This week’s top stories: iPhone XS & Apple Watch Series 4 release, new iPad & AirPower hints, more

In this week’s top stories: The iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4 arrive, iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12 are released to the public, hope for AirPower continues, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories.

Following their unveil last week, the Apple Watch Series 4 and iPhone XS officially launched to consumers on Friday, September 21st. Despite some concerns about shipping delays, most pre-order customers received their devices on time and Apple celebrated the launch day festivities around the world.

This week also marked the release of iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12 to the public. The updates bring a slew of improvements to their respective devices, including performance boosts, Screen Time, notification enhancements, and much more on iPhone.

On Tuesday, Apple released the first developer beat of iOS 12.1 – and we quickly discovered a pair of hints at new iPads in the update. First off, we noticed support for Memoji syncing – allowing users to sync their Memoji designs between an iPad and iPhone.

Perhaps most notably, though, iOS 12.1 includes mention of a new ‘iPad2018Fall’ device. Apple is widely expected to hold an October event to unveil new iPad Pro models and Macs, and iOS 12.1 only adds more fuel to that fire.

Last but not least, the iPhone XS packaging suggests that AirPower isn’t dead after all. Included in the “getting started guide” is mention of AirPower, while iOS 12.1 shows that development of Apple’s charging mat is ongoing.

These and the rest of this week’s top stories below…

iOS | macOS | tvOS | watchOS |

• watchOS 5 for Apple Watch now available with Podcasts and Walkie-Talkie apps, much more
• iOS 12 is now available with performance boosts, Screen Time, smarter notifications, much more
• tvOS 12 now available for Apple TV 4 and Apple TV 4K, brings Dolby Atmos audio, screensaver updates, more
• Apple releases first iOS 12.1, watchOS 5.1, and tvOS 12.1 developer betas [U]
• Waze begins private beta testing of CarPlay iOS 12 update
• How to replace Apple Maps with Google Maps on CarPlay
• AirPower referenced in iPhone XS packaging, iOS 12.1 code shows continuing development
• Google Maps for CarPlay in iOS 12 is now available

iPhone |

• iPhone XS/Max review roundup: iPhone X owners, don’t bother; everyone else, wait for the XR
• First iPhone XS pre-orders arrive as sales begin at Apple Stores around the globe
• Early iPhone XS & XS Max drop test evaluates Apple’s ‘most durable glass in the world’ claim
• Comment: The iPhone XS reviews show exactly why Apple had to drop the iPhone X
• iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, and iPhone 7: Prices, specs, and more compared
• First iPhone XS teardown reveals more watertight seals, new single-package L-shaped battery inside [Video]
• Should you upgrade from the iPhone X to the iPhone XS?
• Early tests show major LTE performance improvements with iPhone XS
• iFixit teardown of iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max finds a few differences from the X
• Report says AirPower mat faced overheating and coil interference problems, AirPower name may be used for significantly different product
• ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ director Jon M. Chu shares short film shot entirely w/ iPhone XS Max [Video]

iPad & Mac |

• iOS 12.1 references ‘iPad2018Fall’, all but confirming new iPad Pro debut next month
• iOS 12.1 suggests iCloud syncing for Memoji coming soon
• What USB-C could mean for 4K external display support with the 2018 iPad Pro
• Apple introduces new data recovery process for Macs with T2 chip

Apple Watch |

• Apple Watch Series 4 review roundup: This is the one we’ve been waiting for
• Series 4 box wraps Apple Watch and band separately, new pouch; no brick with Series 3 GPS
• Apple actually set things on fire to create those gorgeous new Watch faces [Video]
• John Hancock requires Vitality program membership; sharing fitness data earns rewards [U]
• After Apple Watch ECG, we could see Force Touch-based blood pressure readings

Tech Industry |

• Finally an Apple competitor comes up with a useful marketing stunt for line waiters

AAPL Company |

• Apple advertises iPhone XS with microsite featuring 3D model that spins as you tilt your phone
• Apple stores prepare for iPhone and Apple Watch launches with new graphic panels, 3D feature bays
• Apple shares photos of customers trying and buying iPhone XS & Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple acknowledges the viral tweet claiming it can delete movies from your iTunes library
• Cook asked to justify iPhone prices, and why Apple was excluded from Chinese import tariffs

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This week’s top videos |

• Review: Akitio Node Lite w/ Intel Optane SSD – workstation-class performance [Video]
• iOS 12: Hands-on with a dozen new changes and features [Video]

9to5Mac Daily |

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

• 9to5Mac Daily: September 17, 2018
• 9to5Mac Daily: September 18, 2018
• 9to5Mac Daily: September 19, 2018
• 9to5Mac Daily: September 20, 2018
• 9to5Mac Daily: September 21, 2018

Also listen to: Download #72, featuring Zac Hall.

Happy Hour Podcast #191 |

This week Benjamin and Zac discuss iPhone and Apple Watch orders, early reviews for the new products, the giant HomePod update that adds a few essential features, the best features of newly released iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12, and all the hardware secrets contained in iOS 12.1 beta.

9to5Mac Happy Hour is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play Music, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Making The Grade |

Making The Grade is a weekly series from Bradley Chambers covering Apple in education. Bradley has been managing Apple devices in an education environment since 2009. Through his experience deploying and managing 100s of Macs and 100s of iPads, Bradley will highlight ways in which Apple’s products work at scale, stories from the trenches of IT management, and ways Apple could improve its products for students.

• Making The Grade: Passive notifications on Apple Watch make it ideal for teachers
• Making The Grade: iOS 12 and macOS Mojave update strategy for IT
• Making The Grade: BYOD should be avoided, and here are three reasons why
• Making The Grade: Apple should release a low cost AirPlay-only receiver
• Making The Grade: Digital textbooks for iPad never took off, and here’s why

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Featured in top image: Dell 38-inch UltraSharp Curved Monitors, Grovemade’s Desk Shelf System, Nixie Tube Clock, Apogee Quartet, KRK VXT6 Studio Monitor speakers, Classicbot Classic Vintage Mac Toy. Read about the setup over on 9to5Toys as part of the ‘Behind the Screens’ series.