In this week’s top stories: Apple Car talks with Hyundai and Kia break down, Intel gets paranoid about Apple Silicon, new iOS 14.5 features, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top Apple Stories.
Apple Silicon vs Intel
The first M1 Macs have been out in the wild for nearly three full months, and the fear is setting in at Intel. This week, the company shared a detailed slideshow of benchmark results aiming to show that its top-of-the-line processors can outperform Apple’s entry-level, low-power M1 processor.
Intel has also started running a variety of social media advertisements targeting Mac users. The new Intel ads mock Apple and claim that there are some things that you can only accomplish on a PC. In one of the new ads, Intel says that “only a PC offers tablet mode, touch screen and stylus capabilities in a single device,” which is similar to what Microsoft does in Surface ads.
More iOS 14.5 features
In addition to the iOS 14.5 features we covered last week, additional new features have emerged this week. As part of iOS 14.5, Apple is testing the ability to set Spotify as your default music player for Siri commands. This was previously only available on HomePods.
The new behavior appears in the beta of iOS 14.5. The first time you ask Siri to play something, it lists all the streaming services you have installed on your device and ask you which of them you want to use. Once you have done so, Siri then defaults to that service for subsequent requests.
Secondly, Apple is also testing new Waze-like features for Apple Maps in iOS 14.5. The update gives users the ability to report speed traps, accidents, and other road hazards using Siri, CarPlay, or through the Apple Maps app on iPhone. Learn more in our full coverage right here.
Apple Car talks break down
Hyundai and Kia Motors have confirmed in new regulatory filings this week that the companies are not in talks with Apple regarding Apple Car production — at least talks that they are willing to make public. In the filings, Hyundai and Kia Motors acknowledged that they “have been talking with multiple companies about autonomous electric car development,” but no decision has been made.
macOS Big Sur update
On Tuesday, Apple released macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 to the public alongside supplemental updates for macOS Catalina 10.15.7 and macOS Mojave 10.14.6. First off, Apple says that macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 fixes an issue that prevented some 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models from being able to charge. The company has also launched a new repair program for affected users.
The updates also include important security fixes, which we covered in detail here.
These and the rest of this week’s top stories below.
iOS |
- You can set Spotify as your default music player in iOS 14.5 beta
- Apple Maps adding new Waze-like features for speed traps, accidents, and other road hazards
- Apple testing new ad spot on homepage of App Store Search tab
iPhone |
- Everything we know so far about the iPhone 13/iPhone 12s lineup
- Apple argues new North Dakota Senate bill targeting the App Store could ‘destroy the iPhone’
- What to do with old and dying AirPods: Recycling, replacing, and selling
- Review: Anker PowerWave charges your iPhone 12 and AirPods with 2-in-1 MagSafe compatible mount
Apple Watch |
- Apple Watch users can exercise to unlock a virtual trophy on Valentine’s Day
- Apple Watch anniversary gift credited with detecting invisible heart condition in 58-year-old
- Apple releases watchOS 7.4 public beta with new ‘Apple Watch Unlock’ feature for iPhone Face ID
- Limited-edition Black Unity Apple Watch Series 6 and Sport Band now available to order
Mac |
- Intel mocks Apple in new campaign highlighting things users can’t do on a M1 Mac
- Intel picks and chooses benchmarks as the threat from Apple Silicon grows
- How to check if your MacBook Pro is eligible for a free battery replacement due to a charging bug
- Apple offering free battery replacement for 2016/2017 MacBook Pro that won’t charge past 1%
- Apple once again starts blocking M1 Mac users from side loading iPhone and iPad apps
- Apple releases macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 with MacBook Pro charging bug fix
iPad |
- iPadOS 14.5 brings emoji search and new landscape boot screen to the iPad
- [Update: Now available] Kensington unveils StudioDock hub meets stand for iPad Air/Pro with tons of I/O
Apple Car |
- Hyundai and Kia confirm they are no longer in talks with Apple regarding Apple Car production
- Apple Car: Bloomberg report rounds up multiple possible assembly and production partners
- Another day, another Apple Car maker suggested: Today it’s Nissan’s turn
- Apple doubled California self-driving test miles in 2020, disengagement rate improves
- Apple Car manufacturer could be BMW or Magna, say analysts
Top Apple stories, retail |
- Apple Store displays take HomePod mini to the max
- Apple Store suppliers describe being ‘squeezed’ by more stringent payment terms, consignment model
- COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?
Apple TV |
- First Apple TV+ AR app launches with ‘For All Mankind’ backstory through mixed reality
- Apple TV+ Guide: Here are all the Apple TV shows and movies available now
- CBS and Showtime bundle no longer available through Apple TV app, ahead of Paramount+ launch
- For All Mankind S2: Come for the alternative space timeline, stay for the character drama [Interview]
Apps |
- Developer exposes multiple scam apps on the App Store, some bringing in millions of dollars in revenue
- Apple and Shazam team up with Dolly Parton to offer 5 months of Apple Music for free to new users
- Microsoft officially launches ‘Autofill’ password manager for iOS and other platforms
- ‘Nudget’ budgeting app updated with all-new iPad app, iCloud syncing, Face ID, and more
- How an Apple Music Radio show has amplified music discovery for me
AAPL Company |
- Apple and Prepear reach an agreement on pear-shaped logo trademark
- The crazy journey of empty iPad boxes halfway across the world and back
- Comment: Four ways Apple could follow Tesla’s lead and make its move into Bitcoin
- Security researcher hacks Apple, Tesla, Paypal, more, in clever open-source software attack
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This week’s top videos |
- ChargeFast MagSafe Battery Pack – MagSafe’s finally becoming useful! [Video]
- iPhone: How to set Spotify as your default music app with the iOS 14.5 beta [Video]
9to5Mac Daily |
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March Apple event week kicks off with iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air – 9to5Mac Happy Hour
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- iPhone 17 leads Apple earnings record, new MacBooks near, and a mysterious $2B acquisition
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