This week: A huge lineup of new Apple products is coming our way. We’ll tell you what we know... Plus: how is Apple doing under Tim Cook’s leadership? We dare to ask the question. And if you thought AppleTV+ felt a little dry on content, Apple’s got a plan for that—buying one of the industries biggest movie studios. WE DISCUSS.

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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

The biggest surprises from Apple’s shockingly good earnings report

• The first Apple earnings report of 2020 was a smashing success that shattered most of Apple’s previous records. Thanks to shockingly strong iPhone sales and a surging wearables business that is bigger than the Mac and the iPad, Apple managed to surpass even the most optimistic expectations.

AirPods Pro supply problems couldn’t stop Apple’s surging wearables business

• When Apple reported an all-time record for quarterly revenue Tuesday, it got a big boost from one of its smallest products: the AirPods Pro.

Kuo: Huge 2020 lineup of new Apple products brings AirPower alternative

• A new report says major new hardware products are headed our way, including a 4.7-inch LCD iPhone, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro/Air, smaller wireless charging mat, UWB tag, and a high-end Bluetooth headphones.

DoubleTake is a video app that lets you shoot with 2 cameras

• A new iOS app lets users simultaneously record video using multiple iPhone cameras. DoubleTake is created by the makers of popular camera app Filmic Pro.

Buying MGM could prove crucial to Apple TV+ growth

• Apple is reportedly in talks to buy MGM, which would bring a catalogue of classic and modern movies to the iPhone maker’s streaming video service.

This week: it’s not your imagination, Apple changed AirPods Pro and it made them worse—we’ll tell you what’s going on… Plus: a new report says Apple caved to FBI pressure to keep your iCloud backups less safe. And stay tuned to hear about about Tim Cook’s favorite new… shower tech? Rub a dub dub yaaaaaaaall!

And stick around for our favorite new Netflix shows and crack pipes in an all-new What We're Into.

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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 / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Apple reportedly dropped iCloud encryption plans amid FBI pressure

• Apple ditched plans to let users fully encrypt backups of their devices using iCloud, a new report by Reuters claims. Apple reportedly made the decision after the FBI complained that this would make it harder to carry out future investigations.

AirPods Pro noise cancellation spoiled by firmware updates, users say

• A growing number of users say their buds aren’t blocking out background noise as effectively as they once did. And testing confirms that to be the case.

Now you can shower like Tim Cook without getting soaked

• Nebia, the eco-friendly shower head company adored by Tim Cook, unveiled a new version of its shower system today. Unlike the previous two-generations, this one is priced to sell.

What We're Into!

Messiah

Mind Hunter

Doomsday Preppers

Another Life

Pax 3 vaporizer crack pipe

This week: Apple is working on a way to make your existing MacBook Pro far more powerful—we’ll tell you everything we know. Plus: get your wallet ready! Apple is getting ready to release the portable MacBook Pro you’ve been waiting for. And we’ll tell you why Apple may soon be forced ditch Lighting in their iPhones and iPads.

And stick around for our spoiler-free review of the full first season of SEE!

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

Unreleased ‘Pro Mode’ may bring performance boost to MacBooks

• Apple is working on a new software feature for macOS that can crank Macs’ processing powers into overdrive.

Mystery MacBook spilled in new filing ahead of release

• Apple has filed for approval of a new MacBook ahead of its official debut. A listing in the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) database reveals a model number of “A2289.” Its description confirms it is a portable Mac.

EU Parliament debates forcing Apple to kill the Lightning port

• The European Parliament will soon vote on whether to require all phones, tablets and other mobile devices to use a single type of charger. If passed, this could force Apple to abandon its proprietary Lighting port in future iPhones.

US Attorney General demands Apple unlock Pensacola shooter’s iPhones

• Apple could be headed for another collision course with U.S. federal law enforcement, similar to the spat it had with the FBI over creating backdoors into iOS.

Dave Bautista battles onto next season of See

• Jason Momoa was the big star of the first season of See on Apple TV+, but he’s reportedly being joined by Dave Bautista, perhaps best known for playing Drax the Destroyer in the Guardians of the Galaxy series.

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