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Apple’s HomePod delay is the right decision
Apple may be missing the holiday shopping season by delaying its HomePod until 2023, but that decision could pay dividends if it makes Siri a better assistant. The smart speaker was due to launch in the US, UK, and Australia in December 2023, having been announced back in June alongside the iMac Pro at WWDC. Today, it conceded it will “need a little more time” before HomePod is ready for public consumption.
As you’d expect, speculation about what’s still being worked on began instantly. With a device like a smart speaker, which packages not only music but voice control and home automation into a single device, there’s no shortage of places where hold-ups could be introduced. All the same, attention has fallen on two core aspects.
First off, there’s the audio performance itself. Apple hasn’t been shy about talking up HomePod’s audiophile credentials, squeezing six tweeters and a long-throw woofer – each powered by its own, custom amplifier – into the squat cylindrical design. HomePod promises to automatically configure itself according to the room it’s in, too, using a microphone to adjust its equalizer settings and DSP depending on whether it’s on a bookshelf, a table in the middle of a room, or competing with a second HomePod.
Closed-door demonstrations back at WWDC 2023 suggested those efforts had paid off. Apple played us samples of different musical genres on its new speaker, the first-generation Amazon Echo, and a Sonos PLAY:3, and it was pretty clear that, when it came to combining quality and minimizing the audio sweet-spot many speakers suffer, the HomePod was ahead. Now, the company wasn’t open to allowing other music to be played, and obviously any final conclusions would take more auditioning, but it seems hard to imagine that audio itself would be the hold-up here.
What Apple didn’t let us do – or, indeed, demonstrate in its brief sampling at all – was try Siri. That’s the other area where a delay might have arisen, and frankly it seems much more likely to be the cause of it. Getting a speaker to sound good is one thing; getting a virtual assistant to work effectively is exponentially more difficult.
It’s fair to say that Siri has a mixed reputation in its current implementations on iOS, watchOS, and macOS. Some tasks, like dictation and triggering voice calls, it can handle just fine. Others, though, it struggles with. There’s no one, perfect virtual assistant out there, but both Amazon and Google have significantly more experience with smart home integration and multi-user services than Apple does.
As we saw with Harman Kardon’s Invoke, the smart speaker powered by Microsoft’s Cortana which launched in October, it now takes more than a few home automation skills and single-user interactions to stand out in this segment. The Cortana speaker sounds great, better than a standard Amazon Echo or Google Home certainly, but it’s hard to recommend given it’s still in the midst of playing catch-up with more established rivals.
MORE Up-close with Apple HomePod
Apple can’t afford to make that mistake. In the five months since we saw the HomePod first, the smart speaker market has moved on considerably. Amazon and Google both have higher-quality versions, either on the market already or soon to reach it. Third-party speakers, like the Sonos One, have also played the audio quality card. If Siri can’t keep up with the AI crowd, HomePod can’t count on just sounding great when playing Apple Music streams to justify its $349 price tag.
The stakes for HomePod are high, and Apple needs a win. Missing the holiday sales period may make investors grumpy, but probably not as much as a premature launch – and the ensuing bad publicity – would. An established product like the iPhone can shrug off some blips on its record, like the iPhone X’s cold weather screen issues; a brand new one may not be so lucky, even if it bears the same Apple logo. What remains to be seen is how much Apple can get done before the smart speaker market moves on again: picking the right time to launch is important, yes, but at some point you just have to pull the trigger.
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Apple @ Work: Best Apple Devices For K
As we continue with our “back to the basics” series of Apple device management, picking the right devices is certainly a major part of the process. This week, I’ll look at the various devices in Apple’s hardware lineup and make recommendations about which ones are ideal for your K-12 and enterprise Apple deployments.
The best Mac for K-12 and enterprise MacBook AirThe M1 MacBook Air was The 9to5Mac Apple Product of the Year in 2023, and when I was describing why, I said the following:
I’ve been a Mac user since 2005 when I purchased the PowerBook G4. That was the only PowerPC computer I owned as the Intel transition happen a few years later. In my lifetime, I can count on just a handful of technology transitions that have felt like true breakthroughs: Wi-Fi, solid-state drives, and Apple Silicon.
In just a few weeks with the M1 laptop, I can say that I never knew battery life on a laptop could achieve these results while remaining so powerful. For those people that wanted Apple to release a Netbook for ultra-portability, they’ve finally done it. Apple Silicon is as important to Apple’s future as any consumer product they’ve released in their history.
The major question will be storage requirements unique to each organization. Apple offers a special edition when purchasing in bulk that starts at $799 and only included 128GB of storage.
For my needs, that won’t be enough, but for many organizations who rely on cloud services, 128GB will be plenty. You can go to 256GB for only $100 more, and when buying a computer for personal use, that is an easy choice. If you’re buying hundreds and potentially thousands of laptops at a time, saving $100 on each one can add up to a large amount of money.
Mac mini The best iPad for K-12 and enterprise deploymentsThe iPad lineup is a much more difficult discussion to have compared to the Mac. With the Mac, it’s either Apple Silicon/M1 or nothing, in my opinion. On the iPad, multiple device options will meet your needs.
‘Regular iPad’The 10.2″ iPad is Apple’s lowest-cost iPad, and it’s discounted to $299 for schools and businesses for the 32GB Wi-Fi model. If you need an iPad for mobility (hospital, retail, etc.), then this is the perfect iPad. It’ll likely be supported for another six years with iOS updates. It also includes support for the first-generation Apple Pencil.
iPad Air with Magic Keyboard and Apple PencilThe next step up from here would be the iPad Air. Due to it being almost double the cost of the 10.2″ iPad, I would only recommend this device for K-12 and enterprise deployments if it’s the only device you’re deploying and need support for the Apple Magic Keyboard and second-generation Apple Pencil. Adding these products certainly adds to the cost, but they turn the iPad into a device that rivals the functionality of a Mac.
Do you need AppleCare?AppleCare is a frequent question that I get about bulk enterprise and K-12 purchases. For lower cost items like a MacBook Air, Mac mini, or an iPad, I generally don’t recommend purchasing AppleCare. When looking at a bulk purchase of a hundred base model MacBook Airs (which are sold in packs of five), the total comes to nearly $77,900 depending on the discount Apple offers your organization. I am basing my numbers on the company’s education pricing. AppleCare for these computers would run over $24,000.
Instead of buying AppleCare, an organization could actually purchase another 25 MacBook Airs to keep as spares in case of repairs that were not covered by the initial one-year warranty. Statically, most organizations will not see a 25% breakage rate after year one. Even if an organization didn’t want to buy extra laptops, they could easily have a repair budget to use in case machines were damaged.
Wrap up on best Apple devices for K-12 and enterprise deploymentsAs you consider your organization’s needs and decide the best Apple devices for K-12 and enterprise deployments, it’s important to consider how each upgrade will affect your budget. As I mentioned earlier, an additional $100 savings per machine can add up a lot when buying hundreds of thousands of devices. Keep in mind, you’ll still need to purchase any accessories like extra chargers, cases, etc., so consider that in your budgeting process.
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Apple Officially Unveils Its New ‘Apple Watch’ Wearable
Apple just unveiled its much rumored wearable product live on stage during its press event this morning giving us a first look at its entrance into the smartwatch market. The device is officially called Apple Watch, pairs with iPhone, and sports an all-new user interface that is quite a departure from anything we’ve seen on other iOS devices.
It’s driven Apple from the beginning. This compulsion to take incredibly powerful technology, and make it accessible, relevant, and ultimately, personal.”– Jony Ive
Perhaps the biggest surprise on the Apple Watch is that Apple is using a traditional watch dial on the side of the device as an input mechanism for navigating the device. That “Digital Crown” allows you to scroll, zoom, and navigate through the device without obscuring the display like a touchscreen smartwatch. The crown also acts as the device’s Home button. While Apple is focusing on using the Digital Crown dial for navigation, the device is capable of detecting touch input on the display and includes haptic feedback capabilities with a “Taptic Engine” feature. In addition, Apple Watch detects when users lift their wrists to activate the display. Here’s a look at the Apple Watch home screen:
The screen is a Retina display that Apple notes is “laminated to a single crystal of sapphire, the hardest transparent material after diamond.” Other specs in Apple Watch include a gyroscope and accelerometer, while GPS functionality comes from a wirelessly-connected iPhone. Apple also said it’s including infrared and visible-light LEDs, along with photosensors that will detect pulse rate and other data. Apple didn’t go over specifics for battery life but did note it’s using an inductive wireless charging solution pictured in the gallery below.
Apple showed off a few of Apple Watch’s stock apps during the event including things you’d expect, like music control for a connected iOS device or Mac, notifications (with haptic feedback), and the ability to swap out watch faces. Haptic feedback plays into interesting new messaging features that let users tap and draw to communicate. For instance, the feature lets users capture and send their heartbeat to one another.
It also showed off integration with iOS devices and Mac to curate content that appears on the device, for example, favoriting photos on other devices make them available to view on Apple Watch. Apple also demoed navigation on the device with walking directions that use haptic feedback to notify users for turn-by-turn directions:
As expected, fitness is also a big part of the Apple Watch software with dedicated Fitness and Workout apps that include features for tracking fitness metrics and sharing that data with the Health app in iOS 8. The device also works with the company’s new Apple Pay payment solution.
Apple is making the device open to third-party developers as well (many of which have already created experiences) through an SDK for developers. Apple noted a few apps today including BMW, Pinterest, Facebook, MLB, Honeywell, Nike, and others that are already developing apps for Apple Watch.
Apple Watch will arrive in three models– Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition– with various sizing options and unique features for each. For instance, the Apple Watch Sport models feature a plastic band and aluminum body, while the Apple Watch Edition features high-end materials like 18k gold. The standard Apple Watch features stainless steel with plastic, leather, or steel bands. Apple Watch works with iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5.
Apple Watch will start at $350. Full details on pricing and availability are here.
Apple Unveils Apple Watch—Apple’s Most Personal Device Ever“Apple introduced the world to several category-defining products, the Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “And once again Apple is poised to captivate the world with a revolutionary product that can enrich people’s lives. It’s the most personal product we’ve ever made.”
“With Apple Watch, we’ve developed multiple technologies and an entirely new user interface specifically for a device that’s designed to be worn. It blurs the boundary between physical object and user interface,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of Design. “We’ve created an entire range of products that enable unparalleled personalization.”
Apple Watch introduces a revolutionary design and iOS-based user interface created specifically for a smaller device. Apple Watch features the Digital Crown, an innovative way to scroll, zoom and navigate fluidly, without obstructing the display. The Digital Crown also serves as the Home button and a convenient way to access Siri®. The Retina® display on Apple Watch features Force Touch, a technology that senses the difference between a tap and a press, providing a new way to quickly and easily access controls within apps. Apple Watch introduces the Taptic Engine and a built-in speaker that together discreetly enable an entirely new vocabulary of alerts and notifications you can both hear and feel. Apple custom-designed its own S1 SiP (System in Package) to miniaturize an entire computer architecture onto a single chip. Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0 to pair seamlessly with your iPhone.
Apple Watch comes in three distinct collections—Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition—available in two different sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm. The beautifully designed and durable enclosures are crafted from custom alloys of polished or space black stainless steel, space gray or silver anodized aluminum and 18-karat rose or yellow gold. Apple also created an entire range of watch straps: the high-performance elastomer Sport Band; the Milanese Loop in a flexible magnetic stainless steel mesh; the Leather Loop in soft, quilted leather that conceals magnets for quick fastening and adjustment; the leather Modern Buckle, which closes with a solid metal clasp; the leather Classic Buckle; and the stainless steel Link Bracelet. Apple Watch comes with a unique charging system that combines Apple’s MagSafe® technology with inductive charging for a quick connection that snaps into place.
Apple Watch is an extremely accurate timepiece that’s also customizable for personal expression. Apple Watch comes with 11 watch faces ranging from traditional analog faces to new faces like the dynamic Timelapse face; the Astronomy face with its interactive, real-time 3D model of the earth, sun, moon and planets; and the Solar face, a contemporary sundial. Apple Watch can be personalized in appearance and capability with additional information such as upcoming events, moonphases or your activity level, enabling millions of possible configurations.
Apple Watch includes a groundbreaking Activity app designed to help motivate you to be more active throughout the day, and an all-new Workout app designed to provide the metrics you need during dedicated workout sessions. Apple Watch uses the accelerometer, a built-in heart rate sensor, GPS and Wi-Fi from your iPhone to provide a comprehensive picture of your daily activity. The Activity app measures three separate aspects of movement: calories burned, brisk activity and how often you stand up during the day. The Workout app provides goal-setting and pacing during popular session-based workouts, such as running and cycling. The companion Fitness app on iPhone collects your activity data so you can see your activity history in greater detail. Apple Watch uses this history to suggest personal, realistic goals, reward fitness milestones and keep you motivated.
Apple introduces WatchKit, providing new tools and APIs for developers to create unique experiences designed for the wrist. With Apple Watch, developers can create WatchKit apps with actionable notifications and Glances that provide timely information. Starting later next year, developers will be able to create fully native apps for Apple Watch.
Apple Watch will be available in three collections. Apple Watch, with a polished or space black stainless steel case and a choice of straps; Apple Watch Sport, with a space gray or silver anodized aluminum case and Sport Band; and Apple Watch Edition, with an 18-karat rose or yellow gold case and a choice of straps exclusive to this collection. Apple Watch straps include the Sport Band in black, blue, green, pink and white; the Classic Buckle in black and midnight blue; the Leather Loop in bright blue, light brown and stone; the Modern Buckle in midnight blue, brown, soft pink, rose gray and bright red; the Milanese Loop in stainless steel; and the Link Bracelet in brushed stainless steel and polished space black. Apple Watch will be available in early 2023 starting at $349 (US). Apple Watch is compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus running the latest version of iOS 8.
* Apple Pay is only available in the US.
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Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Apple Watch, iPod, iPhone, Multi-Touch, Siri, Retina, MagSafe, Apple Pay, Passbook and Apple TV are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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Apple Xserve, One Sweet Byte
Apple Xserve: Rackmount server with wide range of turnkey features.
Apple is known first and foremost for its consumer-oriented technology. The common DNA between products like the iPod or MacBook Air is a consistent, graceful and elegant interface that prioritizes the end-user experience. Dedication to a user friendly formula and modernist design has enabled Apple to claim a successful niche in a computer marketplace crowded with commodity PCs.
But Apple’s strong focus on lifestyle consumers sometimes obscures the fact that the company also makes and markets servers aimed at business customers. The server room might not seem like a natural habitat for a vendor that puts as much emphasis on appearance as function, but server duty is not as much of a stretch as it might seem for Apple. The visual polish of Apple’s critically acclaimed OS X platform is built on a complete Unix backend, which is certainly no stranger to server racks. In fact, Apple has packaged a server-oriented version of its platform, called OS X Server, which it includes with its rackmount series of servers, the Xserve.
With racks of servers already crowded with products from HP, Dell, IBM, and others and running platforms ranging from Unix to Linux to Windows Server, it is natural to ask where the Apple Xserve fits into the picture.
But the appeal of Apple products has always been the synthesis of software and hardware as a bundle, whereas the PC represents a mashup of hardware and software from different vendors.
The base model Xserve ($2,999) includes one 2.8Ghz quad-core Intel Xeon processor. A $500 upgrade buys dual quad-cores, for a potential total of eight processing cores. The base also includes 2GB of 80Mhz server memory and can support a maximum of 32GB. An on-board controller supports SAS or SATA drives but does not include hardware RAID (the operating system supports software RAID). For that, an $800 upgrade to the Xserve RAID card will replace the base model controller, thus preserving one of the two PCI Express expansion slots. Three hard drives can be installed in the front-accessible hot-swap drive bays, with one 80GB drive included in the base model. The included single power supply can be supplemented with a hot-swappable backup ($200), and you can select between a square or threaded hole rackmount kit for this 1U form-factor machine.
Enterprise users needing massive shared storage can bulk up the Xserve with a Fibre Channel storage controller and Xsan 2, a $13,000 solution that lets multiple OS X platforms pool high-performance storage for simultaneous access.
Up and RunningAs one would expect from Apple, out of the box the Xserve is a handsome slab of server. Although it is likely to spend most of its time tucked away in a secure room, the Xserve does offer convenience features like the front-mounted hot-swap HD bays and a front USB 2.0 port for quickly securing a keyboard or mouse if necessary. On its rear side are two gigabit ethernet jacks, two Firewire 800 ports, two more USB 2.0 ports, and a mini-DVI port with included VGA adapter for monitor hookup. An old-school serial port will warm the hearts of Unix veterans who like kicking it ’80s style for direct terminal access.
Sleek looks aside, experienced IT admins may say that on specs alone, the Xserve is comparable with rackmount offerings from the major PC vendors, such as a similarly configured Dell PowerEdge that sells for hundreds less. But the appeal of Apple products has always been the synthesis of software and hardware as a bundle, whereas the PC represents a mashup of hardware and software from different vendors.
Apple’s 64-bit OS X Server (10.5) is included with the Xserve. It includes an unlimited client license, in contrast to the OS licenses for PC servers that often carry hefty surcharges for large numbers of client connections. If you’ve ever used OS X on an Apple computer, the transition to OS X Server is pretty much seamless. If you have not used OS X before, it may appear to be an unusually glossy interface for a server, since it shares the architecture and design of its consumer-oriented counterpart.
OS X Server extends Apple’s ease-of-use philosophy in two ways. The platform comes bundled with a wide range of server applications that cover most business uses with an added emphasis on media serving. Because OS X is built on a Unix base, many server functions are repackaged open source applications, including Apache, Tomcat, MySQL, Samba, NFS, and FTP. Although most of these server apps are present on almost any Unix or Linux server, Apple adds value by integrating its administration into an accessible, unified interface. Second, Apple bundles servers like Mail, iCal, Wiki, Podcasting, Quicktime streaming and iChat. Duplicating these functions on PC servers would require the expertise to find, install and configure a variety of third-party packages.
Consistent with the Apple philosophy, one does not need an IT degree to administer the Xserve, although some IT expertise is probably necessary to understand what the server applications do. The entire system can be kept up to date simply using Apple’s Software Update utility. All of the bundled server apps can be turned on, off and configured through the central Server Admin interface. Server Admin can also connect to and administer remote Xserves.
In extending OS X from the desktop to the server, Apple has left in some slightly rough edges. For example, the software update utility is actually available through two different tools, and updates applied through one do not always immediately reflect in the other. Xserve includes the open source MySQL database server, which you can enable through the Server Admin. However, there is no GUI for creating and administering database. For this you must either use the included command-line mysql tools or download a third-party GUI.
These are hardly serious shortcomings, and on balance the Xserve delivers a turnkey server environment that offers out-of-the-box productivity difficult to match with enterprise PC servers.
Among the wide range of IT environments, the Xserve will appeal least to organizations whose needs are easily met with standard server apps like file sharing, Web serving, and standards-based messaging. Likewise, the Xserve’s ease-of-use is less likely to be appreciated by experienced IT admins already trained in the labyrinthine intricacies of Linux and Windows servers.
To its credit, the Xserve offers a one-box solution, which is Apple’s bread-and-butter. Organizations with an interest in media serving will find the Xserve an especially facile environment to get up and running with a minimum of hassle compared to PC servers. Smaller businesses without an existing investment in PC servers or expert IT admins will find the Xserve an accessible, low-fuss route to hefty server power. And, of course, for anyone already comfortable with and loyal to the Apple experience, the Xserve provides a familiar environment without sacrificing features or power to its PC-based peers.
This article was first published on chúng tôi
Apple Stores: Grand Openings Roundup
Apple is relentlessly building new retail stores around the world as the company strives to deliver on the promise of building thirty new stores before the end of the September quarter. A set of brand spanking new stores will open in the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Germany and China. Here’s a quick laundry list of the upcoming stores.
Braehead, Glasgow, Scotland – Located at the Braehead Shopping Centre, about 15 minutes northwest of city centre, this will be the second Apple store to grace Glasgow in Scotland (the other one being the Buchanan Street store) and Apple’s 33rd brick-and-mortar location in the U.K.
Image credit: ifoAppleStore
Stratford City, London, United Kingdom – Tuesday saw grand opening of the Stratford City store located inside London’s two-million-square-foot Westfield Stratford City mall, the largest shopping center in Europe. The mall will also double as the gateway to the future 2012 Olympic Village and stadium in eastern London and Apple should benefit tremendously from the Olympics traffic spike come next summer.
Image credit: MacRumors
Via Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy – In addition to the Campania store north of Naples in Italy’s Caserta province (Apple’s hundredth store outside the U.S.), Italy will get another store in Bologna’s Via Rizolli this coming Saturday. The country’s eighth Apple store is adorned with the painstakingly restored façade which fits the historic corner building beautifully. chúng tôi explains that it ill be the first Apple store in the country outside a shopping mall.
Image credit: SetteB.IT
Catania, Sicily, Italy – Although Apple’s retail site doesn’t list this store yet, chúng tôi has it on good authority that this store will surface inside the Center Sicily shopping mall, which is located in the district of La Tenutella. Grand opening should be September 24, the site reported. It is interesting that in September alone Italy becomes the home to three new Apple stores: the Casert, Campania store that opened September 3, the aforementioned Bologna store due September 17 and this new Sicily location.
Image credit: iSpazio.net
Three more big stores right after the break.
Cielo Vista Mall, El Paso, Texas – The upcoming Apple store in the 1.2 million square-foot Cielo Vista Mall is located just two miles from the Mexico border town of Ciudad Juarez. As we explained earlier, this store is the first Texas store west of San Antonio, positioned right next to the Gap store on the ground floor of the shopping mall which is located along Interstate 10 on east side of El Paso. According to El Paso Times, the store will open on the mall’s lower level, next to the Coach store near the JCPenney department store.
Image credit: El Paso Times
Nanjing Road East, Shanghai, China – A property management official told Chinese tech site DoNews that Apple’s massive new Shanghai store could open September 20. Located at the corner of Nanjing Road East and Henan Zhong Lu, within walking distance of Shanghai’s skyscraper panorama, this will be China’s biggest store. It will include four floors of retails space and M.I.C. gadget thinks first floor will be for product demos and sales, with second floor dedicated to Genius Bar and customer programs. The third and fourth floor should house support for business customers and backend operations, respectively. The Nanjing Road East store will be Apple’s fifth retail store in mainland China or sixth if you include the upcoming Hong Kong store at IFC center, scheduled to open September 24.
Image credit: M.I.C. gadget
Jungfernstieg, Hamburg, Germany – As we already noted, Germany will get its seventh store this coming Saturday, in the heart of Hamburg next to the Alster lake and right on Jungfernstieg, the city’s famous shopping street. The wide, two-level store is about eight miles south of the existing Alstertal store and will become Hamburg’s second Apple retail location. Hamburg itself is Germany’s second-largest city and the seventh-largest in the European Union with population of over 1.8 million people, or 4.3 million people for the Hamburg Metropolitan Region that includes parts of the neighboring Federal States of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein.
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Predictions For Tomorrow’s Apple Event
I’m glad Apple will finally unveil its new iSlate, iTab, iPad, or whatever it will be called tomorrow because I cannot stand all these “rumors” and “leaks” anymore.
Within the last few weeks every Apple-related blog has been leaking some rumors that are mostly unfounded and that only serve one goal: generating traffic to their sites. I don’t know if you noticed, but I didn’t post such article once because I don’t want to drag my lovely readers (that’s you) into these pointless conversations.
These websites spreading the rumors or leaks seldom make predictions though. They don’t, because predictions are your own opinions and they can be held accountable for them in case they are wrong.
I like to make predictions. Unlike most major iPhone blogs out there, I don’t have an editor watching over my shoulder and I can say whatever I want. If I am wrong, well, I’m wrong. The world doesn’t stop! If I’m right though (which I usually am), then no big deal either; I’ll just be in your face saying “I told you so” 😉
I made 10 predictions for the iPhone in 2010 at the beginning of the month and I stand behind these. Today, I’d like to make 5 predictions for tomorrow’s Apple event.
1. The Tablet NameFirst things first. The name of this tablet. The rumors call it the iSlate. I really think iSlate is a terrible name. It just doesn’t sound right. To me it sounds like some torture instrument used by Iraqi insurgents. I have no idea what it could be called but my prediction is that it will not be called the iSlate. Apple has much more class than that.
2. The OSEveryone is excited about OS 4.0. See, the iPhone OS and the tablet OS are pretty much the same so releasing OS 4.0 for the tablet tomorrow would mean releasing OS 4.0 for the iPhone too. Then what would Apple have to unveil for the iPhone in June? Just new hardware? No! I predict that the tablet will run OS 3.2. OS 4.0 will not be available until June or July of this year, when Apple announces the new iPhone.
3. The Launch DateDon’t expect to get yourself a tablet anytime for the next few months. While many people think the tablet will be available for sale right away, I predict it won’t be available for a few months. If I had to give a date, I would say April 2010.
4. The NetworkI’m really not sure about this one but I think Apple will go with Verizon. My heart tells me Apple will choose Verizon, but my head tells me they want to stick with AT&T. Which one should I listen to? Ok, I have to make a decision, I say Verizon!
5. AT&T’s iPhone ExclusivityThere has been many rumors saying that AT&T will lose the iPhone exclusivity tomorrow. I don’t think so. I believe this event is about the tablet, not the iPhone. Even if Apple chooses Verizon for the tablet, it doesn’t mean it will drop AT&T for the iPhone. I believe that after tomorrow, AT&T will remain the exclusive iPhone carrier in the US.
Apple May Launch A 15
A statement that almost explodes. The tweet from Appleakation has struck once more. The leaker, who has previously been correct about Apple’s efforts in the chip industry, tweeted recently that “Apple is planning an Ultra processor in a future MacBook Pro”.
Apple M2 Ultra SoC for the next MacBookIt may be required to make two clarifications in order to grasp this announcement’s improbability in its whole. The first thing to note is that the initial generation of M1 Pro and M1 Max were satisfied with the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros. Which have Apple Silicon CPUs. For the M1 Pro and M1 Max, SoCs that include between 10 CPU cores (with a minimum of 8 cores for the M1 Pro) and between 14 or 16 and 24 or 32 GPU cores. Unlike the M1 Max, which supports up to 64 GB of unified memory. The M1 Pros are only capable of 32 GB. The M1 Max is obviously a beast with its 57 billion transistors carved in 5 nm.
Next, let’s clarify that the M1 Ultra available only in Mac Studios , cooled by a large slow fan, is in fact two paired M1 Max, merged into one. It is therefore logical that we find 20 CPU cores, 48 GPU cores or 64, if 48 does not seem sufficient to you. According to this same doubling logic, it is able to manage twice as much RAM, with a maximum of 128 GB.
Therefore, Apple might think about putting this kind of chip inside a MacBook Pro. Of course, there are some queries. The first is straightforward: how would Apple fit such a large CPU into a notebook with such small dimensions? Even though it is quite likely that Appleakation is referring to an M2 Ultra, we are unaware of its specifications.
The amount of energy used and the amount of heat produced is the following query. In a somewhat sizable case like the Mac Studio, the M1 Ultra is cozy. It must be acknowledged that its thermal envelope is (nearly) absurd at 60 W. And when pushed to the limit, is between 90 and 100 W. But how should one think about the fact that, if installed there for that purpose. It cannot permanently ventilate the MacBook Pro?
Gizchina News of the weekHowever, TSMC reports a 35% reduction in power usage between the same chip carved in 5 and 3 nm. Or, to put it another way, a large decrease in the heat generated, to the point that an M2 Ultra could be placed inside a laptop without running the danger of it exploding? Maybe.
Apple M Ultra chipsBut there is still another chance. In addition to the fact that Appleakation cannot promise that this product will launch, it just made another announcement. Still using Twitter, he tweeted on December 9 that Apple would release its third generation of Apple Silicon processors for Macs in the second half of 2023. The second generation, the M2, was available since the month of June 2023.
It goes without saying that this is still only a guess. For us to talk about the norm and believe that Apple could not integrate these most potent SoC models into tiny Macs, the switch to Apple Silicon processors is still too recent. Similar to the Californian giant, the M3 might launch without waiting for the M2 generation to integrate specific machines. Several rumors, particularly those relating to iMacs, claim that Tim Cook’s teams took this into consideration.
Technically speaking, it appears plausible for a M2 or M3 Ultra to appear in a MacBook Pro. Do we want it? Yes, of course, how could you possibly refuse such an onslaught of power? In the end, perhaps the only thing to consider is the choice’s economic significance. Before the holidays, Mark Gurman claimed that Apple had given up on the plan to combine two M2 Ultra to create an M2 Extreme due to cost concerns.
This configuration’s price tag might increase, which begs the question of who would be the target market for one. Even if we believe that many scientists or editors for whom quick 3D rendering is essential would be rubbing their hands at the thought of having Mac Studio’s capabilities in a laptop.
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