Apple has been busy, announcing new products and updates while also facing some delays. Let's dive into the latest news, from faster Mac performance to a postponed Siri upgrade, and a guide to managing your ever-growing subscription list.
Mac Studio Gets a Boost
The new Mac Studio is here, and it's packing some serious power. Early benchmarks show that the M3 Ultra chip significantly outperforms its predecessor, the M2 Ultra. Expect to see a 16% to 30% performance increase, making it a worthwhile upgrade for professionals with demanding workloads. This comes on the heels of the new iPad Air, MacBook Air and Mac Studio announcements, Apple is revamping its most popular products.
According to initial tests, the new Mac Studio with M3 Ultra is markedly faster than its predecessor. Following the first benchmarks of the M4 Max in the new Mac Studio, initial figures are starting to appear for the M3 Ultra version.
"Compared to the previous Mac Studio's M2 Ultra, Geekbench shows improvements that will be significantly noticeable in the most demanding uses," reports AppleInsider.
More detailed figures are expected to emerge as the new Mac Studio reaches more users.
Siri's Personalized Update Delayed
If you were looking forward to a more personalized Siri experience powered by Apple Intelligence, you'll have to wait a bit longer. Apple has announced a delay in rolling out this feature. The company stated that it will "take us longer than we thought to deliver" these new Siri features.
This delay comes as a surprise, given Apple's emphasis on AI and machine learning. However, it suggests that the company is taking its time to ensure the new Siri is up to par. We'll keep you updated as we learn more about the timeline for the update.
Taming Your Subscription Monster
In today's world, it's easy to accumulate a mountain of subscriptions. From streaming services to online magazines, those monthly fees can quickly add up. Are you paying for services you no longer use? It's time to take control!
The first step is to identify all your subscriptions. Go through your bank and credit card statements, searching for recurring charges. Don't forget to check your email for subscription confirmations. Once you have a list, it's time to start canceling.
Easy Steps to Cancel Common Subscriptions
Canceling subscriptions can be tricky, but we're here to help. Here's a quick guide to canceling some of the most popular services:
- Apple App Store: Open the Settings app, tap your profile, tap Subscriptions, and select the one you want to cancel.
- Google Play Store: Open the Google Play app, tap your profile, tap Payments & Subscriptions, and then tap Subscriptions.
- Amazon Prime: Go to your Amazon account, hover over Accounts & Lists, click Memberships & Subscriptions, and then click Prime Membership Settings.
- Spotify Premium: Log in to Spotify on a web browser, go to your account, and click Cancel Subscription.
There are also apps that can help you manage your subscriptions. Rocket Money connects to your bank account and tracks your spending, while Bobby and Tilla let you manually enter your subscriptions and set reminders.
Taking control of your subscriptions can save you a significant amount of money each month. So, take some time to review your list and cancel anything you no longer need. Your wallet will thank you!
The FTC passed a rule that went into effect in January of 2025 requiring companies to make cancelling a subscription as easy as it was to sign up for it. It won’t go into effect until May 2025, and telecom companies immediately fired back with a lawsuit, so whether the rule will actually be enforced is anyone’s guess.
By following these steps, you can make sure you're only paying for the services you actually use and enjoy.