This week’s top stories: Next-gen MacBook design, M1 iPad Pro and iMac performance, more

In this week’s top stories: Benchmarks for the M1 iMac and iPad Pro emerge, rumors about the next-generation MacBook Air, iOS 14.6 beta 3 changes, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories and more.

Next-gen MacBook design

A new report from YouTuber Jon Prosser this week shed more light on what to expect from the next-generation MacBook lineup. The report explained that Apple will offer its next-generation MacBook or MacBook Air in seven different colors, similar to the new iMac. The design is also not tapered like the current MacBook Air.

Other rumored design changes include white bezels around the display, as well as a redesigned keyboard that is also white. Again, it’s unclear whether this new design would come to the MacBook Air or perhaps an adjective-less MacBook of some sort. You can check out renders right here.

M1 iPad Pro and iMac benchmarks

Ahead of the first orders arriving next week, early benchmarks for the M1 iPad Pro and M1 iMac have emerged. Here are the details.

Single-core results:

• M1 iMac: 1,700
• M1 iPad Pro: 1,700

Multi-core results:

• M1 iMac: 7,400
• M1 iPad Pro: 7,200

As you can see, the results between the two products are quite similar, which is to be expected given they share the same M1 chip inside. With the first orders arriving to customers on May 21, we expect embargoed press reviews to be published sometime next week.

AirPods 3 and Apple Music HiFi

A sketchy rumor this week suggested that Apple could announce AirPods 3 and Apple Music HiFi in a press release on May 18. This comes after a report earlier this month indicated the announcements were just “weeks” away.

The rumor comes from YouTuber Luke Miani. who says AirPods 3 are already ready to ship and Apple is expected to announce them via a press release on Tuesday. He also suggests that Apple could announce a new Apple Music HiFi plan on the same day.

Whether or not this comes to fruition remains to be seen, but we now have two reports indicating that AirPods 3 and Apple Music HiFi could be announced this month.

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

iOS |

• Apple releases iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 beta 3 to developers
• Apple no longer signs iOS 14.5, blocking downgrades from iOS 14.5.1
• Best CarPlay apps to download on iPhone
• iOS 14.6 lets you use an email address to put AirTag and other items into Lost Mode

iPhone |

• iPhone 12 Pro Max ranks fourth place in first-ever DXOMARK battery test
• Half-size Face ID chip part of secret to smaller notch expected in iPhone 13
• Concept imagines a whole new approach to the iPhone notch

Apple Watch |

• watchOS 8: Four short feature requests for future Apple Watch updates
• Apple surveys Apple Watch users on health features, mentions glucose monitoring

Mac and iPad |

• Benchmarks show M1 iPad Pro offers 50% speed boost, outperforms high-end MacBook Pro
• Rumor: Next-gen MacBook Air design to feature flat edges, white bezels, more
• New Kensington StudioDock coming for 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro
• M1 iMac benchmarks show drastic performance boost over 21.5-inch Intel iMac models
• 2011 MacBook Pro owners in Quebec can now get repair refund after lawsuit
• First M1 iMac pre-orders begin shipping for May 21 delivery
• M1 iPad Pro orders now shipping, for delivery from May 21
• Opinion: The M1 iPad Pro needs iPadOS 15, not macOS
• 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro arrives earlier than expected for a lucky customer

Top Apple stories, retail |

• First Apple Store in the center of Rome opens soon on Via del Corso
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

Apps |

• Meet 2FA ‘Authenticator’ app created especially for Apple users
• WhatsApp users will lose features until they accept new privacy policy
• WhatsApp alternatives for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• Report: Facebook app downloads drop 30% amid TikTok growth and privacy concerns

AirTag |

• AirTag hacked for the first time by security researcher [Video]
• Comment: AirTag could become an essential retail and business tool if Apple wants it to be one
• The best AirTag keychains, cases, straps, and much more
• Video: User rebuilds AirTag as a thinner card that fits into wallets
• VanMoof S3: An electric bike with Apple’s Find My tech built in
• Security researcher exploits Find My network to send messages over any nearby iPhone’s data connection
• Should you be worried about AirTag hacks? Here’s what you should know
• Video of an AirTag test for a simulated bike theft

AAPL Company |

• Apple hires former Facebook advertising exec to bolster its own ads platform
• Apple’s App Store ad hire comes from Facebook, and that’s the least controversial thing about them
• Apple fires ex-Facebook hire after becoming aware of misogynistic viewpoints from best-selling book
• Apple hired HTC’s ‘Jony Ive’ to oversee Beats hardware design for new products
• Smart home alliance from Apple, Amazon, and Google now called ‘Matter,’ first products coming this year
• Sketchy rumor claims Apple will launch AirPods 3 on May 18

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This week’s top videos |

• What’s new in iOS 14.6 beta 3? Bug fixes, ‘Find My’ Lost Mode update, more [Video]

9to5Mac Daily |

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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 BenQ: Check out BenQ's smarter displays made for how Mac users actually work. Sign up for the giveaway here. 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: New Apple product launch week starts Monday, Tim Cook confirms iPhone and iPad approved to handle classified NATO information without any third-party add-on solutions Apple TV partners with IMAX to show Formula 1 races live in theaters Apple Maps adds detailed F1 experience ahead of 2026 season Here's how Apple will showcase F1 across Apple TV, Apple Music and more New ‘F1: Drive to Survive’ season is coming to Apple TV 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. Apple’s F1 announcements, more 07:40
2. A18 MacBook rumors, more 07:50
3. Touchscreen MacBook Pro rumors, Apple Card latest 07:50
4. Apple US manufacturing, iOS 26.4 beta 2 07:46
5. iPhone 18 Pro colors, more 08:43

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Touchscreen MacBook Pro details, deep red iPhone 18, US Mac mini production  – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance are back, with a news-packed episode just before an exciting week of Apple hardware launches. But first, iOS 26.4 beta is here, a deep red color is rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro, and Bloomberg details some of the software affordances coming to macOS to support the touch screen MacBook Pro. Also, Samsung surprises with a clever dynamic privacy display on their new flagship phones. And in Happy Hour Plus, the creators of Dark Sky have left Apple to form a new weather app for enthusiasts, Acme Weather. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Things: The award-winning to-do app, with a fresh look for OS 26, new features, and more. 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 Stamps.com: Send from your computer or phone 24/7. Try Stamps.com risk-free for sixty days with code happyhour. Sponsored by NordStellar: Defend your business with NordStellar. Unlock a 10% discount with coupon code nordhappyhour-10 at nordstellar.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 New Apple product launch starts Monday, Tim Cook confirms Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display is the best new feature in years iOS 26.4 beta 2: Here's what's new iOS 26.4 beta 2 adds support for testing encrypted RCS between iPhone and Android Apple testing 'deep red' color for iPhone 18 Pro, but iPhone Fold may skip the fun: report iPhone 18 Pro design could include an exciting first New M6 MacBook Pro details revealed, including Dynamic Island, touch, more Apple announces plans to manufacture some new Macs in the United States this year Apple shares more details, photos, and video of US Mac mini plant Apple’s low-cost MacBook might lack these features Apple battling rising component costs in low-cost MacBook production New ‘Acme Weather’ app from Dark Sky creators wants to fix weather apps’ biggest problem

1. Touchscreen MacBook Pro details, deep red iPhone 18, US Mac mini production  53:44
2. Apple event confirmed, iOS 26.4 features, Apple AI devices  01:07:07
3. More Siri delays, imminent new hardware, and Apple’s upcoming 50th birthday  01:03:17
4. iPhone 17 leads Apple earnings record, new MacBooks near, and a mysterious $2B acquisition  01:01:45
5. Creator Studio bundle, AirTag 2, new Siri features coming soon 01:10:05

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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
5. 175: “A Bluetooth fanboy” 54:35

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