The CultCast

Send us a text!This week:  Reviews for the new iPad Pro and HomePod are bonkers Someone in the Apple supply chain just accidentally leaked some of iPhone 8’s marquee features Speed tests show a big improvement in the new MacBook Pro Apple finally offers us iCloud Storage sharing Our favorite unannounced iOS 11 features And we’ll tell you what we like (and don’t) about the apps and gadgets we’re currently testing in an all-new Under Review!   This episode supported by   Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   Apple suppliers confirm two of iPhone 8’s biggest features http://www.cultofmac.com/487120/apple-supplier-will-ship-3d-facial-recognition-sensors-time-iphone-8/ Apple supplier Largan has confirmed it will be shipping its new 3D sensors in time for iPhone 8, while another has confirmed waterproofing and wireless charging technology. Largan’s sensors are capable of carrying out facial and iris recognition and provide an alternative to fingerprint scanning. They could be the solution Apple turns to if it is unable to embed a Touch ID scanner beneath the iPhone 8’s display. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models are already splash- and water-resistant with an IP67 rating, but Apple's fine print warns that "splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear." iPhone water damage is not covered by Apple's warranties.  But in Wednesday's shareholders meeting, [Robert] Hwang, [Wistron CEO] told reporters that the Assembly process for the previous generations of [iPhones] have not changed much, though new features like waterproof and wireless charging now require some different testing, and waterproof function will alter the assembly process a bit,”  A report earlier this year said Apple's next iPhone models will feature improved IP68-rated water resistance (30 minutes in up to 3 feet of water)   2017 MacBook Pro is Up to 20% Faster Than Last Year's Model in Benchmarks https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/07/2017-macbook-pro-benchmarks-geekbench/ Apple this week refreshed its MacBook Pro lineup with Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake processors, and early benchmarks for the notebooks suggest the 2017 models are up to 20 percent faster than the equivalent 2016 models equipped with Intel's s

Send us a text!This week: in one of the most exciting and action-packed keynotes in years, Apple updates just about everything they’ve got.  Hot off the event, catch our reactions plus our picks for best in show!   This episode supported by   Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   Check out the Cult of Mac  Watch store for a curated selection of our favorite straps, all available for prices far less than you’d expect.    CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   WWDC keynote is proof of Apple’s awesome power and poise http://www.cultofmac.com/485116/wwdc-2017-keynote-apple-power/   First look: From cute to badass, Apple’s new hardware impresses http://www.cultofmac.com/485086/first-look-cute-badass-apples-new-hardware-impresses/   Hardware, software and surprises: Key takeaways from Apple’s WWDC 2017 keynote http://www.cultofmac.com/484764/apples-wwdc-2017-keynote-takeaways/   HomePod leads to string of Twitter jabs http://www.cultofmac.com/485134/twitter-reacts-to-homepod-preview-at-wwdc-2017/   11 awesome iOS 11 features Apple didn’t bother to mention http://www.cultofmac.com/485088/ios-11-features-apple-didnt-mention/   HomePod smart speaker will totally rock (and control) your house http://www.cultofmac.com/484756/apple-homepod-speaker-wwdc-2017/   New 10.5-inch iPad Pro is Apple’s best tablet yet http://www.cultofmac.com/485036/apple-delivers-new-10-5-inch-ipad-pro/   Apple teases ‘seriously badass’ iMac Pro and other new Macs at WWDC http://www.cultofmac.com/484970/apple-teases-seriously-badass-imac-pro-wwdc/

Send us a text!This week: new evidence points to one of the most hardware-packed WWDCs in years!  Add in four new OS reveals and, by golly, you have one heckuva exciting show.  We’ll tell you all we know, and share all the products we predict will hit the stage.   This episode supported by Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   Steve Jobs closes down Apple! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shu6_lO1PW8   Everything we expect to see at WWDC2017 http://www.cultofmac.com/484068/everything-expect-see-wwdc-2017/   MacBook Pro Macbook Pro with Touch Bar was announced 7 months ago!  But a new one looks to be on the way.  Expect: More powerful Kaby Lake processors 32GB of desktop-class RAM for 15-inch MacBook Pro Price slash for 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar which hasn’t been selling well per Ming Chi Kuo   MacBook Pro shipping estimates hint at WWDC refresh http://www.cultofmac.com/483974/macbook-pro-shipping-estimates-hint-wwdc-refresh/ Shipping times for the 15-inch model have slipped on the Apple online store It seems strange that shipping times would suddenly slip for a product that’s been on sale since October. “A spot check shows 15-inch MacBook Pro delivery estimates are similarly as long in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, and several other countries,” reports MacRumors.   12-inch MacBook It’s been over a year since Apple has updated its the portable 12-inch MacBook.  Now would be a good time.   MacBook Air Bloomberg reported earlier in May that Apple is “considering” updating the MacBook Pro with a newer processor because sales of the machine have continued to be “surprisingly strong.” Who knows what processor it’ll get or what (if any ) other upgrades (like as USB-C or a new display) might be included.   iMac, Mac Pro, and Mac mini Apple announced earlier this year that they are hard at work on new pro-level desktop machines, but don’t expect to see anything at WWDC. The company made it clear that the new Mac Pro is in the works, but they also gave a spec bump to the current line. It is possible we may see an announcement about the pro-level iMacs they talked about, especially considering it hasn’t been updated since Oct. 2015!  Maybe we’ll

Send us a text!This week:  Rumors point to a big iPhone 8 price hike.  What’s the max you would pay?  Intel makes a huge move to push Thunderbolt into the mainstream Ikea about to drop tons of great HomeKit gadgets on us DJI’s Spark selfie drone is a compact powerhouse And we’ll tell you about the weird and whacky gadgets we’re reviewing in an all-new Under Review!   This episode supported by Blue Apron makes it easy to cook delicious meals at home.  See their upcoming menu and get your first three meals free at BlueApron.com/CultCast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   More evidence hints at massive iPhone 8 price hike http://www.cultofmac.com/482409/evidence-hints-massive-iphone-8-price-hike/ Rumors that the iPhone 8 may come with a $1,000 price tag are seemingly backed-up by a new report claiming that components for the next-gen handset will be considerably higher than those for its predecessor. According to China’s Economic Daily News, the 3D Touch module alone for the iPhone 8 will cost 150 percent more than the comparable module for the current LCD iPhone. As per a recent report from Goldman Sachs analyst Simona Jankowski, the 128GB iPhone 8 will sell for $999, while the 256GB version will set users back a whopping $1,099. This means that the iPhone 8 could represent a significant 25 percent price jump from the iPhone 7. Include AirPods?   Sensor on second iPhone 7 Plus camera is smaller than main one, calculations show     Intel will eliminate Thunderbolt royalties to boost adoption http://www.cultofmac.com/483186/intel-will-eliminate-thunderbolt-royalties-boost-adoption/ Every manufacturer that uses it has to pay royalties to Intel, which means you typically find it exclusively in expensive, high-end machines. Intel has confirmed plans to drop Thunderbolt royalties in an effort to boost adoption. The chip-maker also plans to integrate Thunderbolt 3 into its own processors starting next year, eliminating the need for a dedicated controller. Thunderbolt has become the ultimate standard for connecting peripherals to your computer, thanks to its incredibly high bandwidth and versatility. Thunderbolt 3’s 40Gbps speeds let you transfer a full 4K movie in just 30 seconds. USB 3 is only 10GBPS!     Control IKEA Home Smart products with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s Home app http://newsroom.inte

Send us a text!This week: new MacBook Pros at WWDC?  Insiders say yes!  We’ll tell you all we know.  Plus: why future Macs are about to get much faster CPUs; Apple makes a big move to bring manufacturing back to the US; and we’ll wrap up with 5 weird and whacky facts about the new Apple Park campus.   This episode supported by Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   Apple may reveal three new MacBooks at WWDC http://www.cultofmac.com/481877/new-macbooks-wwdc/ Apple hasn’t released new hardware at a WWDC keynote since 2013, but the company is allegedly planning to unveil a new lineup of MacBooks, according to a report that claims the new machines will pack Intel’s new Kaby Lake processor to bring more speed than ever. Three new laptops will debut at WWDC 2017, claims Bloomberg, citing “people familiar with the matter.” Both the MacBook Pro and 12-inch MacBook will be updated with new Intel chips. Apple is also supposedly considering updating the 13-inch MacBook Air with a new processor, too, which would be quite a surprise as most observers assumed the machine was on its last legs now that the MacBook and MacBook Pro are thinner. Sales of the old MacBook Air remain “surprisingly strong” due to its cheap price tag, claims one of the report’s sources. What features needed to make the machine exciting again Shows Apple may be getting about making Mac great again.   Intel: Cannonlake CPUs will be more than 15 percent faster than Kaby Lake http://www.pcworld.com/article/3167942/components-processors/intel-cannonlake-will-be-more-than-15-percent-faster-than-kaby-lake.html Meager performance gains aren’t all Apple’s fault Chipmakers in past years focused on increasing performance by raising the clock frequency. But that made chips power hungry, and their focus shifted to adding cores, which boosted performance but also added battery life to laptops. Then the focus turned to integrating technologies like graphics and I/O buses inside processors. Gaming and virtual reality have brought a focus back to raw CPU performance. The performance improvements from Skylake to Kaby Lake topped out at 15 percent. The CPU performance boost for Cannonlake should be at least that, Intel said. The gaming market is exploding, especially eSports, and demand for high-performance Core i7 chips skyrocketed last year Intel may be trying to catch up with AMD, which is boasting a 40 percent performance improvement for its upcoming Ryzen chips.   Apple’s standalone Siri could look a lot like Echo

Send us a text!This week:  It’s official, the WWDC keynote takes place June 5th, so here are our hardware expectations 🕺 Apple quietly acquires one of the world’s best sleep tracking technologies Why Amazon’s Prime video app may FINALLY be coming to your Apple TV Our first impressions of the Amazon Echo Show, and the features we hope Apple steals from it And stick around for a completely weird, totally tribal What We’re Into, the segment where we reveal the all the non-tech stuff we’re currently enjoying.   This episode supported by   Casper’s American-made mattresses have just the right amount of sink and bounce, and people everywhere love them.  Learn why and get $50 towards any mattress at Casper.com/cultcast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   Apple Sends Out Press Invites for WWDC Keynote on June 5 https://www.macrumors.com/2017/05/09/apple-confirms-june-5-wwdc-keynote/ The invites are out!  The WWDC keynote you’ve been waiting for us coming in three weeks, on June 5 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.   Apple acquires sleep-tracking startup Beddit http://www.cultofmac.com/480719/apple-acquires-sleep-tracking-startup-beddit/ Apple recently purchased Beddit, a sleep monitoring system that pairs a pliable under-sheet sleep sensor with an app, all of which is designed to help users analyze and improve their sleeping habits. Apple's Beddit purchase came to light because Beddit updated its privacy policy to both highlight the acquisition and implement Apple's privacy rules. "Your personal data will be collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Apple Privacy Policy," reads the site.   Amazon Prime Video may come to Apple TV this summer http://www.cultofmac.com/480027/amazon-prime-video-may-coming-apple-tv-summer/ Apple and Amazon, the tech giants, are close to an agreement to bring an Amazon video app to Apple’s Apple TV set-top box, according to people familiar with the two companies. Amazon employees expect the app to show up on Apple’s hardware in the third quarter of the year. That move would allow Amazon Prime Video subscribers to easily watch TV shows and movies from the service using Apple TV. It’s unclear what got the two companies to reach an agreement, though some industry observers suggest that any pact would have been worked out, at a high level, by CEOs Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos.   Amazon Echo Show brings video to smart-speaker party

Send us a text!This week:  Apple’s secret Siri speaker may be announced at WWDC—we’ll tell you everything (we think) we know about it.   Why AirPods are the best product Apple’s made in years Why Microsoft’s MacBook clone is actually great for Apple fans We deconstruct and decode Tim Cook’s mysterious and quickly deleted accidental tweet, and you’ll be shocked at the truth!   This episode supported by   Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   This week’s Intro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOwN5kpgWGc   Apple’s new Siri speaker could be revealed at WWDC http://www.cultofmac.com/478847/apples-new-siri-speaker-revealed-wwdc/ Earlier this week, we heard the company is currently in the process of finalizing the design of its first standalone Siri device, which is expected to take on the Amazon Echo. Now we have an idea what it might look like and when it could be revealed. Apple's Siri-based smart speaker and home hub has an "over 50 percent chance" of being announced at WWDC, according to our homeboy Ming Chi Kuo. Kuo said Apple's smart home product will likely launch in the second half of 2017 and cost more than the Amazon Echo, $179. The device will supposedly support AirPlay with "excellent acoustics performance" from one woofer and seven tweeters. Kuo said its performance will be similar to the iPhone 6/6s. Last week, leaker Sonny Dickson likewise said Apple's smart speaker could be announced as early as WWDC. He said the device will run a variation of iOS with unspecified Beats technology, in addition to a Mac Pro-like concave top with built-in controls and speaker meshing covering the majority of its surface. A report from The Information said Apple's smart home speaker would be able to control appliances, locks, lights, and curtains through Siri voice commands. It added that some of the prototypes in testing have facial recognition sensors   Apple places orders for its Amazon Echo rival

Send us a text!This week:  Apple stores are about to get a massive 2.0 overhaul, and we’ve got all the details Why the iPhone 8 may launch super late with no OLED Final Cut Pro X hits a massive milestone Google co-founder makes a flying car, and you’re gonna want one!  We reveal our favorite new gadgets in an all new Under Review 🕺   This episode supported by Blue Apron makes it easy to cook delicious meals at home.  See their upcoming menu and get your first three meals free at BlueApron.com/CultCast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   SVP of retail Angela Ahrendts reveals redesigned Apple stores https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHlfEeng17A&t=184s 2017’s ‘iPhone Edition’ to arrive late, OLED display uncertain http://www.cultofmac.com/471109/2017s-iphone-edition-launch-late-oled-display-not-sure-thing/ Apple analyst KGI Ming-Chi Kuo is reporting that mass production of the OLED iPhone will likely be pushed back to October/November, instead of the normal August/September timeframe because suppliers are having difficulties producing several of the phone’s cutting edge custom-ordered parts. The moderately reliable Makotakara is reporting that device is also claiming the phone will be delayed, and that the OLED upgrade we’ve been looking forward to isn’t a sure thing yet.   Final Cut Pro X hits massive 2 million users milestone http://www.cultofmac.com/478369/final-cut-pro-x-hits-massive-2-million-users-milestone/ At this week’s annual National Association of Broadcasters conference, Apple revealed that it now has 2 million users of its Final Cut Pro X video-editing software, five years after launching the tenth version of the program. At $299 for a license, that’s a cool 600 million dollars. Apple’s rep added that it is taken considerably less time for Apple to jump for 1 million to 2 million users than it did for the company to reach its first million adopters.   Here’s how Apple plans to make its stores more magical http://www.cultofmac.com/478219/angela-ahrendts-talks-making-apple-store-experience-special/ Angela Ahrendts was hired as Apple’s VP of retail just about 3.5 years ago, and she’s now unveiling her vision for the future of the Apple store. Apple wants to make their stores to be a place where you can engage with your devices and your communities.  A place to meet your friends, like at Starbucks!  says VP of Retail Angela Ahrendts. Apple is bringing new “hands on” sessions to its stores, enlisting artists, Mac experts and celebrities in a bid to make its retail outlets more engaging. The new 

Send us a text! This week: we deconstruct the new iPhone 8 leaks! We’ll tell what we’ve learned.     Plus: Apple starts testing the driverless car they’re totally not working on; and the best iOS apps for all you marijuana connoisseurs.    This episode supported by Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney     This week’s Intro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Watf8QxS8     Sources confirm some of iPhone 8’s biggest upgrades http://www.cultofmac.com/477175/sources-confirm-iphone-8s-biggest-upgrades/ In its report on the new iPhone 8, Bloomberg corroborates many previous rumors about the next-gen iPhone, but suggests that more “ambitious” features may be scaled back or ditched due to manufacturing problems. According to the report, and as we’ve discussed on the show, Apple is preparing three iPhones for launch. Two will simply be updated versions of the current iPhone, while the high-end model will sport a totally revamped look. Apple is testing a premium version with a screen that covers almost the entire front of the device.  That results in a display slightly larger than that of an iPhone y Pus but with an overall phone size closer to the iPhone 7. The updated lower-end model iPhones will stick with LCD displays and get fewer hardware updates. "One of the latest prototype designs includes symmetrical, slightly curved glass on the front and the back. The curves are similar in shape to those on the front of the iPhone 7. The new OLED screen itself is flat, while the cover glass curves into a steel frame. The design is similar conceptually to the iPhone 4 from 2010” "Apple also tested a more ambitious prototype with the same slightly curved front and steel frame, but a glass back with more dramatic curves on the top and bottom like the original iPhone design from 2007, one of the people said. “ "Apple suppliers have so far struggled to reliably produce heavily curved glass in mass quantities, so the company is more likely to ship the version with more subdued curves” "Significant camera changes are also in testing for Apple’s overhauled iPhone. For the back of the phone, Apple is testing versions of the phone with the dual-camera system positioned vertically, instead of horizontally like on the iPhone 7 Plus, which could result in improved photos,” “Apple has … experimented with integrating the iPhone’s fingerprint scanner into the screen of the OLED version, which would be technically challenging, the people said”.  TouchID on the

Send us a text!This week: Official new Nvidia drivers make your Mac compatible with the best GPUs on the market! A mole gives us our best look yet at what it’s really like to work in an iPhone factory Apple has a secret team working on ‘breakthrough’ diabetes treatment with the Apple Watch The saga of Ron Wayne, the forgotten Apple co-founder who traded his 22 billion dollars of Apple stock for just $800.   This episode supported by VideoBlocks, the affordable, subscription-based stock media site that givesyou unlimited access to premium stock footage. Check it out for free for 7 days at videoblocks.com/cultcast   Casper’s American-made mattresses have just the right amount of sink and bounce, and people everywhere love them.  Learn why and get $50 towards any mattress at Casper.com/cultcast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   NVIDIA releases Mac drivers for Pascal graphics cards NVIDIA today released new drivers that make its Pascal graphics cards compatible with a Mac. The drivers support all 10 Series GPUs, including the GTX 1050 through GTX 1080 Ti, and the newly-announced GTX Titan Xp. Until now, however, you had to settle for older 9 Series cards. Now the newest cards, from the GTX 950 to the GTX Titan Xp, are supported   Report: Apple has secret team working on ‘breakthrough’ diabetes treatment w/ Apple Watch   UNDERCOVER IN AN IPHONE FACTORY: What it's really like to work in a Chinese mega-factory, according to a student who spent 6 weeks there     Pegatron mole describes ‘torture’ of working at iPhone factory     Today in Apple history: Apple co-founder quits and cashes in his stake for $800 In Apple lore, Ron Wayne is the man who threw away winning lottery ticket. It’s April 12, 1976: Apple’s third co-founder, a former Atari colleague of Steve Wozniak’s named Ron Wayne, is cashing in his 10% of Apple shares for $800. Hell of a nice guy. Drew Apple’s original logo. Wayne also wrote up the first contract in Apple’s history, solidifying what all three co-founders would do. Wozniak was to be in charge of electrical engineering, Jobs was responsible for marketing, and Wayne would oversee mechanical engineering and documentation.