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Apple Watch Ultra 4 Review: The Series 12 Is Closing the Gap
Confirmed
In Short: Apple is developing an enterprise server using its high-performance M-series Ultra chips, aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for AI computing.
Apple is reportedly working on an AI server that would utilize its high-performance M-series Ultra chips, similar to those found in Mac desktops. The project, which began a year ago under the leadership of new CEO John Ternus, is expected to debut in 2029.
The server would come in two configurations, each featuring either two or four of Apple’s future M8 Ultra chips. This initiative marks a significant return to the enterprise server market for Apple, which retired its Xserve in 2011.
Apple’s decision to develop this server is driven by the increasing popularity of its Mac mini and Mac Studio among AI developers and companies. These devices, which rely on Apple’s M-series Ultra chips, have seen booming sales.
Apple is also exploring the use of Nvidia’s NVLink Fusion technology to connect its M8 chips, a move that could leverage Nvidia’s expertise in data center networking equipment.
The potential product’s expected release in 2029 would mark the first Apple server to hit the market in nearly two decades. This timing aligns with the surging popularity of Apple hardware among AI developers.
Apple already builds servers for its own Private Cloud Compute stack but has declined requests from partners to sell this hardware externally. The new server would be a significant step towards expanding Apple’s presence in the enterprise market.
The project’s development highlights Apple’s strategic shift towards AI and its growing interest in providing comprehensive solutions for AI workloads.
Apple’s move into enterprise servers could signal a broader push into the data center market, potentially competing with established players like Dell, HP, and IBM.
The company’s decision to use its own M-series Ultra chips in the server underscores its commitment to maintaining control over both hardware and software, a hallmark of its business model.
Apple’s enterprise server initiative could also pave the way for future innovations in AI and data center technology, leveraging the company’s expertise in chip design and software integration.
Background
The Oppo Find X9 Ultra, despite its bulky form factor, impresses with its detailed and noise-free images, according to a recent review.
Apple's new watches feature a Readiness score and improved heart rate sensors, among other upgrades.
The Apple Watch Ultra is a line of sport smartwatches produced by Apple Inc. as part of the Apple Watch product line. Introduced in September 2022, they are marketed towards endurance athletes and outdoor recreation, and carry a rugged form factor with a wider band, a larger, brighter display, multi-band GPS, a larger battery, water temperature sensor, and additional functionality for diving.
What's confirmed
- The project reportedly received support from new Apple CEO John Ternus when it began a year ago, back when Ternus led Apple’s hardware engineering efforts.
What's still developing
- I recommend they consider a BSD Unix variant. servers have to be redefined like the mac pro. for example is there any reason unified memory must be so slow. any reason why apple can’t move on to pci 8 and a graphic processing unit with 128 megabytes per card. pci 8 is looking slow but increasing it to 128 bit. servers no longer need to be big or have redundant power supplies.
- Two configurations are under consideration: a two-chip system and a four-chip version built around Apple’s highest-performance M-series silicon.
- Demand from AI teams already buying Mac mini and Mac Studio systems in volume appears to have sharpened Apple’s interest in a rack-scale product.
- Apple is holding a launch event on September 9th.
- We are expecting the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 to appear alongside the new iPhones.
- One established Chinese leaker claims Apple is prioritising it through a larger battery and better efficiency.
- The next iteration in the Apple Watch Series looks all but certain.
- Series 11 already increased Apple’s standard rating from 18 to 24 hours, so another jump would make overnight sleep tracking easier.
- There has also been talk of improved blood pressure sensing, although Apple already introduced hypertension notifications with Series 11 and supports them on Series 9 and newer models.
- An Apple deal would be notable given a long, chilly relationship that dates to GPU reliability problems in MacBooks nearly two decades ago.
- More recently, Apple has used Nvidia hardware in cloud infrastructure supporting a revamped Siri.
- CNET 's Vanessa Hand Orellana noted that the Apple Watch's belated ability to show a readiness score stands apart from competitors like the Oura Ring by continuously updating throughout the day and not requiring a monthly subscription fee for some stats: Many wearables give you a score in the morning based on metrics such as HRV, sleep, temperature and other overnight vitals, but since it's static and delivered once a day, it can feel like a life sentence (and sometimes a self-fulfilling prophecy) rather than a training tool.