AllYouCanTech

M4 to M5 MacBook Pro Benchmarks Indicate Notable Performance Improvements, However Restricted Practical Benefits

The majority of users replace their MacBook Pro no more often than once every five years, with many extending that period even further. Nevertheless, Apple frequently markets its newest models as markedly improved, as demonstrated by the introduction of the M5 MacBook Pro.

Apple asserts that the M5 chip provides considerable enhancements in AI performance and overall chip functionalities. Built upon third-generation 3-nanometer technology, the M5 incorporates a 10-core GPU architecture with a Neural Accelerator embedded in each core, achieving over four times the peak GPU compute performance relative to the M4. The GPU further showcases improved graphics capabilities, featuring third-generation ray tracing, resulting in a graphics performance increase of up to 45 percent compared to the M4. The CPU of the M5 includes up to six efficiency cores and four performance cores, offering a 15 percent enhancement in multithreaded performance. Additionally, the M5 is equipped with a superior 16-core Neural Engine and nearly a 30 percent rise in unified memory bandwidth.

Benchmark assessments validate Apple’s assertions, revealing notable disparities between the M4 and M5 MacBook Pro. For example, the M5 recorded write speeds of 6440MBps and read speeds of 6725.6MBps, in contrast to the M4’s 3265.3MBps write speed and 2904MBps read speed, indicating a considerable performance boost.

However, practical usage evaluations imply that the tangible advantages of upgrading might not be as significant. In an evaluation by Macworld’s John Brandon, the time saved during demanding tasks was negligible. For instance, exporting 562 photos in Lightroom required 66 seconds on the M4 and 56 seconds on the M5, whereas a complex Blender render took 595 seconds on the M4 and 585 seconds on the M5. The time disparity for these tasks was merely 9 to 10 seconds, which might not make the upgrade worthwhile for many users.

In summary, although the M5 MacBook Pro demonstrates remarkable technical progress, the real-world performance enhancements may not be substantial enough to justify an upgrade for those using the previous generation.

Comparison of the New Motorola Edge 70 and iPhone Air

# The Ultrathin iPhone Air vs. The New Motorola Edge 70

The smartphone industry is perpetually transforming, with companies striving to create the thinnest devices. The recent contest in this field has seen the iPhone Air become the thinnest smartphone on the market, surpassing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Nonetheless, the rivalry remains intense, particularly with the launch of the Motorola Edge 70.

## The Ultrathin iPhone Air

The iPhone Air has established a new benchmark for thinness, measuring merely 5.6mm thick. This makes it the most slender iPhone to date, exceeding the former record held by the iPhone 6, which was unveiled in 2014. The iPhone Air’s elegant design not only outperforms the Galaxy S25 Edge’s thickness of 5.8mm but also secures its position as the thinnest smartphone among standard non-foldable devices.

It’s crucial to highlight that when factoring in folding phones, the iPhone Air is outperformed by numerous models that reach thicknesses of just 4.2mm when unfolded. Moreover, past smartphones from 2014 and 2016 have also been recorded as slimmer than the iPhone Air.

## The New Motorola Edge 70

The Motorola Edge 70, while marginally thicker at 5.99mm, offers a compelling option in the ultra-slim smartphone segment. A notable feature is its less pronounced camera bump, reminiscent of prior iPhone Pro versions. This design decision contributes to a sleeker appearance.

Despite its slender frame, the Motorola Edge 70 does not skimp on performance. It is equipped with three rear cameras, Face Unlock, and an integrated fingerprint scanner, all while housing a punch-hole front camera. Additionally, Motorola has successfully included a powerful 4800mAh battery, which the manufacturer asserts can deliver up to 50 hours of usage—nearly double the battery life of the iPhone Air.

Moreover, the Edge 70 features an AI chatbot aimed at enhancing user experience by interpreting on-screen content. However, its actual effectiveness in practice is yet to be evaluated.

While the iPhone Air may attract enthusiasts within the Apple ecosystem, the Motorola Edge 70 illustrates the possibilities of slim smartphone design and may motivate further innovations from Apple and other brands.

## Conclusion

The race for the title of the thinnest smartphone persists, with the iPhone Air currently at the forefront. However, the Motorola Edge 70 makes a strong argument for individuals seeking a blend of slimness and functionality. As technology progresses, users can anticipate even more thrilling advancements in smartphone design and capabilities.

Apple TV’s Upcoming Series Pluribus to Include Official Companion Podcast

**Pluribus: A Fresh Sci-Fi Drama on Apple TV with an Official Companion Podcast**

The eagerly awaited sci-fi drama *Pluribus* is scheduled to debut on Apple TV this Friday, November 7. Created by Vince Gilligan, famous for his work on *Breaking Bad*, the series features Rhea Seehorn as Carol, a character navigating a society afflicted by a contagion of joy. With substantial marketing efforts from Apple, expectations for this new series are notably elevated.

In a significant development, Apple TV has revealed the introduction of an official companion podcast titled *Pluribus: The Official Podcast*. This signifies a resurgence in producing original podcasts for its series, a trend that had diminished recently. Preceding companion podcasts for programs like *Foundation* and *Prehistoric Planet* set a standard, but the recent *Severance* podcast was produced by an external network, implying a shift away from internal productions.

*Pluribus: The Official Podcast* will be created by Apple itself, ensuring a seamless link between the show and its associated discussions. Hosted by show editor Chris McCaleb, the podcast will showcase detailed conversations with Vince Gilligan, Rhea Seehorn, and other vital members of the cast and crew. This behind-the-scenes perspective aims to enhance the viewing experience and engage fans more deeply with the series.

Listeners can look forward to a new episode of the podcast being released each Friday, aligning with the weekly release of *Pluribus* episodes on Apple TV. This approach not only boosts the show’s visibility but also cultivates a community of fans eager to explore the creative process behind the series.

As *Pluribus* gears up for its debut, both the show and its companion podcast are positioned to attract the attention of audiences and critics alike, offering an engaging journey through a distinctive narrative landscape.

Apple Unveils New APIs for Age Verification and Parental Consent in Texas

Apple has introduced new APIs and sandbox tools to aid developers in meeting the updated requirements for apps in Texas, following the enactment of Texas SB2420. This legislation, effective January 1, 2026, requires age verification and parental consent for minors prior to downloading, purchasing, or continuing to use applications.

In response, Apple has shared comprehensive technical resources, including revised APIs and frameworks, along with a sandbox testing environment. Key enhancements include:

1. **Declared Age Range API**: This API allows developers to assess a user’s age group as stipulated by Texas legislation (under 13, 13-15, 16-17, or over 18) and also provides insights related to age verification methods.

2. **Significant Change API**: A component of the PermissionKit framework, this API empowers developers to seek parental approval for minors to keep using an app after significant modifications are made.

3. **App Consent Revocation**: This functionality addresses cases in which a parent or guardian rescinds consent, hindering the app from launching on the minor’s device.

4. **Sandbox Testing**: This tool enables developers to evaluate the user experience when integrating the new APIs to confirm adherence to Texas regulations.

Developers are urged to submit their SB2420-compliant applications when the Release Candidates of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 are made available. Apple also intends to roll out further tools to support developers in fulfilling legal requirements in other states, such as Utah, Louisiana, and Brazil. For additional information, developers can consult the Apple Developer blog post.

Source Code for Apple’s New Web App Store Front-End Leaked Accidentally on GitHub

### Apple’s App Store Web Interface Source Code Leak: What Occurred?

Just hours following Apple’s launch of a redesigned web interface for the App Store, a project on GitHub was published containing the complete front-end source code of the site. This situation raises concerns about the diligence in production protocols and the ramifications of such a leak.

#### Apple’s Updated App Store Interface

On November 3, 2025, Apple rolled out a new web interface for the App Store, which included dedicated pages catering to various platforms, app categories, and enhanced search capabilities. However, the launch was overshadowed by an error that permitted users to access the entire front-end codebase.

#### The Origin of the Leak

A GitHub user identified as rxliuli noted that Apple accidentally released the new App Store with sourcemaps enabled. Sourcemaps are documents that correlate the minified code back to its original source, facilitating easier debugging for developers. In this instance, the enabled sourcemaps permitted rxliuli to acquire the complete front-end code directly from the live site.

Utilizing a Chrome extension, rxliuli gathered and preserved all available resources from the web App Store and subsequently stored them on GitHub for educational use. The repository comprises:

– Entire Svelte/TypeScript source code
– Logic for state management
– Components for UI
– Code for API integration
– Configuration for routing

#### Consequences of the Leak

While this leak is crucial in unveiling Apple’s front-end framework, it does not immediately jeopardize security or privacy for Apple, developers, or users. Turning off sourcemaps in production settings is a common procedure in web development, and this oversight is viewed as an unusual lapse for a company of Apple’s prominence.

Rxliuli stressed that the source code was gathered from publicly accessible sources via browser developer tools and that the repository is aimed at educational and research objectives. Nevertheless, considering the nature of such leaks, it is probable that the accessibility of this repository may be short-lived.

For individuals keen on grasping how Apple organized the front end of the new web App Store, it might be wise to investigate the repository sooner rather than later, as it could be removed following the leak.

#### Summary

The unintentional release of the App Store’s front-end source code serves as a reminder of the necessity of adhering to best practices in software deployment. While the leak does not present a direct danger, it underscores the importance of vigilance in production settings to avert similar occurrences in the future.

Delta Unveils Support for iOS 26 Boarding Passes in Wallet

### iOS 26: Enhanced Boarding Pass Functions in Apple Wallet

Apple has rolled out a revamped boarding pass functionality in the Wallet app as part of iOS 26. This upgrade improves the travel experience by integrating Live Activities, faster access to key flight information, and extra features designed to boost user convenience.

#### Recent Airline Integration

Last month, United Airlines became the first U.S. airline to adopt the new Wallet features, soon followed by Air Canada. Currently, Delta Airlines is also joining this trend, offering its passengers the upgraded boarding pass functionality.

The newly introduced Delta boarding pass features were initially highlighted by a user on X, who observed the updates after upgrading to iOS 26.2. While it’s not verified that these features are limited to iOS 26.2, Delta may enhance its boarding passes independently of the iOS version.

#### Major Enhancements of the Revamped Boarding Pass Design

The updated boarding passes within Apple Wallet feature three notable improvements:

1. **Live Activities**: This capability enables users to get real-time notifications about their flight status straight within the Wallet app.

2. **Airport Maps**: Travelers can view comprehensive airport details through Apple Maps, facilitating easier navigation during their journeys.

3. **Luggage Tracking with Find My**: Passengers can monitor their luggage utilizing the Find My app, ensuring peace of mind and added convenience.

The refreshed design presents an extensive overview of flight details, including options to share flight information with others and quickly access detailed airport data. This marks a substantial improvement over the conventional boarding pass design, which usually only shows fundamental flight details.

#### Current and Prospective Support

Presently, Delta, Air Canada, and United Airlines support the latest boarding pass features. Apple has declared that additional airlines, such as American Airlines, JetBlue, Jetstar, Lufthansa Group, Qantas, Southwest Airlines, and Virgin Australia, are anticipated to adopt these functions in the near future.

#### Upcoming Enhancements

In the future, one of the significant updates for the Apple Wallet app will be the addition of support for U.S. passports, further increasing the app’s usefulness for travelers.

To summarize, the new boarding pass functions in Apple Wallet signify a considerable improvement in how travelers handle their flight information, making the process more streamlined and user-friendly.

iOS 26.2 Could Unveil 30-Day AirDrop Pairing Functionality for Devices

Apple is developing a new feature that will enable users to maintain AirDrop pairing between devices for as long as 30 days. Here are the specifics.

### New configuration might provide enhanced privacy options

With the release of iOS 26.2 developer beta 1 earlier today, Apple seems to be focused on giving users greater authority over who can share files through AirDrop, no matter if the sender is a recognized contact or not.

At present, AirDrop offers three visibility options:

– **Receiving Off**
– **Contacts Only**
– **Everyone for 10 minutes**

According to code analyzed by 9to5Mac, Apple appears to be introducing a new choice that will enable users to connect their devices for AirDrop using a PIN, which will allow them to “find each other in AirDrop when nearby for the next 30 days.”

This indicates that users will have the ability to link two devices by inputting a short PIN, keeping them visible to each other in AirDrop for the upcoming month, without having to revert to “Everyone for 10 minutes.”

The feature, which is not yet functional in iOS 26.2 beta 1 and may be subject to changes, will allow users to adjust this setting in Settings.

Over the years, Apple has aimed to enhance AirDrop privacy and reduce issues arising from unsolicited AirDrop requests. This feature seems to be a continuation of that initiative, whether it is introduced as a fourth option or as part of a larger reform of AirDrop permissions.

iOS 26.2 Unveils New Tables Functionality in Freeform App

### iOS 26.2 Beta 1 Brings Table Functionality to Freeform App

Apple has launched the initial beta of iOS 26.2, featuring a major upgrade to its Freeform app by adding table support. This enhancement improves the app’s capabilities, enabling users to arrange information more efficiently.

#### What is Freeform?

Freeform is a dynamic digital workspace created for creativity and teamwork. It acts as an online whiteboard where individuals can gather various forms of content, such as images, sketches, links, and documents. As stated by Apple, the app enables users and groups to brainstorm, outline concepts, take notes, and assemble ideas seamlessly.

#### New Features in iOS 26.2

Before this enhancement, Freeform already accommodated a diverse range of content types such as sketches, photos, richly formatted lists, text, stickers, and videos. The addition of tables in iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 represents a significant improvement, offering users a robust new means for data organization.

Tables can be easily generated within the app’s attachment screen, allowing for adjustments in size and content. Users can insert text and lists into their tables, making it a useful feature for both individual and group projects. The interface supports quick resizing of tables through corner drag indicators, and new rows and columns can be added via clearly visible “+” buttons.

#### User Experience

Although some users may not have fully leveraged Freeform since its debut, the introduction of tables is set to capture more interest. The usability and the option to organize information in an orderly fashion could greatly enhance the app’s attractiveness.

#### Conclusion

The addition of table functionality in Freeform with iOS 26.2 is a valuable update for users aiming to boost their productivity and organization within the app. As Apple progressively enhances its applications, this feature is expected to make a significant difference for both casual and advanced users. Users are invited to discover this new capability and share their feedback as they adjust to these updates.

iOS 26.2 Brings Enhanced Earthquake Alerts, Upcoming Threat Notifications, and a Fresh Alert Sound

Apple is preparing to improve user safety by launching a new Enhanced Safety Alerts feature in iOS 26.2. This functionality, which is currently accessible in the developer beta, is designed to deliver users more immediate and pertinent alerts concerning natural disasters and looming dangers.

### Fresh Tone and New Choices for Safety Alerts

In the newest release of iOS 26.2 developer beta 1, Apple has introduced a new section named **Enhanced Alerts** under **Settings > Notifications**. This area enables users in supported locations to turn alerts for earthquakes and imminent threats on or off. Furthermore, there is a privacy feature that allows users to share their approximate location with Apple, aiming to enhance the accuracy and dependability of these alerts.

The Enhanced Safety Alerts function works alongside the existing Government Alerts section, which encompasses AMBER Alerts, Public Safety Alerts, Test Alerts, and Emergency Alerts. Users will have detailed controls over location accuracy and sound settings for these alerts.

Additionally, the beta version presents a new alert tone, enriching the auditory experience for users when they receive critical notifications.

For anyone interested, the new alert tone can be heard through the provided audio link.

This update showcases Apple’s continuous dedication to user safety and the significance of timely information during emergencies.

Apple Card Welcomes Hertz as a Fresh 3% Daily Cash Associate Alongside Extra Perks

### Apple Card Boosts Perks with Hertz Alliance

Apple Card holders can now take advantage of a thrilling new benefit: 3% Daily Cash back on car rentals with Hertz. This announcement marks a noteworthy enhancement to the rewards offered to Apple Card users, increasing the overall value of the card.

#### Major Advantages of Using Apple Card with Hertz

By using your Apple Card to book eligible rentals via the Hertz app or website, you unlock a range of advantages, including:

– **3% Daily Cash Back**: Receive 3% Daily Cash back on qualifying rentals when booked with Apple Pay at participating Hertz locations.
– **Complimentary Emergency Roadside Service**: Benefit from worry-free complimentary roadside assistance.
– **Reduced Rate Vehicle Protection**: Add loss damage waiver vehicle coverage at a reduced cost of $16.95 per day (plus tax).
– **No-Cost Additional Driver**: Add an extra driver for free upon pickup.
– **Discounts on Pay Later Rates**: Get at least 5% off Pay Later base rates for rentals.

#### Broadened 3% Daily Cash Earning Opportunities

With the incorporation of Hertz, Apple Card users can now earn 3% Daily Cash at various other popular retailers, including:

– Apple
– Ace Hardware
– Booking.com
– Chargepoint
– Exxon
– Mobil
– Nike
– Uber
– Uber Eats
– Walgreens

#### Daily Cash Earning Framework

Every purchase made with Apple Card using Apple Pay earns 2% back, while transactions with the physical card yield 1% back. This structure encourages users to utilize Apple Pay to maximize rewards.

#### Instant Access to Daily Cash

A standout feature of Apple Card’s Daily Cash is that it becomes accessible immediately upon transaction posting to your account. Users can choose to save it to their Apple Cash balance, transfer it to their Apple Card Savings Account, or apply it as a statement credit to lower their balance.

#### Final Thoughts

The new alliance between Apple Card and Hertz not only boosts the rewards for cardholders but also offers additional services that can enhance the convenience and affordability of car rentals. As Apple continues to expand its offerings, users are encouraged to make the most of these benefits and share their experiences.