The CultCast
With 2015 nearly upon us, we pick our favorite tech, iOS apps, Mac apps, movies, and tv shows—everything that delighted us in 2014, on this very special, far too long, last-episode-of-the-2014 CultCast.
 
Thanks to lynda.com for supporting this episode. Learn to run your business better, become a photoshop ninja, learn how to create music with your iPad, and so much more.  Lynda now has over 4500 courses for you to choose from, and now they’re offering our listeners a 10 day free trial.  Learn all you want for free for 10 days, head on over to lynda.com/cultcast
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a huge thanks for much of the great music you hear in today's show.
 
On This Episode
Boostier Hhhheine - @bst3r
Erfon Elijah - @erfon
Adam Christianson - @maccast
 
 
And def. check out
 
Our fave Tech Products
 
Our fave Mac Apps
 
Our fave iOS Apps
 
Our fave iOS Games
 
Our fave Movies
 
Our fave Christmas Movies
 
Our Fave TV Shows
The Walking Dead 
Once Upon A Time
YoungArts Master Series
Game of Thrones
Breaking Bad
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

 

 

 

Your mom!
Direct download: CultCast_159_-_2014_Favorite_Stuff-A-Sode.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:18pm PDT

Merry CultCast boys and girls!  This week: Santa gets a little “grabby”; Apple wins a major lawsuit; our iPhones deserve "rollover" data plans; the incredibly low payouts artists get from Spotify; and the high-end gifts we really want but will never get on an all-new Get To Know Your Cultist.
 
Thanks to Audible for supporting this episode. Audible, the home of over 150,000 audio books from practically every genre in existence.  Grab Leander's book, Jony Ive: The Genius Behind Apple's Greatest Products, for FREE with a 30-day Audible trial.  The book is yours to keep even if you decide not to keep your Audible subscription.  Get started now at audiblepodcast.com/cultcast
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a huge thanks for all the great music you hear in today's show.
 
Announcement!
 
Join us for a live CultCast hangout on Saturday, December 20th, 1pm.  Just head to live.thecultcast.com
 
Links to this week’s stories
 
Apple wins at last: iTunes DRM was ‘genuine improvement,’ jury finds
 
T-Mobile’s Un-carrier 8.0 plan is rollover minutes for your data
 
Bose plans to take on Beats with its own music streaming service
 
The expensive Christmas gifts we’ll never get
 
Leander is drooling over this $16,000 road bike: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/performance_race/emonda/
 
Alex and Erfon want to find this $1300 Fuji X100T camera under their tree: http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x100t/
 
Buster wants the new $2000 full-frame A7 II from Sony:  http://www.wired.com/2014/11/sony-alpha-a7-mark-2/
 
This $3000 electric bicycle Erfon wants will have you blasting up hills like rocketman: http://www.currietech.com/eflowebikes/eflow-e3-nitro-l-4
 
Leander wants a 4K tele but needs to convince his wife:  
 
Erfon drove the BMW i3 at CES this year, and if can muster $40,0000 he’s gonna buy it: 
Direct download: CultCast_158_-_On_Your_Left.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:21pm PDT

This week: the Sony hack reveals all sorts of juicy Jobs movie tidbits; HBO uses Game of Thrones to break big cable’s iron grip; iPod Classic prices skyrocket as fans scramble to buy them; we’ll tell you how to get some fantastic iOS games absolutely free; and then we pitch our favorite tech and vote on which is best… it’s an all new Faves ’N Raves.
 
Thanks to lynda.com for support this episode. Learn to run your business better, become a photoshop ninja, learn how to create music with your iPad, and so much more.  Lynda now has over 4500 courses for you to choose from, and now they’re offering our listeners a 10 day free trial.  Learn all you want for free for 10 days, head on over to lynda.com/cultcast
 
And a big thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for the great music you hear in today's show.
 
This week’s stories
HBO will use Game of Thrones to break cable’s iron grip
 
Fans scramble for iPod Classic, the music player Apple killed off
 
Sony hack reveals dirty secrets behind Aaron Sorkin’s Steve Jobs movie
 
Jeff Daniels slated to play ex-Apple CEO in Steve Jobs movie
 
Pocket Gamer will give away a top-rated iOS game every day for two weeks
 
This week’s intro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12bojHojBKY&spfreload=10
 
And these vids….
Direct download: CultCast_157_-_Inside_the_Sony_Hack.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:48pm PDT

This week: how’s about that new Star Wars trailer! Plus, warm up the tele—Woz is getting a tech-filled reality TV show; we divulge our new favorite apps; we answer some ridiculous Qs in an all new get to know your Cultist; and finally, Steve Jobs denies Leander Kahney’s attempted handshake not once, but TWICE.  Leander recounts the tale.  We die laughing.
 
Our thanks to Might Tees for support this episode.  Steve Jobs, Woz, the very vintage Apple Lisa, check out Might Tees for some of the best Apple-inspired tees in the land, and don’t miss indie designs features John Wayne and Captain Jean Luc Picard.
 
MightTees.com ships worldwide and you can and save a whopping 50% off your order with code CultCast at checkout.  Erfon thanks you for your order.
 
And thanks to Boom 2!  Ever needed to turn up your Mac’s volume farther than it could go?  Boom 2 can bolster your Mac’s puny volume levels righteous amounts your ears probably can’t handle.  Try it out free for 7 days at bit.ly/cultcastboom and save 20% off any order with code CultCast at checkout.
 
This week’s links
 
Stephen colbert explains the new light saber 
 
Microsoft declares iPhone 6 most popular device of 2014
 
Steve Wozniak is about to become a reality TV show
 
Get to Know Your Cultist - ultra mega edition - tons of great Qs here
 
Leander’s favorite band every is Blancmange
 
Woz opens a hotel door with his iPhone 6, gets mean comments
Direct download: CultCast_156_-_No_shake_for_you.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:45pm PDT

Gobble gobble yaaa’aall! Ever wonder what a Thanksgiving meal with Tim Cook might be like?  Ok, maybe not, but come imagine it with us anyway.  Then: why Apple quietly included 4K support in iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2; and Amazon is building an ad-supported Netflix streaming competitor.
 
Plus stayed tuned for the CultCast gift guide!  We’ll talk about the products we’d love to get as gifts this year.  
 
Thanks to Fracture for supporting this episode!  Fracture is pretty neat.  They print your photos directly onto glass so they really pop.  And they come ready to hang on a wall or sit on your desk. They’re great gifts too for your family or significant other.
 
Check them out at Fracture.me and save 15% off any order with code CultCast.
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a huge thanks for all the great music you hear in today's show.
 
Links to this weeks stories
 
Jeff Goldblum on the iMac
 
iPad Air 2 and iPhone 6 secretly support 4K video
 
 
The Van Damme splits you have to see 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7FIvfx5J10&spfreload=10
 
And check out this classic Van Damage montage!
 
And this one for some epic splits!
 
But only watch this one if youre ready to party
 
 
Gifts we talked about
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct download: CultCast_155_-_Kiss_the_Cook.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:09am PDT

This week: Uber’s crazy culture is making the news, but we want to party with their brogrammers; why we’re not so jazzed on Apple Watch apps; why the next iPhone might feature a massively improved camera; why Steve Jobs drowned the first iPod prototype; and finally, what we like and don’t about the gadgets and Apple accessories we’re reviewing—it’s an all-new Under Review.
 
Thanks to lynda.com for sponsoring this episode!  With 3,119 high quality video courses taught by industry-leading experts, lynda.com will help you master virtually any application, all on your own time and at your own pace.  Learn all you want for free with a 10-day free trial now at lynda.com/CultCast
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a huge thanks for much of the great music you hear in today's show.
 
This week’s stories
 
Tick tock, devs: WatchKit brings tools for making Apple Watch apps
 
Sony’s new sensor could bring 4K video to next iPhone
 
Apple May Introduce 'Biggest Camera Jump Ever' in Next-Generation iPhone
 
Some OS X Yosemite Users Still Experiencing Wi-Fi Connection Issues Even After 10.10.1 Update
 
Why Steve Jobs drowned the first iPod prototype
Direct download: CultCast_154_-_Brogrammers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:10pm PDT

This week: huge news in the fight for an open internet; Youtube’s Music service confuses us; Apple Pay is like, the payment of the future, man; big Black Friday deals on Apple’s newest gadgets; the go-to apps we keep on our home screens, and sooooo much more.
 
This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity's Ten Days or Whatever of Kwanzaa! You give Cards Against Humanity $15 and they'll send you ten mystery gifts for the ten days or whatever of Kwanzaa. Space is limited to the first 250,000 people who sign up at HolidayBullshit.com.
 
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode.  Squarespace 7 is now live, and it’s the biggest update in years.   Now building a beautiful website is easier than ever.  See it in action and grab a free trial at Squarespace.com and use code “CultCast” at checkout for 10% off any order.
 
And Automatic! Plug Automatic into your car's data port, and with their beatiful app, you'll be able to find your parked car, learn how to save fuel with tips based on your actual driving habits, and even diagnose and turn off your car's check engine light.  See it out in action and save 20% off your new Automatic now at Automatic.com/cultcast.
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a huge thanks for all the great music you hear in today's show.
 
Links to this week's stories
 
YouTube delivers the music streaming service you’ve been waiting for
 
Pres. Obama comes out strong to support an open internet -https://www.fightforthefuture.org/hugewin/
 
Apple Pay is such a hit, event Google Wallet is seeing a big increase in usage
 
Netflix for iOS Updated With iPhone 6 Support, 1080p Video for iPhone 6 Plus
 
Apple’s new tool will nuke your phone number from iMessage forever - alex
 
Best Buy Discounting iPads, iPhones, Macs, and More for Black Friday
 
Home screen apps - the goto apps we keep on our home screens
Buster: Product Hunt, Acorns
Erfon: cPro Craigslist Client, Newsify
Direct download: CultCast_153_-_Theres_no_step_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:27pm PDT

This week: more rumored details of the 12-inch "iPad Pro”; 755 more Emojis coming soon to your iDevices; with Christian Bale out, we make our list of the actors that definitely *shouldn’t* replace him in the Sorkin-penned Jobs movie; and finally… nude or not?  Do you keep your iDevices bare or covered up in a case?  We ponder the pros and cons and ask the question: why are so many iPhone and iPad cases horrid pieces of garbage? We’ll pitch some of our faves, too.
 
Thanks to lynda.com for sponsoring this episode!  With over 3,000 high quality video courses taught by industry-leading experts, lynda.com will help you master virtually any application, all on your own time and at your own pace.  Learn all you want for free for 7 days with a free trial.  Try it now at lynda.com/CultCast
 
And Audible, home of over 150,000 audio books from practically every genre in existence.  Grab Leander's book, Jony Ive: The Genius Behind Apple's Greatest Products, for FREE with a 30-day Audible trial.  The book is yours to keep even if you decide not to keep your Audible subscription.  Get started now at audiblepodcast.com/cultcast
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a huge thanks for all the great music you hear in today's show.
 
Links to today's stories, aka, reading material for your toilet time
 
CNN caught using Microsoft Surface as iPad kickstand - buster
 
CurrentC’s Apple Pay ban to expire in ‘months, not years’ - alex
 
12.2-inch iPad Pro could be thinner than the iPhone 6 Plus - alex
 
Christian Bale bails on Steve Jobs movie - buster
 
 
Michael Fassbender in talks to play Steve Jobs after Christian Bale bails - alex
 
Amazon Prime’s an even greater deal with unlimited photo storage
 
Your keyboard is about to get 755 new racially diverse emojis - booster
 
Apple Watch Pricing to Reportedly Start at $500 for Stainless Steel, $4,000 for Gold
 
 
Direct download: CultCast_152_-_He_Dances_In_Pleather.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:08pm PDT

This week: the war on Apple Pay has begun.  Well tell you why some of the biggest retailers are moving to block it, and all about the ridiculously dumb app they want you to use instead.  Plus, our 72-hour review of the iPad Air 2; the FTC sues AT&T for throttling your data; Christian Bale is your next Steve Jobs; and we pitch our favorite tech and apps then vote on which is best—it’s an all-new Faves ’N Raves. And Faves N Raves.  And….
 
Our thanks to Automatic for supporting this episode.  Plug Automatic into your car's data port, and with their beatiful app, you'll be able to find your parked car, learn how to save fuel with tips based on your actual driving, and even diagnose and turn off your car's check engine light.  See it out in action and save 20% off your new Automatic now at Automatic.com/cultcast.
 
And thanks to Sworl!  With the free Sworl iOS app, you can print, frame and deliver beautifully wrapped photos, quickly and easily, all from your iPhone in less than 3 minutes.  They’re great, easy gifts, too.  Download the app from the App Store or learn more at GetSworl.com, and save 20% off your first order with code “CultCast” at checkout.
 
Links to this weeks stories:
 
FTC finally sues AT&T for throttling unlimited data plans
  • FTC is  going after AT&T for throttling customer’s data speeds, by filing an official complaint that the company has lowered speeds on LTE up to 95% on unlimited data plans.
  • FTC also alleges that AT&T engaged in unfair or deceptive acts and practices that affected commerce. And they’ve got the numbers to back up their lawsuit, with claims that AT&T illegally capped users’ data speeds at 128 Kbps
  • AT&T’s response
    • “The FTC’s allegations are baseless and have nothing to do with the substance of our network management program. It’s baffling as to why the FTC would choose to take this action against a company that, like all major wireless providers, manages its network resources to provide the best possible service to all customers, and does it in a way that is fully transparent and consistent with the law and our contracts.”
 
Inside the war on Apple Pay that’s doomed to fail
 
Why Christian Bale will play an amazing Steve Jobs
Direct download: CultCast_151_-_Payment_Wars.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:56pm PDT

This week: the iPad Air 2 reviews are in, and not everyone’s in love; Cult of Mac spends a day with Apple Pay; Yosemite and iOS 8.1 Continuity blows. our. minds; a potential cure for the painful #6PlusPinch; some welcome changes rumored for Beats Music; and we wrap with our favorite movie trilogies of all time in an all-new Get To Know Your Cultist.

Thanks to Lynda.com for sponsoring this episode!  Lynda now has over 3000 high quality video courses taught by instructors who are experts in their filed. Lynda.com will help you master virtually any application, whether you’re a beginner, novice or, pro, all on your own time and at your own pace.  Learn all you want for free for 7 day with a free trial.  Try it now at Lynda.com/CultCast 

 

And Smile Software. TextExpander touch 3 for iOS saves you time and effort by expanding your short abbreviations into full blocks of texts, code and more. Plus now includes a custom keyboard so you can use your abbreviations in any iOS app, including Mail and iMessage. See it in action at smilesoftware.com/cultcast

We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com  a huge thanks for all the great music you hear on today's show. 

 

Links to this week's stories

Early reviews of latest iPads praise new hardware, but wish for more 

Read more at http://www.cultofmac.com/300493/ipad-air-2-ipad-mini-3-review-roundup/#6pJpRhGHdP6q3Lhi.99

  • Malt Wossberg "They are, in most respects, the best iPads ever made. But for average users, they represent only a modest evolutionary improvement over last year’s models, not the kind of big change that the first iPad Air or the Retina display iPad mini did last year.”
  • The Verge called the iPad Air 2 “a monumental achievement in the field of iterative improvement,” 


Cult of Mac’s day with Apple Pay
Read more at http://www.cultofmac.com/300229/cult-macs-day-apple-pay/#rsLHeQbEOR3TDLzL.99

  • Leander will be shopping around San Francisco. Alex is testing Apple Pay in the backwoods of Kentucky. Buster sputterered around Phoenix in search of a burrito shop with Apple Pay

Everything you can buy with Apple Pay starting today - buster
Read more at http://www.cultofmac.com/300227/thing-can-buy-apple-pay-starting-today/#a7GRq10844WDRRFe.99

Continuity features we love

  • Sms relay
  • Call relay
  • Hotspot
  • iCloud Photo Library

New iOS 8.1 features you need to know
Read more at http://www.cultofmac.com/300128/new-goodies-youre-getting-ios-8-1-today/#96Ar48bKpjTH5YfI.99

This store will enlarge your pockets to fit your new iPhone 6
Read more at http://www.cultofmac.com/300208/store-will-enlarge-pockets-fit-new-iphone-6/#FeQi21lFPLLXYmyi.99

Apple and GT Advanced Technologies amicably part ways
Read more at http://www.cultofmac.com/300481/apple-gt-advanced-technologies-amicably-part-ways/#PlKmvR6sp1hR6wrZ.99

  • GT Advanced Technologies and Apple have reached an agreement that will see the two companies amicably parting ways,
  • GTAT filed for bankruptcy and that it would work to preserve the sapphire plant in Arizona and the jobs it created, but lawyers for GTAT say the deal allows it to wind down operations at the plant and pay incentives to employees


Apple aiming for $5 Beats Music streaming subscriptions - luke
Read more at http://www.cultofmac.com/300223/apple-aiming-5-beats-music-streaming-subscriptions/#2AUmM0ZTzLIw5kQQ.99

  • Having helped pioneer the concept of the $0.99 music track on iTunes, Apple is now trying to bring down the price of streaming music.
  • According to a new report published by Re/code, Apple is pushing music labels for extensive price cuts that would bring the cost of a Beats Music subscription from its current $10 price point all the way down to $5.

Learn our favorite movie trilogies of all time in our new Get To Know Your Cultist! 

Direct download: CultCast_150_-_Wham_Rappin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:45pm PDT