Author: Techy
New MacBook Air Rumored to Launch in April With These 5 New Features
Apple plans to release a new MacBook Air with a larger 15-inch display in April, according to display industry analyst Ross Young. The laptop is expected to be powered by the M2 chip and will likely support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
While we wait for the new MacBook Air to be announced, we have recapped five new features that have been rumored or are likely to be included.
15-Inch Display
The new MacBook Air is expected to be equipped with a larger 15.5-inch display, which would be the largest ever for the laptop. The current MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch display, and the laptop was offered in an 11-inch size many years ago.
While a new 13-inch MacBook Air with an OLED display is rumored to launch in 2024, the 15-inch model is expected to have a traditional LCD.
M2 Chip
Like the 13-inch MacBook Air, the 15-inch model will reportedly be available with the M2 chip. Apple says the M2 chip has up to an 18% faster CPU, up to a 35% faster GPU, and up to a 40% faster Neural Engine compared to the M1 chip.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last year claimed that a 15-inch MacBook with M2 and M2 Pro chip options would be released in the second quarter of 2023 or later. Interestingly, Kuo said this MacBook might not have Air branding. On a purely speculative basis, it is possible that Apple could release a 15-inch MacBook that is positioned between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, but Apple’s plans remain to be seen.
Longer Battery Life
With a 15-inch display, the new MacBook Air would have a larger chassis, allowing for a larger battery and longer battery life.
Apple says the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip lasts up to 18 hours per charge, so perhaps the 15-inch model could get closer to the 20-hour mark. Apple silicon chips continue to have industry-leading performance-per-watt.
Wi-Fi 6E
While the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip is limited to Wi-Fi 6, there is a good chance that the 15-inch MacBook Air will be upgraded to Wi-Fi 6E. Apple already updated the Mac mini with the M2 chip and Wi-Fi 6E last month.
Wi-Fi 6 operates on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, while Wi-Fi 6E also works over the 6GHz band, allowing for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference. To take advantage of these benefits, the device must be connected to a Wi-Fi 6E router, which are available from brands like TP-Link, Asus, and Netgear.
Apple has added Wi-Fi 6E support to a handful of devices so far, including the latest iPad Pro, 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
Bluetooth 5.3
Apple has added Bluetooth 5.3 to several of its latest devices, and the 15-inch MacBook Air could be next in line to gain support.
Bluetooth 5.3 offers benefits such as improved reliability and power efficiency, according to the Bluetooth SIG, the organization behind the standard. Bluetooth 5.3 could also pave the way for the new MacBook Air to support LE Audio eventually for improved audio quality, longer battery life, and more, should Apple choose to implement it.
Earlier this week, Apple filed a new Bluetooth 5.3 product listing. The filing does not mention any specific products, but it references a prior macOS-related listing, suggesting the filing could be related to upcoming Macs of some kind.
For more rumors about the 15-inch MacBook Air, read our roundup linked below.Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Tag: 15-Inch MacBook Air
Buyer’s Guide: MacBook Air (Neutral)
Related Forum: MacBook Air
This article, “New MacBook Air Rumored to Launch in April With These 5 New Features” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple plans to release a new MacBook Air with a larger 15-inch display in April, according to display industry analyst Ross Young. The laptop is expected to be powered by the M2 chip and will likely support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
While we wait for the new MacBook Air to be announced, we have recapped five new features that have been rumored or are likely to be included.
15-Inch Display
The new MacBook Air is expected to be equipped with a larger 15.5-inch display, which would be the largest ever for the laptop. The current MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch display, and the laptop was offered in an 11-inch size many years ago.
While a new 13-inch MacBook Air with an OLED display is rumored to launch in 2024, the 15-inch model is expected to have a traditional LCD.
M2 Chip
Like the 13-inch MacBook Air, the 15-inch model will reportedly be available with the M2 chip. Apple says the M2 chip has up to an 18% faster CPU, up to a 35% faster GPU, and up to a 40% faster Neural Engine compared to the M1 chip.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last year claimed that a 15-inch MacBook with M2 and M2 Pro chip options would be released in the second quarter of 2023 or later. Interestingly, Kuo said this MacBook might not have Air branding. On a purely speculative basis, it is possible that Apple could release a 15-inch MacBook that is positioned between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, but Apple’s plans remain to be seen.
Longer Battery Life
With a 15-inch display, the new MacBook Air would have a larger chassis, allowing for a larger battery and longer battery life.
Apple says the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip lasts up to 18 hours per charge, so perhaps the 15-inch model could get closer to the 20-hour mark. Apple silicon chips continue to have industry-leading performance-per-watt.
Wi-Fi 6E
While the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip is limited to Wi-Fi 6, there is a good chance that the 15-inch MacBook Air will be upgraded to Wi-Fi 6E. Apple already updated the Mac mini with the M2 chip and Wi-Fi 6E last month.
Wi-Fi 6 operates on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, while Wi-Fi 6E also works over the 6GHz band, allowing for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference. To take advantage of these benefits, the device must be connected to a Wi-Fi 6E router, which are available from brands like TP-Link, Asus, and Netgear.
Apple has added Wi-Fi 6E support to a handful of devices so far, including the latest iPad Pro, 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
Bluetooth 5.3
Apple has added Bluetooth 5.3 to several of its latest devices, and the 15-inch MacBook Air could be next in line to gain support.
Bluetooth 5.3 offers benefits such as improved reliability and power efficiency, according to the Bluetooth SIG, the organization behind the standard. Bluetooth 5.3 could also pave the way for the new MacBook Air to support LE Audio eventually for improved audio quality, longer battery life, and more, should Apple choose to implement it.
Earlier this week, Apple filed a new Bluetooth 5.3 product listing. The filing does not mention any specific products, but it references a prior macOS-related listing, suggesting the filing could be related to upcoming Macs of some kind.
For more rumors about the 15-inch MacBook Air, read our roundup linked below.
This article, “New MacBook Air Rumored to Launch in April With These 5 New Features” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Google TV is getting a free update that makes it easier to find what you want
New pages that let viewers browse movies, TV shows, and more from apps they already subscribe to have been added to the Google TV smart interface.
Smart TV interfaces provide a necessary portal to streaming, smart home control, cloud-based gaming, and multiple other apps and services, but they are typically cluttered with unwanted content recommendations, free ad-supported TV offerings, and, now more often than not, in-your-face advertisements.
Google TV, which powers Google’s Chromecast with Google TV streaming stick and is also used as the smart interface on the best 4K TVs from the likes of Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Philips, is one of the more prominent third-party streaming options for TV makers. But it has also been faulted for screen clutter, and more recently for leaning heavily into ads. The company does occasionally tweak its interface to make it more user-friendly, however, with the latest improvements coming to Google TV users this week.
Citing research that average households now subscribe to more than five different apps for entertainment, Google TV has launched four new content pages to help viewers find programs they want to watch without having to leap from app to app.
The Movies page lets viewers browse selections by genre, title, or topic and also shows new and trending releases. It provides personalized recommendations, something I’ve found that Google TV does with a higher level of accuracy than other smart TV platforms.
Shows presents new releases from services you subscribe to, along with popular and trending ones you may want to check out. And when you finish watching an episode, Google TV will suggest other ones that Google thinks you will enjoy.
The new Español page offers a central location to check out Spanish-language programs, everything from movies to telenovelas. You can access Spanish-language apps here as well, and find a collection of Spanish dubbed and subtitled movies and shows.
Family unsurprisingly gathers a range of movies with PG or lower ratings on one page so families can easily access wholesome entertainment that both kids and parents can watch together.
The new pages, which will be available to Google TV users in the US, are located below the apps row on the For You tab. Google TV is also getting navigational improvements, with a profile switcher moving to the top left of the screen so multiple users in the same household can easily access personalized settings, and a Search button moving to the top right. Those specific changes are being rolled out globally.
The new Movies page is one that can be accessed separately within the main Google TV interface. (Image credit: Google)
Analysis: Smart TV clutter is a problem, and Google’s new Pages could be a solution
As a TV reviewer, I’ve come to accept that Smart TV interfaces are generally cluttered and that finding something specific I want to watch is going to require work. An increase in advertisements plastered on the main screen has only made the situation worse, and so have Free ad-supported TV portals, something basically all TV brands now carry, that push out notifications enticing me to check out shows I have absolutely no interest in watching.
Free ad-supported TV portals and recommendation engines can occupy a fair amount of the smart screen interface, and while there is some benefit for viewers simply looking for anything to watch without paying for a streaming service, not everyone fits in that category.
By offering specific page links within its smart TV interface, Google TV is making it easier for viewers to more quickly find what TV shows and movies they are looking for, and even better yet, let them limit listings to some degree to specific services they already subscribe to. That’s a definite step in the right direction when it comes to reducing smart TV screen clutter.
I like Google TV – it has good personalized recommendations and its ability to link up with Google Photos to display slideshows from that service is something I can appreciate. But Google TV also lacks the clean, elegant interface you get with an Apple TV 4K, not to mention the Roku one found in TVs like TCL’s 6-Series models.
Adding specific pages for viewers to discover movies, TV shows, and more, especially from services they already subscribe to, is a definite improvement, and it’s one that will make Google TV a more competitive and compelling option in the smart TV world.
These scientists lugged logs on their heads to resolve Chaco Canyon mystery
“Tumplines allow one to carry heavier weights over larger distances without getting fatigued.”
Enlarge / James Wilson and Rodger Kram carry a log with tumplines with the Boulder Foothills in the background. (credit: Patrick Campbell/CU Boulder)
The so-called “great houses” of Chaco Canyon in New Mexico may have taken decades or longer to construct. Most large complexes had four or five stories and averaged over 200 rooms, with the largest boasting as many as 700 rooms. The complexes also featured large circular ceremonial areas called kivas. In order to construct these great houses, archaeologists have estimated that the Chacoans would have needed wood from some 200,000 trees, and those 16-foot-long wooden beams must have been transported from mountain ranges as far as 70 miles (110 km) away.
Many scientists have hypothesized about how the Chacoans might have accomplished this feat. The latest theory is that the Chacoans may have used simple devices called tumplines, still favored by sherpas in Nepal, according to a new paper published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. To test that hypothesis, co-authors Rodger Kram and James Wilson spent the summer of 2020 training until they could haul a heavy log some 15 miles using tumplines. “Some people baked sourdough bread during COVID,” said Kram, an emeritus professor of integrative physiology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. “Instead, we carried sand and heavy logs around using our heads.”
There are no preserved timber scrape marks near the site, and the people of Chaco Canyon didn’t have draft animals or even wheels, according to Kram and his co-authors. So the logs must have been carried by people, most likely along the wide roadways that linked this world. A 1925 publication featured a photograph depicting eight young men from Zuni Pueblo carrying a log: four on each side holding thin cross-poles at hip-height, with the log laid on top. That photograph influenced many of the proposed mechanisms for transporting the logs. However, Kram et al. pointed out that there’s no clear evidence that the residents of Zuni Pueblo share cultural connections with the people who once inhabited Chaco Canyon. “We feel that it is dubious to infer Chaco era timber transportation methods from a staged 20th century image,” they wrote.
Latest Garmin Forerunner 965 leak shows off redesigned map and system UI
Garmin runners will be able to more easily follow directions at a glance although many features remain a mystery.
New details for Garmin’s upcoming smartwatch, the Forerunner 965, have been leaked by yet another hasty online store giving us our first high-resolution look at the device.
The images come from swimming retailer SwimOutlet showing off the device in two different colors: a metallic black and a bright greenish-yellow. At a glance, it appears the bezel around the watch face is smaller compared to the Forerunner 955. The extra room is probably for the new 1.4-inch AMOLED screen the upcoming watch is reported to have. Other shots reveal what the system UI will look like on the device such as more information being displayed at once on the main screen. The map feature has also been revamped. This time around, step-by-step directions will take up less space on the Forerunner 965’s face, making it easier to see where you’re going when using the map.
Other than that, not much else was revealed in the SwimOutlet listing. It’s unknown what other features, new or returning like the ECG app, will be on the Forerunner 965. There is, however, a price tag for the smartwatch: $599.99 making it cheaper than initial guesses. The release date remains a mystery although a screenshot from the iRun.Fr website, an online French fitness retailer, hints at a March 2 launch which is less than a week away. But even that date is debatable as others have claimed it is actually March 14.
SwimOutlet Garmin Forerunner 965 leak (Image credit: Future)
Garmin’s Forerunner 265 leaked
Besides the Forerunner 965, some new marketing images of the upcoming Forerunner 265 and 265s duo also leaked. Very little was revealed apart from the wide assortment of colors the two devices will sport. The Forerunner 265 will be available in black/gray, aqua blue, and whitestone whereas the smaller 265s model comes in a striking black and yellow combo, light pink, and a lighter whitestone shade.
It’s worth pointing out that both watches will launch with what appears to be an AMOLED screen. This is backed up by previous leaks, but without official confirmation, it’s hard to say for sure. Specs-wise, nothing else was leaked that hasn’t already been covered. Previous rumors state Forerunner 265 has a battery life of “up to 13 days in smartwatch mode [or] 20 hours in GPS mode” and will cost somewhere around $449 to $499 – depending on the region.
Of course, take everything here with a grain of salt. Things can always change at the last minute. However, given the frequency of these leaks in the past month or so, we probably won’t have to wait very long for Garmin to announce something.
Be sure to check out TechRadar’s recently updated list of the best Garmin watches for 2023 if you don’t feel like waiting for the new watches. It includes both of the previous models: the Forerunner 955 and the more affordable Forerunner 255.
Even Hackers are reportedly getting Laid Off by Organized Crime Groups
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Motorola brings $5-a-month satellite messaging to any phone with new hotspot
Have a look at Android’s first comprehensive satellite texting solution.
Enlarge / Motorola is shipping two big pieces of satellite connectivity hardware to the US.
The launch of the iPhone 14 made satellite messaging the hot new feature in smartphones. You’ve been able to get big, bulky, ugly satellite phones for years with full satellite calling and messaging, but it turns out if you scope down the feature to only “emergency SOS,” and heavily compress everything, you can connect to a satellite from a normal smartphone form factor. Since the iPhone announcement, everyone in Android land has been eager to copy this, and we’ve seen satellite connectivity announcements from Qualcomm, Samsung, MediaTek, and Huawei and news that some kind of satellite support will be built into Android 14. Mostly these are chip and software announcements—not many companies have been talking about satellite products end users will actually be able to buy—until now.
Bullitt—a British phone manufacturer best known for licensing the heavy machinery “Caterpillar” brand for ruggedized smartphones—is launching what sounds like a full end-to-end solution that will bring satellite messaging to non-iPhone users. It’s launching the “Bullitt Satellite Connect” service, an app to connect to it called the “Bullitt Satellite Messenger,” and a “Cat S75” smartphone with satellite connectivity. It’s teaming up with Motorola to introduce a second satellite messaging phone, the “Motorola Defy 2,” and a satellite messaging hotspot called the “Motorola Defy Satellite Link.” There’s a lot to go over.
The app and service
Satellite service pricing. (credit: Bullitt)
First up is the service. Unlike the iPhone, which can only contact emergency services over satellite one way, Bullitt Satellite Connect claims to be a two-way messaging service and “the most advanced mobile satellite messaging platform in the world.” Satellite service starts at $4.99 per month, with “other flexible and heavier usage plans” available if you want to be a serious satellite texter. “SOS Assist,” which offers “24/7 access to emergency response centers provided by FocusPoint International” is included in the price of every plan and free for the first year even if you just buy the hardware.
Cyber Insurance Is Back From the Brink After Onslaught of Ransomware Attacks
The cyber-insurance market, battered by a rash of pandemic-era ransomware attacks, is making a comeback. Price hikes are moderating, new carriers and fresh sources of capital are emerging, and companies can better afford coverage. From a report: Cyber-insurance pricing increased 10% from a year earlier in January, a fraction of the 110% annual increase reported in the first quarter of 2022, preliminary data from insurance broker Marsh McLennan show. If those trends continue, prices could be set to decline, said Tom Reagan, Marsh’s cyber practice leader. The reversal would follow a wave of digital intrusions that dominated the work-from-home era and forced insurers to recalibrate both how they write policies and their risk appetites. Those attacks also pushed their clients to adopt stronger cybersecurity measures. The brutal conditions in the market have let up since then, with claim frequency declining in the fourth quarter of 2022 even as severity remained elevated, according to Marsh.
“What we’re left with is a very, very, very different market than what we went into two or three years ago,” said Paul Bantick, the global head of cyber risks at London-based insurer Beazley. “We have a mature market that has stood up against a huge test.” The risks posed by cyber criminals are still enormous. Ransomware attacks against industrial organizations increased by 87% in 2022 from the year before, while the US Treasury Department said financial institutions flagged nearly $1.2 billion in likely ransomware-related payments in 2021. Recent high-profile breaches at financial services firm ION Trading UK and a major Asian data center emphasized the grim risk posed by hackers. Even so, the total amount extorted from ransomware victims in 2022 dropped to $456.8 million from $765.6 million the year before, according to data from Chainalysis.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
The cyber-insurance market, battered by a rash of pandemic-era ransomware attacks, is making a comeback. Price hikes are moderating, new carriers and fresh sources of capital are emerging, and companies can better afford coverage. From a report: Cyber-insurance pricing increased 10% from a year earlier in January, a fraction of the 110% annual increase reported in the first quarter of 2022, preliminary data from insurance broker Marsh McLennan show. If those trends continue, prices could be set to decline, said Tom Reagan, Marsh’s cyber practice leader. The reversal would follow a wave of digital intrusions that dominated the work-from-home era and forced insurers to recalibrate both how they write policies and their risk appetites. Those attacks also pushed their clients to adopt stronger cybersecurity measures. The brutal conditions in the market have let up since then, with claim frequency declining in the fourth quarter of 2022 even as severity remained elevated, according to Marsh.
“What we’re left with is a very, very, very different market than what we went into two or three years ago,” said Paul Bantick, the global head of cyber risks at London-based insurer Beazley. “We have a mature market that has stood up against a huge test.” The risks posed by cyber criminals are still enormous. Ransomware attacks against industrial organizations increased by 87% in 2022 from the year before, while the US Treasury Department said financial institutions flagged nearly $1.2 billion in likely ransomware-related payments in 2021. Recent high-profile breaches at financial services firm ION Trading UK and a major Asian data center emphasized the grim risk posed by hackers. Even so, the total amount extorted from ransomware victims in 2022 dropped to $456.8 million from $765.6 million the year before, according to data from Chainalysis.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.