This week on The CultCast: Apple stores are about to get a massive 2.0 overhaul, and we’ve got all the details. Plus: Why the iPhone 8 may launch super-late and with no OLED screen; Final Cut Pro X hits a massive milestone; Google co-founder makes a flying car, and you’re gonna want one; and we reveal our favorite new gadgets in an all-new Under Review!
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CultCast #281 – Introducing Apple Store 2.0 Subscribe on iTunes
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This week’s links
SVP of retail Angela Ahrendts reveals redesigned Apple stores
2017’s ‘iPhone Edition’ to arrive late, OLED display uncertain
- KGI Securities’ Apple analyst 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.
- Moderately reliable Japanese blog Macotakara 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
- 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 10th version of the program.
- At $299 for a license, that’s a cool $600 million.
- Apple’s rep added that it is taken considerably less time for Apple to jump from 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
- 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 is 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 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 Today at Apple initiative will launch next month in Apple stores everywhere. The initiative includes free hands-on sessions that will span more than 60 sessions in creative skills, including photography, coding and music creation. Classes will range from basic “how to” lessons to professional-level programs.
- “Amazon’s investing in stores, Google’s investing in stores. Starbucks has figured it out. You know, be a gathering place. Meet me at Starbucks. And I’ve told the teams, I’ll know we’ve done a really really great job if the next generation, if Gen Z says, ‘Meet me at Apple. Did you see what’s going on at Apple today?’”
Google co-founder’s flying car gets internet debut
- Forget self-driving cars. A startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page is aiming to reshape transportation by giving us flying cars, and the company finally gave the internet a teaser.
- Kitty Hawk posted the first video of its all-electric aircraft this week. The vehicle is only designed to fly over water, but the company says you won’t even need a pilot’s license to operate it.
- The Kitty Hawk Flyer will supposedly go on sale by the end of 2017. Pricing details won’t be revealed until later in the year, but you can get in line to purchase one by signing up for a three-year Kitty Hawk membership for $100.
- Members get a $2,000 discount on the Flyer as well as some exclusive access to a flight simulator. We’re assuming that’s so you don’t wreck it on your first flight.
