This week’s top stories: Next-gen MacBook design, M1 iPad Pro and iMac performance, more

In this week’s top stories: Benchmarks for the M1 iMac and iPad Pro emerge, rumors about the next-generation MacBook Air, iOS 14.6 beta 3 changes, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories and more.

Next-gen MacBook design

A new report from YouTuber Jon Prosser this week shed more light on what to expect from the next-generation MacBook lineup. The report explained that Apple will offer its next-generation MacBook or MacBook Air in seven different colors, similar to the new iMac. The design is also not tapered like the current MacBook Air.

Other rumored design changes include white bezels around the display, as well as a redesigned keyboard that is also white. Again, it’s unclear whether this new design would come to the MacBook Air or perhaps an adjective-less MacBook of some sort. You can check out renders right here.

M1 iPad Pro and iMac benchmarks

Ahead of the first orders arriving next week, early benchmarks for the M1 iPad Pro and M1 iMac have emerged. Here are the details.

Single-core results:

• M1 iMac: 1,700
• M1 iPad Pro: 1,700

Multi-core results:

• M1 iMac: 7,400
• M1 iPad Pro: 7,200

As you can see, the results between the two products are quite similar, which is to be expected given they share the same M1 chip inside. With the first orders arriving to customers on May 21, we expect embargoed press reviews to be published sometime next week.

AirPods 3 and Apple Music HiFi

A sketchy rumor this week suggested that Apple could announce AirPods 3 and Apple Music HiFi in a press release on May 18. This comes after a report earlier this month indicated the announcements were just “weeks” away.

The rumor comes from YouTuber Luke Miani. who says AirPods 3 are already ready to ship and Apple is expected to announce them via a press release on Tuesday. He also suggests that Apple could announce a new Apple Music HiFi plan on the same day.

Whether or not this comes to fruition remains to be seen, but we now have two reports indicating that AirPods 3 and Apple Music HiFi could be announced this month.

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

iOS |

• Apple releases iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 beta 3 to developers
• Apple no longer signs iOS 14.5, blocking downgrades from iOS 14.5.1
• Best CarPlay apps to download on iPhone
• iOS 14.6 lets you use an email address to put AirTag and other items into Lost Mode

iPhone |

• iPhone 12 Pro Max ranks fourth place in first-ever DXOMARK battery test
• Half-size Face ID chip part of secret to smaller notch expected in iPhone 13
• Concept imagines a whole new approach to the iPhone notch

Apple Watch |

• watchOS 8: Four short feature requests for future Apple Watch updates
• Apple surveys Apple Watch users on health features, mentions glucose monitoring

Mac and iPad |

• Benchmarks show M1 iPad Pro offers 50% speed boost, outperforms high-end MacBook Pro
• Rumor: Next-gen MacBook Air design to feature flat edges, white bezels, more
• New Kensington StudioDock coming for 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro
• M1 iMac benchmarks show drastic performance boost over 21.5-inch Intel iMac models
• 2011 MacBook Pro owners in Quebec can now get repair refund after lawsuit
• First M1 iMac pre-orders begin shipping for May 21 delivery
• M1 iPad Pro orders now shipping, for delivery from May 21
• Opinion: The M1 iPad Pro needs iPadOS 15, not macOS
• 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro arrives earlier than expected for a lucky customer

Top Apple stories, retail |

• First Apple Store in the center of Rome opens soon on Via del Corso
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

Apps |

• Meet 2FA ‘Authenticator’ app created especially for Apple users
• WhatsApp users will lose features until they accept new privacy policy
• WhatsApp alternatives for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• Report: Facebook app downloads drop 30% amid TikTok growth and privacy concerns

AirTag |

• AirTag hacked for the first time by security researcher [Video]
• Comment: AirTag could become an essential retail and business tool if Apple wants it to be one
• The best AirTag keychains, cases, straps, and much more
• Video: User rebuilds AirTag as a thinner card that fits into wallets
• VanMoof S3: An electric bike with Apple’s Find My tech built in
• Security researcher exploits Find My network to send messages over any nearby iPhone’s data connection
• Should you be worried about AirTag hacks? Here’s what you should know
• Video of an AirTag test for a simulated bike theft

AAPL Company |

• Apple hires former Facebook advertising exec to bolster its own ads platform
• Apple’s App Store ad hire comes from Facebook, and that’s the least controversial thing about them
• Apple fires ex-Facebook hire after becoming aware of misogynistic viewpoints from best-selling book
• Apple hired HTC’s ‘Jony Ive’ to oversee Beats hardware design for new products
• Smart home alliance from Apple, Amazon, and Google now called ‘Matter,’ first products coming this year
• Sketchy rumor claims Apple will launch AirPods 3 on May 18

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This week’s top videos |

• What’s new in iOS 14.6 beta 3? Bug fixes, ‘Find My’ Lost Mode update, more [Video]

9to5Mac Daily |

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Apple fixes 'rare' photo bug, Sonos headphones, more – 9to5Mac Daily

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1. Apple fixes 'rare' photo bug, Sonos headphones, more 08:10
2. iPhone Plus out, thinner iPhone in, more 05:47
3. Apple + OpenAI rumors, iPad durability testing 05:54
4. Apple previews iOS 18 accessibility features 06:52
5. iOS 17.5 now available, touchscreen Macs 06:54

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New iPad Pro released, iOS 18 accessibility features, Apple AI servers – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin gives his thoughts on his brief experience using the new M4 iPad Pro hardware, while Chance ponders a purchase. Apple previews some exciting new iOS 18 accessibility features, and we gist more insight into Apple’s AI plans with reports that the company is already hosting Apple Silicon chips in its server farms. And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance react to the increasing likelihood that John Ternus becomes Apple’s next CEO, in the fullness of time. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Incogni: Limit public access to your private information, mitigate the risks of identity theft, and keep your data from being sold. Use code “happyhour” at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: incogni.com/happyhour Sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/HAPPYHOUR. 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 Here’s how the new iOS Cross-Platform Tracking Detection works Apple announces new accessibility features, including Eye Tracking – Apple iOS 17.5 is now available: Here's everything you need to know Apple previews iOS 18 accessibility features including eye tracking and music haptics CarPlay in iOS 18 will add these new accessibility features iOS 18 will let you use custom voice phrases to trigger actions Vision Pro will soon be able to show live captions of everything being spoken around you M4 iPad Pro reviews praise OLED display; criticize price, software Hands-on with the nano-texture M4 iPad Pro [Video] Here's how much lighter the iPad Pro's new Magic Keyboard actually is Not an iPad Pro Review: Why iPadOS Still Doesn’t Get the Basics Right Apple reportedly developing new dedicated chip for AI data centers Bloomberg: iOS 18 AI tech to rely on data centers with Apple silicon iOS 18: Apple finalizing deal to bring ChatGPT to iPhone Apple to unveil brand new Siri at WWDC powered by generative AI iPhone 17 rumors: New design, 'Slim' model to replace 'Plus’, more Apple allegedly planning foldable 20.3-inch hybrid for 2025, foldable iPhone in 2026 John Ternus emerging as most likely successor to Tim Cook as Apple CEO

1. New iPad Pro released, iOS 18 accessibility features, Apple AI servers 55:43
2. New iPad Pro, iPad Air, and M4 chip Apple event reactions 01:25:22
3. Beats Solo Buds, surprising iPad Pro specs, and iOS 18 rumors 59:52
4. iPad Apple event announced, FineWoven winding down, Apple TV FIFA deal 01:16:56
5. iOS 17.5 beta 2, M4 Mac schedule, Humane Pin reviews 57:58

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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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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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