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This week, it’s the iPhone 16e — did Apple make a mistake? Also, the leaked design of the iPhone 17 Air, the miniLED Studio Display, a huge update to Vision Pro, and the winners of the prediction game!

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

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This week’s stories:

With iPhone 16e, Apple brings big speed boost to budget model

• We expected iPhone SE 4, but instead Apple introduces iPhone 16e with jacked up processing power and camera capabilities.

Everything stripped out of iPhone 16 to make the 16e

• We compare the new lower-price iPhone 16e to the iPhone 16 to help you make the choice that fits your needs and budget.

Here’s your first look at the iPhone 17 Air’s supposed design

• A video reveals the final design of Apple's rumored 5.5mm slim iPhone 17 Air in all its glory, highlighting the Pixel-like rear camera bar.

Apple Studio Display’s big refresh could land in 2026

• Apple plans to refresh its $1,599 Studio Display monitor in 2026 with mini-LED panel for higher brightness and better picture quality.

Vision Pro’s next big update will bring Apple Intelligence support

• Apple's $3,500 mixed-reality headset, Vision Pro, will reportedly gain Apple Intelligence support with the upcoming visionOS 2.4 update.

Prediction game results

• Congratulations to the three listeners who scored 17 points: Michael Dennis, Chuck and now two-time winner Shane Lother.

Send us a text!

Surprise Apple announcement coming next week — we’ll lay out our predictions! Also, we’re talking about the new Powerbeats Pro 2, and Apple’s shift into foldable iPhones and robotics.

This episode supported by:

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

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This week’s stories:

Tim Cook teases new Apple product, but what is it?

• Tim Cook revealed Thursday that Apple plans to launch a new product on February 19. Cook’s post is deliberately vague, saying only, “Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.”

Redesigned Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds feature heart-rate monitoring

• The updated and redesigned Powerbeats Pro 2 is Apple’s first set of earbuds to feature built-in heart rate monitoring, and feature ear hooks for a secure fit during workouts.

First foldable iPhone might arrive in 2026

• A report from late last year suggested Apple wants to launch its first foldable in 2026. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reiterates the same in his latest Power On newsletter.

Apple is really getting into robots

• Robots may become Apple’s next big thing. It’s looking for a completely new product category to grow its business, and robots might be the answer, according to an unconfirmed report from Ming-Chi Kuo.

The CultCast February 2025 Predictions

• For the first time this year, we must place our predictions for Apple’s… event? Announcements? Day of stuff? Who knows!
• Submit your own answers here

Send us a text!

This week, we’re looking at the RADICAL new design of the iPhone 17 Pro! Love it or hate it? Also, when to expect the first folding iPhone, Apple’s bad AI summaries ruin headlines, and more picks for the best (and worst) of 2024!

This episode supported by:

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

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This week’s stories:

iPhone 17 Pro Max renders give early glimpse of next Apple flagship

• With purported details of the iPhone 17 Pro Max appearing online many months before the device’s launch, a Russian YouTube channel prepared renders that reveal what Apple’s next top-tier handset could look like.

First folding iPhone could arrive by 2026

• Hoping to boost sales, Apple could launch its first folding iPhone as soon as 2026, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Apple faces pressure to drop AI news summaries after false headline

• International journalism organization Reporters Without Borders is calling for Apple to remove its new artificial intelligence-powered news notifications, following a complaint from the BBC over a bogus news summary.

Best and Worst of 2024:

• Erfon: Camera Control
• Lewis: AirPods Pro 2
• Griffin: HEETA Scalp Massager
• Erfon: AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Send us a text!

This week: we're talking expectations for Apple's September iPhone 15 event! Plus aaaaall the new M3 Macs Apple is working on....

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This week's stories

iPhone 15 launch event reportedly will happen on September 13 ... or 12!

• Apple could unveil the iPhone 15 lineup on September 12 or 13, with a staggered launch after that to avoid supply chain and logistics problems.

Here are all the M3 Macs in development

• Apple is working on a slew of M3-powered Macs for late 2023 and 2024, and the latest mystery machine spotted on developers’ logs appears to be a new Mac mini.

Apple’s M3 Max chip spotted with 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU

• For comparison, the M2 Max ships with a 12-core CPU and a 38-core GPU. So, even if everything else remains constant, the additional CPU and GPU cores on the M3 Max alone should enable significant performance improvements. Apple will likely use newer CPU and GPU cores on the M3 for further performance gains.

Limited-edition iPhone case takes you back to 1969 moon landing [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• We joined forces with Pitaka this week for an exciting giveaway that will take you over the moon.

LEWIS: iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Bionic chip might sport a 6-core GPU, 6GB RAM

• Leaker @URedditor, who previously shared some accurate Apple-related leaks, provided more details about the company’s next A-series chip Wednesday on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. While the A17 Bionic apparently will possess the same number of CPU cores as the A16 Bionic, Apple will bump its clock speed.

College students, you don’t need a MacBook Air

• Old conventional wisdom was that beyond the basics, you needed a MacBook Pro, but that’s just not true anymore

Apple TV 4K can play Dolby Atmos sound to two pairs of AirPods in tvOS 17

• One of the best features of the Apple TV 4K is its support for spatial audio, but this feature is limited to only one pair of Apple headphones in tvOS 16. That looks to be changing though, according to a feature that

Send us a text!

This week: AirTags 2.0 are incoming with a strange new feature, and we've details on what to expect for Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.0!

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This week's stories

ERFON: Apple preps second-generation AirTag tracker with AR capabilities

• The Apple AirTag item tracker sells well enough that an updated version is in early development, according to a reputable analyst. And it might include the AR capabilities that were rumored years ago.
• The tiny tracker has reportedly been selling by the millions since the product launch in 2021.

LEWIS: Would you buy Apple Watch 9 or Ultra 2 in these new colors?

• Reliable leaker ShrimpApplePro tweeted Tuesday about the possible new pink aluminum color for Apple Watch Series 9 and a black titanium case for Apple Watch Ultra 2.

GRIFFIN: 1 billion subscribers push Apple’s services revenue to all-time high

• Apple announced one billion people now subscribe to Apple services, although total revenue decreased slightly during the June quarter, the third time that’s happened in a row. And the money coming in from all Apple’s hardware groups is down

ERFON: Tim Cook calls AI ‘absolutely critical’ to Apple products

• Apple has been quiet about its plans for artificial intelligence, but CEO Tim Cook set out in a conference call with analysts and major investors on Thursday to make it clear that his company isn’t behind the curve on AI.

LEWIS: Win a posh leather iPad Pro sleeve from Harber London [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• For this week’s giveaway, we partnered with Harber London to offer you an opportunity to win an exquisite, handmade Magnetic Envelope Sleeve for iPad Pro valued at $118.

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This week: we got more big iPhone 15 leaks, + Apple is considering big price hikes, + we argue over Spotify vs Apple Music... again!

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iPhone Life Tip of the Day Newsletter Ad Read for BackBeat Media URL: https://www.iphonelife.com/dailytips

This week's stories

Apple reportedly considers hiking iPhone 15 Pro prices

• Apple is mulling raising prices for the iPhone 15 Pro and its Pro Max sibling in the United States. The company has yet to make a final decision on the matter, though.

iPhone 15 Pro Max price might increase $200

• The iPhone 15 Pro Max could go up by as much as $200, according to an industry analyst.

iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Options Potentially Revealed in iOS 17 Code: Flashlight, Shortcuts, Voice Memos, and More

• Remember that bright-orange Action Button on Apple Watch Ultra? The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max might come with something similar.

Apple’s 48MP camera heads for more affordable iPhone 15 models

• The 48 megapixel camera that debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro models is making its way to the “standard” iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, according to a trusted analyst.

Protect your iPad from bumps and scratches -- and look good doing it!

Apple lends Vision Pro AR headset to devs on a very short leash

• A fortunate few will soon get their hands on the Apple Vision Pro. Developers can now apply to get a prerelease loaner unit with which to test the applications they’re creating for the upcoming AR headset.

Get the time without even looking at your Apple Watch

• You can read the time without even looking at your Apple Watch using a little-known feature called Taptic Time. Hold two fingers on the screen and you’ll feel it tap the time out on your wrist.

8 reasons you should ditch Spotify for Apple Music

Send us a text!

This week: Big battery and camera improvements are coming to iPhone! Plus: the Continuity features every Apple user MUST know; Apple preps their own version of ChatGPT;

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This week's stories

Stacked batteries could let iPhone 15 go longer between charges

• Apple will put batteries that could last up to 10% longer in the upcoming iPhone 15 series, according to an unconfirmed report. These will be stacked batteries rather than wound ones.

2024 iPhone could get 12× telephoto zoom lens

• While this year’s model reportedly will introduce a new periscope lens, the iPhone 16 Pro Max could come with an ultra-long telephoto periscope lens capable of 12× optical zoom.

6 mind-blowing Continuity features every Apple user should know

• Nothing illustrates the power of Apple’s ecosystem like the Continuity features that help your Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch work seamlessly together.

Apple gets ready to take on ChatGPT with ‘Apple GPT’

• Apple reportedly developed its own generative AI chatbot that’s very similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. While it might never be released, the underlying tech is already going into the company’s applications and services.

The Mac Pro we all want is 6 years away — at least

• Similar to how the M1 Ultra was comprised of two M1 Max chips interposed together for double the power, when the tipster talks about “the quad chip,” he or she is referring to the rumored M1 Extreme that would have been comprised of four M1 Max chips.

Enter to win a leather MacBook folio from Harber London [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• Giving away one Slim Leather Folio Laptop Case No. 7 from Harber London!

Apple Card contributes to another $667 million loss for Goldman Sachs: ‘We did not execute well’

• The exact amount of losses Goldman Sachs has seen with its Apple partnership isn’t quite clear, but since 2020 it’s somewhere in the ballpark of $1-3 billion.

Send us a text!

This week: Here's what to expect for the iPhone 15 and its big redesign! Plus: we go hands-on with the iOS 17 and watchOS 10 public betas, Jony Ive is back making new hardware, and we pitch our favorite gadgets in an all-new Under Review!

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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

What to expect from the redesigned, faster iPhone 15

• 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. Still, early renders show the iPhone 15 series will look much like its predecessors.

Griffin: Think twice before installing iOS 17 public beta (or watchOS 10!)

• Apple just gave the general public access to the latest iOS 17 beta, but before you put it on your iPhone, the Cult of Mac staff has some warnings. We’ve used the betas for weeks, and while it’s gone well for some people, it’s been a dumpster fire for others.

Much-anticipated 32-inch iMac is still over a year away

• The iMac is Apple’s desktop PC with a built-in screen. This long-running product line was significantly revamped in 2021 with a slim design and M1 processor. Currently, the only version has a 24-inch screen, but there have been numerous calls for a larger variant.

Jony Ive returns to hardware design with $60,000 record player

• If Apple made a turntable, would it cost $60,000? Almost certainly not, but that’s the lofty price tag on the new 50th anniversary Linn Sondek LP12-50, sketched out by former Apple chief designer Jony Ive and his firm LoveFrom.

Jony Ive’s discontinued Apple design book now goes for big bucks

• Apple released Designed by Apple in California in 2016 to mixed but largely positive reviews — with a fair amount of snark about the pricing — and discontinued it in 2019.

Under Review

Griffin

Rode NT USB Plus

Rode NTH 100

Erfon

Anker Soundcore Motion x600

Lewis

Geometric

Send us a text!

This week: We're talking BIG changes coming to AirPods, Apple's radical plan for new displays, and Twitter vs. Threads, battle of the the tech titans! Plus: Apple hits 3 TRILLION in market value, so Erfon's got another epic Apple stock update!

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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

Next-gen AirPods Pro could measure your body temperature

• In the Sunday edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman shared Apple’s future roadmap for the AirPods. The company wants to position AirPods as a hearing aid replacement. It has hired engineers from traditional hearing aid companies to boost its research in this area.

Apple plans to launch a monitor that stays on when you shut down your Mac

Vision Pro’s complex design forces Apple to make significant production cuts

• Apple reportedly made hefty cuts to its production goals for the Vision Pro due to the headset’s complex design, which makes mass production a challenge.

Lewis: Win a compact charger that juices up 3 devices at once [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This is a rare repeat - but this time it's open to contestants worldwide!

How to use Threads, the new (new (new)) Twitter replacement

• Threads is the new social media platform with Twitter-like features, coming from Instagram.

Apple TV+ has a lot more subscribers than you might realize

• The number of Apple TV+ subscribers has more than tripled in the past two years, according to data from a market-analysis firm.

Apple passes $3 trillion mark cap … again

• Apple’s share price us up 53% this year!

Send us a text!

This week: We've got new intel on the next round of Apple's upcoming hardware releases including the long awaited 30-inch iMac (Pro?!), OLED iPads, the next Apple Watch Ultra, and more. Plus, fresh new images leak for iPhone 15 Pro Max!

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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 is reportedly working on iMac with 30-inch-plus screen

• Aside from the inevitable iPhone refresh (and the headset everyone’s buzzing about), Apple reportedly has several other major new products lined up for launch in 2023 and the first half of 2024. This includes revamped iPad Pros with OLED displays, new Macs powered by a next-gen M3 processor and an upgrade to the Apple Watch Ultra.

iPhone 15 Pro Max case leaks well ahead of fall announcement

• Those eager to get their hands on the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max should check out a short video showing a case supposedly designed for Apple’s next flagship smartphone. This helps confirm a few details that previously leaked out.

EU countries, lawmakers reach data rule deal targeting Big Tech

• The European Commission proposed the Data Act last year to cover data generated in smart gadgets, machinery and consumer products, part of a raft of legislation aimed at curbing the power of U.S. tech giants.

Apple Hikes iCloud+ Subscription Prices in Many Countries Around the World

• Apple has increased the price of iCloud storage in several regions around the world, including the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South America.

Win this brilliant bundle from Function101 to whip your desk into shape [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• In this week’s giveaway, two lucky winners will bag themselves a magnetic Desk Mat Pro with two Cable Block XL cable managers from Function101. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to tidy up their desk and ensure wires are secure and easily accessible.

Send us a text!

This week: Imagine being able to easily swap out the battery on your iPhone or iPad - the EU is about to force Apple to do just that. Plus, cool new features coming to Vision Pro and the Photos app!

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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

EU forces removable batteries on iPhone and iPad

• The European Parliament passed sweeping legislation last week intended to make recycling batteries easier. The new rules will require Apple to redesign iPhone and iPad so their batteries can be replaced by users. (Android devices will face the same mandate.)

Devs can now start making apps for Apple Vision Pro AR headset

• Turning the Apple Vision Pro headset from an announcement into a shipping product took a big step forward Wednesday with the release of the visionOS SDK. This includes the software tools developers will use to write applications for the AR headset that Apple unveiled earlier this month.

Lewis: Win a 65W GaN travel charger you can plug in anywhere [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• The Ugreen 65W Nexode GaN Charger packs two USB-C ports along with one USB-A port, making it easy to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Plus, its switchable plugs make it effortless for use when traveling in the United States and Europe. It retails for just $55.99, but you could snag one for free in this week’s giveaway.

8 New Photo Features Coming to iPhone in iOS 17

• When viewing your photos, Apple has enhanced Visual Look Up in iOS 17 in a few ways, one being the ability to find recipes for similar dishes when meals are recognized in the picture.

iPhone media apps can play music on HomePod using Siri with iOS 17

• Apple will finally make playing music from third-party sources on your HomePod easier. Starting with iOS 17, you can ask Siri to play music on your HomePod from music apps installed on your iPhone.

MacBooks make up a whopping 77% of Mac

• If you own a Mac, it’s almost certainly a MacBook rather than a desktop. New data from a market research firm show that Apple’s notebooks made up the lion’s share of macOS sales over the last year.

Send us a text!

This week: We react to reviews of the M2 Mac Studio, Mac Pro, and 15" MacBook Air - Plus: all this week's best Apple stories!

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This week's stories

2023 Mac Studio review roundup: Eye-watering power

• The primary difference between the new Mac Studio and its predecessor is the processor, so this was the focus of many of the reviews.

M2 Ultra Mac Pro proves twice as fast as Intel Mac Pro — at half the price

• In Geekbench 6 stats that surfaced online Saturday, the M2 Ultra scored 2,776 and 21,402 in single-core and multi-core benchmarks, respectively. For comparison, the M1 Ultra scores 2,379 and 17,579 in the same set of tests. This indicates Apple’s M2 Ultra packs a 20% faster CPU.

First Benchmark Result Surfaces for Mac Pro With M2 Ultra Chip

• The first Geekbench 6 benchmark result for the new Mac Pro surfaced today, providing a closer look at the M2 Ultra chip's CPU performance in the desktop tower.

Win a Ugreen Nexode a fast 65W Charger with universal plugs

15-inch MacBook Air review roundup: Killer for consumers

• Reviewers have plenty of praise for the first 15-inch MacBook Air, with comments like it “does its job very, very well” (The Verge) and it’s “more than good enough” (CNET).

Cheaper Apple Vision Headset Likely to Launch by End of 2025

• Apple still plans to launch a more affordable version of its Vision Pro headset by the end of 2025, with the non-Pro model likely to be called "Apple Vision One," or more

Send us a text!

This week: We're talking all the best announcements at WWDC 23, reactions to the Vision Pro and "Spacial Computing", iOS 17 hidden features, and we reveal the winner of last week's WWDC '23 predictions!

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With top-tier build quality, range up to 42 miles, and speeds up to 28 mph, the Lectric XP 3.0 is one of the best values in e-bikes. Check out the XP 3.0 and Lectric’s other great bikes at lectricebikes.com.

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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

First looks at Vision Pro: Apple nails the hardware (and the experience)

• The headset, which Apple says will launch in 2024 and with a $3,499 price tag, represents the company’s first foray into what it calls “spatial computing.”

iOS 17 Tidbits: Enhanced Siri Suggestions, Multiple Timers, Recipe Visual Look Up, and More

• If you have an Apple Watch paired to your iPhone, Apple has added an optional button in Control Center that enables you to ping your watch if you have misplaced it.

Enter to win a clever AirTag bike reflector mount [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• For this week’s giveaway, we teamed up with Device Therapy, which makes a clever disguise to keep an eye on your bicycle. Three lucky winners will receive an awesome Bike Reflector Mount that can help foil thieves who want to steal your two-wheeler.

Mac Studio updated with ‘most powerful chip ever made for a personal computer’

• The desktop machine now comes with Apple’s new M2 Ultra chip — the “most powerful chip ever created for a personal computer,” according to Apple.

Mac Pro finally gets updated to Apple silicon, is 3X faster

• The new Mac Pro features the “most powerful chip ever created for a personal computer,” and is up to 3x faster than the previous-generation Intel-based model.

WWDC23 Prediction Results

Send us a text!

Send us a text!

This week's we're talking:

• New Macs expected at WWDC 23
• Last-minute rumors on what to expect
• Our most anticipated announcements
• What will make the Apple headset completely different from everything on the market
• More!

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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

WWDC 23: What to expect from Apple’s blockbuster keynote

New high-end Macs with M2 Max and Ultra chips could debut at WWDC23

Rumored 4K screens could let Apple VR/AR headset offer real world-like clarity

The CultCast WWDC23 Predictions

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This week's we're talking:

• All the new iOS 17 leaks!
• New Apple TV+'s shows top the streaming charts
• The return of MoviePass, the company that won't die!

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This week's stories

iOS 17 might add smart home display mode to iPhone

• The always-on display in recent iPhone Pros will get a new use in iOS 17, according to a tipster. The device will reportedly show upcoming appointments, controls for smart home accessories, and more.

iOS 17 to Include Dedicated Journaling App and Mood Tracking

• The iOS 17 update that Apple plans to announce in June will include a dedicated journaling app, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The Wall Street Journal in April highlighted Apple's work on a Day One-style journaling app, but at the time, it was not clear if it would come in iOS 17 .

More intel on Apple's journaling app iOS 17 Said to Feature Wallet, Find My, SharePlay, and AirPlay Upgrades

Enter to win the ultimate protection for your Apple Watch Ultra [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• Apple Watch Ultra owners, this week’s giveaway is for you. We teamed up with Elkson to give away five Quattro Pro 2.0 cases for Apple Watch Ultra. All winners also will receive an Apple Watch Ultra screen protector for an added layer of protection.

3 Apple TV+ hits are more popular than almost anything else on streaming

• Silo, Ted Lasso and Ghosted all showed up in this week’s lists of the most-watched streaming movies and TV shows. They offer further proof that Apple TV+ can successfully compete against Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+.
• In fact, Silo currently ranks as the most popular series on any streaming service.

MoviePass relaunches nationwide with a new pricing model

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This week: we've got FIVE reasons the Apple VR/AR headset is turning into an incredible product.  Plus: five hidden iMessage tips do you didn't know about, and Erfon's dead HomePod story takes an unexpected turn!

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MacBreak Weekly Podcast

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• Get a new episode of MacBreak Weekly every Tuesday by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This week's stories

5 reasons to get excited about the Apple VR/AR headset

Apple’s next-gen M3 Pro chip could pack even more CPU and GPU cores 

5 hidden features in iMessage 

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This week: Apple's internal sting operation just nabbed them one of Twitter's most prolific leakers — but how'd they do it? Plus: our reactions and details on Final Cut Pro and Logic for iPad, and a new startup staffed with a stable of Apple's top ex-employees showcases a new gadget they say is BETTER than the iPhone.

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This week's stories

Apple busts major iOS 17 leaker with spycraft ‘canary trap’

• The tipster who went by analyst941 leaked a large number of details about iOS 17, but his or her inside source apparently was caught by Apple in a sting operation. The source has reportedly been fired, and both they and the tipster could face legal action by the iPhone-maker.

Apple unveils Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro for iPad

• With Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro becoming available for Apple’s tablets, “music and video creators can now unleash their creativity in new ways that are only possible on iPad,” Apple said.

iPhone users want pro camera mode from Final Cut Pro for iPad

• The iPad version of Final Cut Pro that Apple recently unveiled includes a “pro camera mode” with a number of manual settings not included in the standard camera application. iPhone users saw this and quickly started calling for these features to be brought over to iOS, too.

Enter to win a stylish MacBook case from SwitchEasy [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• Two lucky winners will bag a SwitchEasy Urban MacBook Sleeve. Made of water-resistant threaded polyester material, these laptop cases will protect a MacBook from scuffs and scrapes. And they look good while doing so!

Apple brings in robust iPhone revenue but Mac and iPad are down

• During the first three months of 2023, Apple’s total revenue dropped 3% year over year. iPhone was a bright spot, but revenue from virtually all of the company’s other product segments saw annual declines. CEO Tim Cook blamed the drop on a “challenging macroeconomic environment.”

Why Humane’s screenless AI gadget will not replace your iPhone

• Humane, the hot Silicon Valley startup that’s been drumming up interest in its secretive product recently

Send us a text!

This week:

• iPadOS 17 could make Stage Manager a lot better
• How to install the first-ever iOS and macOS Rapid Security Response
• Apple to Announce 15-Inch MacBook Air at WWDC
• Apple to Upgrade Its Watch Operating System With New Focus on Widgets
• Report Details Turmoil Behind Apple's AI Efforts

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This week's stories

iPadOS 17 could make Stage Manager a lot better

• Apple reportedly will make meaningful improvements to the Stage Manager multitasking feature in iPadOS 17. Leaker @analyst941, who previously shared several tidbits about iOS 17, claims Apple is working on some big Stage Manager changes for iPadOS 17.

How to install the first-ever iOS and macOS Rapid Security Response

• Apple began rolling out a Rapid Security Response to fix urgent security problems in iOS 16.4.1, macOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1.

Win a compact charger that juices up 3 devices at once [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• This week we teamed up with Kuxiu to put an X40 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger and stand in the hands of one lucky winner.

Apple to Announce 15-Inch MacBook Air at WWDC

Apple to Upgrade Its Watch Operating System With New Focus on Widgets

Report Details Turmoil Behind Apple's AI Efforts, 'Siri X,' and Headset Voice Controls

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This week:

• MORE iOS17 leaks!
• Not even Apple knows the point of their upcoming headset
• Side-loading KIND OF coming to iOS
• Apple planning journaling app
• How to download the Watch Face Tim Cook uses!

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This week's stories

iOS 17 could bring new Lock Screen features, App Library customization

• As WWDC23 inches closer to its scheduled date, more leaks about iOS 17 are surfacing online. A new rumor details all the Lock Screen changes Apple plans to debut in the next iOS release.
• The tweaks include changing the Lock Screen font size, sharing custom Lock Screen designs with other iPhone users, and more.

This is all we need to say >>> iOS 17 Rumored to Feature Wallet and Find My Improvements, macOS 14 to Be Minor Update

Appeals court agrees App Store doesn’t violate US antitrust law

• A United States appeals court agreed with a lower court’s ruling that Apple’s App Store does not break U.S. antitrust law. This is a victory for Apple’s efforts to keep the government from changing the way the App Store runs.

Apple Health app might finally come to iPad

• Apple is reportedly about to fill a glaring hole in the collection of software that comes bundled on iPads. A version of Apple’s Health app for tablets will, at long last, launch in autumn 2023, according to a reliable source.

Also - Apple Watch might sync to iPad and Mac with watchOS 10

• “Apple Watch will sync across multiple iOS/iPadOS/Mac devices, and will no longer be tied to one single iPhone,” according to a tipster who calls themselves @analyst941 on Twitter.

Apple poised to launch wellness-focused journaling app

• Apple Inc. is planning an iPhone app to let users compile their daily activities as part of its efforts in the market for mental and physical health technology, according to documents viewed by The Wall Street Jou

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This week: MAJOR leaks on Apple's new "Reality" headset, Apple's killer new savings account, and WWDC hardware predictions!

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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

The scramble to create killer apps for Apple’s AR/VR headset is on

• There’ll be a lot more to Apple’s VR/AR headset than new hardware: an unconfirmed report leaks details on Apple’s plans for software. There’ll be games and fitness apps, a VR version of FaceTime and more.
• That’s not surprising. What is eye-opening is the assertion that the headset will be able to run third-party iPad applications right out of the box.

Apple Plans to Launch More Than Just Its New Headset at WWDC

Apple’s powerful M3 processor goes into production later in 2023

Enter to win a limited-edition iPhone case from Pitaka

• For this week’s giveaway, we teamed up with Pitaka to offer four people the chance to win a limited-edition iPhone case worth $89.99.

Stash your cash in a high-yield Apple Card Savings account

• Apple Card Savings launched Monday, allowing money earned from Apple Card’s cash-back program to go into a high-yield savings account. And it is high-yield — at 4.15%, the annual rate is about 10 times higher than the national average.

Watch Tim Cook's Reaction as Fan Brings Vintage Macintosh to Apple Store Opening in Mumbai

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This week: we got some big last-minute changes coming to iPhone 15 Pro, plus we finally have some intel on the changes coming to iOS 17! And we pitch our favorite new podcast, food, and shows in an all-new Under Review!

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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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This week's stories

6 ways to avoid ‘juice jacking’ at public iPhone charging stations

• Cybersecurity experts warn that bad actors can load malware onto public USB charging stations to maliciously access electronic devices while they are being charged. Malware installed through a corrupted USB port can lock a device or export personal data and passwords directly to the perpetrator. Criminals can then use that information to access online accounts or sell it to other bad actors.

iOS 17 Rumored to Improve Search, Dynamic Island, Control Center, and More

iPhone 15 Pro’s rumored solid-state buttons reportedly shelved

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This week: M2 Mac mini, the mini monster! We've got our full review for you. Plus: Apple's praying their headset will replace your iPhone, and BIG watchOS changes are incoming!

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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

kuo: Apple's AR/VR Headset Announcement is 'Last Hope' for Persuading Investors It Will Be the Next 'Star Product'

• Apple's announcement event is likely the last hope for convincing investors that the AR/MR headset device could have a chance to be the next star product in consumer electronics," Kuo wrote in a Medium article estimating upcoming virtual reality headset sales from Sony and Meta.

Justin ‘I’m a Mac’ Long now advertises Intel PCs

Best value computer for sale today, the M2 Pro Mac mini review

Enter to win a magnetic iPad stand with built-in wireless charger [Cult of Mac giveaway]

“The new watchOS should be a fairly extensive upgrade”

Steve Jobs’ Make Something Wonderful comes out April 11 (for free)

• The Steve Jobs Archive’s first major release — a digital book titled Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in his own words — will arrive April 11.

Send us a text!

This week: our WWDC23 predictions, Apple’s headset is finally incoming, and even more dizzying examples of the unreal power of AI.

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With top-tier build quality, range up to 42 miles, and speeds up to 28 mph, the Lectric XP 3.0 is one of the best values in e-bikes. Check out the XP 3.0 and Lectric’s other great bikes at lectricebikes.com.

Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

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

WWDC23 kicks off June 5 with online event

• The official invitation to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2023 went out Wednesday, confirming we’ll get our first look at what’s on the company’s near-term agenda on June 5. Apple promises WWDC23 will bring an opportunity “to learn the latest about Apple platforms, technologies, and tools.”

WWDC23 invite might hint at Apple VR headset

• The colorful image Apple used Wednesday to invite developers to WWDC23 set off speculation that it’s a hint that the company’s long-awaited VR/AR headset will be unveiled at the June event.

Apple VR headset production reportedly pushed back again

15 new features in iOS 16.4 you should try right away

• Once you install iOS 16.4, the biggest point release of iOS 16 so far, check out these 15 features to try right away — including the new “high five emoji” combo.

How to enable Voice Isolation for iPhone calls in iOS 16.4

First ChatGPT-generated app hits the App Store

• 5 Movies, likely the first iPhone app generated almost entirely by ChatGPT, was approved by Apple and published on the App Store late Thursday night.

Wozniak, Musk and leading researchers urge pause on ‘out of control’ AI dev

• A new open letter signed by tech leaders urges a six-month pause on development of advanced artificial intelligence applications that may pose “profound risks to society and humanity.”

This viral ‘photo’ of the pope in a puffer jacket fooled the internet. How can we spot AI deepfakes?

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This week, the 5G OLED MacBooks and iPads of our dreams are on the way… in 2026. Also, the next big leap for Apple Watch Ultra, new features in iOS 18.2, and our first picks for BEST OF 2024!

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

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This week’s stories:

Expect 2026 to be a huge year for OLED MacBook and iPad

• Apple reportedly intends to introduce MacBooks and an iPad mini with an OLED screen in 2026 as the switch away from LED continues.

MacBooks with 5G cellular might actually happen

• A 5G MacBook might finally be on the horizon thanks to Apple's plans to introduce its own cellular modem in 2025.

Everything new in iOS 18.2

• iOS 18.2 drops a huge number of new features onto the iPhone. Even if you’re not interested in Apple Intelligence, there’s a lot to unpack in this update.
• YouTube video

Apple Watch Ultra 3 might offer texting via satellite

• Apple Watch Ultra 3 reportedly will let travelers send texts via a satellite connection when cellular communication isn’t available.

Best of 2024:

• Lewis: Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds
• Erfon: Weber 28-inch griddle with hard cover
• Griffin: Apple Vision Pro with Annapro B1 case , Annapro A2 head strap and Mokibo Fusion keyboard

Send us a text!

This week: more details on the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro leak, Apple's about to make a big push into movie theaters, and we review the astounding accuracy of the newest generation of AI image creation.

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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

Voice Isolation for phone calls finally coming to iPhone

• The Voice Isolation feature iPhone users have become accustomed to in video chats will soon expand to regular phone calls. It will make participants in these voice calls easier to understand.

iPhone 15 Pro Max to 'Break Record' for Thinnest Bezels on a Smartphone - erfon

• The largest version of the iPhone 15 reportedly will come with the smallest screen bezels. Like, record-breaking thin.

Let’s hope the latest iPhone 15 leak is wrong

• The traditional mute switch on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max supposedly will be replaced with a static, touch-sensitive button. If true, it’s possible this will be too easy to activate so users don’t get the notifications they expect.

Enter to win a versatile selfie stick that does it all [Cult of Mac giveaway] - Lewis, aka the Giveaway King

• Two lucky winners have a chance to win an EasySelfie Stick, a not-so-ordinary selfie stick from SwitchEasy, in this week’s giveaway.

Incredibly clever selfie stick does triple duty as tripod and remote [Reviews]

Apple might pour $1 billion into movies for theatrical release

• Apple reportedly hopes to make a big splash at your local movie theater in the very near future. The company supposedly will spend $1 billion to make films for the big screen.

The astounding power of Midjourney 5

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This week: Apple's prepping a new HomePod with a 7" touchscreen, plus: Apple might enter the AI game, and TC order headset release as designers warn it's not ready!

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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 working on a HomePod with 7-inch display for 2024

• Apple could launch its first smart display as soon as next year. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is preparing a HomePod with a 7-inch display for H1 2024.

Tim Cook approves AR headset’s 2023 launch despite opposition from Apple design team

• Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly sided with COO Jeff Williams to launch the company’s AR/VR headset this year, despite the fact that Cupertino’s design team wanted to wait a few more years to launch a sleeker pair of AR glasses.

Enter to win a versatile selfie stick that does it all [Cult of Mac giveaway]

Report: Apple to 'Re-Examine' AI Development

• Apple is planning to "re-examine" its development of artificial intelligence, according to Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse wins Oscar for Apple TV+

• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave Apple TV+ its latest Oscar win, this time for The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. It is hand-drawn animation, and it therefore took home the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.

Apple Music Classical finally makes its debut performance

• A preview of Apple Music Classical appeared Thursday on the App Store. When available, the app will offer access to the world’s largest classical music catalog, with more than

Send us a text!

This week: a new iMac and (M3!) MacBook Airs are incoming! Plus: new yellow iPhone 14s, new details on iPhone 15 Pro, and we compare Apple Mail vs the newly FREE Microsoft Outlook!

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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

Apple launches yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, plus new case colors

• Apple rolled out yellow versions of its iPhone 14 and 14 Plus handsets Tuesday as part of a typical midcycle refresh. The new color joins midnight, starlight, Product(Red), blue and purple in the lineup. Apple made four new silicone case colors available, too.

Brighten up your iPhone with new wallpaper coming with yellow iPhone 14

New multicolored Hermès Apple Watch band is $599 of unicorn vomit

Apple Readies Its Next Range of Macs, Including — Finally — a New iMac

13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air reportedly will use the M3 chip

• Apple plans to use the entry-level variant of the M3 system-on-a-chip with an eight-core CPU in both models, according to 9to5Mac. Cupertino apparently does not plan on offering the 15-inch MacBook Air with a more powerful Pro variant of its 3nm chip.

Microsoft makes Outlook for Mac free for everyone

• Microsoft no longer charges for Outlook for Mac. It’s free to use, no subscription fee required.

Send us a text!

This week:

All the best new features in the iOS 16.4 betas, plus: the new HomePod Vs the Original! Papa Erf has some surprising sound tests to 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

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

iOS 16.4 beta 1 & 2: All the new features and changes

Simple security hack keeps your iCloud account safe from iPhone thieves

A Basic iPhone Feature Helps Criminals Steal Your Entire Digital Life (The Wall Street Journal)

How Apple’s secret Exploratory Design Group makes magic happen

• Few outside of Apple have ever heard of the company’s secretive Exploratory Design Group. However, the team includes many of Apple’s brightest minds — and is developing some of its most innovative products.

HomePod 2: Does it sound better or worse than the original?

• The CultCast host Erfon Elijah finally got our hands on the coveted HomePod 2 speakers. He put the 2023 model head-to-head with the 2018 model the way it’s meant to be enjoyed: in a stereo pair.

Enter to win a high-end backpack from Harber London [Cult of Mac giveaway]

• We’re giving one lucky person the chance to win a lavish Commuter Backpack from Harber London in this week’s giveaway. This spacious, 17-liter backpack retails for $234.

iMessage is coming to Windows … kind of

• People never thought it would happen. People didn’t think it was possible. But in an update to Windows 11, you will be able to send and receive iMessages and manage your notifications through a PC.

Send us a text!

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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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.

Send us a text!

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!

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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.

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.

Send us a text!

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.

Send us a text!

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.

Send us a text!

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!

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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

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.

Send us a text!

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

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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

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.

Send us a text!

We pit movie against movie and argue which one's best while compiling out top 100 list.

Send us a text!

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.

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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

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.

Send us a text!

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!

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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.

Send us a text!

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

Send us a text!

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

Send us a text!

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!

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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

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.

Send us a text!

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

Send us a text!

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.

Send us a text!

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.

Send us a text!

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

Send us a text!

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

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

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.

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This week we’re talking about what’s in store for the next iPad Pro, when to expect the HomePod with a screen, the RETURN of upgradable Mac storage… and the Touch Bar? Also, an all-new Under Review!

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This week’s stories:

Apple’s next iPad Pro upgrade to arrive in second half of 2025

• The next big iPad Pro refresh will arrive in the second half of 2025 at the earliest, according to a new report. The upgraded M5 iPad Pro reportedly will be the first product to use the next-gen Apple silicon chip.

HomePod with a large display is still on the way

• The HomePod with a built-in 6- to 7-inch display that’s been the subject of previous rumors will launch after Apple’s developer conference in June, according to a report on Wednesday from a reliable source.

Upgrading your Mac Studio storage becomes possible

• The French company Polysoft reverse engineered Apple’s proprietary NVMe SSDs for the Mac Studio and put them on the market at prices well below Apple’s.

Apple’s Touch Bar resurrected as Flexbar, a standalone USB-C OLED strip

• Flexbar, developed by Hong Kong startup Eniac Technology, reimagines the controversial MacBook Pro feature as a standalone accessory that promises to deliver on the Touch Bar’s original potential.

Under Review: Carpod Go T3

• The Carpod Go T3 is a convenient way to add a wireless CarPlay tablet to your car — with a responsive 8.9-inch 700 nit display.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

Send us a text!

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

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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 Ventur