Hasta La Gadget!

Apple’s most recent Mac mini is down to its lowest price yet in an early Amazon Spring Sale deal. The M4 Mac mini starts at just $499 right now for 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, or 17 percent off the usual price of $599. Other versions are $100 off too, with 16GB/512GB currently going for $699 and the model with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage sitting at $899. You can also get the Mac mini with the M4 Pro chip for $1,299, down from its usual $1,399.

The M4 Mac mini earned a review score of 90 in our review this past fall, impressing us with how much power it packs into its tiny frame. Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar wrote at the time, “The Mac mini was the fastest computer I’ve reviewed this year, at least when it comes to CPU benchmarks.” That it starts at 16GB of RAM (as is now standard for new Macs) is a big plus, and in addition to the connections on the back, it has some useful front ports: two USB-C ports and a headphone jack.

The M4 Mac mini’s diminutive size means you won’t have to sacrifice much desk space for it, but it’ll still be powerful enough for tasks like light video editing and some gaming. Devindra wrote that “the Mac mini impressed me by running Lies of P in 1,440p with maxed out graphics settings at 60fps,” along with Resident Evil 4 and No Man’s Sky, which “also held a steady 60 fps in 1,440p.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-spring-sale-apple-deals-include-the-mac-mini-m4-for-a-record-low-price-161156926.html?src=rss

These are the recently released titles that belong on your reading list. This week, we picked up Stephen Graham Jones’ The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, Sarah Wynn-Williams’ Careless People and the latest issue of the Image Comics series, Bug Wars.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/what-to-read-this-weekend-stephen-graham-jones-the-buffalo-hunter-hunter-sarah-wynn-williams-careless-people-195716192.html?src=rss

Apple is reportedly working on integrating cameras into future Apple Watch models as part of its broader push into artificial intelligence (AI), according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This development aligns with Apple’s efforts to enhance its Visual Intelligence technology, which the company also plans to bring to AirPods. By incorporating cameras, Apple aims to enable its devices to “see the outside world,” enhancing their AI-driven capabilities.

Currently, Apple’s Visual Intelligence technology heavily relies on AI models from OpenAI and Google. However, the company intends to develop its own AI models to reduce dependence on external providers. Apple envisions Visual Intelligence as a core feature across its future product lineup, allowing its devices to process and interpret visual information independently. This shift toward proprietary AI models is part of Apple’s broader strategy to strengthen its ecosystem and ensure tighter integration between hardware and software.

Regarding the Apple Watch, Gurman reports that both standard and Ultra models could incorporate cameras. For the standard Apple Watch, the camera may be embedded within the display, similar to the iPhone. However, it remains uncertain whether Apple will use under-display camera technology or a visible camera cutout.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Ultra may feature a camera positioned on the side of the device, near the digital crown and side button. This placement is likely due to the Ultra’s larger size, which provides more space for hardware integration. Additionally, it would allow users to conveniently point their wrists at objects for scanning and visual input.

Apple’s plans for these camera-equipped devices are still in development, and the Apple Watch with a camera is not expected to launch until at least 2027. This timeline aligns with the rumored release of AirPods with cameras, indicating a coordinated effort to advance Apple’s AI-driven wearable technology. However, the success of these innovations depends on the progress of Apple’s AI teams, which have recently undergone leadership changes.

If implemented successfully, these advancements could significantly enhance Apple’s wearable ecosystem, introducing new functionalities such as real-time object recognition, enhanced accessibility features, and improved user interactions. The inclusion of cameras in Apple’s wearables would mark a major step in the company’s AI strategy, reinforcing its position as a leader in consumer technology. However, challenges such as privacy concerns, battery efficiency, and technical feasibility will need to be addressed before these devices become a reality.

Future Apple Watch May Feature Built-In Camera For AI-Powered Visual Intelligence

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We’ve been hearing for some time that Apple is working on a version of the Apple Watch SE with a plastic shell to offer a cheaper and more kid-friendly option, but it seems bringing that vision to life is a bit more complicated than expected. After Apple’s September event last year came and went with no new Apple Watch SE announced, Mark Gurman reported that the team had run into some “cost and quality” challenges with the plastic design, but that it was still happening. Now, in this week’s Power On newsletter, Gurman says the plastic Apple Watch SE is “in serious jeopardy.”

According to Gurman, “The design team doesn’t like the look, and the operations team is finding it difficult to make the casing materially cheaper than the current aluminum chassis.” It’s been over two years since Apple released the second generation Apple Watch SE, and that model now feels “bland,” as Engadget’s Amy Skorheim wrote after revisiting the device recently. A refresh is due, but it’s now looking like the plastic design may not be in the cards just yet.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apples-rumored-plastic-apple-watch-se-has-reportedly-hit-a-serious-snag-180820143.html?src=rss

We’ve been hearing for some time that Apple is working on a version of the Apple Watch SE with a plastic shell to offer a cheaper and more kid-friendly option, but it seems bringing that vision to life is a bit more complicated than expected. After Apple’s September event last year came and went with no new Apple Watch SE announced, Mark Gurman reported that the team had run into some “cost and quality” challenges with the plastic design, but that it was still happening. Now, in this week’s Power On newsletter, Gurman says the plastic Apple Watch SE is “in serious jeopardy.”

According to Gurman, “The design team doesn’t like the look, and the operations team is finding it difficult to make the casing materially cheaper than the current aluminum chassis.” It’s been over two years since Apple released the second generation Apple Watch SE, and that model now feels “bland,” as Engadget’s Amy Skorheim wrote after revisiting the device recently. A refresh is due, but it’s now looking like the plastic design may not be in the cards just yet.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apples-rumored-plastic-apple-watch-se-has-reportedly-hit-a-serious-snag-180820143.html?src=rss