
The CultCast
The CultCast covers each week’s best Apple stories, tech news, and accessories—but more importantly—we do it with pizzaz. Why listen to another dreary tech program? Tune in to the CultCast each week for a healthy dose of Apple and tech news, jokes gone wrong, and unending tangents.
Latest episodes

May 1, 2020 • 1h 3min
#438 - HomePod revamp on the way?
Send us a text!This week: a new full-size HomePod may be on the way... We discuss! Plus: the $400 iPhone SE outperforms even the most expensive Androids, and clever software tricks make its camera almost as good as iPhone 11’s. And reveal our favorite new shows in an all-new What We’re Into, Quarantine Edition… Part 2! 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. 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Bag a brand-new HomePod for under $205 before they’re all gone MacSales is currently offering brand-new HomePod units for as little as $204.99 — a generous $94 off the usual price Is a HomePod refresh on the way? Lots of iPhone SE components are swappable with iPhone 8 — but not all As the iFixit teardown confirms, the new iPhone SE is, in many senses, an updated iPhone 8. iPhone SE uses software trick to give photos beautiful bokeh The 2020 iPhone SE is the first Apple smartphone to offer Portrait Mode photos created entirely with software techniques rather than hardware. That’s not true of any previous iOS device, not even iPhone XR. Apple Watch workouts Apple Watch supports a huge selection of workout types, but most of the popular ones, like running and swimming, you probably can’t do right now thanks to the coronavirus lockdown. Fortunately, if you delve a little deeper, you’ll find plenty of Apple Watch home workouts you can choose from that require little or no special equipment. Cult of Mac redesign For the last 10 years or so, Cult of Mac used the standard blog format, a reverse scroll of stories with the newest posts published at the top of the site. What We're Into picks! Handmaids Tale Star Trek The Next Generation Devs

Apr 24, 2020 • 52min
#437 - Here come next gen AirPods 💖
Send us a text!This week: the next generation of AirPods are incoming! We’ll tell you what we know. Plus: Final Cut Pro and Logic are coming to iPad, along with microLED and TouchID… UNDER the screen... This could be the new TouchID tech we’ve been waiting for. And we’ll tell you how to listen to YouTube music in the background, WITHOUT paying for YouTube Red. It’s a hot tip, and it’s coming your way. 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. 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Kuo: 5G iPhone delayed until October; iPhone SE Plus pushed back until late 2021 The first iPhone with 5G reportedly won’t debut alongside the other new iOS handsets early this autumn. Trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Apple will begin producing a pair of 4G handsets in September, but won’t start making the 5G model until October. Leaker: Apple Planning iPad Air With Under-Screen Touch ID, ARM MacBook, Game Controller, and More An anonymous Twitter account with a fairly accurate track record has shared details about several Apple products that are supposedly under development. Devs might be able to write software on iPad and iPhone with Xcode for iOS macOS and iOS software developers will soon be able to code on an iPad or even iPhone, if an unconfirmed report is correct. iPadOS 14 and the iPhone equivalent will reportedly include support for Xcode, Apple’s software development environment. New AirPods could be on the way as soon as next month New AirPods, which Apple reportedly planned to unveil at its canceled-before-it-was-announced March event, are ready to go, claims regular Apple leaker Jon Prosser. How to listen to YouTube music in the background on iPhone Can you make YouTube play just the audio, even when you’re not showing the video? You can, and it’s really, really simple.

Apr 16, 2020 • 45min
#436 - Let’s talk iPhone SE 2, AIrPower mat, and HomePod Mini!
Send us a text!This week: iPhone SE 2 is finally here, and the amount of tech packed into this $400 phone is truly remarkable. We’ll tell you everything you need to know. Plus, a new report outlines Apple’s plans for iPhone 12 with 5G, a new mini, possibly portable, HomePod, and the AirPower mat, resurrected! 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories 2020 iPhone SE combines a familiar face with new technology for $399 Here’s what you get for just $399: Apple's best camera and their fastest chip. Why the 2020 iPhone SE is the perfect iPhone for a rotten time Talk about good timing. Apple unleashed its new budget-priced iPhone SE successor Wednesday, smack in the middle of a worldwide health crisis that’s wreaking havoc on health care, economies and behavioral norms. Surprise! Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro launches early The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is now available to order on the Apple Store. The version make for the 11-inch iPad is $299. Apple asks $349 for the one designed for its 12.9-inch tablet, putting this accessory well above the cost of rival keyboard cases. Bloomberg: As many as 4 new 5G iPhones coming in the fall Bloomberg reported early Monday that as many as four new iPhone models will include 5G technology with at least two of them re-designed with flat stainless steel edges and a flat-screen with no notch at the top of the screen, similar in design to Apple’s latest iPads… AirPower wireless charging pad project reignited with A11 chip to manage heat issues The AirPower charging mat has been resurrected from the dead.

Apr 10, 2020 • 1h 4min
#435 - Here come new AirPods and the 14-inch MacBook Pro 💋
Send us a text!This week: a tipster says the new 14-inch MacBook Pro is right around the corner! We’ll tell you what we know... Plus: Apple is readying their secret over-the-ear headphones, and a mysterious little product called the AirPods X. We discuss! And we wrap up with a USB-C charger that can charge it all, Logitech’s new Streamcam, and a double duty iPhone/Apple Watch stand in an all-new Under Review. And stay tuned for Erfon's Corona virus update.... This episode supported by Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's, and our Easter sale will save you up to 70% on our most popular accessories. Find your next strap 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories iOS 14 could bring new wallpaper settings, Home screen widgets The latest iOS 14 leaks hint that new wallpaper settings and Home screen widgets are coming to iPhone and iPad. Apple readies new headphones, AirPods X; plans to ‘phase out Beats’ Apple is readying new over-ear headphones and “AirPods X” for 2020 as it plans to slowly “phase out Beats,” a tipster claimed Tuesday. Apple expected to deliver new 13-inch MacBook Pro in May Apple’s much-anticipated 13-inch MacBook Pro refresh will arrive next month, according to one popular tipster. Apple reveals COVID-19 Face Shield details in new support doc Tim Cook revealed last weekend that Apple is making 1 million face shields a week for medical workers and thanks to a new support document, we finally got a good look at how they work. Under Review picks! Logitech Streamcam Highrise duet PowerPort Atom PD 4 100W USB-C charger

Apr 3, 2020 • 1h 12min
#434 - The return of iPhone SE!
Send us a text!This week: iPhone SE.... 2! Let's talk about it... Plus: Apple is “scrambling” to prevent iPhone 12 delays; and we wrap up with an all new What We’re Into, Quarantine Edition! We’ll tell you about the shows, game videos, and stuff we’re doing with our extra "free" time. 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. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant. 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories WSJ: Apple ‘scrambling’ to prevent iPhone delays amid COVID-19 pandemic Over the last several weeks, various reports have detailed how Apple is adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the supply chain and product development. Now, a report from The Wall Street Journal adds more detail to the ongoing situation. Foxconn confident it can deliver iPhone 12 this fall Foxconn’s previous guidance suggested that it would be back up and running at its normal levels by late March. Last week, the manufacturer said that it had hired enough workers at its major Chinese plants to meet seasonal demand for iPhone manufacturing. Apple supposedly pencils in April 15 launch for iPhone 9 Apple has supposedly penciled in an April 15 launch date for its low-cost iPhone 9. What we're Into (quarantine edition!) Webcam darts Pennyworth Animal crossing: New Horizons Tiger King Westworld, season 3 The Wire Colony Relic radio vintage radio podcasts

Mar 27, 2020 • 46min
#433 - iPad Pro got SUPERCHARGED
Send us a text!This week: forget the A12Z and LIDAR camera, it’s iPadOS and the new Magic Keyboard that just super charged the iPad Pro—we discuss! Plus, we’ll tell you the best new features in iOS 13.4. And the Cookie uses Apple’s massive supply chain prowess to deliver hugely-needed supplies for medical workers—we got the story for ya right here! 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. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant. 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories 2020 iPad Pro review roundup: Still stellar, but little reason to upgrade Apple’s newest iPad Pro will begin landing on customers’ doorsteps today, Wednesday, March 25. Will it be worth their hard-earned cash? Let’s find out from reviewers who already have their hands on one. And from LK! iPadOS and iOS 13.4 finally arrive, bringing tons of big changes [Updated] iPad and iPhone both just received important software updates, with iPadOS 13.4 and iOS 13.4 bringing a range of new features. Apple’s tablets now enjoy robust mouse/trackpad support. iPhones and iPads both gain iCloud Drive folder sharing. Apple donating 9 million N95 masks for coronavirus fight U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced Tuesday that Apple has donated nine million N95 respirator masks to help hospitals and medical workers deal with the growing coronavirus pandemic. Apple TV+ misses out on big COVID-19 surge in streaming demand It’s a surprise to no one that video streaming services are seeing big surges in demand while everyone is stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. But it seems Apple TV+ is missing out.

Mar 20, 2020 • 1h 8min
#432 - Let’s talk about Apple’s new hardware!
Send us a text!This week: our reactions to Apple’s new hardware! Plus, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the new Mac mini, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and Magic Keyboard. 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. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant. 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Surprise iPad Pro refresh brings LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera, trackpad support Apple on Wednesday surprised us with a brand-new iPad Pro that packs a LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera, and studio-quality microphones. It’s powered by an improved A12Z Bionic chip that makes it faster than many laptops. New MacBook Air announced with $999 starting price, Magic Keyboard and 6K display support Apple updated its MacBook Air lineup Wednesday with a re-designed scissor-switch Magic Keyboard, twice the storage, a reported two times faster CPU performance, and a lower price tag starting at $999. Apple doubles SSD storage capacity for Mac mini Apple announced Wednesday an update of its entire Mac mini line, offering double the SSD storage capacity at the regular price. 5 reasons why iPad Pro’s new Magic Keyboard blows our minds Apple’s exciting new Magic Keyboard is going to make working on iPad Pro better than ever when the accessory debuts in May. It’s a huge improvement over the Smart Keyboard Folio in so many ways. Movies Anywhere tests letting users loan out iTunes movies Movies Anywhere combines films bought through iTunes, Google Play, etc. into one service. And now it’s testing a new feature called Screen Pass that enables loaning your movies to other people. Hardware notes Mac Mini Now comes with double the storage capacity on the standard configurations. $799 now gets you 256GB instead of 128GB, and $1099 gets you 512GB instead of 256GB. Still using the same 6th-gen 4-year-old intel processor. MacBook Air $100 price cut. Standard storage has been doubled too. You get 256GB for $999 now, and 512GB for $1299. Features the same scissor-mech keyboard as the new 16-inch MBP. Using Intel's newest 10th gen chip, Quad Core 1.2GHz i7, Apple claims spe

Mar 13, 2020 • 48min
#431 - iOS 14 leaks!
Send us a text!This week: iOS 14 leaks! We’ll run through the best new features. Plus: Corona has hit Apple hard, and will mean delays for some of your most anticipated tech. Is Apple’s March event going to be canceled too? We’ll tell you what we know. This episode supported by Keeps’ treatments are are up to 90% effective at reducing and stopping further hair loss, so the sooner you start using Keeps, the more hair you’ll save! Visit keeps.com/cultcast to get started and get your first month's treatments free. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant. 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Game over for E3 2020: COVID-19 takes out gaming’s biggest event E3 2020 is the latest major event to be scrapped amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The game industry’s biggest trade show was scheduled to kick off in Los Angeles on June 9. It will no longer go ahead this year. With iPhone SE 2 delayed indefinitely, source confirms Apple nixes rumored March event Apple decided to postpone a March product launch event after continuing delays in the production of an expected successor to the iPhone SE, a source at Apple confirmed to Cult of Mac. iOS 14 could bring brand-new Home screen layout with list view iOS 14 will ship with a brand-new Home screen layout that allows users to arrange icons in a list, according to a new report. The view is expected to be customizable and will incorporate Siri Suggestions for making your most frequently used apps easier to access. Apple tests iMessage mentions, retractions and more for iOS 14 Apple is reportedly testing a number of new iMessage features that could debut with iOS 14 later this year. They include the ability to retract messages after they’re sent, and to tag other people in group chats. We could also get the option to mark messages as unread. Apple’s HomeKit may add Night Shift to smart lights Apple’s HomeKit home-automation system will reportedly get a version of Night Shift to reduce the amount of blue in smart light bulbs as each day nears its end. This feature, allegedly coming with iOS 14 in the fall, is supposed to help people sleep better.

Mar 6, 2020 • 57min
#430 - Apple’s prepping an all-new 14” MacBook Pro AND iMac
Send us a text!This week: Apple is prepping a new 14.1” MacBook Pro with an all-new mini-LED display, plus a new iMac and iMac mini! We’ll tell you what you need to know. And in the wake of Corona virus, will Apple need to cancel WWDC? We discuss. And stay tuned for the best ways to disinfect your iPhone, iPad, keyboard, and 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. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant. 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Apple preps 14.1-inch MacBook Pro with mini-LED display Apple plans to make an aggressive push adding mini-LED displays to its products in 2020, according to one of the most reliable Apple analysts in the game. What to expect from this month’s new iMac This week, serial rumor-tweeter CoinX predicted the imminent release of a new iMac and a new Mac mini. But what does that mean exactly? A giant, 30-inch iMac that looks like the Pro Display XDR? Apple’s first ARM-based Mac? Probably not. So what changes can we expect? Apple’s biggest manufacturer says production will return to normal by end of March Apple manufacturer Foxconn hopes to resume regular production in China by the end of March. COVID-19 virus means tough decisions about WWDC and rumored Apple keynote Apple faces mounting pressure to decide whether to cancel, delay or change the format of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, typically held in June. The same holds true, although to a lesser extent, for Apple’s rumored March product keynote. How to disinfect your Mac, iPhone, mouse, trackpad, keyboard and cases

Feb 28, 2020 • 47min
#429 - Here comes Apple's ARM Mac (and AirTags!)
Send us a text!This week: Apple’s first ARM-based Mac is headed our way—we’ll tell you what we know. Plus, Apple’s new AirTags tracking tiles will be unlike anything we’ve seen, and way more powerful than we thought. We discuss! And stay tuned—we’ll tell you the weird rule Apple makes big movies follow if they want to put iPhones or Macs on the silver screen. 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. 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. Cult of Mac's watch store is full of beautiful straps that cost way less than Apple's. And check out CoM's handsome new Bay Blue leather strap collar with Clessant. 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. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace This week's stories Apple’s first Mac with a custom chip expected in early 2021 This would be Apple’s first computer powered by a custom Arm chipset. It would also be the first brand-new Mac to launch without an Intel CPU since Apple made the switch from PowerPC processors back in 2006. AirTags Said to Be 'Completely Waterproof' and Use Magnetic Charging Like Apple Watch In a report touching on several topics today, Japanese site Mac Otakara claims that Apple's Tile-like "AirTags" item trackers will be "completely waterproof" and use similar magnetic wireless charging to that seen on the Apple Watch. Apple should steal this iPad multitasking concept right now This amazing mockup/concept was executed by design student Tommy Rutherling using the Principle app to create the interactive animations. Director Rian Johnson Breaks Down a Scene from 'Knives Out' Write and director Rian Johnson talks about making his new movie Knives Out, but in the process reveals a insider tidbit about using Apple products in movies
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