Author: alex

Apple Upgrades Vision Pro to M5 Chip — Same $3,499 Price, Ships Oct 22 Apple has released an updated Vision Pro headset powered by its new M5 chip, replacing the original M2-based model. The refreshed headset promises faster performance and expanded capabilities while keeping the starting price at $3,499 for the 256GB configuration. Pre-orders are live, and shipping begins on October 22. Key changes and details: M5 chipset: expected to deliver improved CPU/GPU performance and efficiency versus the M2. Price unchanged: base model remains $3,499 with 256GB storage. New Dual Knit Band: adds a top strap for additional comfort and secure fit. Availability: pre-orders open now; shipments start Oct 22. According to reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is also continuing work on a broader XR hardware roadmap. Earlier plans…

Apple releases entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip Apple has quietly released an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the new M5 chip. Starting at $1,599, the baseline configuration includes 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Pre-orders are open now, and Apple says shipping will begin on October 22. The company launched this model separately from the higher-end M5 Pro and M5 Max variants, which are reportedly still several months away. The new 14-inch focuses on the M5 silicon — a 3nm chip that retains the same fabrication process as the M4 and brings a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU to the entry-level Pro. Key details at a glance: Model: 14-inch MacBook Pro (entry-level) Chip: Apple M5 — 10 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores Starting price: $1,599 (16GB…

Apple’s 2025 iPad Pro refresh: M5 performance inside familiar shells Apple has updated its 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models with the company’s new M5 chip, delivering a meaningful performance uplift while keeping the exterior design largely unchanged from last year. That makes the new iPad Pros especially appealing to content creators and other power users who want laptop-class performance in a tablet form factor. The entry-level M5 used in these iPad Pros is built on TSMC's 3-nanometer process. Apple reportedly skipped 2nm chips for cost reasons. Configuration details include: 256GB and 512GB models: M5 with a 9-core CPU (3 performance + 6 efficiency), 10-core GPU, and 12GB RAM. 1TB and 2TB models: M5 with an extra performance core (4 performance cores total) and 16GB RAM. Display and size highlights:…

Apple launches 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip Apple has introduced a refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the new M5 chip. The update focuses on users who run compute-intensive workloads—such as photo and video editing, software development and data-driven AI applications—promising improved performance thanks to a redesigned CPU and a 10-core GPU. The updated 14-inch model starts at €1,799. The announcement highlights Apple's continued push to deliver higher performance for professional creators and developers. While Apple’s official product page has the full specs, the key takeaway is a chip optimised for demanding, real-world tasks rather than just headline benchmark numbers. M5 chip with a revised CPU design 10-core GPU for accelerated graphics and compute Target audience: photo/video editors, developers, and AI/data workflows Starting price: €1,799 See the official MacBook…

Halliday smart glasses: Ambitious idea, frustrating execution Halliday’s Wayfarer-style smart glasses, born from a $3.3M Kickstarter campaign with 8,000+ backers, are now moving from crowdbackers to retail. Priced at $499 (early backer price was $399), the glasses bundle a tiny 3.6mm microLED display, a magnetic control ring, on-arm speakers, and a so-called “proactive” AI assistant — but real-world testing reveals several usability problems. The product aims for subtlety: no outward-facing camera, a near-invisible display tucked close to the eye, and a lightweight frame. In practice, reviewers found the hardware to feel plasticky and slightly oversized, the nose pads the only real way to adjust fit, and the temple-mounted USB-C port’s rubber gasket awkward to access. Key concerns raised by hands-on reviews: Tiny display: The 3.6mm microLED projects a monochrome view…

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X — Microsoft’s push into handheld Windows gaming Xbox finds itself at a crossroads, and Microsoft has taken a bold step into portable PC gaming with ASUS: the ROG Xbox Ally X. Built as a Windows 11-based handheld with Xbox-integrated software, the device aims to bridge the gap between console fans and the growing market for high-performance portable gaming PCs. The Ally X pairs distinctive Xbox controls (ABXY layout, Xbox home button, Impulse triggers) with a 7-inch FHD IPS 120Hz display rated around 500 nits. ASUS redesigned the chassis for bigger grips and added two rear paddles, Thunderbolt 4 support on one USB-C port, microSD expansion and a 3.5mm audio jack to round out a console-like handheld experience. Key specs: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (in the…

Kleinanzeigen tests ad-free subscription “Kleinanzeigen Pur” for €1.99/month Kleinanzeigen is piloting a new paid tier called "Kleinanzeigen Pur" that removes external advertising and third-party tracking for a monthly fee of €1.99. The test aims to offer users a cleaner, ad-free experience while keeping the platform's core features intact. Key details: Price: €1.99 per month (test rollout) No third-party banner ads No video ads served by external networks No tracking by external advertising networks All other platform functions remain unchanged This move follows a broader trend of classifieds and content platforms offering low-cost ad-free tiers to users who prefer privacy and fewer interruptions. At €1.99, the subscription is pitched as an affordable option for regular users who value a cleaner browsing experience and reduced tracking. For more information, you can visit…

Apple researchers explore diffusion-based models to speed up long-form text generation Apple researchers have introduced a new language model that uses a diffusion-based approach to generate text. According to the initial report, this model can produce longer passages significantly faster than conventional autoregressive models (the token-by-token approach used by systems like ChatGPT). Key points: Diffusion-based technique: Unlike autoregressive models that generate tokens in a fixed sequence, diffusion methods iteratively refine text and may allow faster handling of long sequences. Better performance for long-form content: The new model reportedly excels when producing extended passages, reducing generation time compared to typical autoregressive approaches. Research implications: If diffusion approaches scale well, they could change how large language models are built for tasks like long-form writing, summarization, and document synthesis. The announcement (reported by…

UGREEN DH2300: New Compact 2-Bay NAS Aimed at First-Time Users UGREEN has introduced the DH2300, a compact, app-controlled network-attached storage (NAS) system designed for users deploying their first personal NAS. The two-bay enclosure supports up to 60 TB of local storage, making it suitable for media libraries, backups, and private data archives without relying on external cloud services. The DH2300 focuses on simplicity and home use: the device offers easy setup via a mobile app, space for two hard drives or SSDs, and enough capacity for large photo, video, and backup collections. Its compact footprint aims to appeal to users who want local control over their data without complex enterprise features. Drive bays: 2 (supports HDD/SSD) Maximum local capacity: up to 60 TB Control: app-based management Use cases: private media…

Japan Urges OpenAI Not to Infringe on Anime & Manga with Sora 2 Japan's government has formally asked OpenAI to avoid using copyrighted anime and manga in outputs or training related to its Sora 2 video generator, calling such works "irreplaceable treasures." Cabinet minister Minoru Kiuchi said the request at a press conference, stressing the cultural importance of anime and manga to Japan's global identity. (Engadget). Launched on October 1, Sora 2 can produce up to 20-second 1080p videos with sound and has been used to create short, anime-style clips that appear to mirror copyrighted franchises. That trend prompted concerns from Japanese officials and creators about potential copyright infringement and the need for clearer rules around AI training and content generation. Sora 2: 1080p, up to 20-second videos; powers the…