| Cult of Mac

A HomePod with special skills + Tim Cook’s VR power play [The CultCast]

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AI-generated image of a HomePod smart speaker with an embedded display.
No, the next-gen HomePod isn't gonna look like this. AI can't do everything! (At least not yet.)
Image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: That old rumor about a HomePod with a built-in display for FaceTime calls and smart-home wizardry resurfaces. But this time, some fresh details make Erfon even more cranked up than usual about Apple’s smart speaker.

Also on The CultCast:

  • It sounds like Tim Cook pulled a power move on Apple’s design team to make sure the company foists an expensive AR/VR headset on the masses sooner rather than later. Who’s excited? Show of hands?!?
  • Apple TV+ racks up another Oscar, and Erfon is almost intrigued enough to resubscribe. (Especially if his “get three months free” trick works again.)
  • The baton’s about to wave on Apple Music Classical. We’re all quivering with excitement!

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.

Our sponsors: Kolide and Squarespace

  • Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today at Kolide.com/cultcast.
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Emergency SOS! Apple’s building a metaverse! [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Apple podcast: When Apple finally rolls out its mixed-reality headset, will it be a winner?
When Apple finally rolls out its mixed-reality headset, will it be a winner or a head-spinner?
Graphic: Minh Pham/Unsplash License

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Maybe, just maybe, Apple can make a metaverse competitor that won’t leave us ready to heave. Stranger things have happened, but we’re not so sure the long-rumored Apple mixed-reality headset will be right for us.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature looks pretty cool and potentially lifesaving. Be sure to try the demo before you find yourself stranded on a mountaintop.
  • We’re endlessly searching for a Black Friday deal on AirTags. (Editor’s note: Oh, wait, here’s one now: Grab an AirTag 4-pack for less than $80 before this deal disappears.)
  • iPhone 4K video — it’s a scam!
  • Erfon’s missing AirPods Max story takes a strange twist.
  • You won’t believe how much somebody paid for an ancient pair of Steve Jobs’ stinky Birkenstocks.

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.

New MacBook Air is even faster than we dreamed [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Apple podcast: These MacBook Air benchmarks show what a screamer the M2 chip really is.
These MacBook Air benchmarks show what a screamer the M2 chip really is.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest benchmarks make Apple’s M2 chip sound better than we thought. In fact, the new MacBook Air that the processor powers might be the perfect laptop for almost everyone.

Also on The CultCast:

  • The iPhone 14 Pro’s always-on screen looks sweeeeet.
  • How does Apple keep pulling off earnings miracles?!?
  • What not to do when a creep steals your AirTag-equipped scooter.
  • Somebody built an Apple Store time machine.
  • And a truffle tangent to end all tangents.

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.

Just how fast can Apple upgrade the MacBook Pro? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Apple podcast: With Apple cranking out new chips for its Mac lineup, it gets harder to decide when to upgrade.
With Apple cranking out new chips for its Mac lineup, it gets harder to decide when to upgrade.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: It looks like MacBook Pros with more-powerful M2 series chips will come sooner rather than later. Is Apple going to make this an annual thing? And if so, how will Erfon (and other Mac fans) cope? So many decisions …

Also on The CultCast:

  • What exactly is Apple up to with its U1 chips and iOS 16? Sounds intriguing.
  • Amazon Prime Air delivers with drones, and a robotaxi might not be far behind.
  • The DeLorean might make an 88-mph comeback.

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.

WWDC22 recap: Apple revelations make our heads spin [The CultCast]

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WWDC22 recap: There was much info to get through at WWDC22, no wonder Apple software chief Craig Federighi was running like the wind.
There was so much info to plow through at WWDC22, no wonder Apple software chief Craig Federighi was running like the wind.
Image: Cult of Mac
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: iOS 16 … iPadOS 16 … macOS Ventura … watchOS 9…. We’re racing as fast as we can through all Apple’s WWDC22 keynote revelations, but we’re gonna need a longer show. It’s our WWDC22 recap!

Also on The CultCast:

  • How about that super-skinny new MacBook Air?
  • And the blazing-fast new M2 chip that powers it?
  • Next-gen CarPlay looks like a total cockpit takeover.
  • What happened to Apple’s AR/VR headset?!?

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.

Here comes that Apple Watch redesign we’ve been waiting for [The CultCast]

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The CultCast podcast: Will Apple Watch Series 8 bring the redesign we've been waiting for?
Will Apple Watch Series 8 bring the redesign we've been waiting for?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: That big, flat Apple Watch redesign we expected in 2021 might arrive this year to soothe our lingering disappointment. The latest renders by Ian Zelbo, spurred by a tweet from leaker ShrimpApplePro, make Apple Watch Series 8 look quite appealing.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Is Cupertino about to “fix” Apple TV’s biggest problem?
  • The AR/VR headset Apple’s been working on for so long sounds like it’s almost ready for prime time.
  • Apple employees, like many other tech workers these days, just don’t want to report to the office. Who can blame ’em?

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.

This week’s show is sponsored by Jamf Now and Squarespace. See below for special offers.

WWDC22 predictions and those disappointing M1 Ultra speed tests [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Apple podcast: We have a date for WWDC22! Our WWDC22 predictions, M1 Ultra speed tests and more.
Our big peek into Apple's future plans is just two months away!
Image: Killian Bell
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We’ve got a date for WWDC22! Now, the only question is, what tricks will Apple pull out of its virtual hat this year?

Also on The CultCast:

  • Is Apple’s M1 Ultra chip ultra-disappointing? The first speed tests look underwhelming.
  • The latest on Apple’s quest to develop a folding iPhone.
  • Ukrainians use Find My to locate thieving Russian troops.

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.

Special thanks to this week’s CultCast sponsors:

  • The new Jamf Fundamentals plan gives small-to-midsize businesses the tools they need to easily manage all their Apple devices. CultCast fans can manage three devices free! Sign up at jamf.com/beyond.
  • Squarespace gives you all the tools you need to set up your very own website and start selling anything. 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.

Use Shazam on Dolly Parton’s 5 to 9 ad to get 5 free months of Apple Music

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Listen to Dolly Parton in ‘5 to 9’ for 5 free months of Apple Music.
A new version of Dolly Parton’s 5 to 9 gets you an extra-long Apple Music trial.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple turned to country music legend Dolly Parton, Squarespace and the Super Bowl to promote Shazam and a new deal on Cupertino’s streaming music service.

You can use Shazam when listening to Parton’s just-released 5 to 9 advertisement to get five free months of Apple Music. That’s two months more than the usual offer.

Go beyond Squarespace to build and host your website [Deals]

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Obior Website
This website builder and hosting service costs a fraction of alternatives like Squarespace.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Lots of people have good reason to have a website, but it can be expensive and complicated to set one up. So it’s no wonder that services like Squarespace offer a shortcut for creating working sites quickly. But at $12 a month for personal accounts, it’s still an expense, and you can do better.

Build beautiful websites without writing a single line of code [Deals]

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Whatever you need a website for, you can build it without any previous web design skills.
Whatever you need a website for, you can build it without any previous web design skills.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There are plenty of reasons to build a website. Maybe you’ve got a personal brand to grow, products to sell, or just need a place to show off your ideas. But if you can’t code, don’t worry, you can still build beautiful, feature-rich websites.