All posts tagged: Mark Gurman

iPad Air Stock Running Low Ahead of New Model Introduction

iPad Air Stock Running Low Ahead of New Model Introduction

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Retail stock of the current iPad Air is starting to dwindle ahead of the widely anticipated arrival of new models early next month, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reports. Citing sources at multiple retail stores in the latest “Power On” newsletter, Gurman said that inventory levels of the ‌iPad Air‌ are diminishing in Apple stores, a typical indicator that new versions are soon to be released. Unlike the ‌iPad Air‌, the iPad Pro apparently remains abundantly available, which suggests that Apple might be planning to sell through its current stock even after introducing an upgraded model. Historically, Apple has managed its inventory to align with the release cycles of its products, reducing shipments of older units to make room for the latest offerings. Expected changes coming to the next-generation ‌iPad Air‌ include the more powerful M2 chip and an additional 12.9-inch display size option, while the ‌iPad Pro‌ is rumored to receive OLED display technology, the M3 chip, and new accessories. The refreshed ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ models are now expected to be announced during the …

Gurman: Apple Working on On-Device LLM for Generative AI Features

Gurman: Apple Working on On-Device LLM for Generative AI Features

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Apple is developing its own large language model (LLM) that runs on-device to prioritize speed and privacy, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reports. Writing in his “Power On” newsletter, Gurman said that Apple’s LLM underpins upcoming generative AI features. “All indications” apparently suggests that it will run entirely on-device, rather than via the cloud like most existing AI services. Since they will run on-device, Apple’s AI tools may be less capable in certain instances than its direct cloud-based rivals, but Gurman suggested that the company could “fill in the gaps” by licensing technology from Google and other AI service providers. Last month, Gurman reported that Apple was in discussions with Google to integrate its Gemini AI engine into the iPhone as part of iOS 18. The main advantages of on-device processing will be quicker response times and superior privacy compared to cloud-based solutions. Apple’s marketing strategy for its AI technology will apparently be based around how it can be useful to users’ daily lives, rather than its power. Apple’s broader AI strategy is expected to be revealed …

Apple Likely Planning to Skip M3 Mac Mini for M4 Refresh in Late 2024

Apple Likely Planning to Skip M3 Mac Mini for M4 Refresh in Late 2024

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Apple is likely to skip an M3 version of the Mac mini in favor of a bigger update with M4 chips toward the end of the year, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his “Power On” newsletter, Gurman explained that he does not expect Apple to refresh the ‌Mac mini‌ with M3 chips. Apple last updated the ‌Mac mini‌ with the M2 and ‌M2‌ Pro chips in January 2023. Other new features included two extra Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI 2.1 port for ‌M2‌ Pro configurations, Wi-Fi 6E support with a compatible router, and Bluetooth 5.3. Gurman previously said that Apple is planning to release new ‌Mac mini‌ models with M4 and M4 Pro chips “between the end of 2024 and early 2025.” Now, he has clarified that with new Mac minis arriving as soon as the end of the year, there is not sufficient “room for M3 models to come out before then, so it’s probably safe to say that those Mac desktops will skip the M3 generation.” Such …

M4 Macs Are Expected to Launch in This Order Starting Later This Year

M4 Macs Are Expected to Launch in This Order Starting Later This Year

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Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman recently reported that the first Macs with M4 series chips will be released later this year, with more models to follow next year. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman shared a more specific roadmap for these Macs. Here is the order in which Gurman expects the Macs to launch: 1. A low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4, coming around the end of 2024.2. A 24-inch iMac with the M4, also expected around the end of the year.3. New 14-inch and 16-inch high-end MacBook Pros with M4 Pro/Max chips, due between the end of 2024 and early 2025.4. A Mac mini in both M4 and M4 Pro configurations, coming between the end of 2024 and early 2025.5. New 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs, slated for around spring 2025.6. A Mac Studio with a high-end M4 chip, coming around the middle of 2025.7. A Mac Pro with an M4 Ultra chip, due in the second half of 2025. Gurman reiterated that Apple has internally tested an M3 Ultra chip, which would be …

Apple’s First AI Features in iOS 18 Reportedly Won’t Use Cloud Servers

Apple’s First AI Features in iOS 18 Reportedly Won’t Use Cloud Servers

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Apple’s first set of new AI features planned for iOS 18 will not rely on cloud servers at all, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. “As the world awaits Apple’s big AI unveiling on June 10, it looks like the initial wave of features will work entirely on device,” said Gurman, in the Q&A section of his Power On newsletter today. “That means there’s no cloud processing component to the company’s large language model, the software that powers the new capabilities.” Apple will probably still offer some cloud-based AI features powered by Google’s Gemini or another provider, according to Gurman. Apple has reportedly held discussions with companies such as Google, OpenAI, and China’s Baidu about potential generative AI partnerships. iOS 18 is not expected to include Apple’s own ChatGPT-like chatbot, but it is unclear if Gemini or other chatbot will be directly integrated into iOS 18. It is possible that Apple could offer some of its own cloud-based generative AI features in the future, as Apple supply chain analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu have …

Macs to Get AI-Focused M4 Chips Starting in Late 2024

Macs to Get AI-Focused M4 Chips Starting in Late 2024

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Apple will begin updating its Mac lineup with M4 chips in late 2024, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. The M4 chip will be focused on improving performance for artificial intelligence capabilities. Last year, Apple introduced the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips all at once in October, so it’s possible we could see the M4 lineup come during the same time frame. Gurman says that the entire Mac lineup is slated to get the M4 across late 2024 and early 2025. The iMac, low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, high-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini machines will be updated with M4 chips first, followed by the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models in spring 2025, the Mac Studio in mid-2025, and the Mac Pro later in 2025. Apple is said to be nearing production of the M4 processor, and it is expected to come in at least three main varieties. Chips are codenamed Donan for the low-end, Brava for the mid-tier, and Hidra for the top-end. The Donan chip will be used …

Apple Exploring ‘Mobile Robot’ That ‘Follows Users Around Their Homes’

Apple Exploring ‘Mobile Robot’ That ‘Follows Users Around Their Homes’

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Apple is exploring various “personal robotics” projects in an effort to create its “next big thing,” according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. One project is said to be a “mobile robot” that would “follow users around their homes,” while another is an “advanced table-top home device that uses robotics to move a display around”: Engineers at Apple have been exploring a mobile robot that can follow users around their homes, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the skunk-works project is private. The iPhone maker also has developed an advanced table-top home device that uses robotics to move a display around, they said. The report says the robotics research is being handled by Apple’s hardware engineering division, along with its AI and machine learning team. The projects are said to be in the very early stages of research, and it is unclear if any will ever be released. Apple is investigating the use of artificial intelligence algorithms that would help robots “navigate cluttered spaces within people’s homes,” according to Gurman. He said Apple …

iOS 18 Reportedly Won’t Feature Apple’s Own ChatGPT-Like Chatbot

iOS 18 Reportedly Won’t Feature Apple’s Own ChatGPT-Like Chatbot

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Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman today reported that Apple is not planning to debut its own generative AI chatbot with its next major software updates, including iOS 18 for the iPhone. Instead, he reiterated that Apple has held discussions with companies such as Google, OpenAI, and Baidu about potential generative AI partnerships. Recent reports indicated that Apple has considered licensing existing chatbots, such as Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, but Apple offering its own chatbot of some kind on iOS 18 had not been explicitly ruled out until now. Gurman still expects AI to be a major focus at Apple’s just-announced WWDC 2024 developers conference. He reiterated that Apple plans to announce new AI features that “assist users in their daily lives,” but he did not provide any specific details. He has previously reported that generative AI will improve Siri’s ability to answer more complex questions, and allow the Messages app to auto-complete sentences. Other apps like Apple Music, Shortcuts, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are also expected to gain generative AI functionality. Apple already promised that the …

Apple Readying In-Box iPhone Software Update System for Retail Stores

Apple Readying In-Box iPhone Software Update System for Retail Stores

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Apple is set to roll out a new system that allows retail store staff to wirelessly update the software on iPhones prior to sale, without having to take them out of their packaging. Writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman said the new proprietary system, called “Presto,” relies on MagSafe and other wireless technologies, and “looks a bit like a metal cubby for shoes.” It will begin rolling out widely across the U.S. in April, with Apple’s intention to have the technology in all U.S. retail stores by early summer, he added. Gurman first reported on the wireless system in October, describing it as a “proprietary pad-like device” on which retail store staff can place a sealed ‌iPhone‌ box. The system wirelessly turns on the iPhone inside, updates its software to the latest version available, and then powers it off. Apple developed “Presto” as a way to avoid selling iPhones in retail stores with outdated software. For example, the iPhone 15 series shipped with iOS 17, but Apple subsequently …

iOS 18 Rumored to Feature ‘More Customizable’ Home Screen

iOS 18 Rumored to Feature ‘More Customizable’ Home Screen

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Popular Stories Apple Releases iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 With Bug Fixes and Security Improvements Apple today released iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1, minor updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems. The new software comes a couple of weeks after Apple released iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 with app changes in the European Union, new emoji, and more. iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software… Seven Reasons to Wait for Next Year’s iPhone 17 Apple’s iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple’s 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip… Gurman: No iPad Announcement Planned for March 26 Earlier this week, leaker “Instant Digital” on Chinese blogging site …