Apple today announced M5, delivering the next big leap in AI performance and advances to nearly every aspect of the chip. Built using third-generation 3-nanometer technology, M5 introduces a next-generation 10-core GPU architecture with a Neural Accelerator in each core, enabling GPU-based AI workloads to run dramatically faster, with over 4x the peak GPU compute performance compared to M4.1 The GPU also offers enhanced graphics capabilities and third-generation ray tracing that combined deliver a graphics performance that is up to 45 percent higher than M4.1 M5 features the world’s fastest performance core, with up to a 10-core CPU made up of six efficiency cores and up to four performance cores.2 Together, they deliver up to 15 percent faster multithreaded performance over M4.1 M5 also features an improved 16-core Neural Engine, a powerful media engine, and a nearly 30 percent increase in unified memory bandwidth to 153GB/s.1 M5 brings its industry-leading power-efficient performance to the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro, allowing each device to excel in its own way. All are available for pre-order today.
Category: Apple
Apple Renames Apple TV+ to Apple TV
As pointed out by Eric Slivka, Apple snuck in a little product news in its press release about F1: The Movie being available for streaming in December:
Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity.
At this point, none of that vibrant new identity is live, but it’ll be fun to see it as it rolls out.
iPhone Heir to the Throne
Picking an iPhone used to be easy.
For years, the only real option was what color you wanted, at least for some models. Then came the iPhone 6 and superior-yet-a-little-bendy 6 Plus, which made things a little more complicated.
A few years later, things started getting weird. In rapid succession, we saw the 8 and X, then the XR and XS and XS Max, then the 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max.
Starting with the iPhone 12, Apple introduced four new iPhones each year: two regular iPhones and two Pro iPhones. The iPhone mini came and went, with the Plus replacing it.
Nick Heer, on Liquid Glass⇢
Nick’s long column on Apple’s new design language is probably the best thing I’ve read on the subject. This line about the glass material switching from light to dark as content scrolls behind it really jumped out at me:
It is Apple’s clever solution to a problem Apple created.
I like a lot about Liquid Glass, but there’s no arguing that there are issues that still need work, and I think Nick is pretty fair about what those are.
The A19 Pro⇢
Jason Snell, writing at Six Colors:
One of the first things I did when I got the new iPhones into Six Colors global HQ was to get the iPhone 17 Pro Max up and running and run Geekbench 6. (I know there are a lot of Geekbench scores out there, but I like to run my own, just because.) Because I’m curious about the pace of Apple silicon innovation.
The A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro is presumably using the next generation of CPU and GPU cores that will also appear later this year or early next year in the M5 processor, as well. So it’s not just a view into how the chips have progressed for the iPhone, but also an indication about where gains will be made in the next generation of Macs.
Jason’s Tahoe Review⇢
macOS 26 Tahoe is two things at once: It’s the broadest and most productivity-focused update for macOS in years, while also taking collateral damage from Apple’s broader design ambitions on its other platforms.
It features the biggest update to Spotlight ever, including direct access to app actions and Apple’s first-ever built-in clipboard manager. Shortcuts adds deep automation support and direct access to AI models, changing the game for many aspects of Mac automation productivity. These are features that will delight Mac users and help them work better.
Federico’s iOS 26 Review⇢
Ticci is back with a comprehensive look at iOS and iPadOS 26:
There was a lot riding on Apple’s software strategy in 2025. Now that we’re entering the final phase of the Apple product launch year, I believe that, in hindsight, their three key moves from the first half of 2025 are – at least from a marketing perspective – the best approach they could have followed.
First, the new AI Siri features were officially delayed to “the coming year”, and at WWDC, executives explained why they needed more time than anticipated to get them right. Then, Apple unveiled a new design language that – to varying degrees of success – unifies its user interfaces across platforms. Finally, the company embraced the iPad’s modular nature with a complete reimagining of the device’s software in iPadOS 26, borrowing from the decades-long traditions of macOS to bring new windowing and multitasking features to the tablet. You have to hand it to Apple PR: that’s a pretty effective marketing strategy to, once again, steer the public conversation and attention to a place that’s more comfortable for Apple.
With Its New iPhones, Apple is Returning to Its Strengths
It’s wild that we’ve been watching iPhone events for nearly two decades now, but it’s true, and over that time, things have fallen into a predictable pattern:
- Rumors about features and designs start to leak
- Parts photos show up online
- Invites go out
- Apple announces something that a lot of folks have already seen
That was certainly true this time, and yet I was more excited going into this iPhone event than I have been in the last few years. That excitement remains after the event, and it’s because Apple played to its strengths in a way that it hasn’t in a while.
Building a Rack-Mounted Macintosh Plus⇢
Identity 4 has had a Macintosh Plus for years, but was unhappy with its bulk and heat generation, so they did something wild:
I ought to make a rack-mounted version of this computer so it can fit cleanly in my studio rack cabinets along with all my other conveniently packaged gear. I will even give it a sleek look and a clever name, something like Racintosh Plus… Hahaha yeah that’s pretty funny.
Joz and Ternus Discuss the iPhone Air⇢
Come for some interesting tidbits, stay for Joz throwing the phone across the studio and two guys trying to bend it:
The Best iPhone Lineup in Years⇢
Myke Hurley, writing at The Enthusiast:
After yesterday’s Apple event, I came away feeling this may have been one of the most solid overall lineups in a very long time. Each of the models has a compelling set of features, and I think this is a strong upgrade year — even if you’re coming from the iPhone 16 generation. So I wanted to make the case for each, to highlight why I think this year is so strong.
The OS Class of 26 Arrives September 15⇢
If you’re buying one of the new iPhones or the other hardware that Apple announced today, your new devices will ship with Apple’s latest operating system updates already installed. But if you’re not looking to spend a bunch of money on Apple’s latest and greatest, the new updates will land on Apple’s other supported devices on September 15.