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This week’s top stories: 2020 iPad Pro rumors, Apple Watch rewards, iCloud encryption, more

In this week’s top stories: 2020 iPhone rumors continue to emerge, Apple’s battle with the FBI, the best Apple Watch sleep tracking apps, and more. Read on for all of this week’s biggest news.

A new report from Reuters this week said that Apple dropped plans to release an end-to-end encrypted version of iCloud backups after facing complaints from the FBI who told Apple that it would hinder their investigations. Apple is also said to have had concerns that customers would accidentally enable end-to-end backups without realizing the consequences.

Meanwhile, a supply chain report has suggested that Apple is planning a redesigned Smart Keyboard to go along with the 2020 iPad Pro refresh. The report explains that the new iPad Pro’s Smart Keyboard will include backlit keys, which would also suggest a potential bigger overhaul of the design as well.

That same report also suggested that Apple is on scheduled to release a new version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the scissor switch keyboard during the first half of this year. Apple is also expected to bring the scissor switch keyboard to the MacBook Air, but this report did not offer any details on that timeline.

Apple added a new option option for Apple Card users this week: the ability to export monthly statements in spreadsheet form. This means you can download your Apple Card data, and then import it into your budgeting setup of choice. Find out the details on that in our full coverage.

Last but not least, Apple this week announced its new new Apple Watch Connected program. This program means gym-goers can receive rewards including membership discounts, Apple and Nike gift cards, and more when they workout with Apple Watch. At launch, four partners are teaming up with Apple for the new program. These include Orangetheory, Basecamp, the YMCA, and Crunch Fitness.

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

iOS | macOS | tvOS |

iPhone |

Apple Watch |

iPad & Mac |

Top Apple stories, retail |

Apps |

Services |

Top Apple stories, company |

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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.

Sponsored by Longvadon: Get 15% off Longvadon’s premium leather Apple Watch bands with code 9TO5MAC15.  Enter the Apple Watch Series 5 Giveaway here.

9to5Mac Watch Time episode #13 |

This week on 9to5Mac Watch, Zac explores recent stories that show how the Apple Watch can be your silent health guardian with fall detection and heart rate alerts, his experience testing Series 5 battery life in different modes during half marathon races, short term and long term goals with Apple Watch in 2020, and more.

9to5Mac Watch Time is a podcast series hosted by Zac Hall. In this series, we talk to real people about how the Apple Watch is affecting their lives. 9to5Mac Watch Time is available on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, and your favorite podcast player through RSS.

Happy Hour Podcast #261 |

Special guest Astronaut Garrett Reisman joins Zac and Benjamin to discuss his experience with ‘For All Mankind’ on Apple TV+. Dr. Reisman joined NASA in 1998, traveled to space on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2008 and Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2010, and performed three spacewalks from the International Space Station.

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 |

Stacktrace by 9to5Mac is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Apple @ Work and Making the Grade |

Apple @ Work 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 hundreds of Macs and hundreds 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.

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Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com