This week’s top stories: Apple Music Replay and Spotify Wrapped, 2021 Mac lineup, more

In this week’s top stories: Apple Music Replay and Spotify Wrapped go viral, 2021 rumors about mini LED, the App Store Small Business Program, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories.

Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay

As the calendar turned to December, Apple Music and Spotify users started looking for their annual year-in-review retrospectives. Here’s everything you need to know about Spotify Wrapped 2020 and Apple Music Replay 2020:

• Spotify Wrapped 2020: How to find your top songs, artists, albums, and more
• Apple Music Replay 2020: How to find your top songs, artists, albums, and more

App Store Small Business Program

Apple officially opened enrollment for its App Store Small Business Program this week.  This program allows developers to qualify for a commission rate of 15% if they earn up to $1 million.

Apple says that you must submit your enrollment by December 18, 2020, at 10 a.m. PST to receive program benefits by January 1, 2021. You can sign up on the Apple developer website right here and learn more in a detailed frequently asked questions section here.

New mini LED rumors

Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported this week that Apple will have two new MacBook Pros with mini LED displays next year. The new MacBook Pros will feature an all-new form factor design as well.

Apple will also introduce a “more affordable new MacBook Air” in 2022 that features mini LED, Kuo predicted. The current MacBook Air starts at $999, so it’s unclear how Apple might get that price lower.

Finally, Kuo also reported that Apple will likely launch “2 or 3 new chargers in 2021.” It’s not clear what this could mean, but it could come in the form of more powerful wall chargers with faster charging using GaN technology. It could also relate to the continued expansion of the MagSafe line of accessories.

MagSafe Duo now available

Nearly two months after its announcement during Apple’s October event, the new MagSafe Duo charger is now available for purchase from Apple.

The new charger lets users charge both the iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time. It retails for $129 and the first orders have already started to arrive to customers, and same-day pick up is also available at Apple Stores.

Holiday buying guides

Finally, we continue to offer holiday gift guides and buying guides at 9to5Mac. So far we’ve offered detailed advice on Apple Watch gifts, AirPods vs AirPods Pro, and more.

• Apple Watch Series 6 vs Apple Watch SE: Which should you buy this holiday season?
• 9to5Mac Gift Guide: AirPods vs AirPods Pro buying guide and the best accessories
• 9to5Mac Gift Guide: Gadget gifts for all budgets
• 9to5Mac Gift Guide: The best HomeKit gifts in 2020 for safety and security
• Apple Watch Series 3 vs Apple Watch SE: Which should you buy this holiday season?

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

iOS | tvOS |

• iPhone 8 and later now support 1080p FaceTime calls with iOS 14.2
• Apple releases iOS 14.3 beta 3 to developers with ProRAW support and more

iPhone |

• You can now order the new MagSafe Duo charger at Apple
• Massive security fail by Apple allowed total remote control of iPhones via WiFi
• Apple will be forced to sell iPhones with included power adapter in Brazil
• iPhone 12 Pro Max loses to OnePlus 8T in MKBHD’s blind smartphone camera test
• iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Pro: Which should you buy this holiday season?
• Apple fined $12M for unfair claims about iPhone water resistance
• iPhone 12 unexpectedly dropping LTE and 5G service for some users
• Video: iPhone 12 put through ‘extreme water test’ with mixed results
• Apple launches repair program for iPhone 11 display with touch issues

Apple Watch |

• Apple Watch user credits high heart rate monitoring feature with detecting irregularity
• Apple Fitness+ instructors tease upcoming service as ‘late 2020’ launch nears

Mac and iPad |

• Video details ARM Windows virtualization on M1 Macs, nearly 2x faster performance than Surface Pro X
• Kuo: Two redesigned MacBook Pros with mini LED in 2021, more affordable MacBook Air in 2022

Top Apple stories, retail |

• Online Today at Apple sessions are perfect activities for a virtual classroom
• How to shop at an Apple Store this holiday season
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

Apps |

• Spotify Wrapped 2020: How to find your top songs, artists, albums, and more
• Apple Music Replay 2020: How to find your top songs, artists, albums, and more
• Apple announces best App Store apps and games of 2020
• WhatsApp iOS update brings custom wallpapers for individual chats, sticker search, more
• Apple Music subscribers once again criticize ‘Replay’ retrospective feature
• HomePass for HomeKit now available on Mac App Store as a universal app
• Microsoft Teams adding CarPlay integration, new recording features, more

Top Apple stories, company |

• Apple homepage gets (RED) takeover with 100% of proceeds going to pandemic relief

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This week’s top videos |

• My thoughts on the M1 MacBooks – a once-in-a-generation leap [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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iCloud glitches, EU investigations – 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 CardPointers: The best way to maximize your credit card rewards. Save 30% and get a $100 Savings Card today.  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: All your iPhone notes gone in Apple Notes app? Here’s the fix Tim Cook congratulates Trump on presidential election victory EU opens antitrust investigation into key Apple supplier Corning 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. iCloud glitches, EU investigations 06:07
2. Apple smart glasses rumors, more 06:21
3. iOS 18.2 beta 2 and visionOS 2.2 changes 06:18
4. Apple’s Pixelmator deal, more 06:44
5. AAPL Q4 earnings 07:06

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!

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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Apple acquires Pixelmator, iOS 18.2 beta 2, Apple movie glasses – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance discuss Apple’s surprise acquisition of Pixelmator, all the new features and changes in the latest OS betas, and the rumors around Apple’s indecision for the future of wearables on your face.  And in Happy Hour Plus, we speculate on what we’d like to see from the rumored 2026 MacBook Pro redesign. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Zocdoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/happyhour and download the Zocdoc app to sign up for free and book a top-rated doctor. Many are available as soon as today. Sponsored by LegalZoom: Launch, run, and protect your business to make it official at Legalzoom.com. Use promo code HAPPYHR to save 10%. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @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 reaches deal to acquire Pixelmator iOS 18.2 beta 2: Every new feature and change visionOS 2.2 adds new Wide and Ultrawide settings for Mac Virtual Display, more macOS 15.2 lets users add a Weather widget to the Menu Bar Apple is 'seriously considering' Vision device that offloads compute to your iPhone Apple launches internal study focused on building smart glasses Apple could face EU's first-ever DMA fine as soon as this month EU commission assessing whether the iPad offers sufficient interoperability with third-party headphones and 'smart pens' Apple reportedly releasing 'total redesign' for MacBook Pro in 2026

1. Apple acquires Pixelmator, iOS 18.2 beta 2, Apple movie glasses 01:00:17
2. New M4 Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and iMac reactions 56:58
3. New Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.2, iPad mini reviews, Apple gaming app 01:05:34
4. New iPad mini announced, cheaper Vision Pro, more executive departures 50:14
5. M4 MacBook Pro leaks and release date, iOS 18.1 beta 6, more Apple execs retiring 51:43

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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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AirPods Pro 2 and hearing aid technology – Apple @ Work

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1. AirPods Pro 2 and hearing aid technology 15:08
2. MacStadium delivers Citrix enhancements 17:26
3. Hacker Rangers 14:20
4. Surviving System Extensions 15:09
5. Parallels Desktop turns 20! 20:38

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