The CultCast

Send us a text!This week: Apple’s new M1 Macs are breaking all the benchmarks, and are now officially the fastest Macs ever made. The MacBook Air is outperforming the iMac! These M1 Macs are insane. Plus: iPhone 12 Pro Max Vs. Mini — we’ve got them both! Which one is the keeper? We discuss. And stay tuned for our HomePod mini review, and our favorite tire inflator in an all-new Under Review! CultCast is now listener supported! If you 💖 what we do, & if want to see more content with the same CultCast gusto, please join us. Supporters get CultCast: Off Topic!, a new variety show hosted by Erfon Elijah (and friends), and a lot more! Join CultCast Support! This episode supported by The NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 6 router gives you ultra-fast speeds and wider coverage throughout your home – it’s the biggest revolution in WiFi ever. Check it out today at your local Best Buy and at Netgear.com/bestwifi6. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com CultCloth will keep your iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co. Erfon Elijah's YouTube channel http://youtube.com/erfonelijah On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories First M1 Macs blow reviewers’ socks off Still on the fence over Apple’s new M1 Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro despite their stellar benchmarks? Find out what tech experts think of them in new reviews and hands-on videos. M1 MacBook Review + Mac Mini (Dave2D) iPhone 12 mini is the ultimate one-handed phone [Review] Buying a compact smartphone used to mean making some big sacrifices. You either had to settle for an older model, or you had to opt for an Android handset (ugh!). That’s no longer the case, thanks to iPhone 12 mini. iPhone 12 Pro Max: Bigger, bolder and undeniably better [Review] iPhone 12 Pro Max is Apple’s biggest smartphone to date, with a Super Retina XDR display that measures at 6.7 inches diagonally. It’s also the fastest handset on the market, thanks to an incredibly speedy A14 Bionic processor that’s coupled with 5G connectivity (where available).

Send us a text!This week: early benchmarks are in for Apple’s new M1 silicon, and they show the new chip makes the new MacBook Air FASTER than the 16-inch MacBook Pro.  The M1 performance is HARD TO BELIEVE, and then there's the insane battery life... Plus, HomePod mini reviews are in, and we go hands-on with Dolby Atmos on Apple TV with original HomePod! CultCast is now listener supported! Today we announced that CultCast is going listener supported. If you 💖 what we do, & want to see more content with the same CultCast gusto, please join us! Supporters get CultCast: Off Topic!, a new variety show hosted by Erfon Elijah (and friends). Patreon - patreon.com/thecultcast Subscribe Star - subscribestar.com/cultcast This episode supported by Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Performance trajectory shows why jump to Apple Silicon makes perfect sense Apple improved its processors’ performance by a massive 3x in the past five years, according to analysis carried out by AnandTech. Apple Silicon M1 Chip in MacBook Air Outperforms High-End 16-Inch MacBook Pro In comparison to Macs, the single-core M1performance is better than any other available Mac, and the multi-core performance beats out all of the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro models, including the 10th-generation high-end 2.4GHz Intel Core i9 model. Apple Silicon M1’s biggest surprise? Insane battery life Apple Silicon was widely expected to be fast, but perhaps the biggest surprise of the new M1 chip is the insane battery life it enables. First HomePod mini reviews: Superior audio that’s better late than never What HiFi?: “the HomePod Mini outperforms its size and price like no other smart speaker you can buy.” HomePods + Apple TV + Dolby Atmos - WOW (review, sound test and reactions) Apple has brought Dolby Atmos support to HomePods!

Send us a text!This week: New MacBook Pros are right around the corner, and their Apple silicon are looking like powerhouses! Plus: a new leak gives us our first glimpse as the next-gen AirPods, and they look even better than we hoped. And forget everything you’ve heard about AirTags--Apple has BIG plans for this tech that extends far beyond what we’ve been told. Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK This episode supported by Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com CultCloth will keep your iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co. @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Is this our first glimpse of the next-gen AirPods? Apple’s third-generation AirPods reportedly will look very similar to the AirPods Pro, and a new photo shared online may give us our first glimpse of the new design. Get ready for Apple Silicon Mac at ‘One More Thing’ event Apple sent out invites on Monday to an unprecedented third product launch event. This will almost certainly be the debut of Macs running Apple Silicon, the company’s own processors, and the long rumored AirTags. Apple to Launch MacBooks With Own Chips Next Week Apple and overseas suppliers are ramping up production of three Mac laptops with Apple processors: new 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros and a new 13-inch MacBook Air, according to people familiar with the matter. A14X Bionic to Be ‘Nearly on Par’ With 8-Core Intel Core i9-9880H, According to Fresh Performance Analysis Two Massive Master Patents covering Apple AirTags has been Published illustrating many styles and Applications

Send us a text!This week: next-gen's AirPods are getting massive changes, we’ll tell you what we know! Plus: the original HomePod remains absolutely OUTSTANDING, but the Intercom feature needs work; and we’ve got another update on Erfon’s $100,000 APPL stock investment! Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK This episode supported by Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com CultCloth will keep your iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co. @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Apple Plans Smaller AirPods Pro, Revamped Entry-Level Model Apple is currently working on updates for its entry-level AirPods and AirPods Pro, which could debut in 2021, Bloomberg reported Monday. Original Home REMAINS outstanding, now getting even better I’ve broken apart my stereo pair so one is now in my living room. Breaking apart stereo pair was not a simple process. HomePod blows away Echo in my living room. Just one fills the room beautifully. Apple may have underestimated the popularity of iPhone 12 Pro Apple was seemingly banking on the iPhone 12 being its most popular new handset this year. But it appears the company may have underestimated just how popular the new iPhone 12 Pro is with users. Apple earnings: Can iPad and Mac pick up the iPhone slack again? Weak iPhone sales likely pulled down Apple earnings in its last financial quarter. But the pandemic almost certainly pushed up demand for iPad and Mac. Still, total revenue is expected to be down slightly.

Send us a text!This week: the reviews are in, let's talk about iPhone 12! Plus—the honest truth about of 5G, HomePod gets a game changing new feature, and Jony Ive gets a brand new job. Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK This episode supported by Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com CultCloth will keep your iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co. @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories iPhone 12 and 12 Pro first impressions: Apple does it again The first reviews of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro landed online Tuesday, and the devices’ marquee feature — 5G wireless connectivity — largely went unnoticed. iPhone 12 sees strong start with twice as many preorders as iPhone 11 iPhone 12 has seen twice as many preorders as last year’s iPhone 11, while iPhone 12 Pro is proving more popular than iPhone 11 Pro, according to new estimates from reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Early iPhone 12 and 12 Pro battery tests suggest 5G comes at a cost The new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro bring 5G to Apple’s smartphones for the first time. But it comes at a cost to your battery. iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 12 vs iPhone 11 Pro Camera Test HomePod will soon have Dolby Atmos support for Apple TV 4K An upcoming home cinema feature will soon enable Apple HomePod to blast Dolby Atmos audio from Apple TV 4K. The feature, which is on the way as part of a future firmware update, will also support 5.1 and 7.1 channel audio (via The Verge). Only the regular HomePod will get the option, however. The new HomePod mini won’t support Atmos.

Send us a text!This week: it’s our iPhone 12/Pro/Mini and HomePod Mini reactions! We review everything Apple announced at the "Hi, Speed" event, and we dig into all the new features. We’ve got a lot to say…. Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK This episode supported by Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com CultCloth will keep your iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad, glasses and lenses sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co. @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories With HomePod mini, Apple goes small, cheap and smart Apple took the wraps of the HomePod mini Tuesday, showcasing a pint-size smart speaker that promises high-end audio at a lower price than its big brother. But the most interesting parts might have nothing to do with music. iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini look anything but standard Apple showcased the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 handsets Tuesday, showing just how powerful an “entry level” smartphone can be. iPhone 12 Pro dazzles with new design, 5G, improved cameras Like its predecessor, iPhone 12 Pro comes in two size options. The smaller model offers a 6.1-inch display, while the larger Max model packs a 6.7-inch display — the largest ever in an iPhone. And yet, both devices are just as portable as iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. They’re also available in new color options: silver, graphite, gold, and Pacific blue.

Send us a text!This week: iPhone 12! HomePods Mini! AirTags! Next Gen Macs! Air Power Mat? We’re talking our “Hello, Speed” Apple event hardware predictions. Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK This episode supported by Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com CultCloth will keep your iPhone 12, Apple Watch, iPad and other tech sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co. @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Apple October event invite might hide AirTags in plain sight The invite to an Apple October product event might have an upcoming device hidden in plain sight. Part of the graphic included with the invite apparently bears a strong resemblance to AirTags, the item-location tags that are supposedly on the docket for the October 13 event. Apple ‘Hi, Speed’ event on Oct. 13 could bring iPhone 12, new Mac and more Apple just invited the world to an event on October 13. No agenda was announced, but there’s little doubt the star will be the iPhone 12, the first iOS device with 5G wireless networking. Apple hinted at the coming upgrade with the title of the HomePod mini on the way this year, but don’t expect HomePod 2 Apple will introduce a HomePod mini in 2020, but don’t get your hopes up about a sequel to the original HomePod smart speaker, claims a reliable Apple leaker.

Send us a text!This week: whoopsie! Apple accidentally leaks the new iPhone 12 mini—we talk prices and storage options. Plus: Apple’s beefs up AppleCare+ and slashes the cost; and we wrap up with an EPIC update to the Fortnite Vs. Apple app store antitrust case. Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK This episode supported by Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co. @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories CONFIRMED! 'iPhone 12 mini' Name Reappears in Leaked Apple iPhone 12 Case Stickers Earlier this week a proven leaker (L0vetodream) claimed that the iPhone 12 lineup would be named "iPhone 12 mini," "iPhone 12," "iPhone 12 Pro," and "iPhone 12 Pro Max," and today the same nomenclature has appeared again in a photo depicting alleged stickers from unreleased Silicone iPhone cases originating from Apple's international distribution center in Ireland. iPhone 12 will come in a 64GB storage option after all Don’t bid farewell to the 64GB storage option for the iPhone just yet! According to Apple leaker Jon Prosser, the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 will come in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options. AppleCare+ Updated to Cover 2 Accidental Damage Incidents Every 12 Months, Theft and Loss Deductible Lowered Apple today updated its AppleCare+ protection plan for Apple devices to cover two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months. Prior to now, AppleCare+ covered two incidents of accidental damage every 24 months. Epic’s decision to bypass Apple’s App Store policies were dishonest, says US judge A US judge hearing arguments in Epic’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple has criticized the game developer’s decision to breach its contract with the iPhone maker by pushing a version of Fortnite with a custom payment system onto the App Store. The decision resulted in Apple removing Fortnite from the App Store.

Send us a text!This week: don't miss our one week reviews of Apple Watch Series 6!  We’ll tell you if it’s worth upgrading... Plus: multiple sources are now confirming a NEW Apple hardware event coming October 13th, where a new “iPhone 12 Mini” may be announced—we’ll tell you what we know. And stick around for more Apple Stock talk! Erfon’s reveals what his $100K investment is worth now after this month’s depressing APPL stock plummet! Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK This episode supported by Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order 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. @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Apple Watch Series 6: Color us impressed [Review] Almost all the reviews of the Apple Watch Series 6 say the same thing: Yeah, it’s great, but it’s an incremental upgrade, and if you already have a Series 5, skip the upgrade. Multiple sources point to iPhone 12 event on October 13 The iPhone 12 will debut at a special event on October 13, multiple sources claimed on Wednesday. The release date will reportedly come shortly thereafter. Apple’s smallest iPhone 12 could be called ‘iPhone 12 mini’ For the first time ever, Apple will adopt its “mini” branding for the iPhone, claims Apple leaker L0vetodream. According to the tipster, Apple will use the name “iPhone 12 mini” for the smallest of four models coming this year. iPhone Home screen modders go crazy with iOS 14 Ever wanted to make your brand-new iPhone look like it’s running Windows 95? That’s the outrageously novel idea that sprang into the mind of Ashley, an 18-year-old from Indiana who wants to work as a graphic designer, after she upgraded to iOS 14 last week. Apple has lost more than $500 billion in market cap so far this month Apple has lost more than $500 billion in market cap since the start of this month, CNBC reported over the weekend.

Send us a text!This week: we’re talking Apple Watch Series 6, and the freshly leaked AirPods Studio headphones! Plus: we recap all the best announcements from Apple’s Time’s Up event, discuss the power of the U1 chip, and explain Spatial Audio, the crazy good new feature added to AirPods Pro. Join our CultCast Live stream, Friday Sept 18th @11:30am PT! https://youtu.be/HngYh6PXdYk     This episode supported by Our thanks to Linked In for supporting this episode. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters… head to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. See the full curated collection at Store.Cultofmac.com CultCloth will keep your iPhone 11, Apple Watch, Mac Pro and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co. @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Join us in the CultClub! discord.gg/BrKdnSK Apple Watch SE packs essential features, larger screen for just $279 Unveiled alongside Apple Watch Series 6 on Tuesday, the more affordable model packs an egde-to-edge display, a super-speedy S5 processor, fall detection, and more. Compare Apple Watches: https://www.apple.com/watch/compare/ Leaks give us first uninspiring look at AirPods Studio headphones After months of near quiet, a images and even video leaked out supposedly showing Apple’s first over-the-ears headphones, possibly called AirPods Studio. Apple quietly reveals the Watch Series 6 will be the first with U1 locator chip In September 2019, Apple added a new feature to the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro without saying a single word onstage — and it did it again today with the Apple Watch Series 6. Apple Updates AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro Firmware to Version 3A283 Apple has released new 3A283 firmware updates for the second-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro. What in the update? No clue.