Category: Apple

A recent report from AppleInsider’s Marko Zivkovic has listed identifiers for upcoming Mac models expected to be released over the next year. The report indicates that Apple is working on refreshed versions of almost every Mac product, which includes the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro.

This year, Apple is anticipated to launch new MacBook Pro models that will come equipped with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips. In line with past practices, the report suggests that updated versions of the Mac mini and iMac with M5 chips may debut simultaneously.

The next generations of the MacBook Air and Mac Studio are likely to follow suit next year. Meanwhile, the future of the Mac Pro, a desktop tower, remains uncertain regarding its release timeframe.

Concerning design changes, no significant alterations have been rumored for the upcoming models. However, later in 2024, an exciting development is expected: the new MacBook Pro versions that feature M6, M6 Pro, and M6 Max chips could come with OLED displays and a sleeker design.

In addition to the insights on Mac models, the report also highlights ongoing rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 Pro series, suggesting updates like a repositioned Apple logo and differences in display sizes between the Pro and Pro Max models. The iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to feature a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max could sport a larger 6.9-inch screen.

As for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, reports indicate that it may be on track for a timely release, boasting new features such as satellite connectivity and 5G support, making it a notable addition to Apple’s wearable technology lineup.

Apple has officially introduced its redesigned iPad Pro featuring the powerful M4 chip, stunning Ultra Retina XDR OLED displays, and innovative design enhancements. The latest iPad Pro models come in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, measuring 5.3mm and 5.1mm thick, respectively. The 11-inch model weighs under a pound, while the 13-inch model is lighter than its predecessor by a quarter pound.

This makes the new iPad Pro the thinnest product Apple has ever released. One of the standout features of the new iPad Pro is its Ultra Retina XDR OLED display, which employs a unique tandem design allowing for exceptional brightness levels. Fullscreen brightness can reach up to 1,000 nits for both SDR and HDR content, with peak HDR brightness hitting an impressive 1,600 nits.

The display offers deeper blacks, enhanced details in shadows, and improved motion responsiveness. At the core of the device is the M4 chip, built using second-generation 3nm technology. This advanced chip includes a new display engine and supports hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing.

Users can expect a significant performance boost, with CPU speeds up to 50% faster than the previous M2 model and rendering performance that is four times quicker. Additionally, the front-facing camera has been repositioned to the side for improved video calls, while the rear camera now supports ProRes video recording and Smart HDR 4. An Adaptive TrueTone flash enhances document scanning capabilities.

The iPad Pro also offers a nano-texture display option for the first time, with an enclosure made entirely from recycled aluminum. Available in Silver and Space Black, the 11-inch model starts at $999 and the 13-inch model at $1,299. Pre-orders are open now, and the devices will be available from May 15.

Apple is set to introduce its first-ever custom-designed Wi-Fi chip in all four iPhone 17 models. Analysts, including Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu, have confirmed that the new chip is expected to support Wi-Fi 7 technology.

While the iPhone 16 series already supports Wi-Fi 7, having an Apple-designed chip is significant, as it marks a shift toward greater self-sufficiency in hardware development. The development of this custom chip aligns with Apple’s recent trend of creating its own components.

Last year, the company launched the C1 modem designed for cellular networks in the iPhone 16e. By producing more in-house chips, Apple aims to reduce its dependency on external suppliers such as Qualcomm and Broadcom for modem and Wi-Fi technology.

Wi-Fi 7 offers advanced capabilities, including simultaneous data transmission over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. This results in faster speeds, reduced latency, and enhanced connectivity.

The new technology can achieve peak speeds exceeding 40 Gbps, a four-times increase over Wi-Fi 6E, given the right equipment. The iPhone 17 lineup is anticipated to be revealed in September, with various rumors circulating regarding features and changes.

For instance, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models are said to have different display sizes, with the Pro Max expected to house the largest battery ever seen in an iPhone, reportedly at 5,000mAh. In the coming months, Apple is expected to unveil a number of new products, including the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which may feature satellite connectivity and 5G support.

Overall, excitement around Apple’s upcoming launches continues to build as details emerge.

Apple has announced the inauguration of a cutting-edge studio complex in Los Angeles, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Apple Music. This new facility, located in Culver City, occupies three stories and over 15,000 square feet.

It is designed to facilitate the creation of artist-focused content, foster immersive audio innovations, and enhance connections between musicians and their audiences through diverse media formats. The studio, referred to as a “creative campus,” features two sophisticated radio studios equipped with immersive Spatial Audio playback.

These studios can be modularly configured to host live interviews, casual discussions, and impromptu performances. Apple indicates that its Los Angeles location will serve as a central hub in a larger network of Apple Music studios spanning cities such as New York, Tokyo, Berlin, Paris, and Nashville.

In celebration of its anniversary, Apple Music Radio is hosting an extensive day-long programming event. The event kicks off with a segment titled “Don’t Be Boring: The Birth of Apple Music Radio with Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden,” airing from 6 to 8 a.m. Pacific Time.

Following this, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT, Apple Music 1 will broadcast “10 Years of Apple Music,” featuring notable artist interviews, exclusive song premieres, and significant cultural milestones. The day’s highlights will culminate with a live event from 4 to 7 p.m. PT, hosted by Lowe and Darden, showcasing artists who have significantly influenced the platform.

Additionally, starting July 1, Apple Music Radio will present a multi-day countdown of the 500 most-streamed songs since the service’s inception. This countdown will cover 100 songs daily, concluding with the top 100 on July 5, the same date that a complete “10 Years of Apple Music: Top Songs” playlist will be launched.

To enrich the user experience, Apple Music subscribers can now enjoy a new personalized playlist called “Replay All Time,” which compiles and ranks their most frequently streamed songs since joining the platform, dynamically updated with their listening history.

Amazon has announced a substantial discount on the Black Apple Watch Ultra 2, now priced at $649. This marks the first notable reduction on this model in several weeks, down from its original price of $799.

This deal presents an excellent opportunity for those in the market for this high-end smartwatch. The sale includes various configurations of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Among the options available at this price are models featuring the Black Titanium Case with a Black Trail Loop as well as versions with a Dark Green Alpine Loop. Additionally, shoppers can find models in the Natural color option that come with the Navy Ocean Band and Tan Alpine Loop, also on sale for $649.

In addition to the aforementioned models, several Black Apple Watch Ultra 2 versions equipped with the Titanium Milanese Loop are available for $749, reduced from $899. These are available in all sizes: Large, Medium, and Small, making it easier for customers to find the perfect fit.

For those seeking to explore more discounts, MacRumors has compiled a dedicated post highlighting the best early Prime Day deals, focusing on Apple products. This roundup is a valuable resource for anyone hunting for deals over the sale period.

If you want to stay informed about ongoing discounts, consider signing up for the Deals Newsletter. This way, you’ll receive updates and insights on significant deals throughout the season, helping you make the most of your shopping experience.

In summary, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available at a record low price, offering great savings for potential buyers. Don’t miss out on these exclusive Prime Day deals!

If you’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Apple’s purported smart home hub, you may need to adjust your expectations. In a recent edition of his *Power On* newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated that the device is still “months away” from being released. This suggests that the hub may not be shipped until at least April, and possibly much later in the year.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has indicated that the device is expected to enter mass production in the latter half of 2025. This timeline raises the likelihood that the home hub could be officially announced in September or even later. Gurman previously described the hub as “Apple’s most significant release of the year,” highlighting it as a pivotal move towards a greater role in the smart home arena.

He envisions it as a “smaller and cheaper iPad,” designed to enable users to control various appliances, conduct FaceTime calls, and perform other functions. The smart home hub is anticipated to resemble a HomePod equipped with a display, likely featuring a 6-inch or 7-inch screen, an A18 chip, and support for Apple Intelligence. According to Gurman, it can be mounted on a wall or set on a tabletop base that includes a speaker.

Running on a new operating system dubbed “homeOS,” the device is expected to feature a customizable widget-focused home screen. It will leverage Siri, Apple Intelligence, and HomeKit for seamless integration. Additionally, the hub may serve as a home security system by displaying camera footage and will incorporate a built-in camera for FaceTime video calls.

Apple’s upcoming hub will position itself against competitors like Google’s Nest Hub and Amazon’s Echo Show. However, it remains unclear whether the device will be branded as a HomePod, HomePad, or perhaps under a distinctive name such as Apple Home.

In March 2022, Apple introduced the Studio Display alongside the Mac Studio, and since then, the monitor has not seen any hardware updates. The current model features a 27-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 5K, a refresh rate of 60Hz, and a brightness of up to 600 nits.

It includes a built-in camera and speakers, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the United States, the starting price for the monitor is $1,599.

Now, there are rumors about a possible successor, the Studio Display 2. Industry expert Ross Young has indicated that Apple plans to unveil a new Studio Display by late 2025 or early 2026.

In a subscriber-only post on social media, Young confirmed that this display would maintain the same 27-inch size as the current version but would incorporate mini-LED backlighting. This upgrade is expected to enhance brightness and contrast ratios compared to the traditional LED backlighting used in the existing model.

However, further specifications, including the refresh rate, remain unconfirmed. Young is known for his reliable insights regarding Apple’s future products.

He notably predicted the display sizes for the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models over a year prior to their anticipated launch. Besides Young, other sources such as Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman have also hinted at the potential for a new display featuring mini-LED technology that may be released in 2026.

Additionally, there are whispers about a 90Hz refresh rate for the next Studio Display. An anonymous tip from a tech podcast suggested that Apple is exploring this technology, which would improve the smoothness of videos and scrolling text.

Nonetheless, it still falls short of the 120Hz refresh rates found in devices with ProMotion capabilities. As of now, the details surrounding this claim are unclear, given the lack of a proven track record from the source.

Apple is set to introduce a custom-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip by 2025, effectively decreasing its dependency on Broadcom. This move, as reported by Bloomberg, will replace Broadcom components and signify a significant shift in Apple’s hardware strategy. The internally coded chip, dubbed “Proxima,” is expected to debut in the iPhone 17 models, followed by the Apple TV and HomePod mini.

Other products like the iPad and Mac will receive the chip in 2026. While this new chip is separate from Apple’s ongoing work on a 5G modem, there are plans to eventually merge them into one component. The overarching aim is to achieve a more integrated and energy-efficient wireless system, which could lead to reduced battery usage across cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth technologies.

This development will allow Apple to design slimmer devices and explore new possibilities in wearable technology. Historically, Broadcom has been a significant supplier of components for Apple products. However, Apple aims to lessen its reliance on Broadcom, as well as on Qualcomm, from which it plans to phase out modem components beginning in 2025.

This transition is expected to start with devices like the iPhone SE, low-end iPad, and iPhone 17 Air, which will be equipped with Apple’s custom 5G modem. Despite the shift away from Broadcom, Apple will still utilize some of its components, such as a radio frequency filter for modems. Additionally, there are collaborative efforts ongoing with Broadcom regarding future cloud server chips.

Overall, this strategic move positions Apple to enhance its hardware capabilities and reduce reliance on external suppliers.

The potential release of a plastic Apple Watch SE this year seems uncertain, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman indicates that two main factors are now putting the plastic version in jeopardy: design aesthetics and production costs.

He elaborates that the design team is dissatisfied with the appearance of the plastic model, while the operations team struggles to produce a casing that is significantly less expensive than the current aluminum version. Gurman initially mentioned the idea of a plastic Apple Watch SE last year, suggesting it could offer a more affordable option for parents interested in purchasing a smartwatch for their children.

Currently, the Apple Watch SE was launched in 2022, with a starting price of $249 in the U.S. In addition to the uncertainty surrounding the Apple Watch SE, there is considerable buzz about the upcoming iPhone 17 series, set to release in September.

According to recent rumors, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models may feature a repositioned Apple logo and differ in size, with the Pro Max expected to have a larger battery due to its increased dimensions. The Pro model will have a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max will offer a 6.9-inch display.

Furthermore, Apple’s dominance in the wireless earbud market is anticipated to continue into 2025, with a projected 3% increase in global shipments. Lastly, the future of the Apple Watch Ultra product line appears promising, with rumors suggesting the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 will introduce significant features, including satellite connectivity and 5G support.

Apple’s new original film, “F1: The Movie,” has rapidly become the company’s highest-grossing theatrical release, amassing over $293 million globally within just ten days of its debut. During its opening weekend alone, the film raked in an impressive $146 million.

It has surpassed previous Apple productions, including Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” which grossed $221 million, and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” earning $158 million. The film’s impressive box office performance stands in contrast to some of Apple’s earlier projects, such as “Fly Me to the Moon,” which earned only $42 million, and “Argylle,” which brought in $96 million.

A significant factor contributing to “F1″‘s success has been its IMAX screenings, which accounted for $60 million, or roughly 20% of total ticket sales. Beyond the North American market, “F1” has grossed $109.5 million, with notable international earnings coming from China ($22 million), the United Kingdom ($17.3 million), Mexico ($12.3 million), France ($11.5 million), and Australia ($9.8 million).

Despite the film’s remarkable box office numbers, the estimated production costs surpassed $250 million, with added marketing expenses of around $100 million. This raises questions about whether the film can break even, as box office revenue is typically shared between studios and exhibitors, with studios receiving around 50% of domestic sales.

Thus, “F1” has likely not yet recouped its full investment through theatrical ticket sales. Following its theatrical run, “F1” is anticipated to be available on Apple TV+ later in 2025.