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Rajesh Pandey - page 40

Entry-level 2023 Mac mini and MacBook Pros use significantly slower SSDs

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M2 Mac mini with slow SSD graphics
M1 Mac mini is better than the M2 Mac mini in this department.
Graphics: Rajesh/Apple

Apple’s new entry-level M2 Mac mini and 2023 MacBook Pros ship with significantly slower SSDs than their predecessors. This could negatively impact read/write-intensive workflows.

The slowdown is because Apple uses a single flash chip solution on the 2023 models. For comparison, the M1 Mac mini and 2021 MacBook Pros used two flash chips.

Grab an M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro at a steep discount before they all disappear

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Apple preps subscription service for iPhone, Mac and more
Save your money and get the M1 Max MacBook Pro instead of the M2 model.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro featuring its M2 Pro/Max chips are blazing fast. But if you don’t need all that power, you can save up to $500 by opting for the 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Amazon is selling the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips at a steep $500 discount.

WhatsApp’s native Apple silicon Mac app in beta gets a wider release

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WhatsApp logo
WhatsApp's native Apple silicon app is one step closer to release.
Image: WhatsApp

WhatsApp’s beta Apple Silicon Mac app is now available for download to the public through its website. The company has been beta testing its native Mac app through TestFlight for the last few months.

The new app provides a notably better user experience than the existing app of the messaging service. And since it is a native app, it performs much better as well.

iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2 arrive

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iOS 16.3 and macOS 13.2 launches are only a week away
iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, watchOS 9.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2 are here.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

After a relatively short beta period, Apple on Monday released iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2 to the public. Compatible Apple Watch and Apple TV models also received watchOS 9.3 and tvOS 16.3 updates.

Usually, point releases of iOS and macOS bring several new features and changes. But that’s not the case with iOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2. Relatively light on new features, the updates focus more on bug fixes and security patches. Below is a look at all the new features in iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, macOS Ventura 13.2 and watchOS 9.3.

Apple is not actively working on a HomePod mini 2

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HomePod mini
Apple is not working on a HomePod mini successor for now.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Although the HomePod mini played a key role in helping Apple make inroads in the smart speaker market, the company is reportedly not working on a second-generation model.

Apple launched the HomePod mini in October 2020 with a $99 price tag, which made it much more affordable than the full-size speaker.

Save sweet $50 on your 2023 MacBook Pro pre-order

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2023 MacBook Pro.
Apple's M2 Pro MacBook Pros are available with a $50 pre-order discount.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new M2 Pro MacBook Pros are already available with a sweet $50 pre-order discount on Amazon. The deal is available on the entry-level 2023 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros.

The discount drops the price of the 14-inch MacBook Pro to $1,949 from $1,999. Similarly, you can get the 16-inch MacBook Pro for $2,449, down from $2,499.

How the M2 and M2 Pro Mac minis compare to the M1 model

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M1 vs M2 Mac Mini Comparison
How does the M2/Pro Mac mini compare against the M1 mini?
Photo: Apple/Rajesh

Apple’s newest Mac mini packs a punch. It comes with a faster M2 chip, with the company even bringing the M2 Pro chip to the compact desktop Mac.

So, how does the M2/Pro Mac mini compare to the M1 and the high-end Intel-powered Mac mini that it replaces? Find out in our comparison.

How the new M2 Pro and Max MacBook Pros compare to M1 models

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2023 MacBook Pro in 16-inch and 14-inch sizes
Apple's M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros pack the right improvements, but there's a lot of overlap with the M1 models.
Photo: Apple

How do the new M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros stack up against their M1 predecessors? Besides the new SoC, are they worth the upgrade?

Here’s a look at how Apple’s M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros compare against the M1 Pro/Max models.

Apple working on iPad-like smart home display for 2024

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iPad Pro 2022 Back View
Apple has an iPad-like smart home controller in the works
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s recently announced HomePod 2 packs some impressive smart home capabilities. But that’s not the only product the company is working on.

Apple is reportedly working on several smart home devices, including a smart display. The low-end iPad-like device can control thermostats, lights and do FaceTime calls.

Apple postpones AR glasses development in favor of cheaper mixed reality headset

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A virtual reality headset (not Apple's).
Apple's cheaper AR/VR headset could debut in 2024 or 2025.
Photo: James Yarema/Unsplash License

Apple has indefinitely postponed development on its first AR/VR glasses. The device was supposedly going to launch a couple of years after Apple’s first mixed-reality headset’s debut, which is due to come out later this year.

Instead, the Cupertino giant is now focusing on building a cheaper version of its AR/VR headset. The device could debut in 2024 or early 2025.

Apple’s new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips raise the performance bar … again

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M2 Pro and M2 Max are next-generation chips going into multiple Apple computers.
Apple's next-generation M2 Pro and M2 Max SoCs are its fastest chips yet.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s next-generation M2 Pro and M2 Max chips went official on Tuesday. The new processors power Apple’s brand-new MacBook Pro lineup and, for the first time, the Mac mini.

Both SoCs deliver better CPU and GPU performance than their M1 predecessors, along with faster image processing.

Apple’s full-size HomePod 2 could launch sooner than expected

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The big HomePod could be back soon. But how pricey and how functional will it be?
Apple's HomePod 2 could be around the corner.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

UPDATE: This prediction can true very quickly. HomePod 2 launched on January 18. Get all the details:


Apple’s new full-size HomePod with even better sound quality could launch “fairly soon,” according to the latest rumor. The updated smart speaker should pack improved touch controls and feature Matter with Thread support for more reliable use as a home-automation hub. And it should come at a lower price than the original model.

The HomePod debuted in 2018, but Apple discontinued it in 2021 following poor sales due to its steep $299 price.

Apple CEO Tim Cook gets the 40% pay cut he asked for

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Apple's decision to drop out of the privacy trade group comes ahead of Tim Cook headlining a global privacy summit.
Tim Cook's payout is going to drop significantly in 2023.
Photo: Fortune Global Forum/Flickr CC

Apple CEO Tim Cook is set to receive a substantial pay cut in 2023. The company’s top executive will receive “only” $49 million in compensation this year.

For comparison, Cook’s compensation was $99.4 million in 2022 and $98.7 million in 2021.

Apple’s M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pro launch faces another delay

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What we're expecting from 2022 MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M2 Max
The wait for M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pro continues.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros launch could have hit another roadblock. Rumors indicated the new Macs could debut in Q1 2023, but that does not seem to be the case anymore.

The reason behind the latest delay in the next-gen MacBook Pro’s launch is unclear.

$99 AirPods Lite and next-gen AirPods Max could launch in 2024

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AirPods Lite could add key new feature: Affordability
Apple could launch a cheaper AirPods next year.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple could start shipping the second-generation AirPods Max and the AirPods Lite in the second half of 2024 at the earliest or the first half of 2025.

Announced in late 2020, the $549 AirPods Max has not received any refresh since their launch in late 2020.

Apple’s in-house display could debut on the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024

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Apple Store logo in Chengdu, China with two people standing in front of it
Apple wants to shift away from Samsung for its product displays.
Photo: Unsplash

Apple wants to reduce its reliance on sourcing displays for its products from Samsung and LG. So, the company is working on its own custom displays that it intends to use as early as 2024.

This would mark another move from Apple to develop more components it uses on its devices in-house.

iPad mini 6 drops to its Black Friday price in this killer deal

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iPad mini on table
At $400, the iPad mini 6 provides a lot more value for money.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Did the iPad mini catch your fancy? Amazon has a killer deal on Apple’s smallest tablet, knocking $99 off its retail price.

After the discount, you can get the 2021 iPad mini for $399.99, down from its original $499 MSRP. This is the same price the tablet was available for during Black Friday.

Apple’s new ads highlight iPhone 14’s Action Mode and Undo Send in Messages

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iPhone 14 in purple
Apple is highlighting iPhone 14's Action Mode in a new ad.
Photo: Unsplash

Apple has released a couple of new ads highlighting the iPhone 14’s Action Mode and the Undo Send feature in iOS 16’s Messages app. The features are available on both regular iPhone 14 and 14 Pro series.

This is the second ad Apple has released since the iPhone 14 release to promote Action Mode. The advanced stabilization mode provides gimbal-like stabilization.

Apple’s first retail store in India takes one step closer to opening

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iPhone 14 Pro in India
Apple's first retail store in India could finally open its doors soon.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s first retail store in India has moved closer to its opening. After years of delays, the company has started hiring retail store workers in the country.

The company has posted 12 job positions on its career page in India as it looks to fill various retail positions.

No major AirPods, iPad or Apple Watch upgrades planned for 2023

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Apple logo with red background.
Apple seems to be focusing on the launch of its AR/VR headset this year.
Image: Rajesh

Every year, Apple has some significant hardware upgrades planned for at least a few devices in its product lineup. 2023 could be an outlier, though.

This year, Apple’s major hardware launches will include its first AR/VR headset and the iPhone 15 series. While other products in the company’s lineup will receive a refresh, they will be relatively minor upgrades.

Apple silicon Mac Pro might not feature user-upgradeable RAM

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Side look at 2019 Intel Mac pro
The upcoming Mac Pro could look like this.
Photo: Unsplash

Contrary to rumors, the upcoming Apple silicon Mac Pro might disappoint many in the design department. A new report suggests the forthcoming Mac Pro refresh will have the same design as the 2019 Intel-based model.

The Apple silicon Mac Pro is widely expected to launch later this year. It would stand out in the Mac lineup by offering a certain degree of user upgradability but come with non-upgradeable system memory.

Apple’s AR/VR headset now rumored to debut in spring 2023

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Apple AR VR headset
Another delay in Apple's AR/VR headset launch.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple’s AR/VR headset development has reportedly hit another setback. As a result, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo now predicts Apple will unveil the headset at a spring media event or at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference.

Rumors so far indicated Apple could hold an event in January 2023 to unveil the long-rumored headset.

Apple uses AI to voice its latest audiobook catalog

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Flatlay audiobook with headphones, black phone and microphone on black background and different shades of gray.
Are you ready for AI-narrated audiobooks?
Photo: Jukka Aalho/Unsplash

Apple’s latest catalog of books uses artificial intelligence as a narrator instead of a human voice. This is the first time the Cupertino giant has used AI for audiobook narration.

The move could have a wide-reaching effect in the audiobook space and mark the beginning of the end of human narrators.

Apple unveils special ‘Year of the Rabbit’ AirPods Pro for Chinese New Year

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Special-edition AirPods Pro with the Year of the Rabbit graphics.
Apple is selling a special edition AirPods Pro to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Photo: Apple

Ahead of the Chinese New Year on January 22, 2023, Apple has released a limited-edition AirPods Pro in the country. The charging case of the earbuds features a Year of the Rabbit engraving.

Besides the engraving, the special edition AirPods Pro retail box features the Year of the Rabbit graphics.

5 most exciting Apple products coming in 2023

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Apple logo with red background.
These are the Apple products to get excited about in 2023.
Image: Rajesh

Every year, Apple launches a handful of products that stand out from the competition. 2023 is going to be no different, but next year will be special for Apple in many ways.

The company could enter a new product category with its AR/VR headset, and the iPhone could get some major hardware upgrades. Below is a roundup of five Apple product launches to look forward to in 2023.