Cult of Mac

This week: Testing Siri AI against Apple’s bold claims, tons of extra details we’ve found in iOS 27, the big features coming later, and Apple’s major product launches on course for next year.Watch this episode on YouTubeSend us a text with comments, questions, feedback or a video to play on the show: cultofmacpodcast@icloud.comSponsors: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:I tested the new Siri AI against Apple’s own claimsI replicated demos from Apple’s WWDC26 keynote, using questions based on my own personal context. Here's how the Siri AI test went.10 hidden iOS 27 features Apple barely mentioned at WWDC26Beyond Siri AI and Apple Intelligence, iOS 27 includes plenty of useful hidden features that make your iPhone smarter to use.iOS 27 isn’t done yet: Additional features might arrive in SeptemberFrom a customizable Camera app to third-party AI in Siri, Apple may have three more surprises lined up for September.Apple plans one of its most ambitious product waves ever for 2027Apple 2027 product releases ambitiously shape up to include camera AirPods, 2nd-gen foldable iPhone and 20th anniversary iPhone.Trump says Apple and Intel will build chips together in USListener QuestionWhat’s up with the Kinghills Casino postings on Cult of Mac?

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!Watch this episode on YouTubeSend us a text with comments, questions, feedback or a video to play on the show: cultofmacpodcast@icloud.comSponsors: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 MacsStudio 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: 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 YouTubeSend us a text with comments, questions, feedback or a video to play on the show: cultofmacpodcast@icloud.comSponsors: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 MacsListener 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.

Watch this episode on YouTubeThis week: Xcode’s AI agents can build an app from scratch in a day, major new details on the folding iPhone — and a potential second folding iPhone, whether Apple plans obsolescence, and a trick that’ll wrangle notifications on your iPhone.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:Xcode unleashes AI agents for fast and easy app creationDevs can work directly with Anthropic's Claude Agent and OpenAI's Codex, thanks to an Xcode update that builds in AI coding agents.iPhone Fold leak shows Apple borrowing design cues from iPadA new leak provides more details about the foldable iPhone's design, pointing to several similarity with iPads.Apple’s foldable plans may not stop at just one iPhoneBefore Apple even launches its first folding iPhone, the company is reportedly exploring a follow-up model with a clamshell-like form factor.Apple just killed the myth of iPhone forced obsolescenceThe conspiracy theory that Apple uses iOS as a tool of forced iPhone obsolescence is complete BS, and I can prove it.Never miss an important alert with this crucial iPhone settings tweakIf you rely on timely alerts from certain critical iOS apps, set up persistent notifications so you don't miss something important.Listener QuestionDo people actually care about phone wobble?

Watch this episode on YouTubeThis week: Siri’s growing up as a proper chatbot, Apple copies the raging success of the Humane Ai Pin, why your next Mac might cost even more, how you can make your Mac hot, and a truly bizarre prison-inspired user setup.Links:Apple may reinvent Siri as a conversational AI in iOS 27Forget the old, nearly useless Siri — Apple will reportedly upgrade the iPhone’s voice assistant into an AI-powered chatbot with iOS 27. Users will supposedly be able to converse with the new Siri, not just give it orders.Apple works on AI wearable with mics, cameras and moreAn AI pin is reportedly on the drawing board at Apple. The hands-free device might may change the future of wearable technology.Why Apple faces new pressure to raise iPhone and Mac pricesApple is likely to struggle to get a critical component for all its products this year, which might force it raise prices.MacBook Pros disappear from stores — here’s whySpeed up your Mac workflow with Hot Corners, the feature pro users swear byHot Corners on the Mac work like shortcuts for your mouse. Just throw your mouse cursor to the corner of the screen to trigger a shortcut.Listener QuestionHands-on with a folding iPhone mock-up: This thing is weirdHow these brilliantly lit setups strike a mood for work or gamingProper desk lighting can make or break a Mac setup when it comes to boosting productivity, setting a mood or gaming like you mean it.RGB hues bathe Beatles-themed retro Apple rig in otherworldly light

Watch this episode on YouTubeThis week: The cutting-edge tech we expect to see in the folding iPhone, the hot new trend that beautifies your big camera bump, the weirdest auction of old Apple tat ever, a brand new app that’ll keep you fit, and the best Mac setup of 2025.This week’s stories:Samsung teases the foldable iPhone’s biggest upgradeAt CES 2026, Samsung showcased a crease-less folding OLED panel that might be headed for Apple’s first foldable iPhone.Decorating your iPhone with tiny stickers is 2026’s hot new trendPersonalize your iPhone 17 Pro camera plateau with stickers. Lots of people are doing it in fun and creative ways.This is the weirdest auction of Steve Jobs memorabilia we’ve ever seenSome rather strange Steve Jobs memorabilia is up for auction, showcasing unique items related to the Apple co-founder.New fitness app Reps & Sets 26 gets serious about strength trainingDesigned exclusively for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, strength-training app Reps & Sets 26 was developed by a long-time Cult of Mac writer.Reps & Sets 26 on the App StoreTop 10 Apple setups of 2025Cult of Mac's top 10 Apple setups of 2025 excel in raw computing power, aesthetic beauty, functional innovation — or all three.Turn your M4 Mac mini into a small-but-mighty ‘Mac Pro’