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Sometimes, Apple hosts grand presentations to announce new products and services. Other times, the company simply drops the news on a random Wednesday morning. This Wednesday morning is one such example: Following a preview on social media, Apple has announced the M5 chip, as well as three products that will kick off this new era of Apple silicon: the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pros, and Vision Pro.

The M5 chip

The big news that unifies all updated Apple products today is the M5 chip. As the name might imply, this is the company’s fifth generation of Apple silicon, its custom system on a chip (SoC).

Apple is selling M5 as a chip optimized for AI. The company says the new 16-core Neural Engine delivers both performance and efficiency boosts for AI processes. That means Apple Intelligence features should be faster and more accurate, though I’m not sure that’s enough to get me to use it.

In addition, the chip’s 10-core GPU has a dedicated “Neural Accelerator” in each core, which offers over four times peak GPU compute over the M4 chip, and six times the compute of M1. Apple specifically touts the improvements for the new 14-inch MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, which can now take advantage of “accelerated processing” for AI tasks, like running diffusion models and large language models. 

In other graphics gains, M5’s GPU and enhanced shader cores can be up to 30% faster than M4 and up to 2.5 times faster than M1. It comes with Apple’s third-gen ray-tracing engine, which offers a boost for any process that uses ray tracing to calculate lighting effects. Those improved graphics means the new Apple Vision Pro can render 10% more pixels as well as handle refresh rates up to 120Hz.

M5’s unified memory now has a bandwidth of 153GB/s, a nearly 30% jump over M4 and over 2x boost over M1, according to Apple. All devices running M5 can access the entire memory pool at once, which Apple says makes it possible to run larger AI models entirely on-device. That’s great news for privacy for anyone using AI on these MacBooks, iPads, or Vision Pro. Users can configure M5 to come with up to 32GB of RAM.

MacBook Pro

Credit: Apple

Apple did something interesting with its M5 kickoff for the Mac: It started only with the 14-inch MacBook Pro. If you want a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5, you’ll need to wait.

This new 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with all the new performance gains that Apple advertises for the M5 chip, with some unique benefits as well. Apple says this machine has up to 24 hours of battery life, which, if true, would be huge: You could work two full 12-hour days before needing to find a charger for your MacBook.

M5 also brings upgrades to the SSD in this MacBook Pro, which Apple says will help in professional workflows like importing RAW images to exporting huge video files.

Other than that, this is the same 14-inch MacBook Pro that you otherwise know by now. You get the Liquid Retina XDR display with a 12MP Center Stage camera, HDMI port, SD card slot, and three USB-C ports, in either silver or black. It even starts at the same $1,599 price as the M4 MacBook Pro, for the model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

iPad Pro

Credit: Apple

Like the new MacBook Pro, the iPad Pro looks unchanged, save for the new M5 and its performance gains. But there’s a little more under the hood here than just the new chip. Apple says the cellular iPad Pro models get the company’s C1X modem, which can offer up to 50% faster cellular data performance. If you opt for the cellular iPads, that’s good news, though I always opt for the wifi-only model, and use my iPhone as a hotspot. To each their own.

In addition to the C1X, these new iPads also get the N1 chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says N1 supports better performance on 5GHz networks, and boosts performance of features including AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.

Apple says the 256GB and 512GB iPad Pros here start with 12GB of RAM. That’s 4GB more than the M4 iPad Pros, which started at 8GB each. You’ll also notice faster charging speeds on these new iPads: Apple says with the right adapter, such as the company’s new dynamic power adapter, you can reach 50% battery in about 30 minutes. These iPads also now support external displays running at up to 120Hz.

Vision Pro

Credit: Apple

The M5 chip is even coming to a refreshed Vision Pro. Apple’s mixed-reality headset might not be the success story the company wanted, but it hasn’t abandoned the device, either. To the contrary, this Vision Pro has a few upgrades here in addition to M5’s performance, efficiency, and AI gains.

As mentioned above, the new Vision Pro can now render 10% more pixels across its micro-OLED displays than the previous generation can. It can also boost the refresh rate to 120Hz when needed, which should help sell the virtual reality illusion, including when working with virtual displays.

But it’s not just about the technology, here. Apple has upgraded the Vision Pro’s headband—specifically, the Dual Knit Band. Apple says this band should be more comfortable, with “3D-knitted” upper and lower straps. The lower strap in particular provides a counterweight, which should help take some of the pressure off the user when wearing it. Unfortunately, this strap is a separate $99 purchase. Like the current Vision Pro, this model starts at $3,499 for 256GB of internal storage.

All of these devices are available for pre-order starting today, and will be available in stores on Oct. 22.

Apple will increase investment in China, the company’s CEO Tim Cook said during a meeting with the country’s industry minister in Beijing on Wednesday, according to an official summary of their exchange. From a report: Many U.S. companies have become cautious about relations with China as the world’s two biggest economies have clashed over trade tariffs and as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to promote manufacture in the United States rather than elsewhere.

But Cook told China’s industry minister Li Lecheng the iPhone maker will keep investing in China, the Chinese ministry said, although the summary gave no details of the size of the projected investment.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

On Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company will allow verified adult users to have erotic conversations with ChatGPT starting in December. The change represents a shift in how OpenAI approaches content restrictions, which the company had loosened in February but then dramatically tightened after an August lawsuit from parents of a teen who died by suicide after allegedly receiving encouragement from ChatGPT.

“In December, as we roll out age-gating more fully and as part of our ‘treat adult users like adults’ principle, we will allow even more, like erotica for verified adults,” Altman wrote in his post on X (formerly Twitter). The announcement follows OpenAI’s recent hint that it would allow developers to create “mature” ChatGPT applications once the company implements appropriate age verification and controls.

Altman explained that OpenAI had made ChatGPT “pretty restrictive to make sure we were being careful with mental health issues” but acknowledged this approach made the chatbot “less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems.” The CEO said the company now has new tools to better detect when users are experiencing mental distress, allowing OpenAI to relax restrictions in most cases.

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The Ring Battery Doorbell is on sale via Amazon for just $50. This is half off and matches the Prime Day price, only now the deal is available for everyone. The sale applies to both colorways.

This is the company’s entry-level video doorbell but it’s still got some nifty features. First of all, it’s powered via a rechargeable battery, so users don’t have to do any wiring to get started. It charges via an included USB-C cable.

The Ring Video Doorbell is a relatively new design, having been first released in the middle of last year. It offers improved video when compared to the previous generation, in addition to a 23 percent increase in battery life. It can also handle head-to-toe video, which is handy when trying to suss out who is at the door.

The doorbell sends out real-time alerts and there’s a live view available via the smartphone app. This app also allows for conversations. It can hold onto recordings via the cloud, but only for those subscribed to Ring Home. A subscription includes access to 180 days of video history, but does cost $5 to $20 per month.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-battery-powered-ring-doorbell-is-on-sale-for-50-right-now-150926669.html?src=rss

It took two years for Threads to get messaging, but you thankfully don’t have to wait that long to be able to start group DMs. Meta has started rolling out group chats for the app, which lets you add up to 50 of your followers to a single conversation. Just start a new message and add anybody who follows you on Threads. The company says that you’ll also be able to share a link that your followers can click to join a group conversation “soon,” so you don’t have to add them one by one. Like in messaging apps, you’ll be able to customize the group chat’s name to better reflect its topic. 

In addition to launching group DMs, Meta is also releasing the messaging feature in the European Union over the coming days. If you’re in the EU, you’ll get access not just to individual DMs, but also to group DMs, messaging controls, privacy settings, the hidden folder where spam goes to and support for media files when the feature becomes available in your country. 

Emily Dalton Smith, Meta’s Head of Product for Threads, told us in a test group chat that it’s “on track to become Meta’s next major app” with 400 million monthly active users.” Messaging has been the top requested feature since Threads launched, but it took some time to release it because it “wasn’t a priority in the early days.” Since making DMs available on Threads in July, Meta has added support for photos, videos and GIFs, a messaging requests folder to reduce unwanted messages, the hidden spam folder and a privacy setting that completely switches off message requests from people you don’t follow. 

Threads / Meta

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-now-supports-group-dm-150002493.html?src=rss

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Marshall speakers are known for their iconic retro looks and powerful audio, so if you’re in the market for a desktop speaker that isn’t an eyesore and still delivers solid sound, the Marshall Emberton II portable Bluetooth speaker is currently around $95, 47% off the usual price.

Marshall Emberton II Portable Bluetooth Speaker

$94.99
at Amazon

$179.99
Save $85.00

$94.99
at Amazon

$179.99
Save $85.00

Mimicking the classic Marshall amp aesthetic, this vintage-inspired speaker provides rich bass and bright highs, according to this PCMag review, which notes that while the speaker can get impressively loud, it comes at the expense of bass depth and a warped sound signature. The Push mode can help balance out those EQ changes, but you still won’t get truly deep low-end. It’s ideal for indoor use, but it may not be loud enough to provide immersive sound in a backyard or on adventures. The speaker also lacks strong digital signal processing at high volumes, and doesn’t include a built-in mic or speakerphone functionality.

Compared to its predecessor, the Emberton II is longer lasting and more durable. It has a dust-tight build and an IP67 rating, which means it can be submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It can go for 30 hours without recharging, but that number will vary based on how loud you play it. Charging the speaker for 20 minutes provides four hours of playtime, but a full charge requires three hours. The companion Marshall Bluetooth app is only so-so; there are just three preset modes to adjust EQ.

If you can deal with occasionally aggressive digital signal processing and iffy low-end, the Marshall Emberton II is a stylish, well-built speaker that provides a decent audio experience for most songs. At $95, it’s a more affordable (and more aesthetic) alternative to similar speakers from the likes of JBL.

A couple of weeks ago, a YouTuber unboxed what appeared to be a refreshed iPad Pro in full retail packaging, suggesting it would be launching imminently. Today, Apple formally announced the new tablets, and it looks like pretty much everything uncovered by that YouTuber turned out to be accurate.

The new iPad Pros, powered by Apple’s also-new M5 chip, use the same basic designs as the M4 iPad Pros from last year and are compatible with the same cases and accessories. The new iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model, is available for pre-order today, and ships on October 22.

Apple’s M5 is similar in composition to the M4—the fully enabled version uses four high-performance CPU cores, six high-efficiency CPU cores, 10 GPU cores, and a 16-core Neural Engine. But a memory bandwidth increase, from 120GB/s for the M4 to 153GB/s for the M5, enables a disproportionately large 45 percent increase to graphics performance, according to Apple’s estimates. Apple’s press release also highlighted improvements to storage performance, with “up to 2x faster storage read and write speeds.”

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Waymo is bringing its autonomous taxis to the UK in 2026, marking the company’s first major expansion outside of the US. Waymo has selected the mobility company, Moove, as its fleet operations partner, and is currently working with local and national authorities in the UK to gain the necessary permissions to launch a robotaxi service in London first next year.

Right now, you won’t find any fully driverless cars in London or anywhere in the UK, but that’s set to change next year when the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 begins to take effect. This legislation is intended to regulate the eventual arrival of self-driving vehicles in the UK, but before that can happen, the government will help to facilitate robotaxi pilots from Spring 2026.

Given its complex road network and narrow winding streets built long before cars were a concern, London will be a challenging city for Waymo’s robotaxis to navigate, but the company said in a statement that its technology significantly reduces the risk of injury-causing collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians compared to human-driven cars. The imminent arrival of Waymo in the UK was also welcomed by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), with self-driving taxis seen as an important first step in ushering in autonomous travel on a larger scale.

Waymo already has close links to the UK, with its first international engineering hubs located in London and Oxford. It also has a partnership with UK-based Jaguar Land Rover, which sees it equip all-electric Jaguar I-Pace taxis with its Waymo Driver self–driving tech in the US. 

However, Waymo won’t be without competition when its service arrives in London next year. Uber and Wayve are planning for their own pilot to launch around the same time, after the latter’s CEO and co-founder, Alex Kendall, called the arrival of the Automated Vehicles Act “a defining moment for UK autonomy.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/waymo-plans-to-launch-fully-autonomous-taxi-service-in-london-next-year-142453250.html?src=rss

Apple often releases a smaller second wave of new products in October after the dust settles from its September iPhone announcement, and this year that wave revolves around its brand-new M5 chip. The first Mac to get the new processor will be the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, which the company announced today on its press site alongside a new M5 iPad Pro and an updated version of the Vision Pro headset.

But unlike the last couple MacBook Pro refreshes, Apple isn’t ready with Pro and Max versions of the M5 for higher-end 14-inch MacBook Pros and 16-inch MacBook Pros. Those models will continue to use the M4 Pro and M4 Max for now, and we probably shouldn’t expect an update for them until sometime next year.

Aside from the M5, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro has essentially identical specs to the outgoing M4 version. It has a notched 14-inch screen with ProMotion support and a 3024×1964 resolution, three USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SD card slot, and a 12 MP Center Stage webcam. It still weighs 3.4 pounds, and Apple still estimates the battery should last for “up to 16 hours” of wireless web browsing and up to 24 hours of video streaming. The main internal difference is an option for a 4TB storage upgrade, which will run you $1,200 if you’re upgrading from the base 512GB SSD.

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If you’ve been looking to upgrade your portable speaker game before the next beach day or house party, the JBL Flip 6 deal on Woot might catch your eye. It’s currently down to $79.95, a solid $50 off its usual price of $129.95. The sale runs for ten days or until supplies last, with free shipping available to Prime members (others pay $6). That said, Woot does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or PO box addresses, and the warranty on this is a modest 90 days. Still, for what’s easily its lowest price ever (according to price-tracking tools), it’s worth a look.

It weighs just over a pound and measures about seven inches long, with the same cylindrical design that’s made the Flip series so recognizable. A woven grille wraps around its body, flanked by passive radiators on both ends that thump out low-end sound with surprising confidence. Inside, you’re getting a 20-watt woofer and a 10-watt tweeter, which together deliver a frequency range of 63Hz to 20kHz. The result is a deep, balanced sound with a punchy midrange and enough bass to feel satisfying without muddying vocals, notes this PCMag review. It connects via Bluetooth 5.1 and supports AAC and SBC codecs, though there’s no AptX, aux input, or speakerphone feature—something to keep in mind if you prefer wired flexibility or take calls through your speaker.

For outdoor use, though, the Flip 6 hits its stride. With its IP67 rating, it’s fully dust-proof and waterproof (drop it in a pool or rinse off the sand, and it’ll keep playing). Battery life runs around 12 hours, depending on your volume levels, and the USB-C charging port supports modern charging speeds. It’s also compatible with the JBL Portable app, where you can tweak the EQ if you like tailoring your sound, manage PartyBoost (to link other JBL speakers), and update firmware. It’s not a mini subwoofer, but for its size and price, the Flip 6 punches above its weight.

Several leading news organizations with access to Pentagon briefings have formally said they will not agree to a new defense department policy that requires them to pledge they will not obtain unauthorized material and restricts access to certain areas unless accompanied by an official. The Guardian: The policy, presented last month by the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has been widely criticized by media organizations asked to sign the pledge by Tuesday at 5pm or have 24 hours to turn in their press credentials.

The move follows a shake-up in February in which long-credentialed media outlets were required to vacate assigned workspaces which was cast as an “annual media rotation program.” A similar plan was presented at the White House where some briefing room spots were given to podcasters and other representatives of non-traditional media.

On Monday, the Washington Post joined the New York Times, CNN, the Atlantic, the Guardian, Reuters, the Associated Press, NPR, HuffPost and trade publication Breaking Defense in saying it would not sign on to the agreement.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Apple unveiled a new 14-inch MacBook Pro on Wednesday that features the company’s M5 chip and represents what Apple describes as the next major advancement in AI performance for its Mac lineup. The laptop delivers up to 3.5 times faster AI performance than the M4 chip and up to six times faster performance than the M1 chip through a redesigned 10-core GPU architecture that incorporates a Neural Accelerator in each core.

The improvements extend beyond AI processing to include graphics performance that runs up to 1.6 times faster than the previous generation and battery life that reaches up to 24 hours on a single charge. Apple also integrated faster storage technology that performs up to twice as fast as the prior generation and allows configurations up to 4TB. The 10-core CPU delivers up to 20% faster multithreaded performance compared to the M4.

The laptop runs macOS Tahoe and includes a Liquid Retina XDR display available in a nano-texture option, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and a six-speaker sound system. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is available for pre-order starting Wednesday in space black and silver finishes and begins shipping October 22. The base model costs $1,599.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

In a change of strategy compared to last year (and as it teased earlier), Apple has announced its new entry-level 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro separately from the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max versions. The latest model starts at $1,599, the same as last year’s M4-powered model. It arrives alongside new 11- and 13-inch iPad Pros and a refreshed Apple Vision Pro that have the same M5 chipset.

In the past, Apple has favored launching its entire MacBook Pro lineup at once, as it did in 2024 with the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max models. However, it may have decided to release the M5 model now so it could get a jump start on sales, since the M5 Pro and M5 Max versions are reportedly still several months away. Apple may have also opted for a low-key release since the M5 MacBook Pro is largely unchanged from the previous model.

With that, the emphasis is squarely on the M5 chip and its extra performance. Reportedly due to cost reasons, Apple decided to use the same 3-nanometer fabrication process for the M5 as it did for the M4. The new chip has 10 GPU cores and 10 CPU cores, along with a 16-core Neural Engine.

Apple claims the M5 has the “world’s fastest CPU core” with up to 20 percent faster multithreaded performance compared with the M4 chip. As for the GPU, the company says that offers “up to 1.6x faster graphics performance in pro apps and enables up to 1.6x higher frame rates in games compared to the M4 model.” That should make the M5 MacBook Pro a better option than the M4 model for things like gaming and video editing.

To that end, compared with the M4 MacBook Pro, Apple says the latest model delivers up to 1.8x faster “AI video-enhancing performance” in Topaz Video, up to 1.7x faster 3D rendering in Blender and up to 1.2x faster build performance during code compiling in Xcode. The company is promising 3.5x faster AI performance than with the M4 model, and up to 6x faster performance than M1. It also claims SSD performance is up to twice as fast as the previous generation.

The M5 MacBook Pro comes with the same 14.2-inch, 3,024 x 1,964 Liquid Retina XDR display that can hit 1,000 nits in SDR mode and up to 1,600 nits peak brightness for HDR content. It has adaptive refresh rates at up to 120Hz and offers a wide P3 color gamut with up to 1 billion colors, ideal for video editors and Lightroom users.

Other key features include an SDXC card slot, HDMI port and 3.5mm headphone jack. There are three USB-C ports as before, but they’re still the Thunderbolt 4 type with speeds up to 40 Gbps, and not the 80 Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports found on M4 Pro and Max models. It also comes with a six-speaker system with support for Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio as before, along with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 and a 12MP Center Stage 1080p webcam. As you might imagine, it comes with macOS Tahoe ready to go.

The 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is now available for pre-order starting at $1,599 with 16GB memory and 512GB storage. It maxes out at 32GB of RAM and 4TB of storage. Shipping will start October 22.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/apples-first-m5-laptop-is-the-14-inch-macbook-pro-131314446.html?src=rss

Why do some people endorse claims that can easily be disproved? It’s one thing to believe false information, but another to actively stick with something that’s obviously wrong.

Our new research, published in the Journal of Social Psychology, suggests that some people consider it a “win” to lean in to known falsehoods.

We are social psychologists who study political psychology and how people reason about reality. During the pandemic, we surveyed 5,535 people across eight countries to investigate why people believed COVID-19 misinformation, like false claims that 5G networks cause the virus.

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This week, California governor Gavin Newsom signed a handful of new laws that regulate artificial intelligence and social media. Among them is SB 243, which requires that chatbots provide “clear and conspicuous” notice that they are not a real person. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

SB 243 also requires chatbots interacting with children to provide a reminder every three hours to take a break and prohibits chatbots used by minors from generating sexually explicit content. The law mandates that companion AIs have safeguards for people in mental distress, and requires companies to report how they handle situations involving suicidal ideation and self-harm.

“Emerging technology like chatbots and social media can inspire, educate and connect — but without real guardrails, technology can also exploit, mislead, and endanger our kids,” the Democratic governor said in a statement.

The rest of California’s new AI and tech laws

SB 243 is just one piece of a broader package of tech-focused legislation Newsom approved this week. The AI transparency act (AB 853), requires large platforms to disclose when AI is used to generate content. It also requires that recording devices sold in California, such as cameras and video cameras, include the option to embed verifying information.

Another bill signed by Newsom, AB 56, requires social media platforms to add regularly timed warnings to minors of the potential mental health risks associated with the use of the apps. AB 621 strengthens penalties for companies whose platforms distribute “deepfake” pornography. And finally, AB 1043 requires that device makers (mostly Apple and Google) implement tools to verify user ages in their app stores.

As California goes, so go the rest of the states

While the laws governor Newsom signed only apply to California residents, big tech companies are expected to voluntarily implement the guidelines for the rest of the nation; the population of California is so large that state laws regulating technology there tend to be adopted everywhere.

This is assuming, of course, that legal challenges don’t scuttle or significantly change the laws: like most legislation aimed at “protecting the children,” there is a potential conflict between the protection of children and the protections of adults’ rights.

Apple’s announcement of the Vision Pro headset in 2023 was pretty hyperbolic about the device’s potential, even by Apple’s standards. CEO Tim Cook called it “the beginning of a new era for computing,” placing the Vision Pro in the same industry-shifting echelon as the Mac and the iPhone.

The Vision Pro could still eventually lead to a product that ushers in a new age of “spatial computing.” But it does seem like Apple is a bit less optimistic about the headset’s current form—at least, that’s one possible way to read the fact that the second-generation Vision Pro is being announced via press release, rather than as the centerpiece of a product event.

The new Vision Pro is available for the same $3,499 as the first model, which will likely continue to limit the headset’s appeal outside of a die-hard community of early adopters and curious developers. It’s available for pre-order today and ships on October 22.

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