| Cult of Mac

Just how cool will Apple’s VR headset be? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast: Are you ready for Apple VR headset?
Are you really ready for VR?
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Let’s talk about the virtual reality headset Apple supposedly will unleash next year. Will it happen? What will it do? And do we even want it to happen?

Also on The CultCast:

  • Maybe AirPower isn’t dead — and maybe something even more amazing is on the horizon.
  • Tesla Cyberwhistle FTW.
  • Our first round of Gear of the Year picks.

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.

Apple hasn’t given up on making a do-it-all charger for multiple devices

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AirPods on AirPower
AirPower might be dead, but the dream lives on.
Photo: Apple

Apple continues to work on a wireless charger, similar to the abandoned AirPower mat, that will allow users to charge multiple devices simultaneously, according to a new report. The company also hopes to develop truly wireless charging in the future.

Cupertino reportedly is working on “short and long distance” charging solutions that don’t require physical contact. It also wants to give all major Apple devices the ability to charge each other.

AirPower makes a comeback in new video showing off working prototype

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AirPower appears in first video
The first time we've seen a working AirPower.
Photo: Giulio Zompetti

Remember AirPower? How could any of us forget it? Apple’s all-in-one charging solution may be long dead and buried, but the dream is alive. And we can’t help be fascinated by the product that was announced and never delivered.

If you share similar feelings, you might want to take a look at this short video that shows off a working AirPower prototype for the first time.

Apple’s twice-dead AirPower charging mat project is alive. Again.

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AirPower cancelled.
Alive? Dead? Maybe not even Tim Cook knows for sure.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

What does Apple’s oft-discussed, never-shipped AirPower charging pad have in common with Baron Samedi, the voodoo priest from the 1973 James Bond movie Live and Let Die? Two things predominantly: 1) People think they’re folklore until they actually appear, and 2) They seemingly can’t die.

That’s right: After dodging death more times than Evel Knievel, a new Bloomberg report claims that AirPower is back on. Again. Or, at the very least, the project still has a heartbeat.

AirPower is apparently dead. Again.

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AirPower cancelled.
The Apple AirPower charger, which reportedly was brought back to life, is now allegedly dead again.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Development has reportedly once again halted on Apple’s own multi-device wireless charger. This is part of the complicated saga of AirPower, which was publicly announced, publicly canceled, allegedly resumed, and is now allegedly canceled yet again.

Apple ‘Hi, Speed’ event on Oct. 13 could bring iPhone 12, new Mac and more

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The Apple October event 2020 is officially on for October 13.
The theme of the 2020 Apple October event is “Hi, Speed.”
Photo: Apple

Apple just invited the world to an event on October 13. No agenda was announced, but there’s little doubt the star will be the iPhone 12, the first iOS device with 5G wireless networking. Apple hinted at the coming upgrade with the title of the event: “Hi, Speed.”

But a handful of other products might also be on the docket, including the first MacBook built around Apple Silicon rather than an Intel processor.

Apple said to be developing ‘less ambitious’ AirPower charger

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AirPower
Arriving in 2020?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is planning a “less ambitious” wireless charging gadget that will fill the gap left by AirPower’s cancellation, according to a new report.

Cupertino’s original plans for a wireless charger included the ability to charge iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. It’s unclear if its replacement will support more than just iPhone and AirPods.

Leaked photos appear to show AirPower’s guts

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AirPower
Get the inner secrets of the AirPower, a wireless charger Apple had to admit it couldn’t develop.
Photo: Apple

Images and a video allegedly showing a teardown of AirPower, Apple’s multi-device wireless charger that was canceled before it launched, came to light Friday.

What do you add to the smartwatch that has everything? An Apple Watch Series 6 wish list.

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Will Apple Watch Series 6 get a svelte new look?
Will Apple Watch Series 6 get a svelte new look?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch is almost due for its annual hardware update, which comes like clockwork every September. First came the addition of GPS, then cellular, a thinner case with a bigger screen, a compass, and even an ECG heart monitor.

With each new model, Cupertino’s wearable creeps closer to perfection, which presents a bit of a problem. What do you add to the smartwatch that has everything?

Here’s my top 10 wish list of features I’m hoping Apple has up its sleeve.