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M3 Ultra on par with M4 Max in CPU performance based on benchmark test

Mac Studio m4 Max m3 ultra

Apple this week announced a new generation of Mac Studio, and surprisingly it is available with two different chip families: M3 Ultra and M4 Max. While the company claims that the M3 Ultra is up to twice as fast as the M4 Max in some workloads, benchmark tests show that there isn’t a huge difference between the CPU of the two chips.

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Developers behind Tweetbot and Ivory now working on a Bluesky app

Developers behind Tweetbot and Ivory now working on a Bluesky app

If you’re a heavy Mastodon user (or were a Twitter user back in the good old days), you’re probably familiar with Tapbots – the company behind the popular Ivory and Tweetbot apps. The developers now have some good news to share with Bluesky users, as they announced this week that they’ve been working on a new app for the platform.

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This powerful Apple Notes feature has made note-taking easier than ever

Apple Notes iOS 18

Whether you’re a heavy user of Apple Notes or not, you may have missed that iOS 18 introduced a new feature designed to take lots of the work out of note-taking. Thanks to the addition of audio recordings, bolstered by transcripts and summaries, Apple Notes makes it easier than ever to capture notes on your iPhone, iPad, and more.

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New MacBook Air, iPad Air, and Mac Studio launches

Benjamin and Chance recap the newly announced lineup of iPads and Macs. The new iPad Air and base iPad offer even better value for money, while Apple pushes the performance edge with the surprising launch of the M3 Ultra in the Mac Studio, and makes the best MacBook yet with the new M4 MacBook Air. Also, iOS 18.4 beta 2 brings even more new features to discuss.

And in Happy Hour Plus, Apple takes a swing at a home run with a trio of baseball content announcements. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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Apple deals-MacBook Air M4-iPad A16

Deals: M4 MacBook Air $650 off w/ trade or M3 model $500 off orig. price, first cash deal on iPad A16, more

While are still tracking some massive trade-in savings and straight up cash deals for Best Buy members on the new M3 iPad Air up to $650 off and the new new iPad (A16) from just $174, we also spotted some major savings on the brand new M4 MacBook Air late yesterday afternoon. Best Buy members can get $50 off all configurations but a M2 or M3 Air trade-in can net you up to $550 in savings. All of that said, folks who don’t have anything to trade-in against the affordable new iPad (A16) will now find the first straight up cash deals now live from $329 at Amazon alongside the return of Black Friday pricing on the M4 MacBook Pro lineup and clearance deals on the 24GB M3 MacBook Air models at up to $500 off the original prices. All of that and more awaits below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

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9to5Mac Daily: March 6, 2025 – Foldable iPhone rumors, more

9to5mac daily podcast

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts appStitcherTuneInGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by CardPointers: The best way to maximize your credit card rewards. 9to5Mac Daily listeners can exclusively save 30% and get a $100 Savings Card.

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Apple’s first foldable iPhone may feature crease-free display, but lacks Face ID and costs more than $2000

Apple's foldable iPad is likely a test-bed for a future MacBook | Render of an all-screen MacBook

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared his expectations for the upcoming Apple foldable iPhone, which is set to launch in 2026.

Kuo says the Apple foldable is positioned as a top-tier iPhone, with accompanying eyewatering price tag. It may cost well in excess of $2000. However, customers are expected to get premium hardware specs including a display that does not visibly crease when folded, stainless steel and titanium alloy hinge, in a casing that is just 4.5 mm thick when unfolded. However, the thinness also may come at the price of Face ID, with Kuo predicting that Touch ID will return.

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PSA: You can now buy a sky blue USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable for your MacBook

PSA: You can now buy a sky blue USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable for your MacBook

The new generation MacBook Air with the M4 chip comes in a new “sky blue” color, and in keeping with tradition, the laptop comes with a traced charging cable that matches the color chosen by the consumer. However, even if you have no plans to buy the new M4 MacBook Air, you can still get a sky blue USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable.

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