Intel Officially Launches First Quad-Core Ivy Bridge Processors
In line with the rumored April 23 launch date, BBC News reports that Intel has officially introduced the first batch of its next-generation Ivy Bridge processors. The processors are Intel's first to use a 22-nm manufacturing process and "Tri-Gate" technology of 3D transistors to reduce power and increase efficiency.
The initial launch consists of 13 quad-core processors, primarily focused on the desktop market, although several mobile processors that would be appropriate for revised 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models are also included in the launch. Dual-core chips appropriate for smaller notebooks will follow "later this spring", with previous rumors having pegged that launch date as June 3.
The firm has already built three factories to fabricate the new chips and a fourth will come online later this year.
"This is Intel's fastest ramp ever," [Intel executive Kirk] Skaugen added.
"There will be 50% more supply than we had early in the product cycle of our last generation, Sandy Bridge, a year ago. And we're still constrained based on the amount of demand we're seeing in the marketplace."
In addition to the power and efficiency gains made possible with the Tri-Gate technology, Ivy Bridge will also benefit from significantly enhanced integrated graphics performance compared to Sandy Bridge, which will help with supporting higher-resolution hardware and content, as well as improving transcoding rates. Ivy Bridge also brings new hardware security features and native support for USB 3.0.
The launch of Ivy Bridge processors opens the door for a massive set of upgrades encompassing nearly all of Apple's Mac product line with the exception of the Mac Pro, which is itself long past its usual refresh interval and could see upgrades to new Sandy Bridge E server chips.
Update: Intel has now published its press release announcing the launch of Ivy Bridge, which is officially referred to as the company's 3rd Generation Core family.
Popular Stories
Following more than a month of beta testing, Apple released iOS 26.1 on Monday, November 3. The update includes a handful of new features and changes, including the ability to adjust the look of Liquid Glass and more.
Below, we outline iOS 26.1's key new features.
Liquid Glass Toggle
iOS 26.1 lets you choose your preferred look for Liquid Glass.
In the Settings app, under Display...
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store.
The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the U.S., according to its website. Maximum values for most devices either decreased or saw no change, but the iPad Air received a slight bump.
...
The smarter, more capable version of Siri that Apple is developing will be powered by Google Gemini, reports Bloomberg. Apple will pay Google approximately $1 billion per year for a 1.2 trillion parameter artificial intelligence model that was developed by Google.
For context, parameters are a measure of how a model understands and responds to queries. More parameters generally means more...
Apple is promoting the new Liquid Glass design in iOS 26, showing off the ways that third-party developers are embracing the aesthetic in their apps. On its developer website, Apple is featuring a visual gallery that demonstrates how "teams of all sizes" are creating Liquid Glass experiences.
The gallery features examples of Liquid Glass in apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. Apple...
Apple is planning to launch at least 15 new products in 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Gurman outlined what to expect from Apple in 2026 in the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter. He said the company is heading "into one of its most pivotal years in recent memory," with the rollout of major new Apple Intelligence features, intense regulatory pressure on the App Store,...
Apple today released iOS 26.1, the first major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.1 comes over a month after iOS 26 launched. iOS 26.1 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General >...
Apple in iOS 26.2 will disable automatic Wi-Fi network syncing between iPhone and Apple Watch in the European Union to comply with the bloc's regulations, suggests a new report.
Normally, when an iPhone connects to a new Wi-Fi network, it automatically shares the network credentials with the paired Apple Watch. This allows the watch to connect to the same network independently – for...
Apple's online store in the U.S. is suddenly offering a pack of four AirTags for just $29, which is the same price as a single AirTag.
This is likely a pricing error, and it is unclear if orders will be fulfilled. Apple has not discounted the AirTag four-pack in any other countries that we checked.
Delivery estimates are already pushing into late November to early December, suggesting...
