This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple’s invite for the September 12 “Wonderlust” event offers potential clues about what to expect. Mostly it makes us wonder: Will Apple ever release an iPhone in a truly bold, lust-worthy color?

The main thing we can agree on is that it looks like the iPhone 15 colors might be more boring than usual.

Also on The CultCast:

• We’ll miss Apple’s leather cases if the company really does pull the plug.
• 3D printing with metal could be a game-changer for the manufacturing process. If anyone can do it, Apple can.
• AirPods might receive the USB-C upgrade they deserve next month.

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 live stream, embedded below.

Following up on recent rumors saying Apple won’t make leather cases for the iPhone 15 lineup, newer rumors suggest Apple will replace them with a new woven material, according to leakers.

Apple sent out invites Tuesday to its annual September product launch event, which will happen September 12. The tagline is “Wonderlust,” so Apple is apparently hoping we’ll all be feeling both wonder and lust when it unveils the iPhone 15 series.

We’re also expecting to see the next generation of Apple Watch models.

Good news for those hoping iPhone 15 Pro will support very high-speed data transfers: Images supposedly showing a Thunderbolt cable specifically for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max just leaked out. This offers yet another indication that Apple’s next handsets will be able to move data at up to 40Gbps.

Whether the iPhone Thunderbolt cable will be released is open to question — it’s almost completely redundant.

A TV director just revealed that he and his crew “got away with” using an iPhone to shoot much of an episode of murder-mystery comedy The Afterparty on Apple TV+.

Season 2, episode 8 of the show benefited from the sense of iPhone “found footage” because it takes place mostly during a wedding, so they took pains to make it look like some amateur shot it.

USB-C cables that will ship with the iPhone 15 series allegedly will support only USB 2.0. If true, that will limit data transfers to a relatively poky 480Mbps, far below the maximum speed of the more recent USB 3.2 Gen 2.

However, other reports say the actual USB-C port in the iPhone 15 is much faster.

Momax’s Airbox Portable Power Cabin may be the ultimate companion for your Apple devices. The clamshell case not only charges your gadgets fast with its built-in 10,000mAh battery, it also stores them on the go — including iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods or AirPods Pro.

It’ll top up your iPad quickly via USB-C as well. And there’s even a special, non-charging slot to store your Apple Pencil.

The company calls the Airbox the world’s first foldable power bank. And Momax is offering a limited-time deal that drops the price considerably — plus an additional discount for Cult of Mac readers only!

Apple is expected to soon begin making payments to iPhone users who were affected by 2017’s “Batterygate.” The iPhone-maker settled a class-action lawsuit in 2020, and the money is finally going out.

Those who owned an iPhone back then, and who filed a claim several years ago, should receive about $65.

Apple TV+ said Monday it landed the “first and only behind-the-scenes account of soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s new chapter” with Major League Soccer team Inter Miami CF.

The as-of-yet untitled documentary series comes in addition to the other Messi documentary series coming to Apple TV+. That one covers the legend’s longstanding work with Argentina’s national team and his many FIFA World Cup appearances.

Why carry three separate cables when a reliable three-way charging cable can keep all your gadgets charged and ready?

This three-in-one USB-C charging cable for Apple Watch, iPhone and AirPods is ideal for the job. And during our Back-to-School Sale, you can grab it for just $16.97, a savings of more than 50% off the regular price of $34.99, with no coupon needed. Note: This special price drop ends August 13.