AllYouCanTech

Possible iPhone Chip-Driven MacBook Might Result in Tough Choices for Apple

Over the weekend, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo disclosed that Apple is developing a new MacBook model, likely intended as a successor to the contentious 12-inch variant introduced many years ago. Following this revelation, MacRumors uncovered internal references to this device, as it appears Apple is indeed working on a computer utilizing the A18 Pro chip.

By combining these two narratives, it seems plausible that Apple is committed to launching this new MacBook as soon as next year. With mass production anticipated in the final quarter of 2025, the device could make its debut at a March event in conjunction with the new iPhone 17e and other lighter Apple offerings.

However, there’s a challenge with this budget-friendly MacBook, the same one that affected the previous 12-inch model: all entry-level options are starting to resemble one another.

Analyzing entry-level MacBook options

Apple presently markets two laptops featuring the M4 chip: an Air and a Pro variant. The distinction lies in additional ports, a superior display, and a cooling fan. But if Apple introduces a MacBook with an iPhone chip, what really distinguishes it from a MacBook Air? A lone USB-C port and a less powerful chip?

Wouldn’t that render the Air unnecessary, or worse? It might retain the Air name, but if it’s not lighter or slimmer than the new model, especially in light of the former 12-inch version, what’s the incentive? Just as the iPad Pro is thinner, lighter, and more capable, what reason would one have to select an Air?

In the case of the MacBook, users would receive a better value with a thinner and lighter machine, which is precisely what most individuals desire. Unless Apple manages to make the A18 Pro perform like an outdated Intel Celeron, casual users likely won’t perceive any difference between an M4 device and one equipped with the A18 Pro.

That being said, now that Apple has successfully positioned the MacBook Air, is it truly set to release an even more affordable computer that’s thinner, lighter, and sufficiently capable for the majority of the Air’s intended users?

The answer: One MacBook must go

When Apple provides too many comparable products, the optimal strategy is to eliminate one. If consumers cannot clearly understand why they should spend more, they will simply opt for the least expensive option, and Apple probably doesn’t favor that outcome.

Contrasting Privacy Safeguards: ChatGPT, Gemini, and Various AI Alternatives

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Marshall Unveils Middleton II Speaker Delivering Robust Sound in a Compact Design

Over a month following the introduction of the Kilburn III, Marshall has unveiled a new speaker: the Middleton II. This product enhances the well-received Middleton speaker released a few years back, now providing extended listening time, improved audio quality, and additional features.

With this introduction, Marshall is presenting one of its most impressive summer collections to date, further blending its portable speaker lineup by distinguishing products based on battery life and sound quality.

The Middleton II boasts over 30 hours of playback. The company claims that a quick 20-minute charge is sufficient to “get the show back on the road.” This speaker offers deeper bass and enhanced performance at peak volume. Additionally, it incorporates 360º True Stereophonic sound designed to envelop the listener irrespective of their location.

Highly portable, the Middleton II fits snugly in one hand. It is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, meaning a splash of water or a bit of grime won’t pose an issue.

“Enhancing portable playtime is a focus we’ve concentrated on at Marshall, and the Middleton II is a prime example with its 30+ hours. Pair that with upgraded features like a built-in microphone for effortless speakerphone calls and a fresh design that not only looks superior but also improves usability with a better user experience. With support for LE Audio, users can enjoy a more efficient and enriched listening experience,” stated Ebba Gouverneur Regnström, product manager at Marshall Speaker.

Marshall asserts that it has removed “unnecessary complexity” by streamlining the controls. A simple twist or press allows users to play, pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, and more. True to most of Marshall’s offerings, the Middleton II showcases the classic amp-inspired design that contributed to the brand’s iconic status.

With the enhanced battery capacity, the Middleton II can also function as a power bank for your smartphone. It is equipped with Bluetooth and LE Audio support, thus ready for the latest advancements in wireless audio technology.

The speaker retails for $329.99 on Marshall’s website, with availability at retailers starting July 15th.

Apple TV+ Subscribers Get 50% Off on MLS Season Pass

Beginning today, Apple TV+ is reducing the seasonal pricing for the MLS Season Pass. Supporters can subscribe for $49 to experience the remainder of the 2025 season, which represents a 50% discount from the original price of $99. Even more appealing, Apple TV+ subscribers can acquire the MLS Season Pass for only $39.

Major League Soccer is currently commemorating its 30th season. Fans can witness stars such as Lionel Messi, Diego Luna, Hany Mukhtar, Benja Cremaschi, Denis Bouanga, and Cavan Sullivan prior to the MLS All-Star game, the third annual Leagues Cup tournament against Liga MX, and the autumn playoffs.

As always, matches are available in both English and Spanish. To enhance the experience for soccer enthusiasts, they can tune into MLS 360, dubbed by Apple as the “match day whip-around show.” It’s offered in both English and Spanish and includes live look-ins and highlights from throughout the league, as well as pre-match coverage, post-match analysis, highlights, player profiles, interviews, club content, match replays, and more.

One of the advantages of the MLS Season Pass is Sunday Night Soccer. These matches come with improved production and specialized studio programming, and they’re available for streaming by Apple TV+ subscribers following MLS Countdown and MLS La Previa. This weekend’s game showcases the Seattle Sounders versus the Columbus Crew.

Supporters can access the MLS Season Pass via the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, or on the internet. Recently, Apple introduced the Apple TV app on Google Play, allowing millions of Android users to also benefit from this MLS Season Pass offer.

Apple Vision Pro users can enjoy the games alongside other applications in their physical environment, utilize Environments with a screen that appears 100 feet wide, and experience Spatial Audio for a more immersive viewing adventure.

Nintendo Switch 2 Anticipated to Experience Price Hike

When Nintendo finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 in early April, gamers were astonished to find the next-gen handheld console priced higher than anticipated. Most leaks and analysts indicated that $399 was the ideal price point, but Nintendo set the price $50 above that. A bundle including the Mario Kart World game was priced at $499.99. Switch 2 exclusives would also come at a higher cost than previously.

Then came the real surprise: Trump’s new tariffs. Nintendo promptly halted preorders for the North American market to evaluate the effects of the new tariffs. A few weeks later, the company declared a new preorder date for the US, maintaining the original prices for the Switch 2. However, certain accessories did see price increases.

Fast-forward to late June, and Nintendo reported a price rise for all Nintendo Switch 1 models sold in Canada. The brief statement mentioned that the Switch 2 price will remain unchanged for the time being. Nonetheless, fans globally have valid reasons to be concerned about potential future increases.

New Switch 1 prices

Nintendo released a statement regarding the impending price changes for Switch 1 products on August 1 in Canada:

Pricing for the original Nintendo Switch family of systems and products in Canada will be adjusted based on market conditions. This includes the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, and Nintendo Switch accessories. Other Nintendo products, such as amiibo and Nintendo Switch Online memberships, will also see price adjustments.

The company did not specify any new prices for Canada, so we will have to wait for another announcement in the upcoming weeks. Nintendo did mention that the Switch 2 system, accessories, and software would remain unaffected.

As Engadget highlights, prices for the Switch 1 models are already nearing those of the Switch 2:

– Nintendo Switch – CA$400,
– Nintendo Switch OLED – CA$450
– Nintendo Switch Lite – CA$269
– Nintendo Switch 2 – CA$630

Any price rise would make the Switch 1 less appealing compared to the newer Switch 2. On the other hand, acquiring the new console is challenging, with inventory depleting faster than Nintendo can restock.

Will the Switch 2 price increase?

Nintendo’s press release was succinct, but it made it clear that the Switch 2 would not be included in this wave of price increases. That being said, the price could potentially go up in the future, depending on how “market conditions” evolve.

“Squid Game’s Last Season Emphasizes Algorithm-Based Choices Instead of Creative Integrity”

A recognizable TV conversation is emerging online at the moment, one that I suspect will feel strikingly similar to you if you recall how *Game of Thrones* faltered in its eighth and concluding season. Essentially, it’s now *Squid Game’s* moment.

Netflix’s Korean powerhouse, once a worldwide sensation and creative spark, just released its third and final season over the weekend — a season, to clarify, that nobody really wished for, and one that seems to leave many viewers regretting their decision to watch.

*Squid Game* Season 3 is, without a doubt, currently the #1 show in the US on the streaming service. However, that top position, impressive as it may appear, doesn’t convey the entire picture of the show’s situation. According to data from Samba TV, for instance, 1.6 million US households tuned in for the premiere in the first three days. That’s a significant figure — yet it still represents a 17% decline from the Season 2 launch. Some of this may be due to timing: Season 2 premiered the day after Christmas, when many people are at home thanks to holiday time off from work.

That being said, it’s somewhat more telling how drastically *Squid Game* has fallen in audience perception. The Rotten Tomatoes data certainly narrates a tale of reducing returns:

– Season 1: 95% critics’ score / 84% audience score
– Season 2: 83% critics’ score / 63% audience score
– Season 3: 80% critics’ score / 50% audience score

In terms of audience response, that’s a nosedive. Consequently, the online feedback from fans has been rather harsh. “This ending was terrible and felt like a cash grab for an American *Squid Game*,” one viewer commented on X. Another added: “There was no reason to divide this into a third series … actually, there’s no reason to create another series after the first.” Many voiced similar concerns — that Season 3 seemed overstuffed, poorly crafted, and motivated more by corporate interests than artistic vision.

Here’s the reality: *Squid Game* never required a second season, let alone a third. It’s ironic to me that a series about the perils of ruthless capitalism has effectively … well, to be precise, it has *definitely* fallen victim to that very capitalism the show criticized in Season 1. *Squid Game’s* final season was rife with contrived scenarios and puzzling character decisions that, in my view, caused the entire emotional framework of the show to crumble (“456 went through all that just to not speak to his daughter again?” one Rotten Tomatoes audience reviewer questioned. “Seriously?”).

For Netflix, the statistics may validate the choice. For the rest of us, this serves as another reminder that the television landscape wasn’t shaped by individuals who understand how to leave well enough alone. Similarly, streaming television is not an arena where nuance or knowing when to quit ever seems to take precedence. If you choose to take the plunge and watch Season 3, don’t be taken aback if, when it concludes, you find yourself yearning for the games to have wrapped up long ago.

NASA Partners with Netflix to Broadcast Live Rocket Launches and Spacewalks

**NASA is Bringing Live Rocket Launches and Spacewalks to Netflix**

Beginning this summer, Netflix subscribers will have the exclusive chance to enjoy live broadcasts from NASA+, featuring rocket launches, spacewalks, and stunning views from the International Space Station (ISS). This partnership between NASA and Netflix represents a major advancement in making space exploration more available to the public.

NASA+, which launched as an ad-free streaming platform in November 2023, is broadening its audience by joining forces with Netflix. This initiative enables a wider viewership to experience the marvels of space exploration from the convenience of their homes. The live programming will consist of mission coverage and real-time views of Earth from the ISS, delivering an engaging experience for viewers.

Rebecca Sirmons, general manager of NASA+, highlighted the agency’s dedication to motivating new generations through innovative and accessible content. This collaboration with Netflix is in line with NASA’s objective to involve the public in its continuous exploration and discovery missions.

Although NASA+ remains free to stream across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android devices, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and web browsers, the introduction of live content on Netflix presents an exciting new avenue for audiences to engage with space exploration.

This project is part of Netflix’s larger strategy to include live programming within its offerings. Prior live events featured on the platform have showcased a boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, weekly WWE Raw broadcasts, and the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Upcoming live programming on Netflix includes Taylor vs. Serrano 3 and two NFL games on Christmas Day 2025.

As Netflix continues to delve into live content, the inclusion of NASA+ material offers a distinctive and enlightening viewing experience, further reinforcing Netflix’s standing as a premier streaming service.

Report Uncovers Two Yet-to-be-Announced Features in iOS 26

In contrast to previous years, Apple has exhibited an unusually low profile following WWDC. Normally, right after the keynote presentation, we learn about several features in the upcoming iOS version that are anticipated to be available “later this year.” This year, however, the situation is different.

In fact, the company appears to be preparing all the functionalities revealed during the keynote for this fall. In this regard, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicates that at least two significant iOS 26 features were not disclosed during the keynote, yet they will still be accessible to iPhone users in the iOS 26 cycle, as he has reported previously.

“The company aimed to avoid a repeat of WWDC 2024, where it unveiled various features — including some flagship technologies — that ended up being postponed for months or are still not available,” Mark Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter. Nonetheless, Apple intends to introduce these two iOS 26 features: Live Translation of conversations via AirPods and syncing wireless network login details from several locations.

While Apple is already engaged in integrating Live Translation into the Messages, Phone, and FaceTime applications, the company aspires to enhance that technology further. As per the journalist, live translation of conversations using AirPods would link both devices, enabling users to converse with one another and hear the translation directly via their earbuds.

The second undisclosed iOS 26 feature allows for the synchronization of wireless network login information at hotels or gyms across devices. Presently, Apple is testing something akin to this with the iOS 26 beta; if I enter my credentials on my iPhone, an “Autofill” suggestion will pop up when I attempt to do the same on my iPad or Mac. Although it still requires user action, it is considerably more convenient than having to re-authenticate everything.

In addition to these two iOS 26 features, Apple is also working on a more intelligent Siri (potentially powered by ChatGPT or Claude). Currently, the upgrade for the personal assistant is anticipated to debut in the first half of 2026. Apple is cautious about setting high expectations for its users.

In the upcoming months, we can expect to see more iOS 26 features emerge. However, these may catch users off guard, as Apple is being prudent about not announcing any features prior to their readiness after a challenging past year.

Apple Evaluating the Incorporation of ChatGPT or Claude to Improve Siri’s Smartness

Following a highly publicized string of setbacks with Apple’s more customized, AI-driven Siri, the Cupertino firm is reportedly contemplating abandoning its own internal models in favor of collaborating with companies such as Anthropic or OpenAI.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has engaged in discussions with both firms regarding the utilization of their LLMs to enhance its more intelligent Siri. The companies have also been approached to develop versions of their AI models capable of operating on its Private Cloud Compute servers.

Tests have suggested that Anthropic’s Claude emerges as the most promising AI assistant for powering Siri. Consequently, Apple’s VP of Corporate Development Adrian Perica has initiated conversations with Anthropic about the potential structure of a partnership between the two entities.

The report further indicates that OpenAI proposed to develop AI models for Apple last year; however, at that point, Apple remained confident that its in-house models would be adequate. Presently, Anthropic is reportedly seeking a multibillion-dollar annual fee that escalates each year for a comparable agreement. The disagreement over costs has opened the way for OpenAI and possibly other third-party entities.

That said, none of these arrangements have been confirmed, and Apple has yet to make any decisions regarding the use of external AI models to enhance its more personalized Siri.

Outsourcing the AI that powers Siri undeniably raises significant privacy issues, which is why Apple intends to operate the AI models on its own chips. By deploying customized iterations of ChatGPT or Claude on its own servers, Apple believes it can better safeguard user information.

This AI collaboration would represent a remarkable acknowledgment of failure from one of the largest tech companies globally. Apple’s “LLM Siri” is still under active development but did not feature at this year’s WWDC. Meanwhile, nearly every Android manufacturer, including Samsung, has surged forward with generative AI integration. Apple has already fallen behind and risks trailing even further without a dependable partner.

Researchers Discover the Source of the Atlantic Warming Gap

For many years, scientists were confounded by an unusual region of the ocean just south of Greenland that behaved differently than the rest of the planet. While ocean temperatures worldwide have steadily increased, this area, referred to as the Atlantic Warming Hole, has experienced a cooling of nearly half a degree Fahrenheit over the past century. Now, researchers suggest they may have unraveled the mystery.

Contrary to its designation, this area is anything but warm. It is, in fact, a cold region in the North Atlantic where temperatures have declined even as the rest of the ocean warms. Such a deviation has significant consequences, particularly for climate predictions. The primary inquiry, however, concerns what could potentially lead to this cooling in a rapidly warming environment.

Based on new research released in Communications Earth and Environment, the explanation is found in the deceleration of a significant system of ocean currents known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC. This system transports warm water from the tropics northward, where it cools, sinks, and then flows back south. It serves as one of the main influences on the planet’s climate.

When the AMOC experiences a slowdown, it alters this heat distribution. A reduced amount of warm water reaches the North Atlantic, resulting in surface cooling. The researchers discovered that only climate models that accounted for this slowdown were able to reproduce the temperature patterns observed in the Atlantic Warming Hole.

To arrive at this finding, scientists examined over a century’s worth of temperature data, which act as indirect measures of the ocean’s current strength. They also employed numerous computer models to simulate how various alterations would impact ocean temperatures. Only those incorporating a weakened AMOC corresponded with the detected cooling trend.

Gaining insight into the Atlantic Warming Hole is crucial since this cold region impacts rainfall and wind patterns throughout Europe and can disrupt marine ecosystems. Furthermore, as the AMOC continues to decelerate, some scientists caution about wider disruptions to weather and climate systems.