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    Apple discontinues the Mac Pro, ending a 20-year era for its iconic workstation


    Mac Pro is no longer listed in Apple.com's Mac section

    Apple has officially discontinued the Mac Pro, marking the end of an era for the company’s flagship desktop computer after two decades. As of March 26, 2026, the Mac Pro has been removed from Apple’s website, with its product page now redirecting to the general Mac homepage. The company confirmed to 9to5Mac that it has no plans for future Mac Pro hardware.

    Introduced in 2006 with its distinctive “cheese grater” design, the Mac Pro was long Apple’s most powerful and expandable desktop, beloved by professionals in video editing, 3D rendering, scientific computing, and other demanding workflows. Over the years, it evolved through Intel-based models to the 2019 redesign and finally the 2023 M2 Ultra version. However, the tower has seen little attention since then, stuck with the M2 Ultra chip while the rest of the Mac lineup advanced with newer Apple silicon.

    The compact Mac Studio, introduced in 2022 and more regularly updated with the latest M-series Ultra chips, has effectively taken over as Apple’s high-end pro desktop. Offering similar performance in a much smaller footprint at a lower price, the Mac Studio has made the larger, more expensive Mac Pro less necessary for most users. Apple now positions the Mac Studio as the future of its pro desktop lineup, alongside the iMac and Mac mini.

    For users needing maximum expandability via PCIe slots, the discontinuation represents a loss. Existing Mac Pro owners can continue using their machines, but no new units or refreshes are coming. The move reflects Apple’s broader strategy of streamlining its desktop offerings around efficient, integrated Apple silicon designs rather than the now-antiquated modular towers.

    While some professionals may mourn the Mac Pro’s passing, the shift underscores how far Apple’s in-house chips have come in delivering workstation-class power without the bulk. The Mac Studio is expected to receive its own updates later in 2026, ensuring high-end users still have a capable option from Apple.

    While it’s better to burn out than to fade away, Mac Pro had no choice after moving from Intel hotplates to cool, efficient Apple Silicon, rendering its huge case, and the Mac Pro itself, superfluous.

    Apple’s Mac Pro is a dead end. Mac Studio is the high-end Mac future now. Bring on the M5 Ultra Mac Studio and rename it “Mac Pro.” – MacDailyNews, November 17, 2025

    R.I.P., Mac Pro.

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    Source link: https://macdailynews.com/2026/03/27/apple-discontinues-the-mac-pro-ending-a-20-year-era-for-its-iconic-workstation/

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    Apple to open up Siri to third-party AI chatbots in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27


    Apple plans to open Siri to third-party artificial intelligence assistants, a significant step aimed at further strengthening the iPhone, iPad, and Mac as AI platforms.

    The company is preparing to implement the change as part of a major Siri overhaul in the upcoming iOS 27iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 operating system updates, according to Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman who cites people familiar with the matter. Siri can already access ChatGPT via its existing partnership with OpenAI, but Apple will now extend the same capability to competing AI services. The move would end the exclusive role of OpenAI’s ChatGPT within Apple software.

    Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
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    The changes are part of an attempt to turn around Apple’s fortunes in artificial intelligence, where it has lagged behind Silicon Valley peers. Revamping Siri, first launched nearly 15 years ago, is central to the comeback plan.

    The company is developing new tools to allow AI chatbot apps installed via the App Store to integrate with the Siri assistant, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven’t been announced. The chatbots will also work with an upcoming Siri app and other features in the Apple Intelligence platform.

    That means, for instance, if users have Alphabet Inc.’s Google Gemini or Anthropic PBC’s Claude installed, they’d be able to send queries to those services from within the Siri voice assistant, just like they have been able to with ChatGPT since Apple Intelligence launched in 2024.

    The approach also should allow Apple to generate more money from third-party AI subscriptions through the App Store.

    The change is separate from Apple’s work with Google to rebuild Siri using Gemini models. That arrangement is related to the underlying Apple technology for Siri. The new so-called Extensions system, meanwhile, would allow users to process requests via the actual Gemini service — assuming Google enables its app to do so.

    The Extensions system in testing will let users enable or disable which services they want to work inside Siri via a menu in the iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 settings panel for Apple Intelligence and Siri.

    “Extensions allow agents from installed apps to work with Siri, the Siri app and other features on your devices,” according to a message inside test versions of the upcoming operating systems. Users will be directed to a new App Store section from this menu to add additional AI services…

    It’s unclear if Apple will allow any AI app to be added to Siri or if there will be a specific approval process.

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    Hello, Grok (hopefully)!

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    Source link: https://macdailynews.com/2026/03/27/apple-to-open-up-siri-to-third-party-ai-chatbots-in-ios-27-ipados-27-and-macos-27/