Blockbuster 'Baldur's Gate 3' adventure game not coming to iPad
A rumor was floating around that mammoth Dungeons and Dragons adventure game "Baldur's Gate 3" was coming to the iPad — but that has since been squashed by the publisher.Baldur's Gate 3 promo artworkApple is doing what it can in hardware to attract AAA game developers to Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It has gone so far to develop a game porting kit, which has been co-opted by enterprising users to port just about anything that run on Windows to Apple Silicon, albeit unofficially.Larian has a native port of Baldur's Gate 3 for Mac. It has had its ups and downs performance-wise, but the latest patch fixes most of the issues that made it unplayable later in the game. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple’s iPad event: 5 unexpected surprises you may have missed
Macworld If you’ve been paying attention to the rumors leading up to Apple’s Let Loose iPad event, you knew what to expect: iPad Air and iPad Pro in 11- and 13-inch sizes with new processors, a new Apple Pencil, and an updated Magic Keyboard. Still, there were a few details during the announcement that hadn’t been predicted, and which caught us a little bit by surprise. None of these are earth-shaking revelations, but they can be enough to slightly color our views of some of these products. Here are some of the things we hadn’t expected going into the event. Prices that didn’t go up The iPad Pro is $200 more expensive no matter which size you pick–a price you might justify with that fancy new OLED display and twice the storage, perhaps. But the 11-inch iPad Air did not get more expensive, which is a relief. This is the first year a 13-inch iPad Air is available, so we have nothing to compare it against, but $799 feels right. Also not more expensive? The new Apple Pencil Pro, which comes in at the same $129 price as the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil, despite having several new capabilities. And the new Magic Keyboard, which has an aluminum deck, larger trackpad with haptic feedback, is slimmer, and has a function row, costs the same as the older Magic Keyboard ($299 for 11-inch iPads; $349 for 13-inch iPads). It’s still too expensive, but it’s nice to see feature inflation without price inflation. The biggest surprise of all? The 10th-gen iPad actually got a $100 price cut, down to $349, which makes it just $20 more than the 9th-gen iPad that is no longer available. We always thought this should have been Apple’s move from the start: don’t keep the 9th-gen model around, just replace it with the 10th-gen model with a very modest price increase (if any). The iPad Pro’s new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil don’t cost any more than the previous generation. The iPad Pro’s new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil don’t cost any more than the previous generation.Petter Ahrnstedt The iPad Pro’s new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil don’t cost any more than the previous generation.Petter Ahrnstedt Petter Ahrnstedt Back to a single camera Where did the 10MP ultra wide camera on the iPad Pro disappear to? It’s just gone! We don’t know how often it was used, but for the first time since 2020, all that’s left is a 12MP Wide camera. Apple could have at least upgraded it to the 48MP wide camera on the new iPhones, to give us that 2x optical “crop zoom” option. Also missing is mmWave 5G in the cellular models—but most people probably won’t even know it’s gone. M4 missing a core If you buy an iPad Pro with less than 1TB of storage, you get 8GB of RAM. If you buy the 1TB or 2TB option, you get 16GB of RAM. That’s the same as it was with the M2 iPad Pro from 2022. But what isn’t the same is that you get a lesser M4 processor too. That’s right, while both models have six efficiency cores, the < 1TB models have only three performance cores. If you want the full M4 processor, you have to spend a minimum of $1,599 for the 11-inch 1TB model or $1,899 for the 13-inch 1TB model. Yikes. More storage for the same price Given the price increase and 18-month timeframe since the M2 iPad Pro was announced, it’s a good thing the 128GB model is simply gone from the lineup and the iPad Pro now starts with 256GB of storage. It takes a little bit of the sting out of the $200 price hike, but not much. No tablet at this price should dream of giving you only 128GB of storage. The iPad Air loses its 128GB model as well and gains a new 2TB option on the high end, leaving the 10th-gen iPad as the only model with 64GB of storage. If you want more storage, rest assured that Apple still charges a ridiculous price for additional storage. Some things never change. The new iPad Air is thin and light—but not as thin and light as the iPad Pro. The new iPad Air is thin and light—but not as thin and light as the iPad Pro.Petter Ahrnstedt The new iPad Air is thin and light—but not as thin and light as the iPad Pro.Petter Ahrnstedt Petter Ahrnstedt Lighter than Air The 11-inch iPad Pro used to be slightly heavier than the 10.9-inch iPad Air—just 5 grams but enough to justify the Air moniker. The new 11-inch iPad Pro is now 18 grams lighter. The difference is even greater with the 13-inch models. The 13-inch iPad Air is about 10 percent lighter than the old 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but the new 13-inch iPad Pro is a few percent lighter still. At 579 grams, it’s a whopping 103 grams lighter than the M2 model and 38 grams lighter than the 13-inch iPad Air. The iPad Pro is also about a millimeter thinner than the Air. Maybe Apple needs to rename the iPad Air? Accessories, iPad

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March iPhone discounts in China may have saved Apple's quarter
After a rough start to 2024, promotions on the iPhone appears to have buoyed Apple in China, according to official government data.iPhone doing well in China despite shrinking marketApple and its resellers cut prices in the end of February. This move may have preserved Apple's quarter, and allowed Tim Cook to say that Mainland China sales were only down 8% versus the 25% that analysts feared.The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology publishes a monthly report, detailing the financial aspects of the smartphone industry in China. In the latest report, cited on Wednesday morning by Bloomberg foreign-branded smartphone sales surged to 3.75 million units, which is up about 12% year-over year. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple announces M4-based iPad Pro with tandem OLED displays, other new features
Once again, the rumors were true (if not entirely specific), and over at Apple’s media event the company announced a refreshed iPad Pro lineup, complete with OLED displays, an M4 chip, and a thinner case. Other new features The updated iPad Pro tablets are available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes and are slightly thinner and […] Source

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Tim Cook promises aid for Brazil flooding relief
CEO Tim Cook has again committed Apple to donating support for relief efforts, this time for the flooding in southern Brazil.Apple CEO Tim CookAs it did in August 2023 over the flooding in Beijing — and before that in Pakistan — has announced that it will be donating to help relief and recovery efforts.Our hearts go out to those affected by the devastating and tragic floods in Brazil. Apple will be donating to relief efforts on the ground.— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) May 7, 2024 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple announces updated Magic Keyboard, highlights thinner design and haptic feedback features
Over at its Tuesday media event, Apple announced its updated Magic Keyboard, complete with the following improvements over the previous version: Like the previous version, the new Magic Keyboard offers USB-C charging as well as a backlit keyboard. The unit retails for $349, and is only compatible with the new M4 iPad Pro. Like its […] Source

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Apple announces sixth-generation iPad Air tablets, new generation includes 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, M2 chip, other new features
It was due for an upgrade, and Apple officially announced its sixth-generation iPad Air tablets, this time in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. As expected, the updated iPad Air units incorporate an M2 chip, and also include a front-facing camera on the landscape edge, stereo speakers in landscape orientation, a stronger base on the 13-inch model, […] Source

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New sci-fi show Dark Matter streaming today on Apple TV+
Based on the , Dark Matter is a new sci-fi drama series that starts streaming today on Apple TV+. It is written by the author of the novel, and stars Joel Edgerton in the lead role as Jason. Jason, a physicist and teacher, is abducted into an alternate reality in which he gets a glimpse of other ways his life could have gone. Intrigue quickly turns to madness, though, and he must find a way back to save his family from himself. more…

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Get a lifetime of useful AI-powered content functions for $149.99
Macworld With social media posts, videos, blogs, marketing materials and more all expected to be part of any company’s identity or any individual’s personal brand, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the requirements of constantly feeding the digital beast. Thankfully, AI is here to help. With a lifetime subscription to a Unifire.ai Scale Plan on sale for $149.99, you can start leaning on the power of artificial intelligence to start pumping out all of that necessary content. The Unifire.ai approach is a unique one, employing a distinctive method for content generation by focusing on enhancing and transforming existing materials rather than starting over from the beginning like platforms like ChatGPT or Bard. Whether it’s articles, blog posts, or other written materials, this tactic applies advanced algorithms and natural language processing techniques to improve their quality, relevance, and effectiveness. You can shift content to help turn a webinar into a lead magnet, create text articles from a podcast recording, generate LinkedIn and other social media posts, turn a video into a newsletter or an e-book, and beyond. With a Unifire.ai Scale Plan, you can create up to 60 content assets from your source material per month. Regularly nearly $2,500, a lifetime subscription is now available for just $149.99 while this deal lasts.   Unifire.ai Scale Plan: Lifetime Subscription (60 Generations/Month) – $149.99 Curate content for $149.99 StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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Apple announces Apple Pencil Pro, which includes new squeeze, gyroscope, haptic features, and Find My support
The hints and rumors were true, and Apple on Tuesday announced its new Apple Pencil Pro stylus at its media event. The unit features a new squeeze gesture, gyroscope, haptic feedback, Find My support, and more, and a new sensor in the Apple Pencil Pro allows users to squeeze the accessory to bring up a […] Source

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Apple TV+ shows and movies: Everything to watch on Apple TV Plus
Apple TV+ offers exclusive Apple original TV shows and movies in 4K HDR quality. You can watch across all of your screens and pick up where you left off on any device. Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month. Here’s every Apple original television show and movie available now on Apple TV+, as well as the latest trailers … more…

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Maximize your Mac’s abilities with MacPilot, only $30 for life
Macworld The power, capacity, and look of Macs and MacBooks are impressive, but certain features are left to be desired. Want a more powerful and customized Mac experience? MacPilot is a platform offering 1,200 features to optimize your user experience. Now, lifetime access is only $29.97 (reg. $99). With MacPilot, users can unlock these features to enhance their computing. Customize your dock by adding spacers and sleek smart stacks and menus, repair your Mac’s system by running maintenance scripts like launch services, display hidden files in Finder, and more.  You can even adjust your Mac so you can view all contents of the graphics card and RAM bus speeds, as well as full lists of network ports, error codes, and even key combinations.  From UI settings to total system optimization, MacPilot is a standalone tool that can effectively help you craft a more personalized Mac experience. Customize your Mac to your liking and unlock its potential with lifetime access to MacPilot, now just $29.97 for a limited time.   MacPilot Lifetime License Only $29.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air ditch the physical SIM slot for good
Apple has removed the physical SIM slot from the cellular variants of the M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air, moving entirely to eSIM. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Atoto S8 Pro Wireless CarPlay receiver review: great, but fragile aftermarket solution
The Atoto S8 Pro is an aftermarket infotainment system with wireless CarPlay, GPS tracking, and a pile of other features in a design with a serious weak point.Atoto S8 Pro Wireless CarPlay receiver review: a big display for CarPlaySometimes, products come to the market built to do a single, specific thing well. The Atoto S8 Pro is decidedly not that product, but it is an excellent Wireless CarPlay receiver you'll need to take extra care with when installing.My personal use case only needs CarPlay, but I've tested the other aspects of the Atoto S8 Pro for the review. There's a fully operational Android skin running on this unit, and that includes a YouTube app, native music app, and apps in the Google Play Store. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Google effectively brings Android’s Circle to Search to any iPhone with new Lens shortcut
Earlier this year, Google launched a Circle to Search feature for Android that takes a screenshot and lets you select what to look up. Thanks to Google Lens and iOS Shortcuts, the underlying Circle to Search capability can now be replicated on any iPhone. more…

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PSA: New iPads won’t include stickers in the box due to Apple’s environmental goals
Apple today unveiled its new iPad Pro and iPad Air lineups, which are available to order now and will begin shipping next week. Unfortunately, there will be a key piece of memorabilia missing from iPad boxes this go around: Apple stickers. more…

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Apple is donating to help people affected by tragic floods in Brazil
Apple CEO Tim Cook had a busy day as the company held a special event on Tuesday to announce the new iPad Air and iPad Pro. Even so, he took time out to announce that Apple is donating to help the victims of tragic floods in southern Brazil. more…

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Watch Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ event in just 90 seconds
If you don’t have time to sit through the 38-minute “Let Loose” Apple event, here it is in just 90 seconds. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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9to5Mac Daily: May 7, 2024 – Apple ‘Let loose’ event recap: New iPads!
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by iMazing 3: The world’s most trusted tool to manage Apple devices and transfer data from a Mac or PC. Redesigned for the future.  more…

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Apple Announces M4 With More CPU Cores and AI Focus
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: In a major shake-up of its chip roadmap, Apple has announced a new M4 processor for today's iPad Pro refresh, barely six months after releasing the first MacBook Pros with the M3 and not even two months after updating the MacBook Air with the M3. Apple says the M4 includes "up to" four high-performance CPU cores, six high-efficiency cores, and a 10-core GPU. Apple's high-level performance estimates say that the M4 has 50 percent faster CPU performance and four times as much graphics performance. Like the GPU in the M3, the M4 also supports hardware-accelerated ray-tracing to enable more advanced lighting effects in games and other apps. Due partly to its "second-generation" 3 nm manufacturing process, Apple says the M4 can match the performance of the M2 while using just half the power. As with so much else in the tech industry right now, the M4 also has an AI focus; Apple says it's beefing up the 16-core Neural Engine (Apple's equivalent of the Neural Processing Unit that companies like Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, and Microsoft have been pushing lately). Apple says the M4 runs up to 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), considerably ahead of Intel's Meteor Lake platform, though a bit short of the 45 TOPS that Qualcomm is promising with the Snapdragon X Elite and Plus series. The M3's Neural Engine is only capable of 18 TOPS, so that's a major step up for Apple's hardware. Apple's chips since 2017 have included some version of the Neural Engine, though to date, those have mostly been used to enhance and categorize photos, perform optical character recognition, enable offline dictation, and do other oddities. But it may be that Apple needs something faster for the kinds of on-device large language model-backed generative AI that it's expected to introduce in iOS and iPadOS 18 at WWDC next month. A separate report from the Wall Street Journal says Apple is developing a custom chip to run AI software in datacenters. "Apple's server chip will likely be focused on running AI models, also known as inference, rather than in training AI models, where Nvidia is dominant," reports Reuters. Further reading: Apple Quietly Kills the Old-school iPad and Its Headphone Jack Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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