Apple unleashed an M2-powered update to a couple of its product lines today, with the introduction of a new Mac Mini, as well as refreshed MacBook Pro 14- and 16-inch laptops, now available with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips inside.
Apple didn’t invite the press to Apple Park for this reveal, but it did publish this 19-minute video talking about the new chips, new computers, and how impressive they all presumably are.
As we approach Samsung’s February launch event, we’re starting to get a clearer image of what features its upcoming Galaxy smartphones could have. Today the company revealed a new 200-megapixel smartphone sensor that it says is already in mass production, and its specs match what’s rumored to be coming to the Galaxy S23 Ultra almost exactly.
But if you’re interested in more far out gadget news, then you might want to check out Dave2D’s latest video, where the YouTuber has gotten his hands on an alleged dummy model of the oft-rumored Pixel foldable. If accurate, the foldable could be planned for launch later this year.
For now, here’s a silly tweet to start your day:
Stay tuned, as we continue to update this list with the most important news of today: Tuesday, January 17th, 2023.
Jan 18, 2023, 2:45 PM UTCTom Warren
Microsoft set to lay off thousands of employees
Microsoft’s latest job cuts are expected to be significantly larger than the 1 percent in 2022.
Jan 18, 2023, 4:12 AM UTCRichard Lawler
Apple reportedly shelved its plans to release AR glasses anytime soon
Bloomberg reports “technical challenges” put Apple’s iPhone-subverting augmented reality glasses project on the back burner as it shifts focus to making a cheaper mixed reality headset.
Jan 18, 2023, 1:42 AM UTCRichard Lawler
Now Twitter is selling one year of blue check privileges at a discounted rate of $84
What a bargain.
Jan 18, 2023, 12:03 AM UTCUmar Shakir
You can finally repair your own Samsung Galaxy S22
Samsung has expanded its self-repair program to include Galaxy parts and manuals for the S22, Plus, and Ultra — as well as its Galaxy Book Pro and Pro 360 laptops.
Jan 17, 2023, 11:09 PM UTCVictoria Song
Now there are even fewer reasons to get a Fitbit smartwatch
Fitbit’s plan to remove Deezer and Pandora support from its older devices is another nail in its smartwatch coffin.
Jan 17, 2023, 11:00 PM UTCAllison Johnson
Samsung will unveil two ‘premium’ mobile devices at Unpacked, says TM Roh
In a blog post published today, Samsung’s head of mobile, TM Roh, hinted at what’s to come at Unpacked in a couple of weeks. And it’s all about Ultra.
Jan 17, 2023, 9:45 PM UTCAriel Shapiro
New podcast creation has fallen off a cliff
The number of new shows that debuted in 2022 was down 80 percent since 2020.
Jan 17, 2023, 9:04 PM UTCMonica Chin
2023 will be the year of the display
Improved display technology will be a big focus of many companies’ new laptops this year.
- SDon’t worry, the 14-inch MacBook Pro also has longer battery life this year.
Why didn’t Apple mention the new 14-inch MBP’s battery during its 19-minute preso? My guess: Apple couldn’t say “the longest battery life ever in a Mac” because it’s actually shorter than the “20 hours” of the battery champ 13-inch.
Still, both the new 14-inch and 16-inch claim to offer an extra hour over their M1 Pro predecessors, and the testing methodology hasn’t changed. I’m guessing we’ll get 11 hours from the 14-inch this year.
Apple, juxtaposition and annotation by Sean Hollister / The Verge Jan 17, 2023, 8:15 PM UTCTom Warren
Discord acquires Gas, the popular app for teens to compliment each other
Gas has quickly become popular among high schoolers, with more than 1 million daily active users.
Jan 17, 2023, 8:13 PM UTCSheena Vasani
Coachella will continue streaming on YouTube through 2026
Through 2026, you can stream Coachella live for free after YouTube and Coachella’s organizers renewed their partnership.
Jan 17, 2023, 7:29 PM UTCAllison Johnson
The Willow breast pump now has an Apple Watch app to make pumping slightly less terrible
Willow’s on-the-go in-bra pump just got a little more convenient to use. The new Apple Watch companion app includes pump controls and quick access to other info, like battery level.
Jan 17, 2023, 7:23 PM UTCJustine Calma
New York faces a new legal fight over a proposed crypto-mining power plant
It’s the latest battle over whether crypto mining could thwart New York’s climate goals.
- MTwitter rights its view count wrongs.
Okay, well, the real wrong was forcing us to see them at all; Twitter hasn’t done anything about that yet (and probably won’t). But hey, now the indicator is to the right of the retweet and like numbers.
- RWhat’s next for the MacBook Pro?
Plugged-in analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is updating the rumors for 2024’s MacBook Pro lineup before we even have a chance to touch the laptops Apple announced today.
In a shocking surprise, he’s anticipating new M3 Pro / Max chips inside them, made on a 3nm process launching in the first half of the year. Sure, you could wait for those, but if the rumors hold true, the more significant jump could be due in 2025 with OLED and touchscreens.
- RYou got to coordinate — your power cables.
If you thought you were safe from new gear envy (talking about you, Dan Seifert), maybe this one thing could get you into a new M2-powered MacBook Pro 14- or 16-inch.
9to5Mac points out that, just like the refreshed M2 MacBook Airs introduced last year, these new models also come with color-matched MagSafe charging cables, so you don’t have to choose between your Space Gray aesthetic and dedicated fast charging.
John Witherspoon would approve.
Space Gray M2 MacBook Pro and matching Space Gray MagSafe 3 cable. Image: Apple Jan 17, 2023, 3:30 PM UTCNilay Patel
Taylor Swift and the music industry’s next $20
Streaming’s the problem. It’s streaming.
Jan 17, 2023, 3:04 PM UTCRichard Lawler
Watch Apple’s 19-minute M2 MacBook Pro and Mini intro video
A spectacular infomercial that was definitely not supposed to be part of an event or anything.
Jan 17, 2023, 2:55 PM UTCJon Porter
The Mac Pro is now Apple’s last machine with an Intel chip
Apple has discontinued the Intel Mac Mini, leaving just one machine left to transition to Apple silicon.
Jan 17, 2023, 2:22 PM UTCCameron Faulkner
Apple’s M1 iPad Air is back down to its lowest price
$499.99 gets you a tablet that outpaces Apple’s newer $449 10th-gen iPad in some key ways. We’ve also highlighted deals on fast M.2 storage and more.
Jan 17, 2023, 2:18 PM UTCMitchell Clark and Tom Warren
Apple announces MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips
Higher-end M2 chips are here, headed first for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Jan 17, 2023, 2:09 PM UTCCameron Faulkner and Jess Weatherbed
Apple announces a Mac Mini with the M2 and M2 Pro
The BYO keyboard, mouse, and monitor machine got the press release treatment. A new M2-ified model is now here.
Jan 17, 2023, 2:00 PM UTCAndrew J. Hawkins
2024 Chevy Corvette E-Ray first ride: iconic sports car look with an electric surge
It only took 70 years for the Corvette to find a little space for an electric motor. The new E-Ray is the first hybrid version of the eighth-generation sports car and the first to feature all-wheel drive.
- RGreen light.
Rumors point to incoming product news from Apple today, and of course, we’ll be on top of whatever is or is not announced.
Otherwise, a securities fraud trial over Elon Musk’s 2018 tweets about taking Tesla private is starting today in San Francisco (not Texas, as he would have preferred).
Until then, you can get a better sense of the exec via today’s feature from Zoe Schiffer, Casey Newton, and Alex Heath.
Jan 17, 2023, 12:32 PM UTCJames Vincent
Nick Cave says imitation ChatGPT song is ‘a grotesque mockery of what it is to be human’
‘What ChatGPT is, in this instance, is replication as travesty.’