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This week’s top stories: New MacBook Pro + MacBook Air, Back to School Beats deal, more

Chance Miller | Jul 14 2019 - 7:11 am PT

In this week’s top stories: Apple launches a new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the death of the 12-inch MacBook, Apple’s Back to School deals, and more. Read on for all of this week’s biggest stories.

Apple this week released an updated version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The update comes to the entry-level model with two Thunderbolt ports and adds Touch ID and Touch Bar, new 8th-generation Intel chips, True Tone display technology, and Apple’s T2 security chip. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro is priced at $1299, the same price as the previous model which lacked the Touch Bar entirely. It’s available now.

Furthermore, Apple released a new 2019 version of its Retina MacBook Air this week. The update adds True Tone display support, and drops the price from $1199 to $1099. Students can also now get the MacBook Air for $999. In conjunction with the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, however, Apple has stopped selling the 12-inch MacBook.

Lastly, Apple has launched its annual Back to School promotion. If buying an iPad Pro or iPad, students can choose from either free BeatsX, free Beats Solo 3 Wireless, or a $199 credit against the purchase of Beats Studio 3. Meanwhile, free Beats Studio 3 headphones are included with the iMac, iMac Pro, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air.

Five new iPads appeared the Eurasian Economic Commission this week. The devices are registered as running iPadOS 13, which implies that Apple is aiming to release them in the fall. Of the five new iPads, it’s likely that there are refreshes to the 9.7-inch iPad, as well as spec bumps to the iPad Pro.

Last but not least, Apple this week revived its classic Texas Hold’em for iOS. The Apple game first launched in 2006 for iPod before making its way to the App Store in 2008, but Apple removed it from the App Store in 2011. The new version, however, is completely free and features all new opponents, an improved design, and more.

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

iOS | macOS | tvOS |

iPhone |

Mac + iPad |

Apps |

Accessories |

Tech industry |

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This week’s top videos |

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 Watch Time |

9to5Mac Watch Time is a brand new seasonal podcast series hosted by Zac Hall. Over the next three months, we’ll talk to real people about how the Apple Watch is affecting their lives.

In our very first episode, Zac talks to 9to5Mac author and Happy Hour podcast co-host Benjamin Mayo about how they both use the Apple Watch for work to working out, upcoming and long term fitness goals with the Apple Watch, and much more.

9to5Mac Watch Time is now available on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, and your favorite podcast player through RSS. Subscribe now to enjoy our teaser trailer and hear new episodes as soon as they drop — starting next week.

Happy Hour Podcast #233 |

This week Benjamin and Zac discuss reporting that followed Jony Ive’s Apple exit, changes in beta 3 versions of iOS/iPadOS/macOS/tvOS/watchOS, Apple’s Texas Hold’Em 2.0 game, Apple’s refreshed MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the death of the 12-inch MacBook, 10.2-inch iPad rumors, and much more.

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.

Stacktrace Podcast #43 |

John builds a hot reloading tool for writing HTML in Swift, Rambo accidentally discovers details on how SwiftUI’s previews work, and Jony Ive goes indie. Also, tips on professional communication, different approaches when it comes to adding analytics to an app, and much more.

Stacktrace by 9to5Mac is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app 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.