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  • New MacBook Air with M4 chip coming soon

    New MacBook Air with M4 chip coming soon

    Apple is gearing up to release new MacBook Air models equipped with the latest M4 chip by March, at the very latest, according to insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This timeline aligns with last year’s launch of the M3 MacBook Air.

    MacBook Air in Blue

    Gurman shared these details in his recent Power On newsletter, although he hasn’t pinned down the precise launch date for the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs. Just a week ago, he hinted that the new models would hit the market “within weeks.”

    There’s been buzz about these new MacBook Airs for some time. Initially, they were expected to be Apple’s first big reveal of the new year. However, the spotlight might now go to the iPhone SE 4, which is set to be unveiled this Wednesday.

    Apple actually gave us a sneak peek of these upcoming M4 MacBook Airs back in December. When they released the macOS Sequoia 15.2 update, it included references to new machines listed as “Mac16,12” and “Mac16,13.” These codes hinted at the “MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)” and “MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025).”

    Since that discovery, everyone’s been waiting for these new MacBook Airs to drop. Gurman also noted last week that supplies of the current M3 MacBook Airs are running low, which usually means new models are on their way.

    Source

  • Apple might add ads to its Maps app

    Apple might add ads to its Maps app

    Apple is thinking about adding advertisements to its Maps application, according to Mark Gurman in his newsletter, Power On. This move would be similar to what they’ve already done with their News and Stocks apps, aiming to grow their own advertising business.

    This isn’t a new idea for Apple. A few years back, Apple’s team looked into putting ads into Maps. The plan was that businesses could pay to have their places, like restaurants or shops, show up higher when someone searches for something in the app, much like how Google Maps works.

    Recently, in a meeting, this idea of making money from Maps through ads came up again. Gurman suggests that some places might even appear more noticeable on the map if they pay for it.

    There’s no set date for when we might see these ads in Apple Maps. They haven’t even started working on the tech for it yet. But, Apple is thinking about how they could do this in the future.

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  • Apple is working hard on a new Studio Screen

    Apple is working hard on a new Studio Screen

    Apple is putting a lot of effort into creating a new Studio Screen, according to tech reporter Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. In his recent newsletter, Gurman shared that this new Studio Screen is expected to hit the market around 2026, along with new Macs with M5 chips.

    He describes the upcoming screen as having the same look as the one we have now, with a 27-inch screen size. Within Apple, it’s known by the code name J427.

    Gurman hasn’t mentioned any new features for this screen yet. But, last week, Ross Young, who knows a lot about screens, said Apple is working on a new 27-inch screen that might use mini-LEDs. He thinks this could be the new Studio Screen, possibly coming out late 2025 or early 2026. Mini-LEDs could make the screen brighter and the colors pop more than the current model.

    The current Studio Screen came out in March 2022 with the Mac Studio. It boasts a 5K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, can get up to 600 nits bright, has a built-in camera and speakers, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the US, it starts at $1,599.

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  • Big update coming for Apple Vision Pro – No New Gadgets Needed

    Big update coming for Apple Vision Pro – No New Gadgets Needed

    The Apple Vision Pro, which just celebrated its first birthday, might soon receive one of its largest updates yet, and you won’t need to buy new hardware to enjoy it. The buzz is all about Apple Intelligence, which was initially rolled out for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Until now, this suite of AI features was exclusive to models like the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, various iPad models with M-series chips, and the latest Macs.

    However, there was no mention of Apple Vision Pro getting these AI enhancements in previous updates. The Vision Pro, powered by Apple’s second-generation M-series chip, has been somewhat left out until now. But that could change.

    Recent whispers from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg hint that Apple might extend Apple Intelligence to the current Vision Pro models. This is exciting news for those who’ve invested in the $3,500 headset, offering new capabilities without the need for an upgrade.

    This rumor comes as a relief, especially after reports suggested that some new Siri features with Apple Intelligence might miss the iOS 18.4 release. Keep an eye out for more updates from Apple in the coming days, including a new product launch scheduled for this Wednesday.

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    Stay tuned for how these developments could enhance your Apple experience!

  • Linux developer for Apple Silicon Macs steps down

    Linux developer for Apple Silicon Macs steps down

    Yesterday, Hector Martin announced his resignation as the leader of the Asahi Linux project, which began shortly after Apple introduced its Silicon chips in early 2021. The team had successfully released an alpha version for M1 and M2 Macs in 2022, making significant strides in the project.

    Background

    Bringing Linux to Apple Silicon was a challenging task, but with overwhelming community support, Martin achieved what many thought was impossible. For the first couple of years, the project turned the platform from zero to one of the best Linux experiences on any laptop. Despite some hardware features still missing, the overall performance was impressive, especially considering there was no direct support or documentation from Apple.

    However, the journey wasn’t all smooth. Martin faced burnout due to constant complaints from some users and opposition from parts of the Linux community. He particularly criticized Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel, for not being actively involved enough in supporting the integration of new technologies like Rust into Linux. This lack of leadership, according to Martin, was detrimental to the project’s progress.

    What’s Next?

    Despite stepping down, Martin is optimistic about the project’s future. He plans to hand over leadership to the existing Asahi Linux team, who aim to continue the project with several goals for 2025. These include merging all necessary drivers for M1 and M2 Macs into the main Linux kernel, known as upstream.

    The team also plans to enhance testing processes and introduce new features like DisplayPort alt mode, DirectX 12 support, and support for internal microphones, which might be available in just a few days. However, support for newer hardware like M3 and M4 Macs won’t be a priority for now, as the focus is on strengthening the current foundation.

    Martin’s departure raises questions, but the team’s dedication suggests that Asahi Linux will persist, though perhaps not immediately on the newest Apple hardware. Here’s hoping for continued advancements and success for the Asahi Linux project.

  • When to expect the iOS 18.4 test version

    When to expect the iOS 18.4 test version

    Apple finished the iOS 18.3 test phase a few weeks back, and we’re usually quick to see new test versions. But, we’re still waiting for the first test of iOS 18.4. The good news is, we might not have to wait much longer.

    iOS 18.4’s first test should come out next week

    Apple typically sticks to a schedule where new test versions come out soon after a big update goes live. This time, however, we’ve had a longer wait than usual. iOS 18.3 went public at the end of January, and here we are in mid-February, still without the new test. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, we could see the iOS 18.4 test sometime between the middle of this week and early next week.

    Siri in the New iOS

    This week has passed without any new test releases, but next week looks promising.

    Keep in mind, that Monday, February 17 is President’s Day in the US, so don’t count on a release then. Also, on Wednesday, February 19, Apple has a big product reveal planned, so they might not want to overshadow it with a software update. That leaves Tuesday, February 18 as a likely day for the iOS 18.4 test version.

    While there’s always a chance it could be delayed, a release next week seems pretty sure, especially since Apple has already announced that iOS 18.4 will be available to everyone in April. They need to start testing soon for the new features in Apple Intelligence and Siri.

    A Longer Gap Between Tests is Rare but Not New

    It’s not common for three whole weeks to pass between test releases, but it has happened before. Here’s how the last few years looked:

    • 2024: iOS 17.3 went live on January 22, with the first iOS 17.4 test on January 25.
    • 2023: iOS 16.3 was released on January 23, and the first iOS 16.4 test came on February 16.
    • 2022: iOS 15.3 launched on January 26, followed by the first iOS 15.4 test on January 27.

    So, while this longer wait is unusual, it does have precedent, showing that Apple sometimes changes up its schedule.

  • Siri’s big update might be late

    Siri’s big update might be late

    Apple is facing some challenges with the new and improved version of Siri, which includes smart features from Apple Intelligence. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, these updates might not come out on time because of technical issues and software glitches.

    Apple Intelligence Overview

    There was talk that these new Siri features would be part of the iOS 18.4 update. However, with the first beta of iOS 18.4 expected next week, it looks like Siri isn’t quite ready yet.

    Apple has already announced that Apple Intelligence would support more languages in April, hinting that’s when iOS 18.4 might roll out. This leaves Apple with little time to fix Siri’s problems. Some of these new features might get delayed until May, possibly appearing in an iOS 18.5 update.

    The new Siri is supposed to bring three key enhancements: understanding the personal context for better interaction, performing more actions within and across apps, and recognizing what’s on the screen to respond accordingly. However, testers have noted that these features aren’t working smoothly yet.

    Big updates like this usually don’t arrive as late as May since Apple starts focusing on the next iOS version around WWDC in June.

    Gurman suggests that Apple might release these features in iOS 18.4 but keep them off by default for further testing, until they’re fully ready in iOS 18.5. We should see the first iOS 18.4 beta soon, but don’t expect to see the new Siri features right away.

    Source

  • Apple’s new store in downtown detroit is on the way

    Apple’s new store in downtown detroit is on the way

    Apple has shared exciting news for Detroit residents: they’re opening a new store in the heart of the city soon.

    While the details are still under wraps, like the exact spot and when it will open, the company’s website has already started to buzz with the news. They are currently looking for new team members to join the Downtown Detroit store.

    Rumors from last year suggest that this new store would take up space on Woodward Avenue’s 1400 block, where construction was spotted in progress.

    This will be Apple’s fourth store in the Detroit area, but it’s special because it’s the first one right in downtown Detroit, an area that’s been coming back to life. Plus, it’s not just for Detroit locals; folks from Windsor, Ontario, in Canada, might pop over for some shopping too.

    This new edition promises to bring more excitement and convenience to tech lovers in the region.

  • Netflix won’t be part of Apple TV after all

    Netflix won’t be part of Apple TV after all

    Recently, some Netflix viewers in the U.S. noticed something unusual. They saw Netflix shows and movies appearing in the “Continue Watching” list on the Apple TV app. This led to rumors that Netflix might finally be working with Apple TV.

    However, it turned out to be just a mistake. Netflix confirmed to a news site that the appearance of their content in the Apple TV app was not intentional. They quickly fixed the error, pulling their shows and movies back from the Apple TV’s queue.

    Netflix has long chosen to keep its service separate from the Apple TV app. This means if you’re using an Apple TV, you won’t find your Netflix watch list mixed in with other services like Apple TV+, Hulu, Disney+, Max, or Amazon Prime Video. Instead, Netflix wants its users to use its own app to keep track of what they’re watching and find new things to watch.

    This approach by Netflix means that fans of the service have to switch between apps if they want to manage their viewing across different platforms on Apple devices. While other streaming services have embraced integration with Apple’s system for a smoother experience, Netflix continues to stand alone. This decision might be based on keeping control over their user experience or other strategic business reasons not fully public.

    So, if you were excited about potentially seeing all your streaming in one place with Apple TV, you’ll have to wait a bit longer or manage your Netflix watching separately.

  • Apple’s new budget iPhone could boost sales with AI features

    Apple’s new budget iPhone could boost sales with AI features

    Apple is gearing up to launch a new budget-friendly iPhone next week that could significantly increase its popularity, thanks to the inclusion of Apple Intelligence. According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this new model, potentially succeeding the iPhone SE 3, is expected to ship around 22 million units this year, outpacing previous entry-level iPhone sales.

    Kuo highlights several advantages for Apple with this new release. Firstly, launching an affordable iPhone between its flagship releases helps maintain sales momentum during typically slower periods. Secondly, by adding Apple Intelligence to a phone that’s cheaper than the premium iPhone 15 Pro and the upcoming iPhone 16 series, Apple can broaden the reach of its AI features. Thirdly, this model will debut Apple’s first self-developed modem, which will first be tested in this less high-stakes environment.

    This move to in-house modems still involves paying licensing fees to Qualcomm, due to their extensive patent holdings. The design of the new budget iPhone is rumored to mimic the iPhone 14, featuring a modern, flat-sided look, Face ID instead of Touch ID, and smaller bezels, though it will likely retain a single back camera.

    Apple has noted that areas where Apple Intelligence is available have seen increased iPhone sales, suggesting that consumers are eager for AI integration. However, regions without these features, like China, have not seen the same growth. Apple Intelligence is set to expand to more markets by this summer.

    The week’s big reveal will occur on Wednesday at Apple’s product launch event, where we might also see the iPad 11 with Apple Intelligence and the MacBook Air with the new M4 chip. This strategic move by Apple could reshape the market dynamics for budget smartphones, making advanced technology more accessible to a broader audience.

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