Joe Rossignol

Joe joined MacRumors as an Editor in January 2015, based out of Toronto, Canada. He has been writing about Apple since 2008, with bylines at 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, and many other tech-focused publications.

Joe has been cited by major media outlets, including Bloomberg News, CBS, CNBC, CNN, NBC, Reuters, TechCrunch, and The Washington Post. Many of his headlines have been featured by tech news aggregator Techmeme.



2019 iPhones Won't Have 'iPhone' on the Back According to So-Called Foxconn Worker

Wednesday August 14, 2019 7:33 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
We're likely less than a month away from a trio of new iPhones, and ahead of time, an anonymous user claiming to be a Foxconn factory worker in China has shared alleged details about the upcoming devices on Chinese question-and-answer site Zhihu. The list was posted July 30 and surfaced on Slashleaks today. While many of the details in the list have already been rumored, or at the very least sound plausible, this information is unverified and obviously could be faked. In other words, keep your expectations in check. Starting with design, the alleged Foxconn worker claims at least one of the new iPhones will be available in an all-new new dark green color. This lines up with a previous report from Japanese blog Mac Otakara that claimed the next iPhone XR will be available in new green and lavender finishes. The rear glass is said to have a matte appearance, in line with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claiming all three 2019 iPhones will feature frosted glass casing. Interestingly, the leak suggests that the "iPhone" branding will be removed from the back of the devices. This isn't something we've heard before, but it is certainly possible that Apple believes the iPhone is now distinguishable enough for the name to be removed in favor of a more minimalistic design. As for the front, the design of the 2019 iPhones is said to be virtually the same as 2018 models, including the notch. However, due to the widely rumored removal of 3D Touch, the display is expected to be slightly thinner. The supposed Foxconn employee claims the next iPhone XS Max will have a 3,969
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Apple Expanding Contactless Student ID Cards to 12 More Universities in Coming School Year

Tuesday August 13, 2019 8:05 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today announced that students at 12 additional universities will be able to add their student IDs to the Wallet app in the coming school year, allowing them to get around campus and make purchases using an iPhone or Apple Watch. The expansion includes Clemson University, Georgetown University, University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky, University of San Francisco, University of Vermont, Arkansas State University, South Dakota State University, Norfolk State University, Louisburg College, University of North Alabama, and Chowan University. Students simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader anywhere physical student ID cards are accepted — on and off campus. An optional Express Mode bypasses the need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, allowing for the quickest entry possible to buildings around campus. Duke University, University of Oklahoma, University of Alabama, Temple University, Johns Hopkins University, Marshall University, and Mercer University rolled out contactless student IDs in the Wallet app last year
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Apple's Stock Surges After U.S. Delays Additional 10% Import Tariff on Products Like Cell Phones and Laptops

Tuesday August 13, 2019 7:10 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple's stock has surged around five percent after the United States Trade Representative announced that an additional tariff of 10 percent on approximately $300 billion of Chinese imports will be delayed to December 15 for products such as cell phones, laptop computers, and monitors, per CNBC. Moreover, the USTR said certain products are being removed from the tariff list based on "health, safety, national security and other factors" and will not be subject to the additional tariff of 10 percent whatsoever. It is unclear if this decision applies to any Apple products or accessories. BREAKING: Stocks jump to session highs, Apple surges more than 4.5% after USTR removes items from China tariff list, delays some others including those on cell phones and laptops https://t.co/4gGcxyFOnV pic.twitter.com/AMmid6LZJY— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) August 13, 2019 The USTR said it will provide additional details and lists of the tariff lines affected by this announcement on its website today. The new tariff kicks in September 1 for the remaining Chinese imports impacted. Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
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Apple Partners With RESOLVE in Effort to Source Gold From Miners Committed to Habitat Restoration

Tuesday August 13, 2019 5:48 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today announced it has partnered with non-profit organization RESOLVE to seek out innovative ways to source gold responsibly. The problem: gold mining operations in Alaska and the Yukon region have resulted in a reduction in the salmon population in the creeks and streams being mined. RESOLVE's solution: combine mining with habitat restoration to improve the streams so that salmon and other species of fish return. To accomplish this, RESOLVE introduced the "Salmon Gold" program in 2017 to connect local placer miners with environmentalists and government agencies in an effort to reverse the damage done from historic mining in the region. Apple, which uses small amounts of gold for certain components in its products, says it will begin sourcing gold from miners participating in the program. This fall, Apple says all Salmon Gold entering its supply chain will be traced from the mine to the refiner using blockchain technology. Paula Pyers, Apple's head of supplier responsibility:As we continue to increase our use of recycled materials, we’re seeking out innovative ways to source gold responsibly. Partnering with Tiffany, a pioneer in sustainable sourcing, as well as RESOLVE ensures Salmon Gold can be an example of how the industry can evolve.Stephen D'Esposito, CEO of RESOLVE:There's a lot of tension between mining and salmon. Salmon Gold is like a peace treaty between mining and salmon habitat. It's a place where the three sectors can work together: the restoration community, First Nations and the mining industry.RESOLVE has secured restoration plans with
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TP-Link's Kasa Smart Plug Mini Won't Support HomeKit After All

Monday August 12, 2019 7:43 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
TP-Link today announced that it has abandoned its plans to add HomeKit support to its Kasa Smart Plug Mini. From a new support document on TP-Link's website via Reddit:Due to changes in our roadmap, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini (HS105) smart plug will not offer support for Apple HomeKit. Despite the change in direction for this specific SKU, our team is committed to the development of innovative smart home solutions that will continue to delight our customers around the globe.TP-Link originally planned to add HomeKit support to the smart plug in early 2019, a promise that it has now broken. Fortunately, HomeKit-enabled smart plugs are quite common, with a wide variety of options available from brands such as Eve, iDevices, iHome, and Wemo. They can be used to conveniently turn on and off TVs, lamps, coffee machines, and other household objects with an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch.
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Apple Shares Teaser for Upcoming 'The Morning Show' Drama Coming to Apple TV+ This Fall

Monday August 12, 2019 7:31 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared a one-minute teaser trailer for its upcoming "The Morning Show" drama show starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell. The series will debut this fall on Apple TV+. "The Morning Show," as its name suggests, will take a look inside the lives of the people who help America wake up in the morning.The news is only half the story. The Morning Show stars Academy Award-winner Reese Witherspoon, Emmy Award-winner Jennifer Aniston and Emmy Award-winner Steve Carell in a high-stakes drama that pulls back the curtain on early morning TV.Apple has also created Twitter and Instagram accounts for "The Morning Show." Apple TV+ is Apple's upcoming streaming video service that will compete with Netflix on original content, with dozens of TV shows and movies already lined up. Apple TV+ will be available this fall on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and select smart TVs from brands like Samsung. Looks like "The Morning Show" will be called "Morning Wars" in Australia 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/LngIcFoRW3— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) August 12, 2019
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'iPhone 11 Pro' Rumored to Be Name of High-End 2019 iPhone With Triple-Lens Camera

Saturday August 10, 2019 6:15 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple is widely expected to release three new iPhones in the fall, and an anonymous Twitter account with a proven track record has suggested that at least one of the models will have "Pro" in its name, such as "iPhone 11 Pro." The tweet comes from a mystery account named CoinX, which has accurately leaked several details about upcoming Apple products over the past year, including the names of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR before anyone else, the removal of the headphone jack on 2018 iPad Pro models, and much more. CoinX's accurate leak about the 2018 iPhone names: 2018 iPhone naming:iPhone XsiPhone Xs MaxiPhone XRSee you next week— CoinX (@coiiiiiiiin) September 3, 2018 In this case, CoinX phrases the tweet as a rhetorical question, but the account has a perfect track record so far with all of its leaks: “Pro” for iPhone? Crazy naming schemes over the past few years.— CoinX (@coiiiiiiiin) August 10, 2019 For what it's worth, MacRumors received the following anonymous tip on August 4: "The square camera iPhone will be called the iPhone 11 Pro. This is fact." It would be a disservice to our readers to simply pass along any unsubstantiated tip we receive, but it is now worth mentioning in light of this tweet. This could mean the 2019 lineup will include the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, and perhaps the iPhone 11R, but we still don't know for sure. Apple is widely expected to unveil three new iPhones next month, including two higher-end 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch OLED models and one lower-end 6.1-inch LCD model. Rumored features include
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Apple Card Begins Arriving to Customers, Wide Range of Credit Scores Reportedly Being Approved

Friday August 9, 2019 9:59 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Following the Apple Card's rollout to a limited number of customers in the Wallet app earlier this week, some are beginning to receive their physical, titanium Apple Card in the mail for use at stores that do not accept contactless payments. The Verge's Nilay Patel has shared photos of his Apple Card, revealing that it is thicker than his other metal and plastic credit cards. It was earlier reported that the Apple Card weighs around 14.75 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card but lighter than an American Express Platinum. Physical Apple Card has arrived. I have surprisingly strong feelings about having a Goldman Sachs logo in my life? Anyway, you can see how much thicker it is than my plastic or metal cards. pic.twitter.com/hXi3q4ijoJ— nilay patel (@reckless) August 9, 2019 Card weights from my crappy kitchen scale (ignore coffee detritus)1. Apple Card 14.7g (quoted is 14.8 so probably rounded up)2. AMEX platinum 18.4g3. Chase Sapphire Preferred 12.2g pic.twitter.com/bCZMpmUhNN— Matthew Panzarino (@panzer) August 7, 2019 Another early adopter, Aaron Andino, has shared an Apple Card unboxing video on YouTube that provides a closer look at its packaging. The card and packaging look consistent with pre-launch photos that leaked. The physical Apple Card, made out of titanium, features a clean design with an Apple logo, a chip, and a name. There's no card number or expiration date on the card, nor is there a CVV on the back. Instead, these details are stored in the Wallet app for added security in the event the card is lost
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Sony's Latest CarPlay Receiver Features a Large 8.9-Inch Touchscreen That Hovers Over the Dashboard

Friday August 9, 2019 8:40 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Sony today unveiled its latest CarPlay and Android Auto receiver with a large 8.95-inch touchscreen that hovers over the dashboard, allowing it to fit into a smaller single-DIN space. Equipped with a three-way mount, the receiver's height, depth, and tilt can be adjusted during installation in most vehicles. XAV-AX8000 Sony says the XAV-AX8000 will be available in December 2019 for a suggested retail price of $599.99 in the United States. Aftermarket receivers like this one allow for CarPlay and Android Auto to be installed in older vehicles. This particular Sony model is a wired CarPlay receiver, so an iPhone must be connected with a Lightning to USB cable. Wireless CarPlay receivers are available from brands like Alpine, Kenwood, and JVC. CarPlay is Apple's in-car platform that enables iPhone users to access a range of apps from the dashboard, such as Messages, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Radio, Pandora, WhatsApp, Downcast, Slacker Radio, Stitcher, and as of iOS 12, third-party navigation apps like Google Maps and
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Revamped Apple Maps Now Available in Texas, Louisiana, and Southern Mississippi

Friday August 9, 2019 7:50 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple announced plans to rebuild its Maps app with its own first-party data. The overall look and feel of Apple Maps is similar, but zooming and panning reveals more details like grass, trees, sports fields, and parking lots. Apple is also focused on making search results more relevant. The improvements first rolled out in Northern California in July 2018, followed by Hawaii and Southern California in November 2018, and Arizona, New Mexico, and the Las Vegas metropolitan area in April 2019. Now, the updated data is available across Texas, Louisiana, and the southern half of Mississippi, as Apple continues its pattern of rolling out the updated maps in adjacent continental U.S. states. Zooming into these regions displays more details and greenery in Apple Maps across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. At WWDC 2019, Apple said the updated maps will roll out to the entire United States by the end of the year, followed by additional countries in 2020. (Thanks, Trevor K. and Chet C.!)
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TrendForce: 16-Inch MacBook Pro Will Hit Shelves This Fall

Thursday August 8, 2019 9:17 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple's rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro will be released in the third quarter, aka early fall, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce. An excerpt from TrendForce's press release on notebook market share:According to the 3Q outlook for notebook shipments, demand for Chromebooks remains strong thanks to the back-to-school period; at the same time, we see new products hitting shelves, such as Apple's 16-inch MacBook, Dell's products with 16:10 aspect ratio, Asus's dual-screen laptop, as well as various gaming laptops in increasingly hot demand.The report describes the notebook as a 16-inch MacBook, but this very likely refers to the 16-inch MacBook Pro, as all other reports have indicated. TrendForce is at least the fifth source to claim that a 16-inch MacBook Pro is coming in the fall, alongside TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, IHS Markit analyst Jeff Lin, DigiTimes, and the Economic Daily News, but reports have been conflicting about a September or October release month. In the fall, Apple typically unveils new Macs in October. The company has hosted Mac- or iPad-centric media events in October in five of the past seven years, including 2016 and 2018, allowing it to focus on the iPhone, Apple Watch, and sometimes the Apple TV and accessories at its September event. The 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature an all-new design, including a more reliable scissor mechanism keyboard, according to Ming-Chi Kuo. The notebook is also rumored to feature narrower bezels, perhaps allowing the 16-inch display to fit in a notebook with a similar physical
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iOS 12 Adoption Hits 88%, Continues to Outpace iOS 11

Thursday August 8, 2019 5:53 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple this week disclosed that 88 percent of active iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices are running iOS 12, as measured by the App Store on August 6, 2019. iOS 12 adoption continues to outpace iOS 11, which was installed on 85 percent of active devices as of September 3, 2018, according to Apple. The updated stats, highlighted by Rene Ritchie, also reveal that seven percent of active devices continue to run iOS 11, with five percent using an earlier version. This includes older devices that are incompatible with the latest iOS versions. iOS 12 outpacing iOS 11 in adoption is not much of a surprise, as iOS 11 was plagued by several problems last year, including at least three bugs that could crash the entire system, a HomeKit vulnerability, an iPhone camera autofocus issue, autocorrect bugs, the iPhone X glitching in cold weather, and more. The high-profile iPhone performance management controversy also likely had an adverse impact on iOS 11 upgrade rates. In January 2018, multiple reports claimed that Apple delayed several new features planned for iOS 12 to focus on performance, stability, and bug fixes, and the software update has indeed proven to be much more reliable. Looking ahead, Apple is now in the latter stages of beta testing iOS 13, which will be publicly released in
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UBS Predicts Foldable iPhone or iPad by 2021, But Skepticism Abounds

Wednesday August 7, 2019 9:05 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple will likely launch a foldable device within the next two years, analysts at investment bank UBS predict. In a research note obtained by CNBC, the analysts said the device is more likely to be an iPad than an iPhone, and they also believe it is more likely to launch in 2021 than 2020. Emphasis should be placed on "predict," as this is likely just speculation, and proven sources like Ming-Chi Kuo or Mark Gurman have yet to report that Apple is actively developing a foldable iPhone or iPad. That's not the only reason to be skeptical. As noted by VentureBeat's Jeremy Horwitz, folding display technology is still in its infancy, as evidenced by the troubled launch of Samsung's Galaxy Fold, which experienced serious display issues that led the device to be postponed for several months. Apple also has a reputation for releasing thin, sleek devices, and early folding smartphones are anything but that. That doesn't mean Apple can't do it better, but 2020 or 2021 could be quite an ambitious timeframe for a foldable iPhone or iPad that upholds the company's strict industrial design standards. Rumors of a foldable iPhone have popped up on numerous occasions over the past few years. In both 2016 and 2017, for example, it was reported that Apple was working with LG on a foldable iPhone. And in 2018, Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan predicted that a foldable iPhone will launch in 2020. Apple has filed several patents for a folding iPhone, so it has at least explored the idea, but whether it happens any time soon remains up for
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Apple on Right to Repair: We Want Customers to Be Confident Their Products Will Be 'Repaired Safely and Correctly'

Wednesday August 7, 2019 6:53 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Right to Repair advocates continue to lobby the U.S. government, arguing that large tech companies like Apple are monopolizing repairs of consumer electronics in order to preserve profits, reports Axios. Image: iFixit.com In testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law last month, Nathan Proctor of the non-profit U.S. Public Interest Research Group claimed that "repair hurts sales," giving Apple "an incentive to restrict repair of their devices." Similarly, in a letter submitted to the subcommittee last month, The Repair Association's executive director Gay Gordon-Byrne wrote that "manufacturers have no reasons for blocking repair other than money," referring to the "monopolization of repair" as a "huge profit opportunity." In March, California became the 20th state to introduce Right to Repair legislation in the U.S., according to iFixit. Apple representatives have continually opposed these bills, which if passed would require companies to make repair parts, tools, and documentation available to the public. In a statement, an Apple spokesperson told Axios that Apple's goal is to ensure its products are "repaired safely and correctly," while touting the company's growing network of Apple Authorized Service Providers:We want to make sure our customers always have confidence their products will be repaired safely and correctly, and in a way that supports recycling. We are continually growing our network of certified technicians and most recently announced that any Best Buy store in the U.S. is now an
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Apple Introduces Teachers to Coding at Summer Workshops

Wednesday August 7, 2019 5:56 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today highlighted various app prototypes that educators came up with during five weeklong Teacher Coding Academies it held this summer. The workshops were part of Apple's Community Education Initiative, which introduces coding opportunities to underrepresented communities across the United States. Educators from nearly 70 institutions attended the first of these academies in Houston, Austin, Boise, Nashville, and Columbus, according to Apple, presenting prototypes of their apps to various community organizations. Together, the educators and community organizations plan to continue working on the apps. Examples:In Boise, the teachers designed an app to help the police department better serve and communicate with the city's homeless population, connecting the community to open shelter beds and food banks. In Austin, teachers focused on Ronald McDonald House, a charity that provides housing for families whose children are receiving critical medical care. In this case, they created an app prototype to help families communicate with the charity during their stay. And in Columbus, the educators devised an app that helps firefighters log and monitor the amount of time they were exposed to dangerous carcinogens while on the job.Learn more about the educators and their app prototypes on the Apple Newsroom.
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16-Inch MacBook Pro Will Reportedly Use Intel's 9th-Gen Processors With Up to 8 Cores

Tuesday August 6, 2019 8:15 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple's widely rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro will be powered by Intel's 9th-generation Coffee Lake Refresh processors, in line with the 15-inch MacBook Pro released in May, according to IHS Markit analyst Jeff Lin. If accurate, this means the 16-inch MacBook Pro will be configurable with up to an 8-core Core i9 processor with a 2.4GHz base clock speed and a max Turbo Boost frequency of 5.0GHz. The lineup also includes 6-core Core i7 processors. All of the chips are 45W with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630. Notably, this would mean that Apple isn't yet ready to use Intel's latest 10th-generation Ice Lake processors. These chips might not have been powerful enough for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, as there are currently no 6-core or 8-core options, and they have low TDPs ranging between 9W and 15W. Rumors suggest the 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature an all-new design with narrower bezels and a more reliable scissor mechanism keyboard. In a research note obtained by Forbes, Lin said the 16-inch display will have 227 pixels per inch, in line with a previously rumored 3,072×1,920 resolution. Lin believes the 16-inch MacBook Pro will enter production in September, setting the stage for a fall release, but there is still some debate as to whether Apple will unveil the notebook in September or October. In the fall, Apple typically unveils new Macs in October, but it could always break with tradition. There is some speculation that the 15-inch MacBook Pro may be discontinued shortly after the 16-inch model launches, but TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo
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Apple Subsidiary FileMaker Returns to 1980s Name Claris Following Stamplay Acquisition

Tuesday August 6, 2019 7:56 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple subsidiary FileMaker today announced it has returned to its original name Claris from the late 1980s. Claris was spun off as an Apple subsidiary in 1986 while John Sculley was Apple CEO. At the time, it was known for several programs such as MacWrite, MacPaint, MacDraw, and FileMaker, but the company eventually began to focus solely on FileMaker, leading it to be renamed FileMaker in 1998. Now, the company plans to expand its portfolio again, leading it to readopt the Claris name. FileMaker Pro will remain one of its offerings. The rename coincides with FileMaker acquiring Italian startup Stamplay and renaming it Claris Connect. The API-based development platform enables users to build workflows that connect cloud services, including Dropbox, Slack, Salesforce, and more. In March, it was reported that Apple had acquired Stamplay.
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FTC Looking Into Impact of Apple's Sales Agreement With Amazon on Independent Resellers

Friday August 2, 2019 8:02 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple began selling many of its products on Amazon, including the latest iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. As part of Apple's agreement with Amazon, unauthorized resellers who offered new or refurbished Apple products on Amazon had their listings removed after January 4, 2019. Since then, independent sellers have been required to apply for Apple Authorized Reseller status and the Amazon Renewed program to continue to offer used or refurbished Apple products on Amazon, but this is not always feasible due to hefty requirements outlined by The Verge earlier this year:The first is to purchase at least $2.5 million worth of refurbished inventory every 90 days from Apple itself or through a retailer with more than $5 billion in annual sales, like a wireless carrier or big-box retailers like Target or Walmart. The second is to reach out directly to Apple to become an authorized reseller. Apple has yet to make its reseller requirements known to the public, but to become an Apple-authorized provider of repairs requires a physical retail space for customers to enter.Now, The Verge reports that the FTC has looked into the Apple-Amazon deal, although it has yet to formally raise any antitrust concerns. Specifically, the report claims that FTC lawyers recently reached out to John Bumstead, a Minnesota man who sold refurbished MacBooks on Amazon until his listings were removed from the platform due to the new policy:"They wanted to know how Amazon works, how eBay works. I went into describing how a listing works on Amazon. Amazon is interesting in that you
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Apple Card App Expected on iPad, Barclaycard Visa No Longer Offers Apple Rewards

Friday August 2, 2019 5:08 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple is set to launch its own credit card this month, and ahead of time, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Jennifer Surane have revealed a few more details. The report claims that the iPad will have a dedicated app for signing up for and managing the Apple Card, as confirmed by hidden iOS 12.4 references uncovered by developer Steve Moser. This is because the Wallet app, where the Apple Card will usually be found, is limited to the iPhone and iPod touch. Meanwhile, in new terms disclosed this week, the report adds that Apple Card holders will be offered standalone financing plans for select purchases, in addition to the ability to carry a revolving balance. This could possibly allow users to make a large purchase and pay it off over a set period of time for a fixed monthly fee. Last, the report notes that the Barclaycard Visa no longer offers Apple rewards, such as $50 worth of Apple Store or iTunes gift cards to new customers and three points per dollar spent on Apple products. The card remains available for now with special financing rates for qualifying Apple purchases. Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed the Apple Card will launch in August in the United States, but he did not provide a specific date. In a previous report, Gurman said the Apple Card will be available as early as the first half of the month.
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Intel Reveals New 10th-Gen Core Processors Suitable for MacBook Air and Base 13-Inch MacBook Pro

Thursday August 1, 2019 10:30 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Intel today introduced its first 10th-generation Core processors, codenamed Ice Lake. Built on a 10-nanometer process, the chips are designed for thin-and-light notebooks, meaning they could potentially make their way to future entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. Intel says the Ice Lake chips have increased board integration, allowing manufacturers like Apple to release notebooks with sleeker designs. The chips also feature Intel's all-new Gen11 graphics architecture for up to double the graphics performance, and integrated Thunderbolt 3 and Wi-Fi 6, aka 802.11ax. The lineup of 11 new processors includes six U-series chips and five Y-series chips: Intel is also introducing a new processor number naming structure starting with this first set of 10th-generation Core processors, doing away with Y and U series identifiers and instead emphasizing graphics. The new structure is a bit confusing, but The Verge has a nice breakdown for deciphering them. Intel expects the first notebooks with Ice Lake chips to be available in time for the holiday shopping
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