Apple News
Apple’s MacBook Neo just made Chromebooks obsolete
By SteveJack
Apple’s MacBook Neo, isn’t just another laptop — it’s a calculated strike at the heart of the affordable computing market. Unveiled on Wednesday, this $599 powerhouse (dropping to just $499 for education buyers) packs Apple’s signature polish into a price point that’s going to hurt the cheap Chromebook market.
For years, Chromebooks have dominated schools, budget-conscious families, and small businesses with their simplicity, low cost, and cloud-centric approach. But with the MacBook Neo’s debut, Chrome OS devices might finally be facing an existential threat. Here’s why Google’s ecosystem could be in serious trouble.
First off, let’s talk performance. Chromebooks have long been the go-to for basic tasks like web browsing, streaming, and light productivity, often powered by entry-level Intel or ARM chips. The MacBook Neo, however, flips the script with its powerful A18 Pro chip, featuring a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine.
The A18 Pro is up to 50% faster for everyday tasks compared to a bestselling PC with an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, and a whopping 3x faster for AI workloads like photo editing in Adobe Photoshop.
This isn’t just spec-sheet bravado; MacBook Neo is a fan-free machine that runs silently while handling multitasking, creative hobbies, and even demanding apps without breaking a sweat. Chromebooks, even the premium ones, often struggle with heavier loads or resort to noisy fans. In a world where users increasingly expect seamless AI features — like Apple’s on-device Writing Tools or Live Translation — the Neo’s Neural Engine ensures privacy-focused intelligence that Chrome OS simply can’t match at this level without relying on cloud processing, which raises security concerns.
Then there’s the build and battery life, where the MacBook Neo elevates the budget segment to premium heights. Weighing just 2.7 pounds and encased in durable aluminum with fun colors, it’s a far cry from the plastic-heavy designs of many Chromebooks.
MacBook Neo comes in four colors: (from top left) Blush, Citrus, Indigo, and Silver.
The 13-inch Liquid Retina display boasts 500 nits of brightness and support for a billion colors, outshining the dimmer, lower-res screens on most sub-$600 Chrome OS laptops. And with up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge—tested on wireless web browsing or HD video streaming, the Neo promises all-day endurance that budget Chromebooks often promise but rarely deliver consistently.
But the real killer app here, beyond macOS, of course, is the ecosystem integration. If you’re already in Apple’s orbit—say, with an iPhone — the MacBook Neo becomes an irresistible upgrade. Features like iPhone Mirroring, Handoff, and Universal Clipboard make switching between devices effortless, turning your laptop into an extension of your phone.
Chromebooks shine in Google’s world with seamless Chrome sync and Android app support, but they lack this level of cross-device magic unless you’re all-in on me-too Android. For the over one billion iPhone users (especially students and families, the Neo’s prime targets), dipping into macOS Tahoe at this price means access to a full desktop OS with built-in apps like Pages and Safari, plus easy compatibility with third-party staples like Excel or Canva.
Chrome OS feels increasingly limited by comparison — it’s adequate for the web, but the Neo offers a true computing experience without the compromises.
Of course, Chromebooks aren’t going extinct overnight. Their rock-bottom prices (starting under $300) and ease of management make them staples in education and enterprise. But the MacBook Neo targets the same crowd — students, small business owners, and first-time Mac users — with a value proposition that’s impossible to ignore.
At $599, it’s Apple’s most affordable laptop ever, undercutting previous MacBooks while delivering superior hardware and software. If Apple can scale production and availability (pre-orders start today, with shipping on March 11), expect a market shift. Chromebook makers like Acer, Lenovo, and HP aren’t going to sleep well tonight.
In the end, the MacBook Neo isn’t just competing; it’s redefining what “budget” means in laptops. Chromebooks have enjoyed a free ride in this niche, but Apple just forced a reckoning. If history is any guide, when Apple disrupts a category, the competition doesn’t fare well.
SteveJack is a long-time Macintosh user, web designer, multimedia producer, and a regular contributor to the MacDailyNews Opinion section.
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Apple unveils all-new MacBook Neo starting at just $599
Apple today unveiled MacBook Neo, an all-new laptop that delivers the magic of the Mac at a breakthrough price, making it even more accessible to millions of people around the world. MacBook Neo starts with a beautiful Apple design, featuring a durable aluminum enclosure in an array of gorgeous colors — blush, indigo, silver, and a fresh new citrus.
With its beautiful and durable aluminum design, stunning Liquid Retina display, Apple silicon-powered performance, all-day battery life, and more, the all-new MacBook Neo delivers the magic of the Mac experience at a breakthrough price.
Its stunning 13-inch Liquid Retina display brings websites, photos, videos, and apps to life with high resolution and brightness, and support for 1 billion colors. Powered by A18 Pro, MacBook Neo can fly through everyday tasks, from browsing the web and streaming content, to editing photos, exploring creative hobbies, or using AI capabilities across apps. In fact, it’s up to 50 percent faster for everyday tasks like web browsing1 and up to 3x faster when running on-device AI workloads like applying advanced effects to photos, compared to the bestselling PC with the latest shipping Intel Core Ultra 5.
MacBook Neo
Providing up to 16 hours of battery life, MacBook Neo allows users to go all day on a single charge. A 1080p FaceTime HD camera and dual mics make it easy to look and sound great, and the dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio deliver crisp, immersive sound. MacBook Neo also features Apple’s renowned Magic Keyboard for comfortable and precise typing, and a large Multi-Touch trackpad with support for intuitive gestures, enabling smooth and precise control. Completing the MacBook Neo experience is macOS Tahoe, with powerful built-in apps like Messages, Pages, Calendar, and Safari; seamless integration with iPhone; Apple Intelligence; as well as broad compatibility with third-party apps. And starting at just $599 and $499 for education, MacBook Neo is Apple’s most affordable laptop ever, providing an unprecedented combination of quality and value. MacBook Neo is available to pre-order starting today, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11th.
“We’re incredibly excited to introduce MacBook Neo, which delivers the magic of the Mac at a breakthrough price,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, in a statement. “Built from the ground up to be more affordable for even more people, MacBook Neo is a laptop only Apple could create. It features a durable aluminum design in four beautiful colors; a brilliant Liquid Retina display; Apple silicon-powered performance; all-day battery life; a high-quality camera, mics, and speakers; a Magic Keyboard and Multi-Touch trackpad; and the intuitive and powerful features of macOS. There is simply no other laptop like it.”
MacBook Neo weighs just 2.7 pounds.
Beautiful and Durable Aluminum Design
MacBook Neo features a beautifully crafted aluminum design that’s built to last. With its soft, rounded corners, MacBook Neo looks elegant while feeling solid and comfortable to hold. At just 2.7 pounds, it’s also easy to carry in a backpack or handbag. Bringing a fun touch of personality and style to everyday computing, MacBook Neo comes in a spectrum of four gorgeous colors: blush, indigo, silver, and citrus. These colors extend to the Magic Keyboard in lighter shades and new wallpapers, creating a cohesive design aesthetic and making MacBook Neo the most colorful MacBook yet.
The 13-inch Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo brings to life sharp, crystal-clear text and vibrant images.
Stunning 13-Inch Liquid Retina Display
A gorgeous 13-inch Liquid Retina display features a 2408-by-1506 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, and support for 1 billion colors, bringing to life sharp, crystal-clear text and vibrant images. The display is both brighter and higher in resolution than most PC laptops in this price range, putting it in a class of its own. Finally, an anti-reflective coating provides a comfortable viewing experience in a variety of lighting conditions, allowing users to watch movies, edit photos, or take video calls from anywhere.
A18 Pro features a 5-core GPU to facilitate smooth performance for everything from FaceTime calls to casual gameplay.
Apple Silicon-Powered Performance
At the heart of MacBook Neo is A18 Pro, enabling users to power through things they do every day, like browsing the web, creating documents, streaming content, editing photos, and taking advantage of AI. Users can seamlessly work between their favorite apps, like Messages, WhatsApp, Canva, Excel, Safari, and more. MacBook Neo with A18 Pro is up to 50 percent faster for everyday tasks than the bestselling PC with the latest shipping Intel Core Ultra 5.1 And for more demanding activities, it’s up to 3x faster for on-device AI workloads2 and up to 2x faster for tasks like photo editing.4 The integrated 5-core GPU brings graphics to life while playing action-packed games or exploring creative hobbies. And a 16-core Neural Engine supports fast on-device Apple Intelligence features and everyday AI tasks like summarizing notes in Bear or using the Clean Up tool in the Photos app, while ensuring user data stays private and secure. MacBook Neo is also fanless, so it runs completely silent.
iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro…
And now, say hello to the all-new MacBook Neo!
We’re so excited to bring the magic of Mac to even more people around the world. pic.twitter.com/z2w4RmShRO
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 4, 2026
All-Day Battery Life
Thanks to the incredible power efficiency of Apple silicon, MacBook Neo delivers up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge.3 This makes it a perfect on-the-go companion for work or play, from the classroom to the coffee shop, and everywhere in between.
A color-matched Magic Keyboard provides a comfortable, precise typing experience, while a new Multi-Touch trackpad lets users click, scroll, swipe, and pinch anywhere on its surface.
Magic Keyboard and New Multi-Touch Trackpad
MacBook Neo features Apple’s much-loved Magic Keyboard, which provides a comfortable, precise typing experience, while a large Multi-Touch trackpad lets users click, scroll, swipe, and pinch anywhere on its surface. The MacBook Neo model with Touch ID enables easy, quick, and secure login authentication, and the ability to conveniently authorize purchases using Apple Pay.
The 1080p FaceTime HD camera delivers clear video calls in a variety of lighting conditions, and dual mics with directional beamforming isolate a user’s voice and reduce background noise.
1080p Camera; Dual Speakers and Mics
The 1080p FaceTime HD camera on MacBook Neo has optimized image processing to deliver vibrant video calls. Dual mics with directional beamforming are designed to reduce background noise and isolate a user’s voice, allowing it to come across loud and clear for an excellent video conferencing experience. And dual side-firing speakers with support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos produce immersive sound for watching a movie, listening to music, or using apps like GarageBand.
Two USB-C ports and a headphone jack let you connect a variety of accessories, transfer your data, and charge MacBook Neo.
Essential Connectivity
MacBook Neo features two USB-C ports for connecting accessories or an external display. Both ports can be used for charging. MacBook Neo also includes a headphone jack for wired audio. Wi-Fi 6E provides fast wireless connectivity, and Bluetooth 6 ensures reliable wireless connections for peripherals and accessories.
Powerful Productivity with macOS
macOS is Apple’s powerful and intuitive operating system for Mac.6 With incredible features and built-in apps like Safari, Photos, Messages, and FaceTime, macOS enables users to get started right out of the box. Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools, Live Translation, and more are deeply integrated across macOS, elevating the user experience by bringing intelligence to the apps users rely on every day.7 Advanced privacy and security also come standard, featuring industry‑leading encryption, robust virus protections, and automatic free security updates to help keep users protected.
Seamless Integration with iPhone
iPhone users can tap in to Continuity features built in to macOS to make working across iPhone and Mac a breeze. Handoff lets users start a task on MacBook Neo and continue it on iPhone, while Universal Clipboard allows users to copy and paste content between devices. With iPhone Mirroring, users can view and interact with their iPhone directly on MacBook Neo, and users switching to Mac for the first time can use iPhone to conveniently and securely transfer settings, files, photos, passwords, and more.
Built with the Environment in Mind
MacBook Neo was built from the ground up to be Apple’s lowest-carbon MacBook, and brings the company even closer to reaching its ambitious plan to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by 2030. It features 60 percent recycled content — the highest percentage of any Apple product.8 This includes 90 percent recycled aluminum overall and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. The enclosure is manufactured with a material-efficient forming process that uses 50 percent less aluminum compared to traditional machining methods. MacBook Neo is manufactured with 45 percent renewable electricity, like wind and solar, across the supply chain. It also meets Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. Additionally, the paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and can be easily recycled.9
Pricing and Availability
• Customers can pre-order the new MacBook Neo starting today at apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 30 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, March 11.
• MacBook Neo starts at $599 (U.S.) and $499 (U.S.) for education. It is available in four colors — blush, indigo, silver, and citrus. Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options, and accessories are available at apple.com/mac.
• With Apple Trade In, customers can trade in their current computer and get credit toward a new Mac. Customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in to see what their device is worth.
• AppleCare delivers exceptional service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new Mac, or in the U.S., AppleCare One to protect multiple products in one simple plan. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and 24/7 support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.
• Every customer who buys directly from Apple Retail gets access to Personal Setup. In these guided online sessions, a Specialist can walk them through setup, or focus on features that help them make the most of their new device. Customers can also learn more about getting started and going further with their new device with a Today at Apple session at their nearest Apple Store.
• Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all up front. More information — including details on eligibility, exclusions, and Apple Card terms — is available at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.
MacDailyNews Take: Starting at just $599?
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Big leap in Apple Silicon: M5 Pro, M5 Max fuse chiplets, add third core design
Apple today unveiled the M5 Pro and M5 Max, the latest additions to the M5 family. Traditionally, Pro and Max variants simply scale up the base chip’s design — adding more CPU cores, GPU cores, and memory bandwidth. This time, however, the M5 Pro and Max represent a major departure from previous generations, introducing Apple’s new Fusion Architecture (which fuses two chiplets into one SoC) and a revamped CPU with three distinct core types: super cores, all-new performance cores optimized for multithreaded efficiency, and the base efficiency cores.
Andrew Cunningham for Ars Technica:
Apple says that M5 Pro and M5 Max use an “all-new Fusion Architecture” that welds two silicon chiplets into a single processor. Apple has used this approach before, but historically only to combine two Max chips together into an Ultra.
Apple’s approach here is different—for example, the M5 Pro is not just a pair of M5 chips welded together. Rather, Apple has one chiplet handling the CPU and most of the I/O, and a second one that’s mainly for graphics, both built on the same 3nm TSMC manufacturing process.
The first silicon die is always the same, whether you get an M5 Pro or M5 Max. It includes the 18-core CPU, the 16-core Neural Engine, and controllers for the SSD and the Thunderbolt ports for driving displays.
The second die is where the two chips differ; the M5 Pro gets up to 20 GPU cores, a single media encoding/decoding engine, and a memory controller with up to 307 GB/s of bandwidth. The M5 Max gets up to 40 GPU cores, a pair of media encoding/decoding engines, and a memory controller that provides up to 614 GB/s of memory bandwidth (note that everything in the GPU die seems to be doubled, implying that Apple is, in fact, sticking two M5 Pro GPUs together to make one M5 Max GPU).
Apple is also introducing a third distinct type of CPU core beyond the typical “performance cores” and “efficiency cores” that were included in older M-series processors.
At the top, you have “super cores,” which is Apple’s new M5-era branding for what it used to call “performance cores.” … And now, in the middle, we have a new type of “performance core” used exclusively in the M5 Pro and M5 Max.
MacDailyNews Take: Tons more in the full article – recommended – here.
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Apple accidentally leaks ‘MacBook Neo’ in EU regulatory filing ahead of tomorrow’s expected launch
Apple appears to have prematurely revealed the name of its long-rumored budget-friendly MacBook through an accidental posting on its official regulatory compliance website. A European Union Declaration of Conformity document briefly listed an unreleased device as the “MacBook Neo” with model number A3404, before the reference was swiftly removed.
The slip-up, first spotted by MacRumors, occurred on Apple’s EU compliance page, where the PDF file itself described the product generically as a “Laptop Computer” running macOS without mentioning the “Neo” branding. However, the link text explicitly identified it as “MacBook Neo (Model A3404),” confirming the product’s existence and tentative name.Apple has since taken down the document, but mirrored images — including this one uploaded by MacRumors — preserve the details. The filing aligns with months of speculation about a lower-cost MacBook designed to sit below the MacBook Air in Apple’s laptop lineup, potentially targeting students, first-time Mac buyers, and users switching from Windows PCs or Chromebooks.
Rumors have consistently pointed to this device as the centerpiece of Apple’s spring refresh, especially as the only major anticipated product yet to debut amid recent announcements of M5-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The MacBook Neo is expected to feature an iPhone-class processor — likely the A18 Pro from the iPhone 16 Pro series or a forthcoming A19 Pro — offering solid performance for everyday tasks but less power than Apple’s M-series chips in higher-end Macs.
Other rumored specifications include a smaller 12- to 12.9-inch LCD display (potentially without features like True Tone for cost savings), an aluminum chassis available in vibrant “fun” colors, two USB-C ports, MagSafe charging, Wi-Fi 7 support, and possibly 8GB of RAM with limited storage tiers starting at 256GB.
Pricing has been a hot topic: Earlier leaks suggested a starting point as low as $599, positioning it as an aggressive entry-level option. However, Apple’s recent price increases on the MacBook Air (now starting at $1,099 after rising from $999) and MacBook Pro models could shift strategy. If the MacBook Neo launches at a higher-than-expected price to maintain differentiation in the lineup, it might land in the $699–$799 range, still significantly undercutting the current MacBook Air while offering a compelling value proposition.
The leak adds intrigue ahead of Apple’s ongoing product rollout, with many eyes on a potential formal announcement as soon as tomorrow during the company’s “special Apple Experience” events. While the “Neo” name is drawing mixed reactions on X and other social media platforms, it signals a fresh entry in Apple’s Mac family aimed at expanding accessibility.
Unsurprisingly, Apple has not commented on the regulatory filing or the MacBook Neo. More details are expected imminently as the company continues its spring hardware push.
MacDailyNews Take: It is “The One.”
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Roku lands Apple TV: Seamless sign-up and discovery on The Roku Channel
In a significant move to expand accessibility for streaming enthusiasts, Roku has partnered with Apple to integrate the Apple TV subscription service into its Premium Subscriptions lineup on The Roku Channel. Announced on March 3, 2026, this collaboration allows Roku users in the United States to sign up for and manage their Apple TV subscription seamlessly through their Roku account, without needing separate logins.
The Roku Channel, available on all Roku devices, already offers a mix of free ad-supported content and premium subscriptions from partners like Starz, Paramount+, Max, AMC+, BritBox, Crunchyroll, Shudder, and dozens more — over 70 services in total. Adding Apple TV enhances this ecosystem by placing Apple’s premium offerings alongside these competitors, with content recommendations integrated directly into the Roku interface.
While the dedicated Apple TV app has been available on Roku platforms since 2019, this new integration simplifies discovery and subscription. Roku users can now browse and watch Apple TV shows and movies recommended within The Roku Channel experience, making it easier to start watching popular titles without switching apps.
Apple TV remains priced at $12.99 per month or $99 per year in the U.S., with eligible new subscribers able to take advantage of a 7-day free trial. The service features Apple’s growing library of exclusive original content, including acclaimed series such as Severance, Silo, The Morning Show, Slow Horses, Shrinking, Ted Lasso, and The Studio, along with upcoming releases and live sports like Formula 1 coverage kicking off in March 2026. Blockbuster films, documentaries, and family programming round out the offerings.
Roku’s President of Subscriptions, Partnerships & Corporate Development, Gil Fuchsberg, described the partnership as “a win for all – our viewers, our platform experience, and our partners at Apple.” He emphasized that such agreements boost viewer engagement, improve content discovery, and give users more flexible ways to access high-quality streaming.
This deal mirrors Apple’s recent efforts to broaden its reach on third-party platforms, similar to its integration with Amazon Prime Video in late 2024. For Roku, which powers the interface on a significant portion of smart TVs and streaming devices in North America, featuring Apple TV in its premium promotions could drive higher subscriber numbers and revenue sharing.
Apple TV content via The Roku Channel is accessible on Roku devices, as well as compatible smart TVs, streaming players from Amazon and Google, web browsers, and even iOS and Android mobile devices.
The timing aligns with Apple TV’s strong March programming slate, positioning the service for potential subscriber growth among Roku’s vast user base. This cross-platform collaboration underscores the evolving streaming landscape, where convenience and unified billing increasingly define user preferences.
MacDailyNews Take: Welcome, Roku Channel users!
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Apple TV cancels ‘Palm Royale’ after two seasons
The Apple TV series “Palm Royale” has been canceled. The Emmy-nominated dramedy, starring Kristen Wiig and featuring an acclaimed ensemble cast including Carol Burnett, Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson, Mindy Cohn, and Julia Duffy, has been canceled after two seasons. The show, a 1960s-set satire about ambition and high society in Palm Beach, concluded its run following the season two finale earlier this year.
The show’s first season received 11 Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for Wiig, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Burnett. Of the 11 noms, the series took home an Emmy statuette for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music. For Season 2, Wiig has been nominated for the Annual Actor Awards, as well as a GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.
MacDailyNews Take: “Palm Royale” had a lot of promise on paper. Packed full to the brim with talent, it just seemed a little off for whatever reason. TV series success is hard.
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Apple launches the insanely fast M5 MacBook Air
Apple today announced the new MacBook Air with M5, bringing exceptional performance and expanded AI capabilities to the world’s most popular laptop. M5 features a faster CPU and next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, enabling MacBook Air to power through a variety of workflows, from creative projects to complex AI tasks. MacBook Air now comes standard with double the starting storage at 512GB with faster SSD technology, and is configurable up to 4TB, so customers can keep their most important work on hand. Apple’s N1 wireless chip delivers Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for seamless connectivity on the go. MacBook Air features a beautifully thin, light, and durable aluminum design, stunning Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, up to 18 hours of battery life, an immersive sound system with Spatial Audio, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports with support for up to two external displays. Combined with the power of macOS Tahoe and Apple Intelligence, MacBook Air delivers unmatched value for college students and creative professionals, and it’s the most popular laptop for business users. Available in 13- and 15-inch models in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver, the new MacBook Air with M5 is available for pre-order starting tomorrow, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
“The new MacBook Air with M5 brings incredible performance and even more capability to the world’s most popular laptop,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, in a statement. “With M5, MacBook Air powers through a wide range of tasks, from everyday productivity to creative workloads, and is even faster for AI. Now featuring double the starting storage, as well as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, in a sleek and durable design with long battery life, MacBook Air is the perfect laptop for anyone who values the unrivaled combination of performance and portability.”
MacBook Air delivers the perfect combination of performance and portability for everyone from college students to creative professionals, as well as consumers — and it’s the most popular laptop for business users.
Incredible Performance with M5 — for AI and Beyond
M5 delivers incredible performance for everything users want to tackle, from everyday productivity to creative workflows. MacBook Air with M5 features a 10-core CPU with the world’s fastest CPU core for even more responsiveness. Combined with an up-to-10-core GPU with a powerful Neural Accelerator in each core, MacBook Air with M5 delivers up to 4x faster performance for AI tasks than MacBook Air with M4, and up to 9.5x faster than MacBook Air with M1. This makes it an incredibly capable platform for AI — whether using Apple Intelligence across apps and system experiences at home, or running LLMs on device in an enterprise.
With enhanced shader cores and a third-generation ray-tracing engine, M5 supercharges tasks like gaming and 3D rendering. M5 also features faster unified memory with 153GB/s of bandwidth — a 28 percent improvement over M4 — enabling even smoother multitasking and faster app launches. All combined, MacBook Air with M5 brings even greater performance compared to previous generations, offering:
• Up to 6.9x faster AI video enhancement performance in Topaz Video when compared to MacBook Air with M1, and up to 1.9x faster than MacBook Air with M4.
• Up to 6.5x faster 3D rendering with ray-tracing performance in Blender when compared to MacBook Air with M1, and up to 1.5x faster than MacBook Air with M4.
• Up to 2.7x faster image processing performance in Affinity when compared to MacBook Air with M1, and up to 1.5x faster than MacBook Air with M4.
• Web browsing is up to 50 percent faster when compared to a PC laptop with an Intel Core Ultra X7 processor, and more demanding tasks get up to 2x faster performance.
Double the Starting Storage and a Faster SSD
MacBook Air with M5 now comes standard with 512GB of storage — double that of the previous generation — and can be configured up to 4TB for the first time, providing ample space for large projects and games. The new SSD also delivers 2x faster read/write performance compared to the previous generation, significantly accelerating file access and speeding up workflows for users, such as creators importing large photo libraries and students running AI workloads on device.
Tremendous Value for Upgraders with the World’s Most Popular Laptop
There’s never been a better time for customers upgrading from a previous generation of MacBook Air with Apple silicon or an Intel-based Mac. In addition to the blazing performance of M5, the new MacBook Air delivers a broad range of compelling features, including:
• A stunning Liquid Retina display: A brilliant 13.6- or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness and support for 1 billion colors makes content look vivid with sharp detail, and text appears super crisp.
• Exceptional battery life: Up to 18 hours of battery life — six additional hours when compared to an Intel-based MacBook Air — with fast-charge capability means users can work, create, or play all day without plugging in.
• Beautiful design and colors: The 13-inch MacBook Air provides the ultimate in portability for users on the go, while the 15-inch model offers even more screen real estate for multitasking. Both models feature a thin, light, and completely silent fanless design that’s available in four gorgeous colors: sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.
• Advanced camera, mics, and speakers: A 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View keeps users looking great and enables more engaging video calls; a three-mic array brings enhanced voice clarity; and an immersive sound system with support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos creates an enjoyable three-dimensional soundstage for music and movies.
• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6: N1, the new Apple-designed wireless networking chip, enables Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, delivering improved performance and reliability.
• Seamless connectivity: MacBook Air features two Thunderbolt 4 ports for connecting accessories with support for up to two external displays — ideal for professionals and students who need to expand their workspace. MagSafe enables dedicated charging and peace of mind when users are plugged in.
The beautifully thin, light, and durable aluminum design features a stunning Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports for connecting access. The M5 MacBook Air features a beautifully thin, light, and durable aluminum design.
The Power of macOS Tahoe
macOS completes the MacBook Air experience, with incredible features and built-in apps, such as Safari, Photos, Messages, and FaceTime, that enable users to get even more done. With macOS Tahoe, a beautiful design with Liquid Glass lets users personalize their Mac in new ways with color options for folders, app icons, and widgets. Apple Intelligence adds powerful features with groundbreaking privacy at every step — including Live Translation in Messages to communicate across languages, updates in Reminders that automatically categorize the most relevant actions, and more powerful Shortcuts actions that tap directly in to Apple Intelligence models to create automations, such as extracting information from a PDF and adding key details to a spreadsheet. Continuity features include the Phone app on Mac, which lets users relay cellular calls from their nearby iPhone, and they can stay on top of notifications with Live Activities, which open in iPhone Mirroring so users can take immediate action right from their Mac. Additionally, for video calls, a new Edge Light effect provides a pleasing fill light to evenly illuminate a user’s face in any lighting condition.
MacBook Air and the Environment
MacBook Air with M5 was built with the environment in mind, and brings Apple even closer to reaching its plan to be “carbon neutral” across its entire footprint by 2030. It is made with 55 percent recycled content, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. It is manufactured with 50 percent renewable electricity, such as wind and solar, across the supply chain. MacBook Air is designed to be durable and repairable, while meeting Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safer chemistry. The paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and can be easily recycled.
Pricing and Availability
Customers can pre-order the new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air with M5 beginning at 6:15 a.m. PST on Wednesday, March 4, on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 33 countries and regions, including the U.S. All models will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, March 11.
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 starts at $1,099 (U.S.), and $999 (U.S.) for education, and the 15-inch MacBook Air with M5 starts at $1,299 (U.S.) and $1,199 (U.S.) for education. Both are available in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.
Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options, and accessories are available at apple.com/mac.
With Apple Trade In, customers can trade in their current computer and get credit toward a new Mac. Customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in to see what their device is worth.
AppleCare delivers exceptional service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new Mac, or in the U.S., AppleCare One to protect multiple products in one simple plan. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and 24/7 support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.
Every customer who buys directly from Apple Retail gets access to Personal Setup. In these guided online sessions, a Specialist can walk them through setup, or focus on features that will help them make the most of their new device. Customers can also learn more about getting started and going further with their new device with a Today at Apple session at their nearest Apple Store.
Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all up front. More information — including details on eligibility, exclusions, and Apple Card terms — is available at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.
MacDailyNews Take: Say hello to the faster-ever iteration of the world’s most popular laptop computer!
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Apple unveils blazing-fast MacBook Pro with all‑new M5 Pro and M5 Max
Apple today announced the latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with the all-new M5 Pro and M5 Max, bringing game-changing performance and AI capabilities to the world’s best pro laptop. With M5 Pro and M5 Max, MacBook Pro features a new CPU with the world’s fastest CPU core, a next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, and higher unified memory bandwidth, altogether delivering up to 4x AI performance compared to the previous generation, and up to 8x AI performance compared to M1 models. This allows developers, researchers, business professionals, and creatives to unlock new AI-enabled workflows right on MacBook Pro. It now comes with up to 2x faster SSD performance and starts at 1TB of storage for M5 Pro and 2TB for M5 Max. The new MacBook Pro includes N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, bringing improved performance and reliability to wireless connections. It also offers up to 24 hours of battery life; a gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display with a nano-texture option; a wide array of connectivity, including Thunderbolt 5; a 12MP Center Stage camera; studio-quality mics; an immersive six-speaker sound system; Apple Intelligence features; and the power of macOS Tahoe. The new MacBook Pro comes in space black and silver, and is available to pre-order starting tomorrow, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
MacBook Pro packs an array of ports (Thunderbolt, HDMI, SDXC, Headphone jack, MagSafe) for connecting high-speed peripherals, driving high-resolution displays, or directly offloading SDXC cards. Models with the M5 chip feature Thunderbolt 4 and support both Wi-Fi 6E51 and Bluetooth 5.3. Models with M5 Pro or M5 Max feature Thunderbolt 5, which offers transfer speeds of up to 120Gb/s. Connect up to two high-resolution external displays with M5, up to three with M5 Pro, or up to four with M5 Max.
“MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max redefines what’s possible on a pro laptop, now up to 4x faster than the previous generation,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, in a statement. “With Neural Accelerators in the GPU, the new MacBook Pro enables professionals to run advanced LLMs on device and unlock capabilities that no other laptop can do — all while maintaining exceptional battery life. Combined with even faster unified memory and storage, it empowers users to take their work even further, unleashing new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of what they can do.”
MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max provides tremendous performance boosts, featuring a new CPU with the world’s fastest CPU core, a next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, and higher unified memory bandwidth.Blazing Performance with M5 Pro and M5 Max
M5 Pro and M5 Max are built using the new Apple-designed Fusion Architecture and engineered from the ground up for AI. This innovative design combines two dies into a single system on a chip, providing tremendous performance boosts. M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a new up-to-18-core CPU with 6 super cores, the world’s fastest CPU core, and 12 all-new performance cores, optimized for power-efficient, multithreaded pro workloads — altogether delivering up to 30 percent faster performance. M5 Pro is designed for users running complex workflows, like coders optimizing algorithms and photographers processing massive image libraries, while M5 Max is for those pushing the absolute limits, such as engineers running rigorous simulations.
On the new MacBook Pro, LLMs will run even faster in popular apps like LM Studio.
Scaling up performance from M5 and offering the same breakthrough GPU architecture with a Neural Accelerator in each core, M5 Pro and M5 Max deliver up to 4x faster LLM prompt processing than M4 Pro and M4 Max, and up to 8x AI image generation than M1 Pro and M1 Max. This enables AI researchers and developers to train custom models locally, and creative professionals to leverage AI-powered tools for video editing, music production, and design work. Both chips also bring up to a 50 percent increase in graphics performance compared to M4 Pro and M4 Max, enabling motion designers to work with complex 3D scenes in real time and VFX artists to preview effects instantly. And with a faster and more power-efficient Neural Engine and higher unified memory bandwidth, the new MacBook Pro delivers incredible on-device AI capabilities. The increase in unified memory bandwidth enables complex workflows like intensive AI model training and massive video projects. M5 Pro supports up to 64GB of unified memory with up to 307GB/s of memory bandwidth, while M5 Max supports up to 128GB of unified memory with up to 614GB/s of memory bandwidth.
With the power of M5 Pro and M5 Max on MacBook Pro, AI researchers and developers can train custom models locally, and creative professionals are able to leverage AI-powered tools for video editing, music production, and design work.
14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro deliver:
• Up to 7.8x faster AI image generation performance when compared to MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, and up to 3.7x faster than MacBook Pro with M4 Pro.
• Up to 6.9x faster LLM prompt processing when compared to MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, and up to 3.9x faster than MacBook Pro with M4 Pro.
Up to 5.2x faster 3D rendering in Maxon Redshift when compared to MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, and up to 1.4x faster than MacBook Pro with M4 Pro.
• Up to 1.6x faster gaming performance with ray tracing in games like Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition when compared to MacBook Pro with M4 Pro.
14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max deliver:
• Up to 8x faster AI image generation performance when compared to MacBook Pro with M1 Max, and up to 3.8x faster than MacBook Pro with M4 Max.
• Up to 6.7x faster LLM prompt processing when compared to MacBook Pro with M1 Max, and up to 4x faster than MacBook Pro with M4 Max.
• Up to 5.4x faster video effects rendering performance in Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Studio when compared to MacBook Pro with M1 Max, and up to 3x faster than MacBook Pro with M4 Max.
• Up to 3.5x faster AI video-enhancing performance in Topaz Video when compared to MacBook Pro with M4 Max.
Faster Storage Performance and Increased Starting Storage
The new MacBook Pro delivers up to 2x faster read/write performance compared to the previous generation, reaching speeds of up to 14.5GB/s and accelerating workflows for professionals working across 4K and 8K video projects, LLMs, and complex datasets. MacBook Pro with M5 Pro now comes standard with 1TB of storage, while MacBook Pro with M5 Max now comes standard with 2TB. And the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 now comes standard with 1TB of storage.
Even More Value for Upgraders
The new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max mark a major leap for pro users. There’s never been a better time for customers to upgrade from a previous generation of MacBook Pro with Apple silicon or an Intel-based Mac.
• Enhanced AI performance with Neural Accelerators in the GPU: Users upgrading from M1 models will experience up to 8x faster AI performance.
• Exceptional battery life: The new MacBook Pro gets up to 24 hours of battery life, giving Intel-based upgraders up to 13 additional hours, and users coming from M1 models will get up to three more hours, so they can get more done on a single charge. And unlike many PC laptops, MacBook Pro delivers the same incredible performance whether plugged in or on battery. Users will be able to fast-charge up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes using a 96W or higher USB-C power adapter.
• Best display in a pro laptop: Upgraders will enjoy the Liquid Retina XDR display, which features 1600 nits peak HDR brightness and up to 1000 nits for SDR content, and offers a nano-texture option.
• Comprehensive connectivity: The new MacBook Pro has a wide array of connectivity options, including three Thunderbolt 5 ports for high-speed data transfer, HDMI that supports up to 8K resolution, an SDXC card slot for quick media import, and MagSafe 3 with fast-charge capability. Upgraders can also drive up to two high-resolution external displays with M5 Pro, and up to four high-resolution displays with M5 Max, providing the flexibility to create expansive workspaces.
• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6: With the Apple N1 chip, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 bring improved performance and reliability to wireless connections.
• Advanced camera, mics, and speakers: Featuring a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support and studio-quality mics, the new MacBook Pro will allow users to look and sound their best while taking calls. They will also experience an immersive six-speaker sound system with support for Spatial Audio.
The new MacBook Pro can drive up to two high-resolution external displays with M5 Pro, and up to four high-resolution displays with M5 Max, providing the flexibility to create expansive workspaces.
An Unrivaled Experience with macOS Tahoe
macOS Tahoe transforms the MacBook Pro experience with powerful capabilities that turbocharge productivity. Major updates to Spotlight make it easier to find relevant apps and files and immediately take action right from the search bar. Apple Intelligence is even more capable while protecting users’ privacy at every step. Shortcuts get even more powerful with intelligent actions and the ability to tap directly in to Apple Intelligence models. Integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, Live Translation helps users easily communicate across languages, translating text and audio. Additionally, developers can bring Apple Intelligence capabilities into their applications or tap in to the Foundation Models framework for specialized on-device intelligence tasks. Continuity features include the Phone app on Mac, which lets users relay cellular calls from their nearby iPhone, and with Live Activities from iPhone, they can stay on top of things happening in real time. macOS Tahoe also features a beautiful new design with Liquid Glass, and users can personalize their Mac in even more ways with an updated Control Center, in addition to new color options for folders, app icons, and widgets.
MacBook Pro and the Environment
MacBook Pro was built with the environment in mind, and brings Apple even closer to reaching its plan to be “carbon neutral” across its entire footprint by 2030. It is made with 45 percent recycled content,8 including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. It is manufactured with 50 percent renewable electricity, such as wind and solar, across the supply chain. The new MacBook Pro is designed to be durable and repairable, and also offers industry-leading software support, while meeting Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safer chemistry. The paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and can be easily recycled.
Pricing and Availability
• Customers can pre-order the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max starting tomorrow, March 4, on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 33 countries and regions, including the U.S. All models will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, March 11.
• The 14‑inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro starts at $2,199 (U.S.) and $2,049 (U.S.) for education; and the 16‑inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro starts at $2,699 (U.S.) and $2,499 (U.S.) for education.
• The 14‑inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max starts at $3,599 (U.S.) and $3,299 (U.S.) for education; and the 16‑inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max starts at $3,899 (U.S.) and $3,599 (U.S.) for education. All models are available in space black and silver.
• Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options, and accessories are available at apple.com/mac.
• The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 now comes standard with 1TB of storage, and is available in space black and silver, starting at $1,699 (U.S.) and $1,599 (U.S.) for education.
• With Apple Trade In, customers can trade in their current computer and get credit toward a new Mac. Customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in to see what their device is worth.
• AppleCare delivers exceptional service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new Mac, or in the U.S., AppleCare One to protect multiple products in one simple plan. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and 24/7 support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.
• Every customer who buys directly from Apple Retail gets access to Personal Setup. In these guided online sessions, a Specialist can walk them through setup or focus on features that will help them make the most of their new device. Customers can also learn more about getting started and going further with their new device with a Today at Apple session at their nearest Apple Store.
• Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all up front. More information — including details on eligibility, exclusions, and Apple Card terms — is available at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.
MacDailyNews Take: Power!
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Apple debuts powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max systems on a chip
Apple today announced M5 Pro and M5 Max, the world’s most advanced chips for pro laptops, powering the new MacBook Pro. The chips are built using a new Apple-designed Fusion Architecture. This innovative design combines two dies into a single system on a chip (SoC), which includes a powerful CPU, scalable GPU, Media Engine, unified memory controller, Neural Engine, and Thunderbolt 5 capabilities. M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a new 18-core CPU architecture. It includes six of the highest-performing core design, now called super cores, that are the world’s fastest CPU core. Alongside these cores are 12 all-new performance cores, optimized for power-efficient, multithreaded workloads. Collectively, the CPU significantly boosts performance by up to 30 percent for pro workloads. The GPU scales up the next-generation architecture introduced in M5 to an up-to-40-core GPU. With a Neural Accelerator in each GPU core and higher unified memory bandwidth, M5 Pro and M5 Max are over 4x the peak GPU compute for AI compared to the previous generation. The GPU substantially increases graphics capabilities — now up to 35 percent for apps using ray tracing than M4 Pro and M4 Max — enhancing advanced visual effects and 3D rendering. With M5 Pro and M5 Max, the new MacBook Pro is the ultimate powerhouse for pros and is available for pre-order starting tomorrow, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11th.
“M5 Pro and M5 Max are a monumental leap forward for Apple silicon, leveraging our new Fusion Architecture to scale the capabilities of Apple silicon while preserving its core tenets of performance, power efficiency, and unified memory architecture,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies, in a statement. “Both chips underscore our relentless pace of innovation, integrating the world’s fastest CPU cores, a next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators, a faster Neural Engine, and high-bandwidth, high-capacity memory — resulting in an unparalleled combination of performance, efficiency, and incredible on-device AI capabilities for MacBook Pro.”
All-New Fusion Architecture
M5 Pro and M5 Max introduce the Apple-designed Fusion Architecture, a state-of-the-art design that connects two dies into a single SoC. This brings together two third-generation 3-nanometer dies with high bandwidth and low latency using advanced packaging. The two dies include a powerful new CPU, scalable GPU, Media Engine, unified memory controller, Neural Engine, and Thunderbolt 5 capabilities.
Apple’s Fastest, Most Advanced CPU Cores
M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a new 18-core CPU with 6 super cores and 12 all-new performance cores.
The industry-leading super core was first introduced as performance cores in M5, which also adopts the super core name for all M5-based products — MacBook Air, the 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro. This core is the highest-performance core design with the world’s fastest single-threaded performance, driven in part by increased front-end bandwidth, a new cache hierarchy, and enhanced branch prediction.
M5 Pro and M5 Max also introduce an all-new performance core that is optimized to deliver greater power-efficient, multithreaded performance for pro workloads. Together with the super cores, the chips deliver up to 2.5x higher multithreaded performance than M1 Pro and M1 Max.2 The super cores and performance cores give MacBook Pro a huge performance boost to handle the most CPU-intensive pro workloads, like analyzing complex data or running demanding simulations with unparalleled ease.
M5 Pro: Designed to Handle Demanding Workflows
M5 Pro is designed to meet the needs of pro users — like data modelers, post-production sound designers, and STEM students — who require robust processing power and graphics, and ample amounts of unified memory to handle complex projects and workloads.
Scaling up from the M5 chip, M5 Pro pairs the up-to-18-core CPU with a next-generation up-to-20-core GPU featuring a Neural Accelerator in each core. With four additional CPU cores compared to M4 Pro, the new CPU architecture in M5 Pro significantly boosts multithreaded performance by up to 30 percent for pro workloads. M5 Pro supports up to 64GB of unified memory with higher unified memory bandwidth up to 307GB/s. With all these features, M5 Pro delivers over 4x the peak GPU compute compared to M4 Pro, and over 6x the peak GPU compute than M1 Pro for AI performance.
M5 Pro has an enhanced shader core with second-generation dynamic caching and hardware-accelerated mesh shading, delivering significantly increased graphics performance — up to 20 percent higher than M4 Pro and 2.2x higher than M1 Pro. And with Apple’s third-generation ray-tracing engine, M5 Pro provides up to a 35 percent graphics uplift in apps using this rendering technique as compared to M4 Pro.
M5 Max: Unmatched Capabilities
M5 Max is designed for pro users — such as 3D animators, app developers, and AI researchers — who run workloads that demand maximum GPU compute and the highest unified memory bandwidth.
Featuring the same breakthrough GPU architecture with double the cores as M5 Pro, M5 Max pairs the 18-core CPU with an up-to-40-core GPU.
The new CPU architecture offers up to 15 percent higher multithreaded performance when compared to M4 Max. M5 Max supports up to 128GB of unified memory with higher unified memory bandwidth up to 614GB/s. This bandwidth increase means users achieve incredible results when working with complex scenes, massive datasets, and higher token generation for LLMs. M5 Max offers over 4x the peak GPU compute compared to the previous generation, and over 6x the peak GPU compute than M1 Max for AI performance.
The graphics performance for M5 Max is up to 20 percent higher than M4 Max and 2.2x higher than M1 Max.2 For apps using ray tracing, M5 Max provides a graphics uplift of up to 30 percent more than M4 Max.
Advanced Technologies Across M5 Pro and M5 Max
M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a number of additional advanced technologies right on the chip, including:
• A faster 16-core Neural Engine with a higher bandwidth connection to memory to accelerate on-device AI features and Apple Intelligence.
• Apple’s latest Media Engine with support for hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC, AV1 decode, and ProRes encode and decode engines.
• Support for Memory Integrity Enforcement — an industry-first, always-on memory safety protection that does not compromise device performance.
• Thunderbolt 5 ports, each supported by its own custom-designed controller directly on the chip — making this the industry’s most capable implementation of Thunderbolt 5.
Apple Silicon and the Environment
Apple 2030 is the company’s plan to be “carbon neutral” across its entire footprint by the end of this decade by reducing product emissions from their three biggest sources: materials, electricity, and transportation. The power-efficient performance of M5 Pro and M5 Max helps MacBook Pro meet Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency, and reduces the total amount of energy consumed over the product’s lifetime.
MacDailyNews Note: Find out more about Apple’s new M5 Pro and M5 Mac SoCs here.
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Apple unveils new Studio Display and all-new Studio Display XDR
Apple today announced a new family of displays engineered to pair beautifully with Mac and meet the needs of everyone, from everyday users to the world’s top pros. The new Studio Display features a 12MP Center Stage camera, now with improved image quality and support for Desk View; a studio-quality three-microphone array; and an immersive six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio. It also now includes powerful Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, providing more downstream connectivity for high-speed accessories or daisy-chaining displays. The all-new Studio Display XDR takes the pro display experience to the next level. Its 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display features an advanced mini-LED backlight with over 2,000 local dimming zones, up to 1000 nits of SDR brightness, and 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, in addition to a wider color gamut, so content jumps off the screen with breathtaking contrast, vibrancy, and accuracy. With its 120Hz refresh rate, Studio Display XDR is even more responsive to content in motion, and Adaptive Sync dynamically adjusts frame rates for content like video playback or graphically intense games. Studio Display XDR offers the same advanced camera and audio system as Studio Display, as well as Thunderbolt 5 connectivity to simplify pro workflow setups. The new Studio Display with a tilt-adjustable stand starts at $1,599, and Studio Display XDR with a tilt- and height-adjustable stand starts at $3,299. Both are available in standard or nano-texture glass options, and can be pre-ordered starting tomorrow, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
“Apple has led the industry in delivering the world’s most advanced displays for pros to do their life’s best work, and today we do that once again with the introduction of the new Studio Display family,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Studio Display gets even better with a new 12MP Center Stage camera and powerful Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. And the Studio Display XDR is a huge leap forward for XDR technology, with a mini-LED backlight, 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, advanced color accuracy, and a 120Hz refresh rate, transforming workflows like filmmaking, design and print, and 3D animation. It’s by far the world’s best pro display.”
The Studio Display XDR features a Mini-LED backlight. 2304 dimming zones deliver remarkably precise lighting. For deeper blacks, brighter whites, and reduced halo and blooming.
Studio Display — the Perfect Companion to Mac
The new Studio Display pairs excellent visual quality with compelling features that deliver a great experience when connected to a Mac across a range of professional workflows — from photo and video editing to coding, music production, and everyday tasks. The stunning 27-inch 5K Retina display boasts over 14 million pixels, 600 nits of brightness, and P3 wide color for rich, true-to-life imagery. Studio Display includes a 12MP Center Stage camera, now with Desk View; a studio-quality three-microphone array; and an incredible six-speaker sound system with four force-cancelling woofers that deliver 30 percent deeper bass than the previous generation, plus two high-performance tweeters for immersive audio. Studio Display also brings Thunderbolt 5 connectivity with two ports, so users can daisy-chain up to four Studio Display models for a combined nearly 60 million pixels, or connect high-speed accessories. In addition, two USB-C ports can be used for peripherals and charging. With the included Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable, users get a convenient all-in-one connection that offers up to 96W of charging power — enough to fast-charge a 14-inch MacBook Pro.
Studio Display is available with standard glass or optional nano-texture glass for challenging lighting conditions. It comes with a tilt-adjustable stand, or can be configured with a tilt- and height-adjustable stand or a VESA mount adapter for custom desk setups.
When connected to a Mac, the new Studio Display delivers a great experience for a wide range of users, from photographers editing in Adobe Lightroom, to designers creating in Adobe Illustrator and music producers working in Pro Tools.
Studio Display XDR — the World’s Best Pro Display
The all-new Studio Display XDR delivers the most advanced display technology and a robust set of features for pro users who need the ultimate front-of-screen performance. With 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, P3 and Adobe RGB wide color gamuts, a 120Hz refresh rate, Adaptive Sync, new DICOM medical imaging presets, a powerful combination of camera and audio, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, Studio Display XDR is designed for workflows like HDR video editing, 3D rendering, and diagnostic radiology.
Studio Display XDR takes the pro display experience to the next level and is designed for users working in apps like Adobe Premiere, Autodesk Flame, and SideFX Houdini.
Advanced XDR Display Technology
Studio Display XDR features a stunning 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display with 5120-by-2880 resolution, offering exceptional detail and clarity. The mini-LED backlight utilizes 2,304 local dimming zones that enable extreme contrast. Studio Display XDR also delivers up to an outstanding 1000 nits of SDR brightness, 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. This wide dynamic range — from the brightest brights to the deepest blacks — makes HDR content pop off the screen while virtually eliminating distracting halo and blooming effects.
Enhanced Color Accuracy
Ideal for print and design professionals, Studio Display XDR adds Adobe RGB color gamut support, in addition to P3 wide color, making it an even better reference display. This results in more than 80 percent Rec. 2020 coverage for HDR video editing and color grading. Both P3 and Adobe RGB are accessible from the same default preset, streamlining pro workflows that frequently switch between color spaces.
Smooth 120Hz Refresh Rate and Adaptive Sync
Studio Display XDR features a 120Hz refresh rate, enabling smooth, ultra-responsive motion. Adaptive Sync supports a continuously variable refresh rate between 47Hz to 120Hz, making gaming more fluid with faster frame delivery and lower display latency.
Innovative DICOM Medical Imaging
Today, Apple introduces new DICOM medical imaging presets and the Medical Imaging Calibrator to enable use in diagnostic radiology, allowing radiologists to view diagnostic images directly on Studio Display XDR.2 Many medical professionals already use Mac for their office or home setups, and Studio Display XDR offers a versatile alternative to single-purpose medical imaging displays, with seamless display mode switching. The Medical Imaging Calibrator on macOS is pending FDA clearance and is expected to be available soon in the U.S. For decades, healthcare professionals and developers have taken advantage of Apple’s innovative products and frameworks to help achieve better patient outcomes, broaden research opportunities, and improve efficiency across healthcare systems. Apple continues to innovate and collaborate with the healthcare community on solutions to ultimately improve care for their patients.
Apple introduces new DICOM medical imaging presets and the Medical Imaging Calibrator, allowing radiologists to view diagnostic images in apps like Visage 7 directly on Studio Display XDR.
Powerful Combination of Camera, Audio, and Thunderbolt 5 Connectivity
Studio Display XDR features a 12MP Center Stage camera that keeps users centered in the frame as they move. Video calls become more engaging with Desk View, which simultaneously displays the user and a top-down view of their desk — great for demonstrating a creative project. It also includes a studio-quality three-microphone array with directional beamforming and an immersive six-speaker sound system with support for Spatial Audio.
Studio Display XDR also features Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, with a second port for connecting downstream high-speed accessories or daisy-chaining other displays. And with two additional USB-C ports for even more connectivity, it can act as a Thunderbolt hub, keeping a workspace free of clutter while offering up to 140W of charging power through the included Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable — enough to fast-charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Featuring extensive connectivity to support a variety of workflows, Studio Display XDR includes two Thunderbolt 5 ports and two USB-C ports.
Versatile Stand and Accessories
Studio Display XDR includes a tilt- and height-adjustable stand to meet the needs of a variety of workspaces. With a height range of 105mm, the stand features a sophisticated counterbalancing arm that makes the display feel weightless, and as users adjust it, the display stays precisely in place. An optional VESA mount adapter is available for those who prefer to use VESA-compatible stands, mounts, and arms for a customized desk setup.
The tilt- and height-adjustable stand on Studio Display XDR meets the needs of a variety of workspaces.
Studio Display Family and the Environment
Studio Display and Studio Display XDR were built with the environment in mind, and bring Apple even closer to reaching its plan to be “carbon neutral” across its entire footprint by 2030. Both are made with recycled content, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the stand and 80 percent recycled glass in the standard glass option. Studio Display and Studio Display XDR are designed to be durable, repairable, and also offer industry-leading software support, while meeting Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. The paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and was designed to collapse so it can be easily recycled.4
Pricing and Availability
• Customers can pre-order the new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR starting tomorrow, March 4, at apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 35 countries and regions, including the U.S. They will begin arriving to customers, and will be in select Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, March 11.
• Studio Display starts at $1,599 (U.S.) and $1,499 (U.S.) for education. Studio Display XDR replaces Pro Display XDR and starts at $3,299 (U.S.) and $3,199 (U.S.) for education.
• Additional technical specifications, including nano-texture glass and a choice of stand options, are available at apple.com/store.
• Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad ($199 U.S.), Magic Trackpad ($149 U.S.), and Magic Mouse (starting at $79 U.S.) in black or white color options are available at apple.com/store.
• AppleCare delivers exceptional service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new Mac, or in the U.S., AppleCare One to protect multiple products in one simple plan. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and 24/7 support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.
• Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all up front. More information — including details on eligibility, exclusions, and Apple Card terms — is available at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.
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T-Mobile rolls out aggressive deals on Apple’s new iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air
T-Mobile is launching a series of compelling offers tied to Apple’s newly announced iPhone 17e and updated iPad Air, emphasizing immediate value through device discounts, bundled streaming and travel benefits, and a longstanding price lock on qualifying plans.
The carrier, along with Metro by T-Mobile and UScellular partners, will carry the iPhone 17e — the most affordable entry in the iPhone 17 family — and the M4-powered iPad Air. Pre-orders for both devices open on Wednesday, March 4th, with general availability starting March 11th.
Apple positions the iPhone 17e as a value-focused model starting at $599 for 256GB of storage — double the base capacity of its predecessor at the same price point. It features the latest A19 chip for improved performance, an advanced 48MP Fusion camera system supporting next-generation portraits and 4K Dolby Vision video, MagSafe wireless charging, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with upgraded Ceramic Shield 2 for enhanced durability, and Apple’s C1X cellular modem for faster connectivity. Satellite features like Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My remain included.
The refreshed iPad Air, driven by the powerful M4 chip, delivers up to 30% faster performance than the prior M3 version, more unified memory for AI tasks, improved cellular speeds via the C1X modem, Wi-Fi 7 support through Apple’s N1 chip, and compatibility with iPadOS 26 enhancements. It maintains starting prices of $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch, available in multiple color finishes.T-Mobile highlights how its plans deliver “built-in value from day one on America’s Best Network,” including perks such as Netflix and Hulu on Us, discounted Apple TV+, international high-speed data in over 215 countries, T-Satellite connectivity, a free year of DashPass by DoorDash, and T-Mobile Tuesdays deals. The carrier also touts a 5-year price guarantee on select plans and cites independent analysis showing families saving over $3,700 compared to major competitors over the past five years.
Key promotions include:
• At T-Mobile: The iPhone 17e “on Us” (up to $830 off via 24 monthly bill credits) with eligible trade-ins on premium plans like Experience More or Go5G Plus, or when adding a line. Customers can secure four iPhone 17e devices on Us plus four new lines for $25 per line monthly on the Essentials plan with qualifying trade-ins. Switchers can get the device on Us (or up to $630 off) without a trade-in on most plans.
• T-Mobile for Business: Similar on Us offers when adding lines or upgrading with trade-ins on plans like ProMobile, SuperMobile, or CoreMobile, plus additional credits for porting numbers.
• Metro by T-Mobile: $250 off the iPhone 17e when porting a number and activating a $50/month or higher plan with AutoPay.
UScellular: iPhone 17e on Us (or up to $830 off) when adding a line or upgrading with a trade-in on qualifying unlimited plans—no trade-in required for add-a-line in some cases.
Both devices support eSIM for quick activation and seamless plan management, with T-Mobile offering tools like eSIM Quick Transfer and Carrier Activation.
T-Mobile encourages quick switches via its 15 Minutes to Better program for same-day delivery options and a free trial experience through the T-Life app. All promotions are subject to change and may not combine with other offers.
MacDailyNews Note: For full details on these limited-time offers, which include standard terms like qualifying credit, taxes on pre-credit prices, and potential balance due if canceling early, visit T-Mobile’s Apple deals page at www.t-mobile.com/offers/apple-iphone-deals or Metro’s site at www.metrobyt-mobile.com/deals/apple.
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Apple Retail Stores prepare for major crowds fueled by blockbuster new product releases this week
Apple has instructed its retail stores to prepare for a significant customer influx tied to products debuting this week, Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman reports. Some store employees report that the pre-launch preparations rival those for the annual fall iPhone releases, signaling Apple’s anticipation of strong pent-up demand — and suggesting at least one new offering boasts broad mainstream appeal.
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
As I wrote last week, we’re likely to see some combination of these products: the iPhone 17e, MacBook Pros and Airs, updated entry-level iPad and iPad Air models, and the much-anticipated low-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip. Internally, the low-end MacBook is being described as an “incredible value,” with Apple believing the launch is going to drive a serious number of switchers from Windows machines and Chromebooks. It could even compel iPhone users without computers to buy their first Mac.
With that in mind, Apple is warning retail employees about longer hours — just as the company would for iPhone launches in September. Stores are also preparing to have an entire table dedicated to one of the new products. Routine upgrades wouldn’t require this, so it’s likely tied to the low-cost MacBook. At the same time, there should also be plenty of interest in the new phone and faster laptops.
In any case, the product unveiling will be spread out over a number of days — as Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook confirmed on X this past week. I’m expecting introductions on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with the final day also serving as a hands-on experience for select members of the media in New York, London and Shanghai.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple Retail employees, brace yourselves!
See also: Apple’s A18 Pro chip expected to make new entry-level MacBook feel premium and future-proof – February 27, 2026
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Apple’s upcoming touch-screen MacBook Pro won’t be a ‘MacPad’
According to Mark Gurman in Bloomberg, Apple’s forthcoming touch-screen MacBook Pro will demonstrate that the company remains nowhere near merging the Mac and iPad lines. While a hybrid device—such as an iPad capable of running full Mac software or a MacBook with a more tablet-like interface—has clear appeal, that convergence isn’t on the horizon anytime soon, if ever. Apple’s leadership continues to firmly insist on maintaining clear separation between the iPad and Mac product categories.
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
For years, Apple Inc. fans have dreamed of the company merging the iPad and Mac — a move that would combine the speed and battery life of a computer with the touch interface of a tablet.
Publicly, Apple has denied wanting to do such a thing. Behind the scenes, though, engineers have been exploring the idea. They’ve discussed all sorts of ways to bring the two systems together — from running the current version of macOS on beefier iPads to building a new type of operating system befitting a hybrid product. There’s even been talk of completely folding together the Mac and iPad app ecosystems.
But despite the appeal of a hybrid device (an iPad running Mac software or a Mac with an iPad interface), we’re not heading there anytime soon, if ever. Apple executives have remained steadfast about keeping the iPad and Mac distinct.
The company argues that it produces better devices by separating the categories, but there’s also a business consideration. Internally, executives believe that a hybrid plan would hurt sales… Apple would much rather customers buy both an iPad and a Mac…
[T]he touch-based MacBook Pro will not feel like an iPad. As I wrote this past week, Apple is being very deliberate about this with the product’s development and marketing. The Mac will be a touch-friendly device, rather than one that’s touch-first…
Moreover, the MacBook Pro will continue to have its full keyboard, trackpad and current industrial design, making it far from a hybrid. This is the MacBook Pro you’ve known for the past two decades — with touch offered as a bonus. The point-and-click interface will remain at the forefront, and touch will be completely optional.
MacDailyNews Take: Again, since we’re perfectly fine with using mice and trackpads, we’ll continue to keep our Mac displays free of greasy fingerprints, even when Apple releases touchscreen Macs.
Do you really want to smear your fingers all over your MacBook Pro’s display?
Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical. After an extended period of time, your arm wants to fall off. – Steve Jobs
For many years, every MacBook Pro has offered a built-in multi-touch-capable Force Touch trackpad.
Does it make more sense to be smearing your fingers around on your notebook’s screen or on a spacious trackpad that’s designed specifically and solely to be touched? … The iPhone’s screen has to be touched; that’s all it has available. A MacBook’s screen does not have to be touched in order to offer Multi-Touch. — MacDailyNews, March 26, 2009
I think anything can be forced to converge. The problem is that products are about tradeoffs, and you begin to make tradeoffs to the point where what you have left at the end of the day doesn’t please anyone. You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but those things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user. – Apple CEO Tim Cook, remarking on the idea of a converged Mac and iPad, April 25, 2012
We really feel that the ergonomics of using a Mac are that your hands are rested on a surface, and that lifting your arm up to poke a screen is a pretty fatiguing thing to do. I don’t think we’ve looked at any of the other guys to date and said, how fast can we get there? — Apple SVP Craig Federighi, June 5, 2018
[Y]ou get this in-between thing, and in-between things are never as good as the individual things themselves. We believe the best personal computer is a Mac, and we want to keep going down that path. And we think the best tablet computing device is an iPad, and we’ll go down that path.
iPad benefits because we assume that you need to be able to do most everything with touch, and we don’t have to trade off on that experience. Mac assumes you want to do most everything with a keyboard and mouse input. We don’t have to trade off on that path. You can look at some of the other products that will try to go halfway between the two. They end up just compromising experiences. That’s not good. – Apple SVP Phil Schiller, November 13, 2019
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HBO Max and Paramount+ to merge into one streaming service
Paramount CEO David Ellison announced on a Monday investor conference call that Paramount+ and HBO Max would merge into a single streaming service, contingent on regulatory approval of Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
A combined service would have about 200 million subscribers given existing totals, Ellison said during his company’s investor call about the WBD transaction. Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery said last week they had struck an agreement to sell WBD for $31 per share after Netflix backed out of the prolonged bidding war.
Paramount executives didn’t offer any details Monday on how the company may price a combined service or what it would be called. Still, Ellison said he wouldn’t disrupt the HBO brand.
“HBO should stay HBO,” he said, citing its long history of quality programming.
HBO is likely to be a sub-brand within the larger service, according to a person familiar with Paramount’s plans.
MacDailyNews Take: HBO’s streaming services have had more name changes than Taylor Swift’s little black book, so what’s one more?
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Apple shares climb amid intensifying American and Israeli military strikes against Iran
Apple stock rose modestly today, trading up approximately 0.70% to around $266.02 as of midday market hours. This gain comes despite heightened geopolitical tensions, with ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran now in their third day, including strikes that have escalated regional risks and contributed to broader market caution.
President Donald Trump has initiated a bold effort to reshape the Middle East through “Operation Epic Fury,” a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign launched on February 28, 2026, aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, annihilating its navy, and degrading its proxy terror networks, while explicitly calling for regime change following the neutralization of Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Proponents like The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, argue this decisive action enhances global safety by curbing Iran’s 47 years of aggression, terrorism sponsorship, and threats to U.S. and allied interests, potentially fostering a more stable region and world by weakening the “Axis of Resistance” and preventing nuclear proliferation.
The U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran that began Saturday morning is a necessary act of deterrence against a regime that is the world’s foremost promoter of terrorism. It carries risks as all wars do, but it also has the potential to reshape the Middle East for the better and lead to a safer world. – The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, March 2, 2026
While early strikes have achieved tactical successes, the long-term geopolitical remodeling remains uncertain amid ongoing hostilities.
The positive performance in Apple’s shares continues to be supported by strong underlying fundamentals from recent quarters. The company’s latest fiscal results showed robust iPhone demand, with significant year-over-year revenue growth driven by the current product lineup. Investors remain optimistic about Apple’s resilient ecosystem, which includes over 2.5 billion active devices worldwide, providing stable recurring services revenue.
Market attention is also turning toward upcoming product announcements, with reports of new iPhone, MacBook, and iPad models expected soon, potentially including refreshes that could drive further consumer interest. Apple’s brand strength continue to position it as a relatively defensive name in the tech sector amid external uncertainties.
While the Middle East conflict — featuring intensified strikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory actions — has raised concerns over potential oil supply disruptions and global economic ripple effects, Apple’s stock has held firm, reflecting investor focus on the company’s long-term innovation pipeline rather than immediate geopolitical headlines. Trading volume today has been steady, with the stock moving in a day’s range roughly between $260 and $266.
MacDailyNews Take: AAPL is, as ever, a safe harbor in a storm—and today’s market action proves it once again.
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Starlink announces V2 satellites: 5G speeds from space with 100x data density
SpaceX’s Starlink has unveiled its next-generation V2 satellites for mobile service, promising to deliver true 5G speeds directly from orbit.
The upgrade aims to provide peak download speeds of up to 150 Mbps per user, enabling seamless streaming, web browsing, high-speed apps, and voice calls—just like a terrestrial cellular network.
According to the announcement shared on X, the V2 satellites boast 100 times the data density of the current V1 generation, with approximately 20 times higher throughput capacity per satellite.
This leap in technology is powered by custom chips and advanced phased-array antennas, allowing the system to handle significantly more traffic while connecting directly to unmodified smartphones.
Starlink plans to expand its constellation dramatically, potentially adding up to 15,000 direct-to-cell satellites to achieve global coverage and support for millions of users.
The service, already operational in over 32 countries for basic features like texting, is set to disrupt traditional carriers by offering a comprehensive alternative for remote areas, maritime, aviation, and disaster response scenarios.
Starlink Mobile’s next-gen satellites will deliver 5G speeds from space with 100x the data density of the current V1 generation satellites
V2 satellites will seamlessly enable streaming, internet browsing, high-speed apps and voice calls, just like being connected to a terrestrial network.
MacDailyNews Note: The V2’s potential to provide space-based internet at 5G levels marks a significant step toward universal connectivity. While rollout timelines remain unspecified, the upgrade positions Starlink as a formidable rival to established mobile networks like T-Mobile and Verizon.
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Apple introduces A19-powered iPhone 17e with MagSafe and double the starting storage at 256GB
Apple today announced iPhone 17e, a powerful and more affordable addition to the iPhone 17 lineup. At the heart of iPhone 17e is the latest-generation A19, which delivers exceptional performance for everything users do. iPhone 17e also features C1X, the latest-generation cellular modem designed by Apple, which is up to 2x faster than C1 in iPhone 16e. The 48MP Fusion camera captures stunning photos, including next-generation portraits, and 4K Dolby Vision video. It also enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto — like having two cameras in one. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display features Ceramic Shield 2, offering 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare. With MagSafe, users can enjoy fast wireless charging and access to a vast ecosystem of accessories like chargers and cases. And when iPhone 17e users are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple’s groundbreaking satellite features — including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite — help them stay connected when it matters most.
Available in three elegant colors with a premium matte finish — black, white, and a beautiful new soft pink — iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order beginning Wednesday, March 4, with availability starting Wednesday, March 11. iPhone 17e will start at 256GB of storage for $599 — 2x the entry storage from the previous generation at the same starting price, and 4x more than iPhone 12 — giving users more space for high-resolution photos, 4K videos, apps, games, and more.
iPhone 17e delivers powerful features at an incredible value, including Apple’s latest-generation A19, a 48MP 2-in-1 camera system, storage starting at 256GB, and the magic of MagSafe.
“iPhone 17e combines powerful performance and features our users love at an exceptional value, making it a compelling option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, in a statement. “We know our customers want a product that will last, and iPhone 17e delivers just that. With A19 for incredible performance, double the entry storage, a smarter camera system, and enhanced durability, iPhone 17e is designed to stay fast, secure, and valuable for years to come.”
A Beautiful Design with Enhanced Durability
iPhone holds its value longer than other smartphones, and iPhone 17e is built to last. It features a strong yet lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum design, and is splash, water, and dust resistant with an IP68 rating. The Ceramic Shield 2 front cover — featured across the iPhone 17 family — is tougher than any smartphone glass, and an Apple-designed coating provides 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation as well as improved anti-reflection to reduce glare.
The Ceramic Shield 2 front cover provides 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and improved anti-reflection to reduce glare.
The Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology delivers a fantastic viewing experience whether a user is streaming videos in Dolby Vision or playing games, and with up to 1200 nits peak HDR brightness, it is easy to view content on brighter days. Face ID provides a seamless and secure way to unlock iPhone 17e, authenticate purchases, sign in to apps, and more. With the Action button, users can access their favorite features — like the flashlight, visual intelligence, and more — with just a press.
The Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology delivers a fantastic viewing experience whether a user is streaming videos in Dolby Vision or playing games, and with up to 1200 nits peak HDR brightness, it is easy to view content on brighter days. Face ID provides a seamless and secure way to unlock iPhone 17e, authenticate purchases, sign in to apps, and more. With the Action button, users can access their favorite features — like the flashlight, visual intelligence, and more — with just a press.
Powerful Performance and Exceptional Efficiency
iPhone 17e features the latest-generation A19 built with advanced 3-nanometer technology, delivering powerful performance. The faster, more efficient 6-core CPU — up to 2x faster than iPhone 11 — handles everything from simple tasks like scrolling through photos to advanced Apple Intelligence capabilities like Clean Up. The 4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators unlocks console-level gaming on the go, supporting demanding AAA titles and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for more realistic lighting and reflections. The upgraded 16-core Neural Engine is optimized for large generative models and, combined with Neural Accelerators built into each GPU, enables Apple Intelligence and other AI models to run faster than on the previous generation.
iPhone 17e also features C1X, the latest-generation cellular modem designed by Apple. C1X is up to 2x faster than C1 in iPhone 16e and matches the speed of iPhone Air. C1X uses 30 percent less energy than the modem in iPhone 16 Pro, contributing to the exceptional all-day battery life.
Excellent Battery Life, Fast Charging, and MagSafe
iPhone 17e delivers exceptional all-day battery life, enabled by the efficiencies of Apple silicon, including the C1X cellular modem, and the advanced power management of iOS 26. With fast wired charging using USB-C, iPhone 17e can charge up to 50 percent in around 30 minutes. iPhone 17e also supports MagSafe and Qi2 for fast wireless charging up to 15W compared to 7.5W Qi wireless charging on iPhone 16e. MagSafe chargers, stands, cases, wallets, camera accessories, and more snap easily to the back of iPhone 17e, providing seamless alignment with a wide ecosystem of accessories.
iPhone 17e supports MagSafe for fast wireless charging and connects to a wide ecosystem of chargers, cases, wallets, and other accessories.
An Advanced Camera System to Capture Everyday Moments
iPhone 17e takes gorgeous photos with excellent detail, including in low light with Night mode. The 48MP Fusion camera enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto, giving users two cameras in one so they can get closer to the subject and easily frame their shot. Users can shoot sharp photos at up to 48MP resolution, or capture in the 24MP default for incredible image quality at a file size perfect for storing and sharing. Portrait mode improves thanks to an advanced image pipeline, delivering remarkably natural depth and smooth bokeh that gracefully blurs the background while keeping subjects sharp. The advanced pipeline also enables next-generation portraits, so iPhone 17e recognizes people, dogs, and cats, and automatically saves depth information, allowing users to turn photos into beautiful portraits with background blur after capture and to adjust the focus point in the Photos app. The latest generation of HDR captures subjects with true-to-life renderings of skin tones and ensures bright highlights, rich midtones, and deep shadows across the image — all while preserving fine details.
The Fusion camera delivers 48MP of resolution for capturing fine details.
iPhone 17e takes stunning videos with the ability to record in 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps. iPhone 17e also records video in Spatial Audio for immersive listening with AirPods or Apple Vision Pro, and enables more ways to edit video sound with Audio Mix. With wind noise reduction, powerful machine learning algorithms automatically reduce unwanted noise for better audio quality.
iPhone 17e can record stunning 4K video at 60 fps in Dolby Vision.
Groundbreaking Safety and Communication Capabilities
iPhone 17e helps users stay connected and get assistance when it matters most. When outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, users can text friends and family with Messages via satellite; connect with emergency services using Emergency SOS via satellite; and reach roadside assistance providers with Roadside Assistance via satellite. The Find My app lets users share their location via satellite, reassuring friends and family of their whereabouts while traveling off the grid. Crash Detection can detect a severe car accident and automatically dial emergency services if a user is unconscious or unable to reach their iPhone.
iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence
iPhone 17e comes with iOS 26, delivering a beautiful new design, powerful Apple Intelligence capabilities, and meaningful improvements to the apps users rely on every day.7 The new design with Liquid Glass makes apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful, bringing greater focus to content while keeping iOS instantly familiar and introducing even more ways to personalize iPhone. Apple Intelligence allows users to communicate across languages with Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, Phone, and with AirPods.8 Visual intelligence now extends to a user’s iPhone screen, letting them search, ask questions, and take action on the content they’re viewing.9 To help users eliminate distractions, Call Screening can screen calls from unknown numbers and automatically ask the reason for calling, while Hold Assist can hold on the line until a live agent is available.10 In Messages, users can now choose to screen messages from unknown senders by filtering them to a dedicated folder so they don’t clutter up the conversation list.
iPhone 17e and the Environment
Apple 2030 is the company’s plan to be “carbon neutral” across its entire footprint by the end of this decade by reducing product emissions from their three biggest sources: materials, electricity, and transportation. iPhone 17e is made with 30 percent recycled content, including 85 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. It is manufactured with 55 percent renewable electricity, like wind and solar, across the supply chain. iPhone 17e is designed to be durable, repairable, and also offers industry-leading software support, while meeting Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. The paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and can be easily recycled.
Pricing and Availability
• iPhone 17e will be available in black, white, and soft pink in 256GB and 512GB storage capacities, starting at $599 (U.S.) or $24.95 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.
• Apple offers great ways to save and upgrade to the latest iPhone. With a carrier offer, customers can get up to $400 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 11, or up to $599 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 13 to put toward an iPhone 17e. With Apple Trade In, customers can get up to $100 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 11, or up to $195 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 13.
• There are also great offers available for customers without a device to trade in. Customers can take advantage of these offers by visiting the Apple Store online or an Apple Store location. For carrier offer eligibility requirements and more details, see apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/carrier-offers. To see what their device is worth and for Apple Trade In terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.
• Customers in more than 70 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S., will be able to pre-order iPhone 17e beginning at 6:15 a.m. PST this Wednesday, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
• Apple Intelligence is available in beta with support for these languages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Japanese, and Korean. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see support.apple.com/en-us/121115.
• iPhone 17e Silicone Case with MagSafe will be available in six colors — black, anchor blue, light moss, vanilla, bright guava, and soft pink — for $49 (U.S.) and is compatible with the Crossbody Strap. iPhone 17e Clear Case with MagSafe will also be available for $49 (U.S.).
• AppleCare delivers exceptional service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new iPhone, or in the U.S., AppleCare One to protect multiple products in one simple plan. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and 24/7 support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.
• iCloud+ plans start at just $0.99 (U.S.) per month, providing additional storage to keep photos, videos, files, and more safe in the cloud and accessible across devices. iCloud+ also gives access to premium features such as event creation in the Apple Invites app, as well as Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domains, and HomeKit Secure Video. With Family Sharing, users can share their subscription with five other family members at no extra cost. For more information, visit apple.com/icloud.
• Customers who purchase iPhone 17e may receive three free months of Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV with a new subscription. Offer and services availability varies by region. See apple.com/promo for details.
MacDailyNews Take: The addition of MagSafe (which the previous iPhone 16e should’ve offered) will be among the iPhone 17e’s biggest selling points.
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Apple unveils the powerful new M4 iPad Air
Apple on Monday announced the new iPad Air featuring M4 and more memory, giving users a big jump in performance at the same starting price. With a faster CPU and GPU, iPad Air boosts tasks like editing and gaming, and is a powerful device for AI with a faster Neural Engine, higher memory bandwidth, and 50 percent more unified system memory than the previous generation. With M4, iPad Air is up to 30 percent faster than iPad Air with M3, and up to 2.3x faster than iPad Air with M1. The new iPad Air also features the latest in Apple silicon connectivity chips, N1 and C1X, delivering fast wireless and cellular connections — and support for Wi-Fi 7 — that empower users to work and be creative anywhere. Available in two sizes and four gorgeous finishes that users love, the 11-inch iPad Air is super portable, and the 13-inch model provides an even larger display for those who want more space to multitask. With game-changing iPadOS 26 capabilities, advanced cameras, all-day battery life, a powerful app ecosystem, and support for accessories like Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, iPad Air delivers a remarkable and versatile experience for anyone who wants to do more on iPad, from students and creators, to business users and gamers.
With the same starting price of just $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model, the new iPad Air is an incredible value. And for education, the 11-inch iPad Air starts at $549, and the 13-inch model starts at $749. Customers can pre-order iPad Air starting Wednesday, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
“iPad Air gives users more ways than ever to be creative and productive, offering powerful performance and incredible versatility to help them turn their ideas into reality,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in a statement. “With its blazing performance thanks to M4, incredible AI capabilities, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, there’s never been a better time to choose or upgrade to iPad Air.”
Even More Performance with M4
M4 brings a significant boost in performance to the new iPad Air, empowering users to be productive and creative wherever they are — from aspiring creatives working with large files to travelers editing content on the go. Featuring an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU, iPad Air is up to 30 percent faster than iPad Air with M3 and up to 2.3x faster than iPad Air with M1. Users will notice the blazing speed of M4 in everything they do — with Apple Creator Studio, compositing photos in Pixelmator Pro or editing video in Final Cut Pro is quicker than ever. With the 9-core GPU of M4, iPad Air supports second-generation hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing for incredible graphics performance. M4 delivers over 4x faster 3D pro rendering with ray tracing performance compared to iPad Air with M1, offering more accurate lighting, reflections, and shadows for extremely realistic gaming experiences.
Users will notice the blazing speed of M4 in everything they do, from compositing photos in Pixelmator Pro to editing video in apps like Final Cut Pro.
Next-Level Power for AI
M4 is also powerful for AI, with faster memory bandwidth and an incredibly fast Neural Engine — benefiting everyone from college students transcribing lecture notes, to creators storyboarding a new project, to business users polishing emails. With the new iPad Air, unified memory jumps 50 percent, to 12GB, and memory bandwidth increases to 120GB/s, helping users run AI models faster. The 16-core Neural Engine is 3x faster than that of M1 and is perfect for everyday tasks that use on-device AI, like searching for subjects and texts in photos, or leveraging powerful AI features in apps like Goodnotes and Onform: Video Analysis App. The Neural Engine also powers capabilities in Apple Creator Studio apps, like removing the background of video footage with Scene Removal Mask in Final Cut Pro.
The faster Neural Engine is perfect for everyday tasks that use on-device AI, like leveraging powerful features in apps like Goodnotes.
N1 and C1X Come to iPad Air for Faster Connectivity
iPad Air features N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.3 N1 brings better performance when connected to 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, and improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. Cellular models of iPad Air also feature C1X, a cellular modem designed by Apple that offers up to 50 percent faster cellular data performance — and for active cellular users, C1X offers up to 30 percent less modem energy usage than iPad Air with M3.1 Cellular models of iPad Air allow users to enjoy GPS capabilities, so they can navigate with even more confidence. Users can also enjoy 5G cellular support, helping them stay connected for work or leisure all around the world.6 And with eSIM, users can quickly and securely add a new plan, connect and transfer existing cellular plans digitally, and stay in touch with family and friends regardless of Wi-Fi availability — ideal for business travelers, students on campus, and anyone working on the go.
The N1 wireless networking chip and C1X modem come to iPad Air for the first time, enabling faster connectivity.
iPadOS 26 Supercharges the iPad Experience
iPadOS 26 offers powerful features that help users handle creative and professional tasks with ease, pushing the capabilities of iPad even further.
• The beautiful new design is crafted with Liquid Glass, a translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings while reacting to users’ input, and dynamically transforming to bring greater focus to the content they care about most.
• An entirely new, powerful, and intuitive windowing system helps users control, organize, and switch between apps, all while maintaining the simplicity of iPad. And with a new menu bar, users can access the commands available in an app with a simple swipe down from the top of the display, or by moving their cursor to the top.
• Users can manage, access, and organize files with a supercharged Files app that features an updated List view and new folder customization options. With folders in the Dock, users can conveniently access downloads, documents, and more from anywhere. Additionally, they can set a default app for opening specific files or file types.
• The Preview app on iPad gives users a dedicated app for creating a quick sketch, as well as viewing, editing, and marking up PDFs and images with Apple Pencil or by touch.
• Taking advantage of Apple silicon, iPadOS 26 unlocks new capabilities for users with control over their audio input, the ability to capture high-quality recordings with local capture, and Background Tasks.
Advanced Accessories for iPad Air
From sketching ideas to getting work done, Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard unlock new levels of creativity and productivity on iPad Air.4 Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro offer users two incredible options. Apple Pencil (USB-C) is a great value for essential tasks like note taking and sketching, and Apple Pencil Pro delivers the ultimate experience, enabling users to take advantage of capabilities such as squeeze and barrel roll to bring their ideas to life in entirely new ways. Apple Pencil Pro also supports Find My, helping users locate it if misplaced.
Magic Keyboard for iPad Air provides an amazing typing experience and expands what users can do, with a built-in trackpad ideal for precision tasks like selecting text, and a 14-key function row that allows easy access to features like screen brightness and volume controls. It attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth; a machined aluminum hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging. Magic Keyboard for iPad Air has a magical floating design customers love, and comes in black and white.
Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard unlock new levels of creativity and productivity on iPad Air.
Ideal for iPad and iPad Air Upgraders
With game-changing improvements over iPad and earlier iPad Air models, there’s never been a better time to upgrade.
• Big performance gains: Upgraders will enjoy enhanced speed and responsiveness with 12GB of unified memory and 120GB/s of memory bandwidth, and will experience even more seamless windowing in iPadOS 26. Users coming from iPad Air with M1 will see up to 2.3x faster performance, with over 4x faster 3D pro rendering with ray tracing performance.
• Advanced Center Stage camera, mics, and speakers: Users coming from iPad Air with M1 will also enjoy a front 12MP Center Stage camera located along the landscape edge, as well as landscape stereo speakers. For upgraders coming from M1, the 13-inch model delivers even better sound quality, which is great for enjoying music and videos.
• Powerful Apple Intelligence capabilities: Built seamlessly into iPadOS with groundbreaking privacy, Apple Intelligence provides upgraders and new iPad users with intuitive features that make their experience even more helpful and powerful.
• Even more value: Users coming from previous-generation iPad Air models will get faster connectivity with N1 and C1X, and M1 upgraders will also get 128GB of starting storage. iPad Air with M4 has the same starting price at just $599 for the 11-inch model, and $799 for the 13-inch model.
iPad Air and the Environment
Apple 2030 is the company’s plan to be “carbon neutral” across its entire footprint by the end of this decade by reducing product emissions from their three biggest sources: materials, electricity, and transportation. iPad Air is made with 30 percent recycled content, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. It is manufactured with 40 percent renewable electricity, like wind and solar, across the supply chain. iPad Air is designed to be durable and repairable, and also offers industry-leading software support, while meeting Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. The paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and can be easily recycled.
Pricing and Availability
• Customers can pre-order the new iPad Air with M4 starting Wednesday, March 4, at apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 35 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, March 11.
• The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air with M4 will be available in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations.
• The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $749 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Air starts at $799 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $949 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
• With education savings, the 11-inch iPad Air starts at $549 (U.S.), and the 13-inch iPad Air starts at $749 (U.S.).
• Magic Keyboard, available in black and white, is compatible with the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air. The 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $269 (U.S.), and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $319 (U.S.). With education savings, the 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $249 (U.S.), and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $299 (U.S.).
• Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) are compatible with the new iPad Air. Apple Pencil Pro is available for $129 (U.S.), and $119 (U.S.) with education savings. Apple Pencil (USB-C) is available for $79 (U.S.), and $69 (U.S.) with education savings.
• AppleCare delivers exceptional service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new iPad, or in the U.S., AppleCare One to protect multiple products in one simple plan. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and 24/7 support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.
• Apple offers great ways to save on the latest iPad. Customers can trade in their current iPad and get credit toward a new one by visiting the Apple Store online, the Apple Store app, or an Apple Store location. To see what their device is worth, and for terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.
• Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all up front. More information — including details on eligibility, exclusions, and Apple Card terms — is available at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.
MacDailyNews Take: Expect crazy performance with eh new M4 iPad Air!
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Apple TV’s ‘The Studio’ is the most-awarded series at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards
On Sunday night, Apple scored three wins at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards, presented by SAG-AFTRA: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for “The Studio,” Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for Seth Rogen, and a posthumous Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series win for Catherine O’Hara.
“The Studio” also recently landed wins for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Comedy at the Producers Guild Awards; Best Contemporary Hair Styling and Best Contemporary Make-Up at the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards; Excellence in Contemporary Television at the Costume Designers Guild Awards; outstanding casting for a Television Pilot and First Season: Comedy at the Casting Society’s Artios Awards; Best Edited Single Camera Comedy Series at the American Cinema Editor (ACE) Eddie Awards; Best Half Hour Single-Camera Series at the Art Directors Guild (ADG) Awards; Best Music Supervision in a Television Comedy at the Guild of Music Supervisors Awards; and the award for Best Comedy Series at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) International Awards.
In addition to four Academy Award nominations — including Best Picture — Apple’s celebrated feature “F1” scored a win for Sound at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, alongside a Visual Effects Society win for Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in a Feature; an African American Film Critics Association Film Award win for Best Supporting Actor for Damson Idris; an Irish Film & Television Award win for Best Supporting Actress – Film for Kerry Condon; and Excellence in Sound for a Feature Film from the Association of Motion Picture Sound Awards.
“Severance” won Outstanding Original Score for a Television Production at the Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards; outstanding casting for a Television Series: Drama at the Casting Society’s Artios Awards; Best One Hour Contemporary Single-Camera Series at the ADG Awards; and Cinematography in a Television Drama for “Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig” at the British Society of Cinematographers Awards.
“Palm Royale” earned Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling and Best Period and/or Character Make-Up at the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards; Excellence in Period Television at the Costume Designers Guild Awards; and Best One Hour Period Single-Camera Series at the ADG Awards. “Slow Horses” won Best Returning Drama at the Broadcast Awards and Best Actor in a Series for lead Gary Oldman at the AACTA International Awards. “Smoke” landed Best Song Written and/or Recorded for Television at the Guild of Music Supervisors Awards. “Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age” landed wins at the Visual Effects Society Awards for Outstanding Visual Effects and Outstanding Effects Simulations, alongside a win at the Annie Awards for Best FX – TV/Media, while “Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical” also landed a win at the Annie Awards for Best Special Production.
“Mr. Scorsese” was honored with a win for Outstanding Directorial Achievement at the Directors Guild of America Awards, and “Number One on the Call Sheet” won NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Documentary (Television) and Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture).
To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 735 wins and 3,258 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award nominee “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
Apple has landed wins at recent award ceremonies, including:
Actor Awards, presented by SAG-AFTRA:
“The Studio”
• Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
• Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series — Seth Rogen
• Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series — Catherine O’Hara
BAFTA Film Awards:
“F1”
• Sound
Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards:
“The Studio”
• Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television — Comedy
Art Directors Guild (ADG) Awards:
“The Studio”
• Half Hour Single-Camera Series — “The Note”
“Severance”
• One Hour Contemporary Single-Camera Series — “Chikhai Bardo”
“Palm Royale”
• One Hour Period Single-Camera Series — “Maxine Drinks Martinis Now,” “Maxine Serves a Swerve”
Apple – Someday by Spike Jonze: “AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation”
• Short Format & Music Videos
Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards:
• “F1” — Modern Race and POV Footage
Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in a Feature
“Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age” — “The Big Freeze”
• Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode
• Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Episode, Commercial, Game Cinematic, or Real-Time Project
Costume Designers Guild (CDG) Awards:
“The Studio”
• Excellence in Contemporary Television
“Palm Royale”
• Excellence in Period Television
Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists (MUAHS) Guild Awards:
“The Studio”
• Best Contemporary Hair Styling
• Best Contemporary Make-Up
“Palm Royale”
• Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling
• Best Period and/or Character Make-Up
Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL) Awards:
“Severance”
• Outstanding Original Score for a Television Production
Casting Society of America (CSA) Artios Awards:
“The Studio”
• Television Pilot and First Season: Comedy
“Severance”
• Television Series: Drama
American Cinema Editors (ACE) Eddie Awards:
“The Studio”
• Best Edited Single Camera Comedy Series — “The Promotion”
Guild of Music Supervisors Awards:
“The Studio”
• Best Music Supervision in a Television Comedy
“Smoke”
• Best Song Written and/or Recorded for Television — “Dialing In”
Apple — “iPhone 17 Pro / The Ultimate Pro”
• Best Music Supervision in Advertising (Synch)
NAACP Image Awards:
“Number One on the Call Sheet”
• Outstanding Documentary, Television
• Outstanding Directing in a Documentary, Television or Motion Picture — Reginald Hudlin, Shola Lynch
African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Awards:
“F1”
• Best Supporting Actor, Film — Damson Idris
Annie Awards:
“Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical”
• Best Special Production
“Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age”
• Best FX – TV/Media
Irish Film & Television Academy Awards:
“F1”
• Actress in a Supporting Role, Film — Kerry Condon
British Society of Cinematographers Awards:
“Severance”
• Best Cinematography in a Television Drama (International/Streaming) — “Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig”
Association of Motion Picture Sound Awards:
“F1”
• Excellence in Sound for a Feature Film
Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) International Awards:
“The Studio”
• Best Comedy Series
“Slow Horses”
• Best Actor in a Series — Gary Oldman
All titles are currently streaming on Apple TV.
“The Studio”
In “The Studio,” Seth Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of embattled Continental Studios. As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films. With their power suits masking their never-ending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps and breathes movies, it’s the job Matt’s been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him.
“F1”
Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition — and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.
“Severance”
In “Severance,” Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure that surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in “work-life balance” is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work … and of himself. In season two, Mark and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe.
“Palm Royale”
“Palm Royale” is a true underdog story that follows Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig) as she endeavors to break into Palm Beach high society. As Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots, “Palm Royale” asks the same question that still baffles us today: “How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to get what someone else has?” Set during the powder keg year of 1969, “Palm Royale” is a testament to every outsider fighting for their chance to truly belong.
“Slow Horses”
This darkly funny espionage drama follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes. Led by their brilliant but irascible leader, the notorious Jackson Lamb (Academy Award winner Sir Gary Oldman), they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.
“Mr. Scorsese”
“Mr. Scorsese” is a film portrait of a man through the lens of his work, exploring the many facets of a visionary who redefined filmmaking, including his extraordinary career and unique personal history. With exclusive, unrestricted access to Martin Scorsese’s private archives, the documentary series is anchored by extensive conversations with the filmmaker himself and never-before-seen interviews with friends, family and creative collaborators including Robert De Niro, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Robbie Robertson, Thelma Schoonmaker, Steven Spielberg, Sharon Stone, Jodie Foster, Paul Schrader, Margot Robbie, Cate Blanchett, Jay Cocks and Rodrigo Prieto, along with his children, wife Helen Morris and close childhood friends. From acclaimed director Rebecca Miller, “Mr. Scorsese” examines how his own colorful life experiences informed his artistic vision as each film he made stunned the world with originality. Starting with his New York University student films and continuing to the present day, this documentary explores the themes that have fascinated Scorsese and informed his work, including the place of good and evil in the fundamental nature of humankind.
“Number One on the Call Sheet”
With unprecedented access and candid interviews, “Number One on the Call Sheet” takes us on an intimate journey with some of Hollywood’s most extraordinary leading black men and women as they shine a light on the joys and challenges of being a Black actor, share breakthrough moments, discuss blueprints for success and honor legends, while recognizing the next generation’s enormous potential.
“Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age”
Reconstructed with the latest scientific knowledge, “Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age” combines current science with cinematic visuals to showcase the intelligence and complex social behaviors of the Pleistocene’s iconic species. This season will explore vast tundras, deserts, expanding grasslands and melting permafrost as these creatures struggle for survival amid extreme climates, the beginning of “The Big Freeze” and eventually, “The Big Melt.”
“Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age” continues the storytelling journey of Apple TV’s acclaimed, Emmy Award-nominated natural history series “Prehistoric Planet,” which transported audiences 66 million years into the past to witness the age of dinosaurs across two celebrated seasons. Blending cinematic storytelling with photorealistic visual effects, the series brings ancient worlds to life, offering a firsthand look at some of the most extraordinary creatures ever to walk the Earth.
“Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical”
“Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical” is a musical special about the joy and magic of summer camp and the importance of preserving what you love. Charlie Brown loves camp and is determined to make his final year special, but Sally, a first-time camper, is nervous and skeptical of the new and unfamiliar place. While everyone settles into camp, Snoopy and Woodstock discover a treasure map that takes them on a wild adventure nearby.
“Smoke”
Inspired by true events, “Smoke” follows an arson investigator who begrudgingly teams up with a police detective as their race to stop two arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions.
Apple TV offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut.
MacDailyNews Take: Congratulations to all of the casts and crews of the winning productions!
Kudos to Apple TV, Seth Rogen et al. for gaming the system so proficiently. If “make us an awards magnet” was the assignment, Seth Rogen understood it and aced the test.
“The Studio” is custom-made to win awards. There’s nothing more that Hollywood loves than itself. “The Studio” should rack up awards for as many seasons as it lasts. – MacDailyNews, September 15, 2025
There are myriad examples of movies and TV shows about the business of making movies/TV shows that reaped industry praise and awards — i.e., Hollywood celebrating and congratulating itself (and, yes, some of the following deserved to be recognized):
Movies:
• Sunset Boulevard (1950)
• Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
• The Player (1992)
• The Artist (2011)
• Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
• Argo (2012)
• La La Land (2016)
• Babylon (2022)
TV:
• The Larry Sanders Show (1992–1998)
• Entourage (2004–2011)
• 30 Rock (2006–2013)
• Episodes (2011–2017)
• The Studio (2025–)
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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