Scanners
- Wednesday April 29
- 11:01 amJohn Ternus faces critical decisions on iPhone pricing and US manufacturing – FT
Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus is going to be facing two critical decisions soon after he takes the helm, says a new Financial Times report. First, how to respond to a massive increase in memory prices, with Apple’s RAM costs increasing by more than 400% by next year. Second, how to shape the company’s manufacturing plans across China, India, and the US … more…11:00 amSorry, Intel’s new chip won’t help PCs beat MacBook Neo
Macworld The MacBook Neo has shaken up the affordable laptop market, with PC manufacturers trying to figure out what they can do to compete with Apple’s laptop. One way is to offer better performance with a cheap processor, and Intel’s latest chip appears to do just that. TweakTown reports that benchmark results are appearing for Intel’s new Wildcat Lake Core Series 3 CPU, a chip designed for affordable mobile devices. In PassMark’s multi-thread test, the Wildcat Lake Core 5 320 chip was 21 percent faster than Apple’s A18 Pro, a chip released in September 2024 and used in the MacBook Neo. In single-thread results, the Intel and Apple chips were basically the same. So, it looks like PC makers have another viable chip offering–TweakTown calls Wildcat Lake’s performance “particularly impressive” compared to the MacBook Neo. On multi-thread performance alone, Intel’s new CPU makes good progress catching up to Apple’s older chip. “Impressive” is a bit much, in my opinion, for a difference that is slightly noticeable in real-world usage, but still, it shows that Intel has responded to Apple’s threat. While performance is an important consideration when buying a cheap laptop, there are other factors that PC makers at this price point still haven’t figured out how to compete on. Most notably, PC laptops in this market (even some priced several hundred dollars more than the Neo) are made of plastic, which, apparently and mind-bogglingly, some PC users actually prefer over aluminum, environmental concerns be damned. And the build quality of these laptops, with their creaks, stiff hinges, and flimsiness, makes the MacBook Neo feel downright luxurious. You’ve also got battery life. MacBook Neo’s 16-hour battery life might pale in comparison to the Air and Pro, but it’ll still comfortably get you through a school day. PC laptops, on the other hand, are notoriously inefficient, especially when not plugged in, so it’ll be interesting to see how long the first crop of Wildcat Lake Core 5 320 laptops lasts. I’m gonna guess not great. Then there’s the whole Windows versus macOS thing that, well…the debate is an old one. But I’ll just say, if you like spending time figuring out how to strip out bloatware, ads, and other grossness from your new laptop’s operating system, then Windows 11 is for you. While you’re doing that, I’ll be doing real work on my MacBook Neo.10:30 amApple’s biggest win last week made the fewest headlines
Macworld There was big news from Apple’s boardroom last week. As you know, Tim Cook’s getting kicked upstairs and John Ternus is going to assume the mantle of Apple CEO. But that’s not the news I’m talking about. The other big news is that Johny Srouji is being named Chief Hardware Officer. Nobody outside of those who follow Apple or the chip industry closely has ever heard of Srouji. (For that matter, they hadn’t heard of Ternus, either.) But this is not a minor executive promotion. The fact that Apple made the announcement simultaneously with Cook’s departure and Ternus’s elevation shows that. Srouji’s promotion–and more importantly, retention– is vitally important for Apple. The importance of Apple silicon Calling Srouji the “father of Apple silicon” doesn’t go quite far enough, but it’s a good start. Apple began using the phrase “Apple silicon” to refer to Macs running Apple-designed M-series processors, but the Apple silicon story goes all the way back to the 2010 launch of the first Apple-designed processor, the A4, which powered the iPhone 4 and the original iPad. Srouji led the team that designed the A4, and has led Apple’s chip efforts ever since. Through the decade of the 2010s, it became clear that one of Apple’s enormous advantages in the smartphone market was that it designed its own processors. Because Apple creates its own chips for its own products, it’s able to make decisions about the specs and features of those chips that fit perfectly with the plan for the products they’re going to be used in. (Contrast this with companies that have to buy off-the-shelf chips from vendors like Intel and Qualcomm, where the chips are designed to appeal to a broad selection of clients. Every Apple chip is made for specific Apple products, and that’s it.) Johny Srouji led the development of the A4 in the iPhone 4.Caspertheghost/Wikipedia Apple being able to dictate the features of its own chips might be an advantage enough, but it turns out that Apple’s chips were also faster than the competition. A lot faster. Every summer, Qualcomm would release a new chip that they would boast about, offering performance similar to iPhone chips. Then, in September, Apple would introduce a new iPhone powered by a chip that offered performance that would blow Qualcomm away. In the most dynamic and profitable tech market, the smartphone, Apple basically lapped the competition. Next up, Apple used the iPad Pro as a testing ground to see if it could scale its phone-class processors to provide the kind of power that might drive a full-on computer. In 2018, Apple introduced an iPad Pro powered by the A12X processor, which scaled up the processor cores to create a much more powerful device–a hint of things to come. It followed that up with the 2020 introduction of an iPad Pro powered by the A12Z processor, which Apple explicitly boasted was more powerful than most PC laptops currently being sold. In hindsight, that was one of Apple’s biggest tells ever. Are you getting it yet? Apple silicon is powerful enough to run full-on computers, not just iPads and iPhones! And with the release of the M1 later in 2020, the prophesy was fulfilled. Apple’s advantage on smartphones and tablets has become Apple’s advantage, well, everywhere. (Even in low-cost laptops, as it turns out.) Keep Srouji happy! This brings us back to the man in charge, Johny Srouji. Apple’s chip efforts have gotten a lot of notice in the industry. Key members of the team left Apple to create their own startup, which was in turn bought by archrival Qualcomm. Srouji is in his early 60s and may be considering one last big career move before retirement. Apple’s hardware won’t be where it is today without Johny Srouji leading the way.Apple Amid all of that, Srouji’s longtime boss, Tim Cook, started planning his departure. One of Srouji’s peers at the Senior Vice President level, John Ternus, was going to be the new CEO–Srouji’s boss. I don’t know anything about the personal relationships between these people, but it’s human nature to react a bit negatively to the prospect of losing your longtime boss and having him replaced with someone you see as your peer. This transition, necessary though Cook feels it is, put Srouji’s standing at Apple at risk. This is almost certainly the reason why Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in December that Srouji was considering leaving Apple. That report seemed like a real red alert, because–see above–Srouji is the leader of one of Apple’s strongest groups, providing it advantages across its entire product line. Gurman’s report said that Srouji “recently told Cook that he is seriously considering leaving in the near future,” but it’s not hard to read between the lines and assume that, in a moment of change, Srouji was pondering how much Apple valued his contributions. Two days later, Srouji released a designed-to-leak memo to his staff, saying he didn’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Here’s what obviously happened. Cook and Ternus, like everyone else, recognized Srouji’s importance to Apple and offered him a new role. And in this case, the role–becoming Apple’s Chief Hardware Officer–was one that seems to have satisfied Srouji. (He’s the first person to be in charge of that entire group since Bob Mansfield retired in 2012.) With Ternus becoming CEO, his entire hardware division has been handed to Srouji. It’s an enormous portion of the company, and it belongs to Srouji now. Srouji now seems to have gotten what he wants. The next question is, how will Ternus’s former division respond to their new manager? Gurman reports that Srouji has a “hard-driving approach” and that the hardware division is in for a “cold shower.” Look, different managers have different styles. Conflicts are inevitable. Srouji’s new division will need to adapt to him, and he’ll need to adapt to them. Ternus will no doubt be well aware of how the transition in his former division is going, and Srouji reports to Ternus. They’ll all need to work it out, and change can be difficult, but in the end, it can also be refreshing to be guided by some new perspectives. The most important thing is that, in a moment of transition that could have had some brutal side effects, Apple has retained one of its top players. I’m looking forward to seeing what Johny Srouji will do with an even larger portion of Apple as his responsibility.08:00 amThese MacBook refurbs are only $290
Macworld TL;DR: Get a MacBook Air while they’re under $300. Affordable MacBooks are hard to find right now, but it’s not impossible. If you need a reliable computer that can handle the basics, check out this refurbished 2020 MacBook Air. The grade “B” refurbished rating means it only shows very light wear, but the price still dropped from $999 down to $289.99. This MacBook Air runs on a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i3 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz, paired with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. That combination is powerful enough for everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, document work, and light productivity without issues, but you might struggle if you try more demanding work like video editing. The SSD keeps app launches and load times quick, and the 8GB of RAM is enough to keep several apps running at the same time without things slowing down. The 13.3-inch Retina display has True Tone technology, which adjusts color temperature based on ambient light for more comfortable viewing in different settings. Touch ID handles logins with a single fingerprint, and the backlit Magic Keyboard makes typing comfortable in low-light environments. Battery life is rated at up to 11 to 12 hours for typical use, enough to cover a full workday without having to track down a charger. A USB-C power adapter is included in the box. It’s only $289.99 to get a MacBook Air, but that won’t last much longer. Apple MacBook Air (2020) 13″ i3 1.1GHz 8GB RAM 128GB SSD (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.03:25 amApp Store policy must change as Epic convinces US Circuit Court to reverse stay
Apple will have to comply with previous mandates as it takes its fight with Epic Games back to the Supreme Court, so expect App Store changes soon.Epic's '1984' ad depicting Apple as Big BrotherThe Apple vs Epic saga is years long and could easily fill a book at this point, but it hasn't ended yet. The latest update comes after Apple won a stay against enforcing App Store changes as it appealed the Supreme Court.That stay was short-lived, as Epic immediately appealed the stay and 9to5Mac shared that it has won. The US Ninth Circuit Court has reversed the stay it placed on enforcing a mandate that would require Apple to change how it charges developers for external purchases. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:14 amCourt reverses pause on Epic Games ruling ahead of Apple’s Supreme Court bid
Epic Games just convinced the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to reverse a prior decision that temporarily paused enforcement of a ruling requiring Apple to loosen certain App Store rules while it sought Supreme Court review. Here are the details. more…01:25 amFirst two episodes of Widow’s Bay now available on Apple TV
Widow’s Bay, Apple’s newest horror-comedy starring Matthew Rhys (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, The Post) is now available to stream on Apple TV. Here’s what to expect. more…12:05 amKeychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: mechanical keyboard performance multiplier
There seems to be no ceiling for mechanical keyboards and the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K is proof. It features an all metal build, wireless options, ZMK, 8KHz polling, and layer after layer of foam.Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K reviewKeychron continues to pump out new keyboards at a breakneck pace. The Q1 Ultra 8K is the latest model to sit at the top of Keychron's lineup, replacing the Max.I've reviewed a lot of Keychron's keyboards, and with the exception of the unique Q3 Pro SE, I believe the Q1 series is my favorite layout. I love that it has all the keys I need while remaining compact yet dense. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our ForumsTuesday April 2811:12 pmVibe coding platform Lovable now available for iPhone
Lovable, one of the most widely used AI-assisted programming tools, launched an iOS app that creates web apps based on natural language prompts and even voice-based interactions. Here are the details. more…10:51 pmThree Apple TV series land six Gotham Television Award nominations
"Pluribus," "Margo's Got Money Troubles," and "Mr. Scorsese" have all been nominated for Gotham Television Awards, which could contribute to Apple's growing trophy cabinet.Apple TV gets six nominations across three propertiesApple TV debuted in 2019 with a handful of exclusive, original shows and films. While it took some time for it to gain momentum, it is regularly celebrated across the awards industry.The latest nominations come from the Gotham Television Awards, which will be held on June 1. Three Apple TV shows received six nominations total. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:11 pmApple TV scores six Gotham Television Award nominations, here’s the list
Just days after picking up several nominations for the 2026 Peabody Awards and the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Apple celebrated today another six nominations across three of its original series for the 2026 Gotham Television Awards. Here are the details. more…10:00 pmApple Vision Pro Used In World-First Cataract Surgery
Apple's Vision Pro has been used in what's described as the world's first cataract surgery performed with the headset. MacRumors reports: [New York opthalmologist] Dr. Eric Rosenberg of SightMD completed the initial procedure in October 2025 and has since performed hundreds of additional cases using ScopeXR, a surgical platform he co-developed for Apple's mixed reality device. ScopeXR streams live feeds from 3D digital surgical microscopes directly into the Vision Pro, which lets the surgeon view the operative field in stereoscopic 3D while overlaying preoperative diagnostic data. The platform also supports real-time remote collaboration, allowing surgeons to virtually join procedures and see exactly what the operating surgeon sees. "We are now able to bring the world's best surgeon into any operating room, at any hour, from anywhere on the planet," said Dr. Rosenberg in a company press release. "From residents performing their first cases to surgeons facing unexpected complications, this technology democratizes access to expertise and that will save vision." Read more of this story at Slashdot.09:50 pmWrite a book in minutes with this AI-powered publishing tool
Aivolut Books lets you turn an idea into a cohesive, Amazon-ready book in minutes. Get a lifetime subscription to the AI book generator. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)09:15 pmUBS boosts Apple price target to $287 ahead of earnings
Apple investors have reason to feel encouraged today. As the tech giant prepares to report its Q3 2026 earnings on April 30, UBS has raised… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.09:10 pmApple Vision Pro used for hundreds of cataract surgeries in the last year
The Apple Vision Pro continues to prove its potential in the medical field, with the headset now seeing use for cataract surgeries in New York.The Apple Vision Pro has proven to be a useful tool for cataract surgery.Priced at $3500, the Apple Vision Pro was never going to be a hit consumer product. Still, Apple's spatial computing device has found limited success in the healthcare industry, a market the company had in mind from the get-go.Surgeons have praised the Apple Vision Pro for its high-resolution images and ergonomics. The headset has been used in all sorts of medical and surgical procedures, including colonoscopies, a shoulder arthroscopy, and it's now even proven to be useful for cataract surgeries. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:09 pmCalifornia bid to curb Big Tech self-preferencing fails after Apple-backed lobbying blitz | 9 to 5 MacCalifornia bid to curb Big Tech self-preferencing fails after Apple-backed lobbying blitz
A California bill aimed at stopping trillion-dollar tech companies from favoring their own products has failed after an intense opposition campaign. Here are the details. more…08:11 pmiOS 26.4 gave CarPlay two new features, with another big one coming
iOS 26.4 recently gave CarPlay two new features, while also laying the groundwork for another big upgrade coming soon. more…08:06 pm‘Widow’s Bay’ is Apple TV’s weirdest, boldest series yet – Collider
“Widow’s Bay” is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.08:00 pmApple Introduces a Cheaper Option For App Store Subscriptions
Apple is adding a new App Store subscription option that lets developers offer lower monthly prices in exchange for a 12-month commitment. "This model will allow developers to offer discounted rates to customers in exchange for more predictable long-term revenue," reports TechCrunch. "This also caters to how many developers have already been marketing their annual subscriptions in their apps." From the report: Often, app developers will display the lower monthly price to highlight the discount the customer would receive if they purchase the annual subscription instead of the monthly option. If the user is on the fence about a longer-term commitment, the notion that they're getting a better deal can help to push them toward the annual option. Now, Apple is essentially formalizing what these developers were already doing, which allows it to also craft a set of policies around how these subscription offers are to be displayed so as not to mislead customers about the true cost of the deals. However, the option will not be available to developers in the United States or Singapore at launch. While Apple didn't offer an explanation for this, it's still in App Store litigation in the U.S. around the specifics of the court's ruling in its case with Epic Games around how Apple can charge for subscriptions. Apple likely doesn't want to complicate the matter further until that matter is finalized. Singapore, meanwhile, also has a sophisticated payments market with strong consumer rules, which is why it may have been left out of the initial release. Read more of this story at Slashdot.07:55 pmReport: 3 new AI-powered photo editing features are coming to iPhones
Macworld A new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman gives us an idea of what to expect from iOS 27’s photo-editing features. Apple is said to be planning a major overhaul of the photo-editing experience, leaning heavily on AI for three big new features: Extend, Enhance, and Reframe. These three tools will be collected together with the existing Clean Up tool in a new “Apple Intelligence Tools” section of the Photos app. According to the report, here’s what to expect from the new features: Extend: Users will be able to “zoom out” on an existing photo, adding in details beyond the original frame. This sort of generative fill/expand feature is fairly commonplace. Enhance: You’ll be able to improve color, lighting, and overall image quality using AI. Reframe: When taking spatial photos, this new feature will allow you to shift perspective to produce a still image from a different angle. Gurman notes that internal testing of the features hasn’t gone smoothly. In particular, the Extend and Reframe tools produce inconsistent results, so they could be delayed. Getting reliably good results is already the biggest problem with Apple’s only current AI-powered tool, Clean Up, so introducing more AI tools that don’t work well much of the time is not going to improve Apple’s reputation. In his report, Gurman reminds us that the OS 27 updates are focused on two main areas: Apple Intelligence features, including the long-overdue new Siri, and a concerted effort to clean up the codebase to improve performance and battery life while reducing bugs. Apple is expected to preview the new OS at the WWDC keynote on June 8.