New Mac Pro: What we know about the overdue M4 Ultra (or M5 Ultra) update
Macworld New Mac Pro: In summary The M2 Ultra Mac Pro was released in 2023. Previous reports have said an M4 Ultra Mac Pro will be released before the end of 2025. A report states that the M5 Ultra chip is on Apple’s schedule, but there have been no mentions of whether it will be made available for the Mac Pro, or when. No reports of a Mac Pro design change have been made. Apple last updated the Mac Pro in June 2023 when it was the last Mac to be outfitted with an M-series chip–three years after Apple started to use its own silicon in Macs. At that point, the Mac Pro gained an M2 Max or M2 Ultra chip option. Apple is now three generations on from the M2 chip. The M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max, arrived at the end of 2023, followed by the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max at the end of 2024. It took until 2025 for Apple to introduce an M3 Ultra, which arrived as an option for the Mac Studio. The first of the M5 series launched in October 2025. But the wait continues for the Mac Pro update and the chip upgrades destined for the new Mac Pro remain a mystery. In the meantime, we are stuck with the M2 Ultra Mac Pro. But, hopefully, not for much longer. Read on for all the latest leaks, rumors and predictions about when the Mac Pro will launch, the reasons for the delays, and what to expect when the new Mac Pro does finally arrive. New Mac Pro: Release date The Mac Pro update was reported to have a late 2025 release The Mac Pro tends to have a longer update cycle than the other Macs because it’s an expensive machine with features that address the needs of a niche audience. However, it has now been more than two years since the M-series Mac Pro was launched, and in the meantime, the Mac Studio, with its M3 Ultra and M4 Max options, has usurped its position as the fastest and most powerful Mac. What is going on? Why was the M4 Ultra delayed? Why didn’t Apple add an M3 Ultra to the Mac Pro? As the M4 Ultra will combine two M4 Max chips it may be that the power requirements and generated heat are just too high. There have been reports that Apple is changing the processor’s architecture, so we could see higher performance than in previous Ultra chips. The lengthy wait was anticipated: in an April 2024 report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman about Apple’s plans for its AI-enhanced M4 chip, he suggested that Apple would not update the Mac Pro until 2025. In June 2024, Gurman again reported that the Mac release schedule had not changed. The M4 Mac Pro is not expected until the second half of 2025. On July 3, 2025, AppleInsider reported that a new Mac Pro is in development has has been assigned the code name J704. On November 4, Gurman reported that Apple is working on M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studio updates, but made no mention of the Mac Pro. No updated reports have been made of the Mac Pro being released before the end of 2025. New Mac Pro: Will it use an M4 Ultra or M5 Ultra processor? Previous reports stated that the Mac Pro could be upgraded with an M4 Ultra with “enhanced AI capabilities” A more recent report stated that Apple has the M5 Max and Ultra in development In the two years since the launch of the M2 Ultra Mac Pro, it has lost its position as the most powerful Mac. In our Geekbench 6 tests of the M4 Max chip, we found it to be faster than the M2 Ultra in the Mac Pro. Read: How Apple’s M4 chips dispelled all my fears about buying a new Mac. Even faster than the M4 Max is the M3 Ultra, which arrived in the Mac Studio in March 2025. The Mac Studio with M3 Ultra is currently the fastest Mac in Apple’s lineup. Why hasn’t Apple updated the Mac Pro with an M3 Ultra? If Apple wanted to use the M3 Ultra in the Mac Pro, it would’ve updated that Mac by now. Apple must have something much more powerful planned. In an April 2024 report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated that the Mac Pro is part of Apple’s AI focus and will be upgraded with an M4 with enhanced AI capabilities. The M4 Ultra, which is what has been reported as the chip for the Mac Pro, is expected to have an improved Neural Engine for AI features. The M3 Ultra combines two M3 Max chips, so it follows that the M4 Ultra would do the same. There have been reports that Apple will be changing the processor’s architecture, so we could see higher performance than in previous Ultra chips. The Information reported in December 2024 that in the previous summer, Apple had canceled a “high-performance chip for Macs” to focus on the development of an AI server chip. As John Gruber pointed out, the timing of that Mac chip project suggests that the canceled chip was likely one that is dubbed an “Extreme” chip that would be faster than an Ultra. On August 14, 2025, Macworld reported that it had seen internal code published by Apple that confirms that the company is still experimenting with a new, high-end Mac Pro powered by an unreleased M4 Ultra chip. In November, a report stated that the Mac Studio will be upgraded with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips in 2026. Could those chips make their way into the Mac Pro?Foundry On November 4, 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple has an M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studio on its release schedule for 2026. He did not mention the Mac Pro. It’s still possible that Apple could release an M4 Ultra Mac Pro before the 2026 Mac Studio, making it the fastest Mac. But that title would be short-lived if the M5 Ultra Mac Studio is released less than a year later. It seems possible that Apple could forgo an M4 Ultra Mac Pro update and release an M5 Ultra Mac Pro at the same time as the M5 Ultra Mac Studio. However, this is mere speculation; no reports have been made regarding this. New Mac Pro: Specs 512GB memory max Thunderbolt 5 Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple wants to dramatically increase the maximum amount of unified memory in the high-end desktop M4 Macs to 512GB. The current limit on the M2 Ultra Mac Pro is 192GB. So, a M4 Ultra Mac Pro could support more than twice the memory as the current M2 Ultra Mac Pro. The Mac Pro will be equipped with Thunderbolt 5. When Apple released the M4 Pro/Mac MacBook Pro, it upgraded to Thunderbolt 5, so the Mac Pro will follow suit. Learn more about Thunderbolt 5. No other reports have been made about the inner workings of the upcoming Mac Pro. Because Apple wants to focus on AI, the Mac Pro could be marketed as an AI development workstation, so Apple could upgrade other components to accommodate these needs. New Mac Pro: Design The next Mac Pro upgrade is expected to keep the same design, but the internal components will likely change.Foundry The Mac Pro has had its design since 2019, following Apple’s admission that it had designed itself into a thermal corner with the so-called ‘trash can Mac Pro’, which had the form of a black cylinder and proved impossible to upgrade due to problems with cooling. Having learned that lesson, it is unlikely that Apple would change the Mac Pro design in such a way as to reduce cooling and other elements. If Apple changes anything, it is very unlikely to make the Mac Pro smaller as this didn’t work out well last time. New Mac Pro: Price Here are the prices for the current standard base configurations of the M2 Ultra Mac Pro for reference. Apple expects customers to configure their orders, so prices will vary from these base specifications. $6,999/£7,199/CA$8,999/AU$11,999 Mac Pro Tower: M2 Ultra, 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD $7,499/£7,699/CA$9,599/AU$12,999 Mac Pro Rack: M2 Ultra, 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Pricing for the new Mac Pro has not been reported, though pricing could possibly go up because of the U.S. tariffs situation–the components are made overseas. The price may be adapted to more recent exchange rates elsewhere. We predict that in the U.K., the price will be in line with the U.S., for example, £6,999 rather than £7,199.

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Rumor: Apple actively developing a budget-focused MacBook
When in doubt, you can always work to beat ’em on price. Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook for ““luring away customers from Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs” during the first half of 2026. It’s thought that the unnamed notebook is already being actively tested at Apple, and that […] Source

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Rumor: Apple to license Google Gemini AI to power updated Siri
When in doubt, use the best assets available to you (even if those assets haven’t been developed in-house and belong to your competitor/partner). According to Bloomberg, Apple will be developing a smarter, more capable version of Siri that will be powered by Google Gemini. Apple is expected to pay Google approximately $1 billion per year […] Source

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Wish the iPhone mini was still a thing? Peep this $90 dupe.
Macworld TL;DR: Save 55% and get free shipping on the NanoPhone mini 4G smartphone before this limited-time sale ends! If the death of the iPhone Mini still stings, you’re not alone. Not all of us want phones that feel like tablets, which is why more people are switching to the NanoPhone—a mini smartphone that resembles an iPhone but is actually a mini Android smartphone, smaller than a credit card. How does the NanoPhone work? To answer your most pressing question, no, the NanoPhone doesn’t necessarily require you to get a new mobile plan. You can just insert the SIM card from your current phone, and it should work with your existing 4G carrier.  Check out some of this pocket smartphone’s features: A clear, responsive touchscreen with an intuitive interface for easy scrolling Built-in 5MP rear and 2MP front cameras allow for video chatting and photos on the go Dual SIM card support so you can use two numbers from the NanoPhone Storage for your apps, photos, and files, which is expandable with Micro-SD Why settle for an oversized smartphone when this mini one offers all the same features you know and love, minus the bulky design? Order the NanoPhone now for $89.97 with free shipping (MSRP $199.99). There are fewer than 50 units left in stock! NanoPhone – A Mini 4G Smartphone Packed with Mega Features!See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Macworld Podcast: AI and Apple Intelligence progress report
Macworld The latest on Apple’s developments with AI and Apple Intelligence, all on this episode of the Macworld Podcast. This is episode 958 with Michael Simon, Jason Cross,  and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 958 on YouTube Listen to episode 958 on Apple Podcasts

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Google Chrome AI Mode shortcut finally lands on iPhone
Google’s AI Mode is rolling out to Chrome for iOS and Android, bringing a dedicated button to access AI-powered search. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Hands-on with Anker’s new limited edition 14-in-1 MacBook docking station [U]
Recently, Anker announced a new collaboration with Black Myth, and they’re slowly rolling out a number of limited-edition themed products around that. First of which is their 14-in-1 DL7400 desktop dock, which I’ll be going hands on with. more…

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Google Maps gets a Gemini boost for smarter navigation
Google Maps gets a major upgrade with Gemini integration to deliver a superior hands-free, conversational driving experience. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iOS 26.2 beta 1 seemingly pulled for devices using C1 modem
Users trying to install the iOS 26.2 or iPadOS 26.2 beta say that it fails to install on devices running the C1 modem, which could indicate the update has been pulled for those devices.iPhone 16e uses the C1 modemApple released the OS 26.1 series of updates on Monday, followed by the first betas for the OS 26.2 on Tuesday. Those that waited to install the update are encountering some issues getting the update installed on select devices.According to a post from MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris on X, Apple has allegedly pulled iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 beta 1 for devices with the C1 modem. Those are the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro with M5. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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KiiBoom Cybrix 16 review: 16 keys, tons of usefulness
The KiiBoom Cybrix 16 is a cut-down keyboard with 16 keys, three knobs, and tons of utility — but it's too bad that the software for Mac users is effectively non-existent.KiiBoom Cybrix 16The world of third-party keyboards is a consumer's market, and we have never had more options to fit our individual needs, but in the noise of products and features, some manufacturers choose to appeal specifically to gamers and niche needs consumers.KiiBoom is a global manufacturer with an extensive catalog of mechanical keyboards, keycaps, headphones, audio equipment, desk mats, and everything in between for the modern gamer or mechanical keyboard enthusiast. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple blocks iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 beta installs on devices with the C1 modem
Following the release of the first developer betas of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 earlier this week, Apple is now preventing the update from being installed on devices with the C1 modem. Here are the details. more…

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Apple Music co-lead to speak at Web Summit in Lisbon next week
Ole Obermann, who was appointed co-lead of Apple Music in May, has been confirmed as one of the speakers at Web Summit 2025, which kicks off next week in Lisbon. Here’s what to expect. more…

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Apple plans to remove Wi-Fi network syncing on Apple Watch in the EU
Users of the Apple Watch in the European Union may soon lose the ability to sync Wi-Fi networks from their iPhones, according to a new report.Apple Watch users in the EU may lose the ability to sync Wi-Fi networks from a paired iPhone.With the release of the first iOS 26.2 developer beta, Apple revealed its Live Translation feature would become available to users in the European Union. However, it's not all good news for those in the EU, as another software change has since come to light.To be more specific, iOS users in the European Union will have to part with an existing Apple Watch feature. While it was previously possible to sync Wi-Fi networks from an iPhone to an Apple Watch, the capability is now set to be disabled in the EU with a future iOS 26 update. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Nintendo Store app launches internationally with games, consoles, merch, and more
Following years of exclusivity in Japan, the official Nintendo Store app is now available in multiple countries, including the US. Here’s what you can do with it. more…

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Addictive app turns learning up to 71 languages into a game
Multiple learning modes like matching games, dictation and Q&As immerse you in your language goals with the Qlango language learning app. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple to use Google Gemini model for new Siri while it works to catch up with its own LLMs
Apple is set to underpin its new Siri with Google’s 1.2-trillion-parameter AI model, Bloomberg News reports Wednesday… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Expect more Apple Immersive Video thanks to streamlined production process
As Apple Vision Pro approaches its second birthday, there's still not much Apple Immersive Content available for the platform. That's set to change as the production pipeline has finally solidified for creators.Apple Immersive Video format to be more available to third-party creators soonApple Immersive Video is a new format used for those 8K short films Apple Vision Pro users can watch in the Apple TV app. They're usually between 10 and 20 minutes in length and a quite stunning showcase of the technology in use.However, until now, there's been little word of how anyone besides Apple can actually produce such media. A Medium post from Anthony Maes shared the details of a 10-hour Create Immersive event held by Apple that was also shared to the Apple Developer YouTube channel (in two parts). Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 26’s new AirPods setting can solve a common Bluetooth issue
iOS 26 is packed full of new features, but one that lots of users might appreciate is flying under the radar. Thanks to a new setting added in iOS 26, you can finally stop AirPods’ audio from automatically getting hijacked by other Bluetooth speakers, including your in-car speakers. more…

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Report: Apple to pay Google $1B a year to provide Siri’s updated AI brain
Macworld A new report from Bloomberg says that Apple is finalizing a deal in which it will pay Google about a billion dollars a year to use its AI technology as the foundation for the long-overdue new Siri. The new model is essentially a customized version of Google’s Gemini LLM, according to Mark Gurman’s report. Apple reportedly evaluated Claude and ChatGPT earlier this year and zeroed in on Google to create an LLM based on its Gemini model. The version Apple will employ will have 1.2 trillion parameters, in comparison to the 150 billion parameters of the cloud-based Apple Intelligence model used today. The number of parameters is one measure of the size and complexity of an AI model, but not the only one. It’s not clear how many parameters are in today’s leading LLMs like Gemini 2.5 Pro or ChatGPT 5, as most of the leading AI developers have stopped publishing such details. According to estimates, a 1.2-trillion parameter model would be well in line with the leading AI models today. Apple still intends to use its own technology in the future. This deal is said to be an interim solution until the homemade Siri model is good enough to replace it. This new Gemini model will handle Siri’s summarizer and planner functions—the parts that allow Siri to understand what is being asked of it and how it should execute tasks. Some Siri functions would still use Apple’s in-house models, it is claimed. The partnership may be short-lived, however. Apple’s team is said to already be working on a 1 trillion parameter model that it hopes to have ready for public use “as early as next year,” and Apple execs believe they can match the quality of Google’s custom Gemini model. The big Gemini model will run on Apple’s own Private Cloud Compute hardware rather than Google’s servers, so Apple can ensure user privacy and that no user data ever gets into Google (or anyone else’s) hands. In China, where most Google technology is banned, the new Siri will in-house models with a custom filter that adjusts content to comply with Chinese government demands. The new Siri is still said to be scheduled for release in the spring, with Apple aiming to bring it to users in the OS 26.4 releases, which usually arrive in March.

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Following a successful lawsuit dismissal, Apple wants its $540,000 back
Last September, Apple and Amazon were cleared in an iPhone and iPad price-fixing lawsuit. Now, they’re seeking reimbursement for their attorneys’ fees. Here are the details. more…

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