Apple’s AI comeback + iPhone 17 Pro case hands-on! (CultCast #711)
Send us a text!Watch this episode on YouTubeLewis is back with Leander and Griffin to talk about Apple’s AI comeback (coming soon), Liquid Silicone (whatever that is), iOS 26 beta 5, and a hands-on with an iPhone 17 Pro case!This episode supported by:Listeners like you. Your support helps us fund CultCast Off-Topic, a new weekly podcast of bonus content available for everyone; and helps us secure the future of the podcast. You also get access to The CultClub Discord, where you can chat with us all week long, give us show topics, and even end up on the show. Support The CultCast at support.thecultcast.com — OR at CultOf9to5MacRumors.comCultCloth will keep your iPhone, MacBook, display, guitars, glasses and lenses sparkling clean! For a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a two free CarryCloths with any order $20+ at CultCloth.coFactor Meals. Treat yourself to Factor’s delicious, high-quality, ready-to-eat meals delivered right to your door. Head over to FactorMeals.com/CultCast50off to get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box.This week’s stories:Tim Cook hypes Apple’s AI efforts and ‘amazing’ product pipeline in all-hands meetingIn a rare all-hands meeting, Apple CEO Tim Cook tells employees the company will do whatever it takes to win the AI game.Apple begins building its ChatGPT rivalApple's quietly begun working on a ChatGPT-like search experience powered by an "Answer Engine" and led by former Siri head Robby Walker.Silky Apple ‘Liquid Silicone’ cases for iPhone 17 may support lanyardsNew rumors say Apple 'Liquid Silicone' cases for iPhone 17 will feature a lux feel and support for at least one lanyard.iOS 26 beta 5: All the new features and changesThe fifth iOS 26 beta brings minor tweaks and improvements as Apple prepares the OS for its public release in September.Reduce eye strain with these workspace fine-tuning tipsFor those of us who stare at screens all day, tired eyes are a problem. But this MacBook Pro user offers tips to reduce eye strain.Casekoo casesHands-on with an upcoming iPhone 17 Pro case in orange.
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iPhone 17 Pro leaks: the good, weird and surprising (CultCast #710)
Send us a text!Watch this episode on YouTubeStephen Hackett joins Leander and Griffin to talk all about a big week of iPhone 17 Pro leaks. We have a camera rumor that’s absolutely bananas, models of the new colors — and a spy shot out in public? Also: tips on customizing your Home Screen, an almost-normal Mac mini setup, and a big new Mac display!This episode supported by:Listeners like you. Your support helps us fund CultCast Off-Topic, a new weekly podcast of bonus content available for everyone; and helps us secure the future of the podcast. You also get access to The CultClub Discord, where you can chat with us all week long, give us show topics, and even end up on the show. Support The CultCast at support.thecultcast.com — or unsubscribe at unfork.thecultcast.comCultCloth will keep your iPhone, MacBook, display, guitars, glasses and lenses sparkling clean! For a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a two free CarryCloths with any order $20+ at CultCloth.coEasily 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.This week’s stories:iPhone 17 Pro camera could zoom past expectations with 8x lensiPhone 17 Pro's telephoto camera could get a bigger upgrade than initially rumored, with a new dual lens system for up to 8x optical zoom.iPhone 17 Pro could break tradition with bold new orange colorAlleged iPhone 17 dummy units showcase the color options for the upcoming lineup, including a bold orange shade for the Pro models.Masked iPhone 17 Pro prototype spotted in the wildBlurry images of a supposed iPhone 17 Pro test unit have surfaced online after someone reportedly spotted the device in the wild.WidgetsmithWidgetsmith lets you personalize your device like never before with a wide range of highly-customizable widgets.App StoreGiant smart TV dwarfs 32-inch display in Mac mini rigIn today's featured M2 Mac mini setup, a mammoth Hisense smart TV dominates its complementary 32-inch LG monitor.Under Review: BenQ PD3226GAlthough this 32-inch display is only 4K and not 6K, it has a built-in Thunderbolt 4 dock with a KVM, highly accurate colors, a HotKey Puck remote control — and a gorgeous 144 Hz refresh rate.
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Great news about the folding iPhone and M5 iPad Pro (CultCast #709)
Send us a text!Watch this episode on YouTubeThis week, Graham joins Leander and Griffin yet again to talk about the folding iPhone, the biggest little change coming to the M5 iPad Pro, more changes in iOS 26, tips for running with your Apple Watch and why we all lust for a colorful iPhone!This episode supported by:Listeners like you. Your support helps us fund CultCast Off-Topic, a new weekly podcast of bonus content available for everyone; and helps us secure the future of the podcast. You also get access to The CultClub Discord, where you can chat with us all week long, give us show topics, and even end up on the show. Support The CultCast at support.thecultcast.com — OR at CultOf9to5MacRumors.comCultCloth will keep your iPhone, MacBook, display, guitars, glasses and lenses sparkling clean! For a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a two free CarryCloths with any order $20+ at CultCloth.coEasily 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.This week’s stories:iOS 27 could have a surprising focusiOS 27 developers will reportedly concentrate on a user interface revamp needed for the folding iPhone coming in 2026.M5 iPad Pro might tackle Face ID’s biggest weaknessApple will reportedly add a second portrait camera to the iPad Pro refresh this year, enabling Face ID to work in portrait orientation.iOS 26 beta 4: All the new features and changesThe fourth iOS 26 beta tweaks the Liquid Glass design again, increasing the transparency once more.
Send us a text!This week, Graham joins Leander and Griffin to talk about when we can expect the M5 MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and MacBook Air, M4 iPad Air, iPhone 17e and new Studio Display! Also: All iPhone 17 colors leaked, the health metric you should be paying attention to, a great new Mac app, plus our weekly setup and listener question.This episode supported by:The Apple Core podcast, where Graham and Charlie explore the story behind a different Apple product, and consider what it tells us about where the company may be heading next. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen) and check out applecorepod.com.This week’s stories:M5 MacBook Pro could be pushed back to 2026A rumor says Apple won’t get the next-generation MacBook Pro with the upcoming M5 processor out this autumn, as had been expected.Next iPad Pro could be Apple’s first device with M5 chipApple's next iPad Pro refresh, rumored to launch this October, could again stand out for debuting with a new M-series chip.New report confirms all iPhone Series 17 color optionsA new report confirms all iPhone Series 17 color options, citing internal Apple documents. It's the most diverse selection in years.LG 5K monitor pairs beautifully with Studio DisplayToday's Mac Studio setup pairs an LG 5K display for Mac with a Studio Display. The user couldn't be happier.Longplay: Album Player for MacBrowse your collection like you would your wall of CDs or vinyls. Longplay filters out singles and scattered tracks to give you a visual grid of just the albums you truly own.
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Apple’s next CEO + Dialing back Liquid Glass? (CultCast #707)
Send us a text!This week, Leander and Griffin are joined by Graham Bower to talk about the latest iPhone 17 leaks, Jeff Williams stepping down and what that means for Apple’s next CEO, toning down Liquid Glass in iOS 26, how to vibe code to make your next iOS app, a perplexing user setup, MacBook Pro buying advice… and a review of an exciting handheld video game console!This episode supported by:The Cult of Mac Today Newsletter. Get all the top stories, Leander’s daily musings, top tweets, the daily wallpaper, inspirational Steve Jobs quote and vote in our reader polls — all delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at newsletters.cultofmac.comThis week’s stories:iPhone 17 leak teases Pro-exclusive design upgradesThe upcoming iPhone 17 series may pack big design changes, at least on the Pro models, with the base variant featuring subtle changes.Majin Bu: iPhone 17 Air Could Be Available in 4 New Color OptionsJeff Williams stepping down as Apple COOJeff Williams, whose role as COO put him charge of Apple’s global operations since 2010, will retire later this year.Why this dark horse candidate could be Apple’s next CEOEverything new in iOS 26 Beta 3iOS 26 beta 3 tweaks the Liquid Glass design, making the UI elements frosty to improve readability while making multiple smaller changes.Vibe codingReps & SetsApple’s Swift tutorials in Swift PlaygroundSwiftUI tutorialsApple’s Human Computer Interaction guidelinesCursor IDEApple Developer ProgramYamaha studio monitors power MacBook Pro rig’s soundFor MacBook setup speakers, you can do worse than this user's Yamaha studio monitors. And his headphones and audio interfaces impress, too.Under Review
The CultCast covers each week’s best Apple stories, tech news, and accessories—but more importantly—we do it with pizzaz. Why listen to another dreary tech program? Tune in to the CultCast each week for a healthy dose of Apple and tech news, jokes gone wrong, and unending tangents.
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