O'Grady's PowerPage

  • Rumor: M5 Pro and M5 Max-based MacBook Pro models could launch between now and the end of March

    Rumor: M5 Pro and M5 Max-based MacBook Pro models could launch between now and the end of March

    Apple may be releasing its M5 Pro and M5 Max-based MacBook Pro notebooks this month and next month.

    Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurmanthe new models could launch before the spring. According to Gurman, a new MacBook Pro is planned to launch roughly alongside macOS 26.3, though he doesn’t necessarily give a strict timeline:

    “I’m told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from February through March.”

    While this isn’t exactly groundbreaking information, it helps to hone in on a target date, as well as highlights that Apple’s macOS 26.3 Tahoe update is set to arrive within the coming weeks. Typically, spring Apple products are tied to the x.4 release cycle. Those releases tend to debut in late March or April.

    From a retail perspective, Apple is thought to be running low on inventory for the higher-end M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro configurations. This tends to happen when a new model is fast approaching.

    Within his new Power On newsletter, Gurman also hints at the possibility of a Studio Display refresh coming soon given that the current model is also in low supply.

    After these product launches, Apple will kick off its much larger product launch cycle, where iPhone 17e, M5 MacBook Air, new iPad and iPad Air models, and more are expected.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and Bloomberg

  • Apple releases iOS 16.7.14, iPadOS 16.7.14 updates, looks to address emergency services access bug for some older devices in the Australian marketplace

    Apple releases iOS 16.7.14, iPadOS 16.7.14 updates, looks to address emergency services access bug for some older devices in the Australian marketplace

    Apple’s iOS operating system may be a thing of the past, but if you’re in the Australian marketplace with an older model iPhone, this is important.

    Apple on Monday released its iOS 16.7.14 update, a quick patch to address an issue found in iOS 16.7.13 that caused some older iPhones in Australia to be unable to connect to emergency services.

    The update is currently available for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X handsets, and the patch’s release notes state that it fixes a mobile network problem that prevented emergency calls.

    The update comes on the heels of Apple’s iOS 16.7.13 update, which was released last week. The update interfered with the emergency call situation in Australia, which has been a problem since December. Apple pulled the update, but not until some people had already downloaded it.

    Last Thursday, Apple released a carrier settings update for Telstra customers in Australia that temporarily fixed the issue by adjusting network-related settings.

    The iOS 16.7.4 update can be downloaded by opening up the Settings app on the ‌iPhone‌ and going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is also an iPadOS 16.7.14 update available for older iPads, which addresses the same issue.

    If you’re in the Australian marketplace and have tried either or both of the updates, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors

  • Apple updates online Mac shopping experience, shifts to feature selection as opposed to standard configurations

    Apple updates online Mac shopping experience, shifts to feature selection as opposed to standard configurations

    If you’re shopping for a Mac, things just changed a bit.

    Apple recently updated its online storefront with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Prior to the changes, there were a handful of standard configurations for each Mac. Now, customers must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis.

    Per Macworld and Consomac, if you were to order a MacBook Pro, you’d begin by choosing a 14-inch or 16-inch display, then decide whether to upgrade to a nano-texture display. From there, you’ll choose the M-series chip and core counts, followed by the amount of custom RAM, SSD storage, power adapter, and keyboard language.

    The entire process is now entirely à la carte, which may represent a significant difference for some customers.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the new Apple online shopping experience for a new Mac, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors, Macworld, and Consomac

  • Apple posts Q1 2026 finances, cites $143.8 billion in revenues, $42 billion profit in best quarter ever

    Apple posts Q1 2026 finances, cites $143.8 billion in revenues, $42 billion profit in best quarter ever

    Apple held its first quarter 2026 earnings call on Thursday, and it was a series of record-breaking returns, with Apple posting revenues of $143.8 billion, a 16 percent year-over-year increase, and $42 billion in profit.

    The iPhone had its best quarter ever, with $85 billion, beating the previous record of $71.6 billion set in the first quarter of 2022.

    Mac sales were down 7 percent year-over-year, which wasn’t surprising given that Apple had only released one new Mac for the quarter in the form of the M5 MacBook Pro.

    Still, Services posted a record quarter with an increase of 15 percent year-over-year, and exceptional growth in Apple TV and Apple Music.

    The iPad also saw an increase of 8 percent year-over-year, and Apple’s sales for Wearables, Home, and Accessories saw a slight 2 percent year-over-year decrease.

    Apple stated that the company now has 2.5 billion activated devices, a new record.

    The breakdowns are as follows:

    • iPhone: $85 billion (up from $69 billion)
    • iPad: $8.6 billion (up from $8 billion)
    • Mac: $8.3 billion (down from $8.9 billion)
    • Wearables, Home, and Accessories: $11.5 billion (down from $11.7 billion)
    • Services: $30 billion (up from $26 billion)

    The RAM price increases that the market has been experiencing did not affect Apple for the first quarter, Cook noted during a conference call for investors. However, he said Apple is now “in a supply chase mode,” and is experiencing supply constraints like the rest of the industry.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via Macworld and investor.apple.com

  • Rumor: Apple is looking to add Starlink functionality to the iPhone 18 Pro, and is also in talks with SpaceX about a deal for the feature

    Rumor: Apple is looking to add Starlink functionality to the iPhone 18 Pro, and is also in talks with SpaceX about a deal for the feature

    Apple’s next-generation iPhone 18 Pro, which could see a hardware change, could feature satellite access, but it’s up in the air as to whether the satellite provider could be Starlink or SpaceX.

    Per Aaron Tilley and Wayne Ma of The Information, Apple may be planning to integrate Starlink functionality into the iPhone 18 Pro, even while the company is also in talks with SpaceX regarding the feature.

    SpaceX is reportedly supporting “the same radio spectrum Apple uses for the iPhone’s current satellite features” from Globalstar in new Starlink satellite designs. Apple currently relies on Globalstar satellites to power its Emergency SOS via satellite feature on iPhone 14 and newer, as well as Apple Watch Ultra 3. This feature offers contact with emergency services as well as location sharing when outside of a traditional cellular network.

    It’s also been reported that Globalstar chair James Monroe has discussed a desire to sell the firm for $10 billion. “Such a deal could signal that Globalstar and Apple are seeking more independence from each other,” the report suggests.

    Per The Information’s report, “Apple plans to add support in upcoming iPhones as early as next year for 5G networks that aren’t tethered to Earth’s surface, which includes satellites.” As of December, SpaceX struck a deal with EchoStar to acquire $17 billion worth of spectrum that can be used for direct-to-cell satellite connectivity.

    There are a lot of irons in the fire and deals being made, so stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via Reddit, The Information, and 9to5Mac