This week: New details on the super slim iPhone 17, what’s coming next for AirTags 2, a hidden MacBook Pro feature Apple didn’t mention — and our hands-on with Image Playground!

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This week’s stories:

iPhone 17 Air could be Apple’s slimmest iPhone ever

• The rumored iPhone 17 Air might measure just 6mm thick, making it the slimmest iPhone ever.

AirTag 2 reportedly launching in mid-2025 with better range

• Apple’s first AirTag upgrade is another step closer to launch, with the tracking tags reportedly progressing to “manufacturing tests.”

Surprise! M4 MacBook Pro includes quantum dot display

• The latest MacBook Pro screen reportedly includes a quantum dot film. The result is a better-looking display in the new Mac notebook.

Why Apple should start selling Mac mini SSD storage upgrades

• In a surprise move, the M4 Mac mini includes a removable, swappable SSD.

Hands-on with Image Playground, Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT in iOS 18.2

• iOS 18.2 will bring exciting new Apple Intelligence features like Image Playground, Genmoji, Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT integration.
• YouTube video

Bloomberg: Apple considering another run at an actual TV

• If Apple’s smart display on, it will help set the stage for more home devices. It may even revisit the idea of making an Apple-branded TV set, something it’s evaluating.

This week, it’s our hands-on reviews with ALL the M4 Macs and Magic peripherals — the good, the bad and the ugly. Also: Apple’s weird new smart home device coming next March, and Apple’s even weirder new coffee table book…

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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:

With the M4 iMac, you don’t have to pick between fast or fun

• The desktop computer is an endangered breed, but if you have room for one in your life, the new iMac offers a beautiful design and some impressive performance.
• PSA: Be super-careful opening your new M4 iMac

My MacBook Pro quantum leap from M1 Pro to M4 Pro

• While the M1 Pro and M4 Pro laptops could be the same exact machine judging from the outside — same as all M-series MacBook Pro models — the new one takes some big steps forward in performance.

Mac mini with M4 Pro is mightier and mini-er than ever

• The new Mac mini with M4 Pro chip offers incredible power at an unbelievable price. And on top of all that, it’s super-tiny. What’s not to love?

Reviews for the new peripherals:

• Magic Trackpad
• Magic Keyboard
• Magic Mouse

Apple’s next big thing is a wall-mounted iPad?

• Apple plans to release “a wall-mounted display that can control appliances, handle videoconferencing and use AI to navigate apps” from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
• Nintendo Alarmo

Apple Music turns its 100 Best Albums list into $450 coffee-table book

• Back when Apple Music put out its 100 Best Albums of all time list, some people expressed shock at the No. 1 pick — 1998’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
• And now they might be shocked they’re being asked to pay a whopping $450 for a fancy-schmancy, limited-edition coffee-table book version of the whole list.

This week, reviews are in — and the M4 Macbook Pro performance is absolutely mind blowing. Is it finally time to upgrade from M1? Plus: When to expect the next big MacBook redesign with OLED displays, new features in iOS 18.2, the next big step in Apple silicon… and the Under Review you’ve been waiting 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

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This week’s stories:

M4 MacBook Pro review roundup: Truly pro at every level

• Apple’s latest M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro refresh brings significant improvements to its professional laptop line, with reviewers praising the upgraded base model and impressive performance gains across the board.

M4 Pro and Max benchmarks show M2 Ultra who’s boss

• Early Geekbench 6 benchmark results show impressive performance improvements for the new M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.

The next major MacBook design refresh arrives in 2026

• Mark Gurman, in his latest Power On newsletter, says the big MacBook Pro overhaul will arrive in 2026 rather than 2025, when some people expected it.

iOS 18.2 beta 2: All the new features and changes

• A couple of weeks after releasing the first iOS 18.2 beta with new Apple Intelligence features, Apple seeded the second beta to developers with several new features.

iPhone 17 could use Apple’s new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip

• Apple might switch to in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips starting with next year’s iPhone 17. The company plans to fully transition to its custom Wi-Fi chips within three years after that.

Under Review: Fujifilm X100VI

This week, they’re here — ALL the M4 Macs. The iMac, the Mac mini, the MacBook Pros, the new accessories. What did we order?

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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:

Mac mini radically redesigned with M4 and M4 Pro chip

• Apple unveiled the radically redesigned Mac mini on Tuesday, with versions powered by the M4 chip and a new M4 Pro chip.
• Hacks and jokes ‘fix’ M4 Mac mini’s odd power-button placement

New M4 iMac delivers major speed boost

• Apple launched an upgraded iMac with an M4 chip and support for Apple Intelligence on Monday, calling it “the world’s best all-in-one for AI.”

M4 MacBook Pros deliver big performance and battery life gains

• While the new laptops sport the same design as their predecessors, they deliver faster performance and a staggering 24 hours of battery life, the company says.

Shocker! Apple doubles RAM in M2 and M3 MacBook Air

• Apple on Wednesday increased the RAM in the base model M2 and M3 MacBook Air from 8GB to 16GB. And the enhancement comes without a price increase.

New Magic Keyboard, mouse and trackpad spell end for Lightning

• Apple’s new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad showed up for sale Monday. As expected, they switch from Lightning connector to USB-C.

This week, don’t call it an event — but M4 Macs are coming next week! Also, the second wave of Apple Intelligence, all the Apple products coming next spring, their expensive Apple Card mistake, and is production ending on Vision Pro?

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 October Mac event is on… sort of

• Apple let the world know on Thursday that its much-anticipated October event isn’t going to be a traditional one. Instead, it’ll be a week of announcements of new products via press releases.

Apple plans early-2025 M4 MacBook Air refresh, delays next Mac Studio

• While some M4 Macs may arrive in the next week, Apple also gears up for a bigger expansion of its M4 chip rollout, including the M4 MacBook Air coming in early 2025.

iOS 18.2 beta 1: All the new features and changes

• Ahead of iOS 18.1’s public release, Apple released the first iOS 18.2 beta to developers. The second major point release of iOS 18 packs several changes, including new Apple Intelligence features.

Apple and Goldman Sachs hit with $90 million in fines for Apple Card mistakes

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) imposed nearly $90 million in combined penalties on Apple and Goldman Sachs, the agency said Wednesday.

Apple could soon end production of Vision Pro headset

• Apple reportedly might end production of the Vision Pro by the end of the year. That doesn’t mean the mixed-reality headset is about to be discontinued, however.

This week, a new iPad mini drops — what does this mean for the Macs on the way? Also, details on all the weird Vision products Apple’s working on…

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:

New iPad mini 7 gains the brains for Apple Intelligence

• The iPad mini 7, the first new version released in three years, offers support for the AI features dubbed Apple Intelligence. Plus, the tablet comes with a significant jump in storage capacity and supports the new Apple Pencil Pro.

Why we might not get an Apple October Mac and iPad event

• Mac notebooks and desktops with the M4 processor are still expected to premiere soon. Just maybe more quietly.

Apple’s cheaper Vision headset might remain out of budget for most

• For wider adoption, Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper Vision headset. In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reveals that the low-end Vision headset “cost about $2,000 and probably use an inferior processor and cheaper materials.”

Apple preps smart glasses and AirPods with cameras for 2027

• Apple reportedly wants to repurpose some of the technology that went into its Vision Pro headset for simpler products. That includes a pair of smart glasses plus AirPods with IR cameras.

USA Facts

• Steve Ballmer and Jon Stewart interview

Apple Has a New Smart Home Strategy: Screens Everywhere

• Apple is finally preparing to compete for the smart home market after falling behind Amazon and Google.

Erfon reveals three secrets, LEWIS reveals NONE.

This week, new Macs and iPads are coming soon — but the MacBook Pro is already here! It’s the biggest leak since the iPhone 4. Also, Apple silicon modems are back on the table, our hands-on with Apple Intelligence and the scoop on Apple’s new update strategy!

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

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:

Apple Core

• Graham Bower and Charlie Sorrel explore the story behind a different Apple product in each episode.

Apple’s next-gen M4 Macs and iPad mini 7 are almost here

• Apple’s next-gen M4 Macs will reportedly arrive November 1, rather than in October as is generally expected.

M4 MacBook Pro allegedly unboxed weeks before release

• An alleged unboxing video of the M4 MacBook Pro went live on YouTube over the weekend. The early hands-on, if real, shows that Apple’s next MacBook will pack impressive performance improvements over the M3 version.

iPhone SE 4’s in-house Apple 5G modem could deliver major power savings

• The upcoming iPhone SE 4 will reportedly sport a new design that will see Apple ditch the physical Home button. It will also stand out for being the first product in Apple’s portfolio to use its in-house 5G modem.

Hands-on with the first 10 Apple Intelligence features

• Apple Intelligence makes its debut with 10 new features — some of it is fantastic, some of it is kind of pointless.
• YouTube video

Bloomberg: Apple Slowly Moves Away From Its Annual Product Release Strategy

• Apple has clearly realized that there’s an issue. Pursuing a big fall launch for most of its new hardware and software offerings has become too much of a toll — and the company is ever-so-slightly inching away from that path.

This week, EVERYTHING that’s coming next — new Macs and iPads, the iPhone SE, Vision Pro 2 and a brand-new smart display with Apple Intelligence. Finally, we’ll wrap it up with Erfon’s week-long review of AirPods 4!

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:

What Macs and iPads to expect at Apple’s rumored October event

• Rumors say an Apple event should bring new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models with the M4 chip, with a new iPad mini and budget iPad also on the agenda.

iPhone SE 4 with Apple Intelligence on course for early 2025

• iPhone SE 4 should debut early next year with some major upgrades.

iPad Air could be in for a quick performance upgrade

• The revamped iPad Air debuted in May, but there’s already word that a replacement is on Apple’s drawing board.

Next-gen Vision Pro with M5 chip will support Apple Intelligence

• Ming-Chi Kuo detailed some planned improvements from Apple for the next-gen Vision Pro.

Apple smart display with Apple Intelligence coming in 2025

• Apple might launch a new smart display running a new operating system called homeOS early next year. The device could feature FaceTime integration and act as a smart home controller.

This week — our hands-on, week-one reviews of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 2’s new color + the Milanese loop controversy…

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:

Why you should choose iPhone 16 or 16 Plus over iPhone 16 Pro

• I’d like to save you between $200 and $400. It’s easy: Don’t assume you must buy an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max to get an excellent handset. The more-affordable iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are both brilliant.

iPhone 16 Pro: Not much new, but everything is better

• The iPhone 16 Pro is a much-refined iPhone. All the features that make the it pro have been improved.

iPhone 16 Pro users face intermittent touchscreen problems

• Some users report that their iPhone 16 Pros don’t properly detect all their touches and swipes, leading to a frustrating experience.

Don’t panic: Mysterious iOS 18 update for iPhone 16 is nothing to worry about

• Don’t be alarmed if your brand-new iPhone 16 prompts you to update to iOS 18 even though your phone is already running iOS 18. And also don’t freak out when you see a fear-inducing “Welcome to iPhone” screen after you update.

Apple Watch 10: The best gets gloriously better

• Larger, thinner, lighter and more lushly curvaceous than predecessors, the 10th anniversary Apple Watch is, technically, a redesign.

AirPods 4 review roundup: ANC really works without ear tips

• The first reviews of Apple AirPods 4 are in to answer the question, how well does active noise cancellation work without foam ear tips? The consensus: pretty well.

This week, it’s our live unboxing, hands-on and first impressions of the iPhone 16 Pro! Also, review roundups of AirPods and Apple Watch, and leaked details on the Apple Watch SE and MacBook Pro we didn’t get.

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:

Video: Unboxing the iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro cases

• OtterBoxSymmetry Series Cactus Leather
• OtterBox Lumen Series with Camera Control
• Apple Clear Case
• OtterBox Defender Series Pro XT

AirPods 4 review roundup: ANC really works without ear tips

• The first reviews of Apple AirPods 4 are in to answer the question, how well does active noise cancellation work without foam ear tips? The consensus: pretty well.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black is what ‘Batman would buy’

• Rather than Apple Watch Ultra 3, we got the Ultra 2 in a “satin black” titanium finish. This might be more disappointing if early reviewers weren’t raving about the new color.

Apple Watch SE 3 now expected in 2025

• After two years, one might think a new Apple Watch SE is imminent but the Apple Watch Series 10 announcement on September 9 came and went with no mention of a cheaper little brother.

OLED MacBook still at least 2 years away

• Apple’s switch from LCD to OLED in its MacBook line isn’t moving quickly. A pair of respected industry analysts agree that it won’t happen before 2026.