In a week filled with significant developments, Apple has made headlines with its latest iPhone special offer, a long-awaited camera update, and the introduction of the M5 MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. Meanwhile, the tech giant faces another high-profile departure from its AI team, and Formula 1 is set to arrive on Apple TV. Additionally, a Star Trek-inspired cautionary tale about AI has resurfaced, drawing parallels to Apple’s advancements.
Apple’s Latest iPhone Special Offer
While the tech world buzzes with anticipation for the iPhone 17, Apple has unveiled a special offer that has captured the attention of consumers. The company has reduced prices on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max models, which are now available in the Apple refurb store. These models, the first to support Apple Intelligence, come with a meticulous refurbishment process that includes a new battery, outer shell, and a standard warranty.
David Phelan, a tech analyst, highlights the value of Apple’s refurbished phones:
“It’s worth noting that Apple’s refurbished condition is meticulous: you get the same warranty as with a brand-new iPhone, all manuals and accessories, a new battery and outer shell and ‘a new white box,’ as Apple describes it. In other words, Apple’s refurbished phones are excellent quality and strong value.”
A Long-Awaited Upgrade to the iPhone Pro Camera
In another exciting development, Apple is reportedly working on a significant upgrade to the iPhone Pro camera for the upcoming iPhone 18. According to reports from ETNews, the company plans to incorporate a variable aperture lens, a technology that has been used by several Android manufacturers to enhance their flagship smartphones.
This innovation allows for greater control over light exposure and depth of field, marking the first major change in the main-lens aperture since the iPhone 14 Pro. The move could potentially elevate Apple’s standing in the competitive smartphone camera market.
Here Comes the Five: Apple Silicon M5
This week also saw the announcement of the Apple Silicon M5 chipset and its accompanying hardware. The M5 MacBook Pro and iPad Pro have been eagerly anticipated by Apple enthusiasts. The consumer-focused MacBook Pro is expected to be followed by the M5 Pro and M5 Max models in 2025, offering enhanced performance with the new C1X modem for faster connectivity.
Forbes contributor David Phelan elaborates on the benefits of the M5 chipset:
“The M5 chip also includes a 10-core GPU with Neural Accelerators and a faster 16-core Neural Engine which is designed to enhance AI tasks, whether that’s generative imagery or token generation for LLMs. Again, the translation is that AI tasks are promised to fly with the new processor.”
Apple AI Team Faces Another High-Profile Departure
In a surprising turn of events, Ke Yang, who was recently hired to lead Apple’s AI-powered expansion of Siri, has left the company to join Meta. Yang’s departure follows a series of changes within Apple’s AI division, which has seen several key figures leave in recent months.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports:
“Yang recently became a direct report to John Giannandrea, Apple’s senior vice president of AI and machine learning. He had led the search-focused elements of the AKI group before taking over the entire division — a move that followed the departure of its previous head, Robby Walker.”
Formula 1 Comes to Apple TV
Apple has secured a deal to bring Formula 1 racing to Apple TV, with coverage set to begin in 2026. This move follows the success of Apple’s investment in “F1: The Movie,” which grossed $629 million at the box office. However, the deal has not been well-received by all, as US fans currently using the F1TV streaming service will lose access once Apple’s coverage starts.
Star Trek’s M5 Warning: A Timely Reminder
Finally, the launch of the Apple Silicon M5 chipset has sparked renewed interest in a classic Star Trek episode centered around the dangers of the M5 computer. This episode serves as a cautionary tale about the potential risks of artificial intelligence, highlighting issues of trust, employment impact, and the need for safeguards.
Steve Shives offers a timely review of the episode, drawing parallels to the current AI landscape and Apple’s advancements:
“The story is a tale of trust in artificial intelligence, the hubris of AI developers, the real-world impact on employment, and the deaths caused by the lack of safeguards and understanding.”
As Apple continues to innovate and expand its offerings, these developments underscore the company’s influence on the tech industry and the broader implications of its technological advancements. The coming months will be crucial as Apple navigates these changes and addresses the challenges that accompany its growth.
