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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All screen MacBooks, Shazam Live Activities, 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. Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock: Ad-free versions of every episode Bonus content 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: Microsoft working on Word for Mac freeze fix, here are two workarounds All-screen M5 MacBook with foldable display now rumored for 2026 Shazam app now supports Live Activities for seamless background multitasking T-Mobile price increase of $2 or $5 per line for some older plans iOS 18’s new emoji will finally represent the exhaustion you feel Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold (16" Intel) | Seamless, folding 16.3" OLED display | Lenovo CA 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. All screen MacBooks, Shazam Live Activities, more 04:41
2. New Xfinity bundle, Vision Pro Paris experience, more 05:42
3. Apple fixes 'rare' photo bug, Sonos headphones, more 08:10
4. iPhone Plus out, thinner iPhone in, more 05:47
5. Apple + OpenAI rumors, iPad durability testing 05:54

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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iPhone 17 Ultra rumors, Apple Music rumors, iOS 17.5.1 deleted photos bug – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance react to the surprise reports of a major form-factor change coming to the iPhone in 2025, with the addition of a new redesigned ‘Ultra’ model priced above the current Pro Max. The Plus is also expected to go away next year. iOS 17.5.1 includes a fix for the deleted photos bug but Apple yet again neglects to explain what happened. And, Apple Music causes a stir with their Best 100 albums list.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance discuss the appeal of the newly announced Peacock, Apple, and Netflix Comcast ‘StreamSaver’ bundle. 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. Sponsored by Ladder: Go to Ladderlife.com/HappyHour today to see if you’re instantly approved. 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus Introducing 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 Monthly bonus episodes Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join.  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 Feedback Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com Links Apple Music 'best albums of all time' countdown reveals the top 10 Apple Music kicks off 10-day '100 Best Albums' of all time countdown Rumor: iOS 18 to include new 'smart song transitions' feature for Apple Music Apple launches iPhone trade in promotion, get boosted credit for a new iPhone for a limited time Apple says iOS 17.5.1 fixes 'rare' bug that caused deleted photos to return iOS 17.5 is allegedly resurfacing pictures that were deleted years ago Apple Plans a Thinner iPhone in 2025 — The Information iPhone 17 rumors: New design, 'Slim' model to replace 'Plus’, more All-screen M5 MacBook with foldable display and Vision Pro price now rumored for 2026 Netflix, Apple TV+ and Peacock bundle priced at $15/mo for Comcast Xfinity customers

1. iPhone 17 Ultra rumors, Apple Music rumors, iOS 17.5.1 deleted photos bug 45:55
2. New iPad Pro released, iOS 18 accessibility features, Apple AI servers 55:43
3. New iPad Pro, iPad Air, and M4 chip Apple event reactions 01:25:22
4. Beats Solo Buds, surprising iPad Pro specs, and iOS 18 rumors 59:52
5. iPad Apple event announced, FineWoven winding down, Apple TV FIFA deal 01:16:56

Stacktrace Podcast |

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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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Taking the next steps – Apple @ Work

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1. Taking the next steps 15:22
2. Pull requests are welcome 21:03
3. Layers and layers of security 23:48
4. Security and productivity in the age of AI 29:54
5. Configuration Profile surgery 28:27

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