Apple today unveiled the M5 Pro and M5 Max, the latest additions to the M5 family. Traditionally, Pro and Max variants simply scale up the base chip’s design — adding more CPU cores, GPU cores, and memory bandwidth. This time, however, the M5 Pro and Max represent a major departure from previous generations, introducing Apple’s new Fusion Architecture (which fuses two chiplets into one SoC) and a revamped CPU with three distinct core types: super cores, all-new performance cores optimized for multithreaded efficiency, and the base efficiency cores. Andrew Cunningham for Ars Technica:
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Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Big leap in Apple Silicon: M5 Pro, M5 Max fuse chiplets, add third core design
Apple accidentally leaks ‘MacBook Neo’ in EU regulatory filing ahead of tomorrow’s expected launch
Apple appears to have prematurely revealed the name of its long-rumored budget-friendly MacBook through an accidental posting on its official regulatory compliance website. A European Union Declaration of Conformity document briefly listed an unreleased device as the “MacBook Neo” with model number A3404, before the reference was swiftly removed. The slip-up, first spotted by MacRumors, occurred on Apple’s EU compliance page, where the PDF file itself described the product generically as a “Laptop Computer” running macOS without mentioning the “Neo” branding. However, the link text explicitly identified it as “MacBook Neo (Model A3404),” confirming the product’s existence and tentative name.Apple has since taken down the document, but mirrored images — including this one uploaded by MacRumors — preserve the details. The filing aligns with months of speculation about a lower-cost MacBook designed to sit below the MacBook Air in Apple’s laptop lineup, potentially targeting students, first-time Mac buyers, and users switching from Windows PCs or Chromebooks. Rumors have consistently pointed to this device as the centerpiece of Apple’s spring refresh, especially as the only major anticipated product yet to debut amid recent announcements of M5-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The MacBook Neo is expected to feature an iPhone-class processor — likely the A18 Pro from the iPhone 16 Pro series or a forthcoming A19 Pro — offering solid performance for everyday tasks but less power than Apple’s M-series chips in higher-end Macs. Other rumored specifications include a smaller 12- to 12.9-inch LCD display (potentially without features like True Tone for cost savings), an aluminum chassis available in vibrant “fun” colors, two USB-C ports, MagSafe charging, Wi-Fi 7 support, and possibly 8GB of RAM with limited storage tiers starting at 256GB. Pricing has been a hot topic: Earlier leaks suggested a starting point as low as $599, positioning it as an aggressive entry-level option. However, Apple’s recent price increases on the MacBook Air (now starting at $1,099 after rising from $999) and MacBook Pro models could shift strategy. If the MacBook Neo launches at a higher-than-expected price to maintain differentiation in the lineup, it might land in the $699–$799 range, still significantly undercutting the current MacBook Air while offering a compelling value proposition. The leak adds intrigue ahead of Apple’s ongoing product rollout, with many eyes on a potential formal announcement as soon as tomorrow during the company’s “special Apple Experience” events. While the “Neo” name is drawing mixed reactions on X and other social media platforms, it signals a fresh entry in Apple’s Mac family aimed at expanding accessibility. Unsurprisingly, Apple has not commented on the regulatory filing or the MacBook Neo. More details are expected imminently as the company continues its spring hardware push. MacDailyNews Take: It is “The One.” Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Apple accidentally leaks ‘MacBook Neo’ in EU regulatory filing ahead of tomorrow’s expected launch appeared first on MacDailyNews. You're currently a free subscriber to MacDailyNews. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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Roku lands Apple TV: Seamless sign-up and discovery on The Roku Channel
In a significant move to expand accessibility for streaming enthusiasts, Roku has partnered with Apple to integrate the Apple TV subscription service into its Premium Subscriptions lineup on The Roku Channel. Announced on March 3, 2026, this collaboration allows Roku users in the United States to sign up for and manage their Apple TV subscription seamlessly through their Roku account, without needing separate logins. The Roku Channel, available on all Roku devices, already offers a mix of free ad-supported content and premium subscriptions from partners like Starz, Paramount+, Max, AMC+, BritBox, Crunchyroll, Shudder, and dozens more — over 70 services in total. Adding Apple TV enhances this ecosystem by placing Apple’s premium offerings alongside these competitors, with content recommendations integrated directly into the Roku interface. While the dedicated Apple TV app has been available on Roku platforms since 2019, this new integration simplifies discovery and subscription. Roku users can now browse and watch Apple TV shows and movies recommended within The Roku Channel experience, making it easier to start watching popular titles without switching apps. Apple TV remains priced at $12.99 per month or $99 per year in the U.S., with eligible new subscribers able to take advantage of a 7-day free trial. The service features Apple’s growing library of exclusive original content, including acclaimed series such as Severance, Silo, The Morning Show, Slow Horses, Shrinking, Ted Lasso, and The Studio, along with upcoming releases and live sports like Formula 1 coverage kicking off in March 2026. Blockbuster films, documentaries, and family programming round out the offerings. Roku’s President of Subscriptions, Partnerships & Corporate Development, Gil Fuchsberg, described the partnership as “a win for all – our viewers, our platform experience, and our partners at Apple.” He emphasized that such agreements boost viewer engagement, improve content discovery, and give users more flexible ways to access high-quality streaming. This deal mirrors Apple’s recent efforts to broaden its reach on third-party platforms, similar to its integration with Amazon Prime Video in late 2024. For Roku, which powers the interface on a significant portion of smart TVs and streaming devices in North America, featuring Apple TV in its premium promotions could drive higher subscriber numbers and revenue sharing. Apple TV content via The Roku Channel is accessible on Roku devices, as well as compatible smart TVs, streaming players from Amazon and Google, web browsers, and even iOS and Android mobile devices. The timing aligns with Apple TV’s strong March programming slate, positioning the service for potential subscriber growth among Roku’s vast user base. This cross-platform collaboration underscores the evolving streaming landscape, where convenience and unified billing increasingly define user preferences. MacDailyNews Take: Welcome, Roku Channel users! Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Roku lands Apple TV: Seamless sign-up and discovery on The Roku Channel appeared first on MacDailyNews. You're currently a free subscriber to MacDailyNews. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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Big leap in Apple Silicon: M5 Pro, M5 Max fuse chiplets, add third core design
Apple today unveiled the M5 Pro and M5 Max, the latest additions to the M5 family. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏...
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Substack is covering the cost of your first paid month of MacDailyNews by MacDailyNews. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ...
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Apple, aiming push more urgently into the smart home market, is said to be nearing the launch of a new product category: a wall-mounted disp...
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Apple TV+ has signed a new multi-year, first-look feature film deal with The North Road Company’s Chernin Entertainment, the flagship… ͏ ...
