Intel today released some details on its next-generation 45 nanometer chips (code-named Penryn) due later this year.
Penryn, the next chip family to be based on the Core micro-architecture, will include the following enhancements (among others):
- Speeds in excess of 3 GHz - Dual-core L2 cache of 6 MB, Quad-core L2 cache of 12 MB - Intel Virtualization Technology speed enhancements - SSE4 - Enhanced Intel Dynamic Acceleration Technology: when one core sleeps, a still-active core will get a performance boost (single-threaded applications will see a boost). - Deep Power Down Technology: "significantly reduces the power of the processor during idle periods such that internal transistor power leakage is no longer a factor. This helps extend battery life in laptops."
Intel currently has 15 Penryn-based chips lined up. The upcoming Penryn chips will be marketed under both the "Core" and "Xeon" brand names with dual core mobile processors, dual and quad-core desktop processors, and dual and quad-core server processors.
Apple will likely only select a few models to include in its lineup. Apple currently uses the Core Duo "Yonah" in the Mac Mini, Core 2 Duo "Merom" in the iMac, MacBook and MacBook Pro, and the Xeon 51xx "Woodcrest" in its Mac Pro and Xserve. Recurring rumors (1, 2, 3) of an upgraded Mac Pro utilizing Xeon 53xx "Clovertown" 4-core chips have yet to come to fruition.
In addition, Intel gives a glimpse towards its future next-generation Nehalem architecture. While Nehalem is still a ways off with initial production set for early 2008, Intel says that the architecture will see a rebirth of Hyperthreading, incorporate caching advances, and will scale to 8 cores and beyond.
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker.
Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...
