Apple launches the M2 Ultra

May 27, 2023

Already shipping in new devices

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Apple is changing the conversation in the world of chipsets once again. Revealed during the WWDC 2023 keynote, Apple has revealed the M2 Ultra, a new chipset to elevate the lineup's performance to a new level.

Architecturally, the M2 Ultra is simple in concept. Rather than an entirely new chip, the chipset is essentially just two M2 Max chipsets bonded together with UltraFusion technology. Despite just connecting two chips together, the technology allows the two to communicate with each other with 2.5TB/s of low-latency inter-processor bandwidth.

The new chipset boasts 20 percent faster performance and 30 percent better GPU performance, compared to the M1 Ultra. It also features a 32-core Neural Engine which can deliver 31.6 trillion operations per second. It can hold up to 192GB of unified memory.

Thankfully, users will not have to wait long for the first device to rock the new M2 Ultra. Apple has already launched the new Mac Studio which can come with the chipset. Under the new processor, the platform can reportedly support up to 22 streams of 8K ProRes video and up to six Pro Display XLRs.

With the new M2 Ultra, Apple has completed its years-long project of full transitioning to Apple silicon.

SEE ALSO: Apple M2 Mac mini Review

Apple Vision Pro First Impressions

iOS 17 adds NameDrop, Journal, more

Apple unveils its augmented-reality headset, the Vision Pro

Plus a dedicated YouTubers’ React segment!

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The WWDC 2023 Keynote was packed with incredible new updates to iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS.

Apple announced new hardware including a 15-inch MacBook Air and M2 Max/Ultra-powered Mac Studio and Mac Pro.

But the most ambitious product they’ve ever created? The Apple Vision Pro.

Apple is clear that this isn't just an AR Glasses. The Vision Pro is the company's "first spatial computer".

But how does it even look and feel IRL?

This is our first impressions of the new Apple Vision Pro — plus our YouTuber friends’ reactions.

A milestone update for Apple Watch

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watchOS 10 is expected to bring users a fresh approach to the way information is viewed on the Apple Watch's apps.

Apps, including Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, Messages, World Clock, and others, utilize more of the Apple watch display for more glanceable information.

This change, as well as a new Smart Stack for relevant widgets and more watch faces are part of significant updates on the Apple Watch that will be rolled out later in the year as a free software update.

Here's a rundown of what's new:

With watchOS 10, redesigned apps are set to provide more information at a glance, plus new ways to navigate quickly and access content.

The Activity app on Apple Watch and the Fitness app on iPhone make tracking daily movement easier with more details and improvements to sharing, as well as a redesigned trophy case.

Ann updated Smart Stack contains widgets that display timely information, adapting to a user's context throughout the day.

For example, Weather will show the day's forecast, Calendar and Reminders will show upcoming meetings and tasks, and Podcasts will move up so they are readily available.

This can be revealed with a simple turn of the Digital Crown from any watch face.

Meanwhile, there will be two new artistic and joyful watch faces: Palette and Snoopy.

The Palette face depicts time in a wide variety of colors, using three distinct overlapping layers; as the time changes, so do the colors on the display.

Renowned comic strip Peanuts will also come to life on an Apple Watch, featuring Snoopy and Woodstock.

The characters interact and react to weather conditions in the area, or even get active when a user works out.

Apple Watch is taking cycling workouts to an even more advanced experience with the help of watchOS 10.

When a cycling workout is started from Apple Watch, it will automatically show up as a live activity on iPhone. When tapped, it will utilize the full screen.

Workout Views such as Heart Rate Zones, Elevation, Race Route, and a new Cycling Speed view, have also been optimized to fit the display size of iPhone.

Additionally, the Apple Watch can now automatically connect to Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories too, such as power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors.

This allows for brand-new metrics, plus additional Workout Views (Power Zone). Bluetooth connection is supported on Indoor and Outdoor cycling, as well as GymKit.

Elsewhere, watchOS 10 provides users more control over various apps.

Users can conveniently log their emotions and daily moods on the Mindfulness app by just ticking multidimensional shapes to describe how they feel.

They can also now initiate the playback of a FaceTime video message and view it directly on Apple Watch.

On the Medications app, a follow-up reminder can be sent if a medication has not been logged 30 minutes after the scheduled time.

For Hiking activities, the Compass app can generate two new waypoints, while Elevation view uses altimeter data for a 3D view of saved waypoints.

More personalization, versatility

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iPad users are set to get more personalization and versatility with the iPadOS 17, which has significant updates on its Lock Screen, Messages, FaceTime, Safari, and more. There will also be a new Health app coming.

The iPadOS 17 is available as a developer beta for now, and will be available as a free software update later in the year. For now, here's a preview of what to expect.

Users can now customize the Lock Screen with their favorite images from their personal library, whether just a single photo or a set shuffled throughout the day.

They can also choose a wallpaper from the Lock Screen gallery, customize the look of the date and time with more font styles, or create their own design with emojis and different colors.

Live Activities will come to iPad OS, allowing users to monitor important notifications right from the Lock Screen, such as live sports scores, travel plans, or a food delivery order.

In iPadOS 17, widgets will become more interactive; for instance, users can turn on the lights, play a song, or mark a reminder as complete right from a widget.

These interactive widgets are now available on the Lock and Home screens, for easier execution of tasks. On the Lock Screen, widgets also blend seamlessly with the wallpaper.

Entering information in PDFs has been made easier too. The iPadOS 17 users machine learning to identify fields in a PDF file so users can add details or fill out forms.

Notes app users can now also organize, read, annotate, and collaborate on PDF files, as they appear in full width on the device.

Messages, meanwhile, offers users to create Live Stickers from their own photos, and add effects to them.

The app also has new features, like an expandable menu on a tap for easy access to most frequent iMessage apps.

The search tool has also been improved with filters (people, keywords, content types) to easier bring up a specific conversation.

Audio messages are transcribed automatically for a version one can read on the fly.

In FaceTime, users can now leave an audio or video message when someone does not pick up the call.

The video-calling app now also allows Reactions, like hearts, balloons, fireworks, rain, and more, which can be activated through simple gestures or third-party video-calling apps.

Safari has been improved for users to be more productive on the browser too. Profiles separates users’ browsing, with each profile having its own history, cookies, Tab Groups, and more.

Private Browsing now allows users to lock the window they’re viewing with Face ID or Touch ID.

The Health app also comes to iPad, giving users new ways to see their detailed health data, including Trends, Highlights, and interactive charts.

Health and fitness developers can now use HealthKit on iPad.

Users can now download maps and use them offline. This way, users can select an area, search and explore information, and get routes, all while offline.

Lastly, Freeform offers new drawing tools, like hover, tilt, snap to shape, and the ability to add connection lines and new shapes to any object.

Insanely Powerful!

Spoiler: Pretty good

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