Premium features trickle downwards for Apple's iPhone 17e and iPad Air

Apple began its week of new product reveals by launching the iPhone 17e, and the iPad Air in 11-and-13 inch. configurations. The latest updates are geared towards the mid range of the consumer market but offer a variety of desireable features previously avaiable in more expensive segments.

iPhone 17e comes in black, white, and soft pink in 256GB and 512GB storage capacities, starting at $899 (CAD). It features an A19 SoC, double the storage from previous e-series iPhones (from 128-256GB), and full-magsafe support for chargers and accessories. Most importantly, the spec bump makes it more compatible with AI workflows, just in time for Apple Intelligence features around the corner.

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Apple announces March 4 event, new MacBooks expected

Apple has sent out invitations for its first event of 2026. Taking place on March 4 in select New York City, London, and Shanghai locations. Given that Apple has historically announced Macbook Airs (2024) and Mac and iPad refreshes (2025) in time for Spring, speculation is running high that we might see those long rumoured 12.9-inch MacBooks (powered by A18 processors).

The return of the MacBook

The invitation, which was sent to chosen Apple bloggers, shows the Apple logo rendered in various colours in liquid glass. High chance those colors, including blue, yellow, and green could be what the sub US$800 notebooks could be coming in.

If this is the successor to the much beloved, but underpowered 2015 MacBook, it could cover much needed gaps in Apple's educational market, as well as entice PC users seeking a powerful and portable alternative to now unsupported Windows 10 notebooks. 

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Apple unveils M3 MacBook Air aimed at consumer AI applications

Apple today unveiled new M3-powered MacBook Air 13 and 15-inch models. The new Airs are up to 60 percent faster than the model with the M1 chip and up to 13x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air. Pricing The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 starts at $1,449 (CAD) and $1,299 (CAD) for education, and the 15‑inch MacBook Air with M3 starts at $1,749 (CAD) and $1,599 (CAD) for education. Both are available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space grey. The models are available for preorder now for shipping and in-store availability on March 8.

Apple is finally using AI in their marketing for these laptops in anticipation of huge AI software update in June. The consumer focus of the MacBook Air positions it as a strong choice considering the entire PC market is pivoting ot on-device AI in forthcoming PCs, ostensibly at a higher cost.

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Latest Windows 11 update features Copilot AI assistant

 The Windows 11 Fall Update introduces Copilot, Mirosoft's new AI assistant tightly integrated with Bing Chat. The assistant targets North American, Asian, and South American markets initially. The update also adds AI-powered recommendations in File Explorer and the Start menu for Azure AD account holders. It's the first OS-level integration of generative AI and a likely result of Microsoft's multi-blllion dollar investment in ChatGPT maker OpenAI. Here are some of the key features of the latest Windows 11 release.

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