MacBook Gets Skylake CPU, Better Battery Life, Rose Gold Option; 13" Air Now With 8GB RAM Default

Apple has quietly rolled out a new version of its tiny 12-inch MacBook,bringing its internals up to date but otherwise leaving the basic formula untouched. The MacBook now uses new Core M CPUs based on Intel's sixth-generation Skylake architecture. Both CPU and graphics performance should see a nice boost, but Apple is also touting the new model's improved battery life, which now goes up to a claimed 10 hours of Web surfing or 11 hours of video playback.

The MacBook also gets slightly faster RAM and PCIe-based flash storage, which should result in quicker booting and load times. However, the most noticeable change to the lineup is a new colour option - predictably, the MacBook joins current-generation iPads and iPhones, and is now also available in Rose Gold. 

The MacBook still starts at Rs. 1,06,900 ($1,299 in the US) and features the same 2304x1440-pixel Retina display as the original model. For that price, you get a 1.1GHz Core m3 CPU with integrated Intel HD 515 graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. You can pay more to step up to a 1.3GHz Core m7 CPU and 512GB of storage at Rs. 1,29,900 ($1599 in the US). Surprisingly, Apple has not taken the opportunity to add Thunderbolt 3 functionality, leaving the new MacBook with the same single USB Type-C port that was one of its defining features. 

The notebook is 35mm thick at its thinnest point and weighs just 920g. Apple developed a new kind of keyboard switch mechanism and a touch-sensitive trackpad to enable this thinness. It is also famously devoid of ports and impossible to upgrade.

Apple also today made a slight tweak to its MacBook Air line: the 13-inch model now comes with 8GB of RAM by default at the same starting price of $999. Apple's former ultraportable is now its budget option, but going from 4GB to 8GB of RAM used to be a $100 upgrade. The 11-inch model has not been changed, with 4GB still the base spec.

Apple is rumoured to be planning an overhaul of its entire MacBook lineup later this year, with ultra-thin new 13-inch and 15-inch models presumbalyreplacing the existing MacBook Air or MacBook Pro models.

iPhone 6s Launch: More Details Leak Ahead of Apple Event

iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are expected to star at the Apple event on Wednesday alongside new iPad models and a revamped Apple TV. With just few hours left for the event, more information about the devices has surfaced on the Web.

Alleged images of the iPhone 6sboxset have leaked on the Web. The boxset and cutouts images show off what seems to be new colourful animated wallpapers, a feature that has been previously touted to be introduced in the new iPhone models. The images also cement rumours of aRose Gold colour variant, and 16GB storage space in the latest iPhone.

Separately, two more images (via@onleaks) of what appears to be the boxset of iPhone 6s show off a golden fish on an all-white background, with either gold or rose gold-coloured sides. Some believe that the fish in the iPhone wallpaper is "bettas" (also known as Siamese fighting fish).

Separately, while an earlier reportsuggested that the iPad Pro will have 64GB in its most basic variant, a new report by 9to5Mac claims the company intends to launch a 32GB variant of its new tablet as well. The same report further revealed that the pricing of the iPad Pro will start at $799 (roughly Rs. 53,000). The 64GB variant is tipped to be priced at $899 (roughly Rs. 60,000), whereas the top-of-the-line 128GB could break the bank at $999 (roughly Rs. 66,500). LTE variants will cost up to $130 more, taking the top of the line variant up to $1,129 (roughly Rs. 75,100).

The report also revealed some new information about the supposed new Apple TV. According to which, it would run iOS 9-based "tvOS." The report added that the interface of the new Apple Watch will remain same as the old generation with plenty of El Capitan and iOS 9 interface elements.

Another report said that the Periscope live-streaming firm is working on a new app for the new Apple TV, as is Airbnb, suggesting the kind of appsApple wants to cater users in its new part set-top box, part gaming console.

Finally, 9to5Mac also reports that Apple may introduce new Apple Watch bands and partnerships with fashion brands.

iPhone 7 Tipped to Be Slimmest Yet, Similar to 6.1mm-iPod touch

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who is known for his accurate Apple estimations, already has inside information and insight about the next year's iPhone. Three days ahead of Apple's mega event where it is expected to launch theiPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, Kuo noted that the iPhone 7 will be the slimmest iPhone when it launches next year.

Kuo said that for next year's iPhone,Apple plans to approach iPod touch levels of thinness (the fifth-generation iPod touch is 6.1mm-thick), and make the iPhone with a waistline between 6mm and 6.5mm. This will be a huge jump over the existing iPhone models, as the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus are respectively, 6.9mm and 7.1mm thick.

As 9to5Mac further speculates, it appears Apple intends to continue with in-cell panels, and not move to glass screen technology. This, as KGI noted, while limiting Apple from upping the screen resolution to 4K, will provide the thinness Apple requires to trim the waistline of iPhone 7. The in-cell panels comes with touchscreen sensors that are integrated into the LCD panel.

The company's decision to further slim the device raises concerning questions. More often than not, to make a mobile handset thin, companies have to make tradeoffs on the battery capacity of the device, and its sturdiness. Previously, we have seen Apple trimming the size of its handset while moving from the iPhone 5s to the iPhone 6, and making the device significantly less stronger. As a result, multiple users noted bending issues - popularly known as bendgate - in earlier units of the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6.

But a recent report suggests that Apple has changed the aluminium alloy combination in the iPhone metal shell for the forthcoming generation, adding zinc to make it capable of withstanding immense pressure before bending. Separately, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus aretipped to be built out of Series 7000 aluminium, and be 0.15mm longer and 0.2mm thicker, all of which makes it be stronger.