How Apple made M5 rock

Artificial intelligence fills me with concern, but AI is everywhere — and it’s not going anywhere.

Especially in Apple’s products. AI is now baked into almost all of Apple’s software, not just the marquee Apple Intelligence features.

It’s AI that’s behind the magic of Face ID, and AI that helps your Apple Watch detect hypertension. Machine learning algorithms are baked into the Photos app, autocorrect and predictive text, the iPhone imaging pipeline, Siri, smart suggestions in the Calendar and Journal apps, and much, much more.

That’s why it’s so important that Apple boosted AI processing in its latest generation of M5 chips. AI and machine learning already form the bedrock for most of Apple’s software, and it’ll eventually become core to all software.

Apple silicon is already impressive, and the AI enhancements in the new M5 chip are only more so. Here’s how Apple made the M5 rock.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Apple giveth — the monster M5 MacBook Pro. And Apple taketh away — the charger in the box. In the EU, anyway. Is it Apple cheaping out? Or are there other reasons?
Next year, Steve Jobs will be honored with a special commemorative $1 coin. Unfortunately, it makes him look like Ellen DeGeneres. What do you think? Chime in below in our poll.
One of the best things about Apple releasing new products is that the older models go on sale.
I’d love to buy all the new M5 machines, but alas, my only upgrade this year is likely to be this.
What’s this? A surprise new episode of The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin just popped up on Apple TV.
Today’s the day in Apple history that inspired Steve Jobs to coin one of his most famous phrases.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

M5 vs. M4: Apple's latest silicon breakthrough explained

In our list of key M5 vs. M4 chip differences, we call out upgrades to AI processing, graphics processing and memory bandwidth.

Yes, the EU banished the MacBook charger from the box

Apple’s new M5 MacBook Pro ships without a power brick in the EU and U.K. — and with a smaller price tag — thanks to new e-waste regulations.

Steve Jobs $1 coin looks nothing like Steve Jobs

A weird portrait of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs sitting in a California meadow will appear on a $1 coin from the U.S. Mint in 2026.

Apple and NBCUniversal bundle Apple TV and Peacock at a discount

New bundle brings both streamers to viewers at a discounted rate.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Get an M4 Mac mini for just $499

Grab Apple's small yet powerful desktop computer with this Mac mini deal, which offers discounts on M4 and M4 Pro versions.

Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air joins the dark side

White is no longer the only option for this fantastic iPad accessory.

Meta steals top Apple AI exec behind ‘answer engine’ project

Apple loses another key AI executive: Ke Yang, who led the high-profile project to improve Siri.

‘NBA 2K26’ brings AAA basketball action to Apple Arcade

It’s the latest update to what many consider the definitive basketball game for Apple devices.

^{A message from}^{the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Use this tool to get the best results from dozens of popular AIs, all for one low price

Whether creating content or testing how different AIs handle prompts, ChatPlayground AI makes it easy and affordable to get the best results.

Vision Pro owners can get its biggest upgrade for just $99

The Dual Knit Band introduced with the new M5-powered Vision Pro is compatible with the old model, too. You don’t have to pay $3,499.

‘The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin’ gets surprise episode

Fans of the comedy can enjoy an episode that unexpectedly appeared on Apple TV.

Today in Apple history: Apple offers ice water to Windows users in hell

On October 16, 2003, Apple said it would let PC users run iTunes on Windows. Steve Jobs didn't like the idea, but the strategy proved sound.

Cult of Mac’s buyback program

We pay top dollar for used Apple gear

Sell your old iPhone, iPad, MacBook and more through Cult of Mac. Free shipping, fast payment!

Tweets of the day

Trading in an M2 Vision Pro at Apple...
— #Basic Apple Guy (#@BasicAppleGuy)
2:17 PM • Oct 16, 2025

I’ve never seen this much detail in Apple Maps
— #Asher (#@asherdipps)
6:47 PM • Oct 15, 2025

With the Vision Pro getting the dual headband now I just wish they'd fully commit and make a Vision Pro Hat
— #Christian Selig (#@ChristianSelig)
9:29 PM • Oct 15, 2025

Wallpaper of the day

New wallpaper
— #Unique Wallpaper (#@just_unique0)
11:01 AM • Oct 16, 2025

One more thing ...

❝

If anybody's going to make our products obsolete, I want it to be us.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

What do you think of the $1 Steve Jobs coin?

Results from yesterday’s poll: What's the most exciting new M5 machine?

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