Cult of Mac

Leander speaks to David Pogue, renowned author and technology journalist, about his new book, Apple: The First 50 Years.
Watch this interview on YouTube
Links:
Buy Apple: The First 50 YearsBookshop.org
Barnes & Noble
Amazon

Macintosh Portable
PowerBook 100 series
The Apple Car
PowerBook Duo
iMac G3
The Death of Mac OS 9
Noah Wyle as Steve Jobs

This week: Our reactions to Apple’s mad week of announcements — the good and bad from the iPhone 17e, the iPad Air, the incredible M5 MacBooks, the shocking new Studio Displays, and the all-new MacBook Neo. Plus, we’ll grade our predictions from last week!
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Send us a text with comments, questions, feedback or a video to play on the show: [email protected]
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The Cult of Mac Today and Weekender newsletters. Cult of Mac Today is a rundown of the top daily news, plus reviews and how-tos, with commentary by Leander himself. And the Weekender is an easy-to-digest roundup of the week’s top stories. Sign up at newsletters.cultofmac.com.
Links:
A18 Pro-powered MacBook Neo brings power at lowest price everThe new MacBook Neo, powered by an A18 Pro chip, is Apple’s most affordable laptop ever, at $599 — just $499 for education.

MacBook Pros with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips deliver major performance leapApple's newest M5 Pro and M5 Max-equipped MacBook Pros arrive, delivering unrivaled performance and additional storage.
M5 Pro and M5 Max ‘super cores’ supercharge new Macs

Studio Display XDR arrives with mini-LED backlighting and 5K clarityIntroducing the Studio Display XDR: Apple's new premium monitor for professionals with mini-LED backlighting and Thunderbolt 5.

iPhone 17e doubles built-in storage, adds MagSafeThe new iPhone 17e includes improvements — like double the starting storage capacity — that make it an even better value.

M5 MacBook Air ramps up speed, storage and connectivityWith M5 MacBook Air's launch, Apple's top-selling laptop gains speed, storage and improved wireless networking without any design changes.

4 key upgrades make new M4 iPad Air a beastThe new M4 iPad Air features a faster processor, more RAM, new Apple wireless chips and other enhancements to Apple's midrange tablet.

March 2026 PredictionsCongratulations to the two listeners who scored 7 points: Damian, and now four-time winner Michael Dennis.

This week, with special guest Casey Liss: Thanks to the success of Cosmic Orange, new colors are coming to iPhone 18 Pro, but they’re a bit WTF, the super clever way the first touchscreen Macs will work, exciting changes in iOS 26.4 beta 2, an even weirder keyboard setup than last week’s, plus our predictions for next week’s Apple announcements!
Watch this episode on YouTube
Send us a text with comments, questions, feedback or a video to play on the show: [email protected]
Submit your answers to the March 2026 prediction game
Sponsors:
The Cult of Mac Today and Weekender newsletters. Cult of Mac Today is a rundown of the top daily news, plus reviews and how-tos, with commentary by Leander himself. And the Weekender is an easy-to-digest roundup of the week’s top stories. Sign up at newsletters.cultofmac.com.
Links:
iPhone 18 Pro may double down on bold colorsApple reportedly plans a deep red finish for the iPhone 18 Pro, following the strong response to cosmic orange iPhone 17 Pro.

New interface will be key to touchscreen Macs’ successBuilding a touchscreen into the MacBook Pro will require changes to macOS 27. We just got the first hints of the needed modifications.

iOS 26.4 beta 2: All the new features and changesApple continues testing iOS 26.4 with the release of beta 2, and the update brings more than just minor tweaks.

Callsheet: Find Cast & CrewCallsheet is the best way to quickly look up information about the cast and crew in TV and movies. It respects your time, doesn't try to sell you stuff you don't need, and is designed to answer your questions quickly and easily.

15 coolest (and weirdest) keyboards in Mac setupsWe picked out the 15 coolest (and weirdest) keyboards for Mac setups, including ergonomic wonders and highly customizable options for gamers.
Keeping it weird with a ‘dual-display laptop’ and an ortholinear keyboard

March 2026 PredictionsFor the first time in 2026 (and on the new Cult of Mac podcast) we will lay down our predictions for Apple’s not-an-Event event.
Submit your responses here

Aftershow: Accidental Transportation PodcastThird-gen Ford Ranger / Mazda B-series
BMW 3 Series (E90)
BMW i4
Second-gen Range Rover
Volvo XC90
Third-gen Toyota Prius
Ford F-150 Lightning

This week: Apple’s got an "event" coming up in the first week of March! We’ll get into what we think it is. Also: Apple’s fast-tracking three wearable AI products and one of them is already a known bust, some big changes in iOS 26.4, a truly genius MacBook Air setup, and our hands-on with a great iPhone game controller for the rest of us.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Send us a text with comments, questions, feedback or a video to play on the show: [email protected]
Sponsors:
The Cult of Mac Today and Weekender newsletters. Cult of Mac Today is a rundown of the top daily news, plus reviews and how-tos, with commentary by Leander himself. And the Weekender is an easy-to-digest roundup of the week’s top stories. Sign up at newsletters.cultofmac.com.
Links:
Apple just announced its March event — here’s what could be comingGet ready for the Apple March event! We're looking forward to new MacBooks, iPads, an iPhone and possibly more announcements.

3 game-changing AI wearables Apple is rushing to launchApple is putting the pedal to the metal as it rushes to produce new types of AI-powered wearable devices — smart glasses, upgraded AirPods and an AirTag-size pendant.

iOS 26.4 beta 1: All the new features and changesApple has kicked off testing for iOS 26.4, with the update bringing more than just minor fixes. Here’s what’s new in iOS 26.4 beta 1.

Top 10 MacBook Air setupsOur collection of the top 10 MacBook Air setups really shows why the sleek machine is the world's best-selling laptop.
‘Headless’ MacBook Air runs alongside retro Macs

Listener QuestionWhy do we censor swearing?

Upgrade iPhone gaming for cheap with GameSir X5s controllerThe GameSir X5s is a great and affordable way to upgrade mobile gaming. Your phone slides in and gives you console-quality physical controls.

This week: The new Siri is slipping yet again — but that’s a good thing, Eddy Cue pulls the plug on Apple’s AI doctor, more new AirPods Pro are on the way, the best multi-Mac setups, and we’ve got a great tip for the Messages app.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Send us a text with comments, questions and feedback; or a video to play on the show: [email protected]
Sponsors:
The Cult of Mac Today and Weekender newsletters. Cult of Mac Today is a rundown of the top daily news, plus reviews and how-tos, with commentary by Leander himself. And the Weekender is an easy-to-digest roundup of the week’s top stories. Sign up at newsletters.cultofmac.com.
Links:
M5 Pro MacBook Pro release date just became clearerAfter weeks of speculation, Apple’s M5 Pro MacBook Pros may finally be on the horizon. A fresh report offers the clearest launch window yet.

That Siri upgrade coming in iOS 26.4? Don’t get your hopes up.iOS 26.4 may not live up to expectations. Apple is struggling to complete a long-delayed artificial intelligence upgrade for Siri.

Apple shifts AI health coach plans to new focusA new decision by Eddy Cue means Apple shifts AI health coach plans to focus on incremental Health app updates.

Next AirPods Pro’s new cameras could see your surroundingsA new leak says new cameras in upcoming AirPods Pro 4 could see around the user. Look for them sometime in 2026.

Maximum fun: Top 10 multi-Mac setupsFor Apple enthusiasts, one Mac is great — but two or more? That’s when things get seriously interesting.
Developer dual-Mac dance: Mac mini and MacBook Air

Listener QuestionWill AI actually eliminate white collar jobs?

6 great features in Messages in iOS 26Get to know the great new features in Messages in iOS 26: polls, background images, group Apple Cash payments and so much more.
Short YouTube video