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This week: Apple’s cheap MacBook sending PC makers into a panic, Google Gemini rescuing the new Siri from vaporware, the next iPhone Air that may (or may not) solve its biggest problem, the battle over Apple CarPlay and iOS 26.1 features you should try. Also: AirPods Pro Mad Libs.

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This week’s stories:

Apple’s upcoming budget laptop has PC makers ‘freaking out’

• With Apple developing a low-cost laptop to rival Chromebooks and Windows laptops, the PC industry should definitely be worried.

Upgrading Siri with Google Gemini will be $1 billion quick fix

• The brains behind the upcoming AI-enhanced version of Siri will reportedly be provided by Google, not Apple’s own tech. For a hefty price.

Next iPhone Air could fix its camera problem

• Want an iPhone Air wide-angle camera? That could come in the second generation, partly addressing a big criticism of the slim handset.

How a battle for your dashboard threatens CarPlay’s future

• Despite CarPlay's ongoing popularity, its future is under threat. Automakers can't resist the profit they see in providing their own services.

5 new features in iOS 26.1 you don’t want to miss

• Apple’s iOS 26.1 update is out now; there are five features you should check out after you install it — changes to Liquid Glass and more.
• Thank goodness Slide Over is back in iPadOS 26.1
• Everything new in iOS 26.1
• YouTube: Everything new in iOS 26.1

AirPods Pro Mad Libs

• Article screenshot

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This week: Project Bongo is back to replace your iPhone buttons with haptics, (almost) every iPad is turning OLED, AirPods Pro 3 are having troubles, when you should upgrade your iMac — and our full reviews of the M5 Vision Pro and Apple Watch Series 11!

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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 unsubscribe at unfork.thecultcast.com

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This week’s stories:

iPhone 20 could make buttons a thing of the past

• iPhone 20 might replace buttons with haptics -- at last. The 20th anniversary handset could finally go with motion-sensing, vibrating tech.

Here’s when every iPad gets a beautiful OLED screen

• Apple plans to put gorgeous OLED displays in almost every iPad. Here’s when to expect the tablets to switch away from LCDs.
• Apple could bring iPhone-style water resistance to iPad mini
• How Apple might give the M6-powered iPad Pro a serious performance boost

Weird AirPods Pro 3 glitch proves unbearable at 30,000 feet

• Some users of AirPods Pro 3 are plagued by a whistle noise when using the earbuds on a flight. Here’s how to be ready if it happens to you.

The M5 Vision Pro is still the ultimate entertainment device

• The new M5 Vision Pro brings a huge leap in compute power and graphics performance — plus a more comfortable head band in the box.
• Review on YouTube

Apple Watch Series 11

• How to use advanced Apple Watch sleep stage tracking

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This week, invites are out for the “awe dropping” iPhone event! Also: Touch ID and bumper cases making a comeback like it’s 2013, how to combine emojis, the first ergonomic dual-ultra-widescreen setup, Twitter versus Mastodon and Leander’s review of PowerBeats Pro 2!

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 unsubscribe at unfork.thecultcast.com

CultCloth will keep your iPhone, MacBook, display, guitars, glasses and lenses sparkling clean! For a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a two free CarryCloths with any order $20+ at CultCloth.co

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

This week’s stories:

Apple invites the world to ‘Awe dropping’ event

• Get ready for the next “Awe dropping” Apple September event, featuring the exciting iPhone 17 series and more new products.

iPhone 17 Air could revive Apple’s bumper case

• In a nod to the iPhone 4, Apple experimented with a bumper case for the upcoming iPhone 17 Air that only covered its edges.

Foldable iPhone might bring back Touch ID

• The first foldable iPhone — set to debut in September 2026 — will reportedly feature Touch ID, C2 modem and five cameras.

Combine emoji to make your own fun creations in iOS 26

• The best Apple Intelligence feature gets even more fun: You can combine two or more emoji into your own custom creation in iOS 26.

Double the fun: 10 best dual-monitor setups

• For many folks, two displays beats one display. See these 10 takes on the best dual monitor setup, the most popular configuration.

Under Review: Beats PowerBeats Pro 2

• These Bluetooth earbuds feature a heart rate monitor, Apple's H2 chip, active noise canceling with transparency mode, IPX4 water resistance, up to 45-hour battery life (with wireless charging case) and Apple and Android compatibility.

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This week, breaking news! The US launches huge lawsuit against Apple. Also, Apple AI might be powered by Google Gemini, all the details on AirPods 4, Epic’s new game store, and a MUCH cheaper Vision headset!

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:

Get ready for ‘the biggest AirPods launch to date’

• Apple could launch the AirPods 4 in two flavors later this year: one with ANC and another without. Alongside updated internals, the new earbuds purportedly will sport a sleeker new design.

Blockbuster US antitrust lawsuit targets Apple’s ‘iPhone monopoly’

• The Department of Justice and 16 state attorneys general filed an antitrust lawsuit Thursday aimed at forcing Apple to open up many aspects of its ecosystem, from the App Store to Apple Watch.
• Extra Ordinary: Apple’s Platform Advantage

iOS 18’s generative AI features might use Google Gemini

• Apple could use Google Gemini to power the generative AI features reportedly coming this year in iOS 18. Apple and Google are reportedly in “active negotiations” about the possibility, but have not yet finalized a deal.

iPhone 17’s display could get a big anti-reflective upgrade

• A new rumor says that the 2025 iPhone might feature a “super-hard anti-reflective layer,” which is also more scratch-resistant.

MacRumors: Epic Games to Charge 12% Fee for App Sales From Alternative iPhone Store

• Epic Games in February said that it would launch an Epic Games Store on the iPhone in the European Union.
• For games distributed through the Epic Games Store, Epic will collect a 12 percent share of revenue, which is the same fee that it charges on Windows and Mac machines.

Tomsguide: Apple reportedly ‘accelerating’ entry-level Vision Pro — and it could cost $2,000 less

• Apple is aiming to cut the cost

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The Return of VS - the segment where we pit one movie against another then argue over which is best - all while building our list of the greatest movies ever made!

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This week: The new M3 MacBook Air is only missing ONE thing¦ Plus: Big changes coming to apps thanks to new EU regulations, why you better act fast on the new 11-inch iPad Pro, what's coming next for CarPlay, and how to pay with an Apple Cash card number!

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:

Entry-level M3 MacBook Air uses significantly faster SSD

• Apple fixed the slow storage speed that plagued M2 Macs on the M3 MacBook Air. Early testing indicates the entry-level M3 MacBook Air delivers significantly faster read/write speeds than its predecessor.

No App Store needed: EU iPhone users can install apps directly from websites

• Initially, Apple's plan for compliance required iPhone apps to be on alternative app marketplaces, not directly available for download.
• That requirement, which brought complaints from developers, has now been rescinded.

11.1-inch iPad Pro supply shortage might push back launch

• Apple will soon debut the M3 iPad Pros with OLED screens, but perhaps not as soon as many had hoped. And a new leak indicates the smaller 11.1-inch model could be in short supply at launch.

MacRumors: Here's Everything We Know About Apple's Next-Generation CarPlay

• It has been nearly two years since Apple first previewed next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022, and it has still yet to become available in any vehicles. Below, we recap the latest information about the upcoming software system.
• Tim Cook cameo in Porsche event

How to pay with an Apple Cash card number

• You can get a temporary debit card number to pay with Apple Cash online in case you want to pay with your balance on a site that doesn't accept Apple Pay.
• If you have a lot of money sitting in your Apple Cash account, this can be a convenient way to pay without using your other cards.

Apple acquires fundamental AI smarts by buying DarwinAI

• Apple reportedly purchased DarwinAI, a small startup previously based in Waterloo, Ontario. The company developed software that might make artificial intelligence systems running on an iPhone or other comp

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This week, Apple dropped the M3 MacBook Air, and the specs look good! But where’s the iPad? Also, we have details on the CRAZY canceled Apple car prototypes and a folding MacBook that’s still in development, Apple’s $2 BILLION dollar legal fight with Spotify, and new features you’ll get in iOS 17.4!

This episode supported by:

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

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

Backblaze offers unlimited cloud backups for Macs, PCs and businesses for just $99 a year. Access your data from anywhere in the world. Get a fully-featured no-risk free trial at Backblaze.com/CultCast .

This week’s stories:

New M3 MacBook Air gets big specs boost with same awesome battery life

• The 2024 MacBook Air lineup launched Monday by Apple runs on the company’s M3 chip, bringing a significant performance boost to the laptop.

Early benchmarks show M3 chip gives MacBook Air hefty performance boost

• Early benchmark scores found by mysmartprice show that the new Air scored 12,020 on the Geekbench multicore test. That’s 25% better than the M2-based MacBook Air earned on the same test, and 45% better than the M1 version from 2020.

MacBook with 20-inch folding screen still on track for release

• The product has been on the drawing board for quite some time, but isn’t scheduled for release until 2027.
• The (cancelled) Microsoft Surface Neo

How indecision and hubris killed the Apple car

• The history of the Apple car is littered with wild prototypes, astonishing hubris and a deadly dose of crippling indecision, according to a damning report that offers the best picture yet of the secretive Project Titan.

Get ready for new MacBooks and iPads at Apple March event

• Another product we can expect in the pipeline is the OLED iPad Pro and the first 12.9-inch iPad Air.

EU fines Apple 1.8 billion euros over ‘abusive’ treatment of Spotify

• The European Commission fined Apple more than 1.8 billion euros Monday for “abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of music streaming apps.â€
• Apple calls Epic Games ‘untrustworthy,’ blocks Fortnite rerelease in EU

Try these e

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D. Griffin Jones is joined by Allison McDaniel to talk more about Mac gaming, what games she's playing, what gear we use and the Stardew Valley speedrunning scene.

Remember that you can support The CultCast at CultOf9to5MacRumors.com and you can employ Allison McDaniel as a writer and digital marketing specialist.

Links:

• Allison McDaniel on LinkedIn
• Allison's writing on The Punished Backlog
• Stardew Valley on Steam
• The Sims 4 for Mac
•  The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog on Steam
• Mini Motorways on Apple Arcade
•  Pocket Card Jockey on Apple Arcade
• Stray on Mac App Store
•  Resident Evil Village on Mac App Store
• Lies of P on Mac App Store
• Baldur's Gate 3 on Steam
• Asphalt 8: Airborne on Apple Arcade
• 8BitDo controllers
• Onn gaming mouse
• Satechi X3 Slim keyboard

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After 10 years and 10 billion dollars, Apple finally calls it quits on the Apple car. What happened!? Plus: Apple's FineWoven cases are aging like milk, how to set up the best Mac screen saver, the future for Apple Arcade, and what comes next for Vision Pro.

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 .

Notion AI can now give you instant answers to your questions, using information from across your wiki, projects, docs and meeting notes. Go to notion.com/cultcast to try the powerful Notion AI today.

This week's stories:

Apple car crashes to a halt

• In a somewhat shocking development, Apple reportedly completely canceled all development on its self-driving car program on Tuesday. The company is shifting its emphasis to artificial intelligence, instead.
• Lewis Wallace: Killing the Apple car is depressing and sad
• The New York Times: Behind Apple's Doomed Car Project: False Starts and Wrong Turns
• D. Griffin Jones: Canceling the Apple car is a sensible move we should celebrate

MacRumors: Not-So-FineWoven iPhone Case 'Browning Like a Rotten Banana'

• Apple's $59 FineWoven cases for iPhone 15 took heavy flak when they were released last September for being subpar compared to the leather Apple cases they replaced. Now, The Wall Street Journal columnist Joanna Stern has distilled customers' ire by sharing her own experience with the case after five months of use.
• Poll by John Gruber

Apple Arcade's future: Kids win, but devs fear ‘smell of death'

• Apple Arcade now focuses so heavily on family-friendly titles from well-known franchises that some indie game developers feel abandoned, according to a new report.

How to set up the best Mac screensaver, Aerial

• Screensavers fell out of fashion a long time ago, but Apple's Aerial screensaver looks so beautiful, it just might make you reconsider. In fact, with its stunning visuals, it might just be the best Mac screensaver around.

Don't expect Vision Pro 2 or Vision Air before 2027

• Vision Pro may be Apple's only AR headset until 2027. The company has yet to start work on Vision Pro 2 or Vision Air, according to a trusted analyst.
• Vision Pro returns aren't as bad as we feared

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Griffin and papa ERF list the games they're currently playing and which ones they like best.