The CultCast

Send us a text!This week: why iPhone’s 3D touch is probably dead; new reports say AirPods packed with health sensors are coming in 2019; the MacBook Pro “stage light” flaw affects all models built after 2016, and could cost you $600 to fix; and the wild saga of Moviepass… continues! 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. CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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. Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode. On the show this week @erfon  / @lewiswallace Erfon goes hands-on with the Rodecaster Pro, a unique new jack-of-all trades podcast mixer unlike any other 3D Touch is probably dead iPhone’s ability to tell how hard someone is pressing on the display won‘t be a part of the 2019 models, according to multiple sources. It will apparently be a victim of Apple’s attempts to lower the price tag of future models. A recent Wall Street Journal article compiled several rumors about the next iPhone said Apple is considering trimming functions from its 2019 iPhones to cut costs That includes the force-touch module. And last year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that no iPhone coming in 2019 will have this feature. His assertion was then echoed months later by an analyst from Barclays. Health-tracking AirPods rumored for first half of 2019 Updated AirPods are supposedly on their way in the first half of 2019, according to a new report from Digitimes. They may have some impressive new features, too — including new health-monitoring functions that are “expected to receive enthusiastic market responses.” If Apple does include health-tracking features in its near AirPods, it will be interesting to see what they are capable of. A previous patent filed by Apple with the United States Patent and Trademark Office covers wireless earbuds with build-in sensors for performing heart rate monitoring and taking body temperature measurements. AirPods have been a huge hit for Apple. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks Apple sold 16 million AirPods units in 2017, the first full year they were available. He also predicts sales will grow to more than 100 million by 2021, and suggested suggested a full-on redesign could take place in 2020. MacBook Pro ‘stage light’ flaw could hit you with a $600 repair According to iFixit, every MacBook Pro since 2016 has a design flaw that will inevitably require an expensive repair The problem supposedly lies in “delicate” ribbon cables that connect the screen with the display controller inside the main body of the laptop. Opening and closing the clamshell causes these to wear out and begin to tear. Taylor Dixon from iFixit explains it this way: “The current generation of MacBook Pro laptops (2016–present) uses flexible ribbon cables to connect the display to a display control

Send us a text!This week: the Wall Street Journal leaks details about iPhone 11; Apple's new Smart Cases come with wireless charging; Nike unveils the self-lacing Back-To-The-Future shoes you’ve always wanted; and we pitch you our favorite apps, movies, cook books, and exotic alcohols in an all-new What We’re Into!   This episode supported by Opsgenie empowers Dev & Ops teams to plan for service disruptions and stay in control during incidents. It also gives teams the power to respond quickly and efficiently to unplanned issues. Visit Opsgenie.com to sign up to get a FREE company account and add up to 5 team members. Burrow sofas are designed for comfort, with supportive proprietary foam and a built-in USB charger so you never have to get up. Plus they're hand-crafted in North Carolina, and surprisingly affordable. Get $75 on your next sofa at burrow.com/cultcast. CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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. Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lewiswallace WSJ: High-end ‘iPhone 11’ will feature triple rear camera, XR successor gets dual lenses The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple’s iPhone 2019 lineup will feature three models, including 2 OLED and 1 LCD. They’re basically just upgrading the XS, Tennis Match, and XR. But get this, the high-end iPhone 11, probably called the iPhone 11 Max, will feature a triple rear camera system. Triple! The iPhone 5.8-inch iPhone 11 will stick with a dual lens system. The successor to the iPhone XR will have an LCD screen panel, and will be upgraded to a dual-camera system. The report says that Apple may drop the LCD option in 2020, moving to an OLED only lineup late next year. It also alludes to the removal of the pressure sensitive component that enables 3D Touch, in order to reduce components costs. It doesn’t say that 3D Touch is certainly going away necessarily as the feature may be achieved through other hardware changes. Apple unleashes new Smart Battery Cases for iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Apple’s new Smart Battery Cases are now available iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Along with adding some extra protection to your device, Apple’s new cases promise to deliver 37 hours more hours of talk time, Internet use up to 20 hours The cases also support wireless charging. Only cost a mere $129! And it seems that the XS case will work with the iPhone X, but it does block some of the mics and speakers since it’s not made to fit the X Nike kills shoelaces with new iPhone-controlled sneakers The back to the future shoes you’ve always wanted are finally a reality. Nike’s new Adapt BB self-lacing shoes pack wireless connectivity, and a custom motor and gear train, to give athletes a perfect fit without having to fuss with retying their laces. The Adapt BB shoes can be tightened and loosened using the buttons on the side of the shoe or via an app (both iOS and Android). This could be really

Send us a text!  This week: Smart curtains, smart plugs, smart lights, smart locks, and now... the best televisions on the market— Apple just revealed big moves to bring HomeKit to all your favorite gadgets, and they're just getting started. In 2019, the smart HomeKit devices we've always wanted finallay arrive. Plus: Tim Cook just let it slip--Apple's got new services lined up for release this year, but what could they be? We think we might just know...   And stick around for a CultCast United updated, and the saga of FartGate, the most insidious sports scandal you never heard about.   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. CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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. Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode. On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lewiswallace 2019 - The year of HomeKit Until the release of iOS 11.3 in March, anyone who wanted to make HomeKit devices had to plan and pay to build in Apple’s authentication co-processor. With iOS 11.3, Apple changed the game, and allowed devices makers to add HomeKit with simple software integration. Apple promotes HomeKit at CES with press event to highlight new smart home accessories coming in 2019 Apple is pushing HomeKit hard at CES this year. It coordinated with manufacturers to demo key new HomeKit smart home announcements to the tech press TechCrunch says Apple spotlighted announcements from Belkin Wemo, Eve, ConnectSense, Kwikset locks, Nanoleaf lights, and a Netatmo HomeKit connected doorbell. We also got an announcement that Netgear is bringing HomeKit support to their Arlo Pro 2 cameras and their new 4K camera. And… a bunch of TVs Here are all of the TVs getting AirPlay 2 in 2019 Apple announced that it will bring AirPlay 2 and HomeKit compatibility to a bunch of TVs in 2019, spanning models from manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio. A small list of 2018 models will also receive Airplay 2 support. Samsung TVs will be getting the iTunes Movies and TV apps. Sony will be adding HomeKit and AirPlay 2 to it beautiful TVs powered by the horrendous and slow Android TV. Tim Cook: New services coming to Apple in 2019 Tim Cook teased new services that will be coming to Apple users this year. Responding to questions about falling iPhone sales during a CNBC interview, Cook stressed the way that Apple’s Services division has grown significantly in the past several years. “The services are on a tear,” Cook said. “On services, you will see us announce new services this year. There will more things coming.” First and foremost is Apple’s original TV content, which the company has supposedly spent more than $1 billion on, but not yet formally announced. Second is Apple’s rumored magazine subscription service. Based on Texture, the $9.99 a mon

Send us a text!This week: Our huge mega-list of must-have favorite iOS and Mac apps! Special guest Adam Christianson from the Maccast!  Plus, a very special announcement… 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. Help team CultCast reunite in San Fransisco for a Mecca to Cupertino, and a special CultCast United episode. And we might just bring you with us…. CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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. Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode. On the show this week @erfon / @maccast   Apple warns investors that iPhone sales are weak https://www.cultofmac.com/598692/apple-revenues-iphone-sales-tim-cook/ Tim Cook warned investors today that weak iPhone sales could translate into revenue shortfalls in the billions of dollars. He went on blames the expected revenue drop on fewer-than-expected iPhone upgrades and weakened demand in China. “While we anticipated some challenges in key emerging markets, we did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China,” Cook wrote in a letter published on Business Wire. “In fact, most of our revenue shortfall to our guidance, and over 100 percent of our year-over-year worldwide revenue decline occurred in Greater China across iPhone, Mac, and iPad.” “As we exit a challenging quarter, we are as confident as ever in the fundamental strength of our business,” he said. “We manage Apple for the long term, and Apple has always used periods of adversity to re-examine our approach, to take advantage of our culture of flexibility, adaptability, and creativity, and to emerge better as a result.   Apple shares plummet following Tim Cook letter https://www.cultofmac.com/598726/apple-shares-plummet-following-tim-cook-letter/ AAPL shares fell steeply in after-hours trading on Wednesday, after Tim Cook acknowledged that Apple’s earnings would underperform Shares fell by more than 7.4 percent, declining as low as $146.22. That’s the lowest that Apple has hit since July 12, 2017. It means that Apple has lost a massive 35.5 percent of its value in just three months.   Tim Cook will host meeting for all Apple employees to talk iPhone https://www.cultofmac.com/598744/tim-cook-will-host-meeting-for-all-apple-employees-to-talk-iphone/#more-598744 Tim Cook is reportedly hosting an all-hands meeting with every Apple employee today about the revelations regarding stalling iPhone sales.   Our favorite must-have apps, with Adam Christianson, aka Maccast! Mac Audio Hijack Pro let's you record and reroute sound on your Mac Setapp is a Mac app subscription packed full of great software TryCa.st, let's you record high-fidelity audio, alone or with guests

Send us a text!This week: it’s our list of the best—and most disappointing—Apple tech of 2018! And stay tuned for all our most favorite news, movies, food, gear, video games, and drug paraphernalia of the year. This one gets real weird... This episode supported by Opsgenie empowers Dev & Ops teams to plan for service disruptions and stay in control during incidents. It also gives teams the power to respond quickly and efficiently to unplanned issues. Visit Opsgenie.com to sign up to get a FREE company account and add up to 5 team members. Whether it’s planning a date night or scheduling a business trip, Fin’s army of virtual assistants can do the tasks you don’t have time to do. Try itself for free at fin.com/cultcast. CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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. Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r Ranking all the major hardware Apple released in 2018 [Year in Review] https://www.cultofmac.com/596754/ranking-2018-apple-hardware/ Our favorite What We’re Intos of 2018! MoviePass Annihilation Super Mario Odyssey Captain Jean-luc Picard will helm a new Star Trek series   Boosted Board Mini X Finger Bang Pizza Dillas Pack Rafts  

Send us a text!This week: In December of 1994, Apple began allowing PC manufacturs to license their OS, building their own versions of the “Mac”, and it almost destroyed them. Leander Kahney was a young reporter on the scene in those days, and regales us with the tale. Plus, we have a very special announcement we'd like to make, about a very special annoumcement we're going ot be making next week. And if you stay tuned, and you definitely should, we're going to wrap up with our favorite movies of 2018, and it’s a long list. This episode supported by Opsgenie empowers Dev & Ops teams to plan for service disruptions and stay in control during incidents. It also gives teams the power to respond quickly and efficiently to unplanned issues. Visit Opsgenie.com to sign up to get a FREE company account and add up to 5 team members. 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. CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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. Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode. On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace / @bst3r Apple Music Connect is shutting down, suffering Same Fate as iTunes Ping - lewis https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/13/apple-music-connect-shutting-down/ Apple today announced that its Apple Music Connect social platform for artists is in the process of shutting down, suffering the same fate as Ping, the company's previous social network for music removed from iTunes in October 2012. The only band that ever posted anything was ColdPlay. Apple Sending Unsolicited Notifications for New Carpool Karaoke Episodes and Apple Music Echo Support -erfon https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/18/apple-unsolicited-notifications/ Apple has recently been sending out unsolicited notifications to iOS users, promoting Carpool Karaoke episodes and the availability of Apple Music on Amazon Echo devices. Apple doesn't appear to be sending these push notifications to all users, so it's not clear what criteria the company is using to determine who to send content to Why did Apple just send me a notification about an all new carpool karaoke, something I've never watched and have absolutely no interest in? Today in Apple history: Apple signs ‘clone Mac’ deal https://www.cultofmac.com/458490/clone-mac-era-tiah/ This week, in 1994: Apple Computer inks a licensing deal with Power Computing, allowing the company to produce Macintosh-compatible computers. With falling market share, and longtime rival Microsoft steaming ahead thanks to its software-licensing strategy, Apple executives think the only way to compete is for Apple to hand over its operating system for third-party Macs. The “clone Mac” era turned out to be a disaster for Apple. Rather than spurring Mac sales, it just meant cheaper “Macs.” As a result, Apple took a massive hit in the amount it earned per unit. Apple CFO Fred Anderson later worked out that the strategy actually cost the company money. The $50 fee Apple got for every clone Mac sold didn’t come close to recouping the money lost from people choosing to buy third-party Macs instead of more-expensive o

Send us a text!This week: it’s all our favorite gadgets of 2018! Well, not all, but lots of them. We didn’t have time to get through them all but we tried real hard. Plus: Apple is finally gearing up to overhaul the AMD GPUs in their Mac lineup; and the legit way to purchase a base iMac Pro for just $3800. This episode supported by Opsgenie empowers Dev & Ops teams to plan for service disruptions and stay in control during incidents. It also gives teams the power to respond quickly and efficiently to unplanned issues. Visit Opsgenie.com to sign up to get a FREE company account and add up to 5 team members. CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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. Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode. On the show this week: @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace   Mojave update hints at new AMD Vega GPUs coming to Mac https://www.cultofmac.com/595740/mojave-new-amd-vega-gpu-mac/ Apple’s most recent macOS Mojave update suggests we’ll soon see new AMD Vega GPUs coming to the Mac. Apple just updated the GPUs in the Macbook Pro with Vega 16 and Vega 20 options, and now they look to be planning similar upgrades for other Macs in its lineup. Sonos Beam Sonos One Simply Safe security system See Sense Icon 2 bike lights Nintendo Switch Cal Digit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 dock Apple Pencil 2 Apple Watch 4 "Refurbished" iMac Pro on eBay

Send us a text! This week: Apple’s new online store includes a 10% discount on ALL products, but there’s a catch…. Plus: redesigned AirPods are on the way; Tim Cook promises more Apple censorship; and we wrap up with our favorite shows of 2018!   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.   Opsgenie empowers Dev & Ops teams to plan for service disruptions and stay in control during incidents.  It also gives teams the power to respond quickly and efficiently to unplanned issues. Visit Opsgenie.com to sign up to get a FREE company account and add up to 5 team members.   Audible is the home of over 150,000 audio books from practically every genre in existence, and right now you can get 3 books a month for just $6.95 a month, half off the normal price.  And your books are yours to keep even if you decide not to keep your Audible subscription.  Get started at audible.com/cultcast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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.   Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace     Plot twist: Erfon's 2018 MacBook Pro story update takes a unexpected turn... Apple store adds 10% discount for vets and military https://www.cultofmac.com/594072/apple-discounts-for-vets-military/ I think this may be one of the biggest stories of the year, but no one seems to be talking about it. Apple revealed this week that it has launched a new website that gives a 10% discount to vets and active military members that the company says is an expression of its gratitude for service. It's just like the education store, but it provides a flat discount of 10% across ALL products. This is the biggest, most broad discount, possibly ever. When I first heard about this, I didn't think much of it.  But then I found out that, just like the education store, the military and vets site doesn’t ask for verification so it’s all based on the honor system.  You just click into it, and poof, all prices drop 10%... Base iPhone 10s Max, usually $1100, is $989 (only sim-free iPhones are discounted) Base 11" iPad Pro, normally $799, is $719.  256GB is down to $854 from $949.   Updated AirPods will supposedly land in early 2019 https://www.cultofmac.com/593894/updated-airpods-are-supposedly-

Send us a text!This week: we’ll tell you how iPhone’s Smart HDR takes pics better than cameras costing thousands, and how a proper Apple Camera positively unstoppable.  Plus: the Supreme court may force Apple to allow competing app stores; proposed tariffs on the iPhone could send prices sky high; and Apple says the XR is one of their best selling iPhones ever.     This episode supported by   Opsgenie empowers Dev & Ops teams to plan for service disruptions and stay in control during incidents.  It also gives teams the power to respond quickly and efficiently to unplanned issues. Visit Opsgenie.com to sign up to get a FREE company account and add up to 5 team members.   A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters… go to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.   Whether it’s planning a date night or scheduling a business trip, Fin’s army of virtual assistants can do the tasks you don’t have time to do. Try itself for free at fin.com/cultcast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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.   Thanks to Kevin McLeodfor the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace / @bst3r   Reminder: Apple's $29 iPhone battery replacement program ends December 31 https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/11/28/reminder-apples-29-iphone-battery-replacement-program-ends-december-31 Apple has been running a reduced cost battery replacement program in response to customer complaints about battery gate, but this offer ends on December 31, 2018. After that, replacing an iPhone battery will cost you $49 for the iPhone 8 and older, or $69 for the iPhone X, iPhone XS family, and iPhone XR The price until Dec. 31st is just $29.   App Store antitrust suit might make Supreme Court https://www.cultofmac.com/592676/app-store-monopoly/ Apple’s legal team could soon be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court to face an anti-trust case being levied against the company. U.S. Supreme Court justices heard an hour of arguments for an anti-trust lawsuit against Appletoday. The nine justices appeared to be open to letting the lawsuit move up to the highest court in the U.S. and it could bring huge changes to the App Store if Apple loses. Apple is being accused of breaking federal antitrust laws by monopolizing the way applications are installed on the iPhone. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit claim that Apple’s 30% cut on all sales in the App Store are causing consumers to overpay. Lead plaintiff Robert Pepper of Chicago argued that Apple’s App Store monopoly leads to inflated prices because developers have to account for Apple’s 30% fee. The plaintiffs want Apple to open up iOS so apps can be installed from sources other than the App Store.

Send us a text!This week: Did you know about Apple’s super secret 90-day return and exchange policy?  We’ll tell you what it is, and how to use it if you’re unhappy with your Apple purchase, but outside of your 14-day return window.  Plus: quest to trade up-the story of three MacBook Pro owners trying to get Apple trade in their newly purchased 2018 MacBook Pros for models with the brand new—smoking fast—Vega 20 GPUs.     And finally, and most importantly:  🦃 🦃 YAAA’AALL!  It’s our most and least favorite Thanksgiving meal picks.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we love ya.   This episode supported by   The experts at Casper work tirelessly to make a quality sleep surface that cradles your natural geometry in all the right places.  And for a limited time, you can save 10% off any Casper purchase.   Opsgenie empowers Dev & Ops teams to plan for service disruptions and stay in control during incidents.  It also gives teams the power to respond quickly and efficiently to unplanned issues. Visit Opsgenie.com to sign up to get a FREE company account and add up to 5 team members.   Gantri offers over 30 unique 3D-printed lights created by independent designers from all over the world, and unlike typical 3D-printed things you see, Gantri’s 3D-printed lights superbly nightlights and beautiful to behold.  Check them out in AR at gantri.com/cultcast, and use code CultCast at checkout for $20 off.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac 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.   Thanks to Kevin McLeodfor the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace   Apple reportedly cuts both iPhone XR and XS orders https://www.cultofmac.com/591352/apple-reportedly-cuts-both-iphone-xr-and-xs-orders/ According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple has reduced its orders for both the iPhone XS and iPhone XR. Apple’s stock is not at $177 as of this writing, down from an October high of $232!  That’s a drop of almost 25% But it’s not just Apple stock that’s dropping, the DOW is also way down. Amazon is down 25% too.  $1500 down from $2000.   Is Vega 20 Worth it for 15" MacBook Pro? Benchmarks & Thermals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJVciTqsUAo&t=49s In Max Yuryev’s tests, the new Vega 20 GPU was 25-35% faster than the 560X GPU in various benchmarks. We’re waiting for Final Cut Pro tests, but I get they’ll be even faster there. In Dave 2D’s premier render tests, the Vega 20 is almost twice as fast as the 560X