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This week:

• A deep dive into Apple’s new Creator Studio and whether it’s actually a good value for creative professionals
• Everything you need to know about AirTag 2!
• Not one but TWO new MacBook Pros are likely coming this year.
• A rundown of 20+ Apple products expected to launch this year, from Macs and iPads to totally new stuff.
• Google’s new $7.99 AI Plus plan and what it says about the rapidly heating AI arms race
• Revelations from my trip to Stockholm using my $2K mirrorless vs my iPhone 17 Pro camera

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This week's stories

Apple Creator Studio review: Incredible value for most creative pros

https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/01/28/apple-creator-studio-review-incredible-value-for-most-creative-pros

10+ Things to Know About the New AirTag 2

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/26/10-things-to-know-about-the-new-airtag-2/

Apple Reportedly Aiming to Upgrade the MacBook Pro Twice This Year

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/25/macbook-pro-two-upgrades-in-2026-rumor/

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/25/rumored-apple-products/

Google Brings Cheaper $7.99 'AI Plus' Plan to 35 Countries, Including U.S.

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/27/google-ai-plus-plan-expansion/

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Watch this episode on YouTube

This week: Siri’s growing up as a proper chatbot, Apple copies the raging success of the Humane Ai Pin, why your next Mac might cost even more, how you can make your Mac hot, and a truly bizarre prison-inspired user setup.

The new Cult of Mac podcast:

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Links:

• Apple may reinvent Siri as a conversational AI in iOS 27
  • Forget the old, nearly useless Siri — Apple will reportedly upgrade the iPhone’s voice assistant into an AI-powered chatbot with iOS 27. Users will supposedly be able to converse with the new Siri, not just give it orders.
• Apple works on AI wearable with mics, cameras and more
  • An AI pin is reportedly on the drawing board at Apple. The hands-free device might may change the future of wearable technology.
• Why Apple faces new pressure to raise iPhone and Mac prices
  • Apple is likely to struggle to get a critical component for all its products this year, which might force it raise prices.
  • MacBook Pros disappear from stores — here’s why
• Speed up your Mac workflow with Hot Corners, the feature pro users swear by
  • Hot Corners on the Mac work like shortcuts for your mouse. Just throw your mouse cursor to the corner of the screen to trigger a shortcut.
• Listener Question
  • Hands-on with a folding iPhone mock-up: This thing is weird
• How these brilliantly lit setups strike a mood for work or gaming
  • Proper desk lighting can make or break a Mac setup when it comes to boosting productivity, setting a mood or gaming like you mean it.
  • RGB hues bathe Beatles-themed retro Apple rig in otherworldly light

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This week on the pod, Apple’s future starts to come into focus — and it’s getting very interesting. John Ternus quietly steps into a major design role as Apple’s long-term CEO chessboard shifts, while a new report says Craig Federighi taking the reins on Apple’s evolving AI strategy. 

We also dig into the biggest Siri shake-up in years: a full-on chatbot experience coming in iOS 27. Plus: five all-new Apple products are expected this year and new details on the upcoming MacBook Pro redesign!

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This week’s stories

Apple's John Ternus Takes Over Design in Latest CEO Succession Move

Report: Apple's New AI Strategy Firms Up Under Craig Federighi

A Siri Chatbot is Coming in iOS 27

Will Apple Charge for Its Siri Chatbot?

Apple Expected to Unveil Five All-New Products This Year

MacBook Pro to Receive Up to Six New Features by Next Year

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I found him in a box in downtown Scottsdale! It's the return of my old friend and former co-host, the beautiful Buster Heine.  

If you like this episode, consider supporting big Papa Erf at support.thecultcast.com

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Watch this episode on YouTube

This week: Google’s Gemini is officially powering next-gen Siri, Apple overhauls all its pro apps, details on OpenAI’s first hardware product, and we go hands-on with a folding iPhone model!

The new Cult of Mac podcast:

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This week’s stories:

• It’s official — Google Gemini will power Siri’s major AI overhaul
  • Google’s Gemini AI is now set to power the long-promised overhaul of Apple’s Siri voice assistant, turning months of speculation into confirmation after Apple made the partnership official in a statement released Monday.
  • Gemini-powered Siri reportedly will gain these capabilities
• New Apple Creator Studio subscription gives you 6 incredible apps for low price
  • Apple Creator Studio bundles 6 big-time apps into a subscription, including Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro and Pixelmator Pro.
• OpenAI’s first device might take on AirPods
  • OpenAI’s first consumer product may be AI-powered earbuds, designed by Jony Ive and positioned as a direct AirPods rival.
• Hands-on with a folding iPhone mock-up: This thing is weird
  • I got my hands on a model, and have lots of thoughts — if the folding iPhone looks anything like this, it’ll be weird

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THIS WEEK

• iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features. 
• Apple's new Creator Studio - will Final Cut Pro on Mac will keep getting new features without paying a subscription?  
• A new Studio or Pro XDR Display is RIGHT around the corner.
• And, it's official!  Google Gemini will overhaul Siri - what can we expect?

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This weeks' stories

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

New Studio Display or Pro Display XDR Spotted in Regulatory Database

Apple's Google Gemini Deal Could Be Worth $5 Billion

Google Gemini-Powered Siri Will Reportedly Have These 7 New Features

Will Final Cut Pro on Mac Get Every New Feature Without a Subscription? Here's What Apple Says

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The new Cult of Mac podcast:

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• Listen Notes
• Castbox
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• Metacast

This week’s stories:

• Samsung teases the foldable iPhone’s biggest upgrade
  • At CES 2026, Samsung showcased a crease-less folding OLED panel that might be headed for Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
• Decorating your iPhone with tiny stickers is 2026’s hot new trend
  • Personalize your iPhone 17 Pro camera plateau with stickers. Lots of people are doing it in fun and creative ways.
• This is the weirdest auction of Steve Jobs memorabilia we’ve ever seen
  • Some rather strange Steve Jobs memorabilia is up for auction, showcasing unique items related to the Apple co-founder.
• New fitness app Reps & Sets 26 gets serious about strength training
  • Designed exclusively for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, strength-training app Reps & Sets 26 was developed by a long-time Cult of Mac writer.
  • Reps & Sets 26 on the App Store
• Top 10 Apple setups of 2025
  • Cult of Mac's top 10 Apple setups of 2025 excel in raw computing power, aesthetic beauty, functional innovation — or all three.
  • Turn your M4 Mac mini into a small-but-mighty ‘Mac Pro’

Send us a text!

Greetings my beautiful Govs!  Lots to talk about this week, including:

Update: what's coming next for this show

Five New iPhone Features Rumored for iOS 27

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/07/five-iphone-features-rumored-ios-27/

OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Health With Apple Health Integration

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/07/openai-chatgpt-health-apple-health-integration/

John Ternus Again Profiled as Apple's Likely Next CEO

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/08/john-ternus-profile/

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An episode in three acts: 

Act I - where did I go?

Act II - what's going on with the CultCast?

Act III - what's the future for CultCast?

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Watch this episode on YouTube

This is the last show with Leander, Lewis and Griffin — we’re here to review the biggest news stories, rumors, leaks and madness of 2025. We’re going to talk about everything that happened in 2025 in extreme detail and wonderful nuance. Specifically, of Apple.

This week’s stories:

The new Cult of Mac podcast

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify Podcasts
• Overcast
• Castro
• RSS feed
• Amazon Music
• Pocket Casts
• Podcast Addict
• Deezer
• Player FM
• Podchaser
• Listen Notes
• Castbox
• Goodpods
• Metacast

2025 was huge for Apple — here’s why

• In this end-of-year roundup, we’ve gathered the most ground-breaking rumors, consequential news and biggest surprises of 2025.
• Introducing iPhone Pocket: a beautiful way to wear and carry iPhone