Cult of Mac

Watch this episode on YouTube
This week: The surprise launch of the new AirTag — and our review, how to get custom music in your Apple Music library, and a deep dive into the mysterious and murky past of Lewis Wallace.
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:
AirTag 2 launches today with longer range and louder speakerApple’s tracking tag has been upgraded with a new Ultra Wideband chip, improved Bluetooth connectivity and a louder speaker.

Why Apple’s AirTag 2 is way better than the originalThe tracker tag is easier to find with much longer range when using either a Bluetooth or Ultra Wideband connection from your iPhone. It also includes a louder, shriller speaker.

AirTag 2 teardown shows Apple taking tampering seriouslyApple’s second-generation AirTag looks unchanged on the outside, but a teardown reveals meaningful internal changes to avoid tampering.

How to upload your own music to Apple MusicIf there’s a live concert recording or indie song you want in your library, you can upload custom music to Apple Music really easily.
Radiohead Live - Blossom Music Center

Listener QuestionsThose Darn Accordions
The Wall of Wheeze
Removing a Champagne Cork (French) with a Sword

Watch this episode on YouTube
This 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 why

Speed 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 weird

How 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 YouTube
This week: Google’s Gemini is officially powering next-gen Siri, Apple overhauls all its pro apps, details on OpenAI’s first hardware product, and we go hands-on with a folding iPhone model!
This week’s stories:
It’s official — Google Gemini will power Siri’s major AI overhaulGoogle’s Gemini AI is now set to power the long-promised overhaul of Apple’s Siri voice assistant, turning months of speculation into confirmation after Apple made the partnership official in a statement released Monday.
Gemini-powered Siri reportedly will gain these capabilities

New Apple Creator Studio subscription gives you 6 incredible apps for low priceApple Creator Studio bundles 6 big-time apps into a subscription, including Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro and Pixelmator Pro.

OpenAI’s first device might take on AirPodsOpenAI’s first consumer product may be AI-powered earbuds, designed by Jony Ive and positioned as a direct AirPods rival.

Hands-on with a folding iPhone mock-up: This thing is weirdI got my hands on a model, and have lots of thoughts — if the folding iPhone looks anything like this, it’ll be weird.

Watch this episode on YouTube
This 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 Store

Top 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’

Watch this episode on YouTube
This week: Our look ahead at what’s coming in 2026 — and we’ll bring some forgotten Apple products back from the dead.
This week’s stories:
15 new products to expect from Apple in 2026Apple is preparing a wave of new products for 2026, including a folding iPhone, powerful new Macs, refreshed iPads and new smart home gear.
Spigen Classic C1 Mac mini stand
New LG displays

Dead Apple product draft:iPod Hi-Fi
AirPort Extreme
Apple LaserWriter
iPod touch
12-inch MacBook
Apple Watch Edition
Apple AA Battery Charger
SuperDrive
Apple II