This week’s top stories: WWDC 2021 confirmed, iOS 14.5 beta 6 changes, more

In this week’s top stories: Apple officially announces WWDC 2021, a massive Apple Arcade expansion, iOS 14.5 changes, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top Apple stories.

iOS 14.5 beta 6 changes

Apple this week released the sixth developer and public betas of iOS 14.5. The update continues to introduce new features and improvements, this time related to Siri and battery heath.

With iOS 14.5 beta 6, Apple has added two new Siri voices from which users can choose. iOS will also no longer default to a female voice starting with this update. Instead, users will be able to pick which voice they’d like to use.

iOS 14.5 beta 6 also introduces a new battery recalibration tool for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and IPhone 11 Pro Max. This means that users will be able to recalibrate their battery if they believe things like battery health data and maximum capacity are incorrect.

Be sure to check out our full video right here for a look at everything new in iOS 14.5 beta 6.

Apple Arcade expansion

On Friday, Apple announced a massive expansion for its Apple Arcade game subscription service. The company is now offering two new categories of games: Timeless Classics and App Store Greats.

As part of this expansion, Apple has added more than 30 new titles to Apple Arcade, including hit iOS hits like Threes!, Cut the Rope, and Fruit Ninja, as well as classics including Good Sudoku and Chess.

You can find the full breakdown of all of the new Apple Arcade titles right here.

WWDC 2021

Finally, Apple has officially set the dates for WWDC 2021. This year, the annual Worldwide Developers Conference will be held as a digital event from June 7 through June 11.

At the event, we expect Apple to introduce iOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS 12, and more. Apple says that WWDC 2021 “will offer unique insight into the future of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.”

Apple says that WWDC 2021 will include keynote and State of the Union events, online sessions, 1:1 labs for developers, and new ways for developers to interact with Apple engineers and designers.

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

iOS |

• Concept: 50+ ways Apple could refine the iPhone experience with iOS 15
• Apple introduces battery recalibration tool for iPhone with iOS 14.5 beta 6
• Hands-on: Here’s how iPhone battery recalibration works in iOS 14.5
• Apple Maps speed camera feature now rolling out to more countries [U]
• iOS 14.5: Siri no longer defaults to a female voice, two new choices added
• Apple references unreleased iOS 15 and macOS 12 updates in WebKit code
• Research shows Google collects 20x more data from Android than Apple collects from iOS [U]
• Hands-on: Here’s how to find the new Siri voices in iOS 14.5
• Apple releases iOS 14.5 beta 6 to developers, public release nears

iPhone |

• Belkin reveals new MagSafe compatible iPhone 12 accessories, including battery packs and more
• iPhone 12 Mini Diary: Anker’s new MagSafe compatible battery pack is a must-have accessory
• iPhone 12 mini: Best for people who don’t love phones, but love what they can do
• iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 12 Pro Max: Which should you buy in 2021?
• Verizon will give you up to $1000 for your broken iPhone, claims it’s not an April Fools’ Day prank
• Apple patent opens the door for future iPhones to use Mac Pro’s cheese grater design
• iPhone 13 Pro Max will have slightly better main lens than rest of lineup – Kuo

Apple Watch |

• Stanford study finds Apple Watch can accurately assess ‘frailty’ using activity data
• watchOS 7.4 beta 6 brings iPhone mask unlock feature for Apple Watch closer to launch

Mac and iPad |

• Opinion: The 2018 iPad Pro was one of the most future-proof computers ever made
• Feature Request: The 2021 iPad Pro will need iPadOS 15 to unleash its full potential
• New first-gen iPad prototype images detail how Apple considered a ‘dual dock’ design
• Apple knowingly sold defective Macs, says judge, in ‘stage light’ case
• Poll: Which rumored 2021 iPad Pro feature are you most excited about?

Top Apple stories, retail |

• Inside Apple Downtown Nashville: Music City in motion
• 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

Apps |

• How-to: Create NFTs on iPhone or iPad with S!NG app
• Personal data from over 500M Facebook users leaked online
• Microsoft Teams Mac performance improvements promised; M1 app unclear
• Final Fantasy VIII Remastered launches for iPhone and iPad
• Apple Arcade gets massive expansion with 30 new games, including hit iOS classics and more

Apple TV |

• Here is Apple’s ‘B519’ remote for Apple TV, designed in cooperation with cable companies 
• Report: Apple in talks with SK Telecom to distribute Apple TV+ content in Korea
• Apple TV+ expands creative team with hire of veteran entertainment exec

WWDC 2021 |

• Apple officially announces virtual WWDC 2021 for June, iOS 15 and more expected
• With WWDC confirmed, catch up on our iOS 15, macOS 12, and watchOS 8 concepts here
• Apple references Craig Federighi meme for WWDC 2021 artwork, but with a twist
• Poll: Which new OS are you most excited to see unveiled at WWDC 2021?

AAPL Company |

• On Apple’s 45th birthday, here are some of the most memorable moments in the company’s history
• Tim Cook invokes Steve Jobs in company-wide memo celebrating Apple’s 45th anniversary

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This week’s top videos |

• Hands-on: iOS 14.5 beta 6 changes and features – new Siri voices, and battery recalibration [Video]
• iOS 14 rewind review – a look back at the most compelling features for iPhone

9to5Mac Daily |

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watchOS 27 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 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: macOS 27: Five new Mac features being announced next month Report: watchOS 27 to improve heart-rate tracking; AI health coach may not debut at launch Report: iOS 27 to revamp the AirPods settings UI 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. watchOS 27 rumors, more 07:12
2. Apple Music AI, hardware changes 06:58
3. iPhone Ultra leaks, more 07:11
4. New Apple accessibility features, Apple Watch rumors 07:41
5. WWDC invites, iOS 27 expectations 06:50

9to5Mac Watch Time |

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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
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WWDC invites, iOS 27 accessibility features, new Siri will be a ‘beta’ – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance return for another week in Apple news and rumors. As is tradition, the company unveiled a slate of new accessibility-focused features designed for iOS 27, with a strong theme of Apple Intelligence this year. Also, the WWDC keynote is official with invites going out to press, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman brings us even more details about the upcoming Siri revamp. And in Happy Hour Plus, the two discuss a new rumor that says Apple might switch back to titanium on future iPhones. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Bartender: Bartender Pro is a new option for users who want to take things up a notch. Visit macbartender.com/happyhour to check it out. 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 IM8: Go to IM8HEALTH.com/happyhour and use code happyhour to get a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order.  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 Apple sends invites for WWDC26 keynote, iOS 27 and more coming soon Coming Up Bright Apple announces AI-powered accessibility features and eye-control of wheelchairs Standalone Siri app to offer auto-deleting chat history, launch with beta label: report Report: Apple to upgrade Genmoji in iOS 27 with new automatic suggestions iOS 27 to add new custom wallpaper feature, more: report Here's how Johny Srouji plans to speed up Apple's product development: report OpenAI preparing ‘legal action’ against Apple over Siri partnership: report Apple might replace aluminum with titanium in future iPhones again, per leak

1. WWDC invites, iOS 27 accessibility features, new Siri will be a ‘beta’ 56:20
2. iOS 27 design changes, AirPods with cameras, Apple education store changes 57:21
3. New Pride wallpapers, $599 Mac mini goes away, Apple earnings call tidbits 57:44
4. iOS 27 to bring AI inside the Camera app, Tim Cook’s biggest mistake, iPhone shutdown problem  01:03:30
5. John Ternus is officially Apple’s next CEO, iPhone 18 colors, iOS 27 rumors 55:38

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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
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Apple @ Work Podcast: The future of security training – Apple @ Work

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3. The 2026 trends around Apple device management 18:27
4. This is why you can't delay macOS updates 19:24
5. Securing mobile apps in the age of vibe coding 20:12

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