Apple is set to end the year with an M4 bang and we might see them come down with the new MacBook Pro models this month as per reports. The company is slated to bring Mac upgrades during this time of the year, so it is easy to believe the reports and fans could see Apple announce the new products.

The company has already offered a detailed look at the M3 chipset with the new iPad Pro model earlier this year, so we just need a hardware upgrade for the MacBook Pros. But it is unlikely to be the only product to be part of the lineup.

Apple is going to revamp its MacBook Pro lineup, alongside a redesigned Mac Mini, both of which will use the new M4 silicon, as per a recent Bloomberg report. That said, the company will bring new iMacs, a a low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros and Mac Minis, all featuring M4 processors.

Also Read: Apple HomePods To Come With iPad-Like Display And AI Features

What Will Apple Launch At The October 2024 Event?

As per the report, the M4 chip will improve the overall performance, but one Mac model will witness significant changes. This could be a new Mac mini model, which the analyst suggests will launch this year. Apple is said to end the 8GB RAM model for MacBooks and start its lineup with a base of 16GB from now on as the new macOS version supports Apple Intelligence features.

The report also hints that the M4-powered Macs will have 32GB memory which is a big bump on the 24GB RAM support offered by the M3-powered Macs. Apple and other tech giants have highlighted that running AI tasks and hardware requires more power and the decision to make 16GB RAM as the best option will be much welcomed.

The iPad Mini will be an interesting offering, also expected to debut at the event, making it the company’s latest product to make a comeback after a long hiatus.

Also Read: Apple Plans To Withdraw Its Legal Case Against Pegasus Spyware

What to expect from the new MacBook lineup

While power is just one aspect, similar to the iPhone 16 series, which received the A18 chip to handle artificial intelligence tasks, the new MacBooks are also expected to integrate Apple Intelligence into the M4 chip. This AI integration is likely to play a significant role in boosting the overall user experience. Gurman’s report suggests several new Mac models are said to launch at the upcoming event:

Model J604: A low-specced 14-inch MacBook Pro packed with an M4 chip, made specifically created for users looking for powerful performance in a more affordable package. Model J614 and J616: These will be high-end and 16-inch MacBook Pros with pro-level M4 chip options, offering greater processing power for professionals needing top-tier performance.

Model J623: This will be an updated iMac featuring the M4 chip, targeted at offering upgraded desktop performance. Model J773 will be a revamped Mac mini, available in both standard M4 and M4 Pro configurations. This compact powerhouses is said to attract users who are seeking a high-performance desktop solution in a smaller form factor.

Intel Core Ultra 200S series chipsets for desktop PCs codenamed Arrow Lake, have been launched by the company. This is the first desktop offering by the chip maker with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU).

With 36 trillion operations per second (TOPS) performance claimed, these will also be the first Intel chipsets to power AI PCs. Apart from enhanced performance via the NPU, the company also stated that the CPU and GPU have also received significant upgrades. The Intel Core Ultra 200S processors will be available in retail and online stores as well as via OEM partner systems starting October 24.

The company detailed the new chipsets in a press release. The Intel Core Ultra 200S processor family is led by the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285K as well as five other desktop processors. All of these features up to eight performance cores (P-cores) and up to 16 efficient cores.

Also Read: Intel’s Gaudi 3 Accelerators Pose Stiff Competition For Nvidia GPUs

New Chipsets To Offer Faster Performance

Intel claims that the new PC architecture offers up to 6 percent faster single-threaded performance and 14 percent higher performance in multi-threaded workloads compared to the previous generation. The chipsets also sport a built-in Iris Xe GPU.

Intel noted that the Arrow Lake processors are focused on power efficiency, and offer up to 58 percent lower package power while running everyday apps and up to 165W lower consumptions of system power during gaming.

Speaking of the NPU, the dedicated system offers hardware-accelerated AI capabilities. Intel also claimed that the Core Ultra 200S series can offer up to 50 percent faster performance in AI-enabled creator apps compared to competing chipsets.

Speaking of connectivity, the Intel Core Ultra 200S series desktop processors offer compatibility with up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to eight SATA 3.0 ports, and up to 10 USB 3.2 ports. Moreover, they also support two integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.

Also Read: Intel Xeon 6700E ‘Sierra Forest’ CPUs With 34 Percent More Efficiency

Intel Launches Xeon 6700E ‘Sierra Forest’ CPUs

Intel has made some big announcements along with the launch of Xeon 6700E “Sierra Forest” CPUs with up to 144 cores. The new CPUs are the first of the new server chips featured in the Xeon 6 family.

This family will come with both P-Core and E-Core variants launching at their respective timelines and for respective platforms. Intel noted that the Xeon 6700E CPUs are optimized for performance per watt in high-density workloads. These CPUs are said to be based around an open ecosystem with an open software and open platforms approach.

Intel wants the Xeon 6700E E-Core line to cater to data center clients who are using a 2nd Gen Xeon or older platform. The company notes that the new chip not only offers up to 4.2x faster performance and up to 2.6x perf/watt, but will enable users to save a lot of space, power, and money. 

Among all the generative AI-based features, the one feature that caught the most eyeballs was the ability to generate AI images. The feature enables users to generate and even edit an existing image that looks similar to real-life images using simple text prompts.

All of this has brought a huge issue – how to differentiate a real image from the AI-generated ones. With AI evolving at an alarming rate, things are becoming more difficult. Google might have a solution or at least the company is planning to offer a solution just for that.

As per a report from Android Authority, Google is working on a new feature within the Google Photos app that will show users information to help them identify AI images. The feature has been found within the code of an unreleased version of Google Photos app – version 7.3 – to be specific. The code suggests an upcoming AI identification feature within the app.

Also Read: Google Pushes Pixel 9’s Gemini AI Features To All Android Phones

How Does Google Photos AI Identification Feature Work

The feature is yet to be released, but whatever the code has revealed suggests that the Photos app will show credits for given photos with details like “Made with Google AI” in the credit tab which will be accessible via EXIF data of the image.

Also, Google Photos images that have been generated or edited using AI already come with the disclaimer – "AI-Generated with Google Photos" or "AI-Generated with Google." That’s not all, Google Photos might also be able to tell users the exact AI tool used to create, modify, or edit the image.

As of now, the feature seems to be under development and we expect it to live for all Google Photos users with future updates. Besides, it’s hard to say whether the company will make the feature available for all users or only for Google One subscribers.

Also Read: Google’s Circle To Search Feature Coming To More Smartphones

Google Could Split Chrome And Android Over Antitrust Issues

Google could soon face regulatory action as the DOJ considers antitrust measures to lose the company’s grip on online search. This could involve splitting Android, Chrome, and other assets.

The U.S. Justice Department has revealed an ambitious plan to tackle Google’s monopoly as part of its antitrust lawsuit against the company, as reported by CNBC. This comes on the heels of the DOJ’s legal victory in August when the US District Court labeled Google a “monopolist” for breaking antitrust laws in its efforts to stay the default search engine on devices and browsers.

The US government has found a potential anti-competitive network connecting Android devices, the Google Play Store, Chrome, and Search.

The internet has been buzzing with reports surrounding the OnePlus 13, with reports suggesting it could launch earlier than expected, possibly this month. If this turns out to be true, it would break OnePlus’ usual December release schedule, marking a significant shift in its launch strategy.

While OnePLus hasn’t confirmed anything yet, leaks from sources such as Digital Chat Station, have already started hinting at some major upgrades that have fans eagerly anticipating its release.

One of the standout rumors is that the OnePlsu 13 might come with a huge 24GB of RAM, a significant jump from the 16GB seen in high-end smartphones like the Google Pixel 9 series. This bump in memory will likely enhance the smartphone’s ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, making it ideal for gaming and power-hungry apps.

Also Read: OnePlus 13 With Curved Display Launching In October

What to Expect From OnePlus 13

The OnePlus 13 is said to be the first smartphone from Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset, offering a substantial performance boost over the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This could make the upcoming smartphone one of the most powerful smartphones out there.

The design of the OnePlus 13 might also see some changes. Leaks hint that the circular camera module seen on the OnePlus 12 will be replaced with a vertically stacked camera setup in the top-left corner of the rear panel.

The partnership with renowned camera brand Hasselblad is expected to continue, making sure that photography remains a strong feature of the device. Some suggest that the OnePlus 13 might come with advanced camera features from Oppo, which shares the same parent company, possibly including a high-quality sensor and impressive optical zoom.

As for the display, the OnePlus 13 is said to retain a 2K resolution screen, ensuring sharp visuals for media consumption and gaming. Another possible upgrade is the introduction of an ultrasonic sensor, providing faster and more secure unlocking.

Also Read: OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Launched With ANC At Rs 2,299 In India

OnePlus 13 Could Come With MagSafe Wireless Charging Like iPhone

The OnePlus 13 is officially on its way, set to launch in China later this month, and the excitement is palpable among tech enthusiasts. This flagship smartphone is said to bring many standout features, particularly the much-anticipated Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Now, leaks suggest that OnePlus might be bringing magnetic wireless charging, a feature that many will recognize from Apple’s iPhone series.

OnePlus China president Louis Lee hinted on Weibo that the OnePlus 13 will introduce a "magnetic function," suggesting it could support Qi2 MagSafe charging technology. If this turns out to be true, this would put OnePlus ahead of competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 series, both of which have yet to incorporate this tech.

Qi2 magnetic charging, launched in 2023, has already made waves in the smartphone world, being adopted by all iPhones. As of now, the HMD Skyline is the only Android phone utilizing this technology, making OnePlus’ potential inclusion a good move in the market.

Qualcomm recently confirmed that hackers managed to exploit a zero-day bug - a vulnerability that was unknown to the maker when it was exploited. The breach was found in dozens of chipsets used in millions of Android smartphones across the globe.

The San Diego company also revealed a patch was sent out to OEMs in September and called the attack a "limited, targeted exploitation." the security vulnerability is said to have affected 64 chips made by Qualcomm.

Also Read: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 QRD Seen In Benchmarks

Which Smartphones Are Affected By The Breach

The affected Qualcomm chips include the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, powering smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, OnePlus 10 Pro, Sony Xperia 1 IV, Oppo Find X5 Pro, Honor Magic4 Pro, Xiaomi 12, and others. The list also features Snapdragon modems and FastConnect modules, used for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

A spokesperson for Qualcomm said that the company already sent out a patch but it is up to the smartphone makers to release it to their customers. Amnesty International's Security Lab confirmed a Google Threat Analysis Group assessment that the issue was serious.

The research on who is to be blamed and who might have taken advantage of the vulnerability will be "out soon," said an Amnesty spokesperson. Investigation from firms like Google and Amnesty hints the hacking campaign may have targeted specific individuals rather than a large group of users.

Also Read: Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 To Make 5G Phones Dirt Cheap

Indian Govt Warns Microsoft Edge Users Against Critical Risk

The government of India has issued a critical warning to Microsoft Edge users in the country. Users have been urged to update their browsers to the latest version to protect against significant security vulnerabilities.

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), a division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has found several security issues in versions of Microsoft Edge earlier than 129.0.2792.79. These vulnerabilities could potentially enable remote attackers and cybercriminals to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code on a user’s device.

As per CERT-In, these security flaws arise from multiple underlying issues, such as insufficient data validation in Mojo, inappropriate implementation in the V8 JavaScript engine, and an integer overflow in the Layout component of the browser.

Exploiting these weaknesses could also let attackers target users by tricking them into visiting malicious websites or opening compromised HTML pages, putting personal data at risk. The government agency has highlighted that these issues if left unpatched, could lead to substantial security breaches. In response, users are strongly encouraged to update their browsers to the newest version, making sure they get the essential security patches provided by Microsoft.

Apple is said to launch its smallest tablet - iPad mini 7, in October itself. While the tech giant hasn’t announced the specifics of its upcoming offering, leaks and rumors have revealed almost everything about the tablet.

For the unversed, the iPad mini 6 was launched in the market in September 2021 and is now three years old. It’s about time that the company refreshes the lineup with new upgrades. Here’s everything that is known about the iPad mini 7.

Also Read: iPhone 17 Air To Reportedly Launch In 2025 With New OLED Display

What To Expect From Apple iPad Mini 7

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple could launch the latest iPad mini sometime in October. The exact launch timeline is under wraps. Speaking of the price, the iPad mini is said to retain the pricing of its precursor, the iPad mini 6, which starts at $499 which is around Rs 45,000.

As for the features, the Apple iPad mini 7 is said to be powered by the A17 Pro processor, a step up from the A15 chip seen in the 6th-gen model. Some rumors also highlight that the company might bring the M-series chip to the iPad mini. However, that doesn’t seem likely.

Irrespective of the chipset, the upcoming iPad will support Apple Intelligence features. The tablet is also said to come with more RAM and improved battery life.

The iPad mini 7 is expected to come with an 8.3-inch screen size. There could be improvements in display technology to address the "jelly scrolling" issue found in earlier models. However, users should not expect OLED or ProMotion screen upgrades in this generation. Additional features, like a refreshed color palette and other minor adjustments, could be expected.

Also Read: Apple Reportedly Has A Low-End IPhone Model In The Works

Apple Could Launch Most Affordable iPhone In Early 2025

It’s been around two years since Apple refreshed its most affordable iPhone - the iPhone SE. Rumors suggest that Apple could launch its next iPhone SE sometime in March 2025. Now, some features and specifications of the iPhone SE are doing rounds of the rumor mill.

As per a report from 9to5Mac, one of the biggest changes is the introduction of Apple’s first 5G modem, codenamed “Centuari,” which will offer faster internet speeds and improved connectivity.

This modem is also said to support other technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Until now, the company has used Qualcomm’s 5G models, which reportedly increased the price of the iPhones.

Speaking of the design, the iPhone SE4 is said to come with a modern look similar to the iPhone 14, with flat sides and an OLED display panel. The display will be 6.1 inches in size, a significant upgrade from the previous 4.7-inch LCD panel. Moreover, the smartphone could adopt FaceID, eliminating the need for a home button. This will mark the departure of the home button from iPhones.