You can now enjoy YouTube videos like never before. Photo: Google
It’s time to dust off that virtual reality headset that you’ve hardly used since the day it arrived, because the biggest video platform on the planet now supports VR video. Google CEO Sundar Pichai today announced that YouTube has begun offering its first VR video, which can be enjoyed with Google Cardboard.
The Redmond, WA company is currently accepting sign-ups for the Cortana beta, although you’ll have to live in either the U.S. or China to take advantage of the offer.
Google’s Inbox app is getting a handy “Smart Reply” tool that’ll suggests short, simple responses to your emails when a quickly reply is all that’s required. The tool hopes to help you wade through your busy inbox a whole lot faster.
This keyboard from EmojiWorks is a quicker way to express your feelings via emoji. Photo: EmojiWorks
There’s now a faster way to flip the middle finger or display a steaming pile of poop – along with your other favorite emoji.
EmojiWorks has introduced what is probably the first portable keyboard with built-in emoji shortcuts. Each letter key displays two or three different emoji, which can be inserted into a message by pressing a dedicated emoji key.
Syncing open tabs is easy in Google Chrome. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
Did you know that it’s incredibly easy to access open Chrome tabs on your Android and iOS device? So if you’re reading an article on your computer and you have to dash out, you can access it later while you’re on the go without having to search for it again, type in a URL, or email links to yourself.
From N.E.S. to iOS: Nintendo is coming to your iPhone. Photo: Howard Phillips
This week: Apple just had their best year ever, and it’s hard to fathom how much cold hard cash they made—we’ll put it in perspective. Plus: Nintendo’s first iOS game confuses us; the new Apple TV isn’t quite the revolution Apple promised; and stick around for a spooky new Get to Know Ur Cultist… if you DARE.
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Build a beautiful website quick at Squarespace.com, and enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off.
Apple TV 4 brings iOS apps to the big screen. Photo: Apple
When Apple TV units finally ship tomorrow, they will bring iOS apps to the big screen for the first time.
Some of the best apps from your iPhone are making the jump, including Periscope, Zillow and Airbnb. And of course all the old Apple TV apps like Netflix, HBO Now, Hulu and Showtime will still be available.
Now that the new Apple TV’s arrival is imminent, developers are ready to flood the device with a tons of apps focusing on everything from cooking and exercising to gaming and news.
Typing "LOL" and "WTF" has never been so melodious. Photo: SoundKey
SoundKey is a clever keyboard app that plays instruments as you type to create melodies from your words.
Developed by two French students who wanted to incorporate music directly into people’s daily use of the iPhone, it’s an unusual twist on the custom iOS keyboards we’ve come to know and love.
'Appy weekend everyone! Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The weekend’s already half way over but, fear not, Cult of Mac is here to fill you in on the week’s best apps.
In addition to great gadget-hunting and photo sharing apps, we’ve picked out some great games from the past seven days. Check out our suggestions below. You won’t regret it!
Guitar Hero Live ditches the cartoony look of previous games in the series. Photo: Activision Blizzard
You’ll need to have rock-star money to afford new iOS rhythm game Guitar Hero Live.
That’s because, in a break from previous titles in the hard-rocking series, this one features a $49.99 in-app purchase for the full version, which includes well over 40 tracks.
Yep, to paraphrase This Is Spinal Tap, this price goes to 11!
Apple responded swiftly to the discovery that over 250 apps collected data with private APIs. Photo: Jason Howie/Flickr CC
Apple banned over 250 apps from the App Store that were using software to access users’ personal information. These apps managed to get through the App Store approval process with private APIs, which are against the rules. Apple took action shortly after news broke this morning that a security firm discovered these apps.
Has Chipgate gotten Samsung the boot? Photo: Apple
Apple will snub Samsung and call upon TSMC to exclusively produce all of its next-generation A10 processors for 2016’s iOS devices, according to a new report. It’s thought Apple considers TSMC’s chips to be superior to Samsung’s in performance and efficiency.
You might not think of IBM as a Mac-friendly place to work, but Fletcher Previn, VP of Workplace-as-a-Service at IBM might beg to differ.
Previn used to think like you do: that Apple PCs are more expensive, they’re challenging to support, and require a ton of re-training for help desk staff (who serve a 50,000 employee global work force on Windows PCs)
When it comes to specifications, Apple’s latest iPhones look like they’re lagging far behind their Android-powered rivals. But thanks to super-efficient software, they’re not as slow and as outdated as they might look on paper.
This is demonstrated in the real-world speed test below, in which the iPhone 6s Plus somehow batters a Galaxy Note 5.
Apple's not ready to go down the Microsoft route just yet. Photo: Microsoft
The new Magic Trackpad 2 introduced Force Touch to the iMac, but Apple’s not ready to embrace the concept of a Mac touchscreen — and according to Phil Schiller, it’s unlikely to do so anytime soon.
We’ll take that as a “no” for anyone dreaming of an iOS/OS X hybrid.
Facebook has just updated its official iOS app, adding some new iPhone 6s-friendly features designed to work with the new handsets’ 3D Touch capabilities.
What exactly does that mean? Essentially that you can now use 3D Touch’s “Quick Actions” from the Facebook app icon. Give your iPhone 6s a firm press on the Home screen and you get the option of writing a post, uploading a photo or video, or taking a photo or video.
Somehow it’s already half-way through the weekend, but there’s still time to check out the hottest apps to have arrived in the App Store as of late!
This week, we’ve selected a broad range of topics — from emergency alerts everyone should have installed on their iOS devices, to a fun photo app, and some truly immersive puzzle games. Check out our picks below.
Overcast is the best podcast app for iOS. Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac
The best podcast app for iOS — Overcast — got a huge update today, and best of all, its creator has decided to drop the in-app purchases and make it completely free for everyone.
The popular Overcast 2.0 app now includes streaming, chapters, storage management smart speed and tons of other optimizations. Even though there aren’t any in-app purchases, creator Marco Arment has included a patronage option where customers can support the app with a small monthly donation.
With all the free new features, there’s really no reason not to use Overcast over Apple’s Podcast. One of the app’s best features is that it makes listening to podcasts a bit more social by allowing users to recommend podcast episodes to followers.
Here’s how to get the most out of Overcast recommendations:
Windows phones could be about to make a comeback. Photo: MicrosoftCould you fall in love with a Lumia? Photo: Microsoft
Microsoft’s new Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL have arrived, with high-end specifications, iris recognition technology, and the latest Windows 10 software. But do they have what it takes to persuade you to give up Android or iOS?
We won again, Android bros! Photo: Cult of Android
Android users are into some pretty weird… stuff. I know you’re probably denying that now — I tried, too — but you can’t, because Pornhub has its eye on us all. Sort of.
According to the website’s latest browsing statistics, the list of things Android users are into makes for a much more intriguing reading that that for iOS users. Mobile devices are also crushing the desktop when it comes to overall traffic, and Android has the edge.
LG's smartwatches have always been bad, but the W7 is even worse. Photo: LGLG’s new Watch Urbane doesn’t need your phone. Photo: LG
LG today unveiled a second edition of its Watch Urbane smartwatch, which finally frees Android Wear from your smartphone.
Thanks to its built-in 4G and 3G connectivity, the new Watch Urbane makes calls and continues to receive notifications even when you leave your phone behind.
Apple Music should be available on Android soon. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
We’ve heard very little about the official Apple Music app for Android since the service was announced back in June, but now a third-party company claims to be running a new beta program on Apple’s behalf.
Betabound is giving Android users the opportunity to register their interest in Apple Music for a chance to get early access — but we’re not totally sure it can be trusted.
No stereo? No problem. AmpMe app creates a sound system with all the phones at a party. Photo: AmpMe
The party is on, but there’s a problem: There’s no stereo or Bluetooth speaker for the music.
But a startup out of Montreal has developed an app that allows partygoers to create a DIY sound system. AmpMe is an app that syncs streaming music across the many smartphones at that party to create one powerful sound system. That means iPhones and Android phones can join forces to save the day.
Blocking contacts in Gmail is simple. Photo: GoogleBlocking contacts in Gmail is simple. GIF: Google
Google has added two awesome new features to Gmail that every email client should provide: the option to block contacts you don’t want to hear from, and the ability to instantly unsubscribe from mailing lists you no longer with to be a part of.