This week: Pro MacBook Pro Vs. the Intel MacBook Pro—battle of the benchmarks! And the performance differences are absolutely INSANE.

Plus: our hands-on review of AirPods 3, and Apple is perfectly poised to release and actual Apple Television.

Get 2 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, dedicated 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

2021 MacBook Pro review roundup: Just what we hoped for

• The first reviews of the 2021 MacBook Pro just dropped, and they’re generally quite positive. There’s praise for the mini-LED display, the return of useful ports, and the sheer power of Apple’s new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

New MacBook Pros prove surprisingly good at gaming

• Apple’s M1 Pro and M1 Max processors in the new MacBook Pro offer powerful graphic performance. That’s intended for artists rendering video and other professional tasks, but tests show that it translates to excellent gaming performance.

Intel CEO: My job is to win Apple back Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger says the ball is in the chip giant's court to win back lost business from the Mac making Apple.

Win a sleek Satechi Trio Wireless Charging Pad [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Hands-on: AirPods 3 sound great thanks to lots of trickle-down tech [Review]

• The new AirPods 3 are marvelous little earbuds. They sound fantastic, are dead easy to set up and use, and the wireless charging case is a godsend.

Amazon TVs to Support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit

• Amazon's Omni and 4-Series Omni TVs launch today, featuring 4K HDR, voice controls with Amazon Alexa, and close integration with the Fire TV user experience. Upon the launch of the new TVs, Amazon today announced that it plans to add support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit "soon."

The Iconic Pillow Collection 2 by Throwboy

This week: everything you need to know about the new M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pros, including new details! Plus: our reactions to everything Apple “Unleashed”, and Tim Cook Sherlocks the CultCloth!

Get 2 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, dedicated 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

MacBook Pro gets insane M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, gorgeous new design

• “We set out to create the world’s best pro notebook, and today we’re excited to introduce the all-new MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max — a game-changing combination of phenomenal performance, unrivaled battery life, and groundbreaking features,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, in a press release after the event. “The all-new MacBook Pro adds a breathtaking XDR display, more ports like MagSafe 3, an advanced 1080p camera, and a sensational six-speaker sound system, all in a stunning new design. The new MacBook Pro simply has no equal and is by far the best pro notebook we’ve ever built.”

M1 Max chip could deliver even greater graphics than PlayStation 5

• MacBook Pro’s mind-blowing M1 Max chip could deliver even greater graphics than Sony’s newest PlayStation 5 console, according to early estimates. It has even more raw GPU power, at least on paper, with up to 32 graphics cores.

Early benchmarks show crazy performance gains for Apple M1 Max

• The M1 Max blows all the MacBook chips that came before it — not just those made by Intel, but even Apple’s own M1 — right out of the water, with up to 181% faster graphics than the previous 16-inch MacBook Pro.

New MacBook Pros Include Improved Thermal System That Apple Says You'll Rarely Need Thanks to Apple Silicon

• The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros include entirely new designs and a new chassis, and one improvement of the newer chassis compared to its predecessor is improved thermals.

Some MacBook Pro wait times stretch nearly to Christmas

• Order the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage from Apple.com on Monday and it’ll arrive sometime between October 26 and November 2. That’s as quick as anyone can get the new notebook — the launch date is Oct. 26.

Apple Music gets a ‘Voice Plan’ that costs just $4.99 a month

Win an iPhone 13 case bundle from Smartish [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Upgraded AirPods gain spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and more

• Apple used part of its “Unleashed” event on Monday to announce a major refresh of it signature earbuds. The new third-generation AirPods feature spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and dynamic head tracking and come with a redesign that makes them look more like AirPods Pro (although without the silicone ear tips).

I got Sherlocked at Apple’s ‘Unleashed’ event!

This week: Finally! Here come the M1X Macs! We talk our predictions for Monday’s Apple “Unleashed” event! Plus: a rumor says Apple is prepping a Nintendo Switch-like gaming console, and we reveal our favorite new shows on an all-new What We’re Into!

Get 2 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, dedicated 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

New MacBook Pros Likely to Launch at Apple Event This Month, Says Gurman

• In his latest newsletter, Gurman says Apple y is poised to announce the M1X powered MacBook Pros within the next month, noting that "Apple typically does its major new Mac introductions in October. So stay tuned."

Apple invites the world to Oct. 18 ‘Unleashed’ event; new M1X Macs expected

• Apple sent out invites Tuesday to its much-anticipated October product launch event. The tagline is “Unleashed,” and the streaming event almost certainly will bring the debut of redesigned MacBooks and perhaps an iMac running an updated Apple processor.

M1X MacBook Pros might start at 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, 120Hz screen

• A tipster who goes by Dylandkt reported Tuesday via Twitter that the base models for both sizes of the 2021 MacBook Pro will have 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Those are double the amounts in the 13-inch M1 MacBook released in 2020. But they are the same as the current base model 16-inch MacBook Pro, which uses an Intel processor.

Win an iPhone 13 case bundle from Smartish [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you just got an iPhone 13, this week’s giveaway is for you. Popular case-maker Smartish is giving one lucky winner a bundle that will keep their new iPhone protected, organized and charged.

Laughable report claims Apple will take on Nintendo Switch with powerful hybrid console

• Apple is developing its own “Nintendo Switch style gaming console” with a hybrid design that “will outperform anything that Microsoft or Sony offers in 2021,” according to one very sketchy report citing unnamed sources.

Apple Arcade goes big with NBA 2K22 and Transformers: Tactical Arena

• Apple’s gaming service will soon launch a pair of big-name titles. Basketball season starts soon, and that means it’s time for NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition. Meanwhile, Transformers: Tactical Arena will let players choose their favorite characters and battle it out in PvP action.

Apple signals entertainment ambitions with major Los Angeles expansion

• With plans underway to build two adjoining facilities on the border of Los Angeles and Culver City, Apple has signaled it means business in the entertainment industry. The new development will serve as its regional headquarters, the Cupertino tech giant said.

Classic iPhone Game 'Tiny Wings' Launches on Apple Arcade This Friday

• Over a decade after being released on the App Store, the classic hit iPhone game Tiny Wings is coming to Apple Arcade this Friday.

What We’re Into!

The Boys (Amazon Prime)

Loki (Disney +)

ROBIN Test Footage Scene

Foundation (Apple TV+)

This week: M1X MacBook Pro is coming soon! We discuss. And remembering Steve Jobs, we miss him. Plus: it's back—an all new Under Review! We're revealing our favorite new gadgets.

Get 2 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, dedicated 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

New MacBook Pros Likely to Launch at Apple Event This Month, Says Gurman

• In his latest newsletter, Gurman says Apple y is poised to announce the M1X powered MacBook Pros within the next month, noting that "Apple typically does its major new Mac introductions in October. So stay tuned."

How to get ready to pre-order Apple Watch Series 7

• The time when you can preorder the next generation of Apple Watch is drawing close. Apple will start taking people’s money at exactly 5 a.m. PDT this Friday, Oct. 8.

Apple stays strangely silent on most Apple Watch Series 7 prices

• Apple Watch Series 7 launches Friday but pricing information for most configurations remains a mystery less than a day from the debut. All Apple has revealed so far is that the base model is $399.

Win a bundle of iPhone 13 cases from Case-Mate [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you just bought the latest iPhone 13 and need some new cases, this week’s giveaway is for you. Case-Mate is giving away five of its most popular cases that are both pretty and protective.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs dies at 56

• October 5, 2011: Apple co-founder Steve Jobs dies at the age of 56 in his home in Palo Alto, California. Jobs’ official cause of death is respiratory arrest arising from complications related to a rare type of pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed with the cancer eight years earlier, and officially stepped down from his role as Apple CEO in August 2011.

Tim Cook reflects on Steve Jobs’ legacy on 10th anniversary of his passing

• This week, Tim Cook sent a memo to all employees about his former boss and friend. In it, he says that Jobs’ passion to change the world for the better lives on in the company.

Apple pays touching tribute to Steve Jobs a decade after his passing

• Apple today commemorates its co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs ten years after he passed away from pancreatic cancer. The company’s homepage has been adorned with images of Jobs throughout his years at Apple, as well as an official film and a statement from the Jobs family.

Jony Ive on What He Misses Most About Steve Jobs

• My memories of that brutal, heartbreaking day 10 years ago are scattered and random. I cannot remember driving down to his house. I do remember a hazy October sky and shoes that were too tight. I remember afterwards Tim and I sat quietly in the garden together for a long time.

This week: we've been using our iPhone 13/Pros for one week now—here are our honest reviews! Plus: iOS 15, bugs galore! We'll cover all the major iOS 15 and iPhone 13 bugs you need to know about.

Get 2 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, dedicated 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 13, 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 Pro truly is the Goldilocks phone [Review]

• Is there such a thing as the fabled Goldilocks phone? You know, a phone that is just right? Not too big. Not too small. Great camera and screen. Amazing battery life.

iPhone 13 component shortage lengthens wait times

• Production of the new iPhone 13 series isn’t catching up to demand. A shortage of a critical component is keeping wait times long for many versions of the handset.

Can’t wait for an iPhone 13? Win one!!!

New iPhone 13 cases and accessories in the Cult of Mac Store

Apple vows to fix iPhone 13 bug that breaks Unlock with Apple Watch

• Apple has promised to fix an iPhone 13 bug that prevents owners from using Unlock with Apple Watch. In the meantime, users can disable the feature to prevent an “Unable to Communicate with Apple Watch” error from appearing.

iPhone owners suffer intermittent touch input issues under iOS 15

• Some iPhone models are being plagued by touchscreen issues under Apple’s newest iOS 15 firmware. The problem, which seems to affect iPhone 13 owners most, causes devices to not respond to touch inputs.

iOS 15 problems continue as iPhone 13 owners report CarPlay crashes

• The long list of problems that have surfaced in iOS 15 continues to grow as iPhone 13 owners report new issues with CarPlay. Some say they are unable to play tracks in Apple Music or third-party apps like Spotify without the system crashing completely. There are some fixes you can try, like disabling the equalizer if it’s active, that may solve the problem.

iPhone 14 Coming With “Complete Redesign” Next Year, Says Mark Gurman