Apple’s AI Master Plan

Welcome back! 🍎
Here’s the latest with Apple.

• The new iPad Pro & Air launch

• Apple is working on a new app

• Apple’s master plan for AI

• & more!

📖 Read time: 3.7 minutes

📊 Poll

Last week, I asked: Will you be watching Apple’s event on Tuesday? What are you hoping to see?

Here are some of my favorite replies:

This week: Do you prefer the 11” or 12.9/13” size for an iPad? Why?

🗞️ The Latest

⚙️ M4 the win!

Well, the rumors were true: Apple unveiled the M4 chip this week!

• Apple launched a new iPad Air & iPad Pro on Tuesday during the Let Loose event.

• The iPad Air has the M2 chip inside but the iPad Pro is the first Apple product to ship with an M4 chip!

• M4 = 50% faster CPU performance & 4x faster GPU performance.

• It has a greatly improved neural engine to improve performance for AI-related tasks in iPadOS.

Other Changes

• The iPad Pro is also the first Apple product with a tandem OLED display and the option for nano-texture glass to reduce reflections (requires 1TB+ model)

• Both the 11” and 13” models are thinner than an iPod nano! This ad shows the difference. They’re also lighter than the Air. Ironic!

• Starts at $999 for the 11” model and $1299 for the 13” model, both with 256GB storage

• I made a video covering the key differences between the new iPad Pro and iPad Air.

iPad Air

• Apple refreshed the iPad Air with an M2 chip, which is ~50% faster than the M1 Air and 3x faster than the A12 Air.

• It also comes in both 11” & 13” sizes but sticks with the same LCD display.

• It comes in Blue, Purple, Starlight and Space Gray colors.

• 11” model starts at $599 and the 13” model starts at $799, both with 128GB storage.

• Neither iPad will come with Apple stickers in the box.

Pencil + Keyboard

• Along with the new iPads, Apple launched the Apple Pencil Pro!

• It works with the new Air & Pro models and has Find My built in, a new squeeze gesture, gyroscope, and haptic feedback. All for $129.

• The packaging is awesome!

• Apple also launched the new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro with an aluminum build, function row, and larger glass trackpad with haptic feedback. It’s $299 for the 11” and $349 for the 13” size.

My take: Apple nailed it with both new models and I think they’ll sell better than early estimates suggest. I think in part due to the iPad refresh drought but also because they’re priced well given the major upgrades (especially the Pro).

The new iPads + accessories arrive next Wednesday and I ordered everything, so expect plenty of coverage next week!

🎥 Apple Launching New App

During Apple’s Let Loose event, they showed off a new upcoming version of Final Cut Pro for the iPad. In addition, they unveiled a new standalone application called Final Cut Camera.

• Final Cut Camera allows you to capture professional‑level footage with powerful manual controls including ISO, shutter speed, white balance, zebras, focus peaking, and more.

• It’s also required for the new Live Multicam feature, which enables live monitoring and individual control of each video feed.

• The app, compatible with the XS and later, will be a free download later this Spring and will not require a purchase/subscription of Final Cut Pro.

My take: Apps like Blackmagic Camera have offered most of these features for years. But Apple’s integration with Final Cut Pro will likely make this the go-to app for filmmakers who want manual control over their videos.

Also, making this a standalone app is the right move. Throwing these manual controls into the Camera app (as part of iOS 18) would create problems for average users.

⚙️ Apple’s AI Master Plan

Apple is planning to use its own chips to process AI tasks in the cloud for iOS 18 and beyond.

• Apple will deliver some of its upcoming iOS 18 AI features via AI data centers equipped with its own in-house processors.

• Apple is currently using the M2 Ultra chip to process advanced AI tasks in the cloud.

• Future versions will be based on the M4 chip, presumably M4 Ultra.

• Simpler AI-related features will be processed directly on-device.

My take: This is how Apple will differentiate in the AI race. Utilizing their own powerful silicon and the team they’ve already built around it will be efficient and also a huge advantage over competitors who will likely struggle to match the speed/strength of Apple silicon.

📰 Quick Bites

• Tim Cook Sports 1-of-1 Nike Air Max ’86 in Apple Livestream

• There's Now More VR Than Mac Players on Steam

• John Ternus emerging as the most likely successor to Tim Cook as Apple CEO

• Apple TV Plus is turning into the best place for streaming sci-fi

• New iPad Pro demand likely to be low for 2 reasons

• 'iPhone 17 Slim' Said to Feature 6.55” Display

• Report: Apple's First Foldables Coming in 2025 and 2026

• Apple, Rivian Reportedly In Talks For Partnership

• Here’s a look at Sonos’ first wireless headphones to compete with AirPods Max

• TikTok Sues U.S. Government Over Bill Requiring Sale

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Until next week, ✌️

- Brandon

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