This week’s top stories: M1X Mac mini, WWDC expectations, iOS 14.6 release, more

In this week’s top stories: iOS 14.6 released to the public, Apple confirms the WWDC 2021 schedule, MacBook Pro release rumors, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories and more.

WWDC 2021

Apple this week officially confirmed the schedule for WWDC 2021, saying that the week will kick off with a special event keynote on June 7 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. Other events throughout the week include the Platforms State of the Union, the Apple Design Awards, Digital Lounges for developers, and much more.

At WWDC 2021, Apple is expected to announce iOS 15, macOS 12, and more. A recent rumor this week even indicated that a new MacBook Pro could be announced at the event. Learn more in our full coverage of WWDC expectations right here.

iOS 14.6 release

After a month-long beta testing period, Apple this week released iOS 14.6 to the public. Following the release of iOS 14.5 to the public last month, iOS 14.6 is another major update for iPhone and iPad users. One of the biggest changes is support for Apple Card Family. 

Apple has also released macOS Big Sur 11.4 to the public, alongside watchOS 7.5. Learn more about why you should update to iOS 14.6 in our coverage right here.

M1X Mac mini

While much of the recent attention has been on the iMac and MacBook Pro, Apple is also reportedly developing a new M1X Mac mini. A new rumor this week indicated that the 2021 Mac mini will feature a new external chassis with a “plexiglass-like” reflective surface on the top.

Check out our full coverage for renders of the rumored new Mac mini design.

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

iOS |

• Apple releases iOS 14.6 with Apple Card Family, Podcasts Subscriptions, and more
• iOS 14.6 is now available, here’s why you should update
• Poll: Which Android 12 feature do you want Apple to copy for iOS 15?
• Apple made Shortcuts run faster on iPhone and iPad with iOS 14.6
• Sketchy rumor suggests iOS 15 will have enhanced notifications, food tracking features, more
• Concept: How iOS 15 could boost widgets with interactivity and new stock app options

iPhone |

• iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Pro: Which should you buy in 2021?
• iPhone 13 to feature sensor-shift camera stabilization in all models
• Concept imagines a redesigned iPhone SE with hole-punch front camera
• Samsung mocks iPhone 12 Pro Max with three new ads [Video]

Apple Watch |

• Apple releases watchOS 7.5 with ECG app in new countries, more
• iOS 14.6 now prompts Apple Watch Series 3 users to restore their device before updating
• Poll: What do you think about the rumors of a flat-edged Apple Watch Series 7 design?
• Comment: Apple Watch Series 3 has become a white elephant for Apple

Apple TV |

• Some users confused about Siri Remote scrolling, here’s how to fix it
• Apple releases tvOS 14.6 and HomePod 14.6 for all users
• Apple VP says new Siri Remote was inspired by the iPod click wheel
• How to set HomePod as your Apple TV 4K’s default speakers and use ARC universal audio

Mac |

• MacBook Pro Diary: I can’t wait for the M1X 16-inch MacBook Pro – but it will hurt!
• iFixit teardown reveals how little computer is actually inside the new 24-inch iMac
• Spectacular renders imagine the rumored 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro designM1X Mac mini reportedly to feature thinner chassis redesign, use same magnetic power connector as new iMac
• Hands-on: First impressions after 72 hours with the all-new M1 iMac
• M1 security vulnerability ‘baked into chip,’ but researcher says it doesn’t matter
• Best USB-C and Thunderbolt displays for Mac
• Prosser: New MacBook Pro to be announced at WWDC next month
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021): Mixed verdict on mini-LED screen; new camera features impress
• Apple releases macOS 11.4 with expanded GPU support, zero-day security fix, more
• USB-C 240W power delivery coming – but with yet another cable standard
• Dolphin Emulator runs twice as fast on M1 Macs with native version when compared to Intel
• Orange M1 iMac goes head-to-head against tangerine G3 in generational comparison [Video]
• Apple launches new webpage with an elevator pitch on why you should buy a Mac
• macOS 11.4 patches zero-day exploit that let malware take unintended screenshots

iPad |

• M1 iPad Pro can download software updates over 5G, Apple confirms in new support document
• Halide developers detail new ultra-wide iPad Pro selfie camera, ‘hidden superpower’

Apple Stores |

• iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K arrive in stores with vibrant window displays
• Revisit the world’s first Apple Store as it appeared 20 years ago with augmented reality
• Piazza Liberty Apple Store amphitheater transforms into public art installation
• Before the Genius Bar: Behind the retail designs that paved the way for 20 years of Apple Stores
• Apple SignTime service will connect Apple Store and Apple Support customers with interpreters
• 20 years of Apple Stores in 20 quotes
• 20 years of Apple Stores: The enduring art of celebration
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

Apple Music |

• Concept: Meet iPod Max with Apple Music Lossless and AirPods Max focus
• HomePod and HomePod mini to support Apple Music Lossless in a future software update

AAPL Company |

• Roundup: Everything Apple could announce at WWDC 2021
• Apple confirms WWDC 2021 schedule, special event keynote on June 7
• Apple’s Beats Studio Buds receive FCC approval after being revealed in iOS 14.6
• LeBron James shows up on Instagram wearing the new unreleased Beats Studio Buds
• Beats Studio Buds real-world images leak ahead of launch
• Apple vs. Epic court officially adjourns — here’s what comes next

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

This week’s top videos |

• VanMoof S3 impressions: A ridiculously good-looking e-bike with Apple Find My support [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.

Sponsored by ProClip USA: Save 10% on ProClip’s tough and rugged MagSafe phone mounts with code 9to5. 

John Ternus’s journey to Apple CEO – 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: Who is John Ternus? Everything you need to know about Apple’s next CEO 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. John Ternus’s journey to Apple CEO 13:22
2. More on Apple’s CEO transition 07:30
3. Tim Cook stepping down, John Ternus named CEO 07:54
4. iOS 27 rumors, iPhone colors 06:50
5. iOS 27 leaks, Siri bootcamp 07:43

9to5Mac Happy Hour Podcast |

9to5Mac Happy Hour is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play Music, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by She’s Birdie: Right now, She’s Birdie is offering our listeners 15% off your first purchase when you go to ShesBirdie.com/HAPPYHOUR.

Sponsored by Magic Spoon: Go to magicspoon.com/happyhour to grab a variety pack and try it today! Be sure to use code HAPPYHOUR at checkout.

Sponsored by TextExpander: Visit textexpander.com/podcast and select 9to5Mac Happy Hour to save 20% off your first year!

Sponsored by Privacy: Take back control of your payments and get $5 to spend on your first purchase.

John Ternus is officially Apple’s next CEO, iPhone 18 colors, iOS 27 rumors – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance react to the biggest news of the week, and probably this year, with Tim Cook officially announcing his plans to hand over the CEO job to John Ternus. The calm and orchestrated transition falls directly into Cook’s playbook. Also, we have new leaks about iOS 27 and iPhone 18 Pro colors to discuss. And in Happy Hour Plus, Netflix drops support for the system video player on tvOS, much to the frustration of everyone who actually cares about the Apple TV box. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get two months free with code 9TO5MAC at copilot.money/9to5mac. 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 Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/happyhour for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. 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 Tim Cook stepping down this year, John Ternus confirmed as next Apple CEO Tim Cook shares open letter of gratitude as he announces Apple CEO transition John Ternus: Everything you need to know about Apple's new CEO Johny Srouji set to take broader role as Apple's chief hardware officer Apple's major MacBook Pro overhaul is reportedly 'slightly' delayed due to supply chain shortages New Mac Studio may not arrive until October Apple has already teased Siri's new design coming in iOS 27 These are the four new iPhone 18 Pro colors, per rumor iOS 27 will drop support for four iPhone models, says leaker Postponed Apple TV series 'The Savant' will finally be released this summer Netflix ruined its Apple TV app by switching to a custom video player

1. John Ternus is officially Apple’s next CEO, iPhone 18 colors, iOS 27 rumors 55:38
2. Apple Glasses design, iOS 27 features, Creator Studio updates 56:41
3. iPhone Fold visualized, HomeKit Adaptive Temperature, MacBook Neo shortages 01:00:33
4. AirPods Max 2 review, Apple’s anniversary, Mac Pro discontinued 59:17
5. WWDC announced, iOS 27 Siri, AirPods Max 2  58:45

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.

Sponsored by WALTR PRO for Mac: Make it easy to transfer virtually any file (in any format) to your iPhone, iPad, iPod and now, HomePod. Get 30% off now.

Sponsored by Pillow: Pillow is an all-in-one sleep tracking solution to help you get a better night’s sleep. Download it from the App Store today.

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.

Sponsored by DEVONthink 3: Manage documents the smart way on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple @ Work listeners get 10% off with this link. 

The world runs on spreadsheets – 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, Duncan Barrigan from Lunos joins the show to talk about how AI agents will impact the finance department. Listen and subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Spotify Pocket Casts Castro RSS Listen to Past Episodes

1. The world runs on spreadsheets 19:22
2. PocketMDM brings Apple Business Manager to your pocket 20:05
3. Apple means Business 31:57
4. Meeting Owl Pro 5 is built for IT 14:38
5. The challenges of remote support for IT 17:24

Subscribe to get all 9to5Mac’s stories delivered to your inbox daily. And to 9to5Toys for the best deals from around the web.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.