Space—the final frontier! And Apple's next destination? Photo: @YSR50
This week on The CultCast: Apple is entering the space game with their own fleet of satellites… but why? We discuss. Plus, we wrap up 2019 with our final picks for Best of the Year!
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.
Japan Display makes LCD screens for Apple. Photo: Apple
Struggling Apple display-maker Japan Display could sell Apple and Sharp its main smartphone screen factory, a new report claims.
Japan Display still owes Apple more than $800 million for the plant, which it built four years ago for $1.5 billion. It could recoup this money by selling the factory to partners including Cupertino.
And you thought dropping a regular iPhone 11 Pro was worrying. Photo: Marques Brownlee
“Have you ever wanted to flex so hard that it doesn’t even make financial sense any more?
That’s how YouTuber MKBHD, a.k.a Marques Brownlee, introduces his hands-on look at Caviar’s Solarius Zenith Full Gold iPhone 11 Pro. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to use the world’s most expensive iPhone, check out his video. (Note: It includes one heck of an unboxing.)
Totallee's new wireless iPhone car charger helps keep you safe on the road. Photo: Totallee
This iPhone case and wireless charger post is presented by Totallee.
There’s nothing like smashing up your new iPhone to ruin your day. You might even still owe money on the thing. But it probably won’t happen if you get a protective case from Totallee. If you don’t have one, now’s the time. Totallee is offering 30% off its thin iPhone cases and wireless chargers.
Hexnode helps you get on top of mobile device management for better network security. Images: Hexnode
This network security post is presented by Hexnode.
More than 40% of cyberattacks victimize small businesses, at an average cost of $200,000 per incident, experts say. And yet only 14% of companies are prepared to defend themselves with robust network security, according to Accenture. If your business isn’t addressing network vulnerabilities and mobile device management (MDM) with help from a provider like Hexnode, you could be in big trouble.
No content with one display, an iPhone concept suggests a pair — one removable. Screenshot: Caviar
Rejecting the idea of flexible screens, an artist at Caviar dreamed up an iPhone concept with a detachable secondary display instead. This allows for real multitasking, or the handset to be snapped into a tablet or netbook.
Not stoping there, the artist created a concept video with multiple other innovative iPhone designs that might debut in next decade.
The 2020 Motorola Razr joins the other phones with flexible displays that were delayed. Photo: Motorola
Today was supposed to be the debut of an expensive new version of the Motorola Razr with a folding screen. But it didn’t happen.
Earlier this year, handsets from Samsung and Huawei with flexible displays were delayed because of design problems. Motorola, by contrast, says it pushed back the launch of the redesigned Razr to give it more time to meet high demand.
Have you got yours yet? Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Oh man! You just got your amazing new iPad Pro, tore it out of the box, and wondered how you tricked somebody into dropping $130 on that tiny white Apple Pencil. Now it’s time to get things set up. Thankfully, this is an easy process, especially if you already use an iPhone or iPad with iCloud.
So easy, in fact, that there are just a few things you need to do to move from your old iPad to a new one, or to migrate from an iPhone. And setting up a new iPad Pro from scratch isn’t much harder — gone are the days of manually copying passwords just to get to the home screen.
Still, following these iPad Pro setup and customization tips will make sure you get the most out of your new machine. Let’s get started.
Learn 14 languages and get more than 10,000 hours of high-quality language education online. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Learning a new language is like getting a passport for your mind. Even if you stay at home, it opens up books, poetry, TV shows, and conversations that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Learning a language is also a lifetime pursuit, so this leading language app offers a lifetime of access.
This keyboard is quite the attention-getter. Photo: KnewKey
A retro-style mechanical keyboard with built-in speaker is the definition of a niche product. But, as far as niches go, I dug it. Even if I’m not entirely ready to ditch my iMac’s Magic Keyboard just yet.
Here’s what I made of my time typing on KnewKey’s Rocksete.
Swoop in on the last, best deals of the year. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Christmas is here, so we’re giving the gift of great deals on essential digital tools. Below you’ll find discounts as high as 97% off for cloud storage, VPN protection, powerful tools for iOS management and more. Even better, you can also save an extra 15% when you use the promo code HAPPYHOLIDAYS at checkout.
This weekend, you’re “enjoying” some extended time with your family. After you’ve fixed their devices, and taught them that the battery of their iPhone lasts way longer if they don’t leave the damn screen on the whole time, you might decide to swap some photos. You may grab the your old childhood snaps off your mother’s iPad, or photos of the family recipe book off your father’s iPhone. There are a few ways to do this — slow, fast and faster, wired or wireless. Let’s see how to transfer photos between iPhones and iPads, and how to share the best holiday photos with everyone.
The holidays have arrived early for Pokémon fans. Two brand-new games from The Pokémon Company just hit Facebook. Both are free-to-play, but only one — a Tetris-like tower builder — is available worldwide.
Save 15% off already discounted portable chargers. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Still some Christmas stockings that need stuffing? Since everybody uses digital devices, almost anyone can use a good charger. So ahead of Christmas, we’ve rounded up four great deals on versatile portable chargers. They’re all discounted, but you can save an extra 15% with the promo code HAPPYHOLIDAYS at checkout.
They look a lot better if you have a color printer. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
It’s not too late to give your Christmas tree a holiday makeover that any Apple fan would be proud of. Grab some string, download Cult of Mac’s awesome decorations inspired by iconic Apple devices, and get hanging!
Don't let this be your Christmas. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Christmas time means packing up your daily troubles, forgetting work for a week, and heading home to… troubleshoot your parents’ broken computers and gadgets? Oh man, is it that time of year again already? That’s the problem with being the family’s only geek – you get handed all the geek jobs. However, you can turn this to your advantage, and make it a lot easier, by going in prepared. Check out our Holiday Troubleshooting Guide right here.
Apple wants to make macOS as safe as possible. Photo: Apple
Mac app developers that distribute their apps outside of the Mac App Store will have to submit their software to Apple’s notarization process starting in February.
Apple detailed the upcoming changes in a note to developers this morning. The company originally said developers would have until January 2020 to submit for notarization but the window has been extended a bit.
Spod VPN & Web Filter is your first step toward online security and true anonymity. Photo: Spod
This online security post is presented by Spod.
With the recent release of a macOS version, the online security and anonymity that Spod VPN & Web Filter provides for iPhone users is now available to Mac owners for the first time. And the anonymity in this case is for real. The app does not even require registration, so users remain truly anonymous while using it.
For best results, you should tailor your Move goal to suit your personal situation. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
The Apple Watch Activity app sets us three daily goals, for standing, exercise and movement. The first two are the same for everyone: Stand for a minute during at least 12 hours of the day, and do at least 30 minutes of exercise. But the Move goal is different.
For it, you must choose an appropriate goal for yourself, and that can prove a little tricky. Set it too high and it’ll be demotivating. Too low, and it’s just not challenging enough.
So how do you pick the perfect Move goal on Apple Watch?
Visit the App Store every day for a new one. Photo: Apple
Apple is giving App Store customers free digital treats over the holidays.
Users in Australia, where it is now Christmas Eve, are waking up to a new App Store story that promises “a new surprise every day” from December 24 to December 29.
“Come back daily to discover which treat we have waiting for you,” Apple says.
Analyst Dan Ives is excited about what next year holds for Apple. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
2020 promises to be a great year for Apple, according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives. In a message to clients, Ives describes 2019 as an “historic year” for Apple. Not only has Apple come out on top this year, but he thinks next year could be even better.
And he’s slapped the highest price target on AAPL as a result.
The comedy about making a video game sequel is getting a sequel. Photo: Apple
Talk about confidence! Apple has renewed its upcoming Apple TV+ gaming comedy series Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet for a second series. That’s despite the fact that the first season is not set to debut until February 2020.
The gamer comedy series, from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia stars Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day, follows a team of video game developers trying to create a sequel to an ultra-popular title. Think The Office meets Silicon Valley, only with a shedload more gaming.
This digital library for busy people offers summaries of over 1,000 best-selling books in just 15 minutes each. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Books a key part of human culture, and an essential way of staying informed. Unfortunately, many of us have limited time for reading, so getting through a book is an accomplishment that can take weeks or longer. Luckily, you can get a lot out of a book without reading the whole thing, and that’s what BookNotes offers.