This week’s top stories: 2021 MacBook Pro rumors, MagSafe battery for iPhone 12, AirPods 3, more

In this week’s top stories: AirPods 3 leaked images, more details on the 2021 MacBook Pro update, Apple takes action against a macOS malware, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top Apple Stories.

AirPods 3

AirPods 3 are rumored to offer an all-new design in the entry-level AirPods, similar to the AirPods Pro. The biggest change here is that this means AirPods 3 would feature an in-ear design, rather than resting on your ear like the current AirPods do.

Leaked images this week offered a potential real-world look at the redesigned AirPods 3. Check out our full coverage right here.

MagSafe battery for iPhone 12

Bloomberg reported last week that Apple is developing a new MagSafe battery pack accessory for the iPhone 12. This week, however, Anker beat Apple to market with its own MagSafe compatible battery pack for iPhone 12.

The new Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless Power Bank features a 5,000mAh battery that can charge the iPhone 12 mini from 0 to 100% with a little to spare, the iPhone 12 from 0 to 95%, the iPhone 12 Pro from 0 to 97%, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max from 0 to 75%.

Whether or not Apple’s MagSafe battery pack for iPhone 12 ends up seeing the light of day remains to be seen, but the MagSafe-compatible Anker is available to order from today.

macOS malware

Last week, a piece of macOS malware was discovered in the wild with optimization for Apple Silicon. Silver Sparrow forces infected Macs to check a control server once per hour, and it includes a self-destruct mechanism, but researchers have yet to actually observe its malicious intent.

Apple this week took action to prevent further spread of Silver Sparrow by revoking the security certificates of the developer accounts used to sign the packages, which will prevent it from being installed on any further Macs.

MacBook Pro ports

Ming-Chi Kuo reported earlier this month that the new MacBook Pro models coming this year would feature additional I/O options compared to the current models. The analyst followed up on that report this week to be more specific. Kuo says that he expects Apple’s 2021 MacBook Pro models to feature an HDMI port and an SD card slot. This is a significant change compared to the current MacBook Pro models, which feature exclusively Thunderbolt connectivity.

You can find our full expectations for the 2021 MacBook Pro update right here.

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

iOS |

• iOS 14.5 makes zero-click exploits ‘significantly harder’ according to security researchers
• Apple updating the subscription sheet in iOS 14.5 with clearer pricing and trial information
• Apple confirms there will never be an Apple Music free tier

iPhone |

• Anker beats Apple to market, new iPhone 12 MagSafe-compatible battery pack now available
• T-Mobile launches a real unlimited 5G plan with no throttling and 4K video streaming

Apple Watch |

• Everything we know so far about Apple Watch Series 7
• Apple Watch users can workout to unlock a virtual trophy on International Women’s Day

Mac |

• Kuo: New form factor MacBook Pro to feature HDMI port and SD card slot
• Mysterious macOS malware discovered with M1 optimization, threat remains unclear
• M1 Mac users report excessive SSD usage, potentially affecting the component’s lifespan
• macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 released with fix for using MacBooks with ‘non-compliant’ USB-C hubs
• First M1 MacBook Pros now available from Apple Refurbished Store
• Apple begins selling first refurbished M1 MacBook Airs, save up to $250
• Apple acts to prevent further spread of Silver Sparrow Mac malware
• Everything we know so far about 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro updates with Apple Silicon
• Rumor: Redesigned Apple Silicon iMac might be available in iPad Air-style colors
• Final Cut Pro subscription might be on the way as Apple updates trademark
• Opinion: 2021 MacBook Pro ports could be an IO dream or nightmare
• Apple now selling refurbished M1 Mac mini, some iMac models currently unavailable

iPad |

• Should you buy the iPad Air or the 11-inch iPad Pro?
• More supply-chain evidence of upcoming mini-LED iPad Pro
• Chick-fil-A turns to iPads and FaceTime to help speed up drive-thrus

Top Apple stories, retail |

• Apple Stores offering free sign language interpreter appointments
• Interactive: Explore the new Apple Cherry Creek in Denver
• Gallery: Apple Yeouido celebrates grand opening in Seoul
• Apple confirms MacArthur Center store in Norfolk will permanently close
• Fayette Mall Apple Store moving to The Summit at Fritz Farm
• Studio Dumbar shares animated map created by Today at Apple artists around the world
• Target launching new ‘Apple shopping destinations’ in stores and online
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

Apple TV and AirPods |

• Leaked images purportedly show new AirPods 3 with in-ear design and smaller case
• What to expect from the rumored AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 updates
• Apple TV+ Guide: Here are all the Apple TV shows and movies available now
• Belkin planning AirPlay 2 and HomeKit audio adapter for retrofitting smart features

Apps |

• Spotify counters Apple Music with new HiFi tier, expands to 80 new markets, more
• These are the best iPhone apps for converting images and screenshots to text
• Twitter reveals ‘Super Follow’ paid service, new groups feature, more at Analyst Day event
• Are your ears good enough for Spotify HiFi? Take this test to find out
• Genius Scan for iPhone gets overhaul with next-gen AI, shadow removal, smart renaming

AAPL Company |

• Will Apple hold a March event this year? Here’s everything we know right now
• US DOJ investigating antitrust complaints regarding the ‘Sign in with Apple’ button
• Apple tells Epic Games it doesn’t have Scott Forstall’s phone number
• Facebook’s new PR blitz touts benefits of personalized ads ahead of Apple’s privacy feature
• Apple begins showing repairability index for iPhones and Macs in France

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

This week’s top videos |

• The Rewind: M1 Mac mini diary – my favorite Apple product of the moment
• 2021 “M1X” Mac Leaks! – MacBook Pro w/ HDMI & Multi-colored iMacs

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 18.1.1 update, next-gen Pro Display XDR rumors – 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 50%. 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 now sells its own Apple News ads for the first time iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 patch security vulnerabilities that were actively exploited Apple releases iOS 18.1.1 with ‘important security fixes’ for iPhone PSA: iOS 17.7.2 brings security fixes to older iPhones and iPads Report: Next-gen Pro Display XDR to have quantum dot display Apple Card users can now get 3% cashback with ChargePoint and Booking․com 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. iOS 18.1.1 update, next-gen Pro Display XDR rumors 06:20
2. Apple TV+ strategy, MacBook Pro display upgrade 06:28
3. Next-gen AirTag, ChatGPT upgrades 05:40
4. iCloud lawsuit, Matter smart home upgrades 06:17
5. Apple’s upcoming smart display product 07:09

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 smart display details, iPhone 17 Slim, iOS 18.2 beta 3 – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance debate the curious report from Bloomberg about what the upcoming Apple smart display will look like, and how it will work. Ming-Chi Kuo also says Apple is working on a new smart home camera. iOS 18.2 beta 3 changes the narrative about the Camera Control, and the rumored ‘iPhone 17 Slim’ may not be so slim after all. And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin talks about getting a car for the first time … and an iPhone 16 Plus. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/HAPPYHOUR. Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 Meal Kit. Get 10 FREE meals at HelloFresh.com/freehappyhour 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 Kuo: Apple to release its own smart home camera in 2026, with AI features Apple targeting March release for new wall-mounted smart display product: report site:9to5mac.com beta 3 – Google Search iOS 18.2 beta 3: Here's everything new Hands-on: iOS 18.2 beta 3 changes and features [Video] Apple teams up with airlines for new ‘Share Item Location’ AirTags feature in iOS 18.2 iPhone 17 Air: Here’s everything we know so far Rumor: iPhone 17 Air might not be as thin as Apple had initially hoped

1. Apple smart display details, iPhone 17 Slim, iOS 18.2 beta 3 51:52
2. Apple acquires Pixelmator, iOS 18.2 beta 2, Apple movie glasses 01:00:17
3. New M4 Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and iMac reactions 56:58
4. New Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.2, iPad mini reviews, Apple gaming app 01:05:34
5. New iPad mini announced, cheaper Vision Pro, more executive departures 50:14

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 |

Apple @ Work by 9to5Mac is available on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and via RSS for other podcast players.

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FIDO Alliance's plan for Passkey migration – 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, I talk with Rew Islam from Dashlane about the plans from the FIDO Alliance to allow for Passkey migration between various password managers. Links FIDO Alliance Publishes New Specifications to Promote User Choice and Enhanced UX for Passkeys Synced Passkeys Will Be Portable Connect with Bradley Twitter LinkedIn Listen and subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Spotify Pocket Casts Castro RSS Listen to Past Episodes

1. FIDO Alliance's plan for Passkey migration 15:26
2. Apple's role in telemedicine 24:52
3. AirPods Pro 2 and hearing aid technology 15:08
4. MacStadium delivers Citrix enhancements 17:26
5. Hacker Rangers 14:20

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