Lewis, Griffin and Papa E discuss the state of theme parks and what's going with Disney.

THEME PARKS.... (CultCast Off Topic #7)

The CultCast covers each week’s best Apple stories, news, and accessories for your iDevices and Mac—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, jokes gone sour, and plenty of tangents.

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This week, our predictions for the “Let Loose” iPad keynote on Tuesday! Also, some last-minute rumors of an M4 chip, alternate app stores are officially coming to iPad too, and new iOS 18 features! 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.com . Backblaze offers unlimited cloud backups for Macs, PCs and businesses for just $99 a year. Access your data from anywhere in the world. Get a fully-featured no-risk free trial at Backblaze.com/CultCast . CultCloth will keep your Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPhone 15 Pro, 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.co This week’s stories:  Upcoming OLED iPad Pro might feature next-gen M4 chip  Apple’s upcoming OLED iPad Pro reportedly will begin the company’s shift into AI hardware. The new tablets could sport the next-gen M4 chip to power all the AI features.   EU labeling iPad a ‘gatekeeper’ will bring major changes to iPadOS  The iPad joined the European Union’s list of “gatekeeper” platforms Monday. The designation requires Apple to make the same sorts of sweeping changes to iPadOS that the company already made to iPhone, including allowing sideloading of applications.   iOS 18 might revamp many built-in iPhone apps  Apple could upgrade many of iPhone’s built-in apps with iOS 18 later this year. Reportedly, this includes Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness. AppleInsider:  Apple's iOS 18 to streamline task management with unified events and reminders  iPhone charger with built-in battery pack looks totally sci-fi  How many times have you rushed out the door with a battery pack for your iPhone, only to discover the battery is dead as a doornail? SwitchEasy’s 2-in-1 Portal solves that. This stylish MagSafe battery pack stand includes a portable power pack that is always charged and ready to go.   The CultCast ‘Let Loose’ Predictions  For the first time in 2024, The CultCast prediction game is here as we lay down our judgements on next week’s “Let Loose” iPad event.  Listener score sheet 

Apple’s May 7th “Let Loose” event — our predictions! (CultCast #645)

This week, surprise! iPads are finally coming with an Apple Event — we have all the details! Also, big news for iOS 18, capacitive buttons are making a comeback on the iPhone, and the huge Apple Watch redesign we’re all dreaming for! 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.com . This week’s stories:  Surprise! Apple sets May 7 event to launch new iPad Pro and iPad Air  Apple just invited the world to a May 7 product-launch event with the theme “Let Loose.” What new features to expect in Apple Pencil 3  Say goodbye to hopes for mini-LED iPad Air  Get 2 Free Months of Apple TV+  Watch live MLB games every Friday, plus award-winning Apple Originals on Apple TV+. Code expires on September 27, 2024.   iOS 18 AI features could run entirely on-device  Apple’s large language model that will power iOS 18’s AI features could run entirely locally. This would prioritize user privacy and offer faster response times.   Calculator app for iPad might finally launch in iPadOS 18  In a long-overdue move, Apple reportedly will integrate a Calculator app into the iPad operating system.   Why iPhone 16 might dump physical buttons for capacitive ones  The upcoming iPhone 16 series will have no traditional buttons at all, according to information leaking out of the company that will supply the capacitive buttons that will supposedly replace them.   Apple Watch Series X concept will make you want it now  Apple Watch Series X is expected to bring a redesign, new sensors and other changes later this year. A designer created images of a concept device to showcase the leaked/rumored features. 

Apple’s surprise May 7th event — here’s what’s coming! (CultCast #644)

This week, game emulators and alternate app stores are HERE! Also, the new camera features coming to iPhone 16, and a roundup of new Apple TV+ shows. 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.com . Easily 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. Notion AI can now give you instant answers to your questions, using information from across your wiki, projects, docs and meeting notes. Go to notion.com/cultcast to try the powerful Notion AI today. This week’s stories: First third-party app store goes live in EU  The first third-party app marketplace, AltStore PAL, launched in the European Union Wednesday.   Delta all-in-one retro game emulator now out for iPhone  The Delta retro game emulator is now on the iPhone App Store. Not only can it handle ROMs originally for the classic Game Boy handheld console, but it also emulates NES, SNES, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS. Delta on the App Store  9to5Mac:  iPhone 16 Pro: Four new camera features coming this year  We’re expecting multiple noticeable improvements to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max camera hardware. Here are four things to look forward to this year…   Apple could finally fix iPhone’s longstanding camera flare problem  Apple could finally eliminate lens flare, a longtime problem with the iPhone camera, with a new lens coating technology on the iPhone 16 Pro.   5 essential Mac settings you should change  If you’ve been using the Mac for a long time, you’re probably used to the way things work on your particular computer. But changing a setting that you’ve had set one way for a long time can make your Mac feel completely different! Video on YouTube  Apple TV+ Roundup:  Slow Horses author brings new thriller to Apple TV+  Apple TV+ brings huge Hollywood scam to the screen Silo star drops major hints about sci-fi hit’s future on Apple TV+  Apple TV+ renews For All Mankind, spins off Star City 

What’s new for iPhone 16 cameras + Emulators arrive in the App Store! (CultCast #643)

This week, M4 Macs are already incoming! Also: Apple’s next big thing, the AI tools that could turbocharge iOS 18, the disastrous Humane AI Pin, and an all-new What We’re Into! 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.com . Factor Meals. Treat yourself to Factor’s delicious, high-quality, ready-to-eat meals delivered right to your door. Head over to FactorMeals.com/CultCast50 and use offer code CultCast50 to get 50% off. This week’s stories:  Macs with AI-focused M4 chip launching this year  Mac users won’t have to wait until 2025 for the Apple M4 processor, according to a reputable Apple tipster. The replacement for the current M3 will put an emphasis on AI, and will start appearing in Macs this autumn.   Apple Is Rebooting Its Search for a New Next Big Thing  Apple’s business remains heavily reliant on the iPhone, which accounts for more than half its revenue. And sales in that market have stagnated. That’s made it all the more important for the company to find a major new product category.  Apple’s Ferret-UI helps AI use your iPhone  Apple’s new Ferret-UI multimodal large language model could help artificial intelligence systems understand your iPhone’s screen, according to a research paper released Tuesday.  Humane AI Pin  The Verge: Humane AI Pin Review: Not even close Inverse: Humane’s Ai Pin Isn't Ready to Replace Your Phone, But One Day It Might  What We’re Into:  Doctor Who (1963 – 1989) on archive.org  Constellation on Apple TV+ Fallout on Amazon Prime Video 

THEME PARKS.... (CultCast Off Topic #7)

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