News
iPad Air M3, new Magic Keyboard announced
Apple Intelligence, Super Performance, the works
It was, indeed, an iPad. Apple chief Tim Cook briefly teased that Air is coming and now it has. The company has officially unveiled the iPad Air M3 alongside a brand new Magic Keyboard.
M3 Performance
To tout the chip’s performance, Apple highlighted gaming. The company has really come far in this category after not minding it much for years. The iPad Air M3 has advanced graphics for “more accurate lighting, reflections, shadows and extremely realistic gaming experiences..”
Naturally, it’s not just for gaming. The M3’s power can be felt in practically everything you’ll do on the iPad from casual browsing all the way to content creation.
Apple Intelligence
This is truly the big movement that’s happening with Apple’s latest devices. The latest devices in their entire lineup now supports Apple Intelligence which is their version of AI. If you religiously follow Apple news, you’ll know this means access to host of new features. These include the Clean Up tool, Image Wand, Image Playground, Writing Tools, Siri, and more.
New Magic Keyboard
The new Magic Keyboard now comes with a larger built-in trackpad for greater precision and a new 14-key function row. It attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth; a machined aluminum hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging
Price and availability
The iPad Air M3 comes in two sizes and their pricing are as follows:
- 11″ iPad Air M3 — starts at USD 599/ SGD 899
- 13″ iPad Air M3 — starts at USD 799/ SGD 899
Check it out at the Apple Store to see all the variants and full pricing details.
Meanwhile, the new Magic Keyboard available in white, is compatible with the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air. The 11-inch one costs USD 269/ SGD 399 while the 13-inch retails for USD 319/ SGD 449.
Customers can pre-order the new iPad Air with M3 starting today,
When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.
According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.
If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.
Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.
To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.
However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.
SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade
Apps
YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally
The update is rolling out globally now.
Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.
Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.
Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.
There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.
Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.
There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.
SEE ALSO: YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing
Enterprise
OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme
Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.
OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.
Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.
For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.
According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.
As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.
SEE ALSO: realme is reportedly going back to being an OPPO sub-brand
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