Apple recently held its annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), where it announced a slew of new hardware and software, including Apple Intelligence. At the conference, Apple also announced new software for developers, including Xcode 16, which is used to make apps for iOS and macOS. One of the features for Xcode now requires M-series silicon with at least 16GB of unified memory, marking the first time Apple has tacitly admitted that 8GB of memory won’t cut it in 2024.
The feature in Xcode 16 that now requires more than 8GB of memory is called Predictive Code Completion, according to XDA-developers. This feature uses machine learning to predict what code the author might want to write next, and it will just write the code all by itself. From what we understand, this is becoming a hot item in the programming world as AI-powered chatbots are becoming increasingly effective at generating code. The company announced the beta version of Xcode 16 at the event and noted this new feature will require an M-series chip with 16GB of unified memory.
Apple is still offering 8GB of memory on an $1,799 laptop, in 2024. Credit: Apple
There are likely millions of M-series machines in the wild with 8GB of memory, as that has been the base model configuration since the M1 first arrived in 2020. Those machines will still be able to run Xcode 16, too; they just won’t be able to use this new feature. Apple’s release notes state, “Xcode 16 includes predictive code completion, powered by a machine learning model specifically trained for Swift and Apple SDKs. Predictive code completion requires a Mac with Apple silicon and 16GB of unified memory, running macOS 15. (116310768).”
The requirement for 16GB of memory with an M-series chip is the first time Apple has made such demands and could be the beginning of the dam breaking on Apple’s reliance on 8GB as a base model configuration for its Mac hardware. Back in November of 2023, Apple was still arguing that 8GB on a Mac is like 16GB on a PC—thus, it was more than enough for most people. We don’t doubt that is likely true for a basic machine like the MacBook Air or a 24-inch iMac. But it is a crime against humanity to offer 8GB of memory on a machine made for demanding workloads like the MacBook Pro.
Apple customers have been begging the company to raise the minimum amount of memory in its base configuration from 8GB to 16GB for years. However, Apple likes money, and it costs $200 to double the RAM for its laptops, so doubling the base model specs would have a detrimental impact on the number of people who opt for the upgrade before purchasing a new Mac. Still, given the requirements of the new Xcode feature, it seems possible that the arrival of AI and related tasks might finally persuade Apple to satisfy its customers’ demands.
MONTREAL – Lightspeed Commerce Inc. says it is conducting a review of its business and operations including talks relating to a range of potential strategic alternatives.
The Montreal-based payments technology company made the comments after reports concerning a potential transaction involving the company.
Lightspeed says it periodically undertakes a review of its business and operations with a view of realizing its full potential.
A strategic review is often seen by investors as a prelude to a sale by a company.
Lightspeed says its board of directors is committed to acting in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.
Company founder Dax Dasilva returned to the role of chief executive officer earlier this year and has been working to return the company to profitability.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
OTTAWA – Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says there is a lot of uncertainty around how artificial intelligence could affect the economy moving forward, including the labour market and price growth.
In a speech in Toronto at the Economics of Artificial Intelligence Conference, the governor said Friday that the central bank is approaching the issue cautiously to get a better understanding of how AI could affect its job of keeping inflation low and stable.
“Be wary of anyone who claims to know where AI will take us. There is too much uncertainty to be confident,” Macklem said in prepared remarks.
“We don’t know how quickly AI will continue to advance. And we don’t know the timing and extent of its economic and social impacts.”
The governor said AI has the potential of increasing labour productivity, which would raise living standards and grow the economy without boosting inflation.
In the short-term, he said investment in AI is adding to demand and could be inflationary.
However, Macklem also highlighted more pessimistic scenarios, where AI could destroy more jobs than it creates or lead to less competition rather than more.
The governor called on academics and businesses to work together to shed more light on the potential effects of AI on the economy.
“When you enter a dark room, you don’t go charging in. You cautiously feel your way around. And you try to find the light switch. That is what we are doing. What we central bankers need is more light,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
