Kicking off its MacBook Pro event, Apple on Monday unveiled a new plan for its Apple Music subscription service. It's called the Voice Plan and it costs just $4.99—half the price of the current option.
Apple announces new voice-only Apple Music plan
Apple
Intel’s pipe dream: Building a better chip than Apple to convince Tim Cook to switch back
Apple is nuking Intel chips in Macs out of orbit, and the chipmaker is obviously unhappy about it. But according to Intel's optimistic CEO, the company will try to win back Apple's business.
Apple has reportedly held internal discussions about launching a cloud gaming service
Technically speaking, after plenty of attention and pressure put on Apple, the company does allow for cloud-based streaming services to be used on its devices. However, it's not via the App Store, and it's not with an app via the App Store. Instead, services like Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming, Google's Stadia, and Amazon's Luna are accessible via Safari. But it sounds like Apple's considered something else for its own service.
New MacBook Pros expected to swap the Touch Bar for full-size function keys
Apple will reportedly refresh its MacBook Pro notebook line with full-size function keys in place of the Touch Bar, a feature providing dynamic app shortcuts that no one uses.
The notch could be also be coming to the next MacBook Air
Will there be a MacBook Air with a notch? According to a source, the next MacBook Air coming in 2022 will indeed feature a notched display for a more seamless look.
Does the MacBook need a touchscreen?
One of the things Apple executives have been pretty consistent about, even as macOS and iOS blur some lines with each new iteration, is the idea that the company is not trying to merge the two platforms. Meaning, a Mac is going to remain a Mac, and the iPad will continue to be whatever iPadOS defines it as. Of course, that could very well change down the road, but, for now, it appears Apple doesn't have any plans to change that.
The best AirPods Max cases you can buy right now
The AirPods Max are a great set of headphones. They have a solid build, outstanding sound quality, and so much more. So of course they are expensive. For that cost, you get all of that — and a pretty flimsy “case,” too. Apple has its reasons for opting for the case that doesn’t do much in the way of protecting the headphones, but, luckily, there are alternatives.
Apple TV+ series ‘Wool’ adds Common to cast alongside Rebecca Ferguson
Earlier this year, we heard about a major new series heading to Apple TV+ called Wool. The show is set to star Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, Mission: Impossible Fallout) in the lead role. And while we're still missing a premiere date, we at least know one more face joining the cast today.
Apple doesn’t appear ready to budge in South Korea regarding required App Store changes
Earlier this year, the South Korean government enacted the Telecommunications Business Act. With it, the legislative body ruled that companies designated as having market dominance must allow for alternative payment options beyond first-party ones. Unsurprisingly, despite Google being a primary focus for the new law, Apple has picked up the majority of attention due to its own rules for the App Store.
Redesigned MacBook Pro models rumored to feature a notch
On Monday, October 18, Apple is going to host its "Unleashed" event. While Apple isn't going out of its way to tell us what they will announce next week right now, the rumor mill has been trying to help with that. Which is why the expectation right now is that we'll see at least two new MacBook Pro models unveiled.
Apple Music appears to be coming soon to Sony’s PlayStation 5
Apple remains the same company in the grand scheme of things, focusing almost entirely on its first-party ecosystem above all else. However, with some aspects of the business there is some branching out. For instance, Apple Music is not just an Apple-only experience, with a popular enough Android app out there in the world as well. And it looks like it’s coming soon to another platform as well.
Apple aims to boost HomePod efforts with new Audio Software Lead
While the HomePod mini appears to be doing all right, all things considered, Apple is still missing a huge chunk of the smart speaker market. Meanwhile, Google and Amazon have capitalized. But it looks like Apple's not quite ready to go quietly into that good night (yet).