This week: we got new details and leaks on the upcoming MacBook Pros, iMacs, and Mac Pro mini… or will it be the Mac Mini Pro??? Plus: lossless music is coming to Spotify, which means the mythical Apple Music lossless is also coming our way.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

Blast from the past: 2021 iMac could bring back multiple colors

• Apple leaker Jon Prosser shared renders of the upcoming new iMac design. Visually, it looks a lot like Apple’s Pro Display XDR, with a hint of iPad Pro. However, the big difference is that this year’s iMac supposedly will come in a range of colors.

Exciting new render previews Mac Pro mini

• Apple leaker Jon Prosser shared the first image of what he claims is Apple’s forthcoming "Mac Pro mini" in his latest FrontPageTech video, along with news about the multiple color options for the forthcoming iMac redesign.

HDMI port and SD card reader supposedly will return to MacBook Pro this year

• TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros to launch in the second half of this year.

How to tell if Silver Sparrow malware is hiding on your Mac

• Some of the first malware targeting both M-series and Intel Macs has affected thousands of computers. At this point, the malicious code — called “Silver Sparrow” — is not dangerous, and Apple may have pulled its teeth. But users of the latest macOS computers still might want to know if their device has it. And the same goes for owners of Intel-based Macs. Here’s how to find out if your computer has been hit.

Spotify HiFi will bring CD-quality audio to 'select markets' this year

• The company confirmed today that it plans to launch a Spotify HiFi service in 'select markets' later this year.

This week: my fellow Govs, we got leaks. Let’s talk about the new features coming to iPhone 13! Plus, Stoners rejoice!—the new emojii coming to ioS 14.5 are exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

And we wrap up with our favorite new shows and vape apparati in an all-new What We’re Into!

Get 3 episodes of CultCast Off Topic each and every week for just $6! Off Topic is a new weekly variety show hosted by Erfon Elijah and friends, decidated to tech, gaming, culture, and more. Join Cult Support, good friend!

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 iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, 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.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

iPhone 13 could be Apple’s first with an always-on display

• The iPhone 13 series will borrow the always-on screen from the Apple Watch, according to an unconfirmed report. And the upcoming iPhone supposedly will support some new camera tricks, including Portrait Mode for video. It’s shaping up to perhaps be more than a speed-bumped version of Apple’s 2020 models.

Apple Wins Patent for iPhone Display With Variable Refresh Rates Up to 240Hz

• A new Apple patent published this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office describes an iPhone display that, with high refresh mode enabled, could be capable of updating content at two times, three times or even four times the native refresh rate, as reported by Patently Apple. For example, an iPhone with a 60Hz display would be able to increase its variable refresh rate to 120Hz, 180Hz or 240Hz automatically.

New iOS 14.5 emoji will set your heart on fire [Updated]

• https://blog.emojipedia.org/first-look-217-new-emojis-in-ios-14-5/
• The fresh emoji appearing in the second iOS 14.5 beta will set your heart afire. Or at least let you show that in texts. The new collection of pictographs also includes some new faces, and plenty of additional variations to show how we couple up in the 21st century.

Apple Music Subscribers Can Share Lyrics and Song Clips in iOS 14.5 Beta 2

• Apple on Tuesday released the second betas of iOS and iPadOS 14.5 to developers, and while there were some new additions worth highlighting, most of the more notable features were thought to be already available in the first set of betas.

How Apple’s first COO turned ‘chaotic’ company into international powerhouse

• Long before Tim Cook brought his operations wizardry to Apple, Del Yocam lent his logistical prowess to Cupertino. Apple’s first chief operating officer, he helped transform the company from a chaotic, scrappy startup into a streamlined manufacturing powerhouse.

This week:

☑️ Apple's mysterious mixed reality headset is about way more than just games
☑️ Why there should never be another iPhone mini
☑️ Apple Maps will let drivers report accidents, speed traps and other hazards
☑️ How to set Spotify and others as your default music player in iOS 14.5
☑️Tim Cook Featured on Outside Magazine Cover, he's a rugged outdoorsman!

Get 3 episodes of CultCast Off Topic each and every week for just $6! Off Topic is a new weekly variety show hosted by Erfon Elijah and friends, decidated to tech, gaming, culture, and more. Join Cult Support!

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 iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, 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.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week: There should never be another iPhone mini

• iPhone 12 mini is the worst selling of the new iOS handsets by a wide margin. Apple should be embarrassed because there was plenty of evidence before the launch that sales would be poor. Take note: Another super-small iPhone would just compound the mistake.

Top Apple engineer now heads AR/VR glasses development

• Dan Riccio, one of Apple’s top designers, is reportedly now concentrating all his efforts on the company’s virtual-reality visor and augmented-reality glasses.

Apple Mixed Reality Headset Renders Depict Rumored Design

Apple Maps will let drivers report accidents, speed traps and other hazards

• Apple Maps will start collecting crowd-sourced accident reports when iOS 14.5 is released. The beta version already lets users test sharing the locations of accidents, speed traps and other hazards.

How to set Spotify and others as your default music player in iOS 14.5

• The recently released iOS 14.5 beta gives iPhone and iPad users the ability to change their default music player for the first time. Third-party apps like Spotify and Tidal are supported, and switching is super-simple.

Tim Cook Featured on Outside Magazine Cover, Talks Health and Wellness

• Cook said that Apple Park is "like working in a national park," with a design that "brings the outside in and the inside out."

This week: imagine a car that can drive you around like a taxi, and come pick you up from wherever you are… that’s Apple Car, and it’s coming sooner than you think.

Plus: Apple’s VR headset will be a MONSTER. Could boast 8K display, advanced hand-eye-tracking, and a ridiculous $3,000 price tag.

Get 3 episodes of CultCast Off Topic each and every week for just $6! Off Topic is a new weekly variety show hosted by Erfon Elijah and friends, decidated to tech, gaming, culture, and more. Join Cult Support, good friend!

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 iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, 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.

Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK

On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

Apple gears up to sign $3.6 billion deal with Kia to build Apple Car

• In early January, Hyundai said it engaged in conversations with Apple about a potential partnership to manufacture cars for Cupertino. However, the South Korean company later pulled back on these reports and removed Apple’s name from some of its public statements.

Apple Car might never need a driver

• No one will ever drive an Apple Car, according to leaked information. Apple is reportedly planning a vehicle that’s completely autonomous. It’ll be programmed, not driven.

Apple Car could finally hit the road in 2025, but it won’t be cheap

• Apple Car could ship in 2025, and will be “positioned as a very high-end” model in terms of pricing, claims TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple’s $3,000 VR headset could boast 8K display, advanced hand- and eye-tracking

• Apple’s mixed-reality headset could cost around $3,000, solidifying its status as a niche luxury item, The Information claims in a new report.

How to use iCloud Passwords inside Google Chrome on Windows

• Apple has rolled out a somewhat surprising Google Chrome extension that allows users to access iCloud Passwords on Windows machines.

Apple Pulls Version 12 of iCloud for Windows That Supported iCloud Passwords Chrome Extension [Update: It's Back]