This week’s top stories: M1X and M2 MacBook rumors, Apple Music upgrades, more

In this week’s top stories: M1X and M2 MacBook rumors, Apple’s forthcoming Beats Studio Buds headphones, Apple Music adds lossless and Spatial Audio support, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories and more.

Apple Music expansion

After several weeks of rumors, Apple this week officially announced that Apple Music is adding lossless music support as well as Spatial Audio. These features will roll out to Apple Music subscribers in June at no extra cost. Be sure to check out our full coverage for all of the latest details.

M1X and M2 MacBook rumors

A monster report from Bloomberg this week shed new light on what to expect from the Apple Silicon transition for the rest of Apple’s Mac lineup. First and foremost, the report indicated that Apple could announce its new M1X MacBook Pro lineup as soon as sometime this summer.

The report also indicated that Apple is developing a redesigned MacBook Air that will feature a “direct successor” to the M1 chip as soon as later this year. The company also continues work on a more powerful Mac mini, as well as an upgraded Mac Pro with Apple Silicon inside.

Beats Studio Buds

Apple this week released iOS 14.6 RC to developers and public beta users. In it, 9to5Mac was able to find references and images of new Beats Studio Buds earbuds coming soon from Apple. These are truly wireless Beats earbuds that will feature Noise Cancellation support, Hey Siri, and more.

Check out more in our full coverage here.

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

iOS |

• Apple expanding ‘Air Quality’ Weather app feature to more countries with iOS 14.7
• Apple releases first iOS 14.7 beta to developers, more
• Apple releases iOS 14.6 RC to developers with Apple Card Family and more, here are the full release notes
• Apple releases second iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 RC to developers
• Built-in Shazam music recognition is now an App Clip in iOS 14.6
• Apple reveals new Accessibility features: AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch, eye-tracking on iPad, more
• Do Apple’s new accessibility features hint at UI changes for iOS 15? It’s possible
• Apple seems to be finally fixing grayed-out App Tracking Transparency toggle in iOS 14
• iOS 14.7 beta lets you set timers on HomePod using the Home app

iPhone |

• Apple debuts humorous new ‘Tracked’ ad promoting iPhone privacy [Video]

Apple Watch |

• Rumor: Apple Watch Series 7 will feature flat-edged design, new green color option
• Apple unveils two new Apple Watch Pride bands and watch face

Apple TV |

• New Apple TV adds ARC support for universal TV audio passthrough to HomePod speakers
• Apple TV 4K reviews: New Siri Remote is a ‘must buy,’ but Apple TV price still prohibitive
• Apple VP talks Apple TV 4K price in new interview: ‘There’s a tremendous amount of value in this $179’
• Apple VP says company is committed to home audio products, ‘little need’ for Find My Remote feature

Mac and iPad |

• Claim that 2021 MacBook Pro models will have M1X chip; drop front logo
• Apple shares why 11-inch iPad Pro didn’t get the Liquid Retina XDR display and more in new interview
• Photographer Austin Mann puts the M1 12.9-inch iPad Pro to the test, compares it to Pro Display XDR
• Bloomberg: Redesigned MacBook Pro coming as soon as this summer, up to 64GB RAM and 10-core chip
• Bloomberg: 40-core Mac Pro with Apple Silicon, high-end Mac mini in development
• Apple launches new webpage with an elevator pitch on why you should buy a Mac
• Bloomberg: Apple paused development of larger Apple Silicon iMac to focus on 24-inch model
• Craig Federighi says the Mac has an ‘unacceptable’ malware problem
• M1 iPad Pro reviews: Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, but iPadOS limitations persist
• Apple releases macOS 11.5 beta to developers ahead of 11.4 public release [U: Public beta]
• Video details compatibility between 2020 Magic Keyboard and 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro
• Redesigned iMac reviews: A beautiful and colorful design with stellar M1 performance

Apple Stores |

• iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K arrive in stores with vibrant window displays
• Revisit the world’s first Apple Store as it appeared 20 years ago with augmented reality
• Piazza Liberty Apple Store amphitheater transforms into public art installation
• Before the Genius Bar: Behind the retail designs that paved the way for 20 years of Apple Stores
• Apple SignTime service will connect Apple Store and Apple Support customers with interpreters
• 20 years of Apple Stores in 20 quotes
• 20 years of Apple Stores: The enduring art of celebration
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

Apps |

• Huge Eufy privacy breach shows live and recorded cam feeds to strangers
• Spotify HiFi launch could be imminent as user spots icon in iOS app

Apple Music |

• Apple Music adding lossless streaming to entire catalog at no extra cost, Spatial Audio support with Dolby Atmos
• Apple Music Lossless requires wired headphones, AirPods will only get Spatial Audio
• Comment: Will you be able to hear the difference with Apple Music Lossless Audio? [U]
• HomePod and HomePod mini to support Apple Music Lossless in a future software update

AAPL Company |

• Exclusive: These are Apple’s new truly wireless in-ear Beats Studio earbuds
• Phil Schiller reveals $50M cost for WWDC, App Store Small Business Program details, more
• Live blog: Apple CEO Tim Cook testifies in Epic legal battle

Subscribe to 9to5Mac’s YouTube channel for more videos.

This week’s top videos |

• What’s new in iOS 14.6 RC? A look at forthcoming Apple Music settings [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.

Apple Black Friday event, iOS 18.2 tidbits – 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: iOS 18.2 lets you set new default iPhone apps, here’s how it works Apple unveils 2024 Black Friday promo: up to $200 gift card on eligible purchases Apple’s best selling iPhone models aren’t what you’d expect, but there’s a good reason 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. Apple Black Friday event, iOS 18.2 tidbits 05:55
2. iOS 18.1.1 update, next-gen Pro Display XDR rumors 06:20
3. Apple TV+ strategy, MacBook Pro display upgrade 06:28
4. Next-gen AirTag, ChatGPT upgrades 05:40
5. iCloud lawsuit, Matter smart home upgrades 06:17

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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

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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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