Tech Talk

Apple this week expanded its lineup of Apple silicon chips with the new M2 Pro and M2 Max processors , building on the M2 chip announced in June. The new lineup of ‌M2‌ chips represents the second generation of Apple silicon that can now now be found in the latest Macs. The ‌M2‌ Pro and ‌M2‌ Max are noteworthy upgrades over the M1 Pro and M1 Max , bringing more performance, battery life, and capabilities to professional users. Below, we've listed five of the most important details you need to know about Apple's latest Mac chips. A Lot of Memory Bandwidth : The new ‌M2‌ Pro and ‌M2‌ Max chips feature the same memory bandwidth as their respective predecessor, which is some of the highest in the industry. Like the ‌M1 Pro‌, the ‌M2‌ Pro chip supports up to 200GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the ‌M2‌ Max supports 400GB/s of memory bandwidth like the ‌M1 Max‌. Even Longer Battery Life : The ‌‌M1 Pro‌‌ and ‌‌M1 Max‌‌ have two high-efficiency cores, whereas the ‌‌M2‌‌ Pro an

Apple today announced an updated Mac mini powered by the new M2 and the all-new ‌M2‌ Pro chip, offering faster performance in the same design as the previous generation but starting at a lower price of $599. Apple announced the ‌M2‌ chip in June at WWDC, building on the performance of the M1 processor from November 2020. Apple today expanded the ‌M2‌ lineup with the new ‌M2‌ Pro and ‌M2‌ Max chips. The updated ‌Mac mini‌ comes with ‌M2‌ and ‌M2‌ Pro chips, which according to Apple, offer significantly faster performance than the previous generation. M2 Pro brings pro-level performance to Mac mini for the first time. Featuring up to a 12-core CPU with eight high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, along with up to a 19-core GPU, M2 Pro has 200GB/s of memory bandwidth — double the amount in M2 — and supports up to 32GB of memory. The next-generation Neural Engine is 40 percent faster than M1, speeding up ML tasks like video analysis and image processing. Designed to

Apple today announced the next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, up to 96GB of unified memory, support for 8K displays via HDMI, Wi-Fi 6E, and more. The new M2 Pro chip features a 10-core or 12-core CPU and offers up to 20% faster performance than the M1 Pro chip, according to Apple. The chip also has up to a 19-core GPU that delivers up to 30% more graphics performance, while the Neural Engine is 40% faster. The higher-end M2 Max chip has an improved 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores and delivers up to 20% faster performance than the M1 Max chip, and it has up to a 38-core GPU, according to Apple. Customers can order the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro starting today, with availability beginning Tuesday, January 24. Pricing starts at $1,999 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro and at $2,499 for the 16-inch MacBook Pro. More details to follow… Related Roundup: 14 & 16" MacBook Pro

Apple today announced the M2 Pro and ‌M2‌ Max chips alongside new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models. The ‌M2‌ Pro chip is built using a second-generation five-nanometer process and offers 20 percent more transistors than the M1 Pro and double the amount in the ‌M2‌ chip. Multithreaded CPU performance is up to 20 percent faster than that of the ‌M1 Pro‌, and Apple says some apps like Photoshop and Xcode can run heavy workloads substantially faster. It also offers 200GB/s of unified memory bandwidth and up to 32GB of memory like its predecessor. The ‌M2‌ Pro's GPU can be configured with up to 19 graphics cores – three more than in the ‌M1 Pro‌ – and it includes a larger L2 cache. As a result, graphics are up to 30 percent faster than with ‌M1 Pro‌. The ‌M2‌ Max chip features the same 12-core CPU as the ‌M2‌ Pro, but offers a more powerful GPU with up to 38 cores and a larger L2 cache. The chip offers graphics speeds up to 30 percent faster than the M1 Max . ‌M2‌ Max contains

Apple's online business-to-business store has gone down as rumors swirl about a new product announcement from the company later today via press release. Apple's main consumer-facing online store remains functional as of writing. Based on a rumor that Apple has a product announcement planned for today , and the discovery of an unreleased MacBook Pro in a Canadian regulatory database yesterday, new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips might finally be imminent. An updated Mac mini with M2 chips has also long been rumored. Apple's exact announcement(s) if any remains to be seen, and topic might end up being something unrelated to new Macs. In addition to M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, the new MacBook Pros are rumored to feature Wi-Fi 6E and faster RAM , but no other major changes are expected. Apple completely redesigned the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in October 2021, and it's common for the same design to be used for multiple generat

Google is working on its own location tracking tag to compete with Apple AirTags and Tile trackers, according to developer and leaker Kuba Wojciechowski (via The Verge ). The developer claims to have discovered references to the upcoming first-party tags in Google's Fast Pair method for quickly pairing nearby Bluetooth devices. The device is said to be codenamed "Grogu," after the baby Yoda character from "The Mandalorian" Star Wars series, and is being developed by the Google Nest team. Wojciechowski believes the tracker could be released in multiple color options and include an onboard speaker to help users locate a missing device by sound, similar to Apple's ‌AirTags‌. Like ‌AirTags‌ and iPhone 11 and newer models, Google's Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones both support Ultra Wideband, and Wojciechowski claims the trackers could support the wireless protocol in addition to Bluetooth LE to provide users with precise directions to a lost

The iPhone 15 Pro Max will be the sole Apple smartphone of 2023 to get a periscope camera lens and benefit from greatly enhanced optical zoom, with the hardware only set to become a feature of both Pro models next year, claims a new Korean report. According to The Elec , Apple intends a "Folded Zoom" periscope telephoto lens to be an exclusive feature in the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year, corroborating a report by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo has previously said the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be only model in the iPhone 15 series to get a periscope camera lens, a prediction that analyst Jeff Pu has also made . The Korean report claims Apple will then make the periscope lens system a feature of both iPhone 16 Pro models in 2024. In a periscope system, light entering the telephoto lens is reflected by an angled mirror towards the camera's image sensor. The change in direction in which the light travels allows for a longer "folded" telephoto setup inside phones,

Four months after launch, iOS 16 users continue to report experiencing a plethora of bugs, ranging from slow keyboard pop-ups, random rebooting, UI glitches, camera freezes, and more. Apple released ‌iOS 16‌ in September and has since released multiple follow-up updates to address bugs and security patches. The most recent update for the operating system is iOS 16.2, released on December 13. iOS 16.2 brought a new Freeform app, new always-on display options for the iPhone 14 Pro , new lock screen widgets, 5G support for India, and more. Along with the latest features, the update also brought many bugs and system glitches, according to user reports. Across Twitter, Reddit ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ), the MacRumors forum ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ), and Apple Support , users say they're experiencing an unusual amount of bugs and poor system performance following the most recent ‌iOS 16‌ update. According to users, the issues are wide-ranging, including Spotlight search glitches, the keybo

Get help, even if you’re off the grid. One of the new features that arrived alongside the iPhone 14 handsets in September 2022 was a feature that Apple calls “Emergency SOS via satellite”—and the name tells you pretty much all you need to know. Apple says it's intended for “exceptional circumstances when no other means of reaching the emergency services are available.” When you're in trouble and you can't get a Wi-Fi signal or a lock on a cell tower, your iPhone 14 will make contact with a satellite and send out your plea for help that way. Be warned, though, this isn't a backup internet connection for personal use. The satellite connection is slow and limited, and it's really only suitable for transmitting key information about your situation: where you are, what condition you're in, and what you need help with. To use the Emergency SOS via satellite function, you need an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple hasn'

Night mode remains one of the iPhone’s most impressive camera system features, despite recent concerns about how unnatural post-processing can make photos look. We recently asked the 9to5Mac community on  Twitter  to reply with their best nighttime shots; below are some of the most awe-inspiring replies. Read on to see how you can use Night mode and the best photos I’ve seen with it. You may not have even noticed your iPhone has a dedicated Night mode. Unlike other Camera app modes, you don’t need to swipe or toggle between a Night mode photo and a normal one. Night mode turns on and adjusts automatically when it senses a low-light environment. When enabled, it vastly improves photos by increasing the exposure time of your iPhone’s camera. The result can be some pretty incredible low-light shots. How to use Night mode Note: Night mode is available on all iPhone 11 models and newer, as well as iPad Pro. Since you can’t manually turn on Night mode for any setting, you’

  I can’t put down the Meta Quest Pro. Ever since I first slipped the headset on to test it out I’ve been blown away by its performance, and my Quest 2 – once the best among the gadgets I own – now sits gathering dust as I ignore it in favor of this new champion of VR. Yet even as I sit here, impatient and longing for the Quest Pro on its charging station, I know the real truth of the situation: I’m not in love with the Meta Quest Pro. I’m in love with the Oculus Quest 3 hiding inside of it. The Meta Quest Pro is an ultra-premium upgrade of Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 . The old white-plastic-clad front-heavy design has been swapped out for a sleek black shell with better weight distribution and padding for extra comfort. Internally, the Quest Pro also boasts improved specs with its all-new Snapdragon XR2 Plus chip, which offers a 50% boost in sustained power over the Quest 2’s regular XR2, and a pair of Mini-LED display panels. Each screen offers 1800 x 1920 pixels per eye and provides 37% m

We certainly haven't been short of Samsung Galaxy S23 leaks in recent weeks, and now high-resolution images of the phone series – which look to be Samsung's own official renders of the handsets – have made their way online. These pictures come via well-known tipster Evan Blass (via SamMobile ), and mean that we've got a very good idea of what to expect when these devices are finally unveiled and shown off to the world properly. The grand unveiling is going to be on February 1 , which is a Wednesday. The Unpacked launch event that Samsung is holding will be primarily for the Galaxy S23 series, though Samsung could always surprise us with some additional hardware too.   (Imag(Ima

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are excellent phones, but no phone is totally immune to the occasional bug, and one that’s recently struck these handsets is causing horizontal lines to flash across the screen when they're being powered on or unlocked. This falls under the category of annoying rather than anything more serious, but it’s still not something you want to see on an expensive new phone, and – as spotted by MacRumors – it’s something a lot of people are reportedly experiencing. But it’s also something that should soon be fixed. In a memo from Apple and seen by MacRumors , the company acknowledges the bug and says that "Apple is aware of the issue and a software update is coming soon that will resolve the issue." (Image credit: MacRumors / Infernoqt / u/1LastOutlaw) So it’s hopefully not something you should have to put up with for long if you are a victim, and as it’s a software issue, rather than a hardware fault; a simple software update

AMD has issued a new update to resolve a firmware bug that caused performance issues for the new Ryzen 5 7600X CPU. The dodgy firmware - which we recently reported on - was causing some 7600X chips to underperform or simply not boot at all, with the new update being pushed out in record time by AMD to fix the issue. To keep things succinct, the previous AGESA ComboAM5PI 1.0.0.4 firmware was only affecting 7600X CPUs with two CCDs (also called chiplets). The 7600X doesn’t actually rely on AMD’s new dual chiplet design employed by more powerful CPUs in the Ryzen 7000 range such as the Ryzen 9 7950X , but we can reasonably assume that some 7600X units are in fact rejected dual-chiplet silicon that could be shipped with one CCD disabled. The iffy firmware was reportedly trying to boot the CPU off this disabled chiplet, resulting in some 7600X processors refusing to post at all. We commend AMD’s speedy work in sorting out this issue, as it will have proved frustrating for many users wh

Our mission is simple:  to be  the  source of professional-grade tech buying advice, offering everything you need to buy and maximize the tech you and your business rely on. We take great satisfaction in our impartiality and meticulous review-testing procedure, examining the products we choose in great depth. We keep our reviews current and well maintained if the product in question is still available. We have assembled an international team comprised of the best technology journalists on the planet, who approach their work not merely as industry experts, but also as individuals who use these technologies in their professional lives as gig operators, freelancers, side hustlers, and leaders in both large and small businesses. The professional is always kept in mind during our testing process. Our editorial independence is backed by the weight of the world's largest technology publisher, Future Publishing , which means we can tell you what we think of a product without fear or fa

Apple’s rumored MacBook Pros with the M2 Pro and Max chips have suffered another delay going by the latest from the rumor mill. According to a report from DigiTimes , highlighted by Tom’s Hardware , these MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models have been “delayed once again” (if you recall, these refreshes were originally expected to debut at the end of 2022 ). More recent rumors claimed we could see the laptops in Q1 of this year, but now DigiTimes is saying that they won’t be out early in 2023. Of course, as ever with the grapevine, we need to be very cautious about accepting this at face value. What we aren’t told is when the MacBook Pros will actually arrive, but we can tap another source for further info here. Mark Gurman has just said (in his newsletter) that the revamped MacBook Pros are set to arrive in the first half of 2023, where previously the well-known leaker was asserting a possible Q1 launch date. That would seem to suggest that the launch has been pushed to Q2 2023

In their first year of existence, a third of apps (32%) carry security flaws, and by the age of five, this number grows to more than two-thirds (70%), new research has found.  A new report from Veracode found businesses need to scan for flaws early, often, and in various ways, in order to minimize the chances of severe issues down the road. The company analyzed more than three-quarters of a million applications across commercial software suppliers, software outsourcers, and open-source projects,  finding that after the initial introduction of flaws, the apps usually enter a “honeymoon period” of stability - almost 80% don’t introduce any new flaws for the first year and a half.  Costly mistakes After that, some devs start getting sloppy again, with the number of new flaws being introduced to the code climbing to roughly 35% after five years. Ignoring to address security flaws early could result in huge costs down the road, Veracode says, citing recent reports that claim an averag

Getting yourself one of the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessories is an ideal way to step up your experience when on the go. Microsoft's premiere cloud gaming option works effortlessly with both iOS and Android devices, so if you want to make the most of the gaming potential out of your handset then you're in the right place. We've rounded up all the latest and greatest clips and controllers for your convenience. Whether you're rocking one of the best gaming phones or just one of the best phones in general, you're sure to be satisfied with our top picks for the best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessories. There are more options than ever when it comes to gamepads and grips for more traditional controllers as well. If you're someone who wants to take the best of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate wherever you are you'll be right at home with these budget and premium offerings.  We think highly of the Xbox Series X and if you're wanting to know how to maximi

Windows 11 just got a couple of sizeable new additions with its latest patch, although these flew under the radar, as they’re hidden and need to be enabled using a special configuration tool. Neowin flagged up that PhantomOcean3, an avid Windows tester and leaker on Twitter, posted about the hidden search features that come with Windows 11’s KB5022303 patch (which has just been deployed for January). Shouldn't be surprising, but you can enable new taskbar search and even the unannounced new start menu search in .1105 with ViVeTool. That doesn't mean you should, but you can :)IDs: 40887771 for new taskbar search, 38937525 for new start search.You'll also need 39281392 pic.twitter.com/dFjUH7uOqz January 10, 2023 See more They consist of a search bar along the top of the Start menu , and a search box for the taskbar (Windows 10 style, as seen in Windows 11 preview builds already). With the search box for the taskbar , not only can you enable this, but there are a