This week’s top stories: iPad Pro rumors, the end of Adobe Flash, Apple Car, and more

In this week’s top stories: A reliable Apple analyst casts doubt on Apple Car rumors, a new iPad Pro in Q1 2021, the end of Adobe Flash, and much more. Read on for all of this week’s top Apple Stories.

Apple Car

Last week, we learned more details about Apple’s evolving plans to enter the self-driving electric car industry, as soon as 2025. More recently, however, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has cast some doubt on that timeline.

In an investor note this week, Kuo wrote that Apple Car could launch between 2025 and 2025, if development begins this year and goes according to plan. But with that being said, based on Apple’s standards, the fast-moving changes in the EV and self-driving car industry, Kuo says “would not be surprised” if Apple Car doesn’t arrive until “2028 or later.”

2021 iPad Pro

Elsewhere this week, a report indicated that Apple is still on track to launch a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with mini LED in Q1 of 2021. This isn’t the first time reports have indicated that the mini LED iPad Pro is coming in Q1 2021, but it serves as continued supply chain corroboration that the transition is still moving ahead on schedule.

History would suggest that the new iPad Pro would launch sometime towards the end of Q1, likely in March.

Corellium

Apple came out on the losing end of a notable lawsuit this week, with a judge in Florida throwing out Apple’s claims that Corellium’s virtualization tools violated copyright law. Corellium is a security research platform that allows users to run virtualized versions of iOS on desktop computers.

Read more about the Apple vs Corellium legal battle in our full coverage right here.

iPhone for Christmas

Apple once again dominated Christmas day smartphone activations in the US, new data published this week indicated. The iPhone 11 was the most popular iPhone activated on Christmas day, followed by the iPhone XR and the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Also notably, the iPhone 12 mini was nowhere to be found on the list this year, adding more fuel to claims that it is a rather niche product for Apple.

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

iOS | tvOS |

• These iPhone and Apple Watch apps help you create and achieve New Year’s resolutions
• App that promoted secret parties during the COVID-19 pandemic is removed from App Store

iPhone |

• These are some of the best camera and photo editing apps for your new iPhone
• Best iPhone apps to enhance your experience with Apple Music
• iPhone workers given choice of forced labor or being sent to detention centers, says report
• COVID-19 vaccination proof can be added to Apple Wallet in Los Angeles
• iPhone wins Christmas, claims top 9 spots for new smartphone activations in the US

Apple Watch |

• Here are some of the best features to try on your new Apple Watch
• These are some of our must-have apps to install on a new Apple Watch
• Images show disguised Apple Watch prototype running pre-watchOS software
• How to change your Apple Watch move, exercise, and stand goals with watchOS 7

Mac and iPad |

• New Mac for Christmas? Here are some of the best apps to download
• End of an era: As promised, Adobe is officially ending support for Adobe Flash today
• With support officially ended, Adobe ‘strongly recommends’ removing Flash now, here’s how
• New 12.9-inch iPad Pro with mini LED still on track for Q1 2021, report says
• Apple patents ‘reconfigurable’ Mac keyboard with small display for each key
• Apple says fix coming for using an M1 Mac with ultrawide monitors

Top Apple stories, retail |

• Download festive wallpapers from The 12 Days of Apple Stores
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

HomePod and Apple TV |

• Getting started with Apple TV: How to set up Apple TV for the best experience
• Apple TV+ Guide: Here are all the Apple TV shows and movies available now
• HomePod mini adds support for 18W power adapters with 14.3 software update
• LG rolling out AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support for its 2018 Smart TVs

Apple Car |

• Kuo: Market ‘too bullish’ on Apple Car, launch could be 2028 or later

Top Apple stories, company |

• Apple negotiating settlement with Prepear after opposing its pear-shaped logo
• Apple loses copyright lawsuit against iOS virtualization company Corellium
• Apple’s report card 2020: My take on Apple’s performance this year
• Year in review: All of the new hardware Apple released in 2020

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This week’s top videos |

• Is this MagSafe Alligator-Leather Wallet any good?

9to5Mac Daily |

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iPhone Fold, Apple Music news – 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 Backblaze: Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Till the end of the month, 9to5Mac listeners get 30% off with code 9to5Xmas.  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: OLED iMac in the works, says report – with two catches Here’s why you may have to wait until 2027 to get an iPhone Fold Apple Music renames 'Favorites Mix' playlist to 'Your Essentials' Apple announces 2026 'Ring in the New Year' challenge for Apple Watch users 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. iPhone Fold, Apple Music news 07:27
2. iOS 26.3 beta testing begins 06:35
3. Apple’s iPhone roadmap 06:56
4. AirDrop features, new iOS rumors 06:20
5. iOS 26.2 now available 07:16

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 roadmap rumors, iOS 26.2 released, Apple Music in ChatGPT – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance discuss the late-in-the-year public launch of iOS 26.2, and the beginning of the 26.3 beta cycle. The Information has some juicy new details about the forthcoming iPhone roadmap, ChatGPT adds a clever Apple Music integration, and Chance tried using the PSVR2 spatial controllers with his Vision Pro. And in Happy Hour Plus, there’s more tantalizing evidence of a higher-end iMac in the works. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Udacity: Try risk-free for seven days at udacity.com/happyhour with code happyhour. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Get 10 Free Meals with free Breakfast For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm. 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 iOS 26.2 adds these new features to your iPhone iOS 26.3: New features for your iPhone Apple Music is coming to ChatGPT, OpenAI announces Apple Music app now available on ChatGPT, here’s how to use it Eight new iPhones in the works, here's what we know New M5 iMac model aimed at pro users might be coming, per leak

1. iPhone roadmap rumors, iOS 26.2 released, Apple Music in ChatGPT 51:05
2. Apple executive tumult continues, Apple Studio Display leaks, Fitness+ AI dubbing 01:04:10
3. Two key Apple executives depart, App Store dealings, and Apple Music Replay 2025 01:10:48
4. Apple Black Friday, AirDrop on Android, macOS Tahoe thoughts  01:07:46
5. Slide Over improvements in iPadOS 26.2, Tesla CarPlay, Tim Cook retiring rumors 01:05:03

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Stacktrace has moved! – Stacktrace

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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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AI workflows and the Mac Min – Apple @ Work

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1. AI workflows and the Mac Min 19:36
2. The impact of AI on Apple IT departments 22:22
3. What's driving 1Password's $400M ARR momentum? 18:40
4. How the agentic browser changes the game for IT 25:48
5. State of the union for passkeys 26:08

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