WWDC: Apple to make own ARM-based processors for Mac computers

Apple has announced major changes to its line of Mac computers, including a brand new Apple chip.

Apple has announced major changes to its Mac computers, including a brand new Apple chip.

The new Apple chip, called Apple Silicone, will make app architecture more consistent across Mac, iPhone, and iPad, and marks a shift away from the Intel chips that have powered Mac computers for 15 years.

Speaking at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) today, Apple CEO Tim Cook heralded the new announcement as a “game changer”.

“It truly is a historic day for the Mac,” he said.

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The tech giant said the move would allow it to showcase new features and better performance while making it easier for developers to “write and optimise software for the entire Apple ecosystem”.

At the same time, MacOS will move to version 11. Since 2001, it had only moved from 10.0 to 10.15.

Some Macs will have the Apple chips before the end of the year, but the full transition away from Intel chips won’t be completed until 2022.

The Apple event, which was delayed for three weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, took place in virtual form via a webcast from the company’s Cupertino, California, headquarters.

Investors are betting heavily that Apple could emerge even stronger from the pandemic and the associated recession. Company shares hit a new all-time high Monday and have so far surged 22 per cent this year to give the company a market value of $1.5 trillion.

In addition to its Mac updates, Apple has announced a series of changes with its other devices.

• iOS 14: iOS 14 will include an assortment of new features on the iPhone, including a redesigned home screen, the capacity for widgets, a new Translate app, major improvements to Apple Maps, and a picture-in-picture mode to watch videos on the home screen.

• AirPod update: With iOS 14, AirPod users will be able to seamlessly switch between Apple devices with a new automatic device switching feature.

• iPadOS 14: The iPad is getting a major software update, with new features and designs that take advantage of the larger surface area. iPadOS 14 will include a new compact design for incoming FaceTime and phone calls and Siri interactions.

• Scribble: The iPad will get a new Scribble app that allows users to write in any text field using the Apple Pencil, which will then be converted to typed text.

• WatchOS7: The Apple Watch will get a series of new features including sleep tracking, automatic handwash detection, additional workout types and a new hearing health feature.