Technologies

Apple Reportedly Plans New Vision Pro Models, Prioritizes Meta Ray-Ban Glasses Rival

The Meta AI-style glasses would serve as a placeholder until Apple can deliver more advanced AR eyewear, a new report suggests.

Apple is reportedly developing two new models of its Vision Pro headset: one that’s expected to be lighter and more affordable than the original, and another designed to tether with Macs. Bloomberg reported on Monday that despite sluggish demand, the company remains focused on creating versions of the Vision Pro with broader mainstream appeal.

The lower-cost Vision Pro will likely have a less powerful chip and scaled-back features, bringing the price down significantly from the original $3,500. It’s also expected to include an ultralow-latency system for streaming a Mac display, according to the report. And in line with previous reports, Apple is also still working on its own smart glasses equipped with cameras and microphones, similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban line.

Citing an anonymous Apple engineer, Bloomberg said CEO Tim Cook «cares about nothing else» more than delivering a true pair of AR glasses, calling it a «top priority.» But until the technology can be perfected in a way that’s comfortable and as wearable as traditional eyewear, Apple sees camera- and mic-enabled glasses as a stepping stone into the space.

This builds on earlier reports that Apple intends to channel some of the Vision Pro’s billion-dollar R&D investment in visual intelligence into future products, including smart glasses expected to launch in 2027.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In recent years, Apple has often focused on refining buzzy, existing technologies, from mixed-reality headsets to AI features. As it stands, Meta is better positioned to dominate the smart glasses category, particularly as it continues to enhance its hardware, software and growing ecosystem of services. But Cook, according to Bloomberg, is «hell-bent on creating an industry-leading product before Meta can.»

The report said the glasses would utilize Siri and Visual Intelligence as part of Apple’s broader Apple Intelligence AI platform. In keeping with Apple’s overall product strategy, privacy would remain a central focus.

Still, the company may face challenges in making the device as indispensable as its other products, particularly the iPhone – and at a price point that’s accessible enough to drive mass adoption.

Technologies

Artemis II Astronauts Splash Down Safely After Moon Mission

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 11, #565

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 11 No. 565.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition was a fun one for me, a Minnesotan. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Nicknames for ball clubs.

Green group hint: Bruins.

Blue group hint: Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Purple group hint: Hidden anatomy words.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: MLB teams, colloquially.

Green group: UCLA.

Blue group: Can follow Minnesota.

Purple group: Starts with part of the body.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is MLB teams, colloquially. The four answers are D-Backs, Jays, Phils and Sox.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is UCLA. The four answers are Angeles, California, Los and University.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is can follow Minnesota. The four answers are Lynx, United, Vikings and Wild.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is starts with part of the body. The four answers are army, earthquakes, legacy and Liverpool.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Saturday, April 11

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 11.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s the longest of the week, the Saturday edition. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.