This week’s top stories: Apple terminates Fortnite App Store account, iOS 13.7 and iOS 14 betas, iPad leaks, more

In this week’s top stories: iOS 14 beta testing continues and iOS 13.7 beta testing begins, iPhone 12 rumors and leaks pick up steam, Apple wireless charger rumors, Apple vs Fortnite, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories.

The battle between Epic and Apple over App Store policies continued into this week. Following a hearing with lawyers for both companies, a judge ruled that Apple can’t terminate developer accounts relating to Epic’s other properties, such as other games and the Unreal Engine. The judge also determined that Apple does not have to put Fortnite back on the App Store.

Meanwhile, Epic continues to blame Apple for a variety of Fortnite gameplay changes for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. The company confirmed this week that Fortnite gamers on Apple devices will miss out on future content updates as well as cross-platform multiplayer games.

Apple also followed through with its threat to terminate the Epic Games developer account used for Fortnite, find the details here.

This week also saw a handful of iPhone 12 rumors, pointing to possible support for 120hz display technology on the iPhone 12 Max. A leaked image also claimed to offer our first look at the iPhone 12 Pro Max, including a notch that is the same size as the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Read our full coverage of these iPhone 12 rumors here.

News also emerged this week of another Apple acquisition. A report from Protocol indicated that Apple has acquired the virtual reality startup Spaces. This company had been developing VR products and software, including a VR add-on for the Zoom video conferencing software.

Finally, it was a busy week for Apple beta testers. On Tuesday, Apple released the sixth developer and public betas of iOS 14, bringing a variety of small changes to iPhone and iPad users. You can find our full hands-on video with iOS 14 beta 6 right here.

In a surprise move, Apple also released the first developer beta of iOS 13.7 on Wednesday. This update has a key focus on expanding the COVID-19 Exposure Notification API, with Apple saying that it will allow users to opt-in to COVID-19 Exposure Notifications without the need to download an app from a local public health authority.

iOS |

• Apple releases iOS 14 beta 6 to developers, here’s what’s new
• Apple releases iOS 14 public beta 6 with time picker changes, Spatial Audio toggle, more
• Apple releases iOS 13.7 beta with support for COVID-19 Exposure Notifications without downloading an app
• Apple Maps launches in-house ratings and photos system for points of interest

iPhone |

• Rumors: Images claim to show iPhone 12 Pro Max camera features, 120hz display settings, notch size
• AirPower ‘prototype’ teardown likely shows why Apple never shipped the wireless charger
• Bloomberg: Apple developing ‘less ambitious’ wireless charger following AirPower cancellation
• Drop Test: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s new Gorilla glass impresses ahead of iPhone 12 launch
• TSMC indicates potential iPhone 12 performance and power efficiency improvements
• FCC makes more 5G spectrum available ahead of iPhone 12 launch

Apple Watch |

• Apple Watch Series 6 and new iPad models appear in Eurasian filings

Mac and iPad |

• Alleged iPad Air 4 pamphlet shows new full-screen design, Touch ID power button, USB-C
• Rumor: Leaked schematics claim to show upcoming 10.8-inch iPad with USB-C and Face ID

Top Apple stories, retail |

• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?
• One-of-a-kind Marina Bay Apple Store prepares to open in Singapore

Apps |

• Apple agrees to allow WordPress app on the App Store without In-App Purchases after update
• Apple has now terminated Epic’s App Store account following legal dispute between the two companies
• Epic’s latest legal filing targets Apple’s intent to cut off Unreal Engine, Microsoft joins in support
• Judge says Apple may not be required to allow Fortnite on the App Store
• Disney+ will offer early access to ‘Mulan’ on its iOS app through Apple’s In-App Purchases
• Apple updates iMovie for iPhone, iPad, and Mac with new filters, soundtracks, and more
• Epic says new Fortnite season won’t be released on Mac or iOS due to legal dispute with Apple
• Apple unveils Final Cut Pro X update with proxy workflow improvements, performance upgrades, more

Apple TV |

• Apple TV+ Guide: Here are all the Apple TV shows and movies available now

Top Apple stories, company |

• One sentence to summarise how well Warren Buffett has done from AAPL
• Apple and Tesla distort S&P 500 performance, says Jim Cramer
• Which U.S. states are using Apple’s Exposure Notification API for COVID-19 contact tracing?
• Apple reportedly acquires VR startup ‘Spaces’

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This week’s top videos |

• Hands-on with iOS 14 beta 6 changes and features [Video]
• Hands-on: 2020 iMac nano-texture glass display or glossy display? Which should you buy? [Video]
• DJI OM4: The new gold standard for smartphone gimbals [Video]
• Nomad Base Station Pro: The next step in wireless charging [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.

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AAPL earnings, $2B acquisition – 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 Stuff: Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. Use code 9TO5 at checkout for 50% off your first year. New episodes of 9to5Mac Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they’re available. Stories discussed in this episode: Apple reports record-breaking Q1 2026 earnings Apple reveals it has 2.5 billion active devices around the world Apple discontinues iPhone Upgrade Program in the UK Apple acquires secretive Q․ai startup for $2 billion Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Overcast RSS Spotify TuneIn Google Podcasts Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock: Ad-free versions of every episode Bonus content Catch up on 9to5Mac Daily episodes! Don’t miss out on our other daily podcasts: Quick Charge 9to5Toys Daily Share your thoughts! Drop us a line at happyhour@9to5mac.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.

1. AAPL earnings, $2B acquisition 07:41
2. M6 coming soon, more 07:28
3. Face ID rumors, more 07:34
4. AirTag 2 is here 06:59
5. John Ternus expands his role, more 07:05

9to5Mac Watch Time Season 3 Coming Soon |

Here’s a quick update on the status of 9to5Mac Watch Time: Good news — season three is coming this fall! After a break during July and August, Watch Time will recalibrate and come back with a focus on marathon training with Apple Watch.

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.

Week 6 – 9to5Mac Watch Time

This week on Watch Time join 9to5Mac's Zac Hall and Tempo developer Rahul Matta in the final episode of this podcast "season". 9to5Mac Watch Time is a podcast series hosted by Zac Hall. In this series, we talk to real people about how Apple Watch is affecting their lives. Subscribe now to catch up with each episode and automatically hear new episodes as soon as they’re released every two weeks: 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🟠 Overcast | 🟢 Spotify Follow Zac Instagram @apollozac Twitter @apollozac SpaceExplored.com Follow Rahul Matta Twitter @rmatta Twitter @TempoLog Blog indie.sh Follow 9to5Mac Instagram @9to5mac Twitter @9to5mac Facebook YouTube.com/9to5Mac Listen & Subscribe Apple Podcasts Spotify Overcast RSS Read More Toning down the Apple Watch: Tips and feature requests to avoid being overwhelmed Apple releases watchOS 7.4.1 with security improvements Apple Watch blood sugar and blood pressure measurement could be a step closer watchOS 7.4 brings iPhone mask unlock feature for Apple Watch Enjoy the podcast? Shop Apple at Amazon to support 9to5Mac Watch Time!

1. Week 6 46:48
2. With guest Sigmund Judge 42:59
3. Week 5 52:45
4. Week 4 57:20
5. Week 3 56:40

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Creator Studio bundle, AirTag 2, new Siri features coming soon – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance review the proposition of the Creator Studio bundle now it is finally available, as well as some weirdness in the choices made of the apps in it. Also, Benjamin has been using his new AirTags for the past couple days, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the new Gemini Siri features may be announced in February, sooner than we previously expected. And in Happy Hour Plus, there’s more talk about Creator Studio, specifically regarding which other kinds of creative apps we could see get added to the offering in the future. Join now and save 26% on annual plans with code HAPPY26. Last call! Sponsored by Quince: Refresh your winter wardrobe with Quince. Visit quince.com/happyhour for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Sponsored by Shopify: In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get two months free with code 9TO5Mac at try.copilot.money/9to5mac. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamayo@mastodon.social @bzamayo on Threads Subscribe, Rate, and Review Apple Podcasts Overcast Spotify 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes:  Ad-free versions of every episode  Pre- and post-show content Bonus episodes Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join.  Feedback Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com Links Apple Creator Studio launches today, and it's an incredible value Stephen Robles: Apple Creator Studio Pages, Keynote, Numbers get iOS 26 updates, here’s everything new AirTag 2 vs AirTag: Here’s everything new AirTag 2 teardown reveals the speaker is now harder to remove AirTag 2 hands-on review: Apple’s clever item tracker finds even more utility with longer range and louder sound How to tell the difference between AirTag 2 and the original AirTag AirTag 2: Three tidbits you might have missed Apple to 'unveil' results of Google Gemini partnership as soon as next month: report Apple announces new Black Unity Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch iOS 26.3 adds new feature to limit location data shared with your carrier

1. Creator Studio bundle, AirTag 2, new Siri features coming soon 01:10:05
2. iOS 27 chatbot, Apple AI pin, iPhone 18 Dynamic Island rumors  57:00
3. Gemini Siri deal official, Apple Creator Studio, Vision Pro basketball  01:15:31
4. Apple Card Chase transition is official, NBA on Vision Pro, Fitness+ in 2026 01:01:37
5. Holiday tech support, Hold Assist, Ask9to5Mac 53:53

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.

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Stacktrace has moved! – Stacktrace

As we've mentioned in the last episode, the Stacktrace podcast is no longer a part of the 9to5Mac network. If you're seeing this entry in your podcast player, then you probably need to unfollow Stacktrace and follow the podcast again. Start by unfollowing the show in your podcast player, then just search for "Stacktrace" and follow the show again. You'll notice that the updated show has a new artwork and that episode 179 has already been released there. To learn more about how to listen to Stacktrace, check out our new website. Thanks for listening!

1. Stacktrace has moved! 01:00
2. 178: “Let’s try something new” 01:03:25
3. 177: “The stand is included!” 01:09:24
4. 176: “Extra Keynote Poker” 01:19:00
5. 175: “A Bluetooth fanboy” 54:35

Apple @ Work Podcast |

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Vendor collaboration will be required in the AI era – Apple @ Work

Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. In this episode of Apple @ Work, we finish up our 2-part series about AI and networking with Aruna Ravichandran, SVP & CMO – Collaboration, Enterprise Networking, at Cisco Links What is agentic operations (AgenticOps)? Listen and subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Spotify Pocket Casts Castro RSS Listen to Past Episodes

1. Vendor collaboration will be required in the AI era 14:48
2. The state of AI and networking 12:21
3. Assesing the most exciting features for IT with Apple's recent software ugprades 27:02
4. Apple was right about local AI, but IT isn't ready 14:08
5. 2026 predictions for Apple IT admins 11:14

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