This week’s top stories: Apple confirms iPhone 12 event, HomePod mini rumors, and more

In this week’s top stories: Apple officially announces its iPhone 12 event, 4K Disney films come to iTunes, HomePod mini rumors, the full iPhone 12 lineup leaks, and much more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories.

Apple this week officially announced its iPhone 12 event. Much like the September event, the iPhone 12 event will take place entirely virtually and will be streamed directly from Apple Park. The event will take place on October 13 at 10 a.m. PT.

At the October event, we expect the primary focus to be on the iPhone 12 lineup. Apple is expected to unveil four new iPhone 12 models this year at an event in October: a 5.4-inch iPhone 12, a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max, a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max. Other possibilities include Apple’s AirPods Studio over-ear headphones, AirTag item trackers, a new Apple TV and Siri Remote, and a smaller and more affordable HomePod.

Speaking of the HomePod, reliable leaker L0vetodream reported this week that a HomePod mini is coming this year, but that we should not expect a second version of the full-sized HomePod in 2020. Following that report, a separate rumor this week also indicated that the HomePod mini will be roughly half the size of the current HomePod and cost $99.

Furthermore, full details of the iPhone 12 lineup also leaked this week:

• Full iPhone 12 lineup leaks: Camera upgrades, pricing, release dates, colors, and more
• Report: Apple to revive ‘MagSafe’ branding with two new wireless chargers alongside iPhone 12
• Apple rumored to announce HomePod mini next week, available in November for $99
• Apple’s AirTag item trackers reportedly delayed until March of 2021

Lastly, Apple and Disney announced this week that they reached a deal to make 4K versions of Disney films available through iTunes. The deal seems to apply to titles from Disney, Marvel, and Pixar, including franchises such as Star Wars and it comes after several years of waiting. Learn more in our full coverage here.

iOS |

• Give your iOS home screen a custom aesthetic with this ‘Bold’ icon set
• These iOS 14 apps offer home screen widgets, App Clips, and much more

iPhone |

• Everything we know about the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro
• Full iPhone 12 lineup leaks: Camera upgrades, pricing, release dates, colors, and more
• Apple officially announces iPhone 12 event for October 13: ‘Hi, Speed’
• Get ready for the iPhone 12 announcement with these stunning Apple event wallpapers
• Apple has a hidden AR surprise on its ‘iPhone 12’ October event site
• Apple files for ‘iPhone for Life’ trademark alongside iPhone Upgrade Program
• Report: iPhone 12 could face ‘coverage issues’ in the UK due to varying 5G standards
• Report: Apple to revive ‘MagSafe’ branding with two new wireless chargers alongside iPhone 12

Apple Watch |

• New report explains why the Apple Watch Series 6’s blood oxygen monitor didn’t require FDA approval
• How to change your Apple Watch move, exercise, and stand goals with watchOS 7
• Apple design VP Alan Dye joins Hodinkee Radio podcast to talk Apple Watch Series 6 and watchOS 7

iPad and Mac |

• iPad Air 4 benchmark results emerge on the web
• T2 security chip on Macs can be hacked to plant malware; cannot be patched
• Comment: iPad widgets concept perhaps shows why Apple didn’t do it
• Review: Looking for a low-cost option to upgrade a MacBook Air webcam? Check out the Papalook PA552
• Apple releases new macOS Mojave 10.14.6 supplemental update with important bug fixes

Top Apple stories, retail |

• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?
• The Apple Store online is now available in India
• Today at Apple and Girls Who Code hosting virtual Sisterhood Story Sessions in October
• QR codes bring helpful context to the Apple Store experience

Apps |

• New ‘Pastel’ widgets make it easy to give your iOS 14 home screen a colorful aesthetic
• ‘El Trackpad’ is a new app that turns your iPhone or iPad into a real Mac trackpad with gestures
• Scribblet is a new app that lets you easily create iOS 14 widgets using PencilKit
• Spotify catches up with Apple Music with new lyric song search feature
• HEY email app gains iOS 14 update with widgets, support for third-party browser links, more
• Turn back time with your Instagram icon; new features, too

Apple TV and AirPods|

• Apple no longer sells third-party audio accessories ahead of AirPods Studio announcement
• Apple rumored to announce HomePod mini next week, available in November for $99
• Apple releases tvOS 14.0.2 with bug fixes for Apple TV users
• Apple TV gains 4K YouTube video playback, but HDR and 60 fps still missing
• Apple TV+ Guide: Here are all the Apple TV shows and movies available now
• Reliable leaker says HomePod mini yes, updated HomePod no
• Disney movies now available in 4K through iTunes in select countries [Update: Confirmed]
• Apple to extend Apple TV+ free year trials through February

Top Apple stories, company |

• Apple’s ‘Hi, Speed’ iPhone 12 invite sparks speculation: Midnight Blue, 5G, AirTags, more
• App Store gives Apple ‘monopoly power’ over iOS apps, US House antitrust report says [U: Apple responds]
• Tim Cook tweets in memory of Steve Jobs on 9th anniversary of Apple co-founder’s passing
• Ex-Apple App Store head says company uses rules ‘as a weapon against competitors’
• What to expect at Apple’s October 13 event: iPhone 12, HomePod mini, and more
• Apple updates Leadership webpage to add Greg Joswiak, change Phil Schiller’s title to Apple Fellow

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This week’s top videos |

• iOS 14: Home Screen tips and tricks for iPhone [Video]
• Apple Watch Series 6 review: Should you buy it over the SE or Series 3? [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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‘LLM Siri’ rumors and 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: OpenAI accidentally erased ChatGPT training findings as lawyers seek copyright violations Bloomberg: Apple developing new ‘LLM Siri’ for iOS 19 and macOS 16 M4 Mac release schedule: Here’s when to expect the next Macs 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. ‘LLM Siri’ rumors and more 06:31
2. Apple Black Friday event, iOS 18.2 tidbits 05:55
3. iOS 18.1.1 update, next-gen Pro Display XDR rumors 06:20
4. Apple TV+ strategy, MacBook Pro display upgrade 06:28
5. Next-gen AirTag, ChatGPT upgrades 05:40

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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Apple TV set rumors resurface, AirTag 2, TV+ original movies strategy – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance discuss the merits of Apple returning to the long-gestating idea of an Apple television set, in the context of its refocusing on smart home devices. Also, the second-generation AirTag is rumored to arrive in 2025 with some nice enhancements, and Apple’s original film division continues to waver on strategy.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance bemoans Apple’s abandonment of accessories like the MagSafe Battery Pack, and gives his thoughts on the new Belkin strap for Vision Pro. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by SelectQuote: Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, at SelectQuote.com/HAPPYHOUR. Sponsored by Dreame Technologies: This Black Friday, discover Dreame Technologies' innovative family of smart home cleaning solutions—designed to revolutionize your cleaning routine! Don’t miss out on groundbreaking deals, plus enjoy an extra 5% off with code DM9to55off at checkout. Experience the future of cleaning today! 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. 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 reportedly releasing AirTag 2 next year with these 3 improvements The SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card with Find My support tvOS 18.2 beta 3 adds new Snoopy screensaver to Apple TV iOS 18.2 beta 4: Here's what's new Gurman: Apple 'evaluating' idea of releasing a TV set again Apple TV+ will license its movies to other services to reduce losses, per report Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone shouldn’t have been a one-and-done experiment

1. Apple TV set rumors resurface, AirTag 2, TV+ original movies strategy 01:02:05
2. Apple smart display details, iPhone 17 Slim, iOS 18.2 beta 3 51:52
3. Apple acquires Pixelmator, iOS 18.2 beta 2, Apple movie glasses 01:00:17
4. New M4 Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and iMac reactions 56:58
5. New Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.2, iPad mini reviews, Apple gaming app 01:05:34

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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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FIDO Alliance's plan for Passkey migration – 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, I talk with Rew Islam from Dashlane about the plans from the FIDO Alliance to allow for Passkey migration between various password managers. Links FIDO Alliance Publishes New Specifications to Promote User Choice and Enhanced UX for Passkeys Synced Passkeys Will Be Portable Connect with Bradley Twitter LinkedIn Listen and subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Spotify Pocket Casts Castro RSS Listen to Past Episodes

1. FIDO Alliance's plan for Passkey migration 15:26
2. Apple's role in telemedicine 24:52
3. AirPods Pro 2 and hearing aid technology 15:08
4. MacStadium delivers Citrix enhancements 17:26
5. Hacker Rangers 14:20

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