Month: August 2024
Debate over “open source AI” term brings new push to formalize definition
Restrictive AI model licenses claimed as “open source” spark for clear standard.
Enlarge / A man peers over a glass partition, seeking transparency. (credit: Image Source via Getty Images)
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) recently unveiled its latest draft definition for “open source AI,” aiming to clarify the ambiguous use of the term in the fast-moving field. The move comes as some companies like Meta release trained AI language model weights and code with usage restrictions while using the “open source” label. This has sparked intense debates among free-software advocates about what truly constitutes “open source” in the context of AI.
For instance, Meta’s Llama 3 model, while freely available, doesn’t meet the traditional open source criteria as defined by the OSI for software because it imposes license restrictions on usage due to company size or what type of content is produced with the model. The AI image generator Flux is another “open” model that is not truly open source. Because of this type of ambiguity, we’ve typically described AI models that include code or weights with restrictions or lack accompanying training data with alternative terms like “open-weights” or “source-available.”
To address the issue formally, the OSI—which is well-known for its advocacy for open software standards—has assembled a group of about 70 participants, including researchers, lawyers, policymakers, and activists. Representatives from major tech companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon also joined the effort. The group’s current draft (version 0.0.9) definition of open source AI emphasizes “four fundamental freedoms” reminiscent of those defining free software: giving users of the AI system permission to use it for any purpose without permission, study how it works, modify it for any purpose, and share with or without modifications.
Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ review: A capable AI PC, but Windows on Arm issues remain
It’s only been four months since we reviewed the latest Intel version of the XPS 13, but now Dell has released a model built for Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI PC initiative. It’s running Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, making it an Arm-based laptop like the recent Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. But with that mobile-focused hardware comes new expectations: More battery efficiency than Intel’s x86 chips, as well dramatically faster AI capabilities thanks to its beefier NPU (neural processing unit). As with all Arm-based Windows systems, though, there’s also the potential for trouble with older x86 apps, which may run slowly through emulation or simply not launch at all.
It’s undoubtedly a chaotic time for the PC industry, as chipmakers and PC companies build for an uncertain AI-powered future. For consumers, that just means confusion. That’s partially why Microsoft kicked off the Copilot+ program to begin with, since it requires system makers to include at least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and an NPU with at least 40 TOPS (tera-ops per second) of AI performance. If it says Copilot+ on the box, it should be a decent PC.
So does this XPS 13 live up to the Copilot+ branding? Mostly, it turns out. And it’s fascinating to see how it compares to the current Intel version of the very same product.
What’s new about the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?
The biggest addition to this XPS 13 — and the main reason we’re reviewing it — is that Snapdragon X Elite chip. Everything else about this XPS 13 is the same as the previous iteration. There’s its strikingly minimalist design, with an “invisible” touchpad that blends into the wrist rest, as well as large-capped keys running edge-to-edge. And don’t forget the capacitive function row, which remains a baffling feature.
If you want a deeper take on the XPS 13’s design, just take a look at my previous review. In short, though, it’s a machine that basically prioritizes looks over usability. It’s light, sturdy and dramatically different from every other laptop out there. But to get there, Dell made the trackpad harder to use (it’s not quite as accurate as Apple’s MacBooks or Microsoft’s Surface PCs), and its capacitive function row is simply a pain.
As for the XPS 13’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, it features 12 cores running up to 3.4GHz, with a dual-core boot reaching 4GHz. In comparison, the Intel variant’s Core Ultra 7 155H chip offers 16 cores and reaches up to 4.8GHz. Qualcomm has the advantage with a more powerful 45 TOPS NPU, compared to Intel’s 10 TOPS, but I haven’t found that to make a huge difference with the few AI features in Windows 11 today. As the benchmarks below show, bigger chip numbers don’t always lead to better performance.
PCMark 10
Geekbench 6 CPU
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
Cinebench 2024
Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ (Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite)
14,024 (Applications)
2,621/14,194
6,191
122/748
Microsoft Surface Pro (2024, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite)
12,615 (Applications)
2,769/13,842
6,430
120/770
Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Intel Arc)
6,806
2,276/11,490
4,579
90/453
Apple MacBook Air (M3)
N/A
3,190/12,102
8,310
141/490
What’s good about the XPS 13 Copilot+?
In short, this XPS 13 delivers most of what you’d want from a modern ultraportable, while also preparing you for a potential future with more AI-powered apps and features. It’s attractive, fast (for most apps, anyway) and sturdy. It’s also the perfect system if you want to stand out a bit, since it looks unlike any other laptop out there.
It runs most productivity apps well, and had no problem multitasking when I had dozens of tabs open across Chrome and Edge, while video conferencing in Zoom and chatting with colleagues on Slack.
Across most benchmarks like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, this XPS 13 easily trounced its Intel sibling by several thousand points.
Qualcomm’s 45 TOPS Snapdragon X Elite NPU makes the Copilot+ XPS 13 more future-proof than the current Intel model.
Dell’s XPS 13 keyboard is lusciously wide and delivers excellent feedback. It may take a bit of getting used to though, since the spacing differs from most other notebooks.
I tested the XPS 13’s base-level 1080p+ non-touchscreen display, and while it wasn’t as glorious as the OLED-equipped XPS devices I’ve seen, it still looked sharp and colorful.
As always, Dell’s thin InfinityEdge bezels also help the screen pop even more.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
What’s bad about the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?
Take most of the downsides from the Intel version of the XPS 13, as well as problems still plaguing Arm-based Windows devices like the Surface Pro, and you’ve got the big issues with the XPS 13 Copilot+ PC.
Some emulated x86 apps like Evernote run into noticeable slowdowns. I often encountered lag when switching between notes, as well as scrolling down long documents.
The built-in AI features in Paint and Photos are mostly useless, and it’s still unclear when the long-awaited Recall feature will arrive for general users.
We also don’t know when to expect any other AI features in the OS, or when other developers will start releasing more AI capabilities in their apps.
Battery life was average compared to most Windows PCs and surprisingly low for an Arm-based system. It reached seven hours and 48 minutes in the PCMark 10 Applications battery benchmark, which was far below the 13 hours and 15 minutes the Intel XPS 13 hit in the Modern Office PCMark test. Microsoft’s Surface Pro Copilot+ system, meanwhile, lasted for twelve hours and 15 minutes in the Applications test.
Games like Fortnite, Destiny 2 and League of Legends won’t run on the XPS 13, because their anti-cheat software isn’t compatible with Arm chips.
I’m still not a fan of the XPS 13’s invisible trackpad. It’s sometimes hard to locate and swiping around isn’t as smooth as on Apple’s MacBook Air.
The XPS 13 desperately needs more than two USB-C ports, otherwise many users will be stuck living the dongle life.
The capacitive function row still disappears in direct sunlight and it’s impossible to use without directly looking at it. After all, it’s hard to build up touch typing memory without physical keys.
Check out those disappearing function buttons!
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
Should you buy the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?
The XPS 13 typically starts at $1,300 with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. At the time of this review, it’s currently on sale for $999, but it’s unclear how long that discount will last. The Intel model also starts at $1,300 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but you’ll have to add another $100 to get 16GB of memory. (The Intel XPS 13 was recently marked down to $1,200, so don’t be surprised if you see Dell’s prices fluctuate frequently.)
If you need a powerful 13-inch laptop right now, the XPS 13 Copilot+ is a solid choice. Just be wary of the downsides and potential software issues I mentioned above. If you’re on the fence, though, it may be worth waiting until Dell refreshes the XPS 13 once again with Intel’s new Lunar Lake CPU. That’s expected to arrive this fall, and it’ll feature an NPU that’s even faster than the Snapdragon X Elite’s. And since it’s an x86 chip, the Lunar Lake XPS 13 won’t have to emulate older software, and it will also be able to run games like Fortnite.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/dell-xps-13-copilot-review-a-capable-ai-pc-but-windows-on-arm-issues-remain-200050685.html?src=rss
It’s only been four months since we reviewed the latest Intel version of the XPS 13, but now Dell has released a model built for Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI PC initiative. It’s running Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, making it an Arm-based laptop like the recent Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. But with that mobile-focused hardware comes new expectations: More battery efficiency than Intel’s x86 chips, as well dramatically faster AI capabilities thanks to its beefier NPU (neural processing unit). As with all Arm-based Windows systems, though, there’s also the potential for trouble with older x86 apps, which may run slowly through emulation or simply not launch at all.
It’s undoubtedly a chaotic time for the PC industry, as chipmakers and PC companies build for an uncertain AI-powered future. For consumers, that just means confusion. That’s partially why Microsoft kicked off the Copilot+ program to begin with, since it requires system makers to include at least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and an NPU with at least 40 TOPS (tera-ops per second) of AI performance. If it says Copilot+ on the box, it should be a decent PC.
So does this XPS 13 live up to the Copilot+ branding? Mostly, it turns out. And it’s fascinating to see how it compares to the current Intel version of the very same product.
What’s new about the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?
The biggest addition to this XPS 13 — and the main reason we’re reviewing it — is that Snapdragon X Elite chip. Everything else about this XPS 13 is the same as the previous iteration. There’s its strikingly minimalist design, with an “invisible” touchpad that blends into the wrist rest, as well as large-capped keys running edge-to-edge. And don’t forget the capacitive function row, which remains a baffling feature.
If you want a deeper take on the XPS 13’s design, just take a look at my previous review. In short, though, it’s a machine that basically prioritizes looks over usability. It’s light, sturdy and dramatically different from every other laptop out there. But to get there, Dell made the trackpad harder to use (it’s not quite as accurate as Apple’s MacBooks or Microsoft’s Surface PCs), and its capacitive function row is simply a pain.
As for the XPS 13’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, it features 12 cores running up to 3.4GHz, with a dual-core boot reaching 4GHz. In comparison, the Intel variant’s Core Ultra 7 155H chip offers 16 cores and reaches up to 4.8GHz. Qualcomm has the advantage with a more powerful 45 TOPS NPU, compared to Intel’s 10 TOPS, but I haven’t found that to make a huge difference with the few AI features in Windows 11 today. As the benchmarks below show, bigger chip numbers don’t always lead to better performance.
PCMark 10
Geekbench 6 CPU
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
Cinebench 2024
Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ (Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite)
14,024 (Applications)
2,621/14,194
6,191
122/748
Microsoft Surface Pro (2024, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite)
12,615 (Applications)
2,769/13,842
6,430
120/770
Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Intel Arc)
6,806
2,276/11,490
4,579
90/453
Apple MacBook Air (M3)
N/A
3,190/12,102
8,310
141/490
What’s good about the XPS 13 Copilot+?
In short, this XPS 13 delivers most of what you’d want from a modern ultraportable, while also preparing you for a potential future with more AI-powered apps and features. It’s attractive, fast (for most apps, anyway) and sturdy. It’s also the perfect system if you want to stand out a bit, since it looks unlike any other laptop out there.
It runs most productivity apps well, and had no problem multitasking when I had dozens of tabs open across Chrome and Edge, while video conferencing in Zoom and chatting with colleagues on Slack.
Across most benchmarks like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, this XPS 13 easily trounced its Intel sibling by several thousand points.
Qualcomm’s 45 TOPS Snapdragon X Elite NPU makes the Copilot+ XPS 13 more future-proof than the current Intel model.
Dell’s XPS 13 keyboard is lusciously wide and delivers excellent feedback. It may take a bit of getting used to though, since the spacing differs from most other notebooks.
I tested the XPS 13’s base-level 1080p+ non-touchscreen display, and while it wasn’t as glorious as the OLED-equipped XPS devices I’ve seen, it still looked sharp and colorful.
As always, Dell’s thin InfinityEdge bezels also help the screen pop even more.
What’s bad about the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?
Take most of the downsides from the Intel version of the XPS 13, as well as problems still plaguing Arm-based Windows devices like the Surface Pro, and you’ve got the big issues with the XPS 13 Copilot+ PC.
Some emulated x86 apps like Evernote run into noticeable slowdowns. I often encountered lag when switching between notes, as well as scrolling down long documents.
The built-in AI features in Paint and Photos are mostly useless, and it’s still unclear when the long-awaited Recall feature will arrive for general users.
We also don’t know when to expect any other AI features in the OS, or when other developers will start releasing more AI capabilities in their apps.
Battery life was average compared to most Windows PCs and surprisingly low for an Arm-based system. It reached seven hours and 48 minutes in the PCMark 10 Applications battery benchmark, which was far below the 13 hours and 15 minutes the Intel XPS 13 hit in the Modern Office PCMark test. Microsoft’s Surface Pro Copilot+ system, meanwhile, lasted for twelve hours and 15 minutes in the Applications test.
Games like Fortnite, Destiny 2 and League of Legends won’t run on the XPS 13, because their anti-cheat software isn’t compatible with Arm chips.
I’m still not a fan of the XPS 13’s invisible trackpad. It’s sometimes hard to locate and swiping around isn’t as smooth as on Apple’s MacBook Air.
The XPS 13 desperately needs more than two USB-C ports, otherwise many users will be stuck living the dongle life.
The capacitive function row still disappears in direct sunlight and it’s impossible to use without directly looking at it. After all, it’s hard to build up touch typing memory without physical keys.
Check out those disappearing function buttons!
Should you buy the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?
The XPS 13 typically starts at $1,300 with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. At the time of this review, it’s currently on sale for $999, but it’s unclear how long that discount will last. The Intel model also starts at $1,300 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but you’ll have to add another $100 to get 16GB of memory. (The Intel XPS 13 was recently marked down to $1,200, so don’t be surprised if you see Dell’s prices fluctuate frequently.)
If you need a powerful 13-inch laptop right now, the XPS 13 Copilot+ is a solid choice. Just be wary of the downsides and potential software issues I mentioned above. If you’re on the fence, though, it may be worth waiting until Dell refreshes the XPS 13 once again with Intel’s new Lunar Lake CPU. That’s expected to arrive this fall, and it’ll feature an NPU that’s even faster than the Snapdragon X Elite’s. And since it’s an x86 chip, the Lunar Lake XPS 13 won’t have to emulate older software, and it will also be able to run games like Fortnite.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/dell-xps-13-copilot-review-a-capable-ai-pc-but-windows-on-arm-issues-remain-200050685.html?src=rss
Volkswagen and Mercedes announce EV gaming upgrades to help you survive lengthy charging breaks
Volkswagen is the latest automaker to offer AirConsole in a number of its vehicles, with gaming set to integrate further into future cars.
Volkswagen is the latest automotive manufacturer to announce a partnership with mobile gaming platform AirConsole, which allows drivers and passengers to stream a number of gaming titles when stationary.
Initially to be rolled out in the VW ID.7 Pro S and VW ID.7 Touring Pro S models, with various other all-electric ID products running ID. software 4.0 slated to receive the update in the coming months, the platform sees the smartphone serve as a controller, allowing up to four players to enjoy a selection of arcade-style games.
The BMW group partnered with AirConsole back in 2022 and has since started to introduce app support in a number of BMW and Mini models, including the all-new electric Mini that we tested recently.
Although readily available on web browsers, Android TV, Google TV and Amazon Fire TV, it is only recently that AirConsole has been introduced to vehicles, with battery EVs the first obvious targets.
The extended downtime faced by EV owners as they wait for batteries to brim presents the perfect opportunity for a spot of gaming, with AirConsole offering the likes of madcap co-op Overcooked, trivia quiz Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and a handful of racing titles and puzzle games to while away the minutes.
Volkswagen says that it plans to expand its AirConsole app to combustion engine cars, too, with new Passat, the new Tiguan, the new Golf and the new Golf Estate – all of which will run the latest infotainment software – offering in-car gaming by 2025.
Mercedes pulls out the big guns
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
It seems the automotive infotainment screen might be the next battleground gunning for gamers’ attention, as Mercedes-Benz announced at Gamescom this year that it has partnered with the developers of the Boosteroid app to offer AAA games for streaming in its vehicles.
The latest MBUX Hyperscreen multimedia system comprises three enormous digital displays in some models, offering the chance for driver and front-seat passenger to compete in titles from the likes of Steam and Epic Games on separate screens.
Using either a Bluetooth controller or a smartphone, gamers will be able stream and even compete in over 1,000 titles via the Boosteroid app in Europe and North America early next year.
Conversely, Tesla is moving away from offering AAA gaming in its vehicles, stopping support for Steam games on Model S and Model X this year, while neither denying nor confirming whether it will pursue it with Model Y or Model 3.
There were some suggestions that Tesla perhaps pulled support due to its various on-going cases surrounding distracted drivers and its Full Self-Driving technology, despite the system only becoming active when a vehicle is stationary, or that it was merely a cost-saving measure ordered by boss Elon Musk.
During an earnings call earlier this year, Musk even floated the idea of using the computers of parked vehicles to instead conduct inference, data processing, and other tasks, earning money for the vehicle owner and the manufacturer.
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Tetris Forever Is Bringing 15 Tetris Games to the Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, PC
The new game mode, called Tetris Time Warp, jumps across various Tetris game mechanics for a new but still nostalgic experience.
The new game mode, called Tetris Time Warp, jumps across various Tetris game mechanics for a new but still nostalgic experience.
X is working on its own version of Zoom for some reason
X, in its quest to become an “everything app,” is working a new feature that seems to be geared more for its own employees than its actual users. The company is testing its own version of Zoom, called X Conference.
X employee Chris Park said the company was testing the tool internally, in a post on X spotted by TechCrunch. Based on Park’s screenshot and description of the tool, it sounds like it’s a fairly basic version of multi-person video conferencing compared with Zoom or Google Meet. He said the ability to pin speakers and improved notifications are “likely coming” to the tool, which he claimed was “already a really strong alternative to Google Hangouts, Zoom, AWS Chime, and certainly… Microsoft Teams.” Elon Musk also briefly weighed in, posting a fire emoji in response to Park’s post.
First ever 𝕏 Conference meeting with some of my great @X and @XDevelopers teammates.Already a really strong alternative to Google Hangouts, Zoom, AWS Chime, and certainly… Microsoft Teams 🤠Minimal feedback that is likely coming:- better vis or notification when someone… pic.twitter.com/FJ252w6m4C— Chris Park (@chrisparkX) August 23, 2024
App researcher Nima Owji also spotted the feature earlier this month, posting a screenshot that indicates X Conference will support spatial audio and have built-in captions. But even with those features, it’s not at all clear that there is any demand for an X-owned video conferencing platform outside of its own employees.
The app already supports person-to-person video calls as well as public broadcasts over Spaces. X has repeatedly struggled with technical difficulties during high-profile streams, like Musk’s recent talk with Donald Trump. Musk blamed the issues on a “DDOS attack,” an explanation that has been questioned by some security experts and former employees.
While it’s unclear who X is targeting with its new video conferencing feature, it wouldn’t be the first time the company has ventured into seemingly corporate-friendly features. X also added a job search tool last year and Musk has said he wants X to make a “cool” version of LinkedIn.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-working-on-its-own-version-of-zoom-for-some-reason-194054470.html?src=rss
X, in its quest to become an “everything app,” is working a new feature that seems to be geared more for its own employees than its actual users. The company is testing its own version of Zoom, called X Conference.
X employee Chris Park said the company was testing the tool internally, in a post on X spotted by TechCrunch. Based on Park’s screenshot and description of the tool, it sounds like it’s a fairly basic version of multi-person video conferencing compared with Zoom or Google Meet. He said the ability to pin speakers and improved notifications are “likely coming” to the tool, which he claimed was “already a really strong alternative to Google Hangouts, Zoom, AWS Chime, and certainly… Microsoft Teams.” Elon Musk also briefly weighed in, posting a fire emoji in response to Park’s post.
First ever 𝕏 Conference meeting with some of my great @X and @XDevelopers teammates.
Already a really strong alternative to Google Hangouts, Zoom, AWS Chime, and certainly… Microsoft Teams 🤠
Minimal feedback that is likely coming:
– better vis or notification when someone… pic.twitter.com/FJ252w6m4C
— Chris Park (@chrisparkX) August 23, 2024
App researcher Nima Owji also spotted the feature earlier this month, posting a screenshot that indicates X Conference will support spatial audio and have built-in captions. But even with those features, it’s not at all clear that there is any demand for an X-owned video conferencing platform outside of its own employees.
The app already supports person-to-person video calls as well as public broadcasts over Spaces. X has repeatedly struggled with technical difficulties during high-profile streams, like Musk’s recent talk with Donald Trump. Musk blamed the issues on a “DDOS attack,” an explanation that has been questioned by some security experts and former employees.
While it’s unclear who X is targeting with its new video conferencing feature, it wouldn’t be the first time the company has ventured into seemingly corporate-friendly features. X also added a job search tool last year and Musk has said he wants X to make a “cool” version of LinkedIn.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-working-on-its-own-version-of-zoom-for-some-reason-194054470.html?src=rss
What to Expect From Apple’s 2024 iPad Mini 7
While Apple refreshed the iPad Pro and the iPad Air in May 2024, the iPad mini is still in need of an update. Apple last introduced a new iPad mini in September 2021, so it’s overdue for an overhaul.
Rumors suggest that Apple has plans to refresh its smallest tablet later in 2024, and this guide highlights all of the rumors we’ve heard about the device so far.
Display and Design
We haven’t heard rumors of design changes for the iPad mini, which means it will likely feature the same 8.3-inch size and all-display design. The current iPad mini has a Touch ID Power Button, which we’re also expecting for the new model.
According to a 2023 rumor, Apple will make a small tweak to the iPad mini’s display in an effort to cut down on “jelly scrolling.” The screen assembly will be rotated, which is supposed to reduce the effect when using the iPad mini in portrait orientation.
Jelly scrolling refers to noticeable lag when scrolling vertically through text-based context like a webpage. Each line appears to tilt downward toward the left of the screen as it passes, which makes it look like one side of the display is responding faster. Apple says that this is normal behavior for LCD iPads, but the company still wants to make a change to minimize the effect.
A-Series Chip
The iPad Pro and the iPad Air have M-series chips, but we’re not expecting the iPad mini to get a Mac chip this year. Instead, Apple is likely to go with the A17 Pro that was used in the iPhone 15 Pro models, or some other A17 variant that’s capable of handling Apple Intelligence.
It’s also possible that the iPad mini will get an A18 chip if it comes after the iPhone 16 lineup, as rumors suggest the iPhone 16 models will have chips in the A18 family.
With an A17 Pro or better, the iPad mini would be on par with or faster than the iPhone 15 Pro models, but it won’t have the speeds of the iPad Air or iPad Pro.
New Colors
The iPad mini is available in space gray, starlight, pink, and purple right now. Apple often refreshes color options with updates, so new colors are a definite possibility. With the iPad Air, which the iPad mini often mimics, Apple got rid of pink.
If Apple makes the iPad mini available in the same colors as the iPad Air, it could come in space gray, purple, blue, and starlight.
Front Camera
Apple moved the front-facing camera on the iPad Air to the landscape edge of the device, and it could make the same change for the iPad mini. It may make less sense to have a landscape camera on an iPad mini, though, because it’s less often used with keyboards.
The camera could get support for HDR 4 and it could have a wider aperture, if it adopts the camera used in the iPad Air.
Connectivity
Apple has been adding Wi-Fi 6E to each product as it’s updated, and it should be the iPad mini’s turn this year. Wi-Fi 6E will allow the iPad mini to connect to the 6GHz Wi-Fi band on supported routers.
Bluetooth 5.3 is also expected, as that’s another update Apple has been making to new devices, and the iPad mini could lose its nano-SIM slot, with Apple opting only for eSIM.
Apple Pencil Pro
The current iPad mini works with the Apple Pencil 2, so the new model will likely support the Apple Pencil Pro. The Apple Pencil Pro has a squeeze gesture, haptic feedback, a gyroscope for barrel roll support, and Find My integration.
Apple Pencil hover might also be a new feature, as the current iPad mini does not support it.
Release Date
Apple will likely release a new iPad mini toward the end of the year, likely in September or October. In some years, Apple holds a special October event for Macs and iPads, and we could get that in 2024. Apple is planning to hold an iPhone-centric event on Monday, September 9, so it’s also entirely possible the iPad mini will see a debut then.
There are, however, refreshes coming for the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac, so it would also make sense for Apple to hold a second fall event.
Supplies of the current sixth-generation iPad mini are starting to dwindle in stores, which could be a sign that a refresh is coming in the near future.
Future iPad mini Models
There are rumors that Apple is working on a foldable iPad mini and OLED display technology for the iPad mini, but neither of these updates are expected in 2024.
An OLED display or a foldable iPad mini are technologies not expected until 2026, 2027, or even later.This article, “What to Expect From Apple’s 2024 iPad Mini 7” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
While Apple refreshed the iPad Pro and the iPad Air in May 2024, the iPad mini is still in need of an update. Apple last introduced a new iPad mini in September 2021, so it’s overdue for an overhaul.
Rumors suggest that Apple has plans to refresh its smallest tablet later in 2024, and this guide highlights all of the rumors we’ve heard about the device so far.
Display and Design
We haven’t heard rumors of design changes for the iPad mini, which means it will likely feature the same 8.3-inch size and all-display design. The current iPad mini has a Touch ID Power Button, which we’re also expecting for the new model.
According to a 2023 rumor, Apple will make a small tweak to the iPad mini’s display in an effort to cut down on “jelly scrolling.” The screen assembly will be rotated, which is supposed to reduce the effect when using the iPad mini in portrait orientation.
Jelly scrolling refers to noticeable lag when scrolling vertically through text-based context like a webpage. Each line appears to tilt downward toward the left of the screen as it passes, which makes it look like one side of the display is responding faster. Apple says that this is normal behavior for LCD iPads, but the company still wants to make a change to minimize the effect.
A-Series Chip
The iPad Pro and the iPad Air have M-series chips, but we’re not expecting the iPad mini to get a Mac chip this year. Instead, Apple is likely to go with the A17 Pro that was used in the iPhone 15 Pro models, or some other A17 variant that’s capable of handling Apple Intelligence.
It’s also possible that the iPad mini will get an A18 chip if it comes after the iPhone 16 lineup, as rumors suggest the iPhone 16 models will have chips in the A18 family.
With an A17 Pro or better, the iPad mini would be on par with or faster than the iPhone 15 Pro models, but it won’t have the speeds of the iPad Air or iPad Pro.
New Colors
The iPad mini is available in space gray, starlight, pink, and purple right now. Apple often refreshes color options with updates, so new colors are a definite possibility. With the iPad Air, which the iPad mini often mimics, Apple got rid of pink.
If Apple makes the iPad mini available in the same colors as the iPad Air, it could come in space gray, purple, blue, and starlight.
Front Camera
Apple moved the front-facing camera on the iPad Air to the landscape edge of the device, and it could make the same change for the iPad mini. It may make less sense to have a landscape camera on an iPad mini, though, because it’s less often used with keyboards.
The camera could get support for HDR 4 and it could have a wider aperture, if it adopts the camera used in the iPad Air.
Connectivity
Apple has been adding Wi-Fi 6E to each product as it’s updated, and it should be the iPad mini’s turn this year. Wi-Fi 6E will allow the iPad mini to connect to the 6GHz Wi-Fi band on supported routers.
Bluetooth 5.3 is also expected, as that’s another update Apple has been making to new devices, and the iPad mini could lose its nano-SIM slot, with Apple opting only for eSIM.
Apple Pencil Pro
The current iPad mini works with the Apple Pencil 2, so the new model will likely support the Apple Pencil Pro. The Apple Pencil Pro has a squeeze gesture, haptic feedback, a gyroscope for barrel roll support, and Find My integration.
Apple Pencil hover might also be a new feature, as the current iPad mini does not support it.
Release Date
Apple will likely release a new iPad mini toward the end of the year, likely in September or October. In some years, Apple holds a special October event for Macs and iPads, and we could get that in 2024. Apple is planning to hold an iPhone-centric event on Monday, September 9, so it’s also entirely possible the iPad mini will see a debut then.
There are, however, refreshes coming for the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac, so it would also make sense for Apple to hold a second fall event.
Supplies of the current sixth-generation iPad mini are starting to dwindle in stores, which could be a sign that a refresh is coming in the near future.
Future iPad mini Models
There are rumors that Apple is working on a foldable iPad mini and OLED display technology for the iPad mini, but neither of these updates are expected in 2024.
An OLED display or a foldable iPad mini are technologies not expected until 2026, 2027, or even later.
This article, “What to Expect From Apple’s 2024 iPad Mini 7” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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