Bloomberg reported Apple is in talk with Google to use custom version of Gemini in the Apple’s servers, named “Private Cloud Compute”. If the deal goes through, Apple would have a default AI model for Apple Intelligence as a service. In all likelihood, it also means Apple would keep many of the AI related features on iOS and macOS to be replaceable by other models or services, much akin to how App Store is reshaping now.
From Op-ed
Logitech Harmony and HDMI-CEC
Logitech discontinued production for Harmony in 2021. There were some signs Logitech needed to put in heavy investment towards the Harmony platform, otherwise it will be unsustainable: losing Mac support was one; introduction of HDMI-CEC in 2005 was the other; and most importantly, Smart TV and cord cutting made a universal remote such a niche market.
Apple TV, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro
Let’s begin with Apple TV, a streaming box that is largely unnoticeable when discussing Apple’s sales figures. Of the three devices in the title, Apple TV is oddly the most independent. It is, for the lack of better word, an iPhone of a streaming box. It supports majority of the streaming services via third party app, and the App Store for Apple TV is well populated for an entertainment device hooked up to a TV. However, Apple does try to push for what Apple TV could have been, instead of what it has been so far. With the chipset that…
Is Microsoft Axing Xbox Console?
There are already leaked insider talks and rumors of how Microsoft higher-ups see of its gaming division. And it isn’t completely alienated from the yes mens I’ve seen on the internet; the idea was that with seemingly infinite budget Microsoft could muster, the entire console market is within reach. Suffice it to say, throwing money wasn’t the solution the investors nor the company wanted.
Magnetic Tip Cables, MagSafe, and USB-PD
I’ve been using ‘magnetic tip cables’, including Apple’s laptop MagSafe and old USB-A magnetic tip cables from generic brands, not knowing the full risks of what they entail. Before I get into the story, I do want to make one thing clear: Apple’s MagSafe is safe. It’s not the reason why I am writing this piece, but there are products advertised to mimic MagSafe for laptops, so do watch out.
iPhone, iOS Upgradability, and App Supports
Computerworld has been keeping scores on Android smartphones since Android 9 on how major manufacturer is pushing out Android updates to their yesteryear’s products. Latest one came out on March 2025, and the score board is a blood bath. But this post is not about Android — how manufacturers are only interested in selling latest models but reluctant to support them afterward. It’s about iOS upgradability and the app compatibility with the latest OS.
iPhone Air, Foldable iPhone, and iPad
There are rumors iPhone Air is a stepping stone toward a possible foldable iPhone set for 2026, 27, or even 28. Some are already speculating Apple will adopt foldable form factor starting with iPhone 18; hence, they added, iPhone 17 is less likely to succeed from the usual upgrade cycle. We won’t know the sales figure for a while, but I’m seeing two contradictory coverages on the new iPhone — either it was an unusual flop, or it was unusually high in demand, especially the base iPhone.
Upcoming iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods
Apple is set to release new iPhones, Apple Watches, and possibly some minor gadgets such as AirPods this coming Tuesday. The rumors surrounding each and every one of them were too comprehensive to the point the actual Keynote is likely going to be a repeat of the rumor mixed with Federighi’s “crack product marketing team” jokes. In other words, had it been a decade ago, this year would be an “s” year for the iPhones — minor improvement from previous year.
Why Regional Support Matters: The Case of Corsair RM1000e
I don’t closely follow news on PC component manufacturer, especially not on PSU. I do recall, back when I could confidentially call myself an enthusiast, there were several brands called out for being unreliable. Now, this is where the stories often get even more juicer — when a manufacturer is not directly selling its products in the region.
The Sale of Intel Mac Pro Pt. 2: Regional Support
I thought to expand on the whole regional support issue I had mentioned in the prior post. If you are here for the “regional support” only, the only relevant info from the previous op-ed is that it was one of the reasons why I ended up selling my machine. Warranty and importation in South Korea are tad bit weird in my opinion.
The Sale of Intel Mac Pro
This is merely a beginning of my long journey into transition out of Intel Macs. I first started looking into how other Intel Mac owners are faring in South Korea, as the region is quite unusual when it comes to trade-ins, and I wanted to see what my options were with my old Mac Pro. It was odder than I expected as most trade-in businesses were interested in Apple laptops, the ARM laptops, and hardly had any experience handling a Mac that is fully fledged desktop, let alone x86 machines, or all-in-one like iMacs.
AI Translation Poisoning Search Results
If you have been plagued by the recent YouTube’s AI dubbing, video title and description, that’s the kind of problems that is happening across all Google platform. I am talking about the Google Search results. And believe me when I say it, when I google something in Korean, I expect it to pick up Korean articles, posts, and threads so that it may be useful in the particular context.
Asset Flips, AI Slops, and Exit 8-likes
Even before AI slops became a known issue for wider internet, I believe the gamers saw it firsthand how a new tool, in the name of asset libraries, can be easily abused. These days, most developers use a game engine such as Unity, and with it, they use purchasable assets that would have been needed at least AAA game budgets to create. To reiterate my take on the asset flips and AI slops as a whole: it’s not an issue if it’s used to pursue one’s creative goal.
Retiring Last Intel Mac
Apple has already announced macOS 26 Tahoe will be the last major update for Intel Macs. The announcement roughly translates to Intel Macs will have one more year of software support until 2027, and with the release of macOS 27, x86 Macs will be no more. Not that it will decommission itself; but I’m already seeing the impact of Apple Silicon on the ecosystem as a whole, as more apps, even the universal ones, are simply too demanding.
Exit 8-Likes and Optimizations in Lores
The Exit 8 has opened the new subgenre of horror games, which I would dub as Exit 8-like. These new indie horror games share the same gameplay principle: a. the player is in a looping environment, b. if there is an anomaly (e.g. jump scares, out of place objects, etc.), act according to the game’s manual, c. the anomalies are often unsettling changes to otherwise normal, day-to-day environment. One could argue this is a take on Papers, Please but with horror and 3D graphics. And I’m inclined to agree with the sentiment; 3D assets are easily available on the store…