If you’re well versed in concepts like release schedules and calendars, you might have noticed that Apple hasn’t updated its computers in a while. It’s been almost a year since the iMac and MacBook Pro got a speed bump, and the Mac Pro and Mac Studio have been out for just over a year. Now, Apple’s marketing chief, Greg Joswiak, has announced “an exciting week of announcements” starting on Monday.
It’s easy to assume we’ll see those models pushed from variants of the M3 to the M4. Expect a lot of attention to Apple Intelligence, given the M4’s focus on AI, which comes to users at the same time as part of the iOS 18.1 update. It’s likely that each model will be announced piecemeal throughout the week rather than at one grand event, indicating we won’t see too many major changes.
Rumors suggest that only the Mac Mini will get a major hardware revision, making its chassis much smaller. If I’m honest, I’m secretly hoping the Mac mini doesn’t become the same size as the Apple TV models it’s hinted at. Especially if that means we have to lug a thick power brick across the floor.
Latest UN report calls for ‘unprecedented’ emissions cuts to save climate targets
The United Nations has published a new report on the climate crisis. It can best be summed up as “are you even listening?” It analysed the latest round of international commitments and reckons we’re heading towards a 2.6°C temperature rise. If we want to avoid climate events of biblical proportions, we’ll need to reduce emissions much more aggressively.
After every flagship phone launch, Samsung releases a Fan Edition, offering most of the same features in a slightly cheaper package. Engadget’s Igor Bonifacic tested the new Galaxy S24 FE and found that, like its predecessors, it’s a bit of a waste. After all, you can buy a no-compromise version of the handset for about the same price when it goes on sale.
The White House has released a memo detailing where AI should and shouldn’t be used in military and intelligence applications. This includes a ban on giving AI systems the ability to launch nuclear weapons, profile people and grant asylum. Now we just have to make sure AI doesn’t get so smart that it forces people to make these decisions on their behalf.
Bluesky has revealed its plan to make money without handing the platform over to advertisers. It will offer a premium subscription that allows users to customize their profiles, upload high-quality videos and generally get a warm and cozy feeling. Hopefully users who come to Bluesky from that place will appreciate it so much that they’ll pay to keep the lights on.