This modem may soon bear the Apple name. Photo: Intel
The estimated release date for Intel’s first 5G modem makes it very unlikely a 5G iPhone will be released before 2020. Android devices with this speedy new cellular-wireless technology are expected a year before then.
The 5G iPhone delay is a result of the ongoing legal battle between Apple and Qualcomm.
Qualcomm has become Apple's biggest legal foe. Photo: Qualcomm
Apple is making zero effort to reach a settlement in its wide-ranging legal battle with Qualcomm.
The iPhone-maker used Qualcomm wireless chips in its devices for years, but the two sides recently started butting heads over how much Apple owes in royalties. Qualcomm alleges that Apple should pay it an additional $7 billion and it looks like it will have to go to war for every cent.
If you need a new laptop, you won't want to miss this deal. Photo: Apple
Apple finally dusted off the MacBook Air. The 2018 model sports a brand new design, a gorgeous Retina display, and powerful upgraded internals. All of sudden, Apple’s most affordable notebook is up there with its best.
In fact, the new ultraportable is so good, you would be crazy to buy a 12-inch MacBook right now. So, how does the new MacBook Air stack up against the rest of Apple’s laptop lineup? Which model best suits your needs, and which delivers the best bang for the buck?
Find out right here in our comprehensive MacBook comparison.
The Qualcomm vs. Apple battle rages on. Photo: Qualcomm
Qualcomm claims that Apple stole its chip technology and gave it to Intel — and it says it’s got the proof.
According to the chipmaker, Apple stole “vast swaths” of confidential information and trade secrets, which it used to improve the performance of chips made by Qualcomm rival Intel. The claims are part of a new court filing by Qualcomm.
TSMC beat out Samsung and Intel to make Apple's A11 Bionic processor, and will apparently be the sole producer of its replacements. Photo: iFixit
TSMC has produced every iPhone processor for several years, and is reportedly going to continue to be Apple’s sole source for chips.
Apple generally prefers to get components from multiple sources, but apparently no company — not even Samsung or Intel — can compete with TSMC. That makes the two companies very dependent on each other.
Don’t pay full price for a 12-inch MacBook. Photo: Apple
A refresh is overdue for Apple’s 12-inch MacBook lineup, and it looks like it could be arriving soon.
Availability of the machine has dwindled at one major retailer, which suggests new models — complete with upgraded internals — will arrive this fall. It could be one of a number of Apple machines that will see improvements before the end of the year.
It’s about time we saw that new MacBook Air. Photo: Apple
One of Apple’s manufacturing partners will enjoy a significant boost in the fourth quarter of 2018 as a result of the company’s new, “inexpensive notebooks.”
Quanta Computer has just been overtaken by Compal as the world’s top laptop manufacturer, but it will catch up this year as Apple prepares to deliver what will likely be a new MacBook Air.
Apple's the most valuable company on earth, but it almost wasn't.
This week on The CultCast: The journey to a trillion! How did Apple become the most valuable company on earth? We discuss, and remember the company’s troubled history. Plus: Is the i9 MacBook Pro a total ripoff? One YouTube reviewer says yes, and his tests are convincing. We’ll fill you in. And stay tuned for the sad decline of MoviePass. Is the troubled movie service still worth it?
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first hosting plan or domain.
Because Intel can't get its act together, Apple's apparently going to release a low-cost MacBook that's slower than it should be. Photo: Apple
After waiting years, Apple is reportedly given up on using some of Intel’s long-delayed processors in the budget MacBook expected this fall. Instead, the device will include chips that debuted last year.
Problems like this could be one of the reasons Apple is supposedly going to move macOS onto its own ARM-based processors and away from Intel.
Despite faster connections, display support hasn’t improved. Photo: Apple
Apple’s new MacBook Pro lineup has a lot of improvements under the hood that you might have missed. One of those is an upgraded Thunderbolt 3 controller from Intel.
Both the 13- and 15-inch models pack a new “Titan Ridge” chip, but unfortunately for some users, there are big limitations. Don’t rush out to blow your savings on an 8K monitor just yet.
If you’re coughing up crazy amounts of cash for a new MacBook Pro with Intel’s latest Core i9 processor, there’s something you should be aware of.
Early tests have revealed that the chip suffers severe thermal throttling under heavy loads, which dramatically reduces its clock speed and performance.
Cheaper models with Core i5 and Core i7 chips don’t seem to have the same problem.
Apple’s new MacBook Pro offers buyers significantly improved performance at the same price as last year’s models, as well as a “quieter,” improved butterfly keyboard and a True Tone display. But is it worth the upgrade?
Early reviews of the 2018 update are out now. Here’s what they say about Apple’s fastest and most impressive laptop yet.
It's the most powerful update in years. Photo: Apple
This week on The CultCast: It’s the best update in years. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Apple’s very powerful new MacBook Pros. Plus: New Mac minis are on the way; Ming-Chi Kuo confirms Apple’s about to update its entire product line; how coke heads use Apple Watch to maximize their high. Finally, we talk killer whale attacks, port wines and the story of Saturday Night Live’s world-renowned sax player on an all-new What We’re Into.
A WiGig iPhone might happen in 2020. This standard is fast but short range. Photo: Wireless Gigabit Alliance/Cult of Mac
Apple appears to be planning to put WiGig in future iPhones. This a version of Wi-Fi that’s more than five times faster than 802.11ac.
An Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modem has reportedly been turned down by Apple because it lacked WiGig. This certainly implies that the iPhone maker will go looking for a modem that does include this feature.
iOS 14's Home screen could be very different. Photo: Apple
Editor’s Note: The original source of this information has retracted it. While Apple has apparently decided to not use Sunny Peak chips, they do not included 5G support. This means Intel could still produce 5G modems for Apple.
Intel has reportedly halted development of its new 5G mobile modem after Apple decided not to place orders for future iPhones.
Intel had hoped to secure a partnership with Apple to supply “Sunny Peak” chips for its 2020 iPhone lineup, but according to internal communications and “people familiar with the matter,” Apple has decided to shop elsewhere.
Despite faster connections, display support hasn’t improved. Photo: Apple
Apple is apparently planning to upgrade the MacBook Pro line to the latest generation of Intel processors. Benchmarks for a macOS laptop running a “Coffee Lake” chip showed up on Geekbench.
The eight-generation Core i7-8559U CPU in this device has a base frequency of 2.7GHz, but a maximum turbo speed of 4.5GHz. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, and was built with a 14nm process.
You’ll want this year’s iPhone for its cameras. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple is considering a new iPhone modem supplier as it looks to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm.
The company is yet to decide whether it will add MediaTek to its supply chain for its next-generation iPhone lineup. But Apple is keen to limit its dealings with Qualcomm after a recent legal spat in which the latter attempted to ban iPhone imports into the United States.
Microsoft's pocketable device might look something like this. Photo: David Breyer
The iPhone might be about to get some fresh competition from Apple’s oldest rival in the tech scene.
Microsoft has reportedly been working on a mysterious new Surface device codenamed Andromeda. The device has supposedly been in development for the last two years and features a dual-display design that can fold to fit into your pocket.
Intel will take the majority of orders from Apple. Photo: Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Intel has reportedly started production of the new faster XMM 7560 modem chips for Apple’s 2018 iPhones, marking the first time Intel has manufactured modem chips in-house for Apple.
While Intel has supplied Apple with modem chips for the past couple of years, previously it has outsourced production to TSMC.
Rather than going with another company, Apple might make its own iPhone 5G modems. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A job post shows Apple is hiring an engineer to lead a team designing 5G modems.This may be mean that the company is going to stop outsourcing these wireless chips.
Apple currently sources its LTE modems from Qualcomm, but there have been reports that it’s working with Intel on next-generation modems. Maybe the iPhone maker decided to kick Intel to the curb too.
Intel will task GPUs with antivirus scanning. Photo: Intel
Intel plans to offload virus scanning to improve the performance of its processors.
It will allow antivirus programs to use its integrated graphics chipsets when scanning for attacks, which will reduce processor and power consumption on some machines. It could mean that you’ll get more use out of your MacBook in between charges.
Intel and Apple have formalized a deal that has the iPhone maker producing its own smartphone modem. Photo: Thomas Hawk/Flickr
The next Mac you buy may not have Intel inside.
Apple is pushing forward with plans to ditch Intel’s processors in favor of its own chips, according to a new report that claims the transition away from Intel CPUs will likely take multiple steps.
Is Apple working on new Mac chips in Washington County? Photo: Intel
Intel has redesigned its processors to help eliminate the Meltdown and Spectre flaws once and for all.
Its eighth-generation Core and Xeon chips use protection through partitioning, along with the latest software patches, to kill all three variants of the bug. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich warns, however, that “there is still work to do” to ensure users stay protected.
Intel will task GPUs with antivirus scanning. Photo: Intel
Intel has completed its Spectre fixes for its latest range of processors.
Patches for Skylake, Kaby Lake, and Coffee Lake chipsets are now available to computer and motherboard manufacturers. Apple has already rolled out macOS and OS X updates to fix the problem.