The CultCast

This week: we got some big last-minute changes coming to iPhone 15 Pro, plus we finally have some intel on the changes coming to iOS 17! And we pitch our favorite new podcast, food, and shows in an all-new Under Review!

This episode supported by

With top-tier build quality, range up to 42 miles, and speeds up to 28 mph, the Lectric XP 3.0 is one of the best values in e-bikes. Check out the XP 3.0 and Lectric’s other great bikes at lectricebikes.com.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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

6 ways to avoid ‘juice jacking’ at public iPhone charging stations

  • Cybersecurity experts warn that bad actors can load malware onto public USB charging stations to maliciously access electronic devices while they are being charged. Malware installed through a corrupted USB port can lock a device or export personal data and passwords directly to the perpetrator. Criminals can then use that information to access online accounts or sell it to other bad actors.

iOS 17 Rumored to Improve Search, Dynamic Island, Control Center, and More

iPhone 15 Pro’s rumored solid-state buttons reportedly shelved

Direct download: cultcast_590.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:37am PDT

This week: M2 Mac mini, the mini monster! We've got our full review for you. Plus: Apple's praying their headset will replace your iPhone, and BIG watchOS changes are incoming!

This episode supported by

Mylio Photos is a smart and powerful cross-platform system for managing a lifetime of memories... Get 30% off your first year of Mylio when you sign up for an annual plan at mylio.com/CULTCAST.

Hello Fresh is America's #1 food kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/cultcast50 and use code cultcast50 for 50% off, plus your first box ships free!”

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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

kuo: Apple's AR/VR Headset Announcement is 'Last Hope' for Persuading Investors It Will Be the Next 'Star Product'

  • Apple's announcement event is likely the last hope for convincing investors that the AR/MR headset device could have a chance to be the next star product in consumer electronics," Kuo wrote in a Medium article estimating upcoming virtual reality headset sales from Sony and Meta.

Justin ‘I’m a Mac’ Long now advertises Intel PCs

Best value computer for sale today, the M2 Pro Mac mini review

Enter to win a magnetic iPad stand with built-in wireless charger [Cult of Mac giveaway]

“The new watchOS should be a fairly extensive upgrade”

Steve Jobs’ Make Something Wonderful comes out April 11 (for free)

  • The Steve Jobs Archive’s first major release — a digital book titled Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in his own words — will arrive April 11.

 

Direct download: cultcast_589.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:58pm PDT

This week: our WWDC23 predictions, Apple’s headset is finally incoming, and even more dizzying examples of the unreal power of AI.

This episode supported by

Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today at Kolide.com/cultcast

With top-tier build quality, range up to 42 miles, and speeds up to 28 mph, the Lectric XP 3.0 is one of the best values in e-bikes. Check out the XP 3.0 and Lectric’s other great bikes at lectricebikes.com.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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

WWDC23 kicks off June 5 with online event

  • The official invitation to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2023 went out Wednesday, confirming we’ll get our first look at what’s on the company’s near-term agenda on June 5. Apple promises WWDC23 will bring an opportunity “to learn the latest about Apple platforms, technologies, and tools.”

 

WWDC23 invite might hint at Apple VR headset

  • The colorful image Apple used Wednesday to invite developers to WWDC23 set off speculation that it’s a hint that the company’s long-awaited VR/AR headset will be unveiled at the June event.

 

Apple VR headset production reportedly pushed back again

 

15 new features in iOS 16.4 you should try right away

  • Once you install iOS 16.4, the biggest point release of iOS 16 so far, check out these 15 features to try right away — including the new “high five emoji” combo.

 

How to enable Voice Isolation for iPhone calls in iOS 16.4

 

First ChatGPT-generated app hits the App Store

  • 5 Movies, likely the first iPhone app generated almost entirely by ChatGPT, was approved by Apple and published on the App Store late Thursday night.

 

Wozniak, Musk and leading researchers urge pause on ‘out of control’ AI dev

  • A new open letter signed by tech leaders urges a six-month pause on development of advanced artificial intelligence applications that may pose “profound risks to society and humanity.”

 

This viral ‘photo’ of the pope in a puffer jacket fooled the internet. How can we spot AI deepfakes?

Direct download: cultcast_588.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:00pm PDT

This week: more details on the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro leak, Apple's about to make a big push into movie theaters, and we review the astounding accuracy of the newest generation of AI image creation.

This episode supported by

Protect your online activity TODAY with the VPN rated #1 by Business Insider. Visit ExpressVPN.com/cultcast to get an extra 3 months FREE on a one-year package.

Mylio Photos is a smart and powerful cross-platform system for managing a lifetime of memories... Get 30% off your first year of Mylio Phtoos when you sign up for an annual plan at mylio.com/CULTCAST.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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

Voice Isolation for phone calls finally coming to iPhone

  • The Voice Isolation feature iPhone users have become accustomed to in video chats will soon expand to regular phone calls. It will make participants in these voice calls easier to understand.

 

iPhone 15 Pro Max to 'Break Record' for Thinnest Bezels on a Smartphone - erfon

  • The largest version of the iPhone 15 reportedly will come with the smallest screen bezels. Like, record-breaking thin.

 

Let’s hope the latest iPhone 15 leak is wrong

  • The traditional mute switch on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max supposedly will be replaced with a static, touch-sensitive button. If true, it’s possible this will be too easy to activate so users don’t get the notifications they expect.

 

Enter to win a versatile selfie stick that does it all [Cult of Mac giveaway] - Lewis, aka the Giveaway King

  • Two lucky winners have a chance to win an EasySelfie Stick, a not-so-ordinary selfie stick from SwitchEasy, in this week’s giveaway.

 

Incredibly clever selfie stick does triple duty as tripod and remote [Reviews]

Apple might pour $1 billion into movies for theatrical release

  • Apple reportedly hopes to make a big splash at your local movie theater in the very near future. The company supposedly will spend $1 billion to make films for the big screen.

 

The astounding power of Midjourney 5

Direct download: cultcast_587.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:46pm PDT

This week: Apple's prepping a new HomePod with a 7" touchscreen, plus: Apple might enter the AI game, and TC order headset release as designers warn it's not ready!

This episode supported by

Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today at Kolide.com/cultcast

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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 working on a HomePod with 7-inch display for 2024

  • Apple could launch its first smart display as soon as next year. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is preparing a HomePod with a 7-inch display for H1 2024.

 

Tim Cook approves AR headset’s 2023 launch despite opposition from Apple design team

  • Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly sided with COO Jeff Williams to launch the company’s AR/VR headset this year, despite the fact that Cupertino’s design team wanted to wait a few more years to launch a sleeker pair of AR glasses.

 

Enter to win a versatile selfie stick that does it all [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Report: Apple to 'Re-Examine' AI Development

  • Apple is planning to "re-examine" its development of artificial intelligence, according to Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes.

 

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse wins Oscar for Apple TV+

  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave Apple TV+ its latest Oscar win, this time for The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. It is hand-drawn animation, and it therefore took home the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.

 

Apple Music Classical finally makes its debut performance

  • A preview of Apple Music Classical appeared Thursday on the App Store. When available, the app will offer access to the world’s largest classical music catalog, with more than

 

Direct download: cultcast_586.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:42pm PDT

This week: a new iMac and (M3!) MacBook Airs are incoming! Plus: new yellow iPhone 14s, new details on iPhone 15 Pro, and we compare Apple Mail vs the newly FREE Microsoft Outlook!

This episode supported by

Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today at Kolide.com/cultcast

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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 launches yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, plus new case colors

  • Apple rolled out yellow versions of its iPhone 14 and 14 Plus handsets Tuesday as part of a typical midcycle refresh. The new color joins midnight, starlight, Product(Red), blue and purple in the lineup. Apple made four new silicone case colors available, too.

Brighten up your iPhone with new wallpaper coming with yellow iPhone 14

New multicolored Hermès Apple Watch band is $599 of unicorn vomit

Apple Readies Its Next Range of Macs, Including — Finally — a New iMac

13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air reportedly will use the M3 chip

  • Apple plans to use the entry-level variant of the M3 system-on-a-chip with an eight-core CPU in both models, according to 9to5Mac. Cupertino apparently does not plan on offering the 15-inch MacBook Air with a more powerful Pro variant of its 3nm chip.

Microsoft makes Outlook for Mac free for everyone

  • Microsoft no longer charges for Outlook for Mac. It’s free to use, no subscription fee required.

 

Direct download: cultcast_585.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:07pm PDT

This week:

All the best new features in the iOS 16.4 betas, plus: the new HomePod Vs the Original! Papa Erf has some surprising sound tests to discuss…

This episode supported by

Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today at Kolide.com/cultcast

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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 16.4 beta 1 & 2: All the new features and changes

Simple security hack keeps your iCloud account safe from iPhone thieves

A Basic iPhone Feature Helps Criminals Steal Your Entire Digital Life (The Wall Street Journal)

How Apple’s secret Exploratory Design Group makes magic happen

  • Few outside of Apple have ever heard of the company’s secretive Exploratory Design Group. However, the team includes many of Apple’s brightest minds — and is developing some of its most innovative products.

 

HomePod 2: Does it sound better or worse than the original?

  • The CultCast host Erfon Elijah finally got our hands on the coveted HomePod 2 speakers. He put the 2023 model head-to-head with the 2018 model the way it’s meant to be enjoyed: in a stereo pair.

 

Enter to win a high-end backpack from Harber London [Cult of Mac giveaway]

  • We’re giving one lucky person the chance to win a lavish Commuter Backpack from Harber London in this week’s giveaway. This spacious, 17-liter backpack retails for $234.

iMessage is coming to Windows … kind of

  • People never thought it would happen. People didn’t think it was possible. But in an update to Windows 11, you will be able to send and receive iMessages and manage your notifications through a PC.

 

Direct download: cultcast_584.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:44pm PDT

This week:

We've got our first look at iPhone 15 and the secret new color coming to iPhone 15 Pro. Plus: Apple's prepping a world changing feature for Apple Watch.

This episode supported by

Save 50% on a Dashlane subscription with code cultofmac50!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

The Lectric XP 3.0 is a compact but powerful folding eBike you can take anywhere! At just $999, with its 45 mile range and speeds up to 28 MPH, the XP 3.0 is one of the best eBike values on the market. Visit lectricebikes.com to learn more!

This week's stories

Leaked iPhone 15 CAD renders reveal bigger 6.2-inch display with Dynamic Island

  • 3D CAD renders of the 2023 iPhone 15 have leaked online, revealing all the design changes Apple is planning. This includes bringing the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island to the non-Pro iPhones this year.

TSMC’s entire 3nm chip output goes to Apple

  • Apple designs its own processors but they’re made by TSMC. And the foundry has been able to shrink the components of Apple’s chips every year or two, allowing them to work faster while generating less waste heat.

Enter to win a sturdy, folding iPad stand that rotates 360 degrees [Cult of Mac giveaway] - Lewis

  • This week’s giveaway will let five lucky winners get their hands on a convenient 360 Rotating Universal Tablet Stand from Lululook. Available in two sleek colors, space gray and silver, this rock-solid iPad stand will definitely complement your device.

Inside the secret mission to add glucose monitor to Apple Watch

  • Apple Watch is well-known as a health tracker, but a new report said a secret project dating back to Steve Jobs’ era — to use the wearable to monitor glucose without pricking the skin to get blood — has made headway recently. And that has major implications.

Why the Apple Watch might be banned from US import

  • A decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission to block Apple Watch imports reportedly received a go-ahead from the Biden administration.

 

Direct download: cultcast_583.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:35pm PDT

This week:

We roundup the features coming iPhone 15 Pro and Max! Plus: a new 15.5-inch MacBook is INCOMING, and don’t forget to update the software on your MagSafe cable!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

The Lectric XP 3.0 is a compact but powerful folding eBike you can take anywhere! At just $999, with its 45 mile range and speeds up to 28 MPH, the XP 3.0 is one of the best eBike values on the market. Visit lectricebikes.com to learn more!

This week's stories

What to expect from the redesigned, faster iPhone 15 in 2023

  • Apple has used the same basic iPhone chassis design for three years, and the company’s previous practices indicate it’s time for a change. A tipster says we can expect rounded edges in place of the current square ones. But no images or CAD drawings showing the exact changes have emerged yet.

 

Apple supposedly will use titanium in at least one of the Pro models. 15.5-inch MacBook Air could arrive in April

  • A super-size MacBook Air is supposedly right around the corner. An analyst who’s built a solid reputation for accurately predicting Apple products says the next macOS notebook will be out in six weeks or so.

 

We're giving away five 360 Rotating Universal Tablet Stand from Lululook.

  • Made of aluminum with a heavy-duty base, this stable tablet stand can hold everything from an iPad Pro to a iPhone (plus Android devices -- boo!).

 

Don’t forget to update the software on your MagSafe cable

  • Apple issued an important software update recently — and we’re not talking for iPhone, Mac, iPad or Apple Watch. It’s 2023, so it’s for something way more esoteric: a power cable.
  • Yes, the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable comes with a tiny computer inside of it that needs software updates, for some inscrutable reason.

 

King Charles coronation logo created by iPhone designer

  • The official logo for King Charles III's coronation, which will show up at street parties and on social media and souvenirs, has been revealed by Buckingham Palace.
  • It has been created by Sir Jony Ive, known for his innovative designs of Apple gadgets, including the iPhone.

 

Direct download: cultcast_582.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:22pm PDT

This week:

Details leak about iPhone ULTRA, a higher-end iPhone with a higher price! Plus, Apple execs reveal why they really ditched Intel...

This episode supported by

The Lectric XP 3.0 is a compact but powerful folding eBike you can take anywhere! At just $999, with its 45 mile range and speeds up to 28 MPH, the XP 3.0 is one of the best eBike values on the market. Visit lectricebikes.com to learn more!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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 launch an ‘Ultra’ high-end iPhone as soon as 2024

  • Apple’s Tim Cook told investors that consumers are willing to pay up for the best iPhone they can get, signaling that even more ritzy models may be on the way.

 

‘iPhone Ultra’ concept envisions what a titanium iPhone might look like

Exclusive: iPhone reverse wireless charging development continues after Apple missed target

Win a supreme stand that mounts your MagSafe iPhone anywhere [Cult of Mac giveaway]

  • This week’s giveaway will see three lucky winners receiving an Orbit Universal Magnetic Stand by SwitchEasy.The multifunctional stand works with any MagSafe-compatible iPhone. And it lets you mount that iPhone practically anywhere, from your desk to monitor to your car’s dash (thanks to the 3M sticker on the back).

 

Who will be Apple’s next Jony Ive? Nobody, apparently.

  • Apple reportedly stopped looking for a replacement industrial design chief. This is surprising, as it’s a high-profile position once held by Jony Ive, who led the team that created the iconic look of the iPhone, iMac and more.

 

Apple execs reveal what went wrong with Intel

  • What pulled Apple away from Intel? In a new interview, Apple executives Tim Millet and Bob Borchers reveal why the company shifted to making its own Mac chips.

 

Direct download: cultcast_581.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:10pm PDT