Don't expect the M2 MacBook Pro to arrive anytime soon Photo: Apple
Apple reportedly wanted to announce the M2-powered MacBook Pro alongside the MacBook Air at WWDC22, but that’s not going to happen due to factory shutdowns in China.
Update:Rumors and predictions don’t always turn out to be correct. Turns out Mark Gurman’s prediction was overly pessimistic and Apple actually did unveil the M2 MacBook Pro at WWDC22.
A Mac mini with a faster M2 chip could be right around the corner. Photo: Apple
An unannounced Mac mini is now listed on the B&H website, though without full product details. The desktop’s most eye-catching feature is an Apple M2 processor, which also has not yet been announced.
In addition, the retailer lists a “Mac mini Tower” running an M1 Pro. Both products are labeled as “New Item – Coming Soon.”
This app can recover your lost iPhone password. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Many folks forget their passwords, and odds are it’ll happen to you, too. However, you shouldn’t have to suffer through an overly complicated password-reset process or ship your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch back to the manufacturer whenever that happens.
MobiUnlock offers an easy way back into your locked iOS device. And a lifetime subscription to this frustration-busting Mac app is on sale for $39.95 (regularly $69) for a limited time.
Whether you're interested in a fun iPhone game, a better way to budget, or want to master your camera controls, this week's Awesome Apps has something for you. Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
The last time we published an Awesome Apps of the Week roundup, I asked for you (or your friends) to email me or tweet at me with new apps (or app updates) worth checking out. And, as evidenced here, some of you came through. Also, it seems like there have actually been some cool/interesting new apps coming out lately. Thanks to the combination of those two things, we’re back with a great camera app, a super-fun new game, and an app that’s helping me budget better!
It's time to discuss our last-minute WWDC22 predictions, hopes and fears. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: With WWDC22 coming next week, it’s time for last-minute predictions about what Apple will hit us with. The next-gen versions of iOS, macOS, iPadOS and watchOS are a given. But what about an AR/VR headset or the realityOS it supposedly will run on? A new MacBook Air with an M2 chip?
It’s time to talk turkey about Monday’s big keynote.
Also on The CultCast:
Will we finally get an iPhone with an always-on display this year?
In an all-new Under Review, Juuk’s metal Apple Watch bands — one that looks like Iron Man built it, and one that puts a rainbow on your wrist — blow us away.
Forget talking turkey. Erfon talks chickens in a pre-WWDC fever dream!
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
Our sponsor: Squarespace
Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, Squarespace. Get all the tools you need to set up your very own website and commence selling anything online. Start your free website trial today at squarespace.com/cultcast (no credit card required). Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code cultcast at checkout.
The Apollo wearable can lead to better sleep, focus, relaxation and overall wellbeing. Photo: Apollo Neuroscience
If you spend all day generating content or code on your Mac, you probably know what burnout feels like. Considering how much work is conducted around the clock through computers and the internet nowadays, it’s no wonder that a staggering 41% of the global workforce is considering quitting their jobs.
To avoid succumbing to a level of exhaustion that can push you willingly into unemployment, you need to secure a sustainable routine and a healthy strategy for unwinding after long stints in front of the screen. One fantastic, relatively new tool that can help is the Apollo wearable. This high-tech wristband uses touch therapy to promote relaxation, deeper sleep and better performance.
Don't miss a thing from WWDC22. Photo: Cult of Mac
One of Apple’s biggest events is right around the corner. This year’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote promises to deliver our first look at the company’s next-generation software updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac and more. And it’s all happening on June 6.
Just like past WWDC keynotes, this year’s will be streaming online, so you’ll be able to watch it in its entirety as it all unfolds. Here’s how.
M2 MacBook Air's color options might not look as dazzling as the M1 iMac. Image: Darvik Patel
Contrary to rumors, the upcoming M2 MacBook Air may not come in the same eye-catching colorways as the M1 iMac.
Instead, it will be available in the standard three colors as the current-gen MacBook Air, with a shade of blue being the only new addition to the lineup, according to the latest intel.
★★★☆☆
This is far from an ordinary, friendly meal. Photo: Apple TV+
Iranian spy chief Faraz loses everything as Mossad agent Tamar plans to do just the same thing in this week’s high-strung episode of Tehran. Having had two attempts to kill Mohammadi thwarted by circumstance, Tamar is ready to risk everything to kill him if she must.
Meanwhile, Milad finds himself at the end of his tether, Marjan must flee the country, and absolutely nobody’s cover is safe.
As the second season of the Apple TV+ spy thriller winds down, the show sticks to its best tricks: simply showing the nuts and bolts of spycraft and broken allegiances.
★★★☆☆
Search parties are never fun. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ period drama The Essex Serpent is in sullen repose this week as Stella gets bad news, Cora is in mourning for a relationship that never was, Martha has to decide who or what she really wants, and Will denies himself the pleasures of the flesh.
After last week’s wild party, the miniseries stumbles a little for the first time. Still, The Essex Serpent — based on the bestselling novel by Sarah Perry — manages to be a graceful and bewitching thing, as usual.
This golf simulator is a perfect Father's Day gift.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The best Father’s Day gifts serve as a creative way to let the dad in your life do something he loves. This Father’s Day, you can give the gift of a complete golf experience that he doesn’t have to travel for — or even put on shoes!
The SLX MicroSim is a realistic golf simulator that can help him get in a few rounds without ever leaving the house. During our Father’s Day Sale, it’s is on sale for $189.99 (regularly $204).
★★★☆☆
Everyone's got something to hide. Photo: Apple TV+
Panic is the name of the game on this week’s sexy and tragic installment of Now and Then on Apple TV.
Flora’s losing her grip on the investigation — and her own moral authority. Hugo’s in a coma, Marcos is being bugged, Pedro and Ana are looking down the barrel of an audit and jail time (and that’s not even for the killing).
The show’s balance of murder, mayhem, bedroom-hopping and politics has been at a low boil all season, and it looks like it may be ready to blow its top and spill all over the kitchen floor.
Competition is making things harder, but game apps climb the App Store charts much more easily than non-game apps. Photo: Sensor Tower
New data from a couple of analytics firms shows that it’s harder now than ever to get an app to the top of App Store rankings, thanks to stiffer competition.
But the data shows that gaming apps have an easier time of it than other types of apps.
★★★☆☆
Kirby (played by Elisabeth Moss) clears a few things up in the season finale. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ thriller Shining Girls draws to a shocking close Friday as time is pulled out from under Jin-Sook and Kirby like a rug. Time-bending serial killer Harper’s on a mission to change history, and Kirby realizes she has only hours to stop him, no matter how.
The show, which spends too little time on the consequences of having your world changed from a humanist point of view, nevertheless gets credit for doing such a great job handling the plot points.
You can't go wrong with the AirPods 2 at such an awesome price Photo: Charlie Sorrel
On a tight budget and looking to buy a new pair of AirPods? The excellent earbuds are currently down to just $99.99 on Amazon — a whopping 37% discount from its $159 retail price.
Plenty of oohs and ahhh were uttered over this setup on social media. Photo: [email protected]
We’ve seen a fair number of PC gamers converting to one or more of the new Macs lately, including some who let go of their main gaming machines entirely.
Today’s featured setup fits that bill. It belongs to a UI designer who ditched a gaming PC and got himself a Mac Studio and Studio Display to go with his work-provided MacBook Pro.
But he kept a few gaming devices around, along with a suite of Elgato AV streaming gear and a new Sonos Ray Soundbar used, strangely enough, as a wireless desktop speaker.
Emmy Award winner Maya Rudolph stars in "Loot" on Apple TV+. See the trailer below and tune in on June 24. Photo: Apple TV+
Money may be the root of all evil, but sometimes it sprouts plenty of comedy, too. Apple TV+ debuted a new trailer Friday for Loot, a new comedy series starring Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph that may prove that point.
And who doesn’t like to laugh at the ultra-wealthy, anyway? See the trailer below.
Solve puzzles to solve a mystery in a new Frogger game. Photo: Konami
Mix the classic Frogger arcade game with Raiders of the Lost Ark and you get Frogger and the Rumbling Ruins. Jump through puzzle-ridden ruins to unravel their mysteries.
The puzzle game from Konami debuted Friday on the Apple Arcade subscription service.
The Satechi Slim Dock rests on your iMac's stand and adds six ports and room for an SSD. Photo: Satechi
Satechi’s USB-C Slim Dock sits on the stand for the 24-inch iMac and adds six frequently-used ports. It also sports an enclosure for user-installed SSDs.
It launched Friday, and is available now for 20% off the usual price.
This year’s Swift Student Challenge winners include (left to right) Josh Tint, Jones Mays II and Angelina Tsuboi. Their coding helps their communities. Photo: Apple
Apple showcased three Swift Student Challenge winners Friday — out of 350 total — who solve problems in their communities with their coding skills.
The three teens were all first-time participants in the annual app-coding competition for young developers using Swift Playgrounds. The challenge takes place at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference.
Get ready to grab great savings on genuine Microsoft software. Photo: CDKeylord.com
This discount software activation keys post is presented by CDKeylord.com.
In CDKeylord.com’s Big Sale heading into June, you can get great savings on software, games and gaming accessories. The software activation key provider offers big discounts on genuine products from Microsoft and other developers, whether you’re buying them for someone else or for yourself.
For example, Cult of Mac readers can get 30% off the regular price of a Windows 10 Pro key. Also, when you buy a Windows 10 key, you can get a free upgrade to Windows 11! Just enter the special discount code CULT when you check out to secure the great savings below.
This portable charger has a massive battery.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
We see all kinds of battery packs, but few as innovative as the Chrger Porta. Like most of them, it can restore your drained iPhone. But this pocket-size power source also comes with a special compartment for charging straight-stem AirPods and a built-in puck for an Apple Watch. And you can charge up all three devices at the same time.
This powerful portable charger can do it all. And it’s on sale for $69.99 (regularly $109) for a limited time.
Sheila (played by Rose Byrne) is up to her same old tricks in season two of Physical. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ just fired up another season of Physical, its antisocial character study about a would-be aerobics instructor/grifter/star. Let’s see if the show learned anything from season one’s imbalances and split-personality disorder.
Sheila Rubin, the wannabe workout queen played by Rose Byrne, is still talking to herself about the filth that is humanity, and everyone’s outfits are still ugly. Let’s do this thing!
Improvements to scheduling rules for Apple retail employees are likely intended to head off unionizing efforts. Photo: Apple
Apple U.S. retail store employees now get a minimum of 12 hours between shifts, up from 10 hours. And they won’t have to work more than five days in a row. These are just two of the changes Apple is reportedly making to how it schedules workers at its 270+ retail locations.
It’s likely these are intended to reduce employee interest in joining unions.
This easy-to-use 3D printer can crank out up to 300 toys. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
You can’t buy the whole toy store, but you can pick up a toy your kids won’t get tired of — one that gets them interested in STEM and creative thinking. The Toybox 3D Printer Deluxe Bundle is that toy.
This kid-friendly 3D printer offers a massive menu of things just waiting to be created. Or, your kids can bring their own new toy creations to life. Plus, this nifty little printer is on sale for $349.99 (regularly $469) for a limited time.