The last three months of CEO Tim Cook? (CultCast #726)
Send us a text!Watch this episode on YouTubeThis week: This quarter. It could be Tim Cook’s last! We could have CEO John Ternus by January. Also: iOS 26.2 lets you replace Siri (in Japan), the Mac Pro canceled again, iPhone Pocket sells out instantly, thieves are giving Android phones back to their victims, and the most expensive Mac setup money can buy!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.comNordLayer is an easy to use and easy to set up security platform for businesses. Get the exclusive Black Friday offer: 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with the coupon code cultcast-28. Try it risk-free with a 14-day money-back guarantee at nordlayer.com/cultcast.This week’s stories:Griffin’s M5 Vision Pro on eBayApple preps for a post–Tim Cook eraApple may be nearing a CEO transition, with a report claiming the board is stepping up its search for a Tim Cook replacement.iPhone side button will soon get a quiet upgradeWith iOS 26.2, Apple will allow iPhone users to launch third-party voice assistants using the side key (but only in Japan so far).Automate your iPhone by voice alone via Vocal ShortcutsApple throws Mac Pro under the bus … againApple's ill-fated Mac Pro might not get an M5 Ultra upgrade in 2026, with the company pushing the Mac Studio instead.Apple’s most controversial product in years is a huge hitIf you didn't move quickly, you missed your chance to get an iPhone Pocket on launch day. The accessory divides Apple fans, though.London’s iPhone-loving thieves ‘don’t want no Samsung’ for a reasonIn a surprising twist in the smartphone wars, iPhone-craving thieves reject low-value Androids like Samung on the mean streets of London.Top 10 high-end Apple setups you wish you could affordSure, maybe you can't afford thousands of dollars for a desk setup worth drooling over, but it's still fun to look, right?In our dreams: Studio Displays flank Pro Display XDR in M2 Ultra Mac Pro rig
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iPhone Pocket — What was Apple thinking? (CultCast #725)
Send us a text!Watch this episode on YouTubeThis week: Everyone yearns for the Apple TV, but instead, we have the $230 iPhone sling! Also: Apple’s new digital passport, Tesla gets on the CarPlay bandwagon, a question about an old iTunes feature you definitely forgot about, our favorite 3-in-1 MagSafe charger, and our first impressions of Pluribus!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.comNordLayer is an easy to use and easy to set up security platform for businesses. Get the exclusive Black Friday offer: 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with the coupon code cultcast-28. Try it risk-free with a 14-day money-back guarantee at nordlayer.com/cultcast.CleanMyMac is your ultimate solution for Mac control and care. Get tidy today — try 7 days free and use my code CULTCAST for 20% off at clnmy.com/CultCastThis week’s stories:Apple’s latest accessory is a designer pocket for your iPhoneApple unveils the iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted iPhone accessory designed in collaboration with Japan's Issey Miyake.Apple just created a whole new type of Digital IDForget turning your driver’s license into a digital ID, now you can add your passport info to your iPhone’s Apple Wallet.Tesla finally plans to add CarPlay to its EVsAfter years of avoidance, Tesla plans to add CarPlay to its electric vehicles to boost sales. That's a big win for Apple.Genius MixesUse Genius Shuffle or Genius Playlists in Music on MacUse Genius Shuffle, Genius Playlists, or Genius Mixes in iTunes on PCLet Autoplay pick what plays nextKuxiu X40 Turbo: The best, fastest 3-in-1 charger money can buyThe Kuxiu X40 Turbo is a great 3-in-1 charger that supports the fastest MagSafe and Qi charging speeds possible on the latest iPhones.Buy on AmazonPluribus on Apple TV
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Upgrading Siri with Google Gemini (CultCast #724)
Send us a text!Watch this episode on YouTubeThis week: Apple’s cheap MacBook sending PC makers into a panic, Google Gemini rescuing the new Siri from vaporware, the next iPhone Air that may (or may not) solve its biggest problem, the battle over Apple CarPlay and iOS 26.1 features you should try. Also: AirPods Pro Mad Libs.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.comMost companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Get an exclusive offer: Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code cultcast-10 at NordStellar.com/CultCast. Just mention it to NordStellar!Factor Meals. Treat yourself to Factor’s delicious, high-quality, ready-to-eat meals delivered right to your door. Head over to FactorMeals.com/CultCast50off and use code cultcast50off to get 50% off plus free breakfast for one year (with code and qualifying auto-renewing subscription purchase).This week’s stories:Apple’s upcoming budget laptop has PC makers ‘freaking out’With Apple developing a low-cost laptop to rival Chromebooks and Windows laptops, the PC industry should definitely be worried.Upgrading Siri with Google Gemini will be $1 billion quick fixThe brains behind the upcoming AI-enhanced version of Siri will reportedly be provided by Google, not Apple’s own tech. For a hefty price.Next iPhone Air could fix its camera problemWant an iPhone Air wide-angle camera? That could come in the second generation, partly addressing a big criticism of the slim handset.How a battle for your dashboard threatens CarPlay’s futureDespite CarPlay's ongoing popularity, its future is under threat. Automakers can't resist the profit they see in providing their own services.5 new features in iOS 26.1 you don’t want to missApple’s iOS 26.1 update is out now; there are five features you should check out after you install it — changes to Liquid Glass and more.Thank goodness Slide Over is back in iPadOS 26.1Everything new in iOS 26.1YouTube: Everything new in iOS 26.1AirPods Pro Mad LibsArticle screenshot
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The incredible buttonless iPhone + OLED iPad mini? (CultCast #723)
Send us a text!Watch this episode on YouTubeThis week: Project Bongo is back to replace your iPhone buttons with haptics, (almost) every iPad is turning OLED, AirPods Pro 3 are having troubles, when you should upgrade your iMac — and our full reviews of the M5 Vision Pro and Apple Watch Series 11!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.coMost companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Get an exclusive offer: Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code cultcast-10 at NordStellar.com/CultCast. Just mention it to NordStellar!This week’s stories:iPhone 20 could make buttons a thing of the pastiPhone 20 might replace buttons with haptics -- at last. The 20th anniversary handset could finally go with motion-sensing, vibrating tech.Here’s when every iPad gets a beautiful OLED screenApple plans to put gorgeous OLED displays in almost every iPad. Here’s when to expect the tablets to switch away from LCDs.Apple could bring iPhone-style water resistance to iPad miniHow Apple might give the M6-powered iPad Pro a serious performance boostWeird AirPods Pro 3 glitch proves unbearable at 30,000 feetSome users of AirPods Pro 3 are plagued by a whistle noise when using the earbuds on a flight. Here’s how to be ready if it happens to you.The M5 Vision Pro is still the ultimate entertainment deviceThe new M5 Vision Pro brings a huge leap in compute power and graphics performance — plus a more comfortable head band in the box.Review on YouTubeApple Watch Series 11How to use advanced Apple Watch sleep stage tracking
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M5 Vision Pro — first impressions! (CultCast #722)
Send us a text!Watch this episode on YouTubeThis week, Griffin has spent a whopping 24 hours with the M5 Vision Pro and shares first impressions. Also: Great news for haters of Liquid Glass, bad news for fans of foldables, a Mac mini setup featuring very little Mac mini and a listener question about our writing processes.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.coMost companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Get an exclusive offer: Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code cultcast-10 at NordStellar.com/CultCast. Just mention it to NordStellar!This week’s stories:YouTube: Unboxing the New M5 Vision ProGriffin’s first impressions of the new M5 Vision Pro.Latest iOS 26.1 beta lets users toggle off Liquid GlassThe fourth beta version of iOS 26.1 lets users make Liquid Glass a lot less glass-like. It’s now available for anyone to test.New rumor details foldable iPhone screen size — and possible delayA new rumor from an investment firm details foldable iPhone screen size, plus a possible delay over that tricky hinge mechanism.Even Apple realizes a $3,000 foldable iPad is sheer lunacyApple’s effort to push its tablet lineup to the cutting edge with a folding iPad has reportedly run into multiple snags.Top 10 mighty Mac mini workstationsInto Mac mini setups? Lucky you. The little powerhouse is one of the best desktop computers you can buy. Check out our top 10 looks.Blogging tools:MarsEditBBEditPexelsApple Events (Video)
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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