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This week’s top stories: More Apple Silicon tidbits, Apple Watch redesign rumors, iOS 15, more

Chance Miller | Nov 29 2020 - 7:16 am PT

In this week’s top stories: iOS 15 device compatibility rumors, Apple Silicon Macs still to come, Apple Watch redesign rumors, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories.

2021 Apple Watch

Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported this week that Apple has a redesigned Apple Watch in the works for 2021. Details here are still somewhat vague, but Kuo said to expect “innovative health management functions and improved form factor design’ with new models of Apple Watch coming next year.

Apple Silicon Macs still to come

Building on that, Ming-Chi Kuo also reported that reception to the first M1 Macs has been “better than expected” so far. Kuo still expects Apple to have new Apple Silicon Macs in the second half of 2021 with “all-new form factors and industrial designs.”

We also rounded up all of the details and rumors that we’ve seen so far about the future of the Mac, including tidbits on a redesigned iMac, a 14-inch MacBook Pro, and more.

iOS 15 device compatibility rumor

Elsewhere, a new report this week indicated that Apple plans to drop support for the iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6s Plus with next year’s release of iOS 15. This comes after Apple maintained compatibility with all of those devices this year with iOS 14.

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus were originally introduced in September of 2015, followed by the iPhone SE in March of 2016. The devices were incredibly popular and have received over four years of software updates from Apple.

Holiday buying guides

Finally, we kicked off our holiday gift guides and buying guides this week at 9to5Mac. So far we’ve offered detailed advice on Apple Watch gifts, AirPods vs AirPods Pro, and more. Plus, all of the latest Black Friday deals.

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

iOS | tvOS |

Rumor: Apple to drop support for iPhone 6s and original iPhone SE with iOS 15 next year

iPhone |

Apple Watch |

Mac and iPad |

Apps |

AirPods and HomePod |

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This week’s top videos |

Review: iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini final thoughts [Video]

9to5Mac Daily |

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App Store ads, OLED MacBook Pro – 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 testing new App Store design that blurs the line between ads and search results OpenAI launches cheaper ChatGPT subscription, says ads are coming next Apple’s new OLED MacBook Pro might be ahead of schedule, per rumor 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.

9to5Mac Watch Time |

Jeff Benjamin joins Zac Hall to give Apple Watch Series 3 and Series 5 an exit interview before new models are announced. 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.

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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!

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Gemini Siri deal official, Apple Creator Studio, Vision Pro basketball – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance discuss the implications for Siri and the wider Apple ecosystem now that the Gemini deal is officially signed, and guess when we’ll start seeing the first new features ship. Also, they weigh up the appeal of the new Apple Creator Studio bundle, and Chance got to watch basketball courtside through his Vision Pro. And in Happy Hour Plus, the duo discuss the dependability of iCloud as a backup of your data, and what other backup strategies they recommend to use. Join now and save 26% on annual plans with code HAPPY26. Sponsored by Copilot Money: The personal finance app to make your money yours. Until January 20, get 26% off your first year at try.copilot.money/9to5mac. Sponsored by Stamps.com: Send from your computer or phone 24/7. Try Stamps.com risk-free for sixty days with code happyhour. Sponsored by 1Password: Take the first step to better security by securing your team’s credentials. Find out more at 1password.com/happyhour and start securing every login. 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. Join now and save 26% on annual plans with code HAPPY26 until February 1. Feedback Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com Links Apple confirms Google's Gemini will power new Siri features Apple to fine-tune Gemini independently, no Google branding on Siri, more Apple will pay billions for Gemini after OpenAI declined Will Apple-Google AI deal impact user privacy? Here’s what Apple says Eddy Cue touts ‘record-breaking year’ for Apple services, including TV, Music, more Apple debuts 'Apple Creator Studio' subscription, here's what you get Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Freeform becoming freemium apps Apple announces Pixelmator Pro is coming to iPad Apple Creator Studio Icon History What it’s like to watch an NBA game courtside in Apple Vision Pro Apple gift card safety questioned after terrifying account lockout

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