Initial basic M4 support coming to Linux 7.4

appleinsider.com Oct 4, 2026

Initial basic M4 support coming to Linux 7.4

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 4, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Asahi Linux developer Sven Peter has submitted pull requests adding preliminary support for the M4 "device tree" and the MacBook Neo. The changes enable the kernel to be installed on these devices, but the OS remains largely unusable without further work, especially GPU drivers. The update marks the first step toward making Linux functional on Apple’s M4 hardware, though significant development is still required for full usability.

💡 Why It Matters

· This milestone opens a path for Linux on Apple’s next‑generation silicon, offering an alternative for users seeking open‑source control on new MacBook models.

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Redesigned MacBook Pro with OLED to feature ‘significantly lighter’ design: report

Apple is set to launch a redesigned MacBook Pro featuring a touchscreen, Tandem OLED display, and Dynamic Island support. The new models, expected by the end of November, will run on M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, skipping the M6 line to accelerate the upcoming M7. A key highlight is a significant weight reduction achieved through interior reengineering, aiming to make the 16‑inch Pro lighter than its current 4.8‑pound counterpart. macOS Golden Gate will introduce touch and Dynamic Island functionality, with macOS 27.2 slated for release.

💡 The lighter design directly addresses long‑standing user complaints about the Pro’s heft, potentially expanding its appeal to mobile professionals. The integration of touch and OLED sets a new benchmark for MacBook performance and user experience.

appleinsider.com · Oct 4

Touch-screen MacBook Pro will be significantly lighter

Apple is set to release a new MacBook Pro featuring an OLED touch‑screen and a notable weight reduction, potentially bringing the 16‑inch model closer to the 15‑inch MacBook Air’s 3.3‑pound weight. Bloomberg reports that Apple has redesigned and rearranged internal components to achieve a lighter build, a first since the 2022 refresh. The updated Pro is expected to launch in late October or November 2026, aligning with the 20th anniversary of the MacBook Pro line.

💡 The lighter chassis could reshape the portable‑workstation market, offering professionals a high‑performance laptop that rivals the Air’s portability without sacrificing power.

9to5mac.com · Oct 4

John Ternus is taking a more ‘hands-on’ role in Apple’s design teams…

Apple’s new CEO John Ternus is overseeing both the industrial design and human‑interface teams, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports. The shift began after former COO Jeff Williams left and the studios were placed under Tim Cook, but Ternus assumed responsibility while transitioning to chief executive. Former hardware‑engineering leader, Ternus now spends several days a week in the design studios, often visiting multiple times in a single day, an increase from Cook’s monthly drop‑ins. He is also driving a hiring push to replace talent poached by rivals such as Meta and OpenAI, promoting junior staff and bringing in external designers. Apple has not appointed a design officer; instead, Molly Anderson and Steve Lemay head industrial and UI design respectively, with Ternus acting as the decision‑maker.

💡 Ternus’s studio‑level involvement signals a return to Apple’s tradition of CEO‑driven design oversight, potentially tightening product cohesion as the company battles talent loss.

appleinsider.com · Oct 4

Design is a Jobsian-level focus for John Ternus

Apple’s new chief executive, John Ternus, is reshaping the company’s priorities by elevating design to a “Jobsian‑level” focus. In a Bloomberg “Power On” newsletter, Mark Gurman reports that Ternus told staff he must be himself as CEO, shifting responsibilities that Tim Cook once handled—financial strategy and supply‑chain oversight—to CFO Kevan Parekh and COO Sabih Khan. Ternus, an engineer, is now working closely with chief hardware officer Johny Srouji and hardware leader Tom Marieb, while devoting much of his time to Apple’s industrial and human‑interface design teams, which have been fragmented since Jony Ive’s 2019 departure. The design groups, previously reporting to former COO Jeff Williams and then directly to Cook, are now under Ternus’s direct supervision, signaling a strategic return to design‑centric leadership.

💡 By centralizing design under the CEO, Apple aims to restore the product‑centric ethos that defined its most iconic releases, potentially redefining its competitive edge in a market where aesthetic differentiation drives consumer loyalty.

businessworld.in · Oct 4

Apple Removes Bitchat From App Store On Meity Demand

Apple removed the offline messaging app Bitchat from its India App Store after a formal takedown request from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The removal was executed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, citing illegal content and App Review Guidelines violations, though the specific grounds were not disclosed. Apple directed Bitchat’s developer to contact MeitY for details and limited the app’s availability to India only, while it remains accessible elsewhere. The action follows heightened scrutiny following July protests, where Bitchat facilitated communication amid internet restrictions, leading to a surge in Indian downloads and subsequent government interventions.

💡 The move underscores India’s tightening control over digital platforms amid concerns over misuse by anti‑national actors. It signals a broader trend of governments leveraging legal provisions to curb apps deemed security risks.

appleinsider.com · Oct 4

Amazon’s $199 Apple Watch deal is back for Prime Big Deal Days

Amazon has revived its $199 Apple Watch SE 3 promotion as part of the October Prime Big Deal Days sale. The discount applies to the 40 mm GPS model, reduced from $249 to $199, and the 44 mm version is $229. Additional cuts include $10 off the newly released Apple Watch Series 12 (42 mm and 46 mm configurations) and $20 off the Apple Watch Ultra 4 in two colorways. A deeper blowout offers the Apple Watch Ultra 3 with a black titanium case and Milanese band for $699.97, $200 below its regular price. Amazon lists further savings of up to $200 across its smartwatch lineup, positioning the event as a holiday shopping opportunity for consumers seeking wearables. Deal seekers can also compare prices on the companion price guide.

💡 The steep markdowns give price‑sensitive buyers access to Apple’s premium wearables ahead of the holiday rush, potentially reshaping purchase timing for the brand’s high‑margin accessories.