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

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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 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.)