682: Medium Core
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- The Apple Watch workout app has received revisions that leave users frustrated, especially those who utilize various workout types.
- Garmin smartwatches offer a different experience, but their user interface and general user experience suffer in comparison to the Apple Watch.
- Performance core versus super core discussions highlight the sophisticated architecture of Apple's upcoming silicon chips.
- The importance of clear and accurate product terminology in marketing to avoid confusion among consumers.
- Apple's acquisition of F1 broadcasting rights opens new avenues for engaging sports content on their platform, enhancing viewer accessibility.
Summary
Anniversary Corner and MacBook Neo
The episode starts with a light-hearted segment in Anniversary Corner where hosts Colin, Casey, and Marco discuss the anniversary of the show and its connection to the MacBook Neo. They explore the confusion surrounding product names, particularly the MacBook Neo vs Mac Pro, and how the audience misinterpreted upcoming product releases. They touch upon the importance of accurate product terminology in marketing and the challenges of audience perception.
Performance Core vs Super Core Discussion
The podcast delves into the upcoming chips' architecture, particularly the new performance cores and super cores as mentioned in Xcode updates. They go through the different types of cores and their specifications, deciphering how they relate to the overall performance and efficiency of devices using Apple's silicon.
Apple Watch Workout App Revisions
In a poignant segment, the hosts express their frustrations with the newly revised Apple Watch workout app. They talk about how the changes led to a less user-friendly experience, detailing the convoluted process of starting and managing workouts. They also discuss the need for more forgiving designs in the watch app, proposing that Apple should focus on making it more user-friendly, particularly for individuals who change workout types frequently.
Garmin Smartwatch Exploration
The discussion transitions to Garmin wearables as the hosts explore the differences between Garmin smartwatches and the Apple Watch. One of the hosts shares his experience trying the Garmin Venue 4, noting paper cuts and limitations in the user experience. He expresses disappointment that while Garmin devices might have impressive outside specs, the overall user experience didn’t match the expectations set by Apple’s ecosystem.
F1 and Apple’s New Broadcast Deal
The episode concludes with a segment on Formula 1 and Apple's new rights to broadcast the Grand Prix events. The hosts discuss the exciting features of Apple's coverage, such as multi-view options during races and the integration of Netflix’s Drive to Survive on Apple TV. They also emphasize the importance of accessibility for sports fans, especially regarding streaming and viewing preferences.
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Show notes
- Pre-show: Casey brings us back to Anniversary Corner
- Follow-up:
- An explanation for John’s post that broke containment (via Thomas Dickson)
- MacBook Neo
- John’s theory about color & clamshells
- The M1 MacBook Air was American Walmarts only. (via Pierre-Luc Gagné)
- Aside also via P-L: does the Neo run Rosetta 2?
- MacBook Neo inputs 🤝 iPad Air inputs (via Andrew Larson)
- SSD speeds (via The Verge)
- The logo
- iPhone 5 intro video is what John was thinking of (via Peter Puleio)
- Jason’s review
- Dave2D’s review
- Teardown
- Tyler Stalman on the Neo running “pro” apps
- Performance Cores vs. Super Cores
- New in Xcode 24.6β3: CPUFAMILY_ARM_SOTRA (H17S) (via Brendan Shanks)
- H17S is the missing M5 Pro identifier from iOS 26.3 RC
- Quinn’s review
- M5 Pro & Max are on N3P; M5 is N3E
- Baidu leakers
- Super cores (“P-Core”)
- 4.61 GHz
- 10-wide decoding
- Performance cores (“M-Core”)
- 4.38 GHz
- 7-wide decoding
- ~70% the performance of a Super Core
- Dual operating mode from efficiency cores
- Efficiency cores (“E-Core”)
- 3.05 GHz
- 6-wide decoding
- Super cores (“P-Core”)
- Andrew Cunningham at Ars
- L2 cache
- Super: 16 MB
- Performance: 8 MB
- Efficiency: 6MB
- Minimum clock speed:
- Super: 1,308 MHz
- Performance: 1,344 MHz
- Efficiency: 972 MHz
- L2 cache
- Fusion architecture (via Frederic_Orange)
- New in Xcode 24.6β3: CPUFAMILY_ARM_SOTRA (H17S) (via Brendan Shanks)
- MacBook Pro Storage pricing (via Richard Allen)
- MacBook keyboard glyphs (via Dan Moren)
- Environmental progress (via Andrew Leahey)
- Third-party displays (via Dan Boyle)
- Pro Display XDR or Studio Display XDR? (asked by Imthaz)
- Studio Display XDR
- UFO Test
- MKBHD’s review states it has 12 GB RAM 🤭
- Studio Display XDR white paper (PDF) (via Kevin Sliech)
- Superwide viewing angle
- Timing controller (TCON)
- Calibration
- Display optimization modes
- Formula 1 news
- Drive to Survive (Apple TV link)
- Dad jokey-est promo video (Also on YouTube)
- 2026 season preview
- F1TV vs. Apple TV
- Romain Grosjean’s
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Privacy Display
- Post-show: Marco’s Garmin adventures
- Members-only ATP Overtime: The future of x86_64 on macOS
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- Quince: Elevated essentials and staples that last.
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