According to a new report, Google’s upcoming Gemini smart speaker will be coming in four colors, deliver on a long-promised feature, and also unsurprisingly utilitze Gemini Live as well.
During its Pixel 10 launch event this week, Google not-so-subtly teased the arrival of a new smart speaker. The HomePod Mini-esque device had glowing lights while responding via Gemini and, despite not being addressed in any capacity, certainly felt like an intentional teaser for something that’s around the corner.
For now, there’s nothing to be said on when this new Gemini smart speaker might be coming, but a new report potentially reveals some of Google’s plans.
Android Headlines claims that this unnamed Gemini smart speaker will come in four colors when it is released. Black and white, of course, alongside a light green and a bright red. Names would presumably fall in line with Google’s Pixel devices, but it’s unclear for the time being.
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The report further mentions that the speaker would support Gemini Live – not that such support was ever in doubt – and support various smart home features such as device controls, music, and more, as well as several options from existing Google Home and Nest speakers such as the ability to listen for broken glass or alarms. It would also support acting as a Matter hub, as most existing smart speakers do.
Apparently, long-awaited support for pairing this Gemini smart speaker to Google TV would also finally be available with “spatial surround sound.” This feature has been in the works for years and was thought to work with Nest Audio, but it was left out when the Google TV Streamer launched last year.
WORCESTER — On a sleepy Thursday afternoon ahead of a doubleheader, WooSox bench coach Iggy Suarez was sitting in his usual pre-game spot behind a machine doling out ground balls for drills. Then he got a call from manager Chad Tracy.
“Are you super busy?” Tracy asked. “Maybe…” was the reply, fishing for more info. But when he heard why he was needed, he ran into the clubhouse to be there when Jhostynxon Garcia got the news that he was headed to the majors.
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OpenAI is asking Meta to produce evidence related to any coordinated plans with Elon Musk and xAI to acquire or invest in the ChatGPT-maker.
The request was made public in a brief filed Thursday in Elon Musk’s ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI. Lawyers representing OpenAI said they subpoenaed Meta in June for documents related to its potential involvement in Musk’s unsolicited, $97 billion bid to takeover the startup in February. It’s unclear from the filing whether such documents exists. OpenAI ultimately denied Musk’s bid.
OpenAI’s lawyers say they discovered that Musk communicated with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg concerning xAI’s bid to purchase the ChatGPT-maker, including “about potential financing arrangements or investments.”
Meta objected to OpenAI’s initial subpoena in July; the ChatGPT-maker’s lawyers are now seeking a court order to obtain such evidence. OpenAI is also asking the court for any of Meta’s documents and communications related to “any actual or potential restructuring or recapitalization of OpenAI” — the core issue in Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone directed TechCrunch towards a section of OpenAI’s filing which states that neither Meta nor Zuckerberg signed Musk’s letter of intent to acquire the ChatGPT-maker.
Meta declined to comment further. OpenAI and legal counsel for Musk did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.
In the background of OpenAI’s fight with Musk, Meta has significantly invested in its own efforts to develop frontier AI models. In 2023, Meta executives obsessed over developing an AI model that could beat OpenAI’s GPT-4, court filings in another case revealed. By early 2025, Meta’s AI models fell behind the industry standard, reportedly infuriating Zuckerberg.
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Zuckerberg has upped the pressure in recent months, poaching several of OpenAI’s leading AI researchers, including a co-creator of ChatGPT, Shengjia Zhao, who now leads research efforts at the company’s newest AI unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs. Meta also invested $14 billion in Scale AI, and reportedly approached several other AI labs about acquisition deals.
While it’s unclear how far talks developed between Musk and Zuckerberg, the mere idea of a partnership between the two billionaires represents just how much of a threat OpenAI is. Two years ago, Musk said he would physically fight Zuckerberg in a cage match (it never happened though).
The rise of AI may have prompted Musk and Zuckerberg to set aside their differences.
The briefing disclosed Thursday is part of a larger lawsuit filed by Musk against OpenAI that takes issue with OpenAI’s conversion of its for-profit arm into a public benefit corporation. Such a conversion is necessary for OpenAI to obtain funding from investors, and eventually go public. However, Musk — a cofounder and early investor in OpenAI — has attempted to throw a wrench in the endeavor, claiming that the restructuring goes against the startup’s founding mission.
Lawyers representing Meta asked the court to reject OpenAI’s request for evidence, arguing that Musk and xAI can provide any relevant information. Meta also argues that its internal discussions of OpenAI’s restructuring and recapitalization are not relevant to the case.
This story has been updated to add more information about the case, as well as history of Musk and Zuckerberg’s relationship.
Spotify and Instagram are cozying up for more seamless music sharing. Two new features make it easier for Spotify’s nearly 700 million users to share their favorite tunes.
When sharing a Spotify track to Instagram Stories, a short snippet of the song will now be included. When people view the story, they’ll have an option to open the track in Spotify. They can do that by tapping the music sticker on your post.
Along similar lines, Instagram Notes now lets you show your friends what you’re jamming out to. When creating a note, tap the music note symbol. Then, in the audio browser, choose “Share from Spotify.” The note will auto-update to show what you’re listening to at that point. (Or, if you’re not, it will display the next song you play within 30 minutes, so choose wisely.) Friends can tap your note to add the track to their Spotify likes.
Inversely, Instagram integration is easier in the Spotify app. When sharing a currently playing track from there, a new Notes icon will appear next to other Instagram sharing options.
The new features are available now (globally) on iOS and Android.
It’s time for our annual collection of the best Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold cases. Google’s new smartphone lineup is now live with pre-order deals delivering up to $350 in FREE credit – you can even leverage this credit to land a FREE Pixel Watch 4 (or a giant deal on one), but that also means you might be looking to secure a new case. From the official and ultra-clean Google silicone cases through to some of our favorite third-party brands, just about everyone is supporting Pixelsnap magnetics and charging this year (with even more on the way in the coming days), so let’s dive into our 2025 collection of the best Pixel 10 cases down below.
The new Dbrand Pixel 10 case lineup is now ready to go, including its new transparent Ghost Case that will “never yellow and the tried, tested, and true Grip Case with ultra click-buttons and a textured design, Both models are compatible with the Pixelsnap charger and work wonderfully with its Prism Screen Protectors as well various skins to personalize your Grip Case
Or $30 when purchase alongside one of the cases above
The Arc Pulse is (not) arguably the most unique “case” option in our collection here. This two-pice bumper-style option affixes to either end of your device with no adhesive to deliver some corner and drop protection without completely covering up your new Pixel. They are made of aerospace-grade metals and have been a joy to use for more than a couple years now.
The new Pixel 10 OtterBox cases are now live and you can “save 20% when you buy a case + screen protector or power product” at the same time directly on the official site.
Mous is often one of the first to roll out new Pixel cases, and it’s offering a strong lineup for the Pixel 10 series as well, which includes the fan-favorite Limitless case, a super-slim 1.1mm option, and more.
Mous Pixel 10 Limitless 6.0 leather protective case $80
Edward Wright and his wife, Mimi Olivier, walk out of the Hampden Superior Court July 31. Wright had been incarcerated for 41 years over the murder of a Springfield resident, Penny Anderson, but a judge tossed out his conviction. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook
SPRINGFIELD — Edward Wright will not be prosecuted again for a 1984 murder, ensuring his freedom after four decades in prison.
The decision by Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni not to try him again comes after a local judge questioned the fairness of Wright’s 1985 trial, triggering his release last month.
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James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, speaks at a 2006 rally in Philadelphia. The conservative Christian leader died Thursday, according to a statement from the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.
Dobson authored dozens of books, hosted a well known radio show, and spent his life advocating for traditional family values.
He grew to prominence in the 1970s as a psychologist giving parenting advice (particularly emphasizing the need for discipline), and influenced a generation of evangelical parents in the process. He then founded Focus on the Family in 1977, and helped establish the Christian think tank Family Research Council in the early ’80s.
Focus on the Family advocates against abortion rights, opposes evolution being taught in schools, and works against LGBTQ+ rights. They’ve said that homosexuality is a “particularly evil lie of Satan” and that “Transgender ideology is a lie from the pit of hell.”
Dobson was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1936 and is survived by his wife of 64 years, his two children, and two grandchildren, according to the statement.
This is a developing story and will continue to be updated.
Apple is raising the monthly price of its Apple TV+ streaming service to $12.99, marking a 30% increase from the previous $9.99 subscription price.
The updated price takes effect for new customers starting Thursday and will impact current subscribers 30 days after their next renewal date.
It’s worth noting that the yearly subscription rate remains unchanged at $99.99. Apple also isn’t changing the price for the Apple One bundle of services, which starts at $19.95 per month.
Apple TV+, like other streaming services, has been steadily increasing its subscription prices. In 2023, Apple raised the price of the Apple TV+ monthly subscription from $6.99 to $9.99. The latest price hike marks the third time Apple has raised the subscription price for its streaming service since its launch in 2019 at $4.99 per month.
The price hike comes as The Information reported earlier this year that Apple is losing more than $1 billion per year on its streaming service, making it the only service in Apple’s portfolio that isn’t profitable.
Despite Apple TV+ productions earning thousands of nominations and wins, the streaming service has lagged behind Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video in subscriber count.
Last month, Apple announced that it landed a record-breaking 81 Emmy Award nominations, with the popular thriller series “Severance” leading as the year’s most-nominated series.
Apple’s next big to-do for 2025 will be the upcoming iPhone 17 event, which will likely happen some time in September. Historically, the company uses those events to announce new iPhones, AirPods and Apple Watches — MacBooks tend to get their own, separate shindig (though we do expect the new macOS 26 software to come out around that time). For now, the most recent MacBooks are the M4 MacBook Air and the M4 MacBook Pro. Deciding between just two models may seem easy, but there are still plenty of variables to consider before you add one to your cart — screen size, chip capabilities, price and memory configurations will all come into play. We’ve reviewed every MacBook model to come out in the last 17 years or so, so we compiled this guide to help you pick the best MacBook for you.
Table of contents
Best MacBooks for 2025
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
Screen size: 13” | Processor: M4 chip, 10-core CPU, 10-core or 8-coreGPU, 16-core Neural Engine | Storagecapacity (SSD): 256GB | Memory: 16GB | Batterylife: Up to 18 hours | Ports: MagSafe 3 charging, 3.5mm jack, 2 x Thunderbolt 4/USB4 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | Apple MacBook product line: Air
Since we first put this guide together, a MacBook Air has consistently held the top spot as our recommendation for most people. The most recent model, the 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip, was in no way a surprising upgrade — but it did arrive with a welcome $100 price cut from the prior model. There hasn’t been a major design shakeup since the M2 version, but Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar still called the latest MacBook Air “a nearly flawless ultraportable” in his review.
It’s not only our favorite MacBook, this one currently holds the honor of our best laptop overall. It has everything most users could want: A bright screen, long battery life, one of the best trackpads around and a zippy processor that’s “eager to get to work.” All this is housed in a remarkably thin and lightweight unibody aluminum case that’s a joy to hold. While Devindra didn’t notice a huge difference in performance from the upgraded chip, the M4 chip did perform around 20 percent faster than the M3 in CPU benchmark tests, while the GPU gained a more modest increase in performance.
The screen is roomy, even on the 13-inch model, and supports the P3 wide color gamut (an upgraded organizational system for displaying color that produces more accurate and vibrant tones). It can reach up to 500 nits of brightness so you should be able to clearly see your screen even while outside on a sunny day. If you’re planning on using the laptop with additional displays at your desk, you now have more screen space. The M4 MacBook Air supports two external displays with the computer’s lid open, whereas the M3 MacBook Air only supported two displays with the lid closed. There’s also an upgraded 12MP camera as well, so your video calls should look better. We tested over 18 hours of battery life on both the MacBook Air 13- and 15- inch models. That should get you through a full day of work and then some.
One of our few complaints about the MacBook Air is the lower, 60Hz refresh rate. To get up to 120Hz refresh rate (like many ultraportable PCs ship with) you’ll need to upgrade to a Pro model. We’d also like to see an additional port on the right side. Instead, you get two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a MagSafe power connection on the left. There’s a lone 3.5mm jack on the right. An additional USB-C port on the starboard side would give you more options for charging and using accessories.
As for which configuration to get, we think most people would be happy with the base model 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage and 8-core GPU. But if you want to play more games or do media work, you may want to opt for the 15-inch model with 512GB of storage and a 10-core GPU. That configuration starts at $1,399. One thing we don’t recommend is going too big on the RAM. If you think you’ll need 32GB of memory, you should probably go for a MacBook Pro.
Apple’s latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros may not look any different, but under the hood they’re entirely new beasts thanks to Apple’s M4 chips. The $1,599 14-inch model is a far better deal than before too, since it now includes 16GB of RAM standard and it has three USB-C connections instead of just two. While the M4 chip is a decent step up from the M3, the M4 Pro wowed us with Geekbench and Cinebench scores that we’ve never seen before. The Pro model’s multithreaded performance is practically the same as two competing Windows laptops put together! (We didn’t test the M4 Max, but it’s most likely another stunner.)
Beyond the new chips, the M4 MacBook Pros sport slightly brighter screens for SDR content (helpful for working in sunlight), as well as a big webcam upgrade to 12MP, instead of just 1080p. So, for the first time, the MacBook Pros can use Apple’s Center Stage to keep you in frame during video chats, as well as Desk View.
These MacBook Pros also deliver the same excellent keyboard and super smooth trackpad that we’ve loved over the last few years. They also have all the ports you need, including three USB-C, HDMI, 3.5mm jack and an SD card reader. The M4 Pro and M4 Max chips also bring along Thunderbolt 5 for faster connections to external accessories. As for battery life, both systems lasted over 30 hours in our video rundown test, and they could easily run for multiple workdays without a recharge. — Devindra Hardawar, Senior Reporter
Historically, Apple kept the previous year’s MacBook Air in its lineup as a sort of budget option. But the company took a different approach with the release of the M4 MacBook Air. Instead of continuing to sell the older model, Apple discontinued the M3 Air and gave its newest computer a $100 price cut.
Now, if you can even find a brand new M3 MacBook Air (typically from retailers like Amazon or B&H), it’s often more expensive than the M4 version. During sales like Amazon Prime Day, we’ve seen the newest M4 Air go for as little as $799. That effectively makes our overall pick a budget pick as well.
Of course, $800 isn’t exactly a small investment either for college students or others on a budget. Especially when you can find some decent PCs for under $500. If you’re looking to save even more on a MacBook, we recommend checking out refurbished options directly from Apple, or even third party sellers like BackMarket. There are a few guidelines to keep in mind, which we go over in our refurbished guide, but mainly, you’ll want to shop from a reputable source that has a stated process and offers at least a year-long warranty. Using your old gear as a trade-in will bring down your final cost as well.
Factors to consider when buying a MacBook
Compared to PCs, Apple computers tend to have more streamlined specifications. The company has long been known for this simplicity, and the M-series “system-on-a-chip” condenses things even further. Prior to the M1 chip, Apple used Intel chips in its laptop and desktop computers. The M2 and M3 generations followed that first chip and currently sells MacBooks equipped with M4-series chips. You’ll find the standard M4 processor in the Air and the base-model Pro and the upgraded M4 Max and M4 Pro chips as options for the MacBook Pro (currently there is no M4 Ultra chip, as there was with the M3 series in the Mac Studio). All M-series chips combine, among other technologies, the CPU, graphics card and unified memory (RAM). Apple’s Neural Engine is included too, which is a specialized group of processor cores that handles machine learning tasks such as image analysis and voice recognition.
While a unified chip means you have fewer decisions to make when picking a MacBook, there are still a few factors to consider, including specs like the number of CPU cores, amount of RAM, storage capacity, screen size, and, obviously, price. The finish color may be a minor consideration, but it’s worth pointing out that the Pro comes in just two colors (Silver or Space Black) but the Air comes in four hues (Midnight, Starlight, Sky Blue and Silver).
CPU cores
The lowest-specced chip in a current-lineup MacBook is the standard M4 chip, which is found in all models of the MacBook Air and the base model MacBook Pro 14-inch. That chip houses a 10-core CPU and either an 8- or 10-core GPU. In total, there are three versions of the M4 chip: standard M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max (which are each a step up from their predecessors, the M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips). The burliest chip, the M4 Max is built with either a 14- or 16-core CPU and a 32- or 40-core GPU.
Cores are, in essence, smaller processing units that can handle different tasks simultaneously. Having more of them translates to the computer being able to run multiple programs and applications at once, while also smoothly processing demanding tasks like video and photo editing and high-level gaming. In short, more cores allow for more advanced computing and better performance. But if your processing power needs fall below professional-level gaming and cinematic video and audio editing, getting the highest number of cores is likely overkill — and after all, more cores equals higher cost and more power usage.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
RAM
Your options for RAM, or in Apple’s terminology, unified memory, varies, but with the switch to the M4 chip in all laptops, the lowest amount of RAM you can get is now 16GB. That’s a necessary spec-bump to accommodate the tech world’s favorite feature of the moment: AI or, in this case, Apple Intelligence (still AI, but Cupertino’s version). The M4 Pro chip has 24 or 48GB memory options, while the M4 Max chip supports 48, 64 or a whopping 128GB of RAM.
You’ve likely heard the analogy comparing memory to the amount of workspace available on a literal desktop surface, whereas storage is the amount of drawers you have to store projects to work on later. The larger the worktop surface, the more projects you can work on at once. The bigger the drawers, the more you can save for later.
In addition to supporting Apple Intelligence, more RAM is ideal for people who plan to work in multiple apps at once. And the more demanding each program is, the more RAM will be required. Extra memory can also come in handy if you’re the type who likes to have infinite numbers of tabs open on your browser. If your daily workflow doesn’t involve simultaneously using a vast number of memory-intensive programs, you can save yourself money and buy the RAM configuration that you’re most likely to actually use.
For a long time, Apple continued to offer MacBooks with just 8GB of RAM, and we recommended upgrading to at least 16GB of RAM. With this being the standard today, grabbing a base model should be fine for most non-pro-level users. One thing to note is that, unlike most PCs, the RAM in a MacBook is not user-upgradable since it’s tied into the system-on-a-chip. If you think you might end up needing more memory, you should go for the spec upgrade up front.
Storage capacity (SSD)
Storage options range from 256GB of SSD for the base-model MacBook Air and 8TB of storage for the MacBook Pros with the M4 Max chip. If you want to rotate between a long roster of game titles or keep lots of high-res videos on hand, you’ll want more storage. If you’re mostly working with browser- and cloud-based applications, you can get away with a smaller-capacity configuration. That said, we recommend springing for 512GB of storage or more, if it’s within your budget. You’ll quickly feel the limits of a 256GB machine as it ages since the operating system alone takes up a good portion of that space. Having 1TB will feel even roomier and allow for more data storage over the life of your laptop.
When Apple announced the iPhone 15, the company also announced new iCloud+ storage storage plans, with subscriptions that allow up to 12TB of storage shared among your iOS and MacOS devices. You could also transfer files to an external storage device. But if you don’t want to pay for a monthly subscription and prefer the convenience of having immediate access to your files, it’s best to get the highest amount of storage space your budget allows for at the outset.
Screen size
The MacBook Air comes in 13- or 15-inch sizes. Pro models have either 14- or 16-inch screens. A two-inch delta may not seem like much but, as Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham noted when he reviewed the then-new 15-inch M2-powered MacBook Air, a larger screen “makes a surprising difference.” That’s especially true if you plan to use your laptop as an all-day productivity machine and won’t be using an external monitor. More space means you can more clearly view side-by-side windows and have a more immersive experience when watching shows or gaming.
But screen size is one of the main factors influencing weight. The 13-inch MacBook Air M4 weighs 2.7 pounds, whereas the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro with the Max chip weighs 4.7 pounds. If you plan to travel a lot or swap your work locations regularly, a smaller screen will make life easier in the long run.
All MacBooks feature IPS LCD panels (in-plane switching, liquid crystal display), which Apple markets as Retina displays. The MacBook Air M4 has a Liquid Retina display and the Pro models have Liquid Retina XDR displays. “Liquid” refers to the way the lighted portion of the display “flows” within the contours of the screen, filling the rounded corners and curving around the camera notch. “XDR” is what Apple calls HDR (high dynamic range).
You also get the option of a standard or nano-texture display on the MacBook Pro. The glass, which reduces glare and is also available on the Studio Display, iMac and iPad Pro, comes with a $150 price increase, but if you really don’t like reflections on your screen, it could be worth it.
Compared to most other laptops, MacBook displays are notably bright, sharp and lush. But one feature worth pointing out is another Apple marketing term: ProMotion. It’s the company’s term to describe a screen with a higher, 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smoother scrolling and more fluid-looking graphics. Only MacBook Pros offer ProMotion; the Air maxes out at 60Hz, which is perfectly fine for everyday browsing and typical workdays. But if you want buttery-smooth motion from your display, you’ll have to shell out more money for an upgrade.
Operating systems
Software considerations won’t make much of a difference when deciding between MacBook models — all come with macOS installed. But if you’re switching from, say, a Windows PC, the operating system may be something to factor into your decision — though it’s probably less of an issue than it once was. Now that so much of the work we do on our computers is browser- and cloud-based, the learning curve between the two platforms isn’t as steep. Apps and programs like Gmail perform similarly regardless of what computer you’re using. Apple machines have historically had more limited support of AAA gaming titles, but even that is changing with more AAA games and better graphics coming to Macs.
As for macOS, it’s getting better too. With macOS Tahoe 26, the Spotlight function is more advanced, making it easier to find apps and perform tasks straight from your keyboard. The software also implements Apple’s unifying Liquid Glass design for a modern look that looks consistent across iOS and iPad devices. New enhanced iPhone continuity features also make MacBooks and the handset work better together. A revamped Shortcuts app is more powerful as well, giving users custom automations that leverage Apple Intelligence (the company’s own AI).
Price
When Apple announced the MacBook Air M4, it also delivered a bit of refreshing news: The latest model now starts $100 cheaper than the previous generation. So now, the least expensive MacBook is the 13-inch, M4-powered Air with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $999. Alternatively, you can spend up to $7,349 for the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Max with the nano-texture glass, 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage.
Chip type, screen size, memory and storage capacity all influence the final price, which is why guides like this can help you determine just what you need (and what you don’t) so you can get the most cost-effective machine for you. AppleCare is another cost to consider. The extended warranty plan from Apple covers repairs from accidents and offers free battery replacement and starts at $3.50 per month or $35 per year for MacBooks.
We recommend the MacBook Air M4 for most people, and thanks to that $100 price cut, it’s also a good budget option. If you want something even cheaper, we recommend looking at refurbished M-series models from Apple. We think the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pros are best for professionals. If you have extra money to spare once you’ve picked your machine, we recommend upgrading to at least 512GB of storage to make your machine as future-proof as possible. Of course, if you’re just after the M4 chip and want the cheapest route to get it, you might consider the M4 Mac mini, which starts at $599 (though you’ll have to supply the screen, mouse and keyboard).
Best MacBooks spec comparison chart
Product
Superlative
Tested configuration
Tested battery life
Rated battery life
Apple MacBook Air M4 (13-inch)
Best MacBook overall
Apple M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD
18.25 hours
Up to 18 hours
Apple MacBook Pro M4 (14-inch)
Best MacBook for creatives
Apple M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
34.25 hours
Up to 22 hours
Best MacBook FAQs
What’s the difference between MacBook Air and Pro?
Both the MacBook Air and Pro models come with the M4 chip. MBP models have the option of more powerful M4 Pro or M4 Max chips. The Pro has a higher resolution screen with a higher peak brightness that supports up to 120Hz adaptive refresh rates and XDR (extreme dynamic range). The battery life on most Pro models is longer than on the Air models as well. Pro models also have more ports and more speakers. In short, the MacBook Air is aimed at everyday users looking for good productivity and entertainment capabilities, while Pro models are aimed at professionals who need a high-performance computer.
What’s the difference between macOS and Windows?
MacOS is the operating system developed by Apple and used in all of its desktop and laptop computers. It can only be found in hardware made by Apple including MacBooks and iMacs. Microsoft’s Windows operating system can be found in the company’s own Surface laptops as well as computers made by a wide array of manufacturers, like Acer, Asus, Dell and Razer.
Today’s big Made by Google event for the Pixel 10 was… something, but if nothing else, it showed a Google that was confident in the product it was bringing to the table. That included Google making a lot of jokes directed straight at Apple while talking about the Pixel 10’s various updates and features.
Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Google’s latest event for the Pixel 10 was always going to be an interesting one, but I’m not sure anyone was prepared for what we ended up getting – I sure wasn’t. After attending the launch in person, I’ve got a lot of thoughts, but one thing that really stood out was just how confident Google was during this event. The company tried something new, was clearly confident in its products, and wasn’t scared to throw some shade at Apple – a continuation of the jokes found in recent teasers for Google’s new phones.
Throughout the event, Google peppered in little digs at Apple, such as “broken promises” in reference to the various delays with Apple Intelligence that Rick Osterloh mentioned within just the first few minutes.
There has been a lot of hype about this, and frankly, a lot of broken promises too. But Gemini is the real deal. We’ve got the best models, we’ve got the best AI assistant, and it means this can just unlock so much helpfulness on your phone.
That was quickly followed with Osterloh reminding everyone that Pixel was the first phone to add Car Crash Detection back in 2019, years before Apple.
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In the next segment, Fallon went over Google’s new portfolio with SVP Adrienne Lofton, who threw out a few jokes about Apple. She not-so-subtly took a jab at the walled garden approach that “some companies” take to their phones, adding that Android is “the most open platform that’s built for true freedom of choice.”
The segment evenutally landed on Pixelsnap, where Lofton flat out said that the Pixel 10 series will “work perfectly fine with all of your Apple MagSafe accessories,” to which Fallon joked about the use of “the A-word.” Lofton, talking about how confident Google is in its products – again, something you could feel through this entire launch –, said that “we love everybody in the game so we can say anyone’s name we want on this stage.”
Closing out that segment with one more jab at Apple (and its fanbase), Lofton touched on the “green bubble” situation, calling the conversation “tired” in the post-RCS world.
We realized the idea of switching your phone brand can seem scary. It can even maybe be a little bit daunting. And so we talked about and have tackled the two top concerns that people have when it comes to switching… Thing two is we know that you need to seamlessly communicate with your loved ones. That’s probably the most important thing.
…RCS simply means there is now one text standard for all. And what you should know is that Android has been using RCS for many many years, but Apple recently adopted it as well. What does that mean? It means that now when you’re chatting with your i-friends, you can say goodbye to blurry photos and videos, you can react with all the cute emojis to the text messages, and finally the group chat is for the whole group.
I want to say, personally, the green/blue bubble battle is silly, and it’s tired. And at Google we’re done with that conversation.
You can see that full clip in the embed below:
Of course, prior to Apple’s adoption to RCS, Google heavily leaned on the “green/blue bubble battle” in an effort to push Apple to “Get the Message” about RCS. Ultimately, Google’s efforts were probably not the main reason Apple gave in, but Lofton is certainly right that, at this point, that whole debate is” tired.”
The rest of the event focused more on Google’s new software features – and several more celebrity appearances – and skipped over more jabs at Apple, but the tone was very much set. Google wanted everyone to know that they are excited for what they’re releasing, and that’s pretty refreshing. Often times, new Android device launches feel like they’re caught in the iPhone’s shadow in one way or another, but this one really stood out, for better or worse.
What did you think of the Pixel 10 launch event? Check out our coverage on the new devices below:
