The CultCast

This week: forget the A12Z and LIDAR camera, it’s iPadOS and the new Magic Keyboard that just super charged the iPad Pro—we discuss!

Plus, we’ll tell you the best new features in iOS 13.4. And the Cookie uses Apple’s massive supply chain prowess to deliver hugely-needed supplies for medical workers—we got the story for ya right here!

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. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant.

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

2020 iPad Pro review roundup: Still stellar, but little reason to upgrade

  • Apple’s newest iPad Pro will begin landing on customers’ doorsteps today, Wednesday, March 25. Will it be worth their hard-earned cash? Let’s find out from reviewers who already have their hands on one. And from LK!

iPadOS and iOS 13.4 finally arrive, bringing tons of big changes [Updated]

  • iPad and iPhone both just received important software updates, with iPadOS 13.4 and iOS 13.4 bringing a range of new features. Apple’s tablets now enjoy robust mouse/trackpad support. iPhones and iPads both gain iCloud Drive folder sharing.

Apple donating 9 million N95 masks for coronavirus fight

  • U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced Tuesday that Apple has donated nine million N95 respirator masks to help hospitals and medical workers deal with the growing coronavirus pandemic.

Apple TV+ misses out on big COVID-19 surge in streaming demand

  • It’s a surprise to no one that video streaming services are seeing big surges in demand while everyone is stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. But it seems Apple TV+ is missing out.
Direct download: cultcast_433.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:35pm PDT

This week: our reactions to Apple’s new hardware! Plus, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the new Mac mini, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and Magic Keyboard.

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. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant.

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

Surprise iPad Pro refresh brings LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera, trackpad support

  • Apple on Wednesday surprised us with a brand-new iPad Pro that packs a LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera, and studio-quality microphones. It’s powered by an improved A12Z Bionic chip that makes it faster than many laptops.

New MacBook Air announced with $999 starting price, Magic Keyboard and 6K display support

  • Apple updated its MacBook Air lineup Wednesday with a re-designed scissor-switch Magic Keyboard, twice the storage, a reported two times faster CPU performance, and a lower price tag starting at $999.

Apple doubles SSD storage capacity for Mac mini

  • Apple announced Wednesday an update of its entire Mac mini line, offering double the SSD storage capacity at the regular price.

5 reasons why iPad Pro’s new Magic Keyboard blows our minds

  • Apple’s exciting new Magic Keyboard is going to make working on iPad Pro better than ever when the accessory debuts in May. It’s a huge improvement over the Smart Keyboard Folio in so many ways.

Movies Anywhere tests letting users loan out iTunes movies

  • Movies Anywhere combines films bought through iTunes, Google Play, etc. into one service. And now it’s testing a new feature called Screen Pass that enables loaning your movies to other people.

 

Hardware notes
 
Mac Mini
  • Now comes with double the storage capacity on the standard configurations.
  • $799 now gets you 256GB instead of 128GB, and $1099 gets you 512GB instead of 256GB.
  • Still using the same 6th-gen 4-year-old intel processor.
 
MacBook Air
  • $100 price cut.
  • Standard storage has been doubled too.  
  • You get 256GB for $999 now, and 512GB for $1299.
  • Features the same scissor-mech keyboard as the new 16-inch MBP.
  • Using Intel's newest 10th gen chip, Quad Core 1.2GHz i7, Apple claims speeds are about twice as fast as previous gen. Probably cause last gen was dual-core. 
  • GPU performance increase of up to 80%.
 
iPad Pro
  • Now with triple lenses, kind of.
  • Still the same 11" and 12.9" sizes.
  • A12Z Bionic chip which supports a 8-core GPU.
  • Apple says this setup is faster than most PC laptops.
  • Apple says you can edit 4K videos with the iPad Pro.
  • Pro Motion 120hz display
  • Five-studio quality microphones, just like Apple packed into the 16-inch MBP
  • Now features a 10MP ultrawide camera
  • Also includes a 12PM main camera, which is probably the same one found in the iPhone 11/11 Pro
  • Brand new LiDAR so depth sensing.  LiDAR is the same technology that self-driving cars use for depth sensing and object tracking.  It's what the Mars Rover uses too.
  • How will iPad Pro use it?  Definitely for Virtual Reality, but who knows what else.
  • Now supports WiFi 6.
  • 60% faster gigabit LTE for LTE models.
  • Size is about the same, but slightly thicker and heavier.
  • Price is the same, but now the base level of storage has been upgraded from 64GB to 128GB.
  • Upgrading to 256GB of storage is $50, so $1200 instead of $1250.
  • 1TB is $1300 instead of $1350.
 
New Magic Keyboard 
  • Coming in May.  
  • Features passthrough charging to the iPad via its own USB-C port on the hinge.
  • Features a full-size Magic Keyboard with backlighting, scissor keyboard switches, and trackpad with multi-gesture support.
  • iOS 13.4 will feature cursor support.  Works with both the older and new ipad 11" Pro for $300.
  • Or $350 for the 12.9" keyboard....
Direct download: cultcast_432.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:14pm PDT

This week: iOS 14 leaks! We’ll run through the best new features. Plus: Corona has hit Apple hard, and will mean delays for some of your most anticipated tech. Is Apple’s March event going to be canceled too? We’ll tell you what we know.

This episode supported by

Keeps’ treatments are are up to 90% effective at reducing and stopping further hair loss, so the sooner you start using Keeps, the more hair you’ll save! Visit keeps.com/cultcast to get started and get your first month's treatments free.

Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant.

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

Game over for E3 2020: COVID-19 takes out gaming’s biggest event

  • E3 2020 is the latest major event to be scrapped amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The game industry’s biggest trade show was scheduled to kick off in Los Angeles on June 9. It will no longer go ahead this year.

With iPhone SE 2 delayed indefinitely, source confirms Apple nixes rumored March event

  • Apple decided to postpone a March product launch event after continuing delays in the production of an expected successor to the iPhone SE, a source at Apple confirmed to Cult of Mac.

iOS 14 could bring brand-new Home screen layout with list view

  • iOS 14 will ship with a brand-new Home screen layout that allows users to arrange icons in a list, according to a new report. The view is expected to be customizable and will incorporate Siri Suggestions for making your most frequently used apps easier to access.

Apple tests iMessage mentions, retractions and more for iOS 14

  • Apple is reportedly testing a number of new iMessage features that could debut with iOS 14 later this year. They include the ability to retract messages after they’re sent, and to tag other people in group chats. We could also get the option to mark messages as unread.

Apple’s HomeKit may add Night Shift to smart lights

  • Apple’s HomeKit home-automation system will reportedly get a version of Night Shift to reduce the amount of blue in smart light bulbs as each day nears its end. This feature, allegedly coming with iOS 14 in the fall, is supposed to help people sleep better.
Direct download: cultcast_431.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:18pm PDT

This week: Apple is prepping a new 14.1” MacBook Pro with an all-new mini-LED display, plus a new iMac and iMac mini! We’ll tell you what you need to know. And in the wake of Corona virus, will Apple need to cancel WWDC? We discuss. And stay tuned for the best ways to disinfect your iPhone, iPad, keyboard, and more.

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. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant.

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 preps 14.1-inch MacBook Pro with mini-LED display

  • Apple plans to make an aggressive push adding mini-LED displays to its products in 2020, according to one of the most reliable Apple analysts in the game.

What to expect from this month’s new iMac

  • This week, serial rumor-tweeter CoinX predicted the imminent release of a new iMac and a new Mac mini. But what does that mean exactly? A giant, 30-inch iMac that looks like the Pro Display XDR? Apple’s first ARM-based Mac? Probably not. So what changes can we expect?

Apple’s biggest manufacturer says production will return to normal by end of March

  • Apple manufacturer Foxconn hopes to resume regular production in China by the end of March.

COVID-19 virus means tough decisions about WWDC and rumored Apple keynote

  • Apple faces mounting pressure to decide whether to cancel, delay or change the format of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, typically held in June. The same holds true, although to a lesser extent, for Apple’s rumored March product keynote.

How to disinfect your Mac, iPhone, mouse, trackpad, keyboard and cases

Direct download: cultcast_430.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:35am PDT

1