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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.

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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/

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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.

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Keep your gadgets, glasses, and more sparkling clean with CultCloth, premium grade cleaning cloths available only at CultCloth.co. 

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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/

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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!

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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/

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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!

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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/

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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

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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

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This week: The MacBook Neo is here — but Apple’s next wave of devices will be even more surprising...

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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/

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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 satellites
• What's the future for Vision Pro?
• Vision Pro gets a LONG awaited app
• Apple is prepping multiple foldable iPhones
• And 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/