This week, you know what’s up — it’s ALL about the new iPads! The surprises, the disappointments, the questions answered. But most importantly… who won the prediction game?

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This week’s stories:

Apple supersizes iPad Air with 13-inch model

• The new iPad Air is available with a gigantic 13-inch display for the first time.
• The new iPad Airs run on the M2 processor, which Apple says is 50% faster than the M1 chip in the 2022 iPad Air and three times faster than the fourth-gen iPad Air with the A14 Bionic chip.

iPad Pro upgraded with beautiful OLED display, M4 chip

• The 2024 iPad Pro is the first with an OLED screen and — shocking! — it runs on the Apple M4 processor. Yes, the iPad Pro beat the Mac to Apple's latest chip!
• First M4 iPad Pro benchmarks show 21% performance increase over M3
• Steve Troughton-Smith on Mastodon
• Apple’s ‘Crush!’ ad touting new iPad Pro draws ire
• Apple Pencil Pro adds ‘squeeze’ gesture, haptic feedback, Find My and more New Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro features a bigger glass trackpad with haptic feedback

iPad 10 gets a much-deserved price cut

• Alongside the M4 iPad Pros and M2 iPad Air, Apple announced a price drop for the 10th-generation iPad. The tablet now costs $349, making it $100 cheaper than before.

Updated Pro apps:

• Final Cut Pro adds live multi-camera recording
• Logic Pro updates bring powerful new tools for music-makers

“Let Loose” Prediction Results

D. Griffin Jones and special guest Sam Henri-Gold attempt to talk about the upcoming “Let Loose” Apple event.

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!

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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 .

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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

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.

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

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 .

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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

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!

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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 .

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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

It's Movie VS Movie in an all-new VS!

This week: Forget a car — Apple thinks personal home robots are their next big thing. Plus: iPhone 16 leaks, what comes next for the M3, a big new feature lands on Vision Pro, and our solar eclipse stories and photo tips!

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 . And if you would like to leave The CultClub, you can do so at unfork.thecultcast.com .

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This week’s stories:

With car junked, Apple robots could be Cupertino’s next moonshot

• Teams in Cupertino are working on Apple personal home robotic devices, including a mobile robot and a table-top device with a moving display, according to a new report.

iPhone 16 ‘dummy’ units give us glimpse of upcoming changes

• Images of iPhone 16 “dummy” units have been published by a tipster with an established record. They show the redesigned camera hump reportedly coming to the two non-Pro models and other changes.

New iPads won’t arrive until May and we can’t stop crying

• No new iPad models came out in 2023 at all, and the tablet drought continues. That’s why there’s so much excitement about the upcoming Pro and Air models.

Redesign could give Apple M3 Ultra processor wicked performance boost

• Apple's in the process of restructuring their Apple Silicon lineup. M3 Max no longer comes with the UltraFusion interconnect. This means that the M3 Ultra chip will be redesigned as its own standalone chip, no longer being made up of 2x Max dies.

Free-floating Spatial Personas arrive in visionOS 1.1 for Vision Pro

• Apple has made Spatial Personas, a more lifelike enhancement of the Persona feature for the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, available in the visionOS 1.1 update which came Tuesday.

How to take solar eclipse photos with iPhone

• Photographing the solar eclipse is hard without the right tools. Here’s how you can get prepared.
• YouTube video

This week: Apple just announced WWDC24, a big change coming to iOS 18, hackers found an exploit in M-series chips and more of the bizarre claims of the DOJ against Apple!

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 .

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This week’s stories:

Apple sets WWDC24 kickoff date for June 10

• WWDC24, this year’s big Apple developer conference, will start with a live-streamed event on June 10, the company said Tuesday.
• During the keynote, Apple undoubtedly will reveal its plans for iOS and its other computing platforms, with a rumored focus on AI.
• Griffin’s coverage of WWDC22

iOS 18 could introduce more customizable iPhone Home Screen

• Apple will allow for greater iPhone Home Screen customization in iOS 18, including the ability to place app icons anywhere on the screen, according to a new report.

Hackers can exploit flaw in Apple M-series processors

• Security researchers have found a serious exploit in all Apple M-series processors. The flaw exposes precious encryption keys, and it’s baked into the hardware — so it can’t easily be patched without a performance penalty.

‘Presto,’ your new iPhone comes out of box with fresh software update

• The next time you buy a new iPhone, it could come out of the box with a fresh iOS software update.
• A new proprietary system called “Presto” will update it right in the packaging before you buy it at an Apple Store.

iMore: DOJ lawsuit says failure of Amazon Fire Phone, end of Windows Phone, and HTC’s demise all Apple’s fault

• The DOJ states that Microsoft, HTC, and LG all exited the smartphone market because of Apple.

This week, breaking news! The US launches huge lawsuit against Apple. Also, Apple AI might be powered by Google Gemini, all the details on AirPods 4, Epic’s new game store, and a MUCH cheaper Vision headset!

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 .

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This week’s stories:

Get ready for ‘the biggest AirPods launch to date’

• Apple could launch the AirPods 4 in two flavors later this year: one with ANC and another without. Alongside updated internals, the new earbuds purportedly will sport a sleeker new design.

Blockbuster US antitrust lawsuit targets Apple’s ‘iPhone monopoly’

• The Department of Justice and 16 state attorneys general filed an antitrust lawsuit Thursday aimed at forcing Apple to open up many aspects of its ecosystem, from the App Store to Apple Watch.
• Extra Ordinary: Apple’s Platform Advantage

iOS 18’s generative AI features might use Google Gemini

• Apple could use Google Gemini to power the generative AI features reportedly coming this year in iOS 18. Apple and Google are reportedly in “active negotiations” about the possibility, but have not yet finalized a deal.

iPhone 17’s display could get a big anti-reflective upgrade

• A new rumor says that the 2025 iPhone might feature a “super-hard anti-reflective layer,” which is also more scratch-resistant.

MacRumors: Epic Games to Charge 12% Fee for App Sales From Alternative iPhone Store

• Epic Games in February said that it would launch an Epic Games Store on the iPhone in the European Union.
• For games distributed through the Epic Games Store, Epic will collect a 12 percent share of revenue, which is the same fee that it charges on Windows and Mac machines.

Tomsguide: Apple reportedly ‘accelerating’ entry-level Vision Pro — and it could cost $2,000 less

• Apple is aiming to cut the cost of the Apple Vision Pro from $3,500 down to as low as $1,500, according to a new report.
• How? Apple’s apparently going back to the drawing board when it comes to one of the headset's most expensive components: its two 4K micro-OLED displays.