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Our one week reviews of iPhone 16 Pro & Apple Watch 10! (CultCast #666) Sep 26, 2024

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This week — our hands-on, week-one reviews of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 2’s new color + the Milanese loop controversy…

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This week’s stories:

Why you should choose iPhone 16 or 16 Plus over iPhone 16 Pro

I’d like to save you between $200 and $400. It’s easy: Don’t assume you must buy an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max to get an excellent handset. The more-affordable iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are both brilliant.

iPhone 16 Pro: Not much new, but everything is better

The iPhone 16 Pro is a much-refined iPhone. All the features that make the it pro have been improved.

iPhone 16 Pro users face intermittent touchscreen problems

Some users report that their iPhone 16 Pros don’t properly detect all their touches and swipes, leading to a frustrating experience.

Don’t panic: Mysterious iOS 18 update for iPhone 16 is nothing to worry about

Don’t be alarmed if your brand-new iPhone 16 prompts you to update to iOS 18 even though your phone is already running iOS 18. And also don’t freak out when you see a fear-inducing “Welcome to iPhone” screen after you update.

Apple Watch 10: The best gets gloriously better

Larger, thinner, lighter and more lushly curvaceous than predecessors, the 10th anniversary Apple Watch is, technically, a redesign.

AirPods 4 review roundup: ANC really works without ear tips

The first reviews of Apple AirPods 4 are in to answer the question, how well does active noise cancellation work without foam ear tips? The consensus: pretty well.

Our iPhone 16 Pro hands-on first impressions LIVE! (CultCast #665) Sep 21, 2024

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This week, it’s our live unboxing, hands-on and first impressions of the iPhone 16 Pro! Also, review roundups of AirPods and Apple Watch, and leaked details on the Apple Watch SE and MacBook Pro we didn’t get.

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.

This week’s stories:

Video: Unboxing the iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro cases

AirPods 4 review roundup: ANC really works without ear tips

The first reviews of Apple AirPods 4 are in to answer the question, how well does active noise cancellation work without foam ear tips? The consensus: pretty well.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black is what ‘Batman would buy’

Rather than Apple Watch Ultra 3, we got the Ultra 2 in a “satin black” titanium finish. This might be more disappointing if early reviewers weren’t raving about the new color.

Apple Watch SE 3 now expected in 2025

After two years, one might think a new Apple Watch SE is imminent but the Apple Watch Series 10 announcement on September 9 came and went with no mention of a cheaper little brother.

OLED MacBook still at least 2 years away

Apple’s switch from LCD to OLED in its MacBook line isn’t moving quickly. A pair of respected industry analysts agree that it won’t happen before 2026.

What we like (and don’t!) about the new iPhone 16, AirPods, and Apple Watches (CultCast #664) Sep 12, 2024

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This week, what we like (and don’t!) about the new iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, AirPods 4, AirPods Max and Apple Watch Series 10. AND — who won the event prediction game!

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This week’s stories:

iPhone 16 brings refined design, snazzy new colors and A18 chip

The new iPhones feature an iPhone X-like rear camera design and upgraded internals for Apple Intelligence support.

Bigger iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max beef up cameras and AI processing power

The new iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max handsets boast size increases, thinner bezels for larger screens, a leap in battery life and new features, including impressive camera and audio upgrades.
Tweet showing Desert Titanium in a darker hue

Apple Watch Series 10 gets major upgrade, catches up with Ultra

The all-new Apple Watch Series 10 is the slimmest Apple Watch yet. With a bigger screen, longer battery life, improved water resistance, and an optional titanium finish upgrade, it’s now a serious alternative to Apple Watch Ultra.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 now comes in black titanium, plus new Hermès model

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 now comes in a new black titanium finish — apparently the only change.

Apple refreshes AirPods with two new fourth-generation models

New fourth-generation AirPods are the latest models of Apple’s popular wireless earbuds.

Apple changes up AirPods Max colors, swaps in USB-C

The minor updates include new colors for Apple’s premium over-ear headphones, tweaks to their active noise cancellation feature and the removal of the Lightning port in favor of USB-C.

Extra Ordinary: “It’s Glowtime” Predictions Results

Congratulations to listeners Lane Gandy, TuckerJJ and Shane Lother.
Harry Potter and the Stone
An Open Letter To Steve Jobs — Fix Apple TV

Our “Glowtime” Apple event predictions! (CultCast #663) Sep 05, 2024

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This week, is it gold or bronze? The latest iPhone rumors have us worried… also, what you can expect from AirPods 4, the exciting new Mac mini, and OUR PREDICTIONS for the September event!

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This week’s stories:

Mockup reveals iPhone 16 Pro gold titanium color

A new render shows the iPhone 16 Pro in a gold titanium finish, rather than the bronze that was rumored previously.

AirPods 4 rumors: Dramatic change coming next week

Here’s what to look forward to in new AirPods variants when they’re unveiled at the “It’s Glowtime” event on September 9.

M4 Mac mini might give up on USB-A entirely

Reports suggest the Mac mini could finally get a new design this year. The revamp will make the overall machine much smaller, about the same size as an Apple TV.

More affordable iPad Magic Keyboard is in development

iPad users can look forward to a less expensive version of Apple’s Magic Keyboard, according to information leaking out of Apple.

The CultCast “It’s Glowtime” Predictions

Submit your own guesses

Here comes iPhone 16 and M4 Macs! (CultCast #662) Aug 29, 2024

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This week, it’s official — iPhone 16 is coming! Here’s what to expect. Also, M4 Macs are on the way and might ship with double the RAM, why Apple Intelligence isn’t far behind OpenAI, and the best Apple features you probably aren’t using!

This episode supported by:

CultCloth will keep your Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 15 Pro, guitars, glasses and lenses sparkling clean! For a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a two free CarryCloths with any order $20+ at CultCloth.co

This week’s stories:

Apple September 9 event invite promises ‘It’s Glowtime’

Apple sent out invitations Monday for a press event on September 9.

MacBook Pros With M4 Pro and M4 Max Chips Reportedly Being Mass Produced This Month

Apple's supply chain is beginning mass production of next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips in August, according to Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes.

Apple is definitely not behind in AI, research paper shows

A white paper on Apple Intelligence reveals two important facts about Apple’s homegrown LLM: it’s the safest in design and highly competitive with both Llama and GPT-4.
Extra Ordinary: Notes on the Apple Intelligence White Paper
Apple: Apple Intelligence Foundation Language Models

Apple Photos app’s Clean Up feature works great … unless it doesn’t!

The new AI-powered Clean Up feature in the Apple Photos app got people raving about the magical ability to “fix” pictures — and posting examples of when things go horribly wrong.

iPhone 17 Pro Max might exclusively ship with a superior cooling system

Apple will seemingly continue offering enhanced specs on its Pro Max iPhone to differentiate it from other models.

Apple’s entry-level M4 Macs might ship with double the RAM

Reportedly, the company is testing multiple M4 Macs with 16 or 32GB of system memory. The lack of an 8GB model indicates the company might do away with that configuration entirely.

6 mind-blowing Continuity features every Apple user should know

Nothing illustrates the power of Apple’s ecosystem like the Continuity features that help your Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch work seamlessly together.
Video on YouTube

COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC! (CCOT #16) Aug 28, 2024

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In this episdoe we go where no CultCast has gone before....

GOTTEM: Here are iPhone 16’s cameras and colors (CultCast #661) Aug 22, 2024

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This week: The iPhone 16 event leaks — but it’s a fake! Also, we have all the details on the iPhone 16 cameras and the curious colors it’ll come in and an all-new Under Review!

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This week’s stories:

iPhone 16 invite prankster says he’ll do it again!

Beware, Apple leakers: The hoaxer who created a fake Apple invite for the iPhone 16 event says he’ll probably try to pull off a similar prank in the future.
iPhone 16 event invite leaks [Update: It’s a hoax]

Feast your eyes on iPhone 16 Pro in bronze titanium

Unconfirmed reports say the iPhone 16 Pro models will come in natural titanium, black titanium and white titanium, and there’ll supposedly be a new option: bronze titanium.

All iPhone 16 models could score new Capture button plus camera improvements

Every model in the iPhone 16 series will get a button dedicated to taking pictures, according to information leaked to AppleInsider.
The same source details a range of improvements to the cameras.

Typing these 4 characters in the wrong place crashes your iPhone

Want to make your iPhone crash? It’s easy. Type four simple characters into the App Library’s search field and the iOS SpringBoard will go down like a house of cards.

Under Review: ANNAPRO Comfort Head Strap for Vision Pro

The Pressure-Reducing Comfort Head Strap for Apple Vision Pro by Annapro is an absolute must-have game-changing accessory.
It makes using the headset in its default mixed-reality mode far more engaging and comfortable, as it lets you use the device without Apple’s peripheral-blinding Light Seal.

Car Intervention! And the state of today's crazy car market (CCOT #15) Aug 17, 2024

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Fork it over, pal!

What’s coming next for iPhone 16 Pro, iPad, and the return of iMac Pro!? (CultCast #660) Aug 15, 2024

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This week, what to expect from iPhone 16 Pro, iPad and iPad mini, the return of the 30-inch iMac, last-minute changes to iOS 18 and Apple’s fight with Patreon creators. Also, an update on Erfon’s iPhone repair!

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.

This week’s stories:

iPhone 16 Pro camera button will make taking pictures a snap

A button being added to the iPhone 16 Pro models is designed to act like the shutter button on fancy cameras, according to information leaking out of Apple.

MacRumors: Apple Still Developing Bigger iMac With Over 30-Inch Display

It seems Apple could still release a larger M4 iMac in 2025, alongside planned processor upgrades the MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio next year.

iOS 18 beta 6: All the new features and changes

The latest beta continues to make tweaks to the controversial design of the new Photos app.
How to get Apple Intelligence features early — and in the EU

What to expect from iPad 11 and iPad mini 7

Rumors indicate the iPad 11 is nearly here, and an iPad mini 7 is in development, too. Neither tablet has been updated in years, but that could change this fall.

Apple’s next big thing is a tabletop iPad on a robot arm?

Apple is reportedly ramping up work on a tabletop computer that’s essentially an iPad on a robot arm that can rotate and tilt the tablet to keep it facing the user.

Patreon iPhone app forced to charge Apple’s 30% App Store fee

Patreon, a service that many authors, artists, etc. use to get funding from fans, has to switch its iOS app to Apple’s in-app purchase system by November.

BIG wave of M4 Macs is incoming! (CultCast #659) Aug 08, 2024

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This week, a wave of M4 Macs is on the way — including the miniest Mac mini ever! Also, the latest on iOS 18, a plastic Apple Watch, the tragic tale of Erfon’s iPhone, and an all-new Under Review!

This episode supported by:

CultCloth will keep your Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 15 Pro, guitars, glasses and lenses sparkling clean! Check out CultCloth.co — but only if you want the best cleaning cloths money can buy.

This week’s stories:

MacBook Pro and Mac mini’s M4 upgrade coming later this year

Apple will reportedly launch M4-powered MacBooks and iMacs later this year. But the company will wait until 2025 to refresh its entire Mac lineup with its latest M-series chip.

Here comes the incredible shrinking Mac mini

Apple is going to shrink the next Mac mini when it adds an M4 processor, according to an often-reliable source of insider information. The desktop could be the size of an Apple TV.

iOS 18 beta 5: All the new features and changes

The fifth beta of iOS 18 is here, with Apple following its two-week release cycle for beta releases. While the last few betas were light on changes, that’s not the case with iOS 18 beta 5.
The iOS 18 Photos app needs some major tweaks

Get ready for ‘kid-friendly’ Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE 3 reportedly will come in a plastic casing. Skipping the usual aluminum case will allow the wearable to come in a broad array of colors, potentially making it more appealing to younger buyers.

Samsung shakes up mobile team over ‘Apple design plagiarism’

You can add Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong to the list of people who think his company’s new smartwatch and wireless earbuds are much too similar to Apple’s products.

Under Review: Zike 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand

The Zike 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Stand is a finely made desktop charger for your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.

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