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This week: 

• Apple stores are about to get a massive 2.0 overhaul, and we’ve got all the details
• Why the iPhone 8 may launch super late with no OLED
• Final Cut Pro X hits a massive milestone
• Google co-founder makes a flying car, and you’re gonna want one! 
• We reveal our favorite new gadgets in an all new Under Review 🕺

  This episode supported by Blue Apron makes it easy to cook delicious meals at home.  See their upcoming menu and get your first three meals free at BlueApron.com/CultCast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   SVP of retail Angela Ahrendts reveals redesigned Apple stores https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHlfEeng17A&t=184s 2017’s ‘iPhone Edition’ to arrive late, OLED display uncertain http://www.cultofmac.com/471109/2017s-iphone-edition-launch-late-oled-display-not-sure-thing/

• Apple analyst KGI Ming-Chi Kuo is reporting that mass production of the OLED iPhone will likely be pushed back to October/November, instead of the normal August/September timeframe because suppliers are having difficulties producing several of the phone’s cutting edge custom-ordered parts.
• The moderately reliable Makotakara is reporting that device is also claiming the phone will be delayed, and that the OLED upgrade we’ve been looking forward to isn’t a sure thing yet.

  Final Cut Pro X hits massive 2 million users milestone http://www.cultofmac.com/478369/final-cut-pro-x-hits-massive-2-million-users-milestone/

• At this week’s annual National Association of Broadcasters conference, Apple revealed that it now has 2 million users of its Final Cut Pro X video-editing software, five years after launching the tenth version of the program.
• At $299 for a license, that’s a cool 600 million dollars.
• Apple’s rep added that it is taken considerably less time for Apple to jump for 1 million to 2 million users than it did for the company to reach its first million adopters.

  Here’s how Apple plans to make its stores more magical http://www.cultofmac.com/478219/angela-ahrendts-talks-making-apple-store-experience-special/

• Angela Ahrendts was hired as Apple’s VP of retail just about 3.5 years ago, and she’s now unveiling her vision for the future of the Apple store.
• Apple wants to make their stores to be a place where you can engage with your devices and your communities.  A place to meet your friends, like at Starbucks!  says VP of Retail Angela Ahrendts.
• Apple is bringing new “hands on” sessions to its stores, enlisting artists, Mac experts and celebrities in a bid to make its retail outlets more engaging.
• The new 

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This week: we deconstruct the new iPhone 8 leaks! We’ll tell what we’ve learned.     Plus: Apple starts testing the driverless car they’re totally not working on; and the best iOS apps for all you marijuana connoisseurs.    This episode supported by Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney     This week’s Intro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Watf8QxS8     Sources confirm some of iPhone 8’s biggest upgrades http://www.cultofmac.com/477175/sources-confirm-iphone-8s-biggest-upgrades/

• In its report on the new iPhone 8, Bloomberg corroborates many previous rumors about the next-gen iPhone, but suggests that more “ambitious” features may be scaled back or ditched due to manufacturing problems.
• According to the report, and as we’ve discussed on the show, Apple is preparing three iPhones for launch. Two will simply be updated versions of the current iPhone, while the high-end model will sport a totally revamped look.
• Apple is testing a premium version with a screen that covers almost the entire front of the device.  That results in a display slightly larger than that of an iPhone y Pus but with an overall phone size closer to the iPhone 7.
• The updated lower-end model iPhones will stick with LCD displays and get fewer hardware updates.
• "One of the latest prototype designs includes symmetrical, slightly curved glass on the front and the back. The curves are similar in shape to those on the front of the iPhone 7. The new OLED screen itself is flat, while the cover glass curves into a steel frame. The design is similar conceptually to the iPhone 4 from 2010”
• "Apple also tested a more ambitious prototype with the same slightly curved front and steel frame, but a glass back with more dramatic curves on the top and bottom like the original iPhone design from 2007, one of the people said. “
• "Apple suppliers have so far struggled to reliably produce heavily curved glass in mass quantities, so the company is more likely to ship the version with more subdued curves”
• "Significant camera changes are also in testing for Apple’s overhauled iPhone. For the back of the phone, Apple is testing versions of the phone with the dual-camera system positioned vertically, instead of horizontally like on the iPhone 7 Plus, which could result in improved photos,”
• “Apple has … experimented with integrating the iPhone’s fingerprint scanner into the screen of the OLED version, which would be technically challenging, the people said”.  TouchID on the

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This week:

• Official new Nvidia drivers make your Mac compatible with the best GPUs on the market!
• A mole gives us our best look yet at what it’s really like to work in an iPhone factory
• Apple has a secret team working on ‘breakthrough’ diabetes treatment with the Apple Watch
• The saga of Ron Wayne, the forgotten Apple co-founder who traded his 22 billion dollars of Apple stock for just $800.

  This episode supported by VideoBlocks, the affordable, subscription-based stock media site that givesyou unlimited access to premium stock footage. Check it out for free for 7 days at videoblocks.com/cultcast   Casper’s American-made mattresses have just the right amount of sink and bounce, and people everywhere love them.  Learn why and get $50 towards any mattress at Casper.com/cultcast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.   On the show this week @erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney   NVIDIA releases Mac drivers for Pascal graphics cards

• NVIDIA today released new drivers that make its Pascal graphics cards compatible with a Mac.
• The drivers support all 10 Series GPUs, including the GTX 1050 through GTX 1080 Ti, and the newly-announced GTX Titan Xp.
• Until now, however, you had to settle for older 9 Series cards.
• Now the newest cards, from the GTX 950 to the GTX Titan Xp, are supported

  Report: Apple has secret team working on ‘breakthrough’ diabetes treatment w/ Apple Watch   UNDERCOVER IN AN IPHONE FACTORY: What it's really like to work in a Chinese mega-factory, according to a student who spent 6 weeks there     Pegatron mole describes ‘torture’ of working at iPhone factory     Today in Apple history: Apple co-founder quits and cashes in his stake for $800

• In Apple lore, Ron Wayne is the man who threw away winning lottery ticket.
• It’s April 12, 1976: Apple’s third co-founder, a former Atari colleague of Steve Wozniak’s named Ron Wayne, is cashing in his 10% of Apple shares for $800.
• Hell of a nice guy.
• Drew Apple’s original logo.
• Wayne also wrote up the first contract in Apple’s history, solidifying what all three co-founders would do. Wozniak was to be in charge of electrical engineering, Jobs was responsible for marketing, and Wayne would oversee mechanical engineering and documentation.

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This week:

• Apple just revealed their future Mac plans… on purpose!  It’s unprecedented, and we’ll unpack it all for you.
• Apple promises an all-new “rethought” Mac Pro and Apple display.  
• Why the Mac Pro failed.
• Apple’s plans to make the Mac “Pro” again.
• New Pro-level iMacs coming this year.
• Leander reviews the top-secret new Sonos speaker Erfon’s couldn’t talk about.
• Erfon reviews a clever  Watch stand that Buster hates but true Mac fans will love!

  This episode supported by Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show. On the show this week   

@erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney

Steve Jobs Introduces the very first Mac Pro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l72MsGZQA8Q   Apple building all-new, modular Mac Pro and external display http://www.cultofmac.com/474799/apples-mac-pro-is-now-even-faster-all-new-model-coming-next-year/   Apple brings faster Intel Xeon chips, better GPUs to the Mac Pro http://www.cultofmac.com/474823/apple-brings-faster-intel-xeon-chips-mac-pro/   2017 iMacs will bring spec bumps to woo power users http://www.cultofmac.com/474843/new-imacs-way-will-target-power-users/   Apple pushes the reset button on the Mac Pro https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/04/apple-pushes-the-reset-button-on-the-mac-pro/   Sonos’ new Playbase speaker http://amzn.to/2oPQFwz   You’ll love this vintage Mac  Watch stand! http://amzn.to/2oPJrbJ   Meet Eddie, The Eagle http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/05/09/17446C1A000005DC-0-image-m-14_1457171012331.jpg

 

 

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This week:

• We’ve found even MORE of the weirdest and wackiest Apple products that time forgot
• The best new features in iOS 10.3 and macOS 10.12.4.
• Rumors mills say Apple may resurrect the PowerBook!
• iPhone 8 rumors point to a backside TouchID
• The sources of Steve Jobs best one-liners
• A wobbly British guy tries to ski

  This episode supported by Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   VideoBlocks, the affordable, subscription-based stock media site that gives you unlimited access to premium stock footage. Check it out for free for 7 days at videoblocks.com/cultcast   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show. On the show this week

@erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney

 

Intro: A young Jony Ive on the 20th Anniversary Mac https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeUs8sDcYO8   ‘iPhone Edition’ could have rear-facing Touch ID sensor http://www.cultofmac.com/473949/473949/

• A (somewhat sketchy) new report claims that the tenth anniversary iPhone, commonly referred to as the iPhone 8, will instead by called the iPhone Edition.
• In addition, it suggests that the major form factor redesign that’s been reported on may turn out to be less drastic than some are imagining — although changes will include features like a rear-mounted Touch ID sensor.
• According to the report, which is accompanied by renders showing the design, the iPhone Edition won’t feature a Touch ID sensor embedded beneath the display, but rather a fingerprint scanner on the rear of the device.
• It also won’t come with the glass back plate, but will instead stick to having a metal back plate as the result of glass’ tendency to shatter when dropped

  Does Apple trademark fil

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This week: our reactions to all Apple’s new products 💪🏼 

• Apple’s new iPad is cheaper, fatter, heavier, and underpowered
• Why the iPad Mini Pro is kind of a ripoff
• Two reasons you should not buy a Product Red iPhone 7
• What is Apple’s new Clips app do?  We’ll give you the rundown
• Why Leander’s got mixed feelings about his new Pioneer SPH-DA120 Car Play stereo
• Erfon’s reviews the Think Tank Helipack V2, a gigantic backpack built for your DJI Phantom

 

This episode supported by

Blue Apron makes it easy to cook delicious meals at home.  See their upcoming menu and get your first three meals free at BlueApron.com/CultCast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.
On the show this week  

@erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney

Macintosh TV Commercial with Tim Barton! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiNdi2go8EE  

Apple’s new 9.7-inch iPad is more affordable than ever

http://www.cultofmac.com/472635/apples-9-7-inch-ipad-is-now-more-affordable/

• Apple today introduced a new, fatter 9.7-inch iPad that’s more affordable than ever before.
• Macrumors calls the new iPad "a little bit iPhone 6s, a little bit iPad Air, and a little bit iPad Air 2.”
• The device looks almost identical to the iPad Air 2 that it is replacing in Apple’s tablet lineup
• Starts at just $329 with 32GB of storage, $429 for 128GB

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This week: Apple’s about to overhaul the iPad, and it’s long overdue!  Plus: why Steve Jobs was cool with your kids using an iPad, but not his own; how the technology we love might be making us all stupid;  and we wrap up with an all new CultCast Choices, the game of great gifts with strange side effects...

This episode supported by

Casper’s American-made mattresses have just the right amount of memory foam and latex, and people everywhere love them.  Learn why and get $50 towards any mattress at Casper.com/cultcast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show. On the show this week

@erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney

Westworld-style folding phone might get real this year http://www.cultofmac.com/472055/samsung-may-unveil-westworld-style-folding-phone-year/#more-472055

• Smartphones that fold out into a tablet are one of the many awesome inventions the creators of Westworld promised we have to look forward to in the future. But according to a new rumor, Samsung might make them a reality in 2017.

New iPads to arrive next month during first Apple Park event http://www.cultofmac.com/471709/new-ipads-arrive-next-month-first-apple-park-event/

• Apple will announce its next-generation iPad lineup next month during its very first event at Apple Park, according to a new report.
• Sources say that production of the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro has been brought forward for the launch. The device is expected to be accompanied by an updated 12.9-inch iPad Pro and a more affordable 9.7-inch iPad.
• Apple “is expected to unveil the new iPad at a product event to be held in early April to mark the inauguration of Apple’s new headquarters in California,”
• The new 10.5″ iPad would have the exact same resolution as the 12.9″ iPad Pro (2732 x 2048), but the same pixel density of the iPad mini (326 ppi instead of 264 ppi). Crunch the numbers, do a little Pythagorean Theorem, and you end up with a screen 10.5″ diagonal

  Server logs reveal Apple is testing four new iPad models http://www.cultofmac.com/471657/new-ipads-spotted-in-logs/

• Device logs obtained by mobile marketing firm Fiksu appear to show that four different iPad models are currently being tested in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Just because four model numbers have been discovered doesn’t mean Apple will release four different iPads this month.
• Last year, Fiksu saw new device model names pop up in its logs about a month before the new iPads were announced.

 

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This week:  the CIA loses control of its iPhone hacking arsenal, and computer crooks turn your gadgets against you.  Plus: why iPhone 8 may arrive later than you hoped; our favorite Apple Airport replacement routers; and we discuss the non-Apple gear we’re currently obsessing over in an all-new and aptly named What We’re Into   This week:

• The CIA loses control of its iPhone hacking arsenal!
• Computer crooks turn your gadgets against you.
• Why iPhone 8 may arrive later than you hoped.
• Our favorite routers to replace your Apple Airport.
• The non-Apple gear we’re currently obsessing over! It’s all-new, overdue, What We’re Into 💪🏼

 

This episode supported by 

Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show.     On the show this week 

@erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney

 

WikiLeaks: CIA lost control of its iPhone hacking arsenal

http://www.cultofmac.com/470847/cia-used-malware-spy-iphone-users/

• The Central Intelligence Agency has been using malware to spy on iPhone and Android users, according to the largest-ever publication of confidential documents from WikiLeaks — and the spy tools are now in the hands of others.
• “This extraordinary collection, which amounts to more than several hundred million lines of code, gives its possessor the entire hacking capacity of the CIA.”
• As part of a covert hacking program, the CIA created a “malware arsenal” and dozens of “zero day exploits” to infiltrate smartphones, tablets and even smart TVs to extract data and turn them into covert microphones.
• But the agency recently lost controls of these tools. Those who have obtained them now have “the entire hacking capacity of the CIA” at their disposal, according to WikiLeaks.
• At the end of 2016, the CIA’s hacking division was made up of more than 5,000 “registered users” who had produced over a thousand tools to infiltrate target devices throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States.
• iOS devices were also a major target. The CIA created and obtained tools from GCHQ, NSA, FBI and contractors like Baitshop that allowed them to bypass the encryption used by apps like WhatsApp and Telegram and collect audio and text message data.

  Global elites’ love of iPhone made iOS a prime target of CIA http://www.cultofmac.com/470881/global-elites-love-of-iphone-made-ios-a-prime-target-of-cia/

• Although Google’s Android dominates the worldwide smartphone market, the CIA concentrated on Apple’s iOS because of its popularity among global elites, WikiLeaks reports.
• Despite iPhone’s minority share (14.5%) of the global smart phone market in 2016, a specialized unit in the CIA’s Mobile Development Branch p

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This week: 

• Tim Cook promises to make Apple “Pro" again!  We discuss.
• iPhone ditching Lightning for USB C
• Spotify about to go Hi-Fi
• Why your next iPhone screen might read your fingerprints
• Leander pitches a new favorite pair of Bluetooth headphones
• The best iPhone bumper case in the land!

 

This episode supported by

Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   What is Backblaze? It’s unlimited, cloud backup for Macs and PCs. And it’s native for Macs!  Try it out free for 15 days at Backblaze.com/cultcast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show. On the show this week  

@erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney

 

Tim Cook: Pro users remain incredibly important to Apple http://www.cultofmac.com/469839/apple-investors-vote-against-diversity-at-annual-shareholders-meeting/

• During his Q&A session, Tim Cook discussed how Apple plans to fight for net neutrality. He also assured shareholders that Apple plans to come out with new products that appeal to professionals and creatives, but insisted that the Mac and iPad aren’t destined for a merger.
• “You will see us do more in the pro area. The pro area is very important to us. The creative area is very important to us in particular,” Cook told the crowd. “You can expect to see us do more and more that people will view iPad as a laptop replacement, but not a Mac replacement. The Mac does so much more.”

    Spotify eyes lossless audio to wow your ears http://www.cultofmac.com/470077/spotify-eyes-lossless-audio-wow-ears/

• Spotify appears poised to put the final nail in Tidal’s coffin.
• The music streaming service is planning to launch a new feature that will give listeners access to lossless audio streaming, according to a new report reveals the feature is currently in testing.  
• Spotify is currently calling the new feature “Spotify Hi-Fi.” The Verge reports that Spotify plans to launch the lossless CD quality audio feature. It’s unclear when it will be available to all users, but Spotify is already doing some small group testing.
• Screenshots posted on Reddit show that Spotify plans to charge between $5 to $10 extra a month for lossless CD quality audio.

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This week: 

• We celebrate 5 years!
• We regale you with some of our favorite stories from past shows
• Our hardware expectations from Apple’s rumored March event
• Why iPhone 8’s wireless charging will probably be lame
• Apple has five teams working on their next-generation charging tech
• Why iPhone 8’s camera could pump out industrial-grade slow motion
• Steve Jobs gets a beautiful new home on Apple’s spaceship campus.

This episode supported by

Build a beautiful, responsive website quick at Squarespace.com.  Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off. Squarespace—Build it Beautiful.   Blue Apron makes it easy to cook delicious meals at home.  See their upcoming menu and get your first three meals free at BlueApron.com/CultCast.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time you can use code CULTCAST to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   We also want to give Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com a  thanks for the great music you hear on today's show. On the show this week

@erfon / @bst3r / @lkahney

 

iPhone 8’s wireless charging won’t be as good as we hoped http://www.cultofmac.com/468709/iphone-8s-wireless-charging-wont-good-hoped/

• If you were hoping Apple had developed a spectacular new wireless charging system for iPhone 8, you’re going to be disappointed come September.
• A new rumor claims that Apple won’t be using range charging technology developed by Energous as previously expected, but instead one of the existing solutions already found in rival smartphones like those made by Samsung.
• Adding fuel to that fire, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has only recently approved a version of Energous technology that delivers very low power over just a few inches.
• The iPhone would require higher levels of power and a wider range. A solution that meets these requirements is yet to be approved by the FCC.

  Apple has five different teams working on wireless charging http://www.cultofmac.com/469187/apple-five-different-teams-working-wireless-charging/

• Accord