Apple Readies M5 iPad Pro, Vision Pro for Imminent Release

The September event saw the release of the iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch SE3, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3. However, new Apple products, including an updated MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro, are expected soon.

Credit: APPLE

An updated MacBook Pro is reportedly in the immediate pipeline. Stock shortages of some models in Apple Stores suggest an imminent release for this device. A video also claims to show the new model.

An update to the iPad Pro line is also anticipated, following its last refresh in May 2024. Both the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro are expected to feature no cosmetic changes from their last updates.

The focus for these updates will be on upgrading their processors. Reports indicate that the M5 processor will be introduced for the new iPad Pro and a new version of the Apple Vision Pro.

However, Macworld states that M5 Pro or M5 Max chips are not yet expected for the laptop. On Sunday, Oct. 12, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared insights in his Power On newsletter.

Gurman stated that Apple’s much-anticipated October product launches are "about to happen." He confirmed the M5 iPad Pro and a Vision Pro with a faster chip and improved strap are already in mass production.

Gurman noted that Apple is gearing up for an imminent release for these products. He also suggested a new MacBook Pro is likely to be announced this week.

Credit: APPLE

He previously reported that Apple planned to launch MacBook Pro updates early next year. This was due to the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips not being ready in volume until then.

The entry-level M5 chip, however, is ready, as it is in the new iPad. This indicates the base-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is also prepared for launch, with the new chip as the main change.

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• Apple expects imminent releases for new MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro models.

• The M5 processor is anticipated for the new iPad Pro, Apple Vision Pro, and the base-level 14-inch MacBook Pro.

• Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported on Oct. 12 that the M5 iPad Pro and a Vision Pro are in mass production.

Source: FORBES

AI Breakthrough Boosts "Artificial Sun" Fusion Energy

A Chinese research team has developed a data-driven control system for tokamak plasmas, a significant step towards achieving sustainable fusion energy. This advancement could bring the process, often described as the "ultimate clean power," closer to reality. The findings were published in Communications Physics, a journal under the Nature portfolio.

Credit: VCG

Fusion energy aims to replicate the sun's power source by fusing light atomic nuclei, which releases vast amounts of energy without carbon emissions. The tokamak, a doughnut-shaped device, is considered the most promising design for building an "artificial sun" worldwide, using powerful magnetic fields to confine ultra-hot plasma.

The main challenge for tokamaks involves keeping the plasma stable and precisely shaped long enough for fusion reactions to produce more energy than they consume. Traditional plasma control relies on computationally demanding physics models and first-principles simulators, making it difficult to efficiently train advanced controllers.

To address this, researchers from the Southwestern Institute of Physics collaborated with Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Lab. They constructed a high-fidelity, data-driven model using historical experimental data from the Huanliu-3 (HL-3) tokamak, China's most advanced magnetic confinement fusion device.

This model incorporates modern artificial intelligence techniques, including long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, self-attention mechanisms, and scheduled sampling. LSTM networks are a type of recurrent neural network capable of learning long-range dependencies in sequential data. These innovations enable accurate prediction of key plasma parameters, such as current and shape, over time.

The new approach also prevents the accumulation of errors common in traditional simulations. The team has deployed this advanced agent within the HL-3’s real-world plasma control system.

Researchers reported that the system maintained stability and adaptability even under unfamiliar conditions. It demonstrated strong robustness and "zero-shot" generalisation. Reviewers said these results represent a major step toward faster, more efficient training of intelligent controllers for future devices like ITER and for commercial fusion reactors.

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• Chinese scientists developed a new AI method for controlling tokamak plasma.

• This data-driven system could accelerate the development of sustainable fusion energy.

• The model was trained on historical data from China's HL-3 tokamak, showing strong robustness.

Source: CGTN

Ferrari Unveils First Electric Vehicle, Shares Decline

Ferrari unveiled its first fully electric production vehicle, the Elettrica, on Thursday, but the debut was overshadowed by the company's worst trading day since 2016. Shares plunged 15% on the Milan and New York Stock Exchanges as industry analysts anticipated greater long-term growth.

Credit: Ferrari

Despite the stock drop, the Italian luxury sports carmaker raised its 2025 financial guidance amidst global 15% tariffs on foreign car imports to the United States.

CEO Benedetto Vigna declined to specify target production numbers or a price for the Ferrari Elettrica. Deliveries are expected to begin late next year, with the design scheduled for revelation in the spring.

Credit: Ferrari

Under a new five-year plan, Ferrari aims for its product lineup by 2030 to comprise 40% core internal combustion engines, 40% hybrid models, and 20% electric vehicles. This strategy signals a sharp reduction in fully electric vehicles compared to Ferrari’s 2022 commitment of 40% electric.

The plan also projects an average of four new launches annually, focusing on more models with lower volumes for each. Other luxury automakers have similarly scaled back electric vehicle production plans to align with market demand.

The Elettrica represents a new market segment, which Vigna believes will attract new buyers to Ferrari. It leverages 15 years of electrification research, including Formula 1 technology first incorporated into the 2013 limited edition La Ferrari hybrid supercar.

To preserve the characteristic sports car feel, the Elettrica will amplify powertrain vibration via accelerometers on the rear axle, creating a distinctive roar. Drivers can also select five power levels using steering panels for a continuous acceleration sensation.

Ferrari is manufacturing most critical components internally, including the battery system and software. The chassis and body shell will be made out of 75% recycled aluminum, saving 6.7 tons of carbon dioxide per vehicle.

Ferrari said that revenues this year would top 7.1 billion euros ($8.2 billion), up from more than 7 billion euros in the previous guideline. Ferrari also targets earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of 2.7 billion euros with a margin of more than 38.3%.

Presenting its five-year plan, the organisation is projecting net revenues of SGD 13.05 billion by 2030, with an EBITDA of at least SGD 5.22 billion on 40% margins. Citi analyst Harald Hendrikse stated this outlook fell below "lower growth" estimates, reflecting a conservative approach from Ferrari.

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• Ferrari debuted its first fully electric vehicle, the Elettrica, experiencing a 15% stock plunge on its unveiling day.

• Despite the stock decline, the company raised its 2025 financial guidance and outlined ambitious long-term projections, including SGD 13.05 billion in net revenues by 2030.

• The new five-year plan for 2030 includes 20% fully electric vehicles, a reduction from its 2022 target of 40%.

Source: AP NEWS