The CultCast
This week:  You’ve heard of Samsung’s Galaxy Edge… but is an iPhone 8 Plus Edge on the way?  Some respected analysts say yes.  Plus: iPhone 7 Plus with dual lens was just spotted on the streets; iOS 9.3.5 fixes one of the most invasive iOS exploits to date; Tim Cook just made FAT STACKS of cash; and if the rumors prove true, Apple is working on a new social network… to take on Snap Chat.  No, seriously.
 
This episode supported by
 
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.
 
And our thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a for the great music you hear on today's show.
 
On the show this week
 
Drink it in, my friends
 
Galaxy Note 7 vs iPhone 6S Speed Test
 
Taiwanese superstar posts picture of himself using iPhone 7 Plus
  • Taiwanese actor and singer Jimmy Lin has been photographed using what appears to be a new iPhone 7 Plus, complete with its rumored dual-lens camera and LED flash.
  • Lin previously managed to get his hands on advance units of the iPhone 5 in 2012 and iPhone 6 in 2014 — both of which turned out to be the real deal.
 
Apple's 2017 Curved OLED iPhone to Be a New Premium Model
  • Apple is planning to release at least three new iPhones next year, including a high-end model with a 5.5-inch-or-larger OLED display that is curved on both sides like Samsung's Galaxy S7 edge, according to Nikkei
  • Ming Chi Kuo's research note this week outlined three new iPhone models are coming, including LCD-based 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models and a high-end OLED-based 5.8-inch model, as one possibility providing supply of AMOLED displays is sufficient. 
 
Apple rolls out iOS 9.3.5 to beef up security [Update]
  • iOS 9.3.5 fixes a serious vulnerability that allows our devices to be snooped on. Software created by Israeli company NSO Group took advantage of the hole to read text messages and emails, to record calls, and to steal contacts.
Tim Cook just unlocked a monstrous bonus
Buster
  • Today marks Tim Cook’s five-year anniversary as the CEO of Apple, and as a reward for making it this long in the top spot he just unlocked a monster bonus. $100 million!
  • Apple awarded Cook 980,000 Apple shares for his performance as part of the larger compensation package he signed in 2011. Based on Apple stock’s Tuesday closing price of $108.85, the shares are currently worth around 106.7 million.
  • Despite the big pay day, Cook’s estimated wealth of $650 million is relatively modest by Silicon Valley standards, but he’s planning to donate most of it to charity anyway.
 
Apple could go head to head with Snapchat in 2017
  • A new report from Bloomberg is claiming that Apple is in the process of developing its own Snapchat rival.
  • The company, "seeking to capitalize on the popularity of social networks," will focus on video in the new app, letting users record a video, edit it, apply a filter, add doodles, and then send it out to friends.
  • The app is being developed in the same Apple department that developed Final Cut Pro and iMovie software
Direct download: CultCast_246_-_iPhone_8_Plus_Edge_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:16pm PDT

This week: leaks point to some excellent upgrades coming to the smaller iPhone 7—we’ll give you the scoop.  Plus: get ready for iPhone 7, we have a launch date; Apple Watch 2 leaks points to the arrival of a sorely-needed feature; new models and “revolutionary” upgrades are coming to the iPad line; and stick around for CultCast Choices, the game that pits one bad choice against another.
 
This episode supported by
 
Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.
 
If you’re obsessive about keeping your iPhone, iPad, Mac, DSLR, glasses, and other gadgets in sparkling clean condition, you’ll love CultCloth.  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.
 
On the show this week
 
Intro - Things to do!
 
The Apple Store is dead
  • The Apple Store is no longer called the Apple Store.
  • Apple has begun dropping “Store” from the name of its 479 retail locations worldwide, so they are now referred to simply as “Apple.”
  • The store pages on Apple’s website now refer to its locations using names like “Apple Union Square,” “Apple Fifth Avenue,” and “Apple The Grove,” as opposed to the former “Apple Store, Union Square,” “Apple Store, Fifth Avenue,” and “Apple Store, The Grove.”
 
iPhone 7 may launch on September 23
  • Apple’s next iPhone could be available to the public as soon as September 23rd, based on a new leak that reveals AT&T plans to do a big “Merchandising Reset” at all stores that day.
  • The unveiling of the iPhone 7 is rumored to take place on September 7th with pre-orders to follow two days later
  • The leaked AT&T scheduling information shows that stores will need to spend up to three hours on a merchandising reset September 9th, indicating advertisements for iPhone 7 pre-orders will go on display that morning.
 
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus won’t be joined by an iPhone 7 Pro this fall
Killian
  • Japanese blog Macotakara, whose sources have been reliable in the past, confirms that this year’s iPhone’s will be labeled iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus — just as expected.
  • They also promise that the devices will bring “greatly improved” cameras, Apple’s A10 chip, and a capacitive home button that’s expected to be pressure-sensitive
 
iPhone 7’s second speaker grille may be just for show
Killian
  • iPhone 7 housing schematics acquired by NowhereElse suggest the speaker grilles on one side of Apple’s upcoming handsets is purely cosmetic to make the bottom edge look more symmetrical, though it won’t be totally useless.
  • It appears Apple will place the iPhone’s microphone behind this grille, so some of the holes will serve a purpose.
 
Leaked iPhone 7 camera hints at big improvements
Buster
 
  • While most of this years iPhone camera rumors have focused on the dual-lens module coming to the iPhone 7 Plus, a leaked iPhone 7 rear camera part hints at some big improvements coming to the smaller device.
  • The image below leaked by NowhereElse claims to show the iPhone 7’s iSight camera which appears to include the addition of optical image stabilization to make photos sharper than ever.
  • Other leaks have revealed that the lens on the iPhone 7 iSight camera will be larger than previous models which should have a big impact on how much light it can capture and the quality of pictures.
 
Apple Watch 2 will get GPS but no LTE
Buster
  • Although Apple plans to add a number of much needed features to the Apple Watch 2, a new report claims the company hit roadblocks when trying to make a major change that would have added LTE or other cellular data connection capabilities to the device.
  • “The company still plans to announce new watch models this fall boasting improvements to health tracking,” reports Bloomberg. “The updated versions will also be able to integrate GPS-based location tracking.”
 
10.5-inch iPad Pro coming in 2017, OLED upgrade in 2018
  • Apple will ship three new iPads next year, according to well-connected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo — including a low-cost 9.7-inch iPad, upgraded 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro variant as well.
  • But 2018, that’s the year in which Kuo promises “revolutionary” upgrades, which will include a “radical” change in form factor as well as an AMOLED display.
  • Interestingly, there’s no mention made of the 7.9-inch iPad mini, which could conceivably be phased out in order avoid direct competition with Apple’s larger plus-sized iPhone models.
Direct download: CultCast_245__-_Tuck_tails.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:32pm PDT

This week: new Macbook Pros, incoming!  We have even more details to share on the “significant” updates coming soon to Apple’s Macbook Pro line.  Plus: iPhone 7 may get a Quad HD display and pressure-sensitive home button; Apple’s plans for a “killer” new health device; and we review our favorite new hover boards and smart scales on an all new Under Review.
 
This episode supported by
 
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.
 
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.
 
And our thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a for the great music you hear on today's show.
 
On the show this week
 
Apple said to be developing ‘killer’ health device for 2017
 
Apple ditched plan to make three iPhone 7 models
 
Direct download: CultCast_244_-_The_new_Pros_Cometh.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:16pm PDT

This week: the controversy around iOS 10’s new gun emoji;  we compare Instagram’s new stories feature to Snapchat's; Gwyneth Paltrow brings her coding skills to ‘Planet of the Apps’; we attended a 5-day Apple II festival, we’ll tell you the cool parts; and stick around for the best ways to find specific Pokémon in 'Pokémon GO’.
 
This episode supported by
 
Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.
 
If you’re obsessive about keeping your iPhone, iPad, Mac, DSLR, glasses, and other gadgets in sparkling clean condition, you’ll love CultCloth.  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.
 
On the show this week
 
Gwyneth Paltrow is bringing her coding skills to ‘Planet of the Apps’
Paltrow will be joined by will.i.am and serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk on the show where all three will serve as mentors and advisors to app developers in the series that will reportedly act as a launch pad to exceptional developers.
 
iOS 10 adds 100+ emoji to promote gender equality
  • The latest beta build of iOS 10 seeded to developers this morning brings more gender options to existing characters like the surfer, runner, weightlifter, detective, construction worker and much more.
  • The pistol emoji has been changed to a water gun, too
 
Apple is replacing the pistol emoji with a squirt gun
  • Emojis are not made by Apple. They are selected, designed and coded by a nonprofit organization called the Unicode Consortium.
  • Platforms like Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and Facebook decide exactly how those characters will appear on the device you're using.
  • Apple is reinterpreting how it will "read" the pistol emoji. Instead of depicting it as a metal revolver, it will show the green toy water pistol.
  • In June, Apple asked the Unicode Consortium to exclude a scoped shooting rifle from the upcoming set of emojis. Unicode complied, and the rifle was scrapped.
  • Emoji are funny, but they’re also a powerful way to communicate. This move by Apple communicates that tools of violence and death shouldn’t be part of our light-hearted, ubiquitous lexicon. (the Guardian)
 
Instagram’s new feature is a ripoff of Snapchat Stories
  • company introduced Instagram Stories, which lets you share multiple photos and videos in a single slideshow. It can be shared with select followers without showing up on your more public profile. It then disappears 24 hours later.
  • It functions in the same way as the Stories feature on Snapchat
 
There's a new way to find specific Pokémon in 'Pokémon GO,' and it works
Direct download: CultCast_243_-_Bustin_a_squirt.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:40pm PDT

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