Just seven months after the M3 chip debuted, Apple shocked expectations by unveiling the new iPad Pro with the introduction of the brand-new M4 chip. The M4 chip is built on second-generation three-nanometer technology that’s even more power efficient.

Tim Millet, Apple’s vice president of platform architecture and hardware technologies, says the M4 chip was “essential to deliver incredible performance” in the new iPad Pro, which is now “the most powerful device of its kind.”

The M4 chip was a last-minute rumor broken by Mark Gurman, which was dismissed by some as being unfeasible only half a year after M3 rolled out in last year’s MacBook Pro.

Apple has finally given the Magic Keyboard for iPad the revamp it deserves. The new keyboard accessory includes an aluminum palm rest, a larger trackpad and a row of function keys.

Given the big redesign, the new Magic Keyboard for iPad is only compatible with the M4 iPad Pros.

Apple gave the iPad Air a significant size increase at its “Let Loose” event Tuesday. You can get the new 2024 model with a 13-inch display in addition to the familiar smaller size, now 11 inches instead of 10.9. But no matter the size, the tablet runs an Apple M2 processor and features a front-facing Ultra Wide 12MP camera on the landscape edge and beefed-up speakers.

“Inspired by iPad Pro, where about half the users choose a larger screen, we created a 13-inch model of the new iPad Air, as well,” said Melody Kuna, Apple’s director of iPad Product Design. “[It] has 30% more screen real estate than the 11-inch Air.”

Apple’s online store has gone down ahead of its “Let Loose” event later today. Rumors suggest the company will announce new OLED iPad Pros and Apple Pencil Pro at the event.

Additionally, the 12.9-inch iPad Air might also make its debut at the event.

College isn’t the only way to gain advanced IT skills. The Complete 2024 Cyber Security Expert Certification Training Bundle offers five courses spanning more than 120 hours of content. This cybersecurity certification course covers everything from risk management to advanced frameworks and cryptography.

All course content is available for life once purchased, and this is your chance to get it on sale for $49.99. That’s 74% off the regular price of $195.

Sonos’ first headphones and its AirPods Max competitor, the upcoming Sonos Ace, have leaked online. The slip-up revealed the headphones’ design and the array of buttons on both earcups.

Like other Sonos products, the Ace also appears to have a premium design, which should help it stand out.

An AI-powered “Clean Up” feature reportedly coming soon to the Apple Photos app could let users eliminate unwanted objects from images. If true, Apple could showcase the rumored image-editing feature Tuesday at its “Let Loose” event.

During the prerecorded product launch, Apple should show off new iPads alongside some updated accessories, like Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.

Gorgeous new iPad Pro and iPad Air models are expected to be the highlights of Apple’s “Let Loose” product event on May 7. Tablet accessories are on the agenda, too.

But there also could be big news for those who don’t use an iPad. Apple might surprise us with the M4 processor, a first glimpse at upcoming AI features, and maybe even a Mac Studio upgrade. Plus more.

Add Apple Pencil Pro to the list of products expected at Apple’s May 7 “Let Loose” event. A reference to the stylus turned up on the Japanese version of Apple’s website.

It’s for iPad but might also work with Vision Pro.

Coming soon to Apple Arcade are five exciting new games, the iPhone giant said Monday. You can look forward to Rabbids: Legends of the Multiverse, Return to Monkey Island+, Tomb of the Mask+, Fabulous – Wedding Disaster+ and Vision Pro spatial title Where Cards Fall.

It starts on May 30 with the arrival of 3D puzzle game Where Cards Fall. The other four titles follow on June 6.

If you’ve read much of Cult of Mac’s computer setups coverage, you know we love good audio. And we love it more when it’s high-value, where the sound is great despite affordable pricing. Edifier R1280T speakers meet that mark.

Edifier is a brand that has long lived in that space. And today’s MacBook Pro and PC laptop setup makes good use of a pair of powered Edifier bookshelf speakers that even MacBook Pro’s fine set of six can’t really compete with (outside of portability).

The first iPhone with a folding screen will go into production in 2026, according to an analyst. This is the second such report in recent months, and could be a sign that Apple is really ready to move ahead with the product.

A MacBook with a 20-inch folding screen reportedly will launch the year before.

Apple shined a light on LGBTQ+ communities Monday with its new Pride Collection. It includes a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop plus a matching watch face and dynamic iOS and iPadOS wallpapers. In a first, you can customize the watch face and wallpapers by choosing colors.

You can order the new Apple Watch band starting May 22. The watch face and dynamic wallpapers for iOS and iPadOS arrive with an upcoming software update, Apple said.

A MacBook with a 20.3-inch folding screen will hit the market earlier than expected, according to an analyst. The folding Mac supposedly will go into production in late 2025.

And a folding iPhone allegedly will follow the next year.

Apple reportedly plans some big design changes for next year’s iPhone 17 lineup. The changes include a smaller Dynamic Island and a “more complex” aluminum design. The company might even revamp its lineup with the addition of the iPhone 17 Slim.

The GPX Capture 7″ Wifi Photo Frame is ready to display pictures sent from your whole extended family. It’s so easy to use it makes a great gift for the non-techie mom in your life.

The touchscreen looks great, whether it’s showing images or short videos sent in from a free app.

I put digital photo frame in my home office for hands-on testing. And I love it.

When. you’re using your Mac, iPhone or iPad, nothing ruins that clean Apple experience quite like runaway ads and obnoxious pop-ups. Luckily, there’s an easy way to block those on all of your Apple devices: Control D, an ad blocker that also shields you from malware and other internet nightmares.

This unique internet service blocks trackers, boosts productivity and gives parents control over their children’s device usage. And you don’t need to download a thing, because Control D connects to any device on your wireless network.

For a limited time, you can get a five-year Control D subscription for the best price on the web — just $34.97 (regularly $120).

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: With Apple’s “Let Loose” event just days away, it’s time for one of our favorite endeavors — trying to predict what, exactly, Tim Cook & Co. will trot out. This time, it looks like the event will be all about new iPads (plus iPad accessories like Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard). But whose predictions will prove most accurate?

Erfon, Griffin and I go on the record with our “Let Loose” event predictions (and talk plenty of trash). Plus, for the first time, listeners can download their own scoresheets and play along.

Let the crystal-balling begin!

Also on The CultCast:

• The European Union is on a technocratic rule-making rampage. Now Brussels is targeting the iPad.
• We chew on some big changes reportedly coming in iOS 18.
• And finally, don’t miss our exclusive deal for Cult of Mac readers (and CultCast listeners): Get an exceptional iPhone charger with MagSafe battery pack for just $44.99. This 60% deep discount ends soon!

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Casetify partnered with Lucasfilm to release an exclusive collection of iPhone cases and other accessories in honor of Star Wars Day. It’s all about the Dark Side of the Force, with a range of styles featuring Darth Vader, the Death Star, stormtroopers and more.

These are limited editions so don’t procrastinate about ordering.

The action-comedy romance film Argylle stayed near the top of streaming popularity charts for a third week. The Apple TV+ spy-vs-spy thriller is chock full of celebrities.

Plus, the dark, gritty series Sugar continues to pull in big audiences on Apple’s streaming service for another week, too. It features Colin Farrell as a private investigator solving a mystery.

Digital photos may not fade in the sun, but virtually any file can be corrupted. If you’re getting an error message whenever you try to open an old file, all hope isn’t lost. You can use photo and video repair software to make things right.

EaseUS Fixo is an all-in-one file repair toolkit for Mac that can revive corrupted and unopenable photos, documents and more. Normally, a lifetime subscription would cost $119, but you can get it on sale for only $49.99.

These are the best Mac apps that’ll help you through all kinds of work — writing, graphic design, video editing — with a few simple (must-have) utilities that everyone can make use of.

Finding good apps can be hard, especially if you’re new to the Mac. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of the very best.

Keep reading or watch our video guide instead.

TV is fine for when you want to binge and unwind after a hard day at work, but when it comes time for a house party, it can be a distraction or worse. Now there’s an imaginative and classy way to use that wall space with Dreamscreens. This simple USB device comes loaded with art screensavers for TV that will turn your big screen into a frame for some of the world’s most captivating paintings.

And thanks to a special promo, you can get it for $31.99 through May 5.

iPad shipments declined 8.5% year-over-year in the first quarter of the 2024, according to a market research firm. The drop can be partially chalked up to the complete lack of new models for the last 18 months.

But it demonstrates Apple’s dominance of the global tablet market that it’s still on top despite a hefty decline during winter quarter.

A new Find Your Friends ad Apple dropped Friday connects the Find My universe with the Star Wars universe, as Boba Fett uses his iPhone 15 in the video to locate fellow Mandalorians in a crowded mall. Or wait, maybe it’s a convention center.

Yeah, it’s a guy in homemade Mandalorian battle gear going off to find like-minded nerds at a raucous Star Wars convention. It’s pretty funny.