Monthly Archives: March 2025

AI-Powered Summaries Are Coming to the App Store, Too

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There are nearly two million apps on the iOS App Store, and a lot of them aren’t worth your time. That’s why many of us, when considering a new app, turn to reviews: You want to see what other users’ experiences were like with the app—whether they loved it, liked it, or loathed it.

Personally, the current review system works fine for me. I scan some reviews, and generally get a sense of whether the app is right for me. If I’m feeling particularly analytical, I’ll even adjust the filters, perhaps to see which reviews are most critical (so it’s not just a bunch of fluff) or ones that are most recent, to see what customers thought of the latest version of the app.

But it’s 2025, which means one thing: AI. We can’t continue to live in the past. We must embrace the future of artificial intelligence, so say the tech companies. Why do 30 seconds of scanning, when the AI can cut that work down to 20 seconds? Perhaps even 15?

Apple’s AI App Store review summaries

With iOS 18.4, currently in beta, Apple is testing AI-generated summaries for reviews in the App Store. According to Apple, these summaries pull from “highlights and key information” from reviews for apps and games and are updated at least once a week, if the app or game has enough reviews to support it. These summaries will appear directly beneath the rating for the app or game, under the heading “Reviews Summary.”

Apple says review summaries are currently only available in English for a “limited number of apps and games” in the United States. The company plans to expand the feature to more countries and languages over the year.

Here’s the thing about features like this: they’re largely ignorable. If you love them, great! You can take a peek at the AI-generated summary and decide for yourself whether you’d like to read the reviews further. If you don’t like them, also great! Scroll right past to the reviews.

That latter approach is likely the one I’d take. For one, I don’t trust AI to get the gist right, even if the situation is relatively low-stakes. But, like I alluded to earlier, I also don’t think it saves that much time to read an AI summary versus scanning the reviews yourself. You might even miss some interesting insights the AI thought wasn’t important enough to make the review, or see some nuance that went over the AI’s, uh, “head.”

Apple is far from the only company to summarize reviews with AI. Google, Amazon, even NewEgg have all dabbled in this practice, so it’s not like Apple is breaking the mold here. But it does slightly rub me the wrong way—if we start relying on AI to summarize content like this, who is the original content being written for? Hundreds if not thousands of people are writing reviews of their experience, but if you only read the summary, those people are really writing their reviews for the AI—not other human beings.

iOS 18.4 is due out sometime in April. You can experience these summaries now if you install the beta, but if you’d prefer not to risk running temperamental software on your iPhone, you can simply wait until next month.

ChatGPT for macOS can now directly edit Xcode projects

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ChatGPT on macOS is about to become more useful for coding. With the latest update for the app (version 1.2025.057), ChatGPT can now edit code directly within an integrated development environment — no need to copy and paste. You can find the full list of supported IDEs on OpenAI’s website, but some of the more notable inclusions are Apple’s own Xcode, Visual Code Studio and offshoots of Jetbrains like Android Studio and PyCharm.       

According to OpenAI, IDE integration has been one of the most-requested features from macOS users since the company released its “works with app” framework back in November. If you’re a Plus, Pro or Team subscriber, you can start using the integration today. As for Enterprise, Edu and Free users, look for the updated app to arrive next week. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly this feature arrives just as “vibecoding” enters the popular lexicon. For the uninitiated, vibecoding is a form of coding that involves using AI tools like ChatGPT (and the power of vibes, of course) to program apps and games. While it might seem like a meme, vibecoding is very much a real thing. In a video titled “Vibe Coding is the Future,” Jared Friedman, a managing partner at Y Combinator, said a quarter of the startup accelerator’s W25 cohort have a code base that was 95 percent generated by AI. 

“This isn’t a fad. This isn’t going away. This is the dominant way to code. And if you are not doing it, you might just be left behind,” Garry Tan, the CEO of Y Combinator, added in the same video. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpt-for-macos-can-now-directly-edit-xcode-projects-201904659.html?src=rss

Brother Denies Bricking Printers Using Third-Party Ink

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Brother has rejected claims that its firmware updates intentionally disable printer functionality when third-party cartridges are installed. The controversy emerged after a YouTube video by Louis Rossman, which has garnered over 160,000 views, alleged the company had joined competitors in anti-consumer practices. The allegations stem from online reports, including a 2022 Reddit post claiming firmware update W1.56 disabled automatic color registration on a Brother MFC-3750 using non-Brother toner, rendering it “effectively non-functional.”

In a statement to Ars Technica, Brother explicitly denied these accusations: “Please be assured that Brother firmware updates do not block the use of third-party ink in our machines.” The company said it recommends genuine supplies for “optimal performance” and performs a “Brother Genuine check” during troubleshooting, which may have caused “misunderstanding.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The best MacBook for 2025: Which Apple laptop should you buy?

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At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) last June, Apple announced updates coming to its various operating systems, most of which focus on its own version of AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence. MacBooks will get macOS 15, aka Sequoia, that will support Image Playground, Apple’s image generation tool, and AI composition features that can rewrite, proofread and summarize text in Mail, Notes, Pages and more. But the AI smarts will only be available to Apple laptops with an M1 chip or newer. So if you have an older model (pre-2020), or want the latest chips to get the most out of macOS 15, you might want a new MacBook. This guide will help you pick which one makes the most sense for you.

After testing every model Apple makes, we think the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip and 16GB of RAM is the best choice for most people. But there are definitely reasons to consider the cheaper M2 Air and the fully featured Pro laptops. We’ve broken down all the options to help you decide which is the best MacBook for you.

Editor’s note (3/6/25): Apple unveiled the new M4 MacBook Air earlier this week, featuring the new M4 processor, a base 16GB of RAM and a price cut to $999 for the entry-level model. Our current top picks here still stand, but we’ll update this guide once we’ve put the new MacBook Air through its paces. You can currently pre-order the M4 MacBook Air, and it will become widely available on March 12.

Compared to PCs, Apple computers tend to have more streamlined specifications. The company has long been known for this simplicity, and the M-series “system-on-a-chip” condenses things even further. It started with the M1 chip, which has since been retired in all models. The M2 and M3 chips can be found in current-generation MacBooks, but the latest Apple silicon, the M4 chip, is only housed in the new iPad Pro. All M-series chips combine, among other technologies, the CPU, graphics card and unified memory (RAM). Apple’s Neural Engine is included too, which is a specialized group of processor cores that handles machine learning tasks such as image analysis and voice recognition. 

While a unified chip means you have fewer decisions to make when picking a MacBook, there are still a few factors to consider, including specs like the number of CPU cores, amount of RAM, storage capacity, screen size, and, obviously, price. The finish color may be a minor consideration, but it’s worth pointing out that the Pro come in just two colors (Silver or Space Gray) but the Air adds two additional hues (Midnight and Starlight).

Currently the lowest-specced chip in a MacBook is the M2 in the 13-inch MacBook Air. It comes with an 8-core CPU and either an 8- or 10-core GPU. At the other end of the spectrum, the M3 Max chip is built with up to a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. Cores are, in essence, smaller processing units that can handle different tasks simultaneously. Having more of them translates to the computer being able to run multiple programs and applications at once, while also smoothly processing demanding tasks like video editing and high-level gaming. In short, more cores allow for more advanced computing and better performance. But if your processing power needs fall below professional-level gaming and cinematic video and audio editing, getting the highest number of cores is likely overkill — and after all, more cores equals higher cost and more power usage.

Your options for RAM, or in Apple’s terminology, Unified memory, varies depending on the chip you choose. The M2 and M3 chips can be paired with 8, 16 or 24GB of RAM. The M3 Pro chip has 18 or 36GB memory options, while the most powerful M3 Max chip supports 48, 64 or a whopping 128GB of RAM.

You’ve likely heard the analogy comparing memory to the amount of workspace available on a literal desktop surface, whereas storage is the amount of drawers you have to store projects to work on later. The larger the worktop surface, the more projects you can work on at once. The bigger the drawers, the more you can save for later.

More RAM is ideal for people who plan to work in multiple apps at once. And the more demanding each program is, the more RAM will be required. Extra memory can also come in handy if you’re the type who likes to have infinite numbers of tabs open on your browser. If your daily workflow doesn’t involve simultaneously using a vast number of memory-intensive programs, you can save yourself money and buy the RAM configuration that you’re most likely to actually use.

For casual users, 8GB may be enough, however, if you can afford an upgrade to 16GB of RAM, we recommend going doing so, as modern browsers tend to be pretty memory-hungry. Investing in more RAM now will give your new MacBook a longer lifespan of reliable use. It’s also important to keep in mind that, unlike most PCs, the RAM in current-model MacBooks is not user-upgradable, so you’ll want to get what you plan on needing at the outset.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch from the rear, showing off the Apple logo.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

Storage options range from 256GB of SSD for the M2 MacBook Air and 8TB of storage for the MacBook Pros with the M3 Max chip. If you want to rotate between a long roster of game titles or keep lots of high-res videos on hand, you’ll want more storage. If you’re mostly working with browser- and cloud-based applications, you can get away with a smaller-capacity configuration. That said, we recommend springing for 512GB of storage or more, if it’s within your budget. You’ll quickly feel the limits of a 256GB machine as it ages since the operating system alone takes up a good portion of that space. Having 1TB will feel even roomier and allow for more data storage over the life of your laptop.

When Apple announced the iPhone 15, the company also announced new iCloud+ storage storage plans, with subscriptions that allow up to 12TB of storage. You could also transfer files to an external storage device. But if you don’t want to pay for a monthly subscription and prefer the convenience of having immediate access to your files, it’s best to get the highest amount of storage space your budget allows for at the outset.

MacBooks come in 13-, 14-, 15- and 16-inch sizes. That might not seem like a huge difference, but, as Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham noted when he reviewed the now-retired 15-inch M2-powered MacBook Air, a larger screen “makes a surprising difference.” That’s especially true if you plan to use your laptop as an all-day productivity machine and won’t be using an external monitor. More space means you can more clearly view side-by-side windows and have a more immersive experience when watching shows or gaming.

But screen size is the main factor influencing weight. The 13-inch MacBook Air M2 weighs 2.7 pounds, whereas the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro weighs 4.8 pounds. If you plan to travel a lot or swap your work locations regularly, a smaller screen will make life easier in the long run.

All MacBooks feature IPS LCD panels (in-plane switching, liquid crystal display), which Apple markets as Retina displays. The MacBook Air M1 has a Retina display. A Liquid Retina display comes with the M2 MacBook Air and the Liquid Retina XDR display comes with the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros. “Liquid” refers to the way the lighted portion of the display “flows” within the contours of the screen, filling the rounded corners and curving around the camera notch. “XDR” is what Apple calls HDR (high dynamic range).

Compared to most other laptops, MacBook displays are notably bright, sharp and lush. But one feature worth pointing out is another Apple marketing term: ProMotion. It’s the company’s term to describe a screen with a higher, 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smoother scrolling and more fluid-looking graphics. Only the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros offer ProMotion; the other models max out at 60Hz, which is perfectly fine for everyday browsing and typical workdays. But if you want buttery-smooth motion from your display, you’ll have to shell out more money for an upgrade.

When the MacBook Air M3 came out, Apple dropped the price of the base-model, 13-inch, M2-powered Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. With a $999 starting price, it’s now the least expensive new MacBook you can get. Alternatively, you can spend up to $7,199 for the 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max with 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. Chip type, screen size, memory and storage capacity all influence the final price, which is why guides like this can help you determine just what you need (and what you don’t) so you can get the most cost-effective machine for you.

We recommend the MacBook Air M3 for most people, the MacBook Air M2 for students and those on a budget, and the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pros for professionals. If you have extra money to spare once you’ve picked your machine, we recommend upgrading to at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage to make your machine as future-proof as possible.

The MacBook Air comes with a standard M3 or M2 chip. MacBook Pro models have the option of more powerful M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. The Pro has a higher resolution screen with a higher peak brightness that supports XDR (extreme dynamic range). The battery life on most Pro models is longer than on the Air models. Pro models also have more ports and more speakers. In short, the MacBook Air is aimed at everyday users looking for good productivity and entertainment capabilities, while Pro models are aimed at professionals who need a high-performance computer.

MacOS is the operating system developed by Apple and used in all of its desktop and laptop computers. It can only be found in hardware made by Apple including MacBooks and iMacs. Microsoft’s Windows operating system can be found in the company’s own Surface laptops as well as computers made by a wide array of manufacturers, like Acer, Asus, Dell and Razer.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-macbook-140032524.html?src=rss

Climb Mount Olympus In Walkabout’s Largest Course

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You can now climb Mount Olympus in Walkabout Mini Golf.

Mount Olympus in Walkabout Mini Golf is the game’s 32nd course, following Viva Las Elvis in January. According to studio head Lucas Martell it is far larger than Walkabout’s previous giant-sized course, 2023’s Temple At Zerzura.

Here’s the official description:

High above the Aegean Sea lies the legendary realm of the gods and goddesses. Here, the Olympians converge to determine the fate of mortals—through an epic miniature golf odyssey. Putt your way through intricate temples, mythical landscapes, and challenging hazards. But beware: your skills will soon be tested by the Olympian Council, who will decide if you’re worthy of victory or destined to face the wrath of the gods!

On the path up Mount Olympus you’ll encounter temples and offerings with icons of the main Greek pantheon including Zeus, Apollo and Artemis. Our tour with Walkabout creator Lucas Martell is also our longest ever, clocking in at 28 minutes of behind-the-scenes details.

Watch it here:

I recently hosted Mighty Coconut senior art director Don Carson for an in-depth discussion about the design process in the game. He notes they aim to “over deliver” with a layered design approach that lasts more than a year seeing teams handing off courses to one another in rotation. The Coconuts, as the employees of the studio are called, number in the dozens today.

Hot on the heels of Elvis producing the highest single sales day in the game’s nearly five-year history, will players again come back to Mount Olympus and continue the trend of grabbing a few more from the store?

You can find Walkabout on all major headsets as well as iOS.

The Live-Action PowerPuff Girls Trailer WB Doesn’t Want You To See Keeps Disappearing From The Internet

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In case you missed it this morning, a trailer for the canceled 2023 live-action CW Powerpuff Girls show was leaked. The internet almost universally deemed it a dumpster fire and started clowning on it, and Warner Bros., which owns the rights to the superhero sisters, has been going to great lengths to scrub it from…

Read more…

Retailers Claim Second Wave Of Radeon RX 9070 Cards Will Have Higher MSRPs

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Retailers Claim Second Wave Of Radeon RX 9070 Cards Will Have Higher MSRPs
As we pointed out in our review, one of the key points working in the favor of the Radeon RX 9070 cards is their relatively aggressive pricing strategy against NVIDIA. But what if the cards weren’t actually available at those prices, and instead ran similar pricing to their GeForce competitors? Would you still be eager to buy one?

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Starlink benefits as Trump admin rewrites rules for $42B grant program

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The Trump administration is eliminating a preference for fiber Internet in a $42.45 billion broadband deployment program, a change that is expected to reduce spending on the most advanced wired networks while directing more money to Elon Musk’s Starlink and other non-fiber Internet service providers. One report suggests Starlink could obtain $10 billion to $20 billion under the new rules.

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program in a statement yesterday. Lutnick said that “because of the prior Administration’s woke mandates, favoritism towards certain technologies, and burdensome regulations, the program has not connected a single person to the Internet and is in dire need of a readjustment.”

The BEAD program was authorized by Congress in November 2021, and the US was finalizing plans to distribute funding before Trump’s inauguration. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the Commerce Department, developed rules for the program in the Biden era and approved initial funding plans submitted by every state and territory.

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Saliva that fights norovirus? Experimental oral vaccine is nothing to spit at.

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In an early clinical trial, an experimental norovirus vaccine given as a pill produced defensive responses exactly where it counts—in the saliva of older people most vulnerable to the explosive stomach bug.

The results, published this week in Science Translational Medicine, is another step in the long effort to thwart the gruesome germ, which finds a way to violently hollow out innards wherever people go—from restaurants to natural wonders and even the high seas. It’s a robust, extremely infectious virus that spreads via the nauseating fecal-oral route. Infected people spew billions of virus particles in their vomit and diarrhea, and shedding can last weeks. The particles aren’t easily killed by hand sanitizers and can linger on surfaces for up to two weeks. Exposure to as few as 10 virus particles can spark an infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus causes an average of between 19 and 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the US every year, leading to 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths. This racks up an economic burden estimated to be $2 billion to $10.6 billion.

Vaccine design

For most, the gut-busting bug is miserable but usually over in a few days. But older people—especially those with underlying medical conditions—are vulnerable to severe outcomes. About 90 percent of people who die from a norovirus infection are people age 65 or older who live in long-term care facilities.

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UK Quietly Scrubs Encryption Advice From Government Websites

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The U.K. government appears to have quietly scrubbed encryption advice from government web pages, just weeks after demanding backdoor access to encrypted data stored on Apple’s cloud storage service, iCloud. From a report: The change was spotted by security expert Alec Muffett, who wrote in a blog post on Wednesday that the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is no longer recommending that high-risk individuals use encryption to protect their sensitive information.

The NCSC in October published a document titled “Cybersecurity tips for barristers, solicitors & legal professionals,” that advised the use of encryption tools such as Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP). ADP allows users to turn on end-to-end encryption for their iCloud backups, effectively making it impossible for anyone, including Apple and government authorities, to view data stored on iCloud. The URL hosting the NCSC document now redirects to a different page that makes no mention of encryption or ADP. Instead, it recommends that at-risk individuals use Apple’s Lockdown Mode, an “extreme” security tool that restricts access to certain functions and features.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.