JoeMurphyJr

If this is true (and I can see many, many reasons for them to implement a dedicated "secure" CPU / core as they already do for iOS devices), then I see no reason why HomeKit couldn't finally come to the Mac. If nothing else, it opens the possibility for Siri voice control, and possibly some dedicated 1st party HomeKit app like what exists in iOS today to set up more advanced rules. The benefits are numerous and, long term, I cannot see Apple limiting this to *only* the iMac Pro. There's already precedent for this today as Touch Bar-enabled Macs technically have a dedicated Ax processor running in tandem with the main Intel CPU.

Until now, there was pretty big concern about macOS, which is a much more open operating system compared to iOS, having any access to home automation, including critical home security devices like smart locks. By offloading this to a secure core, they get rid of that risk and can remove any chance for 3rd party access as well.

I don't see how this is considered "minor" news. If Apple supports 4K, it brings a ton of implications:

1) 4K content on iTunes. It's a given -- they wouldn't support a premium format on Apple TV that if they can't monetize it. It'd make zero sense.

2) Possible 4K gaming and apps. This in itself would have interesting implications on the upgraded unit's required hardware capabilities.

3) Support for HEVC, which is pretty much the gold standard codec for 4K content. This would bleed over into native HEVC support in iTunes and Quicktime. This would be a huge benefit even for people who don't consume 4K content because movies encoded in HEVC versus H.264 are about 1/2 to 1/4 the size. Any video, 1080p or any resolution, would take up much less space on your computer.