This week’s top stories: New MacBook Air rumors, Apple’s plans for a VR headset, and more

In this week’s top stories: iOS 14.4 beta testing continues, rumors of a “higher-end” MacBook Air emerge, Apple VR headset coming in 2022, and much more. Read on for all of this week’s top Apple Stories.

Apple Watch Challenge

Apple’s next Apple Watch Activity Challenge has officially been scheduled. The first-ever “Unity Challenge” will be held from February 1 through February 28, and it encourages Apple Watch users to celebrate Black History Month by closing their Move ring seven days in a row.

As such, Apple has also added a new “Unity” watch face to the Apple Watch. The new watch face is currently available to beta testers as part of watchOS 7.3, and will be released to everyone soon.

Apple VR headset

Bloomberg reported this week that Apple’s first headset will primarily be a VR device, with limited AR capabilities. The headset will reportedly be a pricey, niche precursor to a more ambitious augmented reality product that will take longer to develop.

As a mostly virtual reality device, it will display an all-encompassing 3D digital environment for gaming, watching video and communicating. With premium features and performance, Apple’s first headset will be far more expensive than those from rivals, which cost about $300 to $900.

Apple has planned to launch the product as soon as 2022, but development delays have plagued the work on the headset so far, and more delays are not of the question.

AirPods Max

AirPods Max debuted in December, marking Apple’s premium entry into the over-ear headphones industry. The AirPods Max that were ultimately released, however, were different from what was rumored, and ultimately less customizable.

The expectations were that Apple would let users customize their headphones with a modular design. For example, you could attach the mesh headband for exercising, then switch to the leather material for added comfort design while indoors.

9to5Mac has discovered that iOS devices can see what “headband type” AirPods Max are using. That could be used to do things like correctly display AirPods Max in the UI. For example, iOS 14 would be able to tell if you were using the mesh headband with your AirPods Pro or if you were using the leather headband, and display the proper graphics.

iFixit also found that the AirPods Max headband can be easily removed with a paper clip.

Ultimately, while Apple hasn’t acknowledged this or launched any alternate headbands, it’s possible they could arrive in the future. It could also be that Apple has officially abandoned its plans to launch alternative headbands completely, and that these are just left over remnants of the initial idea.

New MacBook Air

Finally, Apple is reportedly preparing a “higher end” MacBook Air. The machine will reportedly be even thinner and lighter than the current MacBook Air, and include next-generation Apple Silicon inside.

In terms of design, Apple is reportedly shrinking the bezels around the screen to make it even smaller while still retaining 13-inches of screen real estate.

What’s important to note as well is that this new MacBook Air would be a higher-end option, complementing the existing entry-level MacBook Air. So it essentially sounds like we’d have a MacBook Air and a MacBook Air Pro. The new model will launch during second half of this year at the earliest or in 2022.

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

iPhone |

• Apple’s first headset will be the Mac Pro of VR devices – Bloomberg
• iOS 14.4 RC now available to developers, here are the full release notes
• Reviews pit Samsung’s new Galaxy S21 Ultra flagship against the iPhone 12 with mixed results
• Second report says iOS 15 to drop support for iPhone 6s, original iPhone SE, more
• Apple reportedly switched 2M units of production from iPhone 12 mini to Pro
• Apple shares shot on iPhone 12 photos – from portraits to pie
• Another supply-chain report says iPhone 12 mini production cut
• Another report of smaller notch in this year’s iPhones; sensor-shift OIS, too

Apple Watch |

• Apple sets first Apple Watch ‘Unity’ Activity Challenge for February in honor of Black History Month
• Gallery: Here’s a first look at the new watchOS 7.3 ‘Unity’ watch face
• Apple Watch credited with helping police locate kidnapped Texas woman
• watchOS 7.3 RC released to developers with new unity watch face, Time to Walk feature, ECG in more countries
• Concept Part 1: watchOS 8 could introduce new apps, new faces, and widgets

Mac and iPad |

• Opinion: The problem with Apple reportedly killing the MacBook Pro Touch Bar
• Video: Microsoft takes shots at Apple’s MacBook Pro in new ad for Surface Pro 7
• What to expect from the Mac in 2021: Redesigned iMac, all-new MacBook Pro, and much more
• macOS Big Sur 11.2 RC now available with Bluetooth improvements, M1 Mac fixes, more
• Tim Cook gave Trump a 2019 Mac Pro unit assembled in the US as a gift
• M1 Macs can now run full version of Linux thanks to new Corellium port
• Best USB-C and Thunderbolt displays for Mac
• Bloomberg: Apple to launch ‘higher end’ MacBook Air with thinner bezels as soon as later this year, brings back MagSafe charging
• Apple extends free repair of 13-inch MacBook Pro with display backlight issues
• Opinion: After a rocky few years, the future of the Mac is now brighter than ever

Top Apple stories, retail |

• Apple Pioneer Place mural donated to nonprofit Don’t Shoot PDX
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

AirPods |

• AirPods in 2021: What to expect from the rumored AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 updates

Apps |

• Microsoft Lists now available to download from the App Store
• Facebook says a ‘configuration change’ mistakenly logged iPhone users out of their accounts
• VLC media player for macOS updated with full support for M1 Macs
• These are the best applications for sleep tracking with Apple Watch

Apple TV |

• Concept: The Apple TV remote solution was right in front of us
• Apple TV+ Guide: Here are all the Apple TV shows and movies available now
• Servant’s season two premiere registered more than twice the audience on Apple TV+

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This week’s top videos |

• PSA: How to sideload iPhone apps on M1 Macs – act fast!

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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iOS 26.4.2, more on Ternus and Cook – 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 Bitwarden: Make your life easier with Bitwarden, featuring a secure, open source password manager with end-to-end encryption and seamless autofill across all your devices. 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: The base model $599 Mac mini is now completely out of stock iOS 26.4.2 fixes bug that allowed deleted notifications to be retrieved John Ternus is an Apple TV fan, but wants to make it ‘more competitive’: report Report shares new details from Tim Cook’s town hall, including career highs and missteps 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. iOS 26.4.2, more on Ternus and Cook 07:35
2. John Ternus’s journey to Apple CEO 13:22
3. More on Apple’s CEO transition 07:30
4. Tim Cook stepping down, John Ternus named CEO 07:54
5. iOS 27 rumors, iPhone colors 06:50

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

Apple @ Work Podcast |

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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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