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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iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro 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 Stuff: Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. A simple to-do list for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with powerful tools that make organizing, tracking, and checking off your tasks a whole lot more satisfying. Get Stuff done. 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 tells Mac App Store developers they can now drop Intel support New iPhone Ultra details arrive for specs, multitasking, launch timing, more Apple paying 400% more for iPhone 18 Pro memory, says TrendForce OpenAI calls trade secret dispute 'a mess of Apple's own making' 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! 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. iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro rumors 08:11
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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!

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Benjamin and Chance talk about John Ternus’s first week in the job as Apple CEO, and how much Tim Cook will still be involved. Also, it’s the last chance for iPhone event rumors, with details about some health updates for the Apple Watch Series 12 coming to the fore. And there was an Apple TV subscription price hike, for the second time in as many years. And in Happy Hour Plus, on the eve of iPhone 18 Pro, we reflect on our overall positive experiences using the iPhone Air for the entire year. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by Bitwarden: Register for the free, virtual Open Source Security Summit on September 17, featuring cybersecurity leaders David Sanger and Joseph Menn — and check out Bitwarden for trusted open source password, passkey, and secrets management, with end-to-end encryption and seamless autofill across all your devices. Sponsored by Gusto: The online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Get three months free when you run your first payroll at gusto.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Notion: Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/happyhour. 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 Today is Tim Cook's last day as Apple CEO, Ternus takes over Read Tim Cook's full memo to Apple employees on his last day as CEO Here’s how much Apple is paying John Ternus as CEO, Tim Cook as executive chairman Read John Ternus's full memo to Apple employees on his first day as CEO New Apple CEO John Ternus now has his own X account Apple executive changes continue as Ternus becomes CEO Apple leadership page updated as John Ternus becomes the new CEO John Ternus just revealed his priorities in first introduction as Apple CEO Phil Schiller steps down from App Store and Apple events Report: Apple Watch Series 12 may feature always-on heart-rate tracking, new Fitness app Apple reportedly considered launching a new Apple Pencil for iPhone Ultra Unusual timing of Mac mini and Mac Studio updates all about AI, claims report Apple announces price increase for Apple TV and Apple One subscriptions

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