Apple is reportedly working on expanding its range of tablet accessories by launching a new Magic Keyboard specially crafted for its upcoming budget-friendly iPads. This high-end accessory, designed to upgrade the iPad’s usability as a laptop alternative, will likely boast features like a metal palm rest, a row of function keys, and an expanded trackpad.

As mentioned in the latest “Power On” letter by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is currently working on a new iteration of the Magic Keyboard that will cater to its lower-tier iPads or potentially the iPad Air.

This accessory, expected to launch in 2025, will likely lack some of the premium features seen in the iPad Pro’s keyboard, such as the aluminum top case. However, it might include a row of function keys, providing a balance between functionality and cost for users of Apple’s more affordable tablets.

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Budget Keyboard To Let Go Of Luxury Features

Gurman suggests that while this new keyboard will come with design elements from higher-end counterparts, it will be more budget-friendly, letting go of luxury features such as the metal palm rest. The inclusion of a trackpad, which has become a staple in the company’s keyboard accessories remains uncertain for this version.

As of now, Apple’s iPad lineup supports a variety of keyboard accessories. The latest iPad Air, which launched alongside the iPad Pro, continues to be compatible with existing Magic Keyboards, making a new accessory unnecessary at this stage. However, the iPad Mini, which doesn’t have an official keyboard option, could potentially benefit from the introduction of this new Magic Keyboard. The accessory is said to offer improvements such as a function key row, similar to the one seen on the iPad Pro’s keyboard.

Gurman believes that Apple will launch this budget-conscious Magic Keyboard by mid-2025. This timeframe falls in line with reports suggesting that Apple plans to launch new iPad Air models featuring OLED displays in 2026. Moreover, a significant update for the iPad Mini is rumored, with an 8.3-inch OLED display likely being a highlight of the upcoming iteration.

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Apple’s Alleged Mac Mini Redesign Could Ditch USB-A Port

Apple’s next Mac Mini might ditch the USB-A ports, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who writes in today’s Power On newsletter that the new desktops will start to hit Apple’s warehouses in September. The higher-end variant with an Apple M4 Pro chip will ship in October, he suggests.

The version with an M4 Pri will still pack in a lot of ports, including five USB-C ports two in the front and three in the back), an ethernet port, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack, as per Gurman’s sources. And the new Mac Mini will apparently have an internal power supply. That’s not too bad for a PC that is said to be the same size as an Apple TV.

Apple officially released macOS Sequoia recently, bringing features such as the ability to wirelessly mirror their iPhone on their Mac, window-tilling tools, and much more. There are Apple Intelligence features on the way, too, but they aren’t available yet.

iPhone mirroring is by far the coolest new feature in macOS Sequoia, and it could change how users use their phone. When users open the phone mirroring app, their iPhone pops up, and they can navigate around it using their mouse and type things with their keyboard. Users’ iPhone notifications can also show up on their Mac. And later this year, they will be able to drag and drop things between their iPhone and their Mac.

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Which Devices Will macOS Sequoia Support?

The macOS Sequoia is also receiving some features that are coming to Apple’s other platforms, including the new Passwords app and upgrades to iMessage. And Apple Intelligence will be able to help users with their writing or create images, but like with iOS, the initial Apple Intelligence tools won’t launch until sometime this fall.

macOS Sequoia is compatible with:
 

• iMacs from 2019 and later
• iMac Pro
• Mac Studio
• Mac Pros from 2019 and later
• Mac Minis from 2018 and later
• MacBook Airs from 2020 and later·
• MacBook Pros from 2018 and later

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Apple To Soon Launch New M4 MacBooks At Affordable Prices

Apple recently hosted its annual event, where it unveiled its iPhone 16. However, the launches are far from over. The company is reportedly working on its next event, this time with a focus on launching a new generation of MacBooks, powered by Apple’s latest and most powerful M4 chips.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the tech giant is preparing to launch these new MacBooks in an event expected to take place in the coming weeks. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman suggests that the company could launch its new Mac lineup featuring the M4 chipset, which promises faster processing speeds and upgraded machine learning capabilities.

Gurman suggests that Apple’s new in-house chip is up to 1.5 times faster than its predecessor, the M2, in terms of CPU performance and offers up to four times the rendering power for professional workflows like video editing, 3D design, and more.

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.

The instant global hit Black Myth: Wukong could be getting DLC or expansions in early 2025. According to analyst Daniel Camilo, DLC for Black Myth: Wukong is said to launch sometime around Chinese New Year. That would put it at, or around, the end of January. Announcements of the plans could be made anytime around December.

As far as what any DLC for the game would entail, that’s currently unknown. Camilo did say, however, that despite the game selling over 20 million copies, he expects the DLC to only be bought by 20% of the total player base. He says that’s due to a number of factors such as the game’s difficulty and having 70% of its sales in China where the “novelty and national pride” of the game has worn off by then.

Insider Gaming has yet to independently verify any information regarding the rumors. Until that happens or something official is announced, we recommend our readers take this information with a pinch of salt. 

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Black Myth: Wukong Became An Instant Global Hit

Chinese video game “Black Myth: Wukong” has sent ripples across the world of gaming, selling more than 10 million copies across all platforms, just three days after its release on August 20, developer Game Science announced.

Considered the first Chinese-developed AAA title, Black Myth: Wukong topped the “most-played games” list on Steam, a popular gaming platform, just an hour after its debut. Game Science revealed that the game’s maximum number of concurrent players across all platforms surpassed 3 million.

The new game draws inspiration from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West." the story follows the adventures of a monk and his three disciples, with a focus on Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King known for his powers. With the positive response from the audience and critics, industry experts believe the game’s sales will continue to surge.

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Black Myth: Wukong Could Sell Over 12 Million Copies

According to a projection from Goldman Sachs, Black Myth: Wukong could sell 12 million copies on Steam, garnering over 3 billion yuan (approx $420 million) in revenue. If the market stays bullish, the game could also reach 20 million units sold, with revenue topping 5 billion yuan.

AAA titles are in a market dominated by developers from countries such as the US, Japan, and France. Pan Helin, a member of an expert committee under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said Black Myth: Wukong’s launch has spurred consumption in related sectors and boosted interest in traditional Chinese culture.

Apple has repeatedly requested the dismissal of its three-year-old lawsuit against NSO Group, the Israeli company that created the notorious Pegasus spyware. Filed in late 2021, the lawsuit aimed to hold NSO accountable for the alleged misuse of its spyware to target activists, journalists, and other individuals.

As per a report from The Washington Post, Apple’s move to withdraw the case stems from concerns over the potential risks associated with continuing the legal battle. The report suggests that lengthy legal proceedings could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information. This information, as per the report, might help NSO and other similar groups.

In a recent court filing, the company told the court, “Apple knows and appreciates that this Court would take the utmost care with the sensitive information relevant to this case. But it is also aware that — now more than ever — predator spyware companies, including those not before this Court, will use any means to obtain this information.”

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Pegasus Spyware Accused Of Unlawful Surveillance

The Pegasus spyware has been the subject of intense scrutiny since its capabilities were first exposed. Designed to infiltrate smartphones and extract data without the user’s consent or knowledge, Pegasus has been linked to numerous instances of unlawful surveillance and human rights violations.

In India, the opposition has accused the ruling party had using Pegasus on politicians, journalists, and activists. When Apple filed the lawsuit in 2021, it said that to curb further abuse and harm to its users, the company was also seeking a permanent injunction to ban NSO Group from using any Apple software, services, or devices.

Earlier this year, the NSO Group had urged the court to move the case to its home country Israel, or dismiss the case. However, the US District Court rejected the move and denied any claims of dismissal. Both Apple and the NSO Group have yet to make any official comment on the matter.

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Apple To Charge Heavily To Swap iPhone 16 Pro’s Battery

Apple has increased the price of its battery repair service for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Now, the battery swap will set back users by $199 in either phone. This is a $20 jump from the older fee. The price remains the same for the standard and “Plus” models, as do these for last year’s phones, according to MacRumors notes.

Apple doesn’t seem to have started charging more for other battery replacements yet, but it wouldn’t be unexpected. In 2022, Apple drove the cost of iPhone 14 battery service up by $30 to $99. Price hikes for iPad, MacBook, and older iPhone battery repairs came after that, and Apple Watches followed suit afterward.

Motorola has expanded its flagship smartphone lineup in the Indian market with the launch of the Motorola Edge 50 Neo. The smartphone comes packed with impressive features including a 50MP Sony LYTIA-700X sensor, AI-powered camera upgrades, and long-term software support.

The smartphone is priced at Rs 23,999 in India, which is part of a special festive offer, as per the company. The phone comes in a single variant offering 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

Buyers can pick from our Pantone-certified color options: Nautical Blue, Poinciana, Lattè, and Grisaille, and all of them feature a vegan leather back for added style. Besides, extra perks include a Rs 1,000 discount for certain bank card holders or an exchange bonus of Rs 1,000. Jio users can avail of bundled offers worth Rs 10,000, including Rs 2,000 cashback and further benefits worth up to Rs 8,000.

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Motorola Edge 50 Neo Under The Hood

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo sports a 6.4-inch LTPO pOLED display, with 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The display is protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass 3, while the device itself carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, alongside MIL-STD-810H certification for enhanced durability. Dolby Atmos-backed dual stereo speakers elevate the multimedia experience.

Besides, the smartphone is backed by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, coupled with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. Users can also take advantage of a virtual RAM expansion of up to 8GB, enhanced by AI optimization. The smartphone runs Android 14 and the company has committed to offering five years of software and security updates.

As for the cameras, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo packs a triple rear camera setup. This includes a 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens for 3x optical zoom. Upfront the device offers a 32MP camera for high-quality selfies.

Connectivity options include 5G across 16 bands in India, Bluetooth 5.4, and Wi-Fi 6E. The device runs on a 4310mAh battery with 68W TurboPower fast charging and 15W wireless charging capabilities.

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Motorola Razr 50 Under The Hood

The Indian variant of the Motorola Razr 50 is said to offer a 3.6-inch cover display, which is also touted as the largest external display in the segment. It comes with an IPX8-rated build for water resistance and Gorilla Glass Victus coating on the display. It will also come with Gemini AI capabilities and Moto AI features.

The Motorola Razr 50 was already launched in China with the same name in June, but it is available in US markets as Motorola Razr 2024. In China, the smartphone starts at CNY 3,699 (approx Rs 47,000) for the 8GB + 256GB variant. The Indian variant could also be priced similarly.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is altering the way businesses work, with nearly 60 percent of the Fortune 500 firms using it. The tool is created to assist employees in completing tasks, holding meetings, and automating workflows and processes.

As part of Microsoft 365 Copilot: Wave 2, the company introduced 700 product updates. The company, during an event, said that over 150 new features have been shipped already.

The company also added that these new features have dramatically upgraded performance, including moving to the GPT-4o model. With these updates, Microsoft is bringing together work, web, and pages. Alongside, Copilot is now part of Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive.

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Microsoft Announces Updates In the UI For AI

Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, of Microsoft, during the announcement, called these updates the UI for AI. “It has just been 18 months since we launched Microsoft 365 Copilot. It is rapidly becoming an organizing layer for work; how work gets done, transforming the workflow and work artifacts for more than 400 million people who use Microsoft 365,” said Nadella during the live stream.

He further said that the number of people who use Copilot daily at work has nearly doubled quarter over quarter. “Customers are coming back to deploy more seats. Copilot adoption rates, in fact, are faster than any other new Microsoft 365 suite,” he added.

Microsoft also said that the number of customers with over 10,000 seats more than doubled quarter-on-quarter. For example, Vodafone has pumped in 68,000 licenses for its 100,000 employees. As per the company, Vodafone employees save around three hours a week, leading to improved work-life balance and boosted productivity. The legal and compliance team has reduced contract time by an hour.

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Microsoft Lays Off 650 Employees From Its Xbox Division

In a new wave of job cuts, Microsoft has announced the layoff of 650 employees from its Xbox division, marking the second major workforce reduction of the year within its gaming arm. The job cuts follow a previous workforce reduction of approximately 1900 positions in January this year.

As per the company, these layoffs are part of broader restructuring efforts aimed at streamlining its gaming operations, particularly after its takeover of Activision Blizzard. The news about the recent layoffs was brought to light for employees through an internal memo from Microsoft’s gaming chief, Phil Spencer.

According to the memo, the latest wave of job cuts will predominantly affect corporate and support roles within the company’s gaming division. Spencer ensured that no games, devices, or experiences were being canceled, and no studios would be closed after the layoffs.