This week’s top stories: Intel vs Apple, AirPods 3 and iPad Pro rumors, more

In this week’s top stories: Intel launches a new marketing campaign against Apple Silicon, iOS 14.5 beta 4 released, AirPods 3 and iPad Pro rumors, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top Apple stories.

Apple vs Intel

Intel this week continued its desperate campaign against Apple Silicon. The company launched a new series of videos and a comparison website promoting the “benefits” of Intel over M1 Macs.

For the new video advertisements, Intel recruited Justin Long, who previously starred in Apple’s iconic “I’m a Mac” advertisements from 2006 to 2009.

Intel mocks Apple over things like the M1 MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar, lack of touchscreen, supporting only one external monitor at a time, lack of choice, flexibility, and more.

iOS 14.5 beta 4

On Monday, Apple released iOS 14.5 beta 4 to developers and public beta users. This latest beta did not bring many user-facing changes, but 9to5Mac did find some evidence of future changes. This includes new software update features, a potential new Apple retail experience, and updates coming to Apple Music.

AirPods 3

While AirPods 3 were initially expected to launch sometime this month, a pair of reports this month indicated that AirPods 3 are not coming until sometime this fall.

Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that AirPods 3 will not enter mass production until sometime in the third quarter, signaling a launch in time for the holiday shopping season. This was also corroborated by a separate leaker as well.

iPad Pro

Finally, a new report from Bloomberg on Wednesday stated that Apple is planning an update for the iPad Pro that could come as soon as April. The report stated that the new iPad Pro will adopt Thunderbolt connectivity for the first time, opening the door to additional accessory options for iPad users.

Check out our full coverage of the Bloomberg report right here.

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

iOS |

• Apple releases iOS 14.5 beta 4 to developers and public beta users
• DuckDuckGo uses App Store privacy labels to call out Google for ‘spying’ on users
• Opinion: Apple Music needs these features and fixes to catch up to Spotify
• Apple allows Russia to pre-install apps on iPhones as part of device setup
• iOS security fixes could soon be delivered separately from other updates, beta code suggests
• Round-up: Transform your iOS Home Screen with these icon packs inspired by the 1984 Macintosh

iPhone |

• Apple promotes iPhone 12 durability in new ad [Video]
• Brazil’s consumer protection regulator fines Apple $2M for not including charger in iPhone 12 box
• Opensignal report claims iPhone 12 is slower than almost every Android phone in 5G/4G speed tests
• Will the iPhone 13 feature under-display Touch ID? Here’s what we know so far
• New images show prototype iPhone X in unreleased jet black finish
• Report suggests iPhone 12 aluminum edges could suffer from discoloration defect

Apple Watch |

• watchOS 7.4 beta 4 with iPhone mask unlock feature for Apple Watch now available
• AirPods and Apple Watch continue to dominate wearables market, new IDC data shows

Mac and iPad |

• Everything we know about Apple’s rumored 2021 iPad Pro update
• ‘I’m a Mac’ star Justin Long pivots to Intel in new ads mocking M1 Macs
• Kuo: OLED iPad Air and Mini-LED MacBook Air coming next year
• Open-source team details the complexities in bringing Linux to Apple’s M1 Macs
• Intel claims M1 Macs ‘just don’t stack up’ against PCs on new comparison website
• Unreleased ARM iMac surfaces in Xcode crash log as launch of redesigned model nears
• Bloomberg: New iPad Pro with Thunderbolt connectivity coming ‘as early as April’
• Apple discontinues 512GB and 1TB SSD options for 21.5-inch iMac as refresh looms
  

Top Apple stories, retail |

• All 270 US Apple Stores are open for the first time since March 2020
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

AirPods and HomePod |

• Apple discontinues original HomePod
• Comment: Farewell HomePod, Apple’s most misunderstood product
• Comment: The state of Apple TV and end of HomePod warrants a Home strategy roundtable
• Apple promotes AirPods Pro in new ‘Jump’ ad ahead of rumored AirPods 3
• Poll: Do you think Apple will release a replacement for the discontinued HomePod?
• Concept: How Apple could combine the best of HomePod, Apple TV, and iPad to create the perfect smart display
• Apple AirPods 3 not launching until Q3, says Ming-Chi Kuo
• Leaker indicates AirPods 3 not launching in March, AirPods 2 to continue being sold
• Here are 5 smart speaker alternatives to fill the void left by Apple’s HomePod
• Apple turns AirPods Pro ‘Jump’ campaign into viral trend with new TikTok challenge

Apple Car |

• Apple Car could see three times farther at night by using infrared headlights
• Apple may use Foxconn or Magna as contract manufacturing partner for Apple Car

Apps |

• Florida teenager to spend three years in prison after hacking Apple’s Twitter
• Hands-on: Sofa is a beautiful iOS app to neatly organize all the media you want to check out
• iPhone app privacy analysis shows which apps collect the most personal data
• ‘Vinyls’ is a minimalist new app for Apple Music subscribers

AR/VR Headset |

• Kuo: 2022 Apple headset will track eye movement, blinking, and possibly authenticate users with iris recognition

AAPL Company |

• Apple brand loyalty hits all-time high as Samsung loyalty dives
• Tim Cook talks personal routine, Apple’s return to in-person work, and more

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This week’s top videos |

• Review: Kensington StudioDock – an impressive iPad USB-C dock with a plethora of I/O [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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Apple Watch Ultra 3 rumors, more – 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 wants you to start 2025 off strong with new Apple Watch Activity Challenge Here are all the airlines that support the new AirTags feature in iOS 18.2 Apple Watch Ultra 3: Three new features are coming next year 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 odCatch 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. Apple Watch Ultra 3 rumors, more 06:19
2. TikTok ban, Vision Pro content 07:43
3. TikTok ban, Vision Pro content 05:52
4. Apple Intelligence, iOS 18.3 beta 06:39
5. Foldable iPhone and Mac, more 06:37

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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Foldable iPads, Apple Intelligence blowback, new Apple Music Radio stations – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

From now through December 31, save 20% on all 9to5Mac Daily Plus, 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus, and 9to5Mac Pro annual subscriptions with promo code HOLIDAY! Visit 9to5mac.com/join to sign up. Benjamin and Chance react to the recent controversy around AI notification summaries, and how Apple could improve the situation. Also, Benjamin is frustrated with the lack of Apple Music Radio improvements, and the pair discuss the latest rumors about the company’s foldable plans. And in Happy Hour Plus, we debate what is Apple’s 9to5Mac product of the year for 2024. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by SelectQuote: Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, at SelectQuote.com/HAPPYHOUR. 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 Intelligence botched a notification summary about Luigi Mangione, and the BBC isn't happy Apple Intelligence summary feature should be banned after Luigi Mangione error, says RSF Apple Music expands live, hosted radio with three new stations Carpool Karaoke makes Apple TV+ return with hour-long Christmas special Apple’s launching three new Home products next year, here’s what’s coming Gurman: New Apple TV and HomePod mini on track for 2025 release, will use Apple networking chip Apple reportedly releasing foldable iPad in 2028, potentially running macOS apps WSJ: iPhone 17 Air to be cheaper than expected; foldable iPhone on track for 2026 Report: Apple designing all new Magic Mouse, fixing charge port placement

1. Foldable iPads, Apple Intelligence blowback, new Apple Music Radio stations 58:25
2. Apple modem roadmap, Apple Watch satellite connectivity, OLED MacBook Pro 47:37
3. Vision Pro stadiums, ‘Heartstrings’ ad, and holiday tech support 55:18
4. iPhone 17 details, smarter Siri roadmap, Apple Black Friday  43:43
5. Apple TV set rumors resurface, AirTag 2, TV+ original movies strategy 01:02:05

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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Mac enterprise growth continues to surge – Apple @ Work

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1. Mac enterprise growth continues to surge 22:38
2. Fleet launches iOS device management 17:42
3. Digital signage on Apple TV check-in 17:44
4. FIDO Alliance's plan for Passkey migration 15:26
5. Apple's role in telemedicine 24:52

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