a product that could be unveiled in 2022.

TSA will accept Apple Wallet’s digital IDs from February 2022

• When Apple unveiled digital IDs for the Wallet app at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, the plan was to launch it sometime this year, with the TSA being its first supporter. Unfortunately, like a number of new additions to iOS 15, Apple later delayed the rollout.

Crime-busting mom tracks down Christmas decoration thief with AirTags

• A Texas woman put Apple AirTags on her outdoor Christmas inflatables in case they were stolen. And when they were, she was able to use the item trackers to easily find them.

This week: we're talking iPhone 14 Pro with 48 Megapixels and 8K video! Plus: we reveal more of our picks for Gear 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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

iPhone 14 Pro could pack 48-megapixel camera and 8GB of RAM

• Camera updates could again be a big reason to upgrade to the newest iPhone lineup next year, with Apple expected to pack new 48-megapixel sensors — by far its biggest to date — into iPhone 14 Pro.

Apple building smaller, more affordable alternatives to Pro Display XDR

• Apple is currently building two smaller, more affordable alternatives to its 32-inch Pro Display XDR, according to one leaker. The company is also said to be working on a new high-end display with a built-in A13 chipset.

Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss on making The Matrix Awakens with Epic Games

Win a Wacom Intuos Pro creative pen tablet [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• We're giving away one of these $300 tablets. If you fancy yourself an artist, this giveaway is for you. Cult of Mac is giving one lucky winner an Intuos Pro tablet with pen from Wacom, the global leader in the pen display and tablet market. You can connect it via Bluetooth or USB to your Mac (or PC), and use it to draw, paint or retouch photos.

Gear of the year, part 3!

RadWagon 4 cargo bike

AirTags!

LG C1 OLED TV

This week: get your wallet ready, cause Apple has some BIG releases planned for 2022! Plus: we reveal our Gear 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 13, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CarryCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

SNAP’S FIRST AR SPECTACLES ARE AN AMBITIOUS, IMPRACTICAL START

Apple has big plans for 2022, including iPad Pro and MacBook Air overhauls

• Apple reportedly plans ambitious upgrades for a number of its hottest products in 2022, including major revamps for iPad Pro and MacBook Air — as well as an Apple silicon boost for the Mac Pro. Mac mini is also expected to see a refresh.

Samsung could make iPhone 14’s first ‘hole punch’ displays

• Apple made iPhone’s notch slightly smaller this year with iPhone 13. However, it remains a rather unsightly cutout that continues to be noticeable when watching fullscreen videos, playing games, and more. That could change in 2022.

Win a Wacom Intuos Pro creative pen tablet [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you fancy yourself an artist, this giveaway is for you. Cult of Mac is giving one lucky winner an Intuos Pro tablet with pen from Wacom, the global leader in the pen display and tablet market. You can connect it via Bluetooth or USB to your Mac (or PC), and use it to draw, paint or retouch photos.

Gear of the Year, Part 2

iPhone 13 Pro!

Winmau Dart Dock!

Synology DS1520+ NAS