Apple unveiled the next-generation of Apple silicon during the WWDC22 keynote Monday. This new M2 chip, which is launching in a redesigned MacBook Air and as an under-the-hood addition to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, offers even more power and efficiency than the previous-generation M1 processor.

“Today we begin our second generation of Apple silicon designed specifically for the Mac,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s SVP of hardware technologies, during the live-streamed keynote.

The new M2 chip “goes beyond the remarkable features of M1,” he said. “Unlike others in the industry who significantly increase power to gain performance, our approach is different. We continue to have a relentless focus on power-efficient performance. In other words, maximizing performance while minimizing power consumption.”

Apple confirmed persistent rumors heading into WWDC22 that it would use the developers conference to showcase the upcoming 2022 MacBook Air powered by the M2 chip.

Departing from the current Air’s “wedge-shaped design,” the new version of the world’s best-selling laptop is now “strikingly thin from every angle,” the company said. It has 20% less volume than its predecessor.

Apple showcased many significant new features coming in iOS 16 during its WWDC22 keynote Monday. The main updates include an overhaul of the iPhone Lock Screen, updated notifications management, intelligent sharing and a slew of personalization features.

“iOS 16 offers new intelligence sharing and communication features that are going to enhance so much of what you do with your iPhone,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief, during the event. “And those come together with an incredible set of new personalization features that will make your experience feel fresh and completely you.”

Speaking on the virtual stage at WWDC22, Apple’s Craig Federighi and Meg Frost unveiled a handful of changes which are heading to the built-in Maps app, including support for multi-stop routes and changes to MapKit.

CUPERTINO, California — Apple is rolling out the red carpet for those lucky enough to attend its special day for developers at Apple Park on Monday. I am one of a handful of developers who will get to watch the WWDC22 keynote and Platforms State of the Union videos today “alongside Apple engineers and experts” here.

Imagine standing in your backyard and looking up at a full-size Tyrannosaurus rex. That’s the possibility raised by a report that Apple asked producer Jon Favreau to turn his Prehistoric Planet docuseries into augmented reality or virtual reality. The project is supposedly for the AR/VR headset Apple will launch soon.

Apple also reportedly recruited other film and TV directors to create content, too.

You probably won’t notice it right away, but a lot of the internet is locked behind invisible walls. You might not be able to access every streaming site or download specific file types. For example, you can visit YouTube, but you can’t treat it like a video library you can download and export from.

Fortunately, Offcloud unlocks the internet, giving you more sites you can visit and more things you can do. And for a limited time, a lifetime subscription costs just $39.99 (regularly $699).

Forget your whisk, chef’s knife or food-mixer. Apple’s iPhone should be your go-to device when it comes to preparing delicious meals in the kitchen. While it’s incredibly handy having Siri nearby to set multiple cooking timers, our iPhones, iPads and Macs can also double as digital recipe-books. And when it comes to recipe apps, trust me: The best out there is Mela.

Apple’s share of the global smart speaker market grew considerably as HomePod shipments increased by almost 30% year over year.

HomePod, which once had only a tiny sliver of this market, has gained considerably on Amazon and Google.

The Apple Store went down Monday morning ahead of WWDC22’s opening keynote, which is scheduled to start in just a few hours.

Alongside a bunch of software-focused announcements, Apple is expected to unveil the new M2 MacBook Air at its developer conference later today.

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.

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.”

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.

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!

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.

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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.

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.

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.

Update: The WWDC22 keynote is behind us, but if you want to get caught up you can watch the whole presentation on YouTube. Or check Cult of Mac‘s in-depth coverage.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.