This week’s top stories: iPad Pro rumors, the end of Adobe Flash, Apple Car, and more

In this week’s top stories: A reliable Apple analyst casts doubt on Apple Car rumors, a new iPad Pro in Q1 2021, the end of Adobe Flash, and much more. Read on for all of this week’s top Apple Stories.

Apple Car

Last week, we learned more details about Apple’s evolving plans to enter the self-driving electric car industry, as soon as 2025. More recently, however, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has cast some doubt on that timeline.

In an investor note this week, Kuo wrote that Apple Car could launch between 2025 and 2025, if development begins this year and goes according to plan. But with that being said, based on Apple’s standards, the fast-moving changes in the EV and self-driving car industry, Kuo says “would not be surprised” if Apple Car doesn’t arrive until “2028 or later.”

2021 iPad Pro

Elsewhere this week, a report indicated that Apple is still on track to launch a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with mini LED in Q1 of 2021. This isn’t the first time reports have indicated that the mini LED iPad Pro is coming in Q1 2021, but it serves as continued supply chain corroboration that the transition is still moving ahead on schedule.

History would suggest that the new iPad Pro would launch sometime towards the end of Q1, likely in March.

Corellium

Apple came out on the losing end of a notable lawsuit this week, with a judge in Florida throwing out Apple’s claims that Corellium’s virtualization tools violated copyright law. Corellium is a security research platform that allows users to run virtualized versions of iOS on desktop computers.

Read more about the Apple vs Corellium legal battle in our full coverage right here.

iPhone for Christmas

Apple once again dominated Christmas day smartphone activations in the US, new data published this week indicated. The iPhone 11 was the most popular iPhone activated on Christmas day, followed by the iPhone XR and the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Also notably, the iPhone 12 mini was nowhere to be found on the list this year, adding more fuel to claims that it is a rather niche product for Apple.

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

iOS | tvOS |

• These iPhone and Apple Watch apps help you create and achieve New Year’s resolutions
• App that promoted secret parties during the COVID-19 pandemic is removed from App Store

iPhone |

• These are some of the best camera and photo editing apps for your new iPhone
• Best iPhone apps to enhance your experience with Apple Music
• iPhone workers given choice of forced labor or being sent to detention centers, says report
• COVID-19 vaccination proof can be added to Apple Wallet in Los Angeles
• iPhone wins Christmas, claims top 9 spots for new smartphone activations in the US

Apple Watch |

• Here are some of the best features to try on your new Apple Watch
• These are some of our must-have apps to install on a new Apple Watch
• Images show disguised Apple Watch prototype running pre-watchOS software
• How to change your Apple Watch move, exercise, and stand goals with watchOS 7

Mac and iPad |

• New Mac for Christmas? Here are some of the best apps to download
• End of an era: As promised, Adobe is officially ending support for Adobe Flash today
• With support officially ended, Adobe ‘strongly recommends’ removing Flash now, here’s how
• New 12.9-inch iPad Pro with mini LED still on track for Q1 2021, report says
• Apple patents ‘reconfigurable’ Mac keyboard with small display for each key
• Apple says fix coming for using an M1 Mac with ultrawide monitors

Top Apple stories, retail |

• Download festive wallpapers from The 12 Days of Apple Stores
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

HomePod and Apple TV |

• Getting started with Apple TV: How to set up Apple TV for the best experience
• Apple TV+ Guide: Here are all the Apple TV shows and movies available now
• HomePod mini adds support for 18W power adapters with 14.3 software update
• LG rolling out AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support for its 2018 Smart TVs

Apple Car |

• Kuo: Market ‘too bullish’ on Apple Car, launch could be 2028 or later

Top Apple stories, company |

• Apple negotiating settlement with Prepear after opposing its pear-shaped logo
• Apple loses copyright lawsuit against iOS virtualization company Corellium
• Apple’s report card 2020: My take on Apple’s performance this year
• Year in review: All of the new hardware Apple released in 2020

Subscribe to 9to5Mac’s YouTube channel for more videos.

This week’s top videos |

• Is this MagSafe Alligator-Leather Wallet any good?

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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John Ternus’s journey to Apple CEO – 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. 9to5Mac Daily listeners can exclusively save 30% and get a $100 Savings Card. 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: Who is John Ternus? Everything you need to know about Apple’s next CEO 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! 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. John Ternus’s journey to Apple CEO 13:22
2. More on Apple’s CEO transition 07:30
3. Tim Cook stepping down, John Ternus named CEO 07:54
4. iOS 27 rumors, iPhone colors 06:50
5. iOS 27 leaks, Siri bootcamp 07:43

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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John Ternus is officially Apple’s next CEO, iPhone 18 colors, iOS 27 rumors – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance react to the biggest news of the week, and probably this year, with Tim Cook officially announcing his plans to hand over the CEO job to John Ternus. The calm and orchestrated transition falls directly into Cook’s playbook. Also, we have new leaks about iOS 27 and iPhone 18 Pro colors to discuss. And in Happy Hour Plus, Netflix drops support for the system video player on tvOS, much to the frustration of everyone who actually cares about the Apple TV box. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get two months free with code 9TO5MAC at copilot.money/9to5mac. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/happyhour for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. 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 Tim Cook stepping down this year, John Ternus confirmed as next Apple CEO Tim Cook shares open letter of gratitude as he announces Apple CEO transition John Ternus: Everything you need to know about Apple's new CEO Johny Srouji set to take broader role as Apple's chief hardware officer Apple's major MacBook Pro overhaul is reportedly 'slightly' delayed due to supply chain shortages New Mac Studio may not arrive until October Apple has already teased Siri's new design coming in iOS 27 These are the four new iPhone 18 Pro colors, per rumor iOS 27 will drop support for four iPhone models, says leaker Postponed Apple TV series 'The Savant' will finally be released this summer Netflix ruined its Apple TV app by switching to a custom video player

1. John Ternus is officially Apple’s next CEO, iPhone 18 colors, iOS 27 rumors 55:38
2. Apple Glasses design, iOS 27 features, Creator Studio updates 56:41
3. iPhone Fold visualized, HomeKit Adaptive Temperature, MacBook Neo shortages 01:00:33
4. AirPods Max 2 review, Apple’s anniversary, Mac Pro discontinued 59:17
5. WWDC announced, iOS 27 Siri, AirPods Max 2  58:45

Stacktrace Podcast |

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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

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The world runs on spreadsheets – Apple @ Work

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1. The world runs on spreadsheets 19:22
2. PocketMDM brings Apple Business Manager to your pocket 20:05
3. Apple means Business 31:57
4. Meeting Owl Pro 5 is built for IT 14:38
5. The challenges of remote support for IT 17:24

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