Listen to this week’s The Wrap about the latest MacBooks, what’s coming to iOS 16 on the iPhone, and how those iPhones will change thanks to decisions in Europe. Then, review Sony’s WH-1000XM5 in five to see if the last best noise canceling headphones are still the best.
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Transscript
In mid-June 2022, I listened to Australia’s fastest technology Roundup, The Wrap. Hopefully you have a good weekend, maybe a long one, but last week was a huge hit with tech news. You can’t waste another moment, so get caught up in the five-minute technique.
Let’s start with what might have come to your mind: Apple.
It lasted for a few days, but when Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference WWDC began, all the juicy bites happened first. Laptop. Apple has them and is upgrading them, so there are more options, so I’d like you to refrain from buying laptops so far.
One of Apple’s biggest announcements from the conference was the first, with news of a new M2 chip following the M1 two years ago. You can still find the M1 and its variants around that location, and it’s on the M1 MacBook Air, one of our favorite laptops.
It’s still part of Apple’s laptop lineup and is probably the cheapest model locally for $ 1500. But for $ 1,900, Apple has a slightly more redesigned MacBook Air with a Pro computer-like look last year, a slightly larger screen, MagSafe dock connector support, and its new chip.
The new chip is a sequel to M1 and is called M2. It’s slightly faster than the ones on other Airs, offers more memory support that boosts up to 16GB to 24GB, and clearly resembles a smaller sized 10-core PC chip that requires less power. It may be a real portable force to consider the new Air, but it’s not the only M2 system out there.
Nothing has been said about whether the M1 Mac Mini will show a sequel to the M2, but even if it’s a bit confusing, the 13-inch MacBook Pro will be there. At a slightly higher price, it follows the same design as its predecessor, maintains an OLED touchbar, and gets a bigger battery starting just below the 2nd ground. The 13-inch MacBook Pro looks confusing because the new Air like last time is probably something people will consider, but basically it wants MacBook Pro performance, but that’s not the case. A slightly cooler version built for those who don’t. Inevitably cost.
That’s not the only big announcement from Apple. Ventura has a new ace version of macOS, a new watchface watchOS 9, and a 16th version of iOS and iPad OS coming later this year. Multitasking has been improved and pausing what you watch will change the international translation of your video. Learn how spatial audio works when you have the right headphones and a much more customizable iPhone lock screen.
This is the same thing that Android owners have had over the years, but there are more ways to clean fonts, clocks, lock screens, and you can time them to focus mode.
And we’re focusing on the iPhone, but now that we know the plug port at the bottom, let’s talk about how it looks like it changes. It will probably change forever soon.
Apple’s Lightning port is now 10 years old and there is another port that everyone else is using. It’s USB C. In fact, the EU has decided to make Type C USB a one-port type device that needs to be used after 2024. This includes Apple, suggesting that iPhone makers will build mobile phones with USB C for Europe. This is unlikely, but within the next two years everyone will have a USB iPhone.
Seriously, Lightning is 10 years old this year. It wouldn’t be surprising if Apple pointed out that when the iPhone 14 went on sale and switched to USB C to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
But now we’re reviewing things related to phones, just the name. Looking at the headphones, specifically Sony’s WH-1000XM5, it’s the fifth iteration of Sony’s noise canceling headphones and the most expensive to date.
With a price between 550 and 650 in Australia, it’s the highest priced Sony noise canceller to date and sounds better than ever. Expect a warm, rich sound with plenty of bass and some of the best cancellations ever.
These things are just amazing and the new design makes them one of the most comfortable headphones around. There is a touchpad to control things, 30 hours of battery life, and some adaptive cancellations.
So are they worth the price? perhaps. The XM5 issue isn’t that new. They weren’t in need of anything because they’re still great, but they only make their predecessors a better value.
The XM5 is clearly the new best, but if you find the XM4 at a low price, it’s just as amazing at the low price.
So far, I’m listening to The Wrap, Australia’s fastest technology summary. New episodes can be found weekly on Listener, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Have a great week for now. See you next time at The Wrap. Stay safe, stay sane, and be careful.