The CultCast

This week, don’t call it an event — but M4 Macs are coming next week! Also, the second wave of Apple Intelligence, all the Apple products coming next spring, their expensive Apple Card mistake, and is production ending on Vision Pro?

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This week’s stories:

Apple October Mac event is on… sort of

  • Apple let the world know on Thursday that its much-anticipated October event isn’t going to be a traditional one. Instead, it’ll be a week of announcements of new products via press releases.

Apple plans early-2025 M4 MacBook Air refresh, delays next Mac Studio

  • While some M4 Macs may arrive in the next week, Apple also gears up for a bigger expansion of its M4 chip rollout, including the M4 MacBook Air coming in early 2025.

iOS 18.2 beta 1: All the new features and changes

  • Ahead of iOS 18.1’s public release, Apple released the first iOS 18.2 beta to developers. The second major point release of iOS 18 packs several changes, including new Apple Intelligence features.

Apple and Goldman Sachs hit with $90 million in fines for Apple Card mistakes

  • The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) imposed nearly $90 million in combined penalties on Apple and Goldman Sachs, the agency said Wednesday.

Apple could soon end production of Vision Pro headset

  • Apple reportedly might end production of the Vision Pro by the end of the year. That doesn’t mean the mixed-reality headset is about to be discontinued, however.
Direct download: CultCast_670.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:48pm PST

This week, a new iPad mini drops — what does this mean for the Macs on the way? Also, details on all the weird Vision products Apple’s working on…

This episode supported by:

Listeners like you. Your support helps us fund CultCast Off-Topic, a new weekly podcast of bonus content available for everyone; and helps us secure the future of the podcast. You also get access to The CultClub Discord, where you can chat with us all week long, give us show topics, and even end up on the show. Support The CultCast at support.thecultcast.com — OR at CultOf9to5MacRumors.com

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This week’s stories:

New iPad mini 7 gains the brains for Apple Intelligence

  • The iPad mini 7, the first new version released in three years, offers support for the AI features dubbed Apple Intelligence. Plus, the tablet comes with a significant jump in storage capacity and supports the new Apple Pencil Pro.

Why we might not get an Apple October Mac and iPad event

  • Mac notebooks and desktops with the M4 processor are still expected to premiere soon. Just maybe more quietly.

Apple’s cheaper Vision headset might remain out of budget for most

  • For wider adoption, Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper Vision headset. In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reveals that the low-end Vision headset “cost about $2,000 and probably use an inferior processor and cheaper materials.”

Apple preps smart glasses and AirPods with cameras for 2027

  • Apple reportedly wants to repurpose some of the technology that went into its Vision Pro headset for simpler products. That includes a pair of smart glasses plus AirPods with IR cameras.

USA Facts

Apple Has a New Smart Home Strategy: Screens Everywhere

  • Apple is finally preparing to compete for the smart home market after falling behind Amazon and Google.
Direct download: CultCast_669.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:32pm PST

Erfon reveals three secrets, LEWIS reveals NONE.

Direct download: CCOT_16_-_secrets.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:55pm PST

This week, new Macs and iPads are coming soon — but the MacBook Pro is already here! It’s the biggest leak since the iPhone 4. Also, Apple silicon modems are back on the table, our hands-on with Apple Intelligence and the scoop on Apple’s new update strategy!

This episode supported by:

Listeners like you. Your support helps us fund CultCast Off-Topic, a new weekly podcast of bonus content available for everyone; and helps us secure the future of the podcast. You also get access to The CultClub Discord, where you can chat with us all week long, give us show topics, and even end up on the show. Support The CultCast at support.thecultcast.com — OR at CultOf9to5MacRumors.com

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This week’s stories:

Apple Core

  • Graham Bower and Charlie Sorrel explore the story behind a different Apple product in each episode.

Apple’s next-gen M4 Macs and iPad mini 7 are almost here

  • Apple’s next-gen M4 Macs will reportedly arrive November 1, rather than in October as is generally expected.

M4 MacBook Pro allegedly unboxed weeks before release

  • An alleged unboxing video of the M4 MacBook Pro went live on YouTube over the weekend. The early hands-on, if real, shows that Apple’s next MacBook will pack impressive performance improvements over the M3 version.

iPhone SE 4’s in-house Apple 5G modem could deliver major power savings

  • The upcoming iPhone SE 4 will reportedly sport a new design that will see Apple ditch the physical Home button. It will also stand out for being the first product in Apple’s portfolio to use its in-house 5G modem.

Hands-on with the first 10 Apple Intelligence features

  • Apple Intelligence makes its debut with 10 new features — some of it is fantastic, some of it is kind of pointless.
  • YouTube video

Bloomberg: Apple Slowly Moves Away From Its Annual Product Release Strategy

  • Apple has clearly realized that there’s an issue. Pursuing a big fall launch for most of its new hardware and software offerings has become too much of a toll — and the company is ever-so-slightly inching away from that path.
Direct download: CultCast_668.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:20pm PST

This week, EVERYTHING that’s coming next — new Macs and iPads, the iPhone SE, Vision Pro 2 and a brand-new smart display with Apple Intelligence. Finally, we’ll wrap it up with Erfon’s week-long review of AirPods 4!

This episode supported by:

Listeners like you. Your support helps us fund CultCast Off-Topic, a new weekly podcast of bonus content available for everyone; and helps us secure the future of the podcast. You also get access to The CultClub Discord, where you can chat with us all week long, give us show topics, and even end up on the show. Support The CultCast at support.thecultcast.com — OR at CultOf9to5MacRumors.com

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.

This week’s stories:

What Macs and iPads to expect at Apple’s rumored October event

  • Rumors say an Apple event should bring new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models with the M4 chip, with a new iPad mini and budget iPad also on the agenda.

iPhone SE 4 with Apple Intelligence on course for early 2025

  • iPhone SE 4 should debut early next year with some major upgrades.

iPad Air could be in for a quick performance upgrade

  • The revamped iPad Air debuted in May, but there’s already word that a replacement is on Apple’s drawing board.

Next-gen Vision Pro with M5 chip will support Apple Intelligence

  • Ming-Chi Kuo detailed some planned improvements from Apple for the next-gen Vision Pro.

Apple smart display with Apple Intelligence coming in 2025

  • Apple might launch a new smart display running a new operating system called homeOS early next year. The device could feature FaceTime integration and act as a smart home controller.
Direct download: CultCast_667.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:59pm PST

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