How Apple Visual Intelligence could change everything
With all the hints Tim Cooks drops, you might wonder how Apple Visual Intelligence could change everything -- including human perception. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple TV sets new drama series ‘Unconditional’ to premiere May 8th
Apple TV on Monday announced it has landed Keshet 12’s new drama series “Unconditional,” from co-creators Adam Bizanski… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple TV sets world record with Godzilla, Kong drone marketing spectacle
Apple TV’s sci-fi epic Monarch: Legacy of Monsters premieres this week, and in a major marketing spectacle, the streamer crafted a drone event involving Godzilla, Kong, and more. more…

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New MacBook Pro coming soon? M5 Pro & M5 Max rumors, specs and pricing explained
Macworld Apple launched the M5 MacBook Pro in October 2025, but many are still waiting for the company to launch the superior M5 Pro and M5 Max versions of the MacBook Pro. The good news is we may not have to wait for much longer, with the new MacBook Pro possibly launching on, or before, March 4. This article will keep track of rumors about the M5 Pro and M5 Max, when they might launch, what specs and features can be expected, and will offer perspective based on Apple’s Mac lineup. Here’s everything we know so far. We’ll also address the question: Would power users be wise to wait a little longer for the much bigger changes rumored to be just around the corner? The M6 generation of the MacBook Pro could offer a touch screen and more, according to reports. At a glance: Current MacBook Pro compared to M5 Pro and M5 Max rumors FeatureM4 Pro / M4 Max (Current)M5 Pro / M5 Max M6 rumours…ReleaseOctober 2024 (current models)Around March 4, 2026Late 2026/2027DesignSame as 2021 modelExpected to retain existing designRedesign DisplayMini-LED, up to 1,600 nits peakSame Mini-LEDOLED display, touchscreen CPU CoresM4 Pro: 12–14 cores M4 Max: 14–16 coresRumoured similar/core counts but with architectural improvements including modular CPU/GPU blocks GPU CoresM4 Pro: 16–20 M4 Max: 32–40Improved performance boost over M4 series Chip ArchitectureTSMC enhanced 3 nm (M4 Pro/Max) Enhanced M5 generation; chips.  May separate CPU/GPU tiles for efficiency.PerformanceStrong pro performanceRumoured 25–30% performance uplift compared to M4 generation for Pro/Max chipsAI / NeuralM4 features a 16-core Neural Engine Enhanced AI throughput rumouredMemory & BandwidthM4 Max supports up to 128GB unified memory with up to 546GBps bandwidthWill maintain high bandwidth and configurations for professional usePorts & ConnectivityThunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 6E (current models) Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thunderbolt 5Camera12 MP FaceTime camera No significant camera upgrades expectedHole-punch webcam, rather than notch New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Performance expectations Foundry The Pro and Max variants of Apple’s chips are aimed at professionals whose workflows require sustained high performance that exceeds the capabilities of the standard M5 chips. These higher-end variants push the boundaries of Apple Silicon by scaling up core counts and memory interfaces and offer a more advanced architecture with greater flexibility for CPU, GPU, and memory configurations. These models also include additional ports, like Thunderbolt 5, that aren’t yet supported at the entry-level. While the standard M5 MacBook Pro that debuted in October 2025 was little more than a chip refresh to the consumer-targeted version of the machine, the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to deliver significant performance leaps to the MacBook Pro, particularly in graphics and artificial intelligence. Reports indicate that we can expect a typical performance boost from one chip generation to another – between 15 and 25 percent over the equivalent M4 chips. However, based on the performance gains observed in the base M5 chip – which saw a 13% increase in single-core and a 22% increase in multi-core performance over the M4 – projections for the M5 Pro and Max are optimistic. The M5 Max is expected to be a “AI monster,” potentially cracking the 250,000-point mark in Geekbench 6 GPU compute tests, a feat previously only approached by the M3 Ultra with double the GPU cores. M5 Pro and M5 Max chips: Rumored features and specifications New chip design for the M5 Pro and M5 Max could feature the CPU and GPU on separate blocks. The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to be substantial upgrades over the M4 Pro and M4 Max. Current reports suggest Apple may maintain similar core counts to the M4 generation while focusing on architectural efficiency improvements and higher clock speeds. Although exact specifications have not been confirmed, both chips are expected to scale well beyond the base M5’s 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU configuration. More notably, the M5 Pro and M5 Max are rumored to introduce a major architectural shift aimed at improving AI and parallel processing performance. In October 2025, MaxTech’s Vadim Yuryev reported that Apple is developing a redesigned chip layout that separates the CPU and GPU into distinct blocks. This modular approach could enable more flexible CPU and GPU configurations — for example, pairing a base CPU configuration with a fully enabled GPU. Yuryev suggested that this architectural overhaul is the reason the M5 Pro and M5 Max may be delayed until 2026. The high-end models are also rumored to use TSMC’s “SoIC-MH” packaging technology, which allows vertical stacking of semiconductor components. This approach is expected to improve thermal efficiency and performance compared to the standard 3nm process used in the base M5. These chips are expected to debut in 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with dual-fan cooling systems, offering better sustained performance under heavy workloads compared to the single-fan base M5 configuration. At a glance: Process Technology: Built on TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process (N3P), delivering roughly 10% better efficiency and 5% higher performance compared to the M4 series. Memory Bandwidth & Capacity: Expected to deliver nearly a 30% increase in memory bandwidth (around 153 GB/s on the base M5), with the Pro and Max scaling even further for higher throughput. M5 Pro: At least 48GB RAM M5 Max: Up to 128GB+ RAM. The Max variant is also expected to remain the only option supporting up to 8TB of storage. GPU Capabilities & AI Performance: Expected improvements include: Third-generation hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Second-generation dynamic caching. A rumored “Neural Accelerator” in each GPU core (separate from the standard Neural Engine). Together, these upgrades could enable up to a 4x increase in GPU-based AI workload performance, with the Pro and Max variants further scaling graphics and AI capabilities for demanding professional applications. Connectivity: Confirmed support for Thunderbolt 5, offering up to 120Gbps for video and 80Gbps for data transfer. Architecture and Design: Reports suggest higher-end models will separate CPU and GPU blocks, enabling more flexible configurations (e.g., base CPU paired with a max-tier GPU). The architecture is expected to share core design elements with the A19 Pro, improving scalability for professional and AI-heavy workloads. New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Specs N1 chip: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Thunderbolt 5. With the launch of the M4 MacBook Pro, Apple made a series of upgrades that replaced outdated components, including upping the base RAM to 16GB, bringing Thunderbolt 5 to the M4 Pro and Max models, and offering a Nano-texture glass option. The M5 MacBook Pro saw no changes to the specs other than the processor. The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi remained the same. A new 4TB SSD option was added, but in the U.K. and Europe, Apple has removed the Power Adapter from the box. However, more is expected for the MacBook Pro M5 Pro and Max: Apple may integrate the N1 chip, as used in the iPhone 17, which will bring Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, as well as improve features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. Apple The entry-level model still only offers Thunderbolt 4, but the Max and Pro will continue to offer Thunderbolt 5. There are reports that Apple is working on a 5G modem for the Mac, but it’s unlikely to arrive before 2026. New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Camera No change expected. The M4 MacBook Pro added a 12MP FaceTime camera, a decent upgrade from the 1080p FaceTime camera. The M5 Macook Pro maintains this camera, so it is unlikely the Pro and Max models will gain anything. However, we could see a similar FaceTime camera update to 18MP as seen on the iPhone 17. The square sensor is less relevant here as the MacBook Pro will only ever be in one orientation, although it could allow for more of the area around a person to be visible. More changes are rumored for the camera in the M6 generation: reports suggest that in the future we may see a hole-punch webcam instead of a notch. Petter Ahrnstedt New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Design rumors No change to the design expected. Apple last updated the design of the MacBook Pro in 2021. There was no change to the MacBook Pro’s design when Apple introduced the M5 model. Apple will likely stick with the current design for the M5 Pro and Max models. It’s always possible that a new color makes an appearance—like Space Black in 2023—but for the most part, the MacBook Pro design is set for at least another year. There have been suggestions that an overhaul of the MacBook design could mark the 20th anniversary of the MacBook Pro (the MacBook Pro launched in January 2006 replacing the PowerBook). However, the rumors aren’t pointing to an early 2026 redesign. Instead, the bigger changes are expected for the M6 generation. In July 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the M5 MacBook Pro series would be the last of the current design. Apple appears to be saving the next major design upgrade for the M6 MacBook Pro for 2026. The M6 upgrade is said to include OLED screens, a camera “hole” to replace the notch, and a thinner design. New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Display rumors No changes to the display expected. Big changes are said to be coming to the M6 MacBook Pro. Foundry There is no change to the display on the M5 MacBook Pro, so it’s unlikely that the M5 Max and M5 Pro models will get any screen updates. Although we could see a higher nits brightness rating, up from the current 1,600 nits peak. As for display support, the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips will continue to differentiate themselves from the base M5 through superior expansion and display support. While the standard M5 is limited to two external displays, the M5 Pro is expected to support at least two 6K displays, and the M5 Max will likely support up to four external displays More changes to the display could be in the pipeline, but not for this generation. Back on February 11, 2025, The Elec reported that OLED displays for the MacBook Pro were going into production, but these weren’t expected to feature in the laptop until 2026. Unfortunately, the big display changes seem set to arrive with a subsequent generation of MacBook Pro, with rumors, again, pointing to Apple introducing OLED screens for the M6 generation of MacBook Pro. There could be something even more exciting coming with the M6 generation: a touchscreen! Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple is going to launch a MacBook with a touch screen, and it could arrive on a MacBook Pro as soon as 2026. However, this update is not expected to arrive until the M6 generation and could be delayed until 2027. Apple could be saving any drastic changes to the MacBook Pro for 2026.Foundry New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Release date Launch by March 4, 2026 Apple is expected to release the updated MacBook Pro models featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in the spring of 2026. Apple has confirmed it will hold a series of global “experiences” on March 4, 2026, in New York, London, and Shanghai. Unlike a traditional keynote event, these coordinated sessions are expected to be extended hands-on experiences for the press to interact with new hardware, and the M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro is likely to be one of the new products being demoed at that “experience”. Specific details regarding the launch include: Experience day: Apple has invited some press to “experiences” on March 4, in London, New York and Shanghai. Production status: Reports from early 2025 indicated that fabrication facilities for these “high-end M5 models” were already being prepared, utilizing TSMC’s advanced SoIC-MH process for improved thermal management. In December 2025, a MacRumors report indicated that a kernel debug kit used by Apple engineers referenced MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, indicating that the update is coming soon. On February 1, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple plans to ship the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro around the time when macOS 26.3 is released. That version is currently in beta and could be released in February or March. On February 4, Apple released the release candidate for macOS 26.3. This indicates that the software is almost ready to go and could be officially released in the next week or two. The new laptops could follow shortly after or be released at the same time. On February 9, Gurman reported that the macOS 26.3 beta release candidate cycle runs through March. A release of the new laptops “is currently slated for as early as the week of March 2.” On February 22, Gurman indicated that Apple will launch “at least five new products” by March 4, and that could include the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro. Why the Delay? The staggered release – launching the base M5 in late 2025 while holding back the Pro and Max versions – is reportedly due to a significant architectural shift. As discussed above, the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are rumored to feature a new design that separates CPU and GPU blocks, which may allow for greater customization at the time of purchase to meet the parallel processing demands of AI. New M5 MacBook Pro: Price Prices are unlikely to change. Reports suggest pricing for M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros will align with the current Pro and Max models. Here are the prices for the current standard configurations of the M4 Pro and Max MacBook Pro, for reference. Prices are unlikely to change. 14-inch MacBook Pro $1,999/£1,999: M4 Pro with a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $2,399/£2,399: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $3,199/£3,199: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 16-inch MacBook Pro $2,499/£2,499: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $2,899/£2,899: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $3,499/£3,499: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $3,999/£3,999: M4 Max with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 The M5 MacBook Pro prices haven’t changed, but in the U.K. and Europe the Power Adapter will cost extra: $1,599/£1,599: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 $1,799/£1,799: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 $1,999/£1,999: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 1GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 Read our comparison of every Mac Apple sells: Every Apple Mac and MacBook compared.

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Today in Apple history: iTunes hits 10 billion downloads
On February 23, 2010, the iTunes Store officially passed the 10 billion downloads mark. The 10 billionth download was a Johnny Cash song. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple Sports enhanced with NCAA tournament brackets and huge soccer expansion
Apple just upgraded its Apple Sports app with new NCAA tournament tracking features, a huge soccer expansion, and the ability to track leagues and teams in more markets. more…

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Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for $12.97
Why pay list price for Microsoft software? This Windows 11 sale allows you to upgrade your PC to Windows 11 Pro for just $12.97. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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New ‘Acme Weather’ app from Dark Sky creators wants to fix weather apps’ biggest problem
The team behind Dark Sky is back with a new weather app for iPhone called “Acme Weather.” One of the primary goals of Acme Weather, according to the team, is to address “forecast uncertainty.” Rather than simply giving you a “single best guess” like other weather apps, Acme Weather acknowledges that it the forecast it’s showing might be wrong … and offers up some alternatives. more…

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Apple TV's Kaiju-sized 'Monarch' drone show sets a new world record
Apple's promotional drone display for "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" has set a new world record, by creating life-size replicas of monsters from the Apple TV show in the air.Drone Godzilla - Image Credit: Apple TV/LegendaryThe Apple TV epic Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is all about larger-than-life titans roaming the Earth and causing carnage. In its promotion for the second season of the show, Apple TV commissioned a giant drone display from Heads in the Sky to match that scale.Shown in a brief recap video on YouTube, Apple TV and Legendary's drone display took to the skies of Los Angeles on February 20. The display used a fleet of drones to create dot-based models of Godzilla, King Kong, and Titan X that will feature in the second season. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 26.3.1 could launch soon as the next iPhone update
Apple is currently beta testing iOS 26.4 as its next major iPhone update, but per 9to5Mac’s visitor logs, it appears there’s a smaller software release launching first: iOS 26.3.1 is coming soon. more…

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Microsoft finally makes OneDrive look like a Mac app as it gets an all-new UI
Microsoft has a habit of porting Windows apps to Mac without bothering to make the UI look even remotely Mac-like. OneDrive was a classic example of this, but the company has finally managed to make it look like a Mac app as it gets a complete makeover for Liquid Glass … more…

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15 coolest (and weirdest) keyboards in Mac setups
We picked out the 15 coolest (and weirdest) keyboards for Mac setups, including ergonomic wonders and highly customizable options for gamers. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Right on schedule, test production of iPhone 18 Pro fires up
Regular as clockwork, Apple's supply chain is performing checks on the iPhone 18 family, with the iPhone 18 Pro now in small-batch test production ahead of the usual fall release.The iPhone 18 generation will be entering its manufacturing testing period now.Apple is a habitual company that has finely honed its manufacturing capabilities and supply chain processes over many years. If a report is to be believed, it is still keeping to its usual schedule.In a Monday post to Weibo, Instant Digital claims the iPhone 18 Pro series of devices has entered production testing alongside the iPhone 18. The account also specifies that production lines for the iPhone 18 Pro line have also started up. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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President Trump raises global U.S. import tariff to 15%
President Donald Trump announced Saturday he is raising a global U.S. import tariff to 15% after a ruling this week by the Supreme Court… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iPhone 18 Pro reportedly enters test production
The iPhone 18 Pro has reached the test production stage ahead of its launch in September, according to a leaker with a decent track record. The report is sufficiently vague that it’s not clear whether or not it clashes with an earlier one from Bloomberg … more…

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Make texting more bearable with custom Apple Watch replies
Apple Watch texting is a nightmare. Luckily, you can enter your own canned messages to make it much more bearable. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple set to launch ‘at least five new products’ by March 4
Macworld Apple has invited the press to what it calls an “experience” on March 4, in the middle of next week. But based on the unusual terminology and timing, analysts believe Apple won’t save everything for that date and will rather launch new products throughout the week. And now a new report has revealed more details of what we can expect next week. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Marc Gurman claims Apple will launch at least five new products, and that these “could span hardware, software, and chips.” Gurman believes any or all of the following products could arrive before Apple’s “experience” kicks off at 9am ET next Wednesday: Low-cost MacBook iPhone 17e M5 MacBook Air M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro Entry-level iPad iPad Air Mac Studio Apple Studio Display Of these five-plus announcements for the week of March 2, Gurman is most confident that we’re going to get a low-cost MacBook and the iPhone 17e, although he says the latter might even make it out the door before then. Its predecessor was released in mid-February 2025, and one source who contacted Macworld at the start of this month believed the 17e would arrive exactly a year after the 16e on February 19, which we now know was a mistake.) The budget MacBook, Gurman says, “is the only thing in Apple’s imminent pipeline that actually looks new,” referring to the bold colors in both the laptop and the invitation artwork. Indeed the hands-on event on March 4 wouldn’t be happening without this product, he argues, cattily observing that “it’s not worth flying in so-called influencers to try out a product if the only difference is a faster chip.” So hardware and chips, check. It’s not clear what Gurman’s “software” prediction refers to, but presumably it’s a round of 26.3.1 updates to support all the new products. Beyond the iPhone 17e and the low-cost MacBook, Gurman identifies four further products or product groups that are coming in spring 2026. There are two iPads on the way (the latest version of the standard iPad with an A18 or A19 processor, and the M4 iPad Air), and new models of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The timing fits historically for the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro “is overdue by months,” and Gurman’s supply-chain sources indicate that the iPads are ready to go too, so there’s a good chance that some or all of these products will be revealed next week. And it doesn’t end there. The Mac Studio is in line for a refresh in the first half of 2026, as is the Apple Studio Display. The new display, Gurman says, is ready to ship, while the new desktop isn’t far behind. So next week could be full of excitement, even if we don’t get an actual Apple event.

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We already have a good idea how capable the new MacBook will be
Once the new low-cost MacBook launches this week, those wanting to buy a portable Mac will have a choice of three ranges: the MacBook, the MacBook Air, and the MacBook Pro. For those with very undemanding or demanding needs, the choice may be very obvious – the low-cost MacBook on the one hand, or a MacBook Pro on the other. But what about those who sit somewhere in the middle … ? more…

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4 AI-Driven Outcomes Could Define the Future of Humanity
Artificial intelligence is accelerating toward a turning point, and four possible outcomes — from adversarial conflict to human-AI synergy — could determine whether the technology reshapes humanity for better or worse. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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'F1: The Movie' sound team get a weekend of awards
The sound design team for Apple TV hit "F1: The Movie" picked up one prestigious UK award on Saturday — and another on Sunday.Award-winning "F1 The Movie" is streaming on Apple TV - Image credit: AppleContinuing its track record of awards, all of those great engine noises in "F1: The Movie" have been acknowledged with two separate wins for its team. On Saturday February 21, 2026, they were honored by the Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS) at the Warner Bros offices in London."F1" sound team Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta, Gareth John and Dash Mason-Malik, received the AMPS Excellence in Sound for a Feature Film. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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