This week:

We've got our first look at iPhone 15 and the secret new color coming to iPhone 15 Pro. Plus: Apple's prepping a world changing feature for Apple Watch.

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Save 50% on a Dashlane subscription with code cultofmac50!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

The Lectric XP 3.0 is a compact but powerful folding eBike you can take anywhere! At just $999, with its 45 mile range and speeds up to 28 MPH, the XP 3.0 is one of the best eBike values on the market. Visit lectricebikes.com to learn more!

This week's stories

Leaked iPhone 15 CAD renders reveal bigger 6.2-inch display with Dynamic Island

• 3D CAD renders of the 2023 iPhone 15 have leaked online, revealing all the design changes Apple is planning. This includes bringing the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island to the non-Pro iPhones this year.

TSMC’s entire 3nm chip output goes to Apple

• Apple designs its own processors but they’re made by TSMC. And the foundry has been able to shrink the components of Apple’s chips every year or two, allowing them to work faster while generating less waste heat.

Enter to win a sturdy, folding iPad stand that rotates 360 degrees [Cult of Mac giveaway] - Lewis

• This week’s giveaway will let five lucky winners get their hands on a convenient 360 Rotating Universal Tablet Stand from Lululook. Available in two sleek colors, space gray and silver, this rock-solid iPad stand will definitely complement your device.

Inside the secret mission to add glucose monitor to Apple Watch

• Apple Watch is well-known as a health tracker, but a new report said a secret project dating back to Steve Jobs’ era — to use the wearable to monitor glucose without pricking the skin to get blood — has made headway recently. And that has major implications.

Why the Apple Watch might be banned from US import

• A decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission to block Apple Watch imports reportedly received a go-ahead from the Biden administration.

 

This week:

We roundup the features coming iPhone 15 Pro and Max! Plus: a new 15.5-inch MacBook is INCOMING, and don’t forget to update the software on your MagSafe cable!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

The Lectric XP 3.0 is a compact but powerful folding eBike you can take anywhere! At just $999, with its 45 mile range and speeds up to 28 MPH, the XP 3.0 is one of the best eBike values on the market. Visit lectricebikes.com to learn more!

This week's stories

What to expect from the redesigned, faster iPhone 15 in 2023

• Apple has used the same basic iPhone chassis design for three years, and the company’s previous practices indicate it’s time for a change. A tipster says we can expect rounded edges in place of the current square ones. But no images or CAD drawings showing the exact changes have emerged yet.

 

Apple supposedly will use titanium in at least one of the Pro models. 15.5-inch MacBook Air could arrive in April

• A super-size MacBook Air is supposedly right around the corner. An analyst who’s built a solid reputation for accurately predicting Apple products says the next macOS notebook will be out in six weeks or so.

 

We're giving away five 360 Rotating Universal Tablet Stand from Lululook.

• Made of aluminum with a heavy-duty base, this stable tablet stand can hold everything from an iPad Pro to a iPhone (plus Android devices -- boo!).

 

Don’t forget to update the software on your MagSafe cable

• Apple issued an important software update recently — and we’re not talking for iPhone, Mac, iPad or Apple Watch. It’s 2023, so it’s for something way more esoteric: a power cable.
• Yes, the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable comes with a tiny computer inside of it that needs software updates, for some inscrutable reason.

 

King Charles coronation logo created by iPhone designer

• The official logo for King Charles III's coronation, which will show up at street parties and on social media and souvenirs, has been revealed by Buckingham Palace.
• It has been created by Sir Jony Ive, known for his innovative designs of Apple gadgets, including the iPhone.

 

This week:

Details leak about iPhone ULTRA, a higher-end iPhone with a higher price! Plus, Apple execs reveal why they really ditched Intel...

This episode supported by

The Lectric XP 3.0 is a compact but powerful folding eBike you can take anywhere! At just $999, with its 45 mile range and speeds up to 28 MPH, the XP 3.0 is one of the best eBike values on the market. Visit lectricebikes.com to learn more!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Apple could launch an ‘Ultra’ high-end iPhone as soon as 2024

• Apple’s Tim Cook told investors that consumers are willing to pay up for the best iPhone they can get, signaling that even more ritzy models may be on the way.

 

‘iPhone Ultra’ concept envisions what a titanium iPhone might look like

Exclusive: iPhone reverse wireless charging development continues after Apple missed target

Win a supreme stand that mounts your MagSafe iPhone anywhere [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This week’s giveaway will see three lucky winners receiving an Orbit Universal Magnetic Stand by SwitchEasy.The multifunctional stand works with any MagSafe-compatible iPhone. And it lets you mount that iPhone practically anywhere, from your desk to monitor to your car’s dash (thanks to the 3M sticker on the back).

 

Who will be Apple’s next Jony Ive? Nobody, apparently.

• Apple reportedly stopped looking for a replacement industrial design chief. This is surprising, as it’s a high-profile position once held by Jony Ive, who led the team that created the iconic look of the iPhone, iMac and more.

 

Apple execs reveal what went wrong with Intel

• What pulled Apple away from Intel? In a new interview, Apple executives Tim Millet and Bob Borchers reveal why the company shifted to making its own Mac chips.

 

This week:

The HomePods are arriving at people's doorsteps and the reviews are in — let's have an honest chat about HomePod V2. Plus: Apple is planning an even BIGGER Ultra Watch, and a folder iPad is in the works!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

HomePod 2 review roundup: Great sound but no giant leap forward

• If there’s a bottom line to HomePod 2 reviews published Tuesday by the likes of CNET, The Verge, TechRadar and TechCrunch, it’s that the new full-size HomePod is a fine choice for hardcore Apple users of means — but not so much for anyone else.

HomePod 2 wait times stretch out until March

• Order the recently unveiled HomePod 2 from the online Apple store today and it might not arrive until March. Preorders for the revived version of Apple’s full-size smart speaker have surpassed the launch-day supply.

Kuo: Apple to Release Foldable iPad With Carbon Fiber Kickstand in 2024

• Apple will launch a foldable iPad with a carbon fiber kickstand sometime next year, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple Smart Home Display: Everything We Know

• Apple is working on a new Home accessory that is designed to serve as a central hub for smart home management. The Apple TV and the HomePod are already home hubs and almost all Apple devices can control a HomeKit setup, but Apple is designing an all-in-one home management product to make control even easier.

The giveaway this week is from SwitchEasy it's for the Orbit Universal Magnetic Stand.

• SwitchEasy’s Orbit Universal Magnetic Stand is fully adjustable and extendable for the perfect view, with strong magnets to mount any MagSafe-compatible iPhone (or compatible case).

Apple Watch Ultra With Nearly 10% Larger Display Rumored to Launch Next Year

• A new Apple Watch Ultra with a larger 2.1-inch display will be released in 2024, according to a report today from Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, citing industry sources.

Jony Ive creates ‘perfect’ schnoz for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day

• Legendary Apple design chief Jony Ive, responsible for the look and feel of iconic products like iPhone, grabbed headlines Wednesday for a new creation — a big, red paper nose. That may sound odd, but it’s for a good cause.

This week:

Yes the new M2 MacBook Pro is a spec bump, but it's a BIG one! Plus: why the new Mac mini is both exciting AND disappointing, and the original HomePods get another big update!

This episode supported by

Rocket Money shows you all your subscriptions all in one place, and then cancels whatever you don’t want with a single click! Cancel your unnecessary subscriptions right now at rocketmoney.com/cultcast.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

2023 MacBook Pro review roundup: M2 Max brings considerable performance boost

• Yes, the M2 MacBook Pro is a spec bump, but a really great one.

First independent look at the newest macOS notebooks. The reviewers’ consensus is that the only noticeable change is the performance gain coming from the new M2 Max or M2 Pro processors.

Review roundup: M2 and M2 Pro chips jack up new Mac mini models

• The Mac mini first came out in 2005 as a compact and affordable desktop option that could draw new Mac users.

Entry-level 2023 Mac mini and MacBook Pros use significantly slower SSDs

Enter to win a charming Apple Watch Band from Goldenerre

iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2 arrive

• After a relatively short beta period, Apple on Monday released iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2 to the public.

This week:

They're finally here, the new M2 MacBook Pros, mew Mac mini and Mac mini "Pro", and the brand new HomePods! This episode we react and discuss all of it....

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Apple Announces New MacBook Pros With M2 Pro and M2 Max Chips, Up to 96GB RAM, and More

• The new M2 Pro chip features a 10-core or 12-core CPU and offers up to 20% faster performance than the M1 Pro chip, according to Apple. The chip also has a 16-core or 19-core GPU that delivers up to 30% faster graphics performance over the M1 Pro, while the 16-core Neural Engine is up to 40% faster compared to the previous generation.

2024 MacBook Pro will feature even-faster 3nm Apple M3-series processors

• Apple designs the CPUs for its computers but they are produced by TSMC. And while the Taiwanese company has been able to consistently shrink the components of Apple’s chips every couple of years, but serious problems with the 3nm process that rollout was delayed many months.

Apple launches powerful new Mac mini at a lower cost

• Apple launched a new Mac mini Tuesday, an upgraded model that uses the M2 chip seen last summer in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. A higher-end version runs on the brand-new M2 Pro chip, which also powers the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, also introduced today.

Apple resurrects full-size HomePod with hot new features, same old price

• The first-generation HomePod debuted in 2018, and received equal parts praise for its audio quality and criticism for its $349 price. A drop to $299 did little to raise interest in the product, so Apple discontinued the HomePod in 2021.

HomePod head-to-head: How Apple’s new smart speaker compares to original

Secret sensor in your HomePod mini will activate soon

• Shortly after HomePod mini launched in 2020, teardowns of the device discovered a sensor to measure both temperature and humidity. No one outside of Apple had been aware of it before because the functionality has been inaccessible to users. But that’s about to change.

This week:

They said they'd never do it! But... according to a new report, Apple is now testing a Mac with a touchscreen, and will be supercharging the a cutting edge new display technology (and more!). Plus: Apple's mixed reality headset is almost here, and is now in the hands of a secret cabal of developers who are building apps and preparing for launch.

This episode supported by

Rocket Money shows you all your subscriptions all in one place, and then cancels whatever you don’t want with a single click! Cancel your unnecessary subscriptions right now at rocketmoney.com/cultcast.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Apple ‘seriously considering’ a touchscreen MacBook

• Apple now has engineers “actively engaged in the project” of adding touchscreens to Mac computers, starting with the popular MacBook Pro. According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, a consistent and reliable leaker, the first Mac with a touchscreen display could ship as soon as 2025.

Enter to win spectacular iPad Pro accessory bundle from Pitaka [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• The Cult of Mac giveaway this week is a corker. We teamed up with Pitaka for one lucky winner to get the chance to win an iPad Pro accessory bundle worth $190.

Apple’s in-house display could debut on the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024

• Apple wants to reduce its reliance on sourcing displays for its products from Samsung and LG. So, the company is working on its own custom displays that it intends to use as early as 2024.

Apple's 2023 Roadmap: When to Expect New Product Launches This Year

No major AirPods, iPad or Apple Watch upgrades planned for 2023

• Every year, Apple has some significant hardware upgrades planned for at least a few devices in its product lineup. 2023 could be an outlier, though.

This week:

We just got our biggest leaks yet of Apple's Mixed Reality headset! Plus: there will soon be some serious competition for Apple's Studio Display, and we add MORE picks to our best of 2022, part 3!

This episode supported by

Rocket Money shows you all your subscriptions all in one place, and then cancels whatever you don’t want with a single click! Cancel your unnecessary subscriptions right now at rocketmoney.com/cultcast.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Apple headset uses waist-mounted battery pack — new details emerge

• After testing a version of Apple’s upcoming AR/VR headset with an internal battery, the company’s engineers have resorted to using a separate battery pack connected by a wire, according to a new report about the secret project.

Mac Pro and M2 Mac mini pegged for launch at huge Apple event in March

• The long-awaited Mac Pro desktop will finally debut at a big March event, according to a new rumor.

Dell’s new 32-inch 6K monitor gives Apple’s ProDisplay XDR some competition

• With Dell’s new 32-inch 6K UltraSharp monitor, the Apple Pro Display XDR is no longer in a category of its own. Dell’s new monitor does things a little differently, though, blending elements from Apple’s $4,999 monitor and the $1,599 Studio Display, providing a possible best of both worlds when it comes to productivity and performance.

Samsung ViewFinity S9 first look: a sleek alternative to Apple’s Studio Display

• Samsung announced its ViewFinity S9 monitor earlier this week. With a 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution and stylish aluminum enclosure, it seems like Samsung is trying to square off with Apple’s Studio Display — likely for a lower price — and LG’s high-resolution monitors

Apple uses AI to voice its latest audiobook catalog

• Apple’s latest catalog of books uses artificial intelligence as a narrator instead of a human voice. This is the first time the Cupertino giant has used AI for audiobook narration.
• The move could have a wide-reaching effect in the audiobook space and mark the beginning of the end of human narrators.

This week:

What Apple hardware is coming next in 2023? We got the list! Plus: it's part 2 of our best of 2022 picks, with our favorite tech, shows, and movies!

This episode supported by

Rocket Money shows you all your subscriptions all in one place, and then cancels whatever you don’t want with a single click! Cancel your unnecessary subscriptions right now at rocketmoney.com/cultcast.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

5 most exciting Apple products coming in 2023

An Apple Watch Ultra for $48? No, but you can get this obvious knockoff

• Some rugged, outdoorsy types might hesitate over the Apple Watch Ultra’s $800 price tag. But what if they could get a lookalike watch for less than $50?

Apple silently downgraded the default resolution of videos when viewed on macOS Photos

This week:

It's part 1 of our best of 2022 picks, with our favorite tech, shows, and movies!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Don’t give up on the iMac Pro just yet

• The first iMac Pro launched in 2017, with a powerful Intel Xeon processor, a 27-inch 5K display and a starting price of $5,000. The first iMac designed for professionals, the pricey computer failed to find a market. Apple nixed it in 2021 without ever releasing follow-up versions. But it’s apparently not too late.

Apple seemingly cancels ‘M2 Extreme’ Mac Pro

• At WWDC20, Apple promised to complete its transition to Apple silicon inside Macs in two years. It missed that deadline, and the company is yet to reveal a replacement for its 2019 Intel Mac Pro.

Apple store rewards procrastinators with free two-hour deliveries

• It’s almost Christmas, while Hanukkah is already in full swing, and the Apple store is helping last-minute shoppers with free two-hour delivery of some items.

Why AirTags make the ultimate Apple stocking stuffers

This week:

The best new features in iOS 16.2, plus: this is unreal—alternate app stores, side loading, and A LOT more coming to iOS!

This episode supported by

Rocket Money shows you all your subscriptions all in one place, and then cancels for you whatever you don’t want with a single click! Cancel your unnecessary subscriptions right now at rocketmoney.com/cultcast.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Apple gears up for alternative app stores on iPhone and iPad

• Apple has launched a major project to allow alternative app stores on iPhones and iPads by 2024. The effort is meant to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, coming fully into force then, and other possible national or regional laws that make Apple allow side loading, according to new report Tuesday.

Apple Considering Dropping Requirement for iPhone Web Browsers to Use WebKit

• As part of a larger story about Apple's plans to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone and iPad in EU countries, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claimed that Apple is also considering removing its requirement for iPhone and iPad web browsers to use WebKit, the open source browser engine that powers Safari.

10 new iOS 16.2 features to try right away

Get way more done with full external display support in iPadOS 16.2

• iPad users can now connect a second display and open up to four application windows on it. This at least doubles the available space to work in. Adding 27-inch screen to an 11-inch iPad is a dramatic change.

Winner’s choice! Enter to win any mophie product [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• The giveaway this week is slightly different, as we teamed up with Zagg to give five lucky winners the opportunity to choose their own prize from the extensive lineup of mophie products.

Escape Apple TV+ subscription fees with Emancipation-themed trial offer

• With Emancipation now streaming on Apple TV+, Apple wants to make sure Will Smith fans can watch it. So the company is offering a free two-month trial of its streaming video service. That’s much longer than the usual 7-day trial.

This week:

We're talking Apple's "20-inch folding MacBook", new features in iOS 16.2, + the big changes coming to iCloud!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

20-inch folding screen could change MacBooks forever

• Apple could be working on a MacBook far larger than the current 16-inch model – a 20.25-inch one is supposedly in development. But don’t picture a standard laptop, as this will supposedly use a folding display.

iOS 16.2 with Freeform, Apple Music Sing and more is just days away

• Apple seeded the iOS 16.2 release candidate to developers Wednesday, taking a huge step toward giving iPhone users access to the Freeform collaboration app, the recently announced Apple Music Sing and other exciting new features.

Apple vastly expands iCloud data encryption with 3 security updates

• Apple said Wednesday users are gaining three new security features to protect their data in the cloud, with some available now and some to come. The overall program is called Advanced Data Protection.

Enter to win a tough, titanium Apple Watch Ultra band from Lululook [Cult of Mac giveaway] - Lewis

• This week’s giveaway will let five lucky winners get their hands on a sturdy Apple Watch Ultra Titanium Band from Lululook. The band matches the new Apple Watch Ultra perfectly, thanks to its sleek titanium finish.

Apple car just got a lot less ambitious

• Apple’s plan for a completely autonomous vehicle has gone back onto the drawing board, according to a reliable source. The company supposedly is still prepping an electric car but the self-driving capabilities much more limited.

Dyson is making the strangest headphones on the planet

This week:

We're talking leaked M2 Max MBP benchmarks, the problem with iCloud, Elon Vs. Apple, the Tesla Phone, and the poor chum who got mugged while carrying 300 brand new iPhones!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Elon Musk declares war on Apple

• Elon Musk declared war on Apple on Monday afternoon. A Twitter war, anyway. The new owner of Twitter very publicly objects to the 30% fee the iPhone-maker claims from purchases made through the iPhone software store, and also says Apple has threatened to pull the Twitter app from the App Store.

Elon Musk might release a Twitter phone - erfon

• Elon Musk says he’ll release a phone that competes with iPhone and Android if he has to. The owner of Twitter might be forced to make a handset if Apple and Google ban the social network from their software stores.

Elon meeting with TC

Elon Musk admits Apple never planned to kick Twitter out of iPhone App Store

• Twitter CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday walked back his claim that Apple was threatening to remove Twitter from the App Store.

Leaked 2023 MacBook Pro benchmarks show it’ll support much more RAM

• Very early benchmark scores for what is apparently the 2023 MacBook Pro show buyers will be able to configure it with much more RAM. And new details on the M2 Max processor were revealed, too.

iCloud Storage Over the Years

Why walking the streets of NYC with 300 iPhones is a bad idea

• A man was robbed of 300 iPhones he’d just purchased at the famous Apple store on Fifth Avenue early Monday. He walked out of the store and was soon assaulted by a pair of criminals who drove off with a bag carrying $95,000 worth of handsets.

This week:

• iPhone 15 going Thunderbolt
• Insane Black Friday deals
• 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. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com

CultCloth will keep your Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

iPhone 15 Pro could feature significantly faster wired data-transfer speeds

• 2023 iPhone 15 Pro models could feature faster data-transfer speeds over a wired connection. Rumors indicate Apple will transition to USB Type-C connectors across its entire iPhone lineup next year. But the faster data-transfer speeds could be limited to the Pro models.

Rounded corners and edges plus titanium case rumored for iPhone 15

• A leaker with a pretty good track record for accuracy said Sunday the upcoming iPhone 15 series will feature rounded corners and edges, plus a titanium case. Rounded corners would harken way back to earlier iPhones and a titanium case would be a first for Apple handsets.

See also Leander's piece from Cult of Mac Today newsletter: "Next iPhone might be titanium

• In the newsletter, he talks all about Apple's alternating "Extrudo" and "Sandwich" design styles. It's been switching between the two from the very beginning!

Enter to win a Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV and say, ‘So long, Siri’ [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• Three lucky winners in this week’s giveaway will be able to cast aside the Siri Remote forever. We’re giving away three Function101 Button Remotes for Apple TV.e
• But even if you don’t win, you can still free yourself from one of Apple’s most divisive devices. Retailing at just $29.95, the Button Remote is a deal for everyone who doesn’t like the Apple TV’s Siri Remote.

The best Black Friday deals on AirPods, MacBooks, iPads and Apple Watch

• Black Friday is just around the corner, and that means you can get hefty discounts on Apple products. While the shopping event is a few days away, Black Friday deals have already gone live across various retailers.

Mondo drops ‘innie’ and ‘outie’ vinyl soundtracks for Severance

• Collectibles seller Mondo will release a soundtrack Wednesday for Apple TV+’s Severance season 1 in two versions, both on vinyl: Innie Edition and Outie Edition.

This week:

• Apple's free Emergency satellite SOS goes live!
• Apple is building a rival to the metaverse
• iPhone 4K video - it’s a scam!
• The magic of Apple's Find My network
• Steve Jobs’ stinky old sandals go to auction

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Apple launches free Emergency SOS via satellite on all iPhone 14 models

• iPhone 14 models can now use Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite service. It allows users of the latest iOS handsets to exchange texts with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

Apple is building a rival to the metaverse

• Apple job listings offer a peek into the development of the company’s long-rumored AR headset. Cupertino seemingly wants to create augmented reality and 3D content for its mixed-reality device, which could arrive in early 2023.

Steve Jobs’ sandals sell for a lot more than you might imagine anyone paying for used shoes - lewis

This week: it's about to get a lot harder to buy Macs, iPhones, AirPods and more. Get'em while you can! Plus: Apple's about to make it even easier to accidentally turn on Siri, and the strange story no one's talking about: Apple's industrial design team is falling apart right before our eyes.

This episode supported by

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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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Bad news for Xmas: Apple’s largest factory forced into ‘total lockdown’

• Days after reports of Foxconn employees hopping fences and fleeing from their jobs, a report from Taiwan News says Apple’s biggest iPhone factory is now on “total lockdown.” These new restrictions could have a big impact on Apple’s sales during the crucial holiday period.

Apple wants to shorten ‘Hey Siri’ trigger phrase to simply ‘Siri’

• Apple is working on changing the “Hey Siri” hotword to just plain “Siri,” and the change could roll out as early as next year.

Apple News will be shoved into the Weather app

• In the latest beta of iOS 16.2, certain cities have an additional section for weather news, slotted between the 10-day forecast and the air quality meter. On iPadOS and macOS Ventura, this section occupies an even larger widget in the corner.

Apple's Product Design Team Reportedly Focused More on Costs in Recent Years

• Apple's efforts to replace its former design chief Jony Ive have been hindered by increased turnover within the company's product design team over the past few years, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The report claims that Apple has lost the majority of senior designers who worked under Ive, with many of them jumping ship to his new design firm LoveFrom, which he started after leaving Apple in 2019.

This week: CultCast is talking iPhone 15 going buttonless, backlit Apple logo making a comeback, and our review of Apple's weird workplace drama Severance!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

iPhone 15 Pro could use solid-state volume and power buttons

• Apple could switch to solid-state volume and power buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro series. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has made this claim based on his latest supply chain checks.

Don’t expect new MacBook Pro or Mac mini before 2023

• Apple is done introducing Macs in 2022, according to a reliable source of insider information. The MacBook Pro models with the M2 Pro and M2 Max allegedly won’t be out until late in Q1 2023.

Backlit Apple Logo Could Make a Comeback on Future MacBooks

• The first Mac laptop with a lit-up Apple logo was the third-generation PowerBook G3 launched in 1999, and the glowing symbol proved a mainstay through consecutive Apple notebooks for the next 16 years. The only change in that period was that the logo got flipped upright, so that it no longer appeared upside down to onlookers when someone was sat in public with the lid open.

New EU Law Could Force Apple to Allow Other App Stores, Sideloading, and iMessage Interoperability

• Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the rules will apply to tech giants that meet its "gatekeeper" criteria and force them to open up their various services and platforms to other companies and developers.

Filming begins on Severance season 2 with 8 new stars

• Fans of the hit Apple TV+ series Severance can rejoice that production on season 2 started this week. More of what Stephen Colbert called a “dystopian workplace sci-fi mystery black comedy psychological thriller” is on the way.

This week: all the best new and hidden features in iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, and macOS Ventura. Plus: Apple releases yet another great update for the original HomePod, and BestBuy beats Apple in providing a way to pay for your new Mac monthly and trade it in when new models come out.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 14, 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.

This week's stories

Apples hikes prices of Apple TV+, Apple Music and Apple One

• Apple plans to raise the prices of some of its subscription services by $1 to $3 each, reports indicated Monday. The services include Apple TV+, Apple Music and the Apple One subscription bundle.

4 great iPadOS 16.1 features that aren’t Stage Manager

• Apple finally released iPadOS 16.1. The debut of the Stage Manager multitasking system has drawn most of the attention, but plenty of other new features are worth checking out, too.
• Monday’s launch is extra-significant because iPadOS 16 never launched. Version 16.1 is the first replacement for last year’s iPadOS 15.x.

5 iOS 16.1 features to try right away

How to share an iCloud Photo Library

iOS 16.1 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.1

Apple Releases New HomePod 16.1 Software With Matter Support

• According to Apple's release notes, HomePod software version 16.1 includes support for the Matter smart home standard.

Best Buy's 'Upgrade+' Program Lets Customers Get a New Mac Laptop Every Three Years With Monthly Financing

• Best Buy today announced a new financing and upgrade program called "Upgrade+." The program involves a combination of interest-free financing through Citizens Pay and an option to upgrade to a new Mac laptop after three years.

This week: new iPad Pros, new iPads, new Apple TVs, and a brand new DONGLE! We're talking ALL the hardware Apple just announced.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

2022 iPad Pro gets speed boost from M2 chip but no new ports

• Apple unveiled new iPad Pro models with the M2 processor, which brings a 15% speed boost to the tablets. But Tuesday’s announcement was a disappointment for those hoping for wireless charging or more ports.

New entry-level iPad 10 looks more Pro than ever

• Apple gave the 2022 version of the basic iPad a larger screen, USB-C, a faster processor and other enhancements. And the Home button is gone. But along with the new features comes a huge 36% price increase.

Enter to win a rugged Apple Watch accessory bundle [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you want a tactical-looking Apple Watch band that doesn’t skimp on comfort, the Mifa Nylon Sports Leather Band is for you. In this week’s giveaway, you can win one — along with an Elkson Quattro Bumper Case that will protect your Apple Watch from whatever mayhem you might get into.

New $249 Magic Keyboard Folio goes with iPad 10

• While the iPad 10 costs much more than previous versions, starting at $449 instead of $329, if you want the detachable keyboard and stand Apple now makes for it, you have to add another $249.

Absurd Apple Pencil dongle sends fans into spiral of grief

• The decision to make the all-new iPad compatible with the original Apple Pencil looks likely to go down as one of Apple’s most ridiculous design decisions.

Logitech Crayon offers kid-friendly USB-C active stylus for iPad 10

• The latest version of the Logitech Crayon iPad stylus charges via USB-C, just like the new iPad 10. That makes it a simpler option than the Apple Pencil 1 that still uses Lightning.
• And the stylus is designed with children in mind.

New Apple TV 4K is faster and cheaper

• Apple has unveiled the 2022 Apple TV 4K with significantly faster internals and a lower price. It features the same A15 Bionic chip found inside the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series.

macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 are coming on October 24

• After months of beta testing, Apple is finally ready to release iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura to the public. Both OSes will release on October 24.

This week: some super useful new features are FINALLY coming to Apple Music and iCloud; our first impressions of Meta's $1500 "Pro" VR headset; the problem with Apple's "Find My"; and AI creates a creepy podcast episode with Steve Jobs and Joe Rogan.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Roller coasters set off iPhone 14 Crash Detection

• People are reportedly getting off roller coasters and discovering that their new iPhone 14 called 911 for them. Turns out the handsets mistook thrilling rides for a car wreck and thought their users needed emergency help. It’s an unintended result of Crash Detection, a feature added to Apple’s latest handsets.

Joe Rogan interviews Steve Jobs in eerie, AI-generated podcast - Lewis

• If you want to hear Steve Jobs talk about the meaning of life, we've got a podcast for you. It's an artificial intelligence-generated conversation between the late Apple co-founder and podcasting superstar Joe Rogan.

Meta Quest Pro: A $1,500 Virtual-Reality Headset for Working in the Metaverse - Wall Street Journal (Joanna Stern)

• Welcome to Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of the future of work, where we all convene in the metaverse to collaborate and be productive. Oh yes, to achieve this, we all have to have the company’s new $1,500 face computer.

Apple iCloud photo libraries will soon be viewable in Windows

• It should soon be much easier to access your iPhone's photo collection on a Windows-based PC.

Apple Music finally launches on Xbox

• Apple Music is now available on the Microsoft Store for the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One, providing subscribers with access to the streaming music service, complete with large album art, full-screen time-synced lyrics, and more. As noted by users on Reddit, music can be played in the background while gaming.

No, Lufthansa isn’t banning AirTags from checked bags

• German airline Lufthansa is not banning Apple’s AirTags and similar tracking tags from checked luggage, the company said Wednesday.

This week: lawmakers in the EU are forcing iPhone and other devices to go USB-C, remembering Steve Jobs on the 11th anniversary of his passing, and things you didn't know you could do with dynamic island!

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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.

EU passes law forcing Apple to switch to USB-C by 2024

• The European Parliament voted in an overwhelming majority Tuesday to enforce USB-C as the standard charging port across a wide range of consumer electronics. The law will come into effect by the end of 2024.

How to control the Dynamic Island with swipes

Take high-resolution 48MP photos with your iPhone 14 Pro

Best Apple Watch Ultra bands: Rugged and ready for adventure

9 things you probably didn’t know about Apple Watch Ultra

This week: iOS 16's best features + our hardware predictions for Apple's definitely-gonna-happen October event!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

16 Hidden iOS 16 Features You Didn't Know About

• Other than the headlining features, there are a number of quality-of-life changes, improvements, and new capabilities baked into iOS 16 that help improve the iPhone experience.

Enter to win a shiny new elago iPhone 14 case of your choice [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This week’s giveaway is to ensure your glossy new iPhone 14 is protected the best way possible. elago, one of our favorite Apple accessory-makers, just launched its new iPhone 14 cases, and we are giving three lucky readers a chance get their hands on one of them.
• The best bit is, if you win, the case choice is yours.

Apple Releases New HomePod 16 Software

• Alongside iOS 16, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, Apple today released new software that's designed for the HomePod and the HomePod mini.

iPhone 14 Pro wait times already stretch into October

• If you procrastinated on ordering one of the new iPhone 14 Pro models, there’s a good chance you’re looking at a lengthy wait for it to be delivered.

Kuo: iPhone 14 Plus Pre-Orders Worse Than iPhone 13 Mini, Product Strategy 'Fails'

• The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have seen "bad" pre-order results, indicating that Apple's positioning of the two new standard models may have failed, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Steve Jobs' Daughter Shares Then Deletes Meme Mocking iPhone 14's Modest Upgrades

• After Apple's iPhone 14 launch event, Steve Jobs' daughter Eve Jobs shared a meme on Instagram that mocked the new iPhones as basically unchanged compared to last year's iPhone 13.

Elon says Apple's in talks with StarLink...

• His tweet: We’ve had some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity. iPhone team is obv super smart.

This week: Apple Watch Ultra, iPhone 14 Pro, AirPods Pro 2 — our reactions to everything!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

iPhone 14 Pro models get major camera upgrades and always-on displays

• Apple revealed its new iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max handsets Wednesday with numerous updates, including massive camera upgrades, always-on displays, an improved A16 chip and the notorious “notch” replaced with a pill-shaped cutout with new “Dynamic Island” interactive functionality.

iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island looks … shockingly original?

• On iPhone 14 Pro models, the notch is gone! It's replaced by what Apple calls the Dynamic Island -- This transforms the pill-shaped cutout into a wild new way to . Always active, it shows information from native and third-party apps, including alerts, so you can keep track of things at a glance, no matter what app you’re in.

iPhone 14 Plus ushers in big changes

• The two Pro models usually get all the attention, but it’s the “standard” iPhone that’s the top seller. That makes the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 the most important model introduced at the event.

Apple Watch Ultra is a big, bulky, beautiful beast

• Measuring 49mm in height, the Ultra is a whopping 4mm taller than the largest Series 7. It boasts the largest watch screen Apple has ever made.

New AirPods Pro support personalized Spatial Audio and precision finding

• With a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier, Apple says the new H2 chip in AirPods Pro 2 provides an "exceptional acoustic experience", including richer bass and clearer sound across a wider range of frequencies.

This week: ahead of next week's Apple event, we've got last-minute details on iPhone 14 and the super secret Apple Watch Pro!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Expect Apple Watch Pro to sport 47mm display

• A critical detail has leaked about about Apple’s upcoming wearable designed for serious athletes. The new top-tier Apple Watch will have a 47mm screen, according to a new report coming out of Asia.

iPhone 14 Pro ultra-wide camera might surprise with its low-light performance

• Shocker! It seems Apple has significant camera upgrades planned for this year’s iPhones.
• Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 14 Pro will use a new ultra-wide sensor with larger 1.4µm pixels. That’s up from the current 12MP sensor featuring a 1.0µm pixel size. It is unclear if the ultra-wide camera will also see a resolution bump from 12MP.

iPhone 14 Pro screen cutouts might not look as expected [Updated]

• Leaks about the “pill and hole” design of the iPhone 14 Pro models started months ago, but Apple still might have a surprise up its sleeve. A new report indicates that software will merge the two display cutouts into one.

Apple and Globalstar Rumored to Announce Satellite Connectivity Feature for iPhone 14 at September 7 Event

• Apple may announce its long-rumored satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone 14 next month, according to Tim Farrar, a satellite communications consultant at California-based research firm Telecom, Media and Finance Associates.

iPhone 13 might offer emergency satellite communication, too

• While large swaths of the world have cellular coverage, there are still huge areas without it. That’s a problem for hikers, boaters and anyone traveling through the remote areas without cell service.
•  

T-Mobile and SpaceX want to connect your iPhone to satellites to end network dead zones

• You won’t need an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 for satellite connectivity. SpaceX and T-Mobile have announced their plan to bring cell connectivity everywhere in the US using satellites.

An AI-Generated Artwork Won First Place at a State Fair Fine Arts Competition, and Artists Are Pissed

• A man came in first at the Colorado State Fair’s fine art competition using an AI generated artwork on Monday. “I won first place,” a user going by Sincarnate said in a Discord post above photos of the AI-generated canvases hanging at the fair.

This week: let's talk Apple's "Far Out" event predictions!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Apple’s ‘far out’ event invite hints at iPhone 14 features

• The starry invitation to the September 7 Far Out event that went out this week might drop a clue to one or more long-rumored features finally coming to the iPhone 14.

M2 MacBook Air runs Windows 11 faster than pricier Dell laptop

• Real-world experiments with the new MacBook Air show Apple’s latest can use Parallels 18 to run Windows 11 faster than a Dell XPS Plus.

Enter to win Bucardo’s unique Apple Watch accessories [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• Two lucky winners will receive one Bucardo Apple Pocket Watch and one Bucardo Sports Band. Together, the items in this unique bundle retail for $189. Enter below for your shot at taking home the big prize.

After 20 years, what’s the most ‘Shazamed’ song of all time?

• Apple bought the popular music-recognition app Shazam, which can name any song you hear, in 2018. Friday marks the app’s 20th birthday. And this week it officially surpassed 70 billion song recognitions, Cupertino said.

MoviePass to relaunch on Labor Day in beta form with pricing ranging from $10-$30 a month

• MoviePass will relaunch in beta form on Labor Day.

How to get 3 months of Apple TV+ for free (new or returning subscribers)

This week: September 7th Apple event, here we go! Let's talk hardware expectations.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

September 7 might bring iPhone 14 unveiling

Some iPhone 14 models jumping in price, but not all

Enter to win Bucardo’s unique Apple Watch accessories [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Beats Fit Pro gets a Kim Kardashian makeover — and sells out fast [Updated]

Berkshire Hathaway added 3.9M more Apple shares in Q2 2022

Does Mark Zuckerberg Not Understand How Bad His Metaverse Looks?

This week: we review iOS 16's best new features, and Apple is hard at work on some very interesting new HomePods, including the original HomePod V2!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

iOS 16 beta 5: All the new features and changes

• The biggest highlight of iOS 16 beta 5 is the ability to show the battery percentage in the status bar of notched iPhones. Currently, the feature is available on the iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone X and XS series. For some strange reason, the iPhone 11 lineup and both the iPhone mini models are missing from this list, but this could change in a future beta release.

Every new email trick in iOS 16 that you need to know

Enter to win a versatile Laut backpack [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• We teamed up with Laut to give Cult of Mac readers a chance to win a roomy City Daypack 12ltr Backpack, retailing at $69.99.

'High-Accuracy' Apple Watch Temperature Sensor Revealed by Patent Filing Just Weeks Before Series 8 Unveiling

Gurman: Apple Considering Updated HomePod Mini Alongside New High-End HomePod

This week:

• M2 MacBook Air blows away other Macs in speed test
• iPhone 14 Pro always-on screen behavior previewed in new iOS 16 wallpaper details
• Apple earnings beat pessimistic predictions
• Apple Maps extends cycling directions to all 50 states
• NYC man learns the hard way to not track down thieves with an AirTag

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

M2 MacBook Air blows away other Macs in speed test

• The new M2 MacBook Air got an amazing score on the Speedometer 2.0 benchmarking app. Apple’s latest notebook solidly beat other Macs in this test of web browser speed.

iPhone 14 Pro always-on screen behavior previewed in new iOS 16 wallpaper details

• 9to5Mac found multiple references to always-on display support in iOS 16, which corroborates all the iPhone 14 Pro rumors.

Apple earnings beat pessimistic predictions

• Back in April, Apple warned that global supply constraints and COVID-19 lockdowns in China could sap between $4 billion and $8 billion in revenue from the June quarter. The company struggled to assemble enough Macs and iPads to meet demand, though it seems to have kept up with iPhone orders.

Apple Maps extends cycling directions to all 50 states

• If you ride a bike, now you can now get turn-by-turn navigation from Apple Maps in all 50 states. That’s because cycling directions recently arrived in Hawaii.

I built a time machine. A time machine that sends you back to the era of iPods and boxed

NYC man learns the hard way to not track down thieves with an AirTag

• A New York City man had his scooter stolen. But he’d put one of Apple’s AirTag item trackers on the bike, so he was able to track down the thieves … who beat the $%#@ out of him.

This week:

• Former Lamborghini exec will help steer Apple car design team
• Apple's patent history reveals a major push into autos
• Why Apple never shipped M1 Mac Pro when it was ready
• BIG - EU adopts final approval of new rules for app stores
• This is what Saudi Arabia's 100-mile long emission-free smart city could look like.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Former Lamborghini exec will help steer Apple car design team

• A former Lamborghini executive recently joined Apple to lead design of the company's long-rumored self-driving car, according to a new report Wednesday.

Apple's patent history reveals a major push into autos

• Nikkei and Intellectual Property Landscape found that as of June 1, Apple applied for and published 248 automobile-related patents after 2000.

Why Apple never shipped M1 Mac Pro when it was ready

• Apple reportedly had an M1-powered Mac Pro ready to ship months ago but decided against launching it. Instead, the company decided to unveil an M2 Extreme-powered version later this year.

Anker pushes GaN envelope with 6 new fast chargers

DMA: Council gives final approval to new rules for fair competition online

• With the final adoption of the Digital Markets Act, we will finally make large online platforms responsible for their actions. Hereby, the EU will change the online space worldwide.

Enter to win a 3-in-1 MagSafe charging station and 200W GaN charger bundle [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This week we are teaming up with Ugreen to give two lucky winners a shot at winning a sleek 3-in-1 MagSafe Wireless Charging Station, retailing at $159.99, plus a six-port Nexode 200W USB-C Desktop Charger priced at $199.99.

This is what Saudi Arabia's 100-mile long emission-free smart city could look like

• In 2021, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman revealed the country's plans to build The Line, a smart linear city that will be constructed vertically, have no roads or cars and run purely on renewable energy. Now, the Saudi government has released image renders of what The Line

This week: the new M2 MacBook Pros are INCOMING!

PLUS

• iOS 16 Introduces New Capabilities for Accessories With U1 Chip Integration
• Amazon's Prime Air drones will soon be making deliveries
• The legendary DeLorean is about to be REBORN!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips could launch this fall

• Apple reportedly has a very aggressive timeline for adding to its M2 chip lineup.

iOS 16 Introduces New Capabilities for Accessories With U1 Chip Integration

• As part of WWDC last month, Apple announced that iOS 16 will allow third-party accessories with U1 chip integration to interact with iPhone apps even when the app is running in the background, enabling new "hands-free user experiences."

Amazon's Prime Air drones will soon make deliveries in Texas

• Amazon, after 9 years of development and research, and more than two done prototypes, will start offering Prime Air service deliveries with drones.

Amazon’s self-driving robotaxi is ‘really close’ to human transport as vehicle passes key safety tests

• AMAZON’s robotaxi startup, Zoox, is the first self-driving tech company to achieve a five-star federal crash rating from the NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.]

The DeLorean lives!

• Alpha 5 - all electric 4 seat sports coupe with limited production
• Should debut in August at Pebble Beach
• Production slated for 2024.
• Only 88 initial units are planned.
• Designed by the original designer of the original DeLorean
• Cars will be built in Italy.
• Several other models are also planned, including an 8-cylinder sports car.

This week: we discuss M2 MacBook Pro performance, first impressions, and reviews. Plus: the end of an era, Jony Ive leaves Apple for good.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

M2 MacBook Air review roundup: The fast and the beauteous

• The M2 MacBook Air is easily the most important notebook Apple will release in 2022, and it’s a winner.

Jony Ive slips Apple’s golden handcuffs

• Jony Ive’s 30-year partnership with Apple is over.

Proposed new emoji list shows we already have all the emoji we need

• The collection of emoji will grow in the coming months, with the 31 proposed new entries including a shaking face, hearts in range of colors, a donkey and a jellyfish. There’s also left- and right-facing hands that will likely be used for high fives.

Win an iPad mini 6 magnetic stand from Lululook [Cult of Mac Giveaway]

• If you own an iPad mini 6, Lululook’s magnetic stand can turn your tiny tablet into a miniature iMac. And this week, we’re teaming up with Lululook to give away five of these great stands, which retail for $80, to five lucky winners.

Hasbro will 3D-print your face onto its iconic action figures

• Have you ever wanted to see your own face on the body of a Power Ranger or a Ghostbuster? Thanks to an ingenious partnership between Hasbro and 3D-printing specialists Formlabs, now you can.

BMW starts selling heated seat subscriptions for $18 a month

• BMW is now selling subscriptions for heated seats in a number of countries — the latest example of the company’s adoption of microtransactions for high-end car features.

This week: Extra-rugged Apple Watch for athletes will pack biggest screen yet! Plus: the Mac Studio is now available with heavy discounts, Apple adding a new "hyper secure" lockdown mode to iOS 16, and US awards Steve Jobs the country's highest honor.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Extra-rugged Apple Watch for athletes will pack biggest screen yet

• The rugged Apple Watch designed for hardcore athletes will come with the smartwatch’s biggest screen yet, according to a new report.

These iOS 16 features won’t be available at launch

• Not all new iOS 16 features will arrive on day one when the operating system launches this fall. A handful of them will come later, after Apple has had a chance to polish them and get them ready for prime time.

Win a 4-in-1 MagSafe charging stand with built-in nightlight [Cult of Mac giveaways]

• This week’s giveaway is a sturdy, MagSafe-compatible, multi-device wireless charger that includes a convenient nightlight.

Buy refurbished Mac Studio from Apple with hefty discounts [Updated]

• Apple has started selling refurbished Mac Studio in the United States, Canada, and select other European countries. You can save up to 15% by picking up a refurbished Mac Studio instead of purchasing a brand new unit.

New Lockdown Mode makes iPhone secure from sophisticated digital attacks

• A new hyper-secure Lockdown Mode should help protect the iPhones, iPads and Macs of journalists, politicians and activists who face “highly targeted cyberattacks from private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware,” Apple said Wednesday.

President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

• The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.

This week: Apple's prepping to drop an "ambitious deluge" of new hardware, including the return of one of the greatest Apple products of all time...

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Apple Readies iPhone 14 and HomePod Upgrade in Flood of New Products

• Gurman: From what I’ve been told, the company is about to embark on one of the most ambitious periods of new products in its history—with the deluge coming between the fall of 2022 and first half of 2023.

Don’t expect a speed boost in Apple Watch Series 8

• The Apple Watch Series 8 expected this fall won’t have better performance than its recent predecessors, according to a reliable tipster.

Win a 4-in-1 MagSafe charging stand with built-in nightlight [Cult of Mac giveaways]

• This week’s giveaway is a sturdy, MagSafe-compatible, multi-device wireless charger that includes a convenient nightlight.

Apple’s next HomePod could be less mini and more powerful

• Apple is working on a new HomePod that could launch next year with a new S8 chip. The smart speaker reportedly will be similar in size to the original HomePod rather than the HomePod mini.

Entry-level M2 MacBook Pro’s SSD is slower than M1 MacBook Pro

• Apple’s new M2 MacBook Pro ships with a notably slower SSD than its predecessor. Tests show the speed difference is as big as 50% in some scenarios.

M1 MacBook Pro beats the newer M2 model in real-life stress tests

• The slower SSD on the entry-level M2 MacBook Pro has a noticeable impact on its performance in daily use. Tests show the M1 MacBook Pro beating its successor in stress tests that rely heavily on swap memory usage.

‘Severe’ thermal throttling in Apple M2 chip raises questions about MacBook Air performance

• The just-released MacBook Pro running Apple’s new M2 processor offers generally good performance, but its single fan can’t stop it from experiencing ‘severe’ thermal throttling under certain conditions, according to tests done on the device.

AirPods Pro 2 could act as heart monitor and hearing aid

• AirPods Pro 2 will look much like AirPods 3 from 2021, but with the soft tips necessary for ANC, according to information leaked to 52audio. That means the stems aren’t going away, and the buttons will stay, too.

Commercials are coming to Netflix (and other streamers!)

• It’s official: Netflix is adding a cheaper ad-supported tier to its streaming service. The change is apparently intended to reverse a recent drop in subscribers.

This week: The first reviews of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 are in and they are not kind!

Plus: new details elude to a new MacBook that may be a hybrid between an MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, iOS 16 is adding a MUST-HAVE SMS feature, and an odd Apple show becomes one of most popular shows streamed on any streaming service.

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CleanMyMac X is a decluttering app for Mac that can keep it in tip-top shape. It includes 49 tools to find and delete invisible computer junk, and helps keep your Mac running at maximum speed. Get CleanMyMac X today with 5% off at https://macpaw.app/cultcast ... The discount is valid until June 30.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

M2 MacBook Pro review roundup: Powerful chip, archaic design

• The first reviews of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an Apple M2 processor are not kind. It gets called a “Pro in name only” and “literally a processor update and nothing more.”

15-inch MacBook with M2 Pro might launch in spring 2023

• A 15-inch MacBook will debut in less than a year that offers either an M2 or an M2 Pro processor, according to a reliable Apple analyst. That could make it one of the first with the upgraded version of the M2.

Apple M2 is fast, but not faster than M1 Pro or M1 Max

• The first real-world benchmark tests of the Apple M2 processor show that the just-launched processor is about 20% to 25% faster than the original M1, which is welcome news for anyone in the market for a MacBook or iPad in the next few years.

Win a 65W GaN mini charger that packs a punch [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• The Cult of Mac giveaway prize this week is a perfect fit for anyone who needs a powerful yet compact charger. We teamed up with Lululook to give five lucky winners a chance to get their hands on a three-port, 65W gallium nitride charger.

Apple’s New CarPlay Is the Foreshock to Releasing Its Own Vehicle

iOS 16 beta 2 improves SMS filtering on Messages to iPhone users

• Apple had already teased in a WWDC 2022 session that iOS 16 would add 12 new subcategories to the SMS filtering API. With beta 2, they’re now available to developers to use.

Apple TV+ sci-fi drama For All Mankind rockets to popularity

• For All Mankind is one of the most popular shows available on streaming, according to a ratings tracker. Season three of the alternate-history sci-fi series premiered on Apple TV+ in early June, and it’s been a Top 10 show both weeks since then.

This week: The M2 benchmarks have leaked and this new chip is even better than we hoped. Plus: new details on iPhone 14, a 12 and 15-inch MacBook Air, and new 14-inch iPad Pro MAX.

This episode supported by

Remotely manage your Mac, iPhone, or iPad with Jamf. Manage 3 devices for FREE at jamf.com/beyond

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

First MacBook Pro with speedy M2 chip goes up for preorder June 17 - Lewis, and then Erfon takes the benchmarks?!?

• Preorders for the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro packing the powerful new Apple M2 processor will begin Friday, June 17, two weeks after it was announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference.

iPhone 14’s front camera could get some much-needed upgrades

• The iPhone’s front camera was last upgraded in September 2019 with the iPhone 11’s release. Apple bumped the camera resolution to 12MP and paired it with an f/2.2 lens. Since then, Android smartphones have added 40MP selfie cameras with autofocus, but iPhones have stuck with the same setup.

Win a multi-device charger with built-in MagSafe battery pack [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• Worth $130, the MagEZ Slider from Pitaka is great way to charge your iPhone and AirPods on your desk or nightstand. But better yet, the charger has an integrated battery pack that attaches magnetically to your iPhone to continue charging away from home.

Apple pushes ahead with 15-inch M2 MacBook Air and 12-inch M2 MacBook

• Apple is developing new form factors and planning upgrades for its MacBook lineup, Bloomberg reported Thursday. That should result in a 15-inch M2 MacBook Air and a new version of a 12-inch M2 MacBook arriving by late 2023 or early 2024.

Apple may launch 14.1-inch mini-LED iPad Pro with M2 chip

• Apple is working on an iPad Pro with a 14.1-inch mini-LED display, ProMotion and Face ID, sources suggested on Thursday. Unfortunately for folks who are already salivating at the idea of such a big Apple tablet, it probably won’t arrive until early 2023.

Apple TV will stream all Major League Soccer games for 10 years

• Cupertino unveiled a major new sports deal Tuesday, saying Apple TV will be the exclusive streaming destination for all Major League Soccer (MLS) games for 10 years, starting with the 2023 season.

This week: iO16, macOS Ventura, Stage Manager, M2 MacBook Air — our reactions to all WWDC22's best announcements!

This episode supported by

Remotely manage your Mac, iPhone, or iPad with Jamf. Manage 3 devices for FREE at jamf.com/beyond

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

These big surprises blew our minds at WWDC22

13-inch M2 MacBook Pro sneaks into WWDC22 with new MacBook Air

Meet the svelte new M2 MacBook Air

Continuity Camera admits MacBook cameras need help

• Continuity Camera, a new feature coming in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, will upgrade video calls by bringing the iPhone’s pristine camera to the Mac.

CarPlay kicks into high gear

• The next-generation system is able to display metrics like speed, distance, engine RPM, gas levels, oil temperature and engine temperature.

Massive Home app makeover brings Matter support and more - erfon

• Among the many new products and features Apple showcased at WWDC22 came news of a revamped Home app for the HomeKit smart-home platform.

iPad finally gets floating windows in Stage Manager on iPadOS 16

• The new multitasking system is called Stage Manager. “With Stage Manager activated, I can now resize windows exposing a powerful new way to work with apps on iPad,” said Craig Federighi. “And the dock is visible so I can easily get to all my apps.”

Ming Chi Kuo says Apple's mixed reality headset will be announced at a special event in January.

watchOS 9 brings massive upgrade to Workout app and other health improvements

This week: With WWDC22 RIGHT around the corner, we're talking hardware and software predictions and expectations.

This episode supported by

Remotely manage your Mac, iPhone, or iPad with Jamf. Manage 3 devices for FREE at jamf.com/beyond

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Analyst says Apple’s AR headset and realityOS will be a no-show at WWDC22

• Apple is unlikely to showcase its long-rumored AR/MR headset — or even demo the realityOS that powers it — at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Maybe new MacBook Air - range of colors, possibly with M2 (but that probably doesn't make sense, does it? Maybe a new version of M1?)

Win a mophie 3-in-1 MagSafe travel charger [Cult of Mac Giveaway]

• This week’s Cult of Mac giveaway is a 3-in-1 MagSafe travel charger from mophie. The compact charger is perfect for anyone with a busy schedule who’s on the go. You can charge multiple devices simultaneously with this great fold-up Apple accessory.

iOS 16 could make your iPhone’s lock screen more useful

• In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman says Apple will overhaul the iPhone lock screen with new wallpapers that offer widget-like features. The report is light on details about this, but it looks like Apple intends to improve the lock screen’s usability with the upcoming iOS release.

Under Review!

Juuk Vitero Watch Band

This week: we got them! New renders show us exactly what the iPhone 14 will look like. Plus: A new "Studio Display Pro" with mini-LED screen is incoming, and Apple preps a new LARGER HomePod!

This episode supported by

Remotely manage your Mac, iPhone, or iPad with Jamf. Manage 3 devices for FREE at jamf.com/beyond

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

New renders show iPhone 14 in all its purported purple glory

• New renders based on the most reliable leaks give us the best look yet at the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro. They show off the "pill and hole" replacement for the notch at the top of the screen and the even-more-bulbous camera hump we've heard of before.

iPhone 14 Pro models could feature an always-on display

• Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 Pro models could feature always-on displays because of the handsets’ ProMotion technology, which allows for variable refresh rates, a well-known analyst said Tuesday.

Win a mophie 3-in-1 MagSafe travel charger [Cult of Mac Giveaway]

• This week’s Cult of Mac giveaway is a 3-in-1 MagSafe travel charger from mophie. The compact charger is perfect for anyone with a busy schedule who’s on the go. You can charge multiple devices simultaneously with this great fold-up Apple accessory.

Studio Display Pro with gorgeous mini-LED screen could launch this fall

• An enhanced version of the Apple Studio Display will reach customers this fall, according to a very reliable source of insider into. This version of the monitor will feature a mini-LED screen, making it look better than the current model that has a standard LCD.

What could be in store for the return of the big HomePod?

• Apple plans to produce an updated version of the HomePod as soon as the fourth quarter of 2022 or the first quarter of 2023, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Friday.

This week's Under Review

Anker SoundCore Frames

https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Landmark-Bluetooth-Interchangeable-Polarized/dp/B09DSCDRLT

This week: Apple Watch Series 8 getting the redesign we’ve ALL been waiting for, a cheaper smaller Apple TV is in the works, Apple’s mixed reality headset is ALMOST ready, and working from home vs the office — how much would YOU need to get paid to go back to the office full time? We reveal our numbers!

This episode supported by

Remotely manage your Mac, iPhone, or iPad with Jamf. Manage 3 devices for FREE at jamf.com/beyond

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Sound familiar? Apple Watch 8 display might be flat

• Remember last year when rumors were flying that Apple Watch Series 7 would feature a flat display and squared-off edges? DIDN'T HAPPEN. But a new rumor suggests those traits might define this year's Apple Watch Series 8.

More affordable Apple TV might launch soon

• A new Apple TV streamer will launch in the second half of 2022, according to a trusted analyst. And there’s a hint in the prediction that the device will cost less than its predecessors.

Apple shows off AR/VR headset to board of directors

• Although Apple's VR/AR headset is still supposed to be a secret project, the company's board of directors reportedly got a look at the device recently. This could be a sign the product is moving close to a release.

COVID-19 throws off Apple’s return-to-office plan yet again

• Apple reportedly slowed the pace at which it will require its corporate employees to return to the office. They were scheduled to be back at their desks three days a week starting later this month, but rising numbers of COVID-19 cases supposedly pushed that back.

Apple's Director of Machine Learning Resigns Due to Return to Office Work

• Apple's director of machine learning, Ian Goodfellow, has resigned from his role a little over four years after he joined the company after previously being one of Google's top AI employees, according to The Verge's Zoë Schiffer.

This week: finally! According to a new report, Apple is ditching Lightning for USB-C, and that's going to bring some long-needed new features to iPhone. Plus, the legendary iPod is finally retired. We remember how the device changed Apple and the world.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

iPhone 15 could finally ditch Lightning in favor of USB-C

• It looks like Apple is finally preparing to make the switch to USB-C on its iPhone lineup next year. This prediction is based on the latest supply-chain survey by TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Win an Aer Fit Pack 3 backpack and go from work to gym in style [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This week’s Cult of Mac giveaway is for the Fit Pack 3 backpack from Aer. The Fit Pack 3 is more than just a backpack, though. It’s a hybrid duffle/backpack that will carry you from work to the gym without hassle because it has special compartments for everything.

R.I.P. iPod: Apple discontinues its tiny music player

• It’s the end of an era — Apple has stopped making the once-iconic iPod. The little music player helped save Apple, and made the company a powerhouse in the music industry, but its day is over.

Why the iPod was the signature music device of its era

• Fire, the wheel, and the iPod. In the history of invention, gadgets don’t come more iconic than Apple’s digital music player. The iPod is to the 21st century what the big band was to the ’20s, the radio to the ’40s, or the juke-box to the ’50s — the signature technology that defines the musical culture of the era. And what a marvelous technology the iPod is.

An illustrated history of the iPod and its massive impact

Tony Fadell on the iPod wheel

Throwboy Launches New Mac-Themed Woven Throw Blankets

This week: new leaks give us our best look yet at the FOUR upcoming iPhone 14 models, including sizes, features, and BIG price increases. Plus: Mac Studio orders are now getting BIG delays, the $80 "smart water bottle", and our first impressions of Paramount+ streaming service!

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Apple Studio Displays & Mac Studio - A Digital Artist's Perspective

Wait times for Mac Studio stretch into July

• There’s no version of the Mac Studio available from Apple’s online store in less than a week. And the only configurations that ship so quickly are the ones with the base model M1 Max processor, 512GB of storage, and either 32GB or 64GB of RAM.

Leaked iPhone 14 front panels offer best size comparison yet

• An image supposedly showing the front screen panels of all four iPhone 14 models has leaked out. It gives a side-by-side comparison of some of the most significant changes coming this fall to Apple’s 2022 handsets.

Win an Aer Fit Pack 3 backpack and go from work to gym in style [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This week’s Cult of Mac giveaway is for the Fit Pack 3 backpack from Aer. The Fit Pack 3 is more than just a backpack, though. It’s a hybrid duffle/backpack that will carry you from work to the gym without hassle because it has special compartments for everything.

Apple integrates two new smart water bottles with Health app

• Are you drinking enough water? Probably not. But if you want to know for sure, Apple’s online and retail stores have started selling two new smart water bottles from HidrateSpark. They automatically track your water intake and sync it to the Apple Health app.

Paramount+ has nearly 40 million subscribers

• A lot of people are paying for Paramount+ to watch Halo and Star Trek: Picard, even if neither series has been particularly outstanding. On Tuesday, Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) announced that it added 6.8 million new Paramount+

Plus: Shining Girls thriller could be another hit for Apple TV+ - Lewis basically a quick plug for our reviews!

• The metaphysical-horror-thriller Shining Girls only premiered on Apple TV+ a few days ago, but the Elisabeth Moss series is already in the top 10 most streamed shows. And it’s drawing positive reviews, too.

This week:

• How to get a M1 MacBook Pro fast and cheap!
• Apple "fixes" the Studio Display...
• New EU regulations could be HUGE changes for iOS!
• Our reactions to Elon's Twitter buy

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Apple pushes February MacBook Pro orders back to June

• People who ordered a top-tier MacBook Pro in February are being notified that it won’t be delivered until June. The delay results from COVID-19 lockdowns in China hampering notebook assembly.

Win an Aer Fit Pack 3 backpack and go from work to gym in style [Cult of Mac giveaway] - lewis

• This week’s Cult of Mac giveaway is for the Fit Pack 3 backpack from Aer. The Fit Pack 3 is more than just a backpack, though. It’s a hybrid duffle/backpack that will carry you from work to the gym without hassle because it has special compartments for everything.

Apple now offers parts and tools needed to fix your own iPhone

• Apple has long faced criticism from “right to repair” advocates for being strictly against DIY fixes. But government regulators around the world are starting to force companies to loosen up on allowing users to fix their own devices. Apple is bowing to the pressure.

Leaked ‘final’ EU antitrust bill looks bad for Apple

• The European Union may force Apple to make big changes to its App Store as well as services like FaceTime and Messages, if a leaked version of an EU antitrust proposal becomes law.

Elon Musk buys Twitter for a cool $44 billion

• Twitter said Monday it accepted Elon Musk’s offer to purchase the company for $44 billion. That gives the billionaire — who is the world’s wealthiest person — absolute control of the social media platform after the deal is approved.

This week: we've got new leaks on iPhone 14's cameras, plus new intel on NINE new upcoming M2 Macs!

 
And and the HomePod ain't dead yet, baby! Apple's prepping a whole new HomePod with all-new superpowers.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Apple preps 9 Macs with new M2 processor

iPhone 14 might be Apple’s first with an autofocus selfie camera

iPhone 14 molds show massive camera hump on all four versions

Discontinued HomePod keeps going up in value

Don’t give up hope for combination Apple TV, HomePod, FaceTime camera

This week: MaxTech joins us to talk Mac Studio, M1 Ultra Performance, and Apple REUSING the M1 in the 2022 MacBook Air!

This episode supported by

Remotely manage your Mac, iPhone, or iPad with Jamf. Manage 3 devices for FREE at jamf.com/beyond

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Ming Chi Kuo with some Twitter Bangers

Apple’s got way too many AirPods models and it’s confusing as hell!

Under the screen face ID is coming to iPhone, but not for a while (marketing issue)

Next MacBook Air will reuse the M1 chip!

New Apple Watch health features: What’s in, what’s out - Lewis

• Cupertino is likely to add body temperature readings and other new health features to Apple Watch and the Health app in 2022, but it looks like blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring will have to wait, according to a new report.

Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects updated for latest M1 processors

• Apple and Adobe added better support for Apple silicon to a couple of their marquee applications for video professionals.

This is what Apple’s upcoming dual USB-C charger looks like

• Photos of Apple’s unreleased dual USB-C charger with a total output of 35W have surfaced online.

This week: WWDC 2022 has just been announced, and it looks like Apple’s still got some surprises left for us…
Plus: M1 Ultra, an “Ultra Disappointment”, and Apple is actively testing a 9-inch foldable iPhone!

This episode supported by

Remotely manage your Mac, iPhone, or iPad with Jamf. Manage 3 devices for FREE at jamf.com/beyond

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

WWDC22 starts June 6, will be ‘online-only’ (with a twist)

• The 2022 iteration of Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference will start June 6. Apple promised Tuesday the event will showcase the latest innovations in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — which is code for unveiling the next major upgrades for these operating systems.

M1 Ultra - An ULTRA Disappointment...

• Mac Studio (M1 Ultra 64-core) vs 16 inch MacBook Pro (M1 Max 32-core) - Speed Test using our custom benchmarking tool.

Apple teams up with LG to build foldable iPad and MacBook devices

• Apple is reportedly collaborating with LG on new foldable iPad and MacBook models with flexible OLED displays and Ultra-Thin Cover Glass. LG is already gearing up to supply similar displays to HP for a foldable laptop scheduled to launch this year. - 10,000 units of the panel.

Apple ‘actively testing’ 9-inch foldable, but don’t expect foldable iPhone before 2025

• The company’s “priority order” for foldables is said to be medium, large and then small devices, according to ol' reliable, Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities. However, he noted that Apple's current prototype is being used to test new technologies and may not be indicative of an upcoming product.

Ukrainians use ‘Find My’ to track Russian troops who stole devices

• Ukrainians are using Apple’s Find My network to watch the progress of their stolen hardware – in the hands of Russian troops who took it – in real time.

This week: we've got new iPhone 14 leaks, Apple is working on another new Mac, and big changes are coming to iMessage and iOS.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Apple preps subscription service for iPhone, Mac and more

• According to Bloomberg: "Apple Inc. is working on a subscription service for the iPhone and other hardware products, a move that could make device ownership similar to paying a monthly app fee, according to people with knowledge of the matter."

iPhone 14 Pro’s camera upgrade could mean an even fatter hump Lewis

• Apple is expected to give iPhone 14 Pro a rather significant camera upgrade that could include a 48-megapixel wide angle sensor. It will mean sharper iPhone photos than ever before — but a much bigger camera bump.

iPhone might never get in-screen Touch ID

• Touch ID died with the move to Face ID with the launch of the iPhone X in 2017. Though people love Face ID, there’s a lot of us who would love to see Touch ID return in some form in addition to Face ID.

Win a chic crossbody iPhone case from Noémie [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This Cult of Mac giveaway is for the ladies! Five lucky winners will each receive a stylish Napa crossbody iPhone case from Noémie. These cases looks chic and are great for running errands or going out on the town when a bigger bag is not needed.

On the inside, Apple Studio Display looks more sophisticated than expected

• iFixit showed people the interior of the new Apple Studio Display next to a partially disassembled iMac and asked them to pick which is which. You can play along at home by looking at the image above.

Apple’s upcoming 15-inch MacBook Air may come with a different name

• In the interests of portability, MacBook Air has only ever been available in smaller 11- and 13-inch sizes. But it seems Apple is finally preparing a larger display option for those who have long been calling for it.

EU plans to force iMessage to work with WhatsApp, other messaging apps

• The European Union plans to break down the barriers between mobile messaging services. With its Digital Markets Act, it plans to force services like iMessage, WhatsApp, and smaller messaging platforms to play nicely together.

‘The Slap’ shows why Apple should shake up its events

• Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during Sunday night’s Oscars ceremony shows why Apple should go back to doing live events.

Benchmarks have been pouring in for the Mac Studio with M1 Max and M1 Ultra, and while in some tests the benefits of Ultra is clear, in many it’s not performing better than the Max, and in some tests it does worse! What’s going on here?

This episode supported by

Remotely manage your Mac, iPhone, or iPad with Jamf. Manage 3 devices for FREE at jamf.com/cultcast

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

M1 Ultra Mac Studio - Benchmarks & Thermals (The TRUTH!)

Mac Studio storage is removable but Apple blocks user upgrades

• Breaking open the new Mac Studio reveals that its solid-state storage modules are easily removable, but forget trying to upgrade them yourself. Apple has taken several steps to prevent DIY upgrades.

Win a chic crossbody iPhone case from Noémie [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This Cult of Mac giveaway is for the ladies! Five lucky winners will each receive a stylish Napa crossbody iPhone case from Noémie. These cases looks chic and are great for running errands or going out on the town when a bigger bag is not needed.

"The Apple Studio Display is a Bad Deal"

Apple vows to fix Studio Display’s disappointing webcam

• Studio Display has divided early reviewers. While many praise its impressive 5K screen and built-in speakers, others find its missing features (like HDR and ProMotion) to be unfortunate.

Apple can change Studio Display stands after purchase

• Studio Display stands and mounts can be swapped and upgraded by taking the monitor to an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider. It’s not necessary to replace the whole monitor.

15-inch MacBook Air could be in development, at long last

• A 15-inch MacBook Air is on Apple’s agenda for 2023, according to a reliable source. And the current 13-inch version could be replaced by a one with somewhat larger screen.

This week: the Mac Studio and Studio Display reviews are in — let’s talk. Plus: a reliable source says a strange change is coming to iPhone 14.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Some iPhone 14 models might miss out on Apple’s new A16 processor

• The basic iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will launch this fall with the same A15 processor as the 2021 models, according to a reliable tipster. Supposedly, only the pricier iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will sport a new A16 chip.

iPad Air 5 is every bit as fast as iPad Pro

• Early benchmark scores for the soon-to-be-released iPad Air 5 show the tablet has approximately the same performance as the iPad Pro models that cost much more.

Floating app windows could be coming to iPad. Finally.

• iPad users will soon be able to work with applications in floating windows, if an unconfirmed report is correct. This is a highly requested feature from those who want Apple’s tablet to function more like a Mac.

With Apple Debuting Its Last M1 Chip, Here’s What’s Next

• During and after the keynote, the company dropped a couple of pieces information regarding the rest of its Apple Silicon lineup...

How Apple Studio Display stacks up against Pro Display XDR and others

Apple’s massive Mac mini upgrade may not be ready until 2023

• Apple’s next major refresh for Mac mini may not come until 2023, according to the latest claims from one analyst, who has proven reliable in the past.

Apple’s next Mac mini could be powered by new ‘M2’ and ‘M2 Pro’ chips

• Most of us expected Apple’s first M2 chipset to debut on Tuesday in a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro, which was to be more powerful than its predecessor but still more affordable than the latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro options.

This week: our reactions to Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPad Air 5, and iPhone SE, plus we dive in deep on the Mac Studio and Studio display, and we found ain't all great.

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 Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 13, 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.

This week's stories

Apple goes green with new iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro colors

• Apple added two new green finishes to its iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro lineups Tuesday to generate a colorful midseason jolt of excitement.

Apple needs to shake up its boring iPhone Pro color options

Apple’s new Mac Studio is a blazing-fast desktop with an M1 Ultra chip

• Apple on Tuesday gave us our first glimpse at its brand-new Mac Studio — its first desktop featuring the M1 Ultra chip. It’s bigger than a Mac mini but smaller than a Mac Pro, and it’s the most powerful machine Apple has built to date.

The Mac is back, with its best lineup in years (Graham's opinion piece)

Apple Studio Display brings high-end monitor down to affordable price

• Ever since Apple introduced the iMac with 4K and 5K displays, and the later iMac Pro, people have been asking, “Why can’t Apple just sell the iMac without the computer and call it a display?”

Enter to win American-made Apple accessories from Raptic [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This week we're giving away a pair of protective accessories from Raptic (formerly Defense by X-Doria).

Apple TV+ scores Friday night Major League Baseball games

iPad Air 5 goes super-fast with M1 processor

• The iPad Air 5 starts at $599. This version comes with 64GB of storage. Pricing for a 256GB version has not yet been announced.

Plus: Why iPad Air 5 is a better choice than 11-inch iPad Pro

New iPhone SE brings serious upgrades at slightly higher price

This week: confirmed! Apple's "Peek Performance" event is March 8th. Let's talk hardware!

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.

This week's stories

Experience ‘peek performance’ at Apple spring 2022 event set for March 8

What to expect at Apple spring 2022 event: New iPhone, iPad and Mac

Apple Watch Series 8 could bring ‘major’ activity tracking upgrades

The gory online campaign Ukraine hopes will sow anti-Putin dissent probably violates the Geneva Conventions - Washington Post

Win a 100W GaN fast charger from Ugreen

This week: Apple's March 8th event! Let's talk hardware expectations...

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.

This week's stories

Apple Readies New MacBooks and iMacs for Part Three of Overhaul

• Before the calendar flipped to 2022, I wrote that Apple Inc. is planning a massive slew of upgrades this year. The new products will include the Apple Watch Series 8 line, iPhone 14 and a new iPad Pro, but a lot of the attention will be on the Mac.

Win a 100W GaN fast charger from Ugreen

• This week, Cult of Mac is giving away 10 — count ’em, 10! — powerful GaN fast chargers from award-winning company Ugreen. With three USB-C ports, a USB-A port and 100 watts of power, they let you charge multiple devices at once. They’re perfect for travel, too, because they’re so small and pack such a punch.

iOS 15.4 beta 4 adds new anti-stalking features for AirTag

• Apple’s newest iOS 15.4 beta adds new anti-stalking features for AirTag that were first announced earlier this month. The fourth beta release, which rolled out to registered developers on Tuesday, includes a new AirTag setup warning that states it is illegal to use the device to track people without their consent in many regions.

Apple Stores remove face mask requirements as omicron variant recedes

• Apple has stopped requiring face masks at many U.S. retail locations as states ease mandates. Plus, in-person Today at Apple classes will resume soon. The moves come as the omicron COVID-19 surge comes to an end.

Apple Ring is the health accessory we need

• We keep hearing about Apple's AR/VR headset, but who really wants it? Cult of Mac writer Ed Hardy has a better idea - and let's hope Tim Cook is listening!

This week: it's all but confirmed! Three new Macs are incoming, but WHICH will they be....

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.

This week's stories

Apple registers 3 new Mac models ahead of rumored spring event

• It looks like several new Macs are on the way, likely to be unveiled at an Apple event in March. Apple recently registered three machines — with the model numbers A2615, A2686 and A2681 — with the Eurasian Economic Commission.

iMac Pro with mini-LED display might launch in early summer

• The iMac Pro might start reaching customers in early summer, according to a very reliable tipster. While some are hoping for a debut as soon as March, that’s apparently overly optimistic.

Chrome OS Flex turns 2009 MacBook into a useful computer again

• If you have an elderly Mac that’s not up to the demands of the latest macOS version, you can turn it into a Chromebook. All you need is Chrome OS Flex, an operating system Google created for older Macs and PCs.

Would you pay $178 for Sony’s strange new earbuds?

• Usually when headlines end in question marks, the answer is "no." With this one it's a ... maybe. These days, you've got tons of options for earbuds with active noise cancellation, wireless charging, long battery life, solid waterproofing and other features for about $75 to $150.

Forensics finally prove who wrote those mysterious Apple 1 serial numbers

• From time to time you hear about Apple’s first computer, the Apple 1, selling to collectors at auction for big bucks. But did you know some of those surviving antiques carry an enduring mystery? For decades, no one could figure out who wrote the serial numbers on their circuit boards. Until now.

This week:

• Apple spills ‘realityOS’ again as new AR/VR headset inches closer!
• Don't expect FaceID in your Mac ANYTIME soon...
• Apple’s new Tap to Pay feature lets your iPhone accept contactless payments with ZERO additional hardware
• Absolutely vile: Devs react to Apple’s 27% cut of third-party payments

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.

This week's stories

Apple spills ‘realityOS’ again as new AR/VR headset inches closer

• Another reference to Apple’s unreleased “realityOS” operating system leaked Wednesday in new open source code. It suggests the company’s highly anticipated mixed-reality headset is inching closer to its public debut.

Apple considered Face ID for M1 iMac, but it’s not ready for MacBook yet

• Apple considered bringing Face ID to the M1 iMac, which would have been an ideal candidate for the facial recognition technology, according to a new report.

Apple’s new Tap to Pay feature lets iPhone accept contactless payments

• iPhones are about to become cash registers!

Absolutely vile: Devs react to Apple’s 27% cut of third-party payments

• Dutch regulators — and those in other countries - have been pushing for third-party payments. They have ruled it must accept third-party payments, but they have not stated how much Apple can charge for apps and subscriptions it does not process.

Add ports to your M1 Mac with a Satechi USB-C Multiport MX Adapter [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Cal Digit's new Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a beast

This week:

• iOS 15.4 beta lets you use Face ID while wearing a mask
• iOS 15.4 allows third-party apps to use 120Hz ProMotion on iPhone 13 Pro
• Fun new emoji coming in iOS 15.4 will let you salute, melt and tear up
• Mini-LED iMac Pro launch might slip to summer
• Hey Siri, darken the sunroof glass in my Apple Car

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.

This week's stories

iOS 15.4 beta lets you use Face ID while wearing a mask

• Face ID in iOS 15.4 will let users unlock their iPhones while wearing a mask. The system will simply scan "unique features around the eye area to authenticate," Apple says.

iOS 15.4 allows third-party apps to use 120Hz ProMotion on iPhone 13 Pro

• Apple’s new iOS 15.4 beta eliminates a bug that prevents third-party apps from using iPhone 13 Pro’s super-smooth ProMotion feature.

Mini-LED iMac Pro launch might slip to summer

• The new iMac Pro with a mini-LED display rumored to launch this-coming spring might not come along so soon. It now looks more likely to show up sometime during the summer, display analyst Ross Young said Monday.

Add ports to your M1 Mac with a Satechi USB-C Multiport MX Adapter - Giveaway

• Cult of Mac is giving away two USB-C Multiport MX Adapters from Satechi. This adapter allows you to experience the full potential of your M1 Mac with multitudes of data ports using just a single USB-C port.

How to download Wordle to your device so it stays free forever

• When word went out that The New York Times bought Wordle, panic struck for lots of people who play the popular game. Will the Times ruin Wordle by placing it behind a paywall? (The Times charges for other games.)

This week:

• Apple readies its ‘widest array’ of new products ever for this fall
• Better, faster iMac Pro and Mac mini could reach shelves this spring
• iPad Pro with speedy Apple M2 processor on course for fall 2022
• Apple Maps erects gigantic digital wall to hide Tim Cook’s house

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.

This week's stories

Apple readies its ‘widest array’ of new products ever for this fall

• Apple is preparing to launch the “widest array” of new products in its history, according to a new report. This fall is expected to bring new iPhone models, a more affordable MacBook Pro, and big refreshes for iMac and Mac Pro.

Better, faster iMac Pro and Mac mini could reach shelves this spring

• Add faster versions of the Mac mini to the list of products predicted for an spring 2022 Apple event. The tiny desktop will supposedly be upgraded with the latest Apple processors.

Win an Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker and stop losing things [Cult of Mac giveaway]

iPad Pro with speedy Apple M2 processor on course for fall 2022

• The next generation of iPad Pro will fittingly have Apple’s next-generation processor, the M2. At least according to a generally reliable tipster.

Apple Maps erects gigantic digital wall to hide Tim Cook’s house

• If you find yourself taking a virtual stroll through Palo Alto inside Apple Maps and Google Maps, you're no longer going to see Tim Cook’s house. The modern, four-bedroom condo has had a giant digital wall erected right in front of it.

Turns out it's not that hard to get Apple or Google to erase your house from their maps - we've got a how-to!

This week:

• Apple could scrap 13-inch MacBook Pro, bring 5G to 10.2-inch iPad in 2022
• 13-MacBook Pro’s days are numbered
• 10.2-inch iPad to get 5G, new MacBook Air this year
• Mac Pro with faster M1 chip to complete Apple silicon transition in 2022
• Eurasian filings reveal new iPhone and iPad coming soon
• Apple education store now requires Unidays and only 1 device per year

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.

This week's stories

Apple could scrap 13-inch MacBook Pro, bring 5G to 10.2-inch iPad in 2022

• Apple will scrap the 13-inch MacBook Pro this year after introducing a new 14-inch model with a next-generation “M2” chip, one tipster claims.

Mac Pro with faster M1 chip to complete Apple silicon transition in 2022

• Apple will introduce a new Mac Pro with an upgraded M1 chipset by the end of the year to complete its Apple silicon transition, according to a tipster.

Win an Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker and stop losing things [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you live in a big city, you likely suffered the misfortune of having something stolen. Maybe thieves swiped your bike, motorcycle, car or backpack.

Eurasian filings reveal new iPhone and iPad coming soon

• The Eurasian Economic Commission confirmed that Apple plans to release a new iPhone and iPad in the near future. The devices appear in the online database of the regulatory agency.

Apple education store now requires Unidays and only 1 device per year

• The legendary Apple education discount loophole, now closed!

This week:

• iPhone 14 Pro could pack strange ‘hole + pill’ screen cutout to replace notch
• Apple continues testing multiple folding iPhone prototypes
• Apple’s first headset could be 3 years ahead of rivals in computing power
• Apple VR headset won’t create a full metaverse
• Apple’s fancy Polishing Cloth is finally back in stock
• Apple loses head of Mac chip design to Intel

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.

This week's stories

iPhone 14 Pro could pack strange ‘hole + pill’ screen cutout to replace notch

• It was previously believed that Apple would use a hole punch cutout, like a lot of rival smartphone makers. Then that changed to a pill-shaped camera cutout. Now, one analyst, who has proven reliable in the past, says we should expect both. “We now believe Apple will have a hole + pill design on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models,” tweeted Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, on Wednesday. “The smaller hole will not be invisible.”

Apple continues testing multiple folding iPhone prototypes

• Word that the iPhone-maker continues working on folding handset comes from Dylandkt in a thread on Twitter: "For those who are curious about a foldable iPhone, Apple is definitely working and testing multiple prototypes that contain foldable displays. Too many compromises still exist with foldable display technology though.

Apple’s first headset could be 3 years ahead of rivals in computing power

• Apple’s first mixed-reality headset will ship with the same 96W power adapter that you get with some 14-inch MacBook Pro models, according to an analyst, who says that’s proof the device will pack plenty of computing power.

Apple VR headset won’t create a full metaverse

• While Apple is creating a VR headset, it’s reportedly not developing a complete virtual world for users. It plans on virtual reality games, video and other experiences. But these supposedly won‘t be connected into a single VR metaverse.

Apple’s fancy Polishing Cloth is finally back in stock

• Sick of sticky smudges all over your Apple devices? The company’s pricey Polishing Cloth is now back in stock for those who didn’t get a chance to buy one before it quickly sold out last fall.

GIVEAWAY

Win a Journey 3 in 1 Wireless Charging Station for all your Apple gear [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Apple loses head of Mac chip design to Intel – erfon

• The person responsible for overseeing the transition from Intel to Apple silicon left the company. Jeff Wilcox was Director, Mac System Architecture before his departure.

This week: Gurman's back at it laying out what we can expect Apple to release in 2022, plus new intel on AirPods Pro V2, a new cheaper Pro XDR Display, and we'll show you our favorite tech from CES 2022!

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.

This week's stories

Gurman: iPhone 14 Models Without Notch, Redesigned MacBook Air With M2 Chip, and More to Launch in 2022

• In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated his expectations for new Apple products in 2022, including the iPhone 14 series, a redesigned MacBook Air with an M2 chip, an iPad Pro with wireless charging, and more.

Redesigned AirPods Pro 2 will support high-quality lossless audio

• Apple will launch a second generation of AirPods Pro in the fall, according to an analyst who’s also a reliable tipster. The upgraded earbuds allegedly will offer better sound than the current version, via support for lossless audio. And there reportedly will be other changes, too, including a new design.

Apple’s next desktop monitor could cost half the price of Pro Display XDR

• Apple’s next desktop monitor won’t be cheap, but it could be significantly less expensive than the high-end Pro Display XDR, according to a new report.

Apple wins race to $3 trillion market cap

• Apple just became the first publicly traded U.S. company to be valued at a whopping $3 trillion. AAPL stock topped out at $182.88 a share Monday before dropping slightly, bringing the market cap back below the $3 trillion milestone.

Win a Journey 3 in 1 Wireless Charging Station for all your Apple gear [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• The holidays are finally over, and if you were lucky enough to receive an Apple Watch, iPhone or AirPods as gifts, this latest giveaway is for you. Journey, a maker of innovative consumer electronics, is giving three lucky winners its 3 in 1 Wireless Charging Station. Comes in black or white, retails for $99.99 -- they are also having a 30% off sale right now.

CES products

This smart collar wants to be your dog’s Apple Watch

• Most canine trackers use accelerometers and GPS sensors, but Invoxia has gone further with its new collar. The company, which makes a variety of location trackers, said it worked with board-certified veterinary cardiologists to develop deep-learning artificial intelligence (AI) that relies on miniaturized radar sensors for health readings.

Targus backpack uses Apple Find My without AirTag

• You won‘t have to attach an AirTag tracker to the upcoming Targus Cypress Hero Backpack to locate it because it’ll have Apple’s Find My tracking technology built in.

Schlage rolls out first smart lock in US to support Apple Home Key

• Schlage introduced the first smart lock in North America to support Apple Home Key — the Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt — on Tuesday at CES 2022.

Samsung beats Apple to truly wireless charging over Wi-Fi waves

• Despite Apple’s lengthy and ongoing efforts to deliver much-improved charging technologies, archrival Samsung has beaten Cupertino in the race for truly wireless charging. Except you won’t find it in a smartphone … yet.

This week: Apple is about to COMPLETE their move to Apple silicon, which means we're in for an EXPLOSION of new hardware in 2022, including an iMac "Pro", redesigned MacBook Air, new iPads, new Mac Pro, and new Mac Mini "Pro"!

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.

This week's stories

What to expect from iMac in 2022

• 2022 could be the year Apple takes iMac to the next level. Various leaks point to an iMac Pro with a blazing-fast processor and a beautiful screen.

What to expect from MacBook Air and the M2 processor in 2022

• The 2022 MacBook Air will reportedly look different even at first glance, with the classic tapered design being replaced with a squarer casing reminiscent of the 2021 MacBook Pro, but even slimmer. The more svelte design will supposedly still have room for a pair of USB-C ports as well as MagSafe charging, though. And it’ll allegedly be available in the same range of colors as the 2021 iMac.

What to expect from iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini and basic iPad in 2022

• Apple won‘t let the iPad languish in 2022. Most notably, some big improvements are reportedly coming to the display and charging capabilities of the iPad Pro line.

Win a Koala 2.0 iPhone harness from Hangtime [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you like epic adventures, you are going to want to enter our latest giveaway. Cult of Mac is giving away six Koala 2.0 iPhone harnesses from Hangtime to three lucky winners. This super-grip harness is the smartphone leash for life on the go.

Apple hires Meta AR comms chief for its rumored headset launch

• Apple reportedly hired Meta’s AR communications chief recently, a move that fits with Cupertino’s long-rumored plan to launch an augmented reality/virtual reality headset.

This week: we've got our bet look yet at Apple's upcoming mixed reality AR headset, but do Apple fans care!? Plus: we reveal even more picks from our list of Gear of the Year!

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

Apple’s first AR/VR headset might look like ski goggles

• Concept artist Ian Zelbo took the rumors about an upcoming Apple augmented reality and virtual reality headset and turned them into a possible design for a product that could be unveiled in 2022.

TSA will accept Apple Wallet’s digital IDs from February 2022

• When Apple unveiled digital IDs for the Wallet app at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, the plan was to launch it sometime this year, with the TSA being its first supporter. Unfortunately, like a number of new additions to iOS 15, Apple later delayed the rollout.

Crime-busting mom tracks down Christmas decoration thief with AirTags

• A Texas woman put Apple AirTags on her outdoor Christmas inflatables in case they were stolen. And when they were, she was able to use the item trackers to easily find them.

This week: we're talking iPhone 14 Pro with 48 Megapixels and 8K video! Plus: we reveal more of our picks for Gear of the Year!

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

iPhone 14 Pro could pack 48-megapixel camera and 8GB of RAM

• Camera updates could again be a big reason to upgrade to the newest iPhone lineup next year, with Apple expected to pack new 48-megapixel sensors — by far its biggest to date — into iPhone 14 Pro.

Apple building smaller, more affordable alternatives to Pro Display XDR

• Apple is currently building two smaller, more affordable alternatives to its 32-inch Pro Display XDR, according to one leaker. The company is also said to be working on a new high-end display with a built-in A13 chipset.

Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss on making The Matrix Awakens with Epic Games

Win a Wacom Intuos Pro creative pen tablet [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• We're giving away one of these $300 tablets. If you fancy yourself an artist, this giveaway is for you. Cult of Mac is giving one lucky winner an Intuos Pro tablet with pen from Wacom, the global leader in the pen display and tablet market. You can connect it via Bluetooth or USB to your Mac (or PC), and use it to draw, paint or retouch photos.

Gear of the year, part 3!

RadWagon 4 cargo bike

AirTags!

LG C1 OLED TV

This week: get your wallet ready, cause Apple has some BIG releases planned for 2022! Plus: we reveal our Gear of the Year, part 2!

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

SNAP’S FIRST AR SPECTACLES ARE AN AMBITIOUS, IMPRACTICAL START

Apple has big plans for 2022, including iPad Pro and MacBook Air overhauls

• Apple reportedly plans ambitious upgrades for a number of its hottest products in 2022, including major revamps for iPad Pro and MacBook Air — as well as an Apple silicon boost for the Mac Pro. Mac mini is also expected to see a refresh.

Samsung could make iPhone 14’s first ‘hole punch’ displays

• Apple made iPhone’s notch slightly smaller this year with iPhone 13. However, it remains a rather unsightly cutout that continues to be noticeable when watching fullscreen videos, playing games, and more. That could change in 2022.

Win a Wacom Intuos Pro creative pen tablet [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you fancy yourself an artist, this giveaway is for you. Cult of Mac is giving one lucky winner an Intuos Pro tablet with pen from Wacom, the global leader in the pen display and tablet market. You can connect it via Bluetooth or USB to your Mac (or PC), and use it to draw, paint or retouch photos.

Gear of the Year, Part 2

iPhone 13 Pro!

Winmau Dart Dock!

Synology DS1520+ NAS

This week: Apple’s much-anticipated augmented reality headset could finally drop in 2022, a new 5G iPhone SE is RIGHT around the corner, and we reveal our picks for 2021's Gear of the Year, part 1!

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

Apple’s first AR headset could arrive late next year with super-speedy chip

• Apple’s much-anticipated augmented reality headset could finally drop late next year, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iPhone SE 3 with 5G could be right around the corner

• Apple is on course to introduce its third-generation iPhone SE early in 2022, according to a market-analysis firm. It’s expected to be the first in this budget line with 5G cellular-wireless networking.

Apple hasn’t given up on making a do-it-all charger for multiple devices

• Apple continues to work on a wireless charger, similar to the abandoned AirPower mat, that will allow users to charge multiple devices simultaneously, according to a new report. The company also hopes to develop truly wireless charging in the future.

GIVEAWAY Choetech is giving away MagSafe charging stands and a 40% discount code [Cult of Mac Giveaway]

Elon Musk: Don’t waste money on ‘silly’ Apple Polishing Cloth, buy our $50 Tesla whistle

• Tesla CEO Elon Musk thinks you should avoid wasting your money on a “silly” Apple Polishing Cloth and instead spend it on his company’s $50 Cyberwhistle.

Gear of the Year, Part 1

AirPods 3

Burley D'Lite bike trailer

M1 MacBook Air!

Framed tech from GridStudio.cc

This week: Apple’s next-generation iMac Pro could feature an “M1 Max Duo” chip with 20 cores for processing and up to 64 graphics cores!

Plus: we reveal our favorite new gadgets, movies, and shows in an all-new What We're Into.

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

16" M1 Max MacBook Pro vs $15,000 Mac Pro: Embarrassing

Apple aims to build self-driving car with no steering wheel.

New iMac Pro could pack insane ‘M1 Max Duo’ chip with up to 20 CPU cores

• Apple’s next-generation iMac Pro could feature an “M1 Max Duo” chip with 20 cores for processing and up to 64 for graphics, according to a new report.

For those who think the M1 Pro and M1 Max in the MacBook Pro are impressive, the new Mac Pro desktop is expected to come in at least two variations

• For those who think the M1 Pro and M1 Max in the MacBook Pro are impressive, the new Mac Pro desktop is expected to come in at least two variations: 2X and 4X the number of CPU and GPU cores as the M1 Max. That’s up to 40 CPU cores and 128 GPU cores on the high-end.

Choetech is giving away MagSafe charging stands and a 40% discount code [Cult of Mac Giveaway]

• Is it a Black Friday sale or a giveaway? This week it’s both! Choetech is giving away three MagSafe wireless 2 in 1 charging stands. These minimalist magnetic chargers are perfect for anybody who pairs a MagSafe-compatible iPhone with wirelessly charging AirPods.

The best Black Friday deals on Apple’s hottest devices

• It’s that time of the year again. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and the Black Friday discounts are coming in thick and fast. It’s the perfect time to do some holiday shopping — especially if you’re on the lookout for Apple devices.

This week: just how well does a $3500 M1 Max MacBook Pro perform against a $15,000 Mac Pro? These results are INSANE. Plus: Apple is prepping an Apple Car for 2025, and it will be fully autonomous!

And we wrap up with our favorite shows in an all-new Under Review!

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

16" M1 Max MacBook Pro vs $15,000 Mac Pro: Embarrassing

Apple aims to build self-driving car with no steering wheel.

• Project Titan - aka the secret Apple car project -- is the on again/off again mother of all Apple rumors. The latest twist, based on info from anonymous insiders, is that Apple is reportedly committed to making a car capable of driving completely autonomously.

Apple will sell parts and tools so customers can repair their own devices

• Apple on Wednesday revealed its new Self Service Program, which will provide customers with the parts and tools they need to repair their own devices. It marks a major shift in the company’s approach to hardware fixes.

Get the fantastic Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition book at more than 70% off

• If you’re looking for a holiday gift for an Apple fan, consider The Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition. This great-looking coffee table book about the Apple community is on sale right now for just $9.99 — a whopping 71% off. Co-written by David Pierini and yours truly, the gorgeously designed, full-color book details many aspects of the Apple fan universe.

Win a BluShark gift card to buy Apple Watch bands

• Our latest giveaway is from BluShark, maker of high-quality watch straps -- just look at them! Totally colorful, and they are made from a variety of materials, including leather, canvas, silicone, knit weave and Cordura.

This week: you just KNEW there was gonna be a "Gate" for the new M1 MacBook Pros, and now we've got it! The internet has decided that the brand new MagSafe connector the M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro includes a fatal flaw that can't be ignored. We'll tell you what you need to know, and you can decided for yourself.

And we talk or favorite gadgets and Apple+ movies in an all-new Under Review!

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

Apple spoils the one thing that made MacBook’s MagSafe charger so great

• Apple brought back the MagSafe charger for its newest MacBook Pro models — much to the delight of long-time fans who have appreciated the proprietary charging port in the past. And although it might be faster now, Cupertino has spoiled one of the biggest things that made MagSafe charging so great.

The next Mac revolution: Companies rush to buy new M1 machines

• The likes of Reddit, Twitter and others are rolling out 2021 MacBook Pro units to employees so that they can take advantage of the massive performance gains. “Engineering hours are much more expensive than laptops,” one said.

Win a BluShark gift card to buy Apple Watch bands [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• Our latest giveaway is from BluShark, maker of high-quality watch straps. Three lucky winners will each win a $100 BluShark gift card to buy Apple Watch bands.

Jony Ive confirms LoveFrom works for Apple

Jony Ive is continuing his long-term collaboration with Apple via his design agency LoveFrom, the former Chief Design Officer has revealed, confirming his departure hasn't completely ended the relationship between the designer and the iPhone maker.

Apple Business Essentials gives companies tools to manage employee devices

• Apple launched a new service aimed at small businesses Wednesday. Now in beta, Apple Business Essentials bundles device management, Apple support and iCloud storage into flexible subscription plans for companies with up to 500 employees.

iCloud for Windows now supports ProRes videos and ProRaw photos

• Apple threw a bone to iPhone owners who are also PC users on Wednesday. iCloud for Windows version 13 adds support for Apple ProRes videos and Apple ProRaw photos.

Under Review!

Liberty 3 Pro

Finch

Roborock S6 robot vacuum

This week: just how well does a M1 Max MacBook Pro perform against a MONSTER PC build with top-tier components? These results might blow your mind lol.

Plus: we got new details on the upcoming iMac “Pro”, and we wrap up with our favorite shows and movies in an all-new Under Review!

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

iMac Pro could make a comeback in 2022 with Apple’s newest M1 chips

• The high-end iMac Pro is expected to return next year with Apple’s newest M1 Pro and M1 Max chipsets. One tipster also claims the powerful all-in-one will feature a 27-inch mini-LED display — and possibly even Face ID.

New leaks on the upcoming iMac (Pro)!

MacBook Pro M1 Max vs Windows Desktop (RTX3090, Ryzen9 5950x) M1Max Outperforms more expensive PC!

• MacBook Pro with M1 Max VS PC MONSTER Build!

iPhone and Apple Watch could get car crash detection next year

• Apple Watch already offers fall detection, which, as its name suggests, uses built-in sensors to detect hard falls and then gives users the option to call emergency services. It can also send a message to select contacts.

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

• This beautiful-looking charging pad from Satechi juices up an iPhone, an Apple Watch and AirPods all at once. It retails for $119.99, and we're giving away FOUR of them.

Apple's Craig Federighi Says Sideloading on iPhone Would Open the Floodgates to Malware

• Speaking at the Web Summit conference in Portugal, Federighi said sideloading would result in the "floodgates" opening to malware.

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

This week: the early reviews are in—let’s talk about the best and worst parts of iPhone 13, 13 Pro, and the iPad mini. Plus: Apple is prepping yet another great feature coming soon to your HomePod—it ain’t dead yet, baby!

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@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

iPhone 13 review roundup: Stellar displays, cracking cameras, outstanding battery life

BRO WTF. The iPhone 13 Pro Might Not Work With MagSafe Duo Because of Its Fat Ass. LMFAO. - FrontPageTech.com

iPhone 13 Pro photos by Austin Mann

Win iPhone 13 and a bundle of MagSafe-compatible cases from Speck [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• For this week’s giveaway, we teamed up with Speck to offer Cult of Mac readers the chance to win an iPhone 13 and a bundle of three of Speck's nifty MagSafe-compatible cases.

2021 iPad mini review roundup: Splendidly small yet super-powerful

• Spoiler alert: Yes, the 2021 iPad mini is worth every penny of its $499 price tag. Critics love its form factor, which, despite being small enough to go with you everywhere, still leaves enough room for productivity, games and media.

Lossless audio and Dolby Atmos return to HomePod in 15.1 beta

• Apple’s newest HomePod beta, issued alongside the iOS and iPadOS 15.1 betas on Tuesday, brings back lossless audio and Dolby Atmos support. Both features can be enabled from inside the Home app, but only if you have an invite.

This week: reacting to iPhone 13 and 13 Pro, iPad mini, and and what the h-e-double hockey sticks happened to Apple Watch Series 7?!

Plus: iPhone 13 Vs. iPhone 13 Pro - what you need to know before you buy!

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

iPhone 13’s Cinematic mode marks new era in computational photography

• Of all the things Apple revealed Tuesday, to me the most impressive was the iPhone 13’s new Cinematic mode. The depth-of-field effect creates amazing focus transitions between subjects.

Win one year of unlimited cloud backup from Backblaze [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Apple Watch Series 7 looks like a late substitution for the upgrade Apple wanted to deliver

• Apple Watch Series 7 is not the upgrade most of us expected to see from Tuesday’s Apple event. The new model doesn’t sport the big design refresh multiple sources said was coming. It doesn’t even pack a new chip.

Apple Watch Series 7 Tidbits: S7 Chip, Storage Remains 32GB, USB-C Fast Charging Cable in the Box, and More

• MacRumors can confirm several details about the Series 7 not currently shared by Apple. First, the Apple Watch Series 7 is indeed powered with an S7 branded chip, which Apple indicates will offer the same 20% advantage in performance compared to the S5 chip found in the Apple Watch SE and Series 5 as the Apple Watch Series 6 did.

New budget iPad 9 gets better video chat, doubles storage

• On the inside is an Apple A13 processor, an improvement over the A12 in its predecessor. Apple promises that brings 20% faster CPU and GPU performance.

iPad mini gets its biggest, most amazing upgrade yet

• Apple today surprised us with a brand-new 2021 iPad mini — its best compact tablet to date. It sports a gorgeous new design inspired by iPad Pro, an Liquid Retina display, and a blazing-fast A15 Bionic chip with 5G connectivity.

What's Still Coming in 2021 at Apple's Second Fall Event

This week: iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, AirPods 3, Apple Watch Series 7, and... more? We're talking hardware predictions for next week's "California Streaming" Apple event.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

It’s official: Apple confirms iPhone 13 event for September 14

• Apple today confirmed it will host its next big keynote on Tuesday, September 14. The “California streaming” event will likely be focused on iPhone 13, as well as Apple Watch Series 7 and a possible third-generation AirPods upgrade.

Leaker Max Weinbach releases new details on next week’s hardware drop

GIVEAWAY!

• This week, Cult of Mac is giving away four Origami Protective Cases for iPad from SwitchEasy. This versatile iPad case folds in four different ways to make it easy to type, read or browse your iPad.

Spoiler alert: Here’s a sneak peek at next year’s ‘iPhone 14

• Yes, you heard that right: iPhone 14 will be the first to pack an edge-to-edge display with no notch, according to Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech. Renders produced by wunderkind Ian Zelbo, based on leaks from Prosser’s sources, suggest next year’s iPhone will instead feature one small “hole punch” cutout for its front-facing camera — like many modern Android devices.

iPhone 14 leak could trigger full wrath of Cupertino

• Jon Prosser’s iPhone 14 leak is every Apple fan’s dream — and Tim Cook’s biggest nightmare. The audacious revelation, dropped Wednesday morning via Prosser’s YouTube channel, Front Page Tech, showcased what next year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max might look like.

This week: iPhone 13 has a secret satellite trick that will give you signal anywhere on earth! Plus: sorry, Apple Watch Series 7 might be a much smaller update than we’ve been told… And a radical new South Korean law is forcing Apple to open up their app store, and other countries are now sure to follow. And, sadly, it couldn’t last forever.... It sounds like our beloved Tim Cook is eyeing his retirement from Apple. So who at Apple will take the reins next? We got it all figured out!

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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.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

Rumored iPhone satellite communications could be for serious emergencies only

• News that the iPhone 13 will be able to exchange texts and phone calls with low Earth orbit satellites first came from respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo over the weekend. And on Monday Mark Gurman from Bloomberg seconded the report. But he said it’ll be strictly for serious emergencies only.

’No chance’ Apple Watch Series 7 will pack blood pressure monitoring

• There is “no chance” Apple Watch Series 7 will be able to monitor your blood pressure, despite recent claims that the next-generation device has been delayed to accommodate this feature, according to one reliable reporter.

Get organized with a PadFolio from tomtoc [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This week, Cult of Mac is giving away six practical and protective PadFolio Cases for your iPad Pro from tomtoc. Designed to carry your 12.9-inch iPad Pro, keyboard, chargers, dongles and all your necessary accessories, this case will protect your iPad Pro while keeping everything in place.

South Korea is first to say App Store must allow third-party payments

• South Korea has become the first country to tell Apple that it must open up the App Store to third-party payment platforms. The same law also applies to Google, and other countries likely will implement similar rules.

Apple agrees to relax App Store rules for ‘reader’ apps like Netflix, Spotify

• Apple will relax App Store rules for “reader” apps that let users access previously purchased content and subscriptions for books, magazines, music and more, the company said Wednesday.

Submissions fall to all-time low as devs lose interest in Mac App Store

• Developers are seemingly losing interest in bringing their titles to the Mac App Store, with new submissions steadily declining since the beginning of 2021. There were fewer than 300 new releases for the first time ever in July.

Apple AR glasses launch could mark end of Tim Cook era

• Tim Cook took over as CEO from Steve Jobs almost exactly 10 years ago. He’s 60 years old, and has been at Apple for 23 years, and it sounds like he’s considering his exit strategy.

This week: If you're excited about the new 14" Macbook Pro, well, we got good news and bad news for you.... Plus: sweet heat! iPhone 13 may be packing Apple's next-GEN FaceID, and it has a special trick. Plus plus: hold on to your cheeks, cause now we got the launch date for you. And stay tuned for our roundup of iOS 15's best new HomeKit and iCloud+ features!

Get 2-3 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, dedicated to tech, gaming, culture, and more. Join Cult Support, good friend!

This episode supported by

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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

14-inch MacBook Pro could be just as fast, almost as pricey as 16-inch model

• The next-generation 14-inch MacBook Pro will be nearly identical to the 16-inch model that launches alongside it in terms of performance, according to one tipster. Both machines are expected to feature the same M1X chip.

iPhone 13 could land September 17, AirPods 3 soon after

• The wait for Apple’s next-generation iPhone lineup could be over in less than a month. A new report, citing information from a Chinese retailer, claims iPhone 13 will make its big debut on September 17, followed by AirPods 3.

Yep! iPhone 13 Pre-Orders Starting September 17th, Launch on September 24th

• That being said, I would usually insert my usual “take it with a grain of many butt hairs” and you still should, BUTT 🍑, since this date is not only lining up with what our own sources said and with Apple’s traditional pre-pandemic schedule of a September launch date timeframe, take it with a smol speck of butt hair, because these dates are looking right.

EXCLUSIVE: Apple Testing New iPhone 13 Face ID

• Apple has developed new Face ID hardware that they are currently testing with a COVID-like landscape in mind, according to sources.

Faster ‘M1X’ Mac mini with more ports coming ‘in the next several months’

• Apple’s “high-end, M1X Mac mini” will launch “in the next several months,” according to the latest Power On newsletter from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. “It will have an updated design and more ports.”

Apple could host multiple events in September for a bunch of new products

• Last year, Apple staggered its fall events over September, October and November. But according to some sources, it will unleash a barrage of hardware within just a few weeks this time around.

What's New With HomeKit in iOS 15

iCloud+ subscribers can now create custom email domains

• iCloud+ subscribers can now start using custom domain names with iCloud Mail. The new feature, announced at WWDC 2021 alongside iOS and iPadOS 15, just rolled out in beta with support for up to five custom domains.

This week: Apple’s about to bring two powerful new features to your beloved HomePods—they just keep making them better! Plus: the big problem with AirPods Max; a proposed law would force profound changes on Apple App Store; Applecare+ get some big changes; and we react to the new Foundation trailers, the Apple’s epic new sci-fi coming to AppleTV+.

Get 2-3 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, 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

Netflix gets more immersive with Spatial Audio support

• Netflix has begun rolling out Spatial Audio support. This lets the streaming service offer a surround sound-like experience but without all the speakers. Currently, it requires AirPods Pro or AirPods Max but that’ll change soon.

​​HomePod beta brings Dolby Atmos and lossless music support

• Dolby Atmos (spatial audio) and lossless music are on their way to HomePod and HomePod mini. Both features are available for testing in Apple’s latest HomePod 15 beta, rolled out to registered developers on Thursday.

Proposed law would force profound changes on Apple App Store

• Apple currently puts up significant roadblocks to sideloading — installing applications onto an iPhone or iPad from a Mac. The Open App Markets Act would require Apple to allow sideloading.

Apple now offers annual AppleCare+ subscriptions for new Mac owners

• Apple recently updated its AppleCare+ for Mac price structure, allowing new owners to purchase the extended coverage as an annual subscription instead of a three-year up front commitment.

Apple now allows AppleCare+ for Mac to continue beyond three years

• In certain major territories, including the U.S., Apple will now let users keep AppleCare+ for Mac active beyond its original three-year limit.

‘Wool’: Tim Robbins Joins Rebecca Ferguson In Apple TV+ Series

• Wool is a set in a ruined and toxic future where a community exists in a giant silo underground, hundreds of stories deep. There, men and women live in a society full of regulations they believe are meant to protect them.

Apple TV+ presents trailer for eagerly anticipated series “Foundation,” set to premiere around the world on Friday, September 24, 2021

• Apple TV+ today released the trailer for “Foundation,” the highly anticipated epic saga based on Isaac Asimov’s timeless trilogy of the same name. Revealing a deeper look than ever before at the unprecedented adaptation, the trailer invites audiences across the galaxy to embark on a thrilling and emotional journey following a band of exiles who discover that the only way to save the Galactic Empire from destruction is to defy it.

This week: We got it, ALL the iPhone 13 details. We’ll tell you what to expect. Plus, the Apple Privacy debacle—is Apple scanning all your photos and the pictures you send in iMessages? The answer is yes... and no. We got the cold hard facts for you, and you may not like them.

Get 2-3 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, dedicated to tech, gaming, culture, and more. Join Cult Support, good friend!

This episode supported by

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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

Mini-LED MacBook Pros launching before the end of September

• The long wait for redesigned 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pro models is probably nearing its end. A reliable source for Apple info says these Macs will be out in September at the latest, and will have mini-LED screens.

iPhone 13 could bring ProMotion display, camera upgrades, smaller notch

• This year’s iPhone refresh could be a lot more exciting than the incremental upgrades we’ve seen in previous years. A new report claims Apple’s next-generation smartphone lineup — which could be called iPhone 13 — will bring faster ProMotion displays, pro camera upgrades, and a smaller notch.

Apple plans to scan iPhones and iCloud for child abuse imagery [Updated]

• Apple plans to scan photos stored on peoples’ iPhones and in their iCloud accounts for imagery suggesting child abuse, according to news reports Thursday. The effort might aid in law-enforcement investigations, but also could invite controversial access to user data by government agencies.

Apple looks to ease CSAM photo scanning concerns with new FAQ

• Apple has published a new FAQ on its plan to scan user photos for child abuse imagery (CSAM) in an effort to combat the growing concerns.

iPhone Messages app will warn parents if kids send, receive nude photos

• Apple will soon offer a new tool to protect children from sexual predators. The Messages application will be able to detect if an iPhone or iPad user gets or sends sexually explicit photos.

Apple TV, HomePod combo on the way to combat weak living room strategy

• Apple TV engineers say “there isn’t much optimism” over the company’s weak living room hardware strategy, but there plans to change it with new devices, according to a new report from one reliable reporter.

This week: now that the M1 Macs are out, Apple is prepping to release a barrage of “Pro” Macs, including MacBook Pros, a Mac Mini Pro, a Mac Pro mini, and a powerhouse new Mac Pro with up to 40 cores. Hold on to your buns!

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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 Watch 7, new Mac upgrades appear in regulatory filings ahead of launch

• A number of new Apple devices including Apple Watch Series 7 and two new MacBook Pro models have appeared in regulatory filings ahead of an official unveiling. The listings suggest we could see a launch in the near future.

Think Apple Silicon is exciting now? Just wait and see what’s to come

• Apple just reported a hugely successful quarter for the Mac — one of its best ever — and it looks like it’s only going to get better. A new report detailing the company’s Apple Silicon roadmap says the best is yet to come.

HomePod smart speaker had a great quarter in the US

• HomePod shipments in the United States increased 180% year-on-year in the last quarter, eclipsing the growth of smart speaker makers Amazon and Google during the period, market intelligence firm Omdia reports.

Apple Working on Combined TV Box, Speaker to Revive Home Efforts

• The company is working on a product that would combine an Apple TV set-top box with a HomePod speaker and include a camera for video conferencing through a connected TV and other smart-home functions, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters.

Brendan Fraser Boards Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ & Legendary Comedy ‘Brothers’

• EXCLUSIVE: Brendan Fraser (No Sudden Move) has joined the casts of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Max Barbakow’s Brothers.

Apple.com gets a redesigned Store section with its very own tab

• Apple on Tuesday rolled out a fresh new look for its online store, with a dedicated “Store” tab that makes everything easier to find. The company calls it “the best way to buy the products you love.”

This week: now that the M1 Macs are out, Apple is prepping to release a barrage of “Pro” Macs, including MacBook Pros, a Mac Mini Pro, a Mac Pro mini, and a powerhouse new Mac Pro with up to 40 cores. Hold on to your buns!

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This episode supported by

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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 Watch 7, new Mac upgrades appear in regulatory filings ahead of launch

• A number of new Apple devices including Apple Watch Series 7 and two new MacBook Pro models have appeared in regulatory filings ahead of an official unveiling. The listings suggest we could see a launch in the near future.

Think Apple Silicon is exciting now? Just wait and see what’s to come

• Apple just reported a hugely successful quarter for the Mac — one of its best ever — and it looks like it’s only going to get better. A new report detailing the company’s Apple Silicon roadmap says the best is yet to come.

HomePod smart speaker had a great quarter in the US

• HomePod shipments in the United States increased 180% year-on-year in the last quarter, eclipsing the growth of smart speaker makers Amazon and Google during the period, market intelligence firm Omdia reports.

Apple Working on Combined TV Box, Speaker to Revive Home Efforts

• The company is working on a product that would combine an Apple TV set-top box with a HomePod speaker and include a camera for video conferencing through a connected TV and other smart-home functions, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters.

Brendan Fraser Boards Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ & Legendary Comedy ‘Brothers’

• EXCLUSIVE: Brendan Fraser (No Sudden Move) has joined the casts of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Max Barbakow’s Brothers.

Apple.com gets a redesigned Store section with its very own tab

• Apple on Tuesday rolled out a fresh new look for its online store, with a dedicated “Store” tab that makes everything easier to find. The company calls it “the best way to buy the products you love.”

This week: we got hot new intel on AirPods 3, new ‘Pro” iMacs, and MacBook Air. Plus: Apple’s planning to bring FaceID to EVERYTHING, and we discuss the most insane parts of Apple’s latest financial call.

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This episode supported by

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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

Twitter leaker @dylandkt reports bad news for iMac, good news for Airpods 3 https://twitter.com/dylandkt

AirPods 3 https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1419103317683212290 https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1414645969216495619

iMac M1X https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1418602808010584066

Smile! Face ID may come to Mac in the next couple of years

Apple aims to bring Face ID to Mac within the next couple of years, reports Mark Gurman in his weekend “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg.

Markus Gurman: Face ID Coming to the Mac, All iPhones and iPads Within ‘Couple of Years'

In his latest edition of “Power On,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple plans to bring Face ID to the Mac in another super vague, strange timeframe. Okay, in all seriousness, he says the next ‘couple of years.’ Let’s just be happy that’s not the ‘next few decades.’

Mini-LED MacBook Air likely to arrive in mid-2022

• Apple’s new MacBook Air with 13.3-inch Mini-LED display will debut in mid-2022, says respected TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a new note to clients, seen by Cult of Mac.

Smashed records, short supplies and other takeaways from Apple’s record Q3

• Apple just revealed that its made heaps of money last quarter. It broke all kinds of revenue records, and Mac, iPhone and iPad contributed strongly to the total.

This week: we got new intel on iPhone 13, MacBook Pro, and the next iPad mini, and you’re gonna like what you hear. Plus an Apple partner demos tech reportedly coming to Apple Watch, and it’s totally insane.

Get 2-3 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 event rumored for September 14, Apple expectations sky high

• In a Wednesday note to clients, seen by Cult of Mac, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives suggests Apple is gearing up to produce between 90 million and 100 million iPhone 13 units. That’s a 15% increase year-on-year over the iPhone 12, whose initial orders were for 80 million units.

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

• “Apple has tasked suppliers with building up to 90 million new iPhones for this fall,” Gurman wrote. “That’s a 20% increase over the 75 million units Apple planned for the iPhone 12 in 2020 — despite only readying mostly minor changes. Expect a faster A15 chip, smaller notch, a new display for better battery life and the potential of an Apple Watch-like always on mode and a 120Hz refresh rate and upgrades to video recording.”

'iPhone 13 Pro' to come in new colors, including bronze-like 'Sunset Gold'

• An apparent supply chain leak is corroborating rumors that Apple's higher-end "iPhone 13" models could be offered in new colors like "sunset gold," matte black and a pale rose gold.

Next iPad mini may get oversized speed boost from Apple A15 processor

• The much-anticipated iPad mini 6 will boast the Apple A15 processor, according to an unconfirmed report. That should bring a significant performance increase. And the tablet will allegedly have a USB-C port and a Smart Connector.

Gurman: MacBook Pro with miniLED display coming between September-November

Apple supplier launches non-invasive glucose monitor & health sensor tech

• A new "clinic-on-the-wrist" digital health system from Apple supplier Rockley Photonics backs up expectations that the Apple Watch will ultimately gain non-invasive glucose monitoring.

This week: Apple’s new Magsafe Battery Pack CONFIRMS iPhone 12 has a very cool hidden feature, and we discuss if the Magsafe Battery is worth its steep $100 price.

Plus: Gurman confirms iPhone 13’s feature set, and, BAD NEWS, in-screen Touch ID didn't make the cut…

And stay for one of our weirdest stories ever: why Apple’s iOS weather app won’t show 69 degrees. Lol. Yeah….

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

Apple launches MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12 series

• On its website Tuesday, Apple offered a new MagSafe Battery Pack, designed to work with the iPhone 12 series from mini to Pro Max. That is, it’s designed to work as of the release of iOS 14.7, due imminently.

Apple Seeks Up to 20% Increase in New iPhone Production for 2021

• Apple Inc. has asked suppliers to build as many as 90 million next-generation iPhones this year, a sharp increase from its 2020 iPhone shipments, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The shares jumped to a record.

Larger iMac ‘en route’ and could bring even faster ‘M2X’ chip

• A larger iMac powered by Apple Silicon is “en route” and could feature an even faster “M2X” chip, according to reporter Mark Gurman.

Apple could bring 1080p FaceTime cameras to all next-gen Mac models

• Apple is planning to bring high-definition FaceTime cameras to all next-generation Mac models, one tipster claims. The move will start with the upcoming MacBook Pro refresh, expected later this year.

Apple’s iPhone Weather app is hilariously prudish

• You can be certain it’s never 69 degrees in Cupertino. Never. In what might be a somewhat amazing level of prudishness, Apple’s default iPhone Weather app reportedly will not indicate that the temperature is one degree warmer than 68.

This week: a reliable source says M2 Macs are right around the corner, and M1X will be the pro variant chip we’ve been hoping for! We got all the details. Plus: Woz says it’s time for Apple to embrace Right To Repair, and the Biden admin’s new rules may force Apple to support it.

And big ERF’s back with an Apple stock update—this is a big one!

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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

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

Win an AirTag dog collar for worry-free adventure [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• If you have a dog that runs away or just doesn’t listen, this week’s giveaway is for you. The CollarTrek dog collar securely holds an AirTag in place, making sure Fido’s location is easily trackable at all times.

Apple’s next-gen M2 chips could roll out in early 2022

• The tipster, known as Dylandkt, has an 81.3% accuracy rating according to Apple Track based on 16 previous rumors. Dylandkt said the M2 chip will be released alongside “the upcoming colorful MacBook Air.”

U.S. President Joe Biden to Direct FTC to Draft Right to Repair Rules

• President Joe Biden plans to direct the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to create new right to repair rules that would affect tech companies like Apple, reports Bloomberg.

Steve Wozniak speaks on Right to Repair

Original HomePods reportedly ‘bricked’ by 14.6 software update

• Recent reports suggest owners of the original HomePod should steer clear of the device’s software version 14.6 and the newer version 15 update for beta users.

Warren Buffett’s premature Apple selloff cost his firm $20 billion

• Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway firm has long invested in Apple, with Buffett once saying that, “I don’t think of Apple as a stock. I think of it as our third business. It’s probably the best business I know in the world. And that is a bigger commitment than we have in any business except insurance and the railroad.”

This week: a new report provides even more proof that new 14” and 16” mini-LED MacBook Pros are right around the corner—we discuss! Plus: Apple’s planning new iPads with HUGE screens, iPhone 13 is getting a big camera upgrade, and Apple’s whacky new scheme to keep employees from leaking! This one is hilarious.

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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.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

MacBook Pro with mini-LED display could land this year in 2 sizes

• Apple is teaming up with two new suppliers to bring mini-LED displays to MacBook Pro later this year, according to a new report. The next-generation machines are expected to come in 14- and 16-inch sizes.

Going beyond 13 inches, Apple reportedly ‘exploring larger iPads’

• Someday, Apple could make tablets as large as the biggest MacBooks. The company is reportedly investigating making super-size iPad models with displays larger than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, according to a reliable source for insider info.

iPhone 13 Pro may pack improved Ultra Wide camera with autofocus

• Apple’s next-generation iPhone lineup will pack an improved Ultra Wide camera with autofocus, according to a reliable analyst. The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max models are expected to get the upgrade first.

Apple allegedly requires employees to wear body cameras to stop leaks

• Apple is reportedly forcing some of its employees to wear “police-grade” body cameras in an effort to stop them from leaking proprietary information.

How to download Apple Watch’s new international Stripes faces

• Apple introduced new International Collection bands for Apple Watch on Tuesday, priced at $49 each. There are 22 available and each comes with an accompanying Stripes face you can download from Apple’s website.

This week—new leaks give us our best look yet at iPhone 13! We got details and pics to share. Plus: Apple has a stunningly new retail location, and we review their most beautiful retail stores, and we review the dizzying number of new original shows and movies coming to Apple TV+—it might finally be worth the price!

Get 2-3 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!

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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.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

New iPhone 13 dummies and renders show incremental changes

• Leaker Sonny Dickson showed off iPhone 13 dummies Wednesday of four possible models that could be released this fall, in addition to case renders and video of a case, included below. They all suggest a handful of tweaks to iPhone 12 that may be forthcoming in the new models.

iPhone 13 will come with new, improved batteries and faster 5G for many users

• The next-gen iPhone will boast “more flexible SiP battery modules and LCP antenna modules,” backing up previous rumors that it will come with a new, improved battery and bring new ultra-speedy mmWave 5G to new countries.

1 in 5 customers say they’d skip iPhone 13 due to superstition

• A massive 74% of people surveyed think Apple’s next iPhone should be called something other than “iPhone 13.” And triskaidekaphobia — aka fear of the number 13 — could stop one in five Apple users from buying the next-gen smartphone if it bears that name.

Apple’s new Tower Theatre store in LA looks preposterously beautiful

• Apple previewed its newest retail location at the historic Tower Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. The company announced the store’s Thursday opening in conjunction with the launch of the Today at Apple Creative Studios global mentorship initiative for young creatives.

Here’s when Foundation and other big shows hit Apple TV+

• The free Apple TV+ trial offered when the service debuted runs out at the end of June, and the iPhone-maker is trying to build excitement for upcoming series by announcing their debut dates.

Apple TV+ prepares a visit to Nathan Pyle’s whimsical Strange Planet

• Dan Harmon will reportedly turn Nathan Pyle’s humorous Strange Planet webcomic into an Apple TV+ animated series. This will combine a comic that’s already become a series of best-selling graphic novels with the creator/writer of Rick and Morty.

This week: leaked! A new report outlines everything we can expect from Apple Watch Series 7, and it’s kind of a surprising.... Plus: Apple’s Beats Studio Buds are like cheaper AirPods Pro, M1 iMacs are shipping with crooked screens, and some big Apple TV+ changes you need to know about.

Get 2-3 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!

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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

Win not one but two Quattro Pro Apple Watch bumper cases [Cult of Mac Giveaway]

• You might make your Apple Watch look like a retro Casio with our giveaway this week. Four lucky winners will receive not one but two Quattro Pro Apple Watch bumper cases from Elkson. That’s one to keep and one to give to a friend.

Apple Watch Series 7 will feature updated display, Explorer Edition will ship in 2022

• The Apple Watch Series 7 will boast a faster processor, better wireless connectivity, and a new, improved screen, says a new report from Bloomberg. The screen will have thinner bezels and a “new lamination technique that brings the display closer to the front cover.” This would be the first Apple Watch form factor redesign since 2018.

iOS 15: How to Get Notified If You Leave an AirTag or Apple Device Behind

• In iOS 15, Apple has added separation alerts to the Find My app, which let you know when you leave an AirTag or other Apple device behind. Separation alerts also support Find My-enabled third-party accessories.

9 great but easily overlooked features in iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey

• Apple made an enormous number of changes in its 2021 operating system updates. Many of these drew plenty of attention — like the FaceTime upgrade — but some useful improvements might have been overlooked in all the hoopla. Here are nine new features in iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey you might have overlooked.

Some M1 iMac Models Shipping With Crooked Mountings

• Some M1 iMacs appear to have a manufacturing defect that causes the display to be mounted on the stand in a way that's not perfectly aligned, leading to a crooked display.

EU regulation would ‘destroy the security of the iPhone,’ Tim Cook warns

• Apple’s CEO told the audience at France’s VivaTech conference that a critical part of the European Union’s proposed Digital Markets Act isn’t in the best interests of iPhone users. The proposal would require Apple to allow users to sideload applications, something CEO Tim Cook and the company are adamantly opposed to.

Cupertino quietly cuts full-year Apple TV+ trial to just 3 months

• Apple quietly reduced the one-year Apple TV+ free trial for customers who buy new Apple devices to three months. The company made the change in a note on its Apple TV+ website. While customers who buy and activate an eligible device (that’s an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac) before July 1 will get the one-year trial, those who do so from July 1 onward will qualify only for three months.

How to cancel the Apple TV+ free trial before you have to pay up

• When Apple TV+ made its big debut in 2019, Apple offered a one-year trial to those who bought a new iPhone, iPad or Mac. It then extended the free trial twice, first to January 2021 and then to the end of June.

This week: we recap and react to all the best WWDC '21 keynote announcements! Plus: what the heck happened to the rumored MacBook Pros?? We discuss!

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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

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

9 things that blew us away at WWDC 2021

iCloud+ makes your online activities more secure on Apple devices

• iCloud+ is a new service that promises to make your online activities more private and more secure. It’s included at no extra cost with a premium iCloud subscription, and it works across all your Apple devices. Here’s what Private Relay, Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video in iCloud+ can do for you.

tvOS 15 lets you sign into apps using Face ID or Touch ID on iPhone

• tvOS 15 will offer a “Sign in with Apple Device option.” Selecting it will deliver a notification to your iPhone and iPad (if they’ve been updated), where you’ll be able to sign in quickly using Face ID or Touch ID.tfv

iOS 15 brings back word magnifier for easier text selection

• The iPhone text magnifier makes a comeback in iOS 15. It disappeared two years ago, but returns in the next version of iOS and iPadOS. The magnifier makes it easier to place the cursor exactly where the user wants, without it being hidden behind their fingertip.

Live Text in iOS 15 is completely amazing

• Like so many people, I’ve gotten in the habit of taking a picture of anything I want to remember later. Live Text makes this even more useful. Rather than saving a whole image, I can turn the text in it into a note or a reminder.

You may be waiting a few more months for Apple’s new MacBook Pro

• Apple’s forthcoming MacBook Pros were erroneously expected by some to show up at this year’s WWDC. But according to a report from Digitimes, the next-gen Apple notebooks will not launch until the third quarter of 2021. This could be due to a lower-than-expected production yield for the mini LED screens for the computer.

Live Text and other macOS Monterey features not coming to Intel Macs

• Many of macOS Monterey’s most exciting new features will not be available on Mac models powered by Intel processors. Live Text, Portrait mode for FaceTime video calls and more all require Apple’s own M1 chip.

This week: it’s all but confirmed… ANOTHER source is saying we’re getting new Macs at WWDC’s keynote on Monday. They're incoming!  

Plus we’ll review all iOS 15’s rumored features, and there’s something going on with HomePod that Apple’s not telling us… there’s hope for us HomePod fans!

Get 2-3 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

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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

Expect to see updated MacBook Pros at WWDC

• Wedbush analyst Dan Ives expects new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros to be among Apple’s announcements for the usually software-focused WWDC. The company’s 2021 Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off with a keynote address next Monday.

Why interactive widgets might be the best improvement in iOS 15

• Widgets actually debuted in iPadOS 13, then made the jump to iOS in 2020. But Apple has yet to make them interactive. The current version gives fast access to useful information. A widget is convenient for seeing what’s coming up on your calendar, or checking the weather. But they can’t do anything.

Apple has a pair of intriguing HomePod devices in the works

• A proposed HomePod speaker with a built-in screen, and another device combining HomePod, FaceTime camera, and Apple TV, remain in “early development” at Apple, a Bloomberg report Friday states.

Mysterious ‘homeOS’ platform leaks in Apple job listing [Updated]

• There’s macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS. How about homeOS, signaling a ramping up of Apple’s smart home ambitions? That is one take-home from a new Apple Music job posting spotted online. It references a hitherto-unannounced mobile operating system called “homeOS.” While Apple rolled out its HomeKit smart home platform in 2014, it has — to date — been a part of iOS/iPadOS, rather than its own fully fledged operating system. That could change soon.

This week: Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set for June 7, and the “M1X” MacBook Pro will almost certainly be making its debut. We’ll tell you all we know.

Plus: Prosser says a Pro version of the Mac Mini with M1X is incoming, Apple may be making moves into crypto, and a BIG update on Apple Music lossless and your HomePod.

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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.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

Apple details plans for WWDC 2021

• Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference is scheduled for June 7, and on Monday the iPhone-maker revealed that the all-important keynote address for WWDC 2021 will be held at 10 a.m. PDT on that day. This is almost certainly when they wraps will come off the next major upgrades for iOS, macOS and the company’s other operating systems.

WWDC Invite all but confirms new MacBook Pros!

The evidence:
https://twitter.com/SamiFathi_/status/1396861652012785669

Prosser now confirming new MacBook Pros coming to WWDC:
https://twitter.com/jon_prosser/status/1396915038154334214

Next Mac mini refresh could bring slimmer design, faster ‘M1X’ chip

• Apple’s next Mac mini refresh could prove even more exciting than the last, thanks to a slimmer chassis design and a faster “M1X” chipset, according to a reliable leaker.

Apple could be cashing into cryptocurrency

• It’s no rumor that Apple is looking for an expert in alternative payment providers. The job description is for someone with at least five years experience with “digital wallets, BNPL, Fast Payments, cryptocurrency and etc.”

Apple Music lossless WILL be coming to your HomePods, but AirPods Max still uncertain

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212183

HomePod Mini specs

AirPods Max specs

This week: the new M2 MacBook Pros are right around the corner, along with a new and larger “Pro” iMac. We’ll share the details! Plus: everything you need to know about Apple’s new Lossless audio format coming soon to Apple Music. This is going to be a huge leap in sound quality, and it’s totally free! And Lewis fills us in on Apple’s wild new accessibility features coming to Apple Watch.

Get 2-3 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!

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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

Redesigned MacBook Pro could arrive this summer, larger iMac in the works

• A redesigned MacBook Pro could hit Apple Store shelves as early as this summer, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

Apple Watch Series 7 might feature flat-edged design, green color option [Updated]

• The next-gen Apple Watch could get a huge makeover, with a new, flat-edged design and a green option reminiscent of the AirPods Max.

Apple Music will add lossless audio, Spatial Audio for no extra cost

• Apple Music is going lossless — at no extra cost to subscribers. Apple revealed the free upgrade Monday, a day ahead of its rumored launch. The company said Apple Music will bring lossless audio to more than 75 million tracks starting in June so listeners can hear songs “the way the artists created them in the studio.”

Spotify HiFi: quality, price, release date, free trial and latest news

• Spotify HiFi is the popular music streaming service's long-anticipated entry into CD-quality streaming. Set to launch in 2021, it will allow Spotify Premium subscribers to 'upgrade' their membership so they can listen to higher-quality, lossless audio streams.

AirPods, HomePod lose out on Apple Music lossless audio streaming [Updated]

• Apple Music fans who are super-excited about the just-announced lossless audio option should be aware that it won’t work with AirPods or HomePod. Not even the $549 AirPods Max.

What you need to enjoy amazing lossless audio on Apple Music

• You’ll be able to enjoy some of that magic with Apple headphones. Spatial Audio with support for immersive Dolby Atmos will be available on all AirPods and Beats with an H1 or W1 chip. You will also be able to listen to it through the built-in speakers on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

AirPods might offer lossless Apple Music after software update

• On the new episode of his Front Page Tech YouTube show, Prosser said the limitation was because of Bluetooth. And that that restriction is about to be removed.

AssistiveTouch lets users control Apple Watch by clenching a fist

• Apple plans to release software updates this year that will make its devices far easier to use for people with mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities.

This week: a dubious rumor says Apple is making a portable gaming console, but... the puzzle pieces seem to add up. Apple's up to something. We discuss. Plus: the new M1 iMac is insanely powerful, and Prosser leaks more MacBooks!

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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.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

Enter to win a high-end Qrono Apple Watch band from Juuk [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This week, Cult of Mac is giving away two fantastic metal Apple Watch bands from Juuk, a high-end watch strap company. We’re giving away two aluminum Qruno straps in cosmic grey.

New MacBook Air renders look thin, flat and colorful

• Apple plans to release a surprisingly thin MacBook Air in the same colors as the current iMacs, according to leaker Jon Prosser.

High school student makes impressive 3D renders of big-time Mac leaks [Setups]

• It’s not every day you come across a high school student running a successful tech-based business – never mind one whose 3D renderings are routinely seen by thousands of people. But that’s the case with 17-year-old New Yorker Ian Zelbo and his RendersbyIan.

M1 iMac can’t match fastest Intel iMacs in early benchmarks

• People were hoping the M1 would supercharge the iMac, but the first benchmark scores for the upcoming 24-inch machine are out, and the all-in-one desktop is the same speed as the other M1 Macs released in 2020, but not faster. The previous-generation high-end 21.5-inch iMac earned a single-core Geekbench score of 1109, and a multi-core score of 6014.

2021 iPad Pro beats every Intel MacBook in early benchmark tests

• The first iPad Pro with an M-series processor is apparently going to be as fast as many had hoped. Benchmark tests for the upcoming tablet show that it’s almost as speedy as the Macs released in late 2020. And faster than any Intel-based MacBook ever.

Sketchy Rumor Claims Apple Developing Nintendo Switch-Style Gaming Console

• Apple is working on a Nintendo Switch-style handheld games console, according to a sketchy new rumor coming from Asia. According to a post on a Korean forum, shared by Twitter user @FrontTron, Apple is developing a portable hybrid games console, comparable to the Nintendo Switch. While the sourcing of the rumor is suspect, it has gained some visibility in larger news outlets over the past day or two, so we figured it was at least worth acknowledging.

Apple TV Is Missing the Moment

• “For next year, Apple is planning an upgraded box with a stronger gaming focus, an updated remote and a new processor.”

Apple said to be spending more than $500M on Arcade gaming subscription effort

• Apple’s new gaming subscription service Apple Arcade may have been a bit of a footnote at its Services event earlier this month compared to the stage time given to more prime time-ready efforts like Apple TV+ and Apple News+, but the company is throwing some major funding behind its effort to get people paying a monthly fee for exclusive titles.

This week: Apple’s working on a folding iPhone, and it’ll be here sooner than you think! We’ll fill you in. Plus: A new sensor could turn 2022 Apple Watch into a doctor on your wrist, the honest truth about AirTags, and an EPIC update on Apple Vs. Fortnite.

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

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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

8-inch folding iPhone might launch in 2023

• A folding iPhone is two years away, according to a trusted industry analyst. When open, the device will have an 8-inch screen, significantly bigger than the current largest iOS model, which has a 6.7-inch display.

New sensor could turn 2022 Apple Watch into a doctor on your wrist

• A deal between Apple and Rockley Photonics could add new medical sensors to the Apple Watch in 2022. That might include non-invasive monitoring of blood sugar levels, body temperature and blood pressure. It might even add the ability to measure blood-alcohol levels.

Creeps could use AirTags to stalk people with ‘frightening’ ease

• While Apple says that it’s been careful to incorporate anti-stalking measures to stop the AirTags being used in this way, a Washington Post report argues that Apple’s countermeasures are not effective.

AirTag Owners Bemoan Inability to Let Others Track Their Items Via Family Sharing

• On the face of it, sharing the location of an AirTag via Apple's Family Sharing feature should be a no-brainer, since individual members in a Family Sharing group can use the Find My app to see the location of other family members' Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, AirPods, and Apple Watches.

rint a variety of useful AirTag holders with these free 3D models

• It’s not necessary to buy an accessory to attach an Apple AirTag to your keys, bike or dog’s collar if you own a 3D printer.

Read Epic Games’ reasonable idea for opening up the App Store

• Epic Games suggested a change to the iPhone App Store that, if Apple had followed it, might have prevented the lawsuit that put the two tech giants in court this week.

This week: redesigned M2 MacBook Pros are incoming! And they’re gonna be awesome… we’ll tell you everything we know.

Plus: we’ll bring you the highlights from Apple’s blockbuster quarter, and discuss the two insanely great features introduced in iOS 14.5.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

Apple tipster claims M1 iMac, new iPad Pro, updated Apple TV 4K will go on sale May 21 [Updated]

• According to (generally) reliable Apple tipster Jon Prosser, Apple will release its new 2021 iMac, iPad Pro with M1 chip, and faster Apple TV 4K with redesigned Siri Remote on May 21.

5 takeaways from Apple’s latest Mac-tastic quarter

• Apple pulled in more revenue from selling Macs last quarter than it ever has before. Not just the most revenue it’s ever made in a January-through-March quarter. The most revenue ever. There’s been no back-to-school rush or holiday shopping season that resulted in $9.1 billion in Mac sales. And that’s an amazing increase of 70% compared to the same quarter last year.

iOS 14.5 brings App Tracking Transparency, mask-friendly Face ID

• Apple on Monday gave all iPhone users access to iOS 14.5. And iPad users can install iPadOS 14.5 Today’s updates bring a ton of new features, including unlocking an iPhone with an Apple Watch while wearing a mask.

This week: our reactions and first impressions to all the hardware announced at Apple's Spring Loaded keynote event!

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.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

Apple AirTag tracking tags will help you find all the things

• AirTags appear in a new Items tag in the Find My app. This allows users to order a tracking tag to play a sound, making the device easier to find. But that’s just the start. The software uses an onscreen pointer to guide the user to the exact location of a misplaced item. The accuracy of UWB should really come in handy here.

M1 iMac is faster, thinner and more incredible than ever

• The world’s most popular all-in-one now runs on Apple Silicon. The all-new and beautifully colorful iMac, unveiled today at Apple’s Spring Loaded event, packs a blazing-fast M1 chip into an aluminum form factor that’s just 11.5mm thick.

2021 iPad Pro boasts M1 processor, beautiful mini-LED display

• The 2021 iPad Pro is built around an Apple M1 processor that brings a tremendous speed boost. Apple is saying 50% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU.

Apple TV 4K gets speedy A12 chip and sweet new Siri Remote

• Apple took the wraps off the new sixth-generation Apple TV 4K on Tuesday. The upgraded set-top box boasts Apple’s A12 Bionic chip, which should bring a welcome performance boost. But perhaps more importantly, Apple redesigned the controversial Siri Remote.

This week: This week: what hardware will be announced at next week’s Apple event? We got it all figured out!. Plus: Apple’s got a zany new HomePod under development, and Apple TV+ is about to get some big upgrades.

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 / @lewiswallace

Apple’s ‘Spring Loaded’ event happens April 20: Here’s what to expect

• The next Apple product-release event will happen April 20. Invites went out Tuesday morning for the virtual “Spring Loaded” event, just hours after Siri leaked the date.

Mini-LED iPad Pro is on the way this month, but good luck getting it right away

• The new iPad Pro likely will be Apple’s first hardware release of 2021. Despite the comparatively paltry upgrades this year. The next-gen iPad Pro will be Apple’s first to boast Mini-LED display technology, offering superior screens visuals to the current LCD displays. However, this new screen tech will only be available on the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro, not the 11-inch model.

Apple Plans First iMac Desktop Redesign in Nearly a Decade

• Apple Inc. is planning the first redesign of its iMac all-in-one desktop computer since 2012, part of a shift away from Intel Corp. processors to its own silicon, according to people familiar with the plans.

Apple could combine HomePod speaker, Apple TV and smart camera for ultimate smart home device

• Apple is working on a new smart home product that would combine Apple TV, a HomePod speaker and a camera for FaceTime or Zoom-style video conferencing, Bloomberg reported Monday.

Apple TV+ will get at least 10-12 original movies per year

• Apple TV+ is looking to ramp up its investment in original movies, and has hired a former WarnerMedia executive to help it, claims The Information.

The Matrix 4: Cast, release date, plot and everything you need to know

This week: Apple preps “Find My” to locate ALL your gadgets; a big update to Apple Arcade may finally make it worth the price; Will.i.am is back a ridiculous new tech product you might actually want; and we try to figure out Falcon and Winter Soldier is actually good in an all-new Under Review!

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 opens Find My network to third-party gadgets

• The Find My application built into iOS and macOS finally opened up to device trackers made by other companies, not just Apple. Wednesday’s move allows iPhones, Macs and iPads to locate lost items produced by third-party accessory makers without needing to install additional software.

New Star Trek and NBA games lead major Apple Arcade expansion

• Apple made a huge push for its gaming service on Friday, launching 11 original games. These cover a range of genres, from NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition to Star Trek: Legends. And Fantasian from the creator of the Final Fantasy series also launched in Apple Arcade. Plus many, many more.

Fantasian from the creator of Final Fantasy launches on Apple Arcade

• Apple Arcade subscribers are in for a treat. Hironobu Sakaguchi, who also made the classic Final Fantasy series, also created Fantasian for Apple’s gaming service. It mixes computer-generated characters with handmade sets for a truly unique look.

Will.i.am's i is a $299 HEPA face mask with ANC earphones built in

• With face coverings becoming a necessity during the pandemic, we've seen countless variations on masks from the worlds of fashion, merchandise and tech. Enter Willi.i.am, a pop star who has tried with varying levels of success to straddle all of those industries. The Black Eyed Peas frontman has teamed up with Honeywell on a $299 tech-imbued face mask that wouldn't look out of place in a cyberpunk movie or game.

This week: Apple just announced WWDC 2021 kicks off June 7th, so we're talking hardware predictions!

Plus: Apple is prepping a new remote for next-gen Apple TV, a leaker reveals the price of Apple's AirTags, and we celebrate 45 years of Apple with their 45 best creations!

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

All-virtual WWDC 2021 will kick off June 7

• Apple will kick off this year’s Developers Conference on June 7. And, for the second year running, this will be an all-virtual event, the company said Tuesday.

Surprise! Apple might unveil mixed-reality headset in 2021

• Apple is aiming to announce a mixed-reality headset at an in-person event sometime in the "next several months," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Apple works on a new remote for next-gen Apple TV

• Apple is working on a new remote for its next-gen Apple TV. While the story doesn’t share specific details about the rejigged remote, it suggests Apple might move away from the controversial Siri Remote that debuted with the fourth-gen Apple TV.

Leaker Reveals Size of Apple's AirTags and Says They'll Cost Around $39

• Apple's rumored AirTags item trackers will be slightly larger than a 50 cent coin and around three times the thickness, based on dimensions offered by leaker Max Weinbach (via YouTube channel EverythingApplePro).

45 ways Apple put a ding in the universe

This week: we now have our best look yet at iPhone 13, and Apple is packing in tons of great features—we’ll give you all the juicy details.

Plus: Apple packed two hidden features into HomePod mini, Jon Prosser says so long to his eyebrows, and we’ll tell you how to get your old AirPods back to working like new!

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 may boast 1TB storage, LiDAR on all model

• The iPhone 13 will boast a maximum storage capacity that’s double that of the iPhone 12, according to Wedbush analysts Strecker Backe and Daniel Ives in a new note to clients, seen by Cult of Mac.

Leaked iPhone 13 screen panel photo shows shrinking notch

• The notch in this autumn’s iPhone 13 will slim down noticeably, according to pictures that supposedly show the front glass panels of the upcoming handset. None of the components will be removed, just rearranged.

Apple leaker Jon Prosser shaves eyebrows after missing key prediction

• Prosser was so sure we’d get a March 23rd Apple event, he promised to shave his eyebrows off if he was wrong. Unfortunately for Jon, his prediction was as wrong as his face without eyebrows.

HomePod Mini Features Dormant Temperature and Humidity Sensor That Could Be Activated in a Future Software Update

• Apple's HomePod mini includes a dormant hidden sensor that can measure temperature and humidity, potentially providing the means to power upcoming features that could arrive in a future software update, according to Bloomberg.

Two College Roommates and Some Robots: How Podswap Replaces AirPod Batteries

• Like most AirPod owners, Emily Alpert found that, after 18 months, her wireless buds didn’t last, not even for one full run. Unlike most AirPod owners, Alpert, along with her best friend, got a robot to fix her problem.