At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, Apple announced updates coming to its various operating systems, most of which focus on its own version of AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence. MacBooks will get macOS 15, aka Sequoia, that will support Image Playground, Apples image generation tool, and AI composition features that can rewrite, proofread and summarize text in Mail, Notes, Pages and more. But the AI smarts will only be available to Apple laptops with an M1 chip or newer. So if you have an older model (pre-2020), or want the latest chips to get the most out of macOS 15, you might want a new MacBook. This guide will help you pick which one makes the most sense for you.After testing every model Apple makes, we think the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip and 16GB of RAM is the best choice for most people. But there are definitely reasons to consider the cheaper M2 Air and the fully featured Pro laptops. Weve broken down all the options to help you decide which is the best MacBook for you. Factors to consider when buying a MacBook Compared to PCs, Apple computers tend to have more streamlined specifications. The company has long been known for this simplicity, and the M-series system-on-a-chip condenses things even further. It started with the M1 chip, which has since been retired in all models. The M2 and M3 chips can be found in current-generation MacBooks, but the latest Apple silicon, the M4 chip, is only housed in the new iPad Pro. All M-series chips combine, among other technologies, the CPU, graphics card and unified memory (RAM). Apples Neural Engine is included too, which is a specialized group of processor cores that handles machine learning tasks such as image analysis and voice recognition. While a unified chip means you have fewer decisions to make when picking a MacBook, there are still a few factors to consider, including specs like the number of CPU cores, amount of RAM, storage capacity, screen size, and, obviously, price. The finish color may be a minor consideration, but it's worth pointing out that the Pro come in just two colors (Silver or Space Gray) but the Air adds two additional hues (Midnight and Starlight). CPU cores Currently the lowest-specced chip in a MacBook is the M2 in the 13-inch MacBook Air. It comes with an 8-core CPU and either an 8- or 10-core GPU. At the other end of the spectrum, the M3 Max chip is built with up to a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. Cores are, in essence, smaller processing units that can handle different tasks simultaneously. Having more of them translates to the computer being able to run multiple programs and applications at once, while also smoothly processing demanding tasks like video editing and high-level gaming. In short, more cores allow for more advanced computing and better performance. But if your processing power needs fall below professional-level gaming and cinematic video and audio editing, getting the highest number of cores is likely overkill and after all, more cores equals higher cost and more power usage. RAM Your options for RAM, or in Apples terminology, Unified memory, varies depending on the chip you choose. The M2 and M3 chips can be paired with 8, 16 or 24GB of RAM. The M3 Pro chip has 18 or 36GB memory options, while the most powerful M3 Max chip supports 48, 64 or a whopping 128GB of RAM. Youve likely heard the analogy comparing memory to the amount of workspace available on a literal desktop surface, whereas storage is the amount of drawers you have to store projects to work on later. The larger the worktop surface, the more projects you can work on at once. The bigger the drawers, the more you can save for later. More RAM is ideal for people who plan to work in multiple apps at once. And the more demanding each program is, the more RAM will be required. Extra memory can also come in handy if youre the type who likes to have infinite numbers of tabs open on your browser. If your daily workflow doesnt involve simultaneously using a vast number of memory-intensive programs, you can save yourself money and buy the RAM configuration that youre most likely to actually use. For casual users, 8GB may be enough, however, if you can afford an upgrade to 16GB of RAM, we recommend going doing so, as modern browsers tend to be pretty memory-hungry. Investing in more RAM now will give your new MacBook a longer lifespan of reliable use. Its also important to keep in mind that, unlike most PCs, the RAM in current-model MacBooks is not user-upgradable, so youll want to get what you plan on needing at the outset. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget Storage capacity (SSD) Storage options range from 256GB of SSD for the M2 MacBook Air and 8TB of storage for the MacBook Pros with the M3 Max chip. If you want to rotate between a long roster of game titles or keep lots of high-res videos on hand, youll want more storage. If youre mostly working with browser- and cloud-based applications, you can get away with a smaller-capacity configuration. That said, we recommend springing for 512GB of storage or more, if its within your budget. Youll quickly feel the limits of a 256GB machine as it ages since the operating system alone takes up a good portion of that space. Having 1TB will feel even roomier and allow for more data storage over the life of your laptop. When Apple announced the iPhone 15, the company also announced new iCloud+ storage storage plans, with subscriptions that allow up to 12TB of storage. You could also transfer files to an external storage device. But if you dont want to pay for a monthly subscription and prefer the convenience of having immediate access to your files, its best to get the highest amount of storage space your budget allows for at the outset. Screen size MacBooks come in 13-, 14-, 15- and 16-inch sizes. That might not seem like a huge difference, but, as Engadgets Nathan Ingraham noted when he reviewed the now-retired 15-inch M2-powered MacBook Air, a larger screen "makes a surprising difference. Thats especially true if you plan to use your laptop as an all-day productivity machine and wont be using an external monitor. More space means you can more clearly view side-by-side windows and have a more immersive experience when watching shows or gaming. But screen size is the main factor influencing weight. The 13-inch MacBook Air M2 weighs 2.7 pounds, whereas the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro weighs 4.8 pounds. If you plan to travel a lot or swap your work locations regularly, a smaller screen will make life easier in the long run. All MacBooks feature IPS LCD panels (in-plane switching, liquid crystal display), which Apple markets as Retina displays. The MacBook Air M1 has a Retina display. A Liquid Retina display comes with the M2 MacBook Air and the Liquid Retina XDR display comes with the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros. Liquid refers to the way the lighted portion of the display flows within the contours of the screen, filling the rounded corners and curving around the camera notch. XDR is what Apple calls HDR (high dynamic range). Compared to most other laptops, MacBook displays are notably bright, sharp and lush. But one feature worth pointing out is another Apple marketing term: ProMotion. Its the companys term to describe a screen with a higher, 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smoother scrolling and more fluid-looking graphics. Only the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros offer ProMotion; the other models max out at 60Hz, which is perfectly fine for everyday browsing and typical workdays. But if you want buttery-smooth motion from your display, youll have to shell out more money for an upgrade. Price When the MacBook Air M3 came out, Apple dropped the price of the base-model, 13-inch, M2-powered Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. With a $999 starting price, its now the least expensive new MacBook you can get. Alternatively, you can spend up to $7,199 for the 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max with 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. Chip type, screen size, memory and storage capacity all influence the final price, which is why guides like this can help you determine just what you need (and what you dont) so you can get the most cost-effective machine for you. We recommend the MacBook Air M3 for most people, the MacBook Air M2 for students and those on a budget, and the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pros for professionals. If you have extra money to spare once youve picked your machine, we recommend upgrading to at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage to make your machine as future-proof as possible. Best MacBooks MacBook FAQs What's the difference between MacBook Air and Pro? The MacBook Air comes with a standard M3 or M2 chip. MacBook Pro models have the option of more powerful M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. The Pro has a higher resolution screen with a higher peak brightness that supports XDR (extreme dynamic range). The battery life on most Pro models is longer than on the Air models. Pro models also have more ports and more speakers. In short, the MacBook Air is aimed at everyday users looking for good productivity and entertainment capabilities, while Pro models are aimed at professionals who need a high-performance computer. What's the difference between macOS and Windows? MacOS is the operating system developed by Apple and used in all of its desktop and laptop computers. It can only be found in hardware made by Apple including MacBooks and iMacs. Microsofts Windows operating system can be found in the companys own Surface laptops as well as computers made by a wide array of manufacturers, like Acer, Asus, Dell and Razer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-macbook-140032524.html?src=rss

Award-winning virtual production tool Cyclops AR is now available on the App Store. The Third Floor's iOS Simulcam app, used on The Mandalorian and House of the Dragon, is now available to VFX and previs studios of all sizes.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/08/check-out-award-winning-ios-virtual-production-tool-cyclops-ar/

Two of Netflix's biggest shows Supacell and The Gentlemen are getting a second season.

Payments startup Airwallex has reached an annual revenue run rate of $500 million and will be ready for an IPO by 2026, CEO Jack Zhang told CNBC.

At 32, Tessa Mills and her husband were having trouble conceiving. They had spent two years trying and gone through a battery of tests. Mills husbands semen analysis came back with a few abnormalities. Their clinician recommended three cycles of IUI (intrauterine insemination).During an IUI, healthy sperm are separated from the rest of the semen and concentrated into a solution, which is then placed directly in the uterus. The catch was each IUI was $1500 and Mills insurance only covered $500 worth of fertility treatments. She stumbled upon PherDal, a fertility startup that sells $200 kits for an at-home ICI (intracervical insemination)essentially a syringe to place sperm directly in the cervix. Within a month, Mills was pregnant. She attributes her success to PherDal. The medical community was not offering us good options, she says. While insurance is good about covering fertility testing, it can be very behind about covering fertility treatment.Treating infertility can be a long and expensive process. An IUI can cost anywhere from $200 to $4,000 and have a success rate of 10% to 30%. In vitro fertilization (IVF), when a doctor fertilizes an egg in a lab and then places the resulting embryo back in the uterus, has an over 50% chances of success but it can also cost up to $30,000.Startups Proov and PherDal are partnering with telehealth company Wisp to make their fertility products available to a wider audience. Both are offering something attractive to couples struggling to conceive: affordable, DIY fertility. Wisp CEO Monica Cepak notes, fertility has constantly come up as an area customers are interested in.Patients can buy products from Proov and PherDal, as well as Wisps own prenatal gummiesdirectly from Wisp and consult with a provider if they wish, but its not required. Proov offers at home hormone and ovarian reserve test for women ($99), or an advanced kit which adds on a semen analysis kit ($169.99). PherDal sells the first FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit. Both were started by scientists who felt let down by the medical community when they ran into infertility.Amy Beckley, Proovs founder who received her PhD in pharmacology, was told she had unexplained infertility but later found out she had a progesterone problem the doctor never tested her for. To remedy this, she designed Proovs kit to test for four hormones, rather than not just one, which is standard for most ovulation kits.[Photo: Wisp]PherDal founder Jennifer Hintzsche, who has PhD in bioinformatics, was diagnosed with unexplained infertility and then given paperwork for a $10,000 loan to pay for an IUI. Instead, she did her own research and found out about ICI, a process thats not offered at most fertility clinics. She cobbled together an at home ICI kit out of lab supplies, and within two months she was pregnant. After it worked, she started PherDal, which received FDA clearance in December 2023. While theres no clinical study yet on how effective the kit is, Dr. Hintzsche says she originally sold 200 proof of concept kits and 34 pregnancies resulted from them.These treatments can be easier to pay for, and more immediate than waiting months for an appointment at a doctors office. The DIY solutions also promise a modicum of control over a process which offers none.However, control doesnt necessarily translate to efficacy, and fertility experts say that people pursuing home treatmentswhich may not be informed by a consult with a physician and dont incorporate physical examsmight be operating with incomplete information.Dr. Elizabeth Dilday, a reproductive endocrinologist at fertility clinic CCRM, says diagnosing infertility in women requires a deep dive into a patients gynecological and medical history, as well as a physical exam with bloodwork, and an ultrasound and hysterosalpingography to evaluate the effectiveness of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Its difficult to get exact percentages of infertility diagnoses since they vary depending on the area, but Dr. Dilday says some of the most common diagnoses in are ovulatory dysfunction, blocked fallopian tubes, and unexplained infertility.Once a diagnosis is established, treatments ran the gamut from timed intercourse, inducing ovulation, an IUI, or an IVF. Most fertility clinics do not offer ICI. Its ineffective, says Dr. Michael Alper, the cofounder of fertility clinic Boston IVF, and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. Theres no advantage over intercourse. IUI is different because were concentrating the sperm and placing it directly in the uterus. (According to a 2022 study, ICI live birth rates are 38% compared to 56% for IUI within an eight-month span.)Difficulty conceiving can also be caused by a variety of issues with fertilizing an egg classified as male-factor infertility. Diagnosing it includes a three-pronged approach: lab tests for hormone testing, a semen analysis, and a physical exam. Dr. Peter Tsambarlis, a urologist and assistant professor at Northwesterns Feinberg School of Medicine, says that while at-home semen analyses do a fairly good job of counting and measuring sperm, the quality of analysis can vary from lab to lab. An at home semen analysis can provide reassurance that everything is fine, but if its not, go to a doctor and get an actual semen analysis, he says. Meanwhile, roughly 40% of his patients who struggle with infertility have dilated veins in their scrotumsomething which is only apparent during a physical.[Photo: Wisp]While direct-to-consumer fertility products may provide answers for some patients, clinicians caution against leaning too heavily on them. The biggest predictor of pregnancy is age of the female partner, says Dilday. If the products arent working, dont wait or delay getting professional help. Time is of the essence and a few months may change ones outcomes.A clinician has the added benefit of providing education and a tailored treatment plan along with the diagnosis. Tsambarlis points out education is a big piece of the puzzle too. Youd be surprised about what men dont know about fertility and ovulation, he says, while also noting he has had patients who have had a vasectomy and then wondered why they are having difficulty conceiving.However, doctors recognize cost can be a significant barrier. Alper recommends an initial consult to help patients understand what might be causing the problem. Alper says a fertility specialist consult will cost about $300, which she says is comparable to an at-home kit, with the added benefit that youll be talking to someone who understands the whole picture. Trying to figure it out on your own is like trying to fix a car yourself. It might work, but you dont have the knowledge of someone who has done it many times and understands the full context.In the future, Wisp plans to offer higher-touch products and services including prescription medications clomid and letrozole which can stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. It will also partner with an at-home blood draw service so patients know when they should take the medications. There is a subset of women who will need IVF, Cepak says. But there are plenty of people who can be helped by other, less expensive options. If we can help them avoid a lengthy and expensive trip to the IVF clinic, thats a huge success.

Global architecture studio Populous has unveiled its plans for Aramco Stadium, a 47,000-seat sports venue in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, designed to be "iconic in the football world".Set to host the upcoming 2027 AFC Asian Cup, the building will be defined by a spiralling form intended to evoke waves, in a nod to its position on the coast of the Arabian Gulf.Populous is also developing it to meet the requirements to be a 2034 FIFA World Cup venue.Populous has released visuals of Aramco StadiumAramco Stadium's curved design is intended to be "instantly and uniquely recognisable", Populous said.Once complete, it will form part of an 800,000-square-metre masterplan the studio is also developing for the Sports City district in Al Khobar."The design will become iconic in the football world and will be synonymous with Saudi Arabia's vision to further develop Al Khobar into a global sports destination, attracting visitors from around the world," said Populous's general manager Shireen Hamdan.It forms part of a masterplan spanning 80,000 kilometres"This world-class stadium development spans nearly a square kilometre, creating a seamless connection between the venue and the Sports City district," added lead architect Rhys Courtney."In terms of scale and facility offerings, this project is one of the most ambitious of its kind globally, underpinning Saudi Arabia's ambition to make Al Khobar one of the world's premier sporting destinations," he continued.It will have a curving form modelled on wavesAramco Stadium's spiralling exterior will be formed of overlapping panels, which Populous said is modelled on "the graceful rotation of waves and the spiral motifs commonly found in nature".The panels will incorporate openings, allowing natural light inside where ramps and walkways will follow the shape of the exterior, leading visitors down into the elliptical seating bowl.Openings within the curved panels will allow in natural lightAccording to Populous, the shape of the seating bowl is designed to ensure "uninterrupted views of the pitch from every seat" while optimising natural ventilation.For sporting events, it will accommodate 47,000 spectators, but this could be increased to 55,000 for other events such as music concerts.Read: Saudi Arabia reveals all 15 stadiums for the 2034 World CupThe interior fit-out and hospitality spaces will be overseen by Populous-owned interior design specialist Jump Studios.Alongside the stadium, the wider masterplan for the district will incorporate "community amenities and facilities designed to provide an unparalleled sports and entertainment experience", said Populous.It is being designed to be a 2034 FIFA World Cup venueThis will include retail and sports facilities, as well as public spaces to encourage social interaction.Populous said it is targeting LEED Gold certification the second-highest certification issued by the international green building program LEED for the project.It will also be used for concerts with a capacity of 55,000Populous is currently working on stadiums around the world, with several others also set to host games during the 2034 FIFA World Cup.This includes the 92,000-seat stadium in Riyadh, which is set to host the final of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. It will be the largest stadium in the country once complete.Others are a cliffside stadium in Riyadh, which will have stands on three sides, and the colourful Qiddiya Coast Stadium in Jeddah.The visuals are courtesy of Populous.The post Populous releases visuals of Aramco Stadium planned for Saudi World Cup appeared first on Dezeen.

Now that widescreen gaming monitors have grown to ridiculous proportionsmonitor arms need to catch up. This Magnus Heavy Duty Monitor Arm, by computer gaming accessories company Secretlab, fits the bill. Made of aluminum, it will support up to 57" monitors, up to a whopping 35 pounds in weight. Handles allow you to tilt the screen up to 20, and rotate it up to 90. A nice little UX touch is hidden away at the back. This visual indicator lets you adjust the tensile spring mechanism without overtightening (and possibly damaging) it. The idea is for you to hit that sweet spot where you can raise or lower the monitor effortlessly.I don't know how many of you are "user manual nerds," but I'm also impressed with the clarity of illustrations and explanations in the installation manual. You think ID is thankless work, the folks who do the manuals never get any love. These run $350.

With Apple leading the way, the design of wireless earbuds has almost become monotonous as many manufacturers try to flatter the brand through imitation. There are, of course, a few outliers and there is definitely plenty of room for creativity, especially now that earbuds and earphones have almost become a necessity for anyone who uses a smartphone. Of course, ergonomics and acoustics still play the most important role in designing such audio accessories, but if there was more leeway in those areas, you might be able to come up with something a bit more imaginative, like these buds that resemble a pair of birds tweeting a sweet melody into your years.Designers: Jinho Choi, Seunghun JeongThe standard design for earbuds these days, whether theyre wired or wireless, consists of a bulging mass on the end of a short stick. The larger shape is designed to go into the ear canals, tapering at the tip while almost rotund at its base. With some imagination, it almost looks like a pudgy bird, which is what this design concept has made out of the silhouette of the buds. And not just any bird, mind you, but a bird with an astronaut helmet on!Thats the almost comical picture that AI drew for this design, which works perfectly in this scenario. The tips of the buds cant be sharp and small like bird heads, so imagining these two birds wearing translucent space helmets gives the design a playful character. These birds sit on top of the branch, represented by the stalk of the earphones, at least when you place them down in a certain way.What makes this design concept extra fun is that everything revolves around this avian idea, including both the packaging and associated accessories. Rather than just have the buds lying on a desk or dangling from some hook, a special stand mimics a small tree trunk where you can insert the earbudss stem, creating the semblance of birds perched on a tree. It would probably be nice if you could also hear audio coming out of the buds while in this arrangement to complete the image, but that would require a more complex audio solution.The TweetTunes buds concept also includes a specially designed box thats more circular than boxy. Opening up the packaging reveals two birds sitting inside a nest, or at least the representation of a nest. Its definitely a subtle but nice touch, with the attention to detail youd expect from larger companies. Theres still the question of whether such a bird-like shape actually provides both comfort and sufficient sealing, but having adorable earbuds like that on your desk is probably worth just the decorative value, even if you barely use it.The post Cute earbuds concept look like tiny perched birds ready to sing a tune first appeared on Yanko Design.

Can't wait to see how the Adoring Fan looks in Skyblivion.Hear the original voice acting coming out of completely new faces.

Even if the bubble birds, generative AI will continue to drive innovation in creative tech.