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Send us a text! This week: Apple’s $600 MacBook Neo is absolutely breaking expectations—and maybe Apple’s own plans—as demand explodes and supply starts running thin.  Plus, macOS just got a HUGE new feature you’ve probably never noticed, And Apple’s satellite tech is about to go next-level, with faster speeds, new capabilities, and features that could completely change how your iPhone works when you’re off the grid.  Also: a surprise DaVinci Resolve update that could shake up photo editing, and new details on Apple’s upcoming smart glasses that feel straight out of sci-fi. Sponsors Clean My Mac CleanMyMac is your ultimate solution for Mac control and care, notarized by Apple and meticulously crafted by MacPaw.  Try 7 days free and use my code CULTCAST for 20% off at clnmy.com/CULTCAST Squarespace If you’ve been thinking about building a website — or rebuilding one that hasn’t aged well — head to Squarespace.com/cultcast for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code CultCast at checkout. CultCloth Keep your gadgets, glasses, and more sparkling clean with CultCloth, premium grade cleaning cloths available only at CultCloth.co.  Support the CultCast! Fork over $5 a month, show papa ERF you care, at support.thecultcloth.com. You can also go to unfork.thecultcast.com to unfork your support! Stories Apple's $599 MacBook Neo Sold Out Through April Amid Surging Demand https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/macbook-neo-demand-surging/ Microsoft Raises Prices for All Surface PCs, Making Them More Expensive Than Equivalent Macs https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/14/microsoft-surface-pc-price-hike/ Make Your MacBook Battery Last Longer With This Setting https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/macbook-charge-limit-setting-benefits/ Apple has four new iPhone satellite features rumored, here’s what’s coming https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/16/apple-has-four-new-iphone-satellite-features-rumored-heres-whats-coming/ DaVinci Resolve 21 Adds Photo Editing and AI Search Tools https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/14/davinci-resolve-21-photo-editing-ai-search/ Apple Testing Four Smart Glasses Styles Made of High-End Materials https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/16/apple-has-four-new-iphone-satellite-features-rumored-heres-whats-coming/

Send us a text! This week: iPhones are officially in SPACE! 🚀… but it almost didn’t happen. We break down the wild story of how the iPhone barely made it onto a NASA mission and the insane approval process behind it.  Plus: Apple’s cooking up something just as shocking—a folding “iPhone Ultra” that WILL cost over $2,000.  Plus plus: Apple’s long-term iPhone strategy and the strange struggles of the iPhone Air. From Cupertino… to the Moon 🌕—this one’s a ride. Sponsors Squarespace If you’ve been thinking about building a website — or rebuilding one that hasn’t aged well — head to Squarespace.com/cultcast for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code CultCast at checkout. CultCloth Keep your gadgets, glasses, and more sparkling clean with CultCloth, premium grade cleaning cloths available only at CultCloth.co.  Support the CultCast! Fork over $5 a month, show papa ERF you care, at support.thecultcloth.com. You can also go to unfork.thecultcast.com to unfork your support! Stories Apple's Three-Year Plan to 'Reinvent' the iPhone is Underway https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/08/apple-three-year-plan-to-reinvent-iphone/ iPhone Ultra's Price Range Revealed https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/08/iphone-ultra-price-range-revealed/ Apple is Reportedly Facing a 'Massive Dilemma' With the MacBook Neo https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/07/macbook-neo-massive-dilemma/ Leaker: Apple Will Release iPhone Air 2 No Matter How Badly It May Sell https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/08/iphone-air-2-to-launch-no-matter-what/ Apple Had to Heavily Discount the iPhone Air to Sell It https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/09/iphone-air-needed-discount-to-sell/ How NASA approved the iPhone 17 Pro Max for the Artemis II space mission https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/04/04/how-nasa-approved-the-iphone-17-pro-max-for-the-artemis-ii-space-mission iPhone's iconic space photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55187293546/in/photostream/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55187189317/in/photostream/

Send us a text! This week: We’re heading back to the Moon (with iPhones in tow!), Tim Cook might actually become Tim Cook™, and iOS 27 could finally fix autocorrect once and for all.  Plus: Apple randomly drops the price of the XDR display, a must-know iPhone video trick you’ll actually use, and the unbelievable story of Apple employee #8, the man who never left.  And to wrap it up — ERF relives his surreal Stand By Me live experience… the full story! Sponsors NordStellar Most companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code  cultcast-10-NORDSTELLAR at https://nordstellar.com/cultcast. Squarespace If you’ve been thinking about building a website — or rebuilding one that hasn’t aged well — head to Squarespace.com/cultcast for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code CultCast at checkout. CultCloth Keep your gadgets, glasses, and more sparkling clean with CultCloth, premium grade cleaning cloths available only at CultCloth.co.  Support the CultCast! Fork over $5 a month, show papa ERF you care, at support.thecultcloth.com. You can also go to unfork.thecultcast.com to unfork your support! Stories Phones are going to the Moon on Artemis II https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/04/02/iphones-are-going-to-the-moon-on-artemis-ii Tim Cook Says iPhone Launch Was His Favorite Apple Moment in 50th Anniversary Interview https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/01/tim-cook-50th-anniversary-interview/ iOS 27 Rumored to Feature Keyboard Upgrade https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/01/ios-27-upgraded-keyboard-rumor/ Studio Display XDR without tilt-adjustable stand now costs less https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/04/01/studio-display-xdr-without-tilt-adjustable-stand-now-costs-less Stop Your iPhone Suppressing Background Audio in Videos https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/clearer-audio-zoomed-iphone-videos/ Apple employee #8 Chris Espinosa on working his whole life at one company https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/02/apple-employee-8-chris-espinosa-on-working-his-whole-life-at-one-company/

Send us a text! This week:  💀 Apple just killed the Mac Pro—and it’s $700 wheels too!🧠 WWDC 26 is official—Apple is about to unveil their AI master plans🔊 We’re about to get new all new HomePods, yes, including the big ones💸 Apple is throwing HUGE money at talent to stop them from leaving for OpenAI📱 Let’s go through all the cool new features in iOS 26.4! Sponsors NordStellar Most companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code  cultcast-10-NORDSTELLAR at https://nordstellar.com/cultcast. Squarespace If you’ve been thinking about building a website — or rebuilding one that hasn’t aged well — head to Squarespace.com/cultcast for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code CultCast at checkout. CultCloth Keep your gadgets, glasses, and more sparkling clean with CultCloth, premium grade cleaning cloths available only at CultCloth.co.  Support the CultCast! Fork over $5 a month, show papa ERF you care, at support.thecultcloth.com. You can also go to unfork.thecultcast.com to unfork your support! This week's stories Apple Confirms Mac Pro Is Dead, No Future Models Planned https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/26/apple-discontinues-mac-pro/ Apple's $700 Mac Pro Wheels Kit Discontinued Along With Mac Pro https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/26/mac-pro-wheels-kit-discontinued/ Apple Announces WWDC 2026 Will Take Place June 8 to 12 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/23/apple-announces-wwdc-2026-dates/ WWDC 2026 to Showcase Apple's 'AI Advancements' https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/23/wwdc-2026-ai-advancements/ New HomePod Expected Alongside Updated HomePod Mini and Apple TV https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/26/new-full-size-homepod-rumor/ Apple Plans to Let Rival AI Chatbots Integrate With Siri in iOS 27 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/26/apple-ios-27-siri-chatbot-integration/ iOS 26.4 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.4 https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-26-4-features/ Anthropic's Claude AI Can Now Use Your Mac While You're Away https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/24/claude-use-mac-remotely-iphone/

Send us a text! This week: The MacBook Neo has a surprise no one’s talking about, the Studio Display XDR is seriously testing my willpower, and I break down what’s actually new (and not) with AirPods Max 2! Sponsors CleanMyMac is your ultimate solution for Mac control and care, notarized by Apple and meticulously crafted by MacPaw, a leading macOS & iOS software development company.   Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code CULTCAST for 20% off at clnmy.com/CULTCAST NordStellar Most companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code  cultcast-10-NORDSTELLAR at https://nordstellar.com/cultcast. Squarespace If you’ve been thinking about building a website — or rebuilding one that hasn’t aged well — head to Squarespace.com/cultcast for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code CultCast at checkout. CultCloth Keep your gadgets, glasses, and more sparkling clean with CultCloth, premium grade cleaning cloths available only at CultCloth.co.  Support the CultCast! Fork over $5 a month, show papa ERF you care, at support.thecultcloth.com. This week's stories iFixit Teardown: MacBook Neo Has Most Accessible Mac Battery in Over a Decade https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/13/ifixit-macbook-neo-teardown/ Apple Studio Display XDR Hands-On: Better Than the Pro Display XDR in Almost Every Way https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/17/studio-display-xdr-hands-on/ 10 Audio Improvements in Apple's New AirPods Max 2 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/16/airpods-max-2-audio-improvements/ What Hasn't Changed With AirPods Max 2 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/16/what-hasnt-changed-with-airpods-max-2/ Apple Acquires Final Cut Pro Plugin Company MotionVFX https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/16/apple-acquires-motionvfx/ Tim Cook on iPhone's Future: 'There's So Much Left That We Can Do' https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/18/tim-cook-comments-on-iphone-future/ Tim Cook denies imminent retirement rumors, 'can't imagine life without Apple' https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/03/17/tim-cook-denies-imminent-retirement-rumors-cant-imagine-life-without-apple

Send us a text! This week: The MacBook Neo is here — but Apple’s next wave of devices will be even more surprising... Sponsors Factor Head to factormeals.com/cultcast50off and use code cultcast50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year. NordStellar Most companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code  cultcast-10-NORDSTELLAR at https://nordstellar.com/cultcast. Squarespace If you’ve been thinking about building a website — or rebuilding one that hasn’t aged well — head to Squarespace.com/cultcast for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code CultCast at checkout. CultCloth Keep your gadgets, glasses, and more sparkling clean with CultCloth, premium grade cleaning cloths available only at CultCloth.co.  Support the CultCast! Fork over $5 a month, show papa ERF you care, at support.thecultcloth.com. This week's stories MacBook Neo Reviews: Is Just 8GB of RAM Enough? https://www.macrumors.com/review/macbook-neo/ Apple Still Has More New Macs Planned for 2026 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/08/apple-still-has-more-new-macs-planned/ Apple Could Launch Three New 'Ultra' Devices This Year https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/08/apple-to-launch-three-new-ultras-this-year/ Apple Planning 'MacBook Ultra' With Touchscreen and Higher Price https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/08/apple-planning-macbook-ultra/ Apple Vision Pro is Getting the 'World's Most Advanced Flight Simulator' https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/11/apple-vision-pro-x-plane-flight-simulator/ iPhone Fold Said to Come in These Three Storage Options https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/12/iphone-fold-these-three-storage-capacities/ Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/12/apple-announces-50th-anniversary-plans/

Send us a text! This week:  Apple had a huge week. New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros just landed with massive performance gains and surprising efficiency improvements.  Apple also introduced the Mac Neo — a $500 Mac that Steve Jobs once said Apple could never build — plus a new Studio Display XDR that might quietly be the most exciting announcement of the bunch. In this episode, I break down everything Apple announced, what’s actually impressive, where the compromises are hiding, and which of these new products might really matter going forward. Sponsors NordStellar Most companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code  cultcast-10-NORDSTELLAR at https://nordstellar.com/cultcast. Squarespace If you’ve been thinking about building a website — or rebuilding one that hasn’t aged well — head to Squarespace.com/cultcast for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code CultCast at checkout. CultCloth Keep your gadgets, glasses, and more sparkling clean with CultCloth, premium grade cleaning cloths available only at CultCloth.co.  Support the CultCast! Fork over $5 a month, show papa ERF you care, at support.thecultcloth.com.

Send us a text! This week:  Apple’s about to hit the big red LAUNCH button: March 4 brings an “Apple Experience” happening in New York, London, and Shanghai, and we'll likely see days of product drops and press releases.  Plus: we’re diving into the coming “cheap MacBook” with questionable compromises, then fast-forwarding to the truly unhinged future: a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro with a Dynamic Island, and an iPhone 18 Pro that allegedly shrinks the Island even more.  Plus plus: Jony Ive + OpenAI - we finally know what they're working on....

Send us a text!  This week: Why your next iPhone could run on satellitesWhat's the future for Vision Pro?Vision Pro gets a LONG awaited appApple is prepping multiple foldable iPhonesAnd Jony Ive debuts one of his most beautiful designs since iPhone

Send us a text! I’m joined by listener-turned-guest Major Dr. Zach Hicks, an Air Force physician living in Japan, to talk  how Apple’s translation tech is making daily life in Tokyo not just possible, but actually kind of magical. We dive into using AirPods for real-time translation, navigating Japan without speaking the language, and why this stuff feels like a genuine sci-fi breakthrough. Along the way, we wander into raising kids overseas, Japanese culture shock, aviation anxiety, flying in military cargo planes, and why understanding how airplanes work might make you more nervous, not less. It’s a classic CultCast off-topic episode: part tech, part travel, part existential aviation dread — and a reminder that some of the best conversations come straight from the listener community.

Send us a text! With reseller stock drying up, new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros appear to be RIGHT around the corner!   We’ve also got more intel on Apple’s first OLED MacBook Pro (with a full redesign!). Plus: major new features landing in iOS 26.3 and 26.4, what Apple’s second-largest acquisition reveals about Siri’s future, autonomous AI agents are coming to Xcode, and a disappointing new rumor about the next Studio Display… Sponsors NordStellar Most companies only act after a breach. Be the one that’s prepared. Defend your business with NordStellar. Unlock your 10% discount on NordStellar with the coupon code  cultcast-10-NORDSTELLAR at https://nordstellar.com/cultcast. Squarespace If you’ve been thinking about building a website — or rebuilding one that hasn’t aged well — head to Squarespace.com/cultcast for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code CultCast at checkout. CultCloth Keep your gadgets, glasses, and more sparkling clean with CultCloth, premium grade cleaning cloths available only at CultCloth.co.  Support the CultCast! Fork over $5 a month, show papa ERF you care, at support.thecultcloth.com. This week’s stories M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/03/m5-pro-max-macbook-pro-imminent/ Report: OLED MacBook Pro to Launch This Year https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/03/report-oled-macbook-pro-to-launch-this-year/ iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/03/ios-26-3-and-ios-26-4-features/ Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/03/apple-second-biggest-acquisition/ Xcode 26.3 Lets AI Agents From Anthropic and OpenAI Build Apps Autonomously https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/03/xcode-26-3-agentic-coding/ Apple's Studio Display 2 Rumored to Have Up to 90Hz Refresh Rate Instead of 120Hz https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/04/apple-studio-display-2-unusual-feature-rumor/

Send us a text! This week: A deep dive into Apple’s new Creator Studio and whether it’s actually a good value for creative professionalsEverything 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 raceRevelations from my trip to Stockholm using my $2K mirrorless vs my iPhone 17 Pro cameraOur sponsors support.thecultcast.com unfork.thecultcast.com CultClub Join us in the CultClub (it's totally free!) 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/

Send us a text! 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! Join us in the CultClub (it's totally free!) Our sponsors Squarespace Squarespace.com/cultcast for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code CultCast at checkout Factor Head to factormeals.com/cultcast50off and use code cultcast50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year. 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

Send us a text! 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

Send us a text! 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?CultClub Join us in the CultClub (it's totally free!) Our sponsors CleanMyMac CleanMyMac is your ultimate solution for Mac control and care, notarized by Apple and meticulously crafted by MacPaw, a leading macOS & iOS software development company.   Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code CULTCAST for 20% off at clnmy.com/CULTCAST Factor Head to factormeals.com/cultcast50off and use code cultcast50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year. 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