NEW “extra rugged” Apple Watch is INCOMING! (#CultCast 552)

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

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This week's stories

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

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

These iOS 16 features won’t be available at launch

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

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

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

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

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

New Lockdown Mode makes iPhone secure from sophisticated digital attacks

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

President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

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