The CultCast
This week: everything we think we know about Apples upcoming iPhone 7!  Plus: price leaks indicate we may get an iPhone 7 “Pro”; the one feature Android phones have that we envy; and we’ll tell you what we like and don’t about the gadgets we’re reviewing—it’s an all-new Under Review.
 
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Let’s face it, CultCloth isn’t for everyone.  But if you’re obsessive about keeping your iPhone, iPad, Mac, DSLR, glasses, and other gadgets in sparkling clean condition, you’ll love ‘em.  Check them out now at CultCloth.co, and use code “CultCast” at checkout to score a free 8x8 CleanCloth!
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.
 
  • Apple has begun removing the 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro from its retail store displays
  • The non-Retina MacBook Pro is the only laptop left in Apple’s lineup with an optical drive. It’s also the most affordable MacBook Pro at just $1,099, but without the slimmer form factor, Retina display, and features like Force Touch
  • The machine hasn’t seen a refresh since 2012, which means it’s not too surprising to see that Apple is no longer pushing it
 
iPhone 7 will have more tiny design changes you won’t notice
  • The iPhone 7 is set to be one of the most boring updates Apple’s ever released. The new iPhone will look just like the iPhone 6/6s
  • The Wall Street Journal  called the changes set to be introduced in the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus "subtle," while Ming Chi Kuo has said the device will not have many "attractive selling points." 
  • Longer Earpiece cutout
  • Relocated ambient light sensor
 
iPhone 7 will be boring, according to WSJ
  • Rumors that the iPhone 7 will be a snooze-worthy update have been seemingly confirmed today by The Wall Street Journal, which claims Apple plans to break from its traditional pattern of redesigning its flagship device every year.
  • This year’s iPhone will come with plenty of minor upgrades, but according to the new report, some iPhone 7 features that Apple hoped to integrate just weren’t ready for a 2016 rollout.
  • During a meeting with an Apple executive last month, a China-based engineer asked why this year’s iPhone didn’t get a major design change. “The answer, one person at the meeting recalled, was that the new technology in the pipeline will take time to implement,” reports the Journal.
  • The WSJ says Apple hoped to implement a curved screen into the iPhone 7 but the technology wasn’t ready. The company supposedly hopes to integrate big new features next year, though, for the 10th anniversary of the iPhone.
  • A10
  • Blue color
  • Dual lens camera on the 7 Plus, larger camera on the 7
  • Better water proofing
  • Better looking antenna bands
  • Lightning headphone jack/dongle
 
Get your dongle on: iPhone 7 to include Lightning adapter
  • The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will ship with regular 3.5mm EarPods, according to a new report from Macotakara that claims Apple will include a 3.5mm to Lightning Adapter so you’re not force to buy new headphones with your new iPhone.
  • The report also claims that by removing the headphone jack on the iPhone 7, Apple will add a row of speaker holes on the right side.
 
iPhone 7 price leak promises Pro model, 256GB of storage
  • An alleged price list for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7 series suggests there will be a high-end “Pro” model after all. Fans could also get 256GB storage options, while 32GB of storage could become the minimum.
  • According to an iPhone 7 price list posted on Chinese micro-blogging network Weibo, there will be an iPhone 7 Pro in Apple’s lineup this fall.
Direct download: CultCast_237_-_Point_n_shoots_bro.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:31pm PDT

This week: it's our WWDC 2016 reactions!  Plus: all the WWDC announcements worth getting excited about; the best hidden OS features not mentioned on stage; more confirmation that a Macbook Pro with OLED touch bar is imminent; and a very strange iPhone 7 rumor surfaces.
 
This episode supported by
 
Freshbooks, the easy-to-use invoicing software designed to help small business owners get organized, save time invoicing and get paid faster.  And I can vouch for this from experience, it also makes tax time a cinch.  Get started with a free trial at Freshbooks.com/cultcast, and please enter “CultCast” in the “How did you hear about us?” section!
 
The critically acclaimed #1 New York Times Bestseller about the real Steve Jobs, is now available in paperback. BECOMING STEVE JOBS will be available June 7, 2016, for $18, wherever books are sold. For more information, visit becomingstevejobs.com.
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.
 
On the show this week
 
  • According to a display leak from Mobipicker, a new home button will become part of the iPhone’s cover glass. It should will contain a Touch ID sensor for fingerprint scanning and will still be surrounded by a ring — but it won’t be made of metal.
  • Sources speaking to Mobipicker, say the new home button will continue to offer various functions, including tap and hold for Siri, and a double-tap for multitasking.
 
Clues in macOS Sierra point to OLED touch bar for MacBook Pro
  • Source code in the first beta build of macOS Sierra hints that Apple plans to add support for an OLED touchpad, seemingly confirming the accuracy of the leaked MacBook Pro photos Cult of Mac published last month.
  • Some new API changes hidden inside the source code for the next version of macOS also reveal Touch ID is in the works as well for Apple desktops.
  • The new APIs were spotted by Mac Generation and suggest that the rumored OLED touch bar on the next-gen MacBook Pro will dynamically adjust to show system information and soft keys related to other applications.
 
Photographers rejoice! iOS 10 lets you snap RAW images
  • For the first time ever, Apple is finally bringing RAW image files to the Camera app in iOS 10 
  • iOS 10’s RAW image capture is only available via the rear camera and you can’t use image stabilization when shooting RAW, but Apple did add the ability to shoot RAW + JPEG on a single snap and bracketed shooting.
 
Siri comes to Mac and opens up to developers
  • For the first time, Siri will be available on the Mac and will be opened to third-party developers on iOS.
  • Siri will be opened up to third-party developers on iOS. Developers will be able to use Siri for a number of tasks, including:
    • Messaging — send messages with apps like iMessage and Slack.
    • Ride hailing — call for a ride on Uber or Lyft.
    • Photo Search — search for images on Web or apps like Pinterest.
    • Workouts — Siri can call up workouts.
    • Payments — Siri can send payments to friends, say, in various payment apps.
    • VOIP calling — Siri can make VOIP calls in apps like Vonage and Skype.
    • Car — works with CarPlay.
    • Siri API limited to these  types of apps.
 
Concept imagines the magic of MacBook Pro’s OLED touch bar
 
MacBook Pro concept shows how useful an OLED touchpad will be
 
Everything from WWDC 2016 worth getting excited about
Leander
 
 
Direct download: CultCast_236_-_When_the_curtains_close....mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:58pm PDT

This week: it’s our WWDC 2016 predictions! We’ll tell you what hardware and software to expect.  Plus: Apple makes huge changes to the prices you’ll pay for apps; this year’s Back to School specials are some of Apple’s best yet; and Steve Jobs... the opera?  Don’t miss more weird and wild stories from the Cult of Mac.
 
This episode supported by
 
Freshbooks, the easy-to-use invoicing software designed to help small business owners get organized, save time invoicing and get paid faster.  And I can vouch for this from experience, it also makes tax time a cinch.  Get started with a free trial at Freshbooks.com/cultcast, and please enter “CultCast” in the “How did you hear about us?” section!
 
The critically acclaimed #1 New York Times Bestseller about the real Steve Jobs, is now available in paperback. BECOMING STEVE JOBS will be available June 7, 2016, for $18, wherever books are sold. For more information, visit becomingstevejobs.com.
 
Casper’s American-made mattresses have just the right amount of memory foam and latex, and people everywhere love them.  Learn why and get $50 towards any mattress at Casper.com/cultcast.
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.
 
On the show this week
@erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney / david@cultofmac.com
 
Intro - Welcome to the App Store
 
Read all about it! Teen’s news app scores him a WWDC scholarship
 
5K Thunderbolt Display will be a no-show at WWDC
Buster
  • Apple will not be updating its old ass Thunderbolt display anytime soon, despite rumors that suggested the company was planning to unveil a new 5K Thunderbolt display with a built-in GPU at this year’s WWDC.
  • Apple’s WWDC 2016 keynote will focus mostly on software, according to a new report from 9to5Mac.
  • "WWDC this year will be a ‘software year’, indicating the show will be light on new hardware announcements in general.”
  • Another report from iMore confirms that the 5K monitor will be a no-show.
 
 
Apple is making huge changes to how much you’ll pay for apps
Buster
  • Starting next week Apple will roll out major changes to the App Store that will effect how, and how much you’ll pay, for your favorite apps.
  • Apple plans to open subscriptions to all apps. In the past, the iPhone-maker only allowed apps for news, cloud services, dating and streaming to offer a subscription that’s billed automatically through iTunes.
  • When developers are able to maintain a customer for more than 12 months, Apple will drop its take down to 15 percent, giving developers another small pay raise.
  • The internally-dubbed “Subscriptions 2.0” model isn’t expected to roll out until this Fall when the company also plans to unleash search ads for apps in App Store search results
 
Apple kicks off back to school promo with big savings on Beats
  • Apple has kicked off its latest back to school promotion.
  • Apple is giving away a set of Beats Solo2 headphones  ($300 with MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Pro purchases.
  • You can also get free Beats Powerbeats2 wireless headphones worth $200 when you buy an eligible iPad or iPhone.
  • Apple’s offer runs through September 5, and you can take advantage of it when purchasing from retail stores throughout the U.S. or from the Apple Online Store.
Direct download: CultCast_235_-_2Legit2Quit.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:04pm PDT

This week: Macbook Pro spy photos reveal some juicy new features, but some old favorites go bye-bye…  Plus: Apple may finally update its ancient Thunderbolt display; why moving iPhone to a three year update cycle would suck; and stay tuned for more weird and wacky super-fan stories from the Cult of Mac.  
 
This episode supported by
 
Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer codeCultCastat checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.
 
TunnelBear, the simple privacy app that makes it easy to browse privately and enjoy a more open internet. Visit GetTunnelBear.com to get your free TunnelBear today.
 
We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.
 
On the show this week
@erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney / david@cultofmac.com
 
Intro - Steve Jobs introduces Apple’s new gem, the G4 Cube
 
The British Fabio!
 
 
Apple may finally update its old ass Thunderbolt Display
  • It’s been over five years since Apple updated its standalone monitor
  • Thunderbolt Display stock is limited or unavailable at several Apple Stores in North America, Europe, Australia according to a new report
  • Dwindling supplies of Apple’s current Thunderbolt Display could indicate that the company plans to launch a gorgeous new monitor in the near future.
  • It appears that Thunderbolt Displays are still in ready supply in some major cities, so the changes in supply could also simply indicate that Apple is dealing with fluctuations in its inventory.
 
You better get used to waiting 3 years for big iPhone upgrades
  • According to one report, Apple is switching its big upgrades to a three-year cycle, which is why this year’s iPhone 7 will look just like its predecessors
  • This year, following last year’s iPhone 6s series, we should be getting another major refresh — but we know that’s not going to be the case. Leaks have revealed the iPhone 7 is almost identical to the iPhone 6s
  • a report from Japanese newspaper Nikkei warns we should get used to this three-year wait for big upgrades. Apple has reportedly decided to extent its cycle because of slowing market demand and due to “smartphone functions having little room left for major enhancements.”
 
Spy photos all but confirm 2016 MacBook Pro’s OLED touchpad
  • Leaked photos of what is claimed to be Apple’s next-generation MacBook Pro all but confirm it will ship with a new OLED touchpad above its keyboard.
  • The images sent to Cult of Mac also hint at four USB-C connectors.
  • Loss of SD card reader, Thunderbolt, HDMI out, and MagSafe?
  • Adopts the arrow keys of the new butterfly keyboard
  • No touch ID
Direct download: CultCast_234_-_Macbook_Pro_spy_photos.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:51pm PDT

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