Beats Solo 4 headphones review: Great audio quality and features
The new Beats Solo 4 announced on Tuesday is probably the best choice for people wanting near-premium headphones in the Apple ecosystem without dealing with nosebleed prices.Blue Beats Solo 4 headphones on a wooden desk with a black case and reflections in a room.The Beats Solo3 has been a long-standing pair of entry-level headphones in the company's lineup. It's held up well over time.Seven years after its debut, you'd expect there would have been another version available before now. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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New Beats Solo Buds offers budget-friendly audio in a tiny case
Apple subsidiary Beats by Dre has added to its wireless earbuds lineup with the Beats Solo Buds, offering a budget option to consumers.Beats Solo Buds worn by Naomi OsakaLaunched on Tuesday, the Beats Solo Buds follow after the Beats Fit Pro, Beats Studio Buds , and Powerbeats Pro in being totally wireless earphones.Effectively replacing the Beats Studio Buds as the budget option, the Beats Solo Buds offer a lot functionality for its price tag. That includes a custom acoustic architecture with nozzles and laser-cut vents made with ergonomics in mind, relieving pressure inside the ear canal. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Beats Solo 4 hands-on: the most iconic Beats headphones just got better
Apple has officially taken the wraps off its new Beats Solo 4 headphones today, the first update in eight years to one of the best-selling Beats products I’ve been using the Beats Solo 4 for the past week (listening to hours and hours of Taylor Swift). Head below for a roundup of what’s new and my first impressions. more…

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Apple debuts new Beats Solo Buds with 18-hour battery life for $79
Alongside the launch of Beats Solo 4 today, Apple has also announced new Beats Solo Buds earbuds. The new Beats Solo Buds pack a truly wireless design with an incredibly impressive 18 hours of battery life and $79.99 price. These represent the most affordable truly wireless earbuds that Apple or Beats has released to date. more…

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Rumor: iOS 18 to add new ‘Web Eraser’ and page summarization features to Safari
Apple is reportedly planning big updates to Safari as part of iOS 18 and macOS 15 later this year. According to a report on Tuesday, the changes will include a new AI-powered tool called “Intelligent Search” with page summarization, a “Web Eraser” feature, and more. more…

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The Instigators heist flick starring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck heads for Apple TV+
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck are teaming up again for "The Instigators," a buddy action comedy on Apple TV+. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Custom interfaces to get the most out of a folding iPhone or iPad are in the works
Folding devices with two screens have potential beyond just more display real estate. Apple is researching, at length, how to make the interfaces of folding iPhone, iPad, or all-screen MacBook Pro more than the sum of its parts.A folding device could have two screens where the bottom one acts as a "soft keyboard"It's not as if it's a surprise that Apple has been researching an iPhone Fold, or a folding iPad. And of course it has had foldable laptops from the PowerBook 100 to today's MacBook Pro.Yet this newly-granted patent, called "User Interfaces For Devices With Multiple Displays," could even replace every one of those devices. Across 335 drawings and flowcharts, the patent ultimately describes a device that is made up of two screens, folded in the middle like a current MacBook Pro. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Award-winning ‘Sofa’ downtime organizer gets major update with new UI, custom categories, more
The impressive and beautiful downtime organizer app Sofa is out with a major release today for iPhone and iPad. Version 4 comes with an all-new UI across the home screen, “The Pile,” and more, custom categories, pinned lists, smart lists, and much more. more…

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Apple wins 4 BAFTA Television Craft Awards for ‘Slow Horses’ and ‘Silo’
Apple this week was recognized with multiple wins at the 2024 BAFTA Television Craft Awards for hit series, “Slow Horses” and “Silo.” The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Get 16 productivity-enhancing Mac apps for just $39.99
This set of 16 Mac productivity apps includes software to reveal hidden files, troubleshoot Wi-Fi, stop background apps and more. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple to unveil AI-enabled Safari browser alongside new operating systems
Apple is testing a version of its Safari web browser that includes UI tweaks, advanced content blocking features, and a new AI-powered tool dubbed Intelligent Search, AppleInsider has learned.Safari getting new AI tools in iOS 18The software — expected to debut as Safari 18 later in 2024 — is currently undergoing evaluation alongside internal builds of Apple's next-generation operating system updates, namely iOS 18 and macOS 15, according to people familiar with the matter. Should all of the new features make it to the release candidate stage, users will be treated to a new user interface (UI) for customizing popular page controls, a "Web eraser" feature, and AI-driven content summarization tools. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Poll: Should Apple offer more colorful iPhone 16 Pro models?
A report earlier this month said that the color-infused back glass used on the non-Pro iPhone 15 models would be extended to the iPhone 16 Pro, and a new Weibo claim implies the same. This would bring new color options to the Pro and Pro Max. Earlier reports have also suggested that we may see new color options for the titanium frame, as well as the glass back … more…

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Can U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau break par with Apple’s Siri as his caddie?
2020 U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau played a round of golf with Apple's Siri as his caddie to see if he could break par… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple's Q2 2024 earnings results may have some drama — what to expect
Apple's Q2 financial results are being announced on May 2, and it might be rough, compared to the financial victories of the last five years. Here's what to expect, and what the analysts are saying.Apple CEO Tim CookApple will be issuing its second-quarter results on May 2, with the figures anticipated to be released at around 4:30 p.m. EDT that evening. Not long after, at 5 p.m. EDT, Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri will be explaining the finer details of the results as part of its usual call with analysts.Ahead of the financial results release, analysts have offered their own estimates of what Apple will declare, passing comment on what happened in the quarter and what the company faces in the future. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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AI Forcing Many Companies To Rethink Their Data-Crunching Ways
Gartner revealed that 61% of organizations are reevaluating their data and analytics (D&A) operating models because of the impact of disruptive AI technologies. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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TikTok could be banned in Europe as well as the US
Hugely popular video app , according to remarks made by the president of the European Commission. TikTok is also under two separate EU investigations, and President Biden last week signed a bill which would see the app banned in the US within nine months unless it is sold to an American company … more…

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Apple has ‘secretive’ advanced AI lab in Europe; poached specialists from Google
A new report today says that Apple has created a ‘secretive’ advanced AI lab in Europe, and it’s this facility which is responsible for some of its most ground-breaking artificial intelligence work. The same report suggests that most of Apple’s AI specialists have been poached from Google, though this isn’t a great surprise give the background of the Cupertino company’s AI chief … more…

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Journey Nexa review: The best MacBook sleeve I’ve ever used
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsTwo integrated chargersHigh-quality workmanshipNot just for Apple productsConsExpensiveNo space for accessoriesOur VerdictIf you work on the go a lot, the Journey Nexa is a fantastic protective laptop sleeve for your MacBook–provided you are willing to pay its price. The workmanship is outstanding, and there are two integrated wireless chargers for the iPhone and AirPods. A matching USB-C cable is included, but the case has no additional storage space for it or any other accessories. To get the maximum charging power out of it, you will also need an additional power supply or one with multiple ports. Price When Reviewed$119.99 Best Prices Today: Journey NEXA 4-in-1 Laptop Sleeve with Wireless Charging Retailer Price Journey $119.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Every few years, there’s a gadget that makes me think, “Yes, that’s brilliant, I want that!” Most recently it was the Sony SRS-XB23, an inconspicuous, cylindrical Bluetooth speaker that won me over with a single product photo. The Bluetooth speaker fits perfectly in the cup holder of an average camping chair–perfect for festivals. And at the end of 2023, it was the Journey Nexa, a laptop sleeve made of artificial leather and other materials. Relatively inconspicuous at first glance, it has an incredibly clever trick at second glance: two wireless chargers integrated into the protective cover, on which you can charge a smartphone and wireless headphones (or two smartphones very, very slowly). The Nexa laptop sleeve is a mobile office dream. It is the mobile counterpart to the multifunctional desk pad Journey Alti, which in turn is more suitable for fixed workstations. After being sold out for a while, the Journey Nexa is finally back in stock and I was able to test it extensively. It’s just as good as I’d hoped, although it doesn’t come without its quirks. Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Journey Nexa: Design & workmanship Two sizes, two colors High-quality workmanship No space for accessories The Journey Nexa looks classy but is still largely inconspicuous. It comes in two versions, for 13/14-inch and 15/16-inch laptops–basically, all Apple laptops. You can choose between two colors, black and light grey. In this review, I took a close look at the small black version made to fit a 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro. Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann The workmanship is simply great. The seams are clean, there are no creases or other damaged areas, and the materials feel very high-quality. The case consists of two halves sewn together and therefore spreads open like a large envelope when opened. The surface of the lower half is made of a kind of textile, and the upper half of artificial leather. The lower half is significantly longer, because at its end is the flap with the two chargers, which is also covered with imitation leather and holds magnetically to the other half when closed. The Nexa is generally designed so that it lies on the textile-like side with the leather side facing upwards, as this is the only way the chargers will also face upwards. The element with the chargers is relatively thick: while the base is slightly thicker than a USB-C port, a few millimeters are added for the two chargers that protrude from the flap. Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Journey’s product images show the flap with the chargers lying flat on the table, but in reality, it tilts inwards slightly due to its design. This does not affect the function of the chargers, but Journey could solve this discrepancy between advertising and reality if it were to draw the narrow, thick strip across the entire width of the charger and not just at the edge. The Nexa is explicitly a sleeve and not a bag. That’s why there is no additional storage space for cables, a charger, a mouse, or an adapter–not even the USB-C cable supplied fits in anywhere. If you are traveling with a lot of accessories, you will have to stow them in a separate bag or invest in a small cable organizer. Journey advertises the Nexa as a 4-in-1 product: charger, protective cover, mouse pad, and desk pad. To my satisfaction, this is all true, but with some limitations. Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Journey Nexa: Charger No fast-charging for iPhone Requires power adapter for maximum performance No charger for Apple Watch The feature that sets the Nexa apart from other protective cases is the two integrated chargers. They are designed for the iPhone and Airpods, but they are also compatible with other smartphones and in-ear headphones that support wireless charging. The round charger for smartphones has the exact dimensions of a MagSafe charger, and the rectangular one is the size of the AirPods charging case. The smartphone charger is only MagSafe-compatible, not MFi-certified. In practice, this means that the Nexa cannot charge an iPhone relatively quickly with 15 watts, but only with 7.5 watts, which is of course not very suitable for quickly supplying your iPhone with a lot of power when the battery has just run out, but for recharging it a little now and then or for longer sessions. Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann With the “real” MagSafe, strong magnets are integrated into it, which at least lock the iPhone perfectly onto the puck. Most Android smartphones that support wireless charging still lack the corresponding counterparts, which is why it is always a matter of luck whether you have placed the induction coils neatly on top of each other and can charge as loss-free as possible. The magnets are so strong that you can easily use your MacBook in your bag as a wireless power bank for your iPhone, provided it is in a MagSafe case; unfortunately, my naked iPhone 15 Pro Max does not hold. Overall, however, this is merely a nice side effect, as you can just as easily connect your iPhone to your MacBook in your bag using a cable. If it is long enough, you can even take it out of your bag and continue using your iPhone. The same applies to the other charger: in theory, you can at least use it to charge your AirPods Pro in your bag, as the charging case holds onto it well enough. With other headphones, things don’t look so good. For example, the Sennheiser MTW3 and MTW4 have larger and heavier cases. In addition, the magnetic forces between the charger and the case are not as strong as with the AirPods, which is why they do not adhere very well to it unless the Nexa is lying flat on the table. The two chargers are not explicitly designed for headphones and smartphones. You can charge your iPhone just as well on the rectangular charger and the AirPods on the round one or two pairs of headphones, even two smartphones at the same time (at least if you arrange them in a T-shape). Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann The round one is the more powerful of the two and reaches the aforementioned 7.5 watts, while the rectangular one only reaches 5 watts. Android users have an advantage, however: compatible smartphones charge on the puck at up to 15 watts, which is twice as fast as an iPhone. Of course, all of this assumes that you connect the Nexa to an external charger and not to the USB-C port on your MacBook, which supplies less power. If you want to minimize the number of accessories you have to carry with you, we recommend a powerful power supply with at least two USB-C ports and at least 100 watts–one for the MacBook, one for the Nexa, which doesn’t include an adapter. Incidentally, the maximum power consumption of the Nexa is 30 watts, more than enough for two devices. What the Nexa completely lacks is a charger for the Apple Watch. Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Journey Nexa: Protective cover Inside, the two halves are not symmetrical and consist of different layers. The faux leather half is slightly more rigid than the other half – presumably hiding a thin layer of plastic inside – and is coated with a kind of microfibre on the inside. The textile side on the other side is much better padded and therefore softer and more flexible. The different textures of the two halves are intended to make it recognizable how a laptop should be placed inside: With the display half on the soft side and the keyboard half on the hard side. This creates a strange problem: If the Nexa is lying on the table and you want to store your MacBook in it, you have to push it in “upside down”, i.e. with the display side facing down and the feet facing up. The same applies to unpacking: you always take your MacBook out with the underside facing upwards and then have to turn it. Sure, it’s just a simple operation, but it’s not very intuitive overall. Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann How you insert the MacBook in the Nexa has an effect on the protective function of the case in borderline cases. I can well imagine that there is a load limit somewhere where the display is damaged in the event of a fall if the MacBook is inserted in the case improperly, whereas it would have remained intact if it had been inserted the proper way. The envelope design does work to provide the MacBook with some protection. If the case with the MacBook inside lands on the floor, it spreads out (minimally!) in a wedge shape on impact and absorbs the force completely via the flexibility of the two halves. The Macbook would probably not be damaged even from greater heights. Incidentally, there’s no need to talk about water and dust resistance with the Nexa: the cover doesn’t close completely, but leaves a thumb-sized gap open on both sides of the flap. So if you are often out and about in the rain, you should make sure that your bag provides protection. Journey Nexa: Mousepad and underlay To use the Nexa as a desk pad, you simply place your MacBook on the leather side. Using it as a mouse pad is pretty clever, if not flawless. Simply place your MacBook on the table and place the Nexa next to it and you have a huge mouse pad. Although the cover is more than three times larger than a conventional mouse pad, the height is hardly noticeable. I have owned much thinner textile and plastic mouse pads that were much more uncomfortable. The reason for this is the rounded edges over which the wrist and forearm can slide gently without getting stuck. Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann As with everything else, the leather side is intended as a mouse pad. My Logitech Lift has a little more resistance on it than on a textile or hard plastic gaming mouse pad, but this is still perfectly acceptable. The fact that the leather side serves as a mouse pad also explains why there is a stiffer layer and why the MacBook has to be pushed in upside down: so that the mouse pad remains as flat as possible and does not curl. Unfortunately, this only works to a limited extent in practice. If your MacBook has been in the case overnight (or even longer) this layer bends inside and takes a while to flatten out enough so that you don’t feel like you’re pushing the mouse over a mountain. For me, this means that I use the Nexa as a base for my MacBook for the first half hour in the office so that it is flattened again by the weight before I push it to the side and use it as a mouse pad. I don’t know whether Journey can solve the problem, but it would be desirable. Journey Nexa: Price and deliverables 140 Euro Cable, but no power supply included Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Eugen Wegmann Journey, as a premium or lifestyle brand of Alogic, is not exactly known for bargains. In this respect, it is hardly surprising that the Nexa costs a whopping 140 euros, regardless of the size. 140 euros for a laptop sleeve is a pretty penny when you consider that there are other more affordable sleeves. However, these are largely simple protective sleeves or bags; according to my research, there are no other sleeves with integrated wireless chargers on the market apart from the Journey Nexa. The scope of delivery is also quite straightforward: in addition to the laptop sleeve itself, it only comes with a USB-C cable in a matching color (black for the black and white for the grey version), a few stickers, and the usual paperwork. Should you buy the Journey Nexa? With the Journey Nexa, you pay for good design, high-quality workmanship, and its unique selling point. Though I can’t currently say anything about its longevity (I have a good feeling so far), I would buy it again if it were to break. However, if it started to fall apart in three months, I would almost certainly change my mind. I can only give an unreserved purchase recommendation to those who can afford it. If you’re on a tight budget, you’re probably better off with a cheaper case. After all, the Nexa is a luxury product that not everyone can, wants or needs to afford. This article originally appeared on Macwelt and was translated by Roman Loyola. Laptop Accessories

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iCloud Keychain review: How good is Apple’s built-in password manager?
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsFree and built-inAuto-fill passwordsSyncs across your Apple devicesConsNot great for non-Apple devices Lacks the polish of rivalsOur VerdictApple’s own password manager has enough features and security provisions to satisfy most users. Plus, it’s built right into the operating system. You’re probably already using it and haven’t realized.  Price When ReviewedPart of iCloud: Free on 5GB plan Best Prices Today: iCloud Keychain Retailer Price Free View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Password managers have become very popular recently, with the ability of an app to remember all your login details and fill them in automatically being an absolute godsend. But Apple products come with a password manager baked into the operating system – iCloud Keychain. So, how does it stand up to some of the competition and is it safe to stick with Apple’s free offering rather than shelling out for another subscription service? Software & Features Built into macOS, iOS and iPadOS Auto-fills passwords No dedicated app iCloud Keychain is a bit different to other popular password managers like Dashlane and 1Password, as it doesn’t have a standalone app on the iPhone, iPad or a desktop app on Mac. Instead, it’s part of the operating system itself, and therefore can be found in the iCloud section of Settings/System Settings.  While an app would improve the experience somewhat, iCloud Keychain still has a good selection of the standard tools found on other password managers (read our round-up of the Best Password Managers for Mac and iPhone). You can store login details for your various accounts, credit card details for payments, Wi-Fi passwords, and it syncs your data for Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Messages so that your iPhone, iPad and Mac all stay up to date with each other.  If you’re committed to the Apple universe, then iCloud Keychain can quietly manage all your secure data in the background. On the Mac you can create passwords, edit them, and be warned if any have appeared in security breaches or have been reused too many times to remain safe.  Martyn Casserly Martyn Casserly Martyn Casserly As with most password managers, iCloud Keychain can help you create complex passwords to replace the blend of your birthday and the name of your first pet. It’s not as advanced as some rivals, which allow you to specify the length of the passwords and whether it includes numbers, different case letters or special characters. iCloud Keychain does offer the ability to remove special characters (which is a requirement by some sites), but that’s about the extent of control you have over the new password. On iPhone you have the ability to have the service create a random, complex password – but you have no control over the outcome. These are stored in a separate place to the iCloud section of Settings, so you’ll need to look for the Passwords option on the general Settings page.  The service does support Passkeys though, which are slowly beginning to replace passwords, so maybe that’s the better option. Also, if the site/service you’re entering the details of allows for multi-factor verification codes, then iCloud Keychain will help you set them up and store them safely on your device.   There’s no doubt that there’s an impressive selection of features and convenience with iCloud Keychain, although the interface does feel old and not very well thought out when compared to the polished offerings of Dashlane and 1Password. Also, and this is a big issue, if you want to use Windows or Android devices, then getting iCloud Keychain to work with them is not as intuitive as it is on Apple devices. There’s an iCloud Passwords app for both platforms, but at this point it feels like a token effort when compared to paid password managers.  Security & Encryption AES 256-bit end-to-end encryption Zero knowledge (Apple can’t see your passwords) Supports multi-factor authorization As you’d expect with Apple, security on iCloud Keychain is very solid. The service uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is the same as you’ll find on most of the leading password manager apps. Your data is encrypted while stored on your device and during transmission across the web (to log onto sites etc.) so it should be safe from any hacker trying to gather your passwords. In fact, Apple operates a Zero-Knowledge system, so even it can’t see your passwords.  As mentioned above, there’s also support for passkeys and multi-factor authorization, all of which is protected further by the biometrics (Face ID & Touch ID) that already keep your device secure.  You don’t get the dark-web monitoring that’s a feature on several rivals, nor the VPN that comes with Dashlane, but as iCloud Keychain is free, you can always invest in the latter if you want to increase the security of your online life. Take a look at our roundups of the best VPNs for Mac and best VPNs for iPhone to see which services we recommend.              You can also read our best password manager for Mac & iPhone chart to see what iCloud Keychain is up against.  Price and Availability iCloud Keychain comes free with every iPhone, iPad and Mac, as it’s part of the operating system on all those platforms. Support for Passkeys is a new feature though and requires iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16, or later.  If you want to take full advantage of the iCloud service, you’ll want to sign up to one of the premium plans that give you more storage as well as access to iCloud Private Relay and Hide My Email. You can read about the iCloud storage plans to see what’s on offer.  Should I use iCloud Keychain? If you use only Apple products, and intend to do so in the years ahead, then iCloud Keychain is quite a tempting service. It features good security, lives on the operating system of your devices, and seamlessly integrates with how you use your iPhone, iPad or Mac.  It doesn’t have the polish or expanded options of some of the paid password managers, but if you want something simple, easy to use and which will mean you never have to remember more than one password (your Apple ID), then it’s certainly worth trying out. In fact, you probably already are and don’t know. That’s how easy it is to use.  iOS, MacOS, Password Managers

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The iPad Pro’s OLED display will be ‘by far the best’ of any tablet
Macworld The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is already the best iPad you can buy, with an M2 processor, mini-LED display, and Face ID, but a new report claims the upcoming model will be even better—by far. We already expect the new iPad Pro to get an OLED screen, which would be Apple’s first tablet with the high-end display tech. We already know the benefits—deeper blacks, better efficiency, and superior color handling—but a report from Ross Young at Display Supply Chain Consultants claims the OLED panels in the next iPad Pro will be the best in the business. Young writes that the OLED panels used in the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro “are expected to be by far the best OLED tablet panels on the market with LTPO, 120Hz refresh, a tandem stack and glass thinning resulting in ultra-thin and light displays with high brightness, extended battery life and long lifetime.” While the iPhone uses a single-stack OLED, previous rumors claimed the iPad Pro would adopt a new OLED material from LG called “RDE” that stacks two OLED layers for greater energy efficiency and a longer lifespan. The iPad Pro will also reportedly have a thinner design made possible by the reduction in display thickness. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the new iPad Pro may also be the first Apple product to get an M4 processor, the first time an M-series chip has debuted in a device other than a Mac. Apple will unveil the new iPad Pro at its Let Loose event on May 7. iPad

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