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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More Apple executive drama – 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 Narwal:Narwal is officially launching their Black Friday discounts, offering the record-low prices of its entire lineup up to 49% off. 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: Apple announces departure of two more top executives Gruber: Apple employees 'giddy' about Alan Dye’s departure iPhone 17 Pro lost key Camera app feature that iPhone 16 Pro had 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. More Apple executive drama 07:03
2. Apple’s design VP leaves for Meta 06:56
3. iOS 26.1 goes wide, more 06:12
4. Apple Music Replay, Apple AI shakeups 07:21
5. OLED iPad mini, new Macs coming soon 06:48

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Two key Apple executives depart, App Store dealings, and Apple Music Replay 2025 – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance react to the departure of not one, but two, key Apple executives this week with the news that John Giannandrea is retiring as SVP of AI, and design VP Alan Dye is leaving for a new job at Meta. Also, Apple finally agrees a deal with Tencent over commission for mini apps in WeChat, India tries to pre-install a state security app on iPhones, and the new Apple Music Replay launches.  And in Happy Hour Plus, an analytics report claims baseball games drive more subscribers to Apple TV than its original series. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Narwal: Narwal is officially launching their Cyber Monday discounts, offering the record-low prices of its entire lineup up to 49% off. Sponsored by Hydrow: Train smarter, not longer. The Hydrow rowing machine delivers the best results, in just 20 minutes a day. Use code HAPPYHOUR to save up to $600 at hydrow.com. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by Aura Frames: The best digital picture frames. Get $35 off the best selling Carver Mat Frames with code HAPPYHOUR at on.auraframes.com/HAPPYHOUR. Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @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 John Giannandrea leaving Apple following AI strategy miss Apple design boss Alan Dye departing for Meta Gruber: Apple employees 'giddy' about Alan Dye’s departure Tencent to apply for Apple's new App Store Mini Apps Partner Program Apple launches Mini Apps Partner Program for developers India orders Apple to pre-instal a state security app on iPhones Apple to refuse Indian government order to pre-install state security app on iPhones India says users may delete mandatory state-owned ‘security’ app After Apple refusal, India makes U-turn on mandatory iPhone app Apple Music Replay 2025 personal listening recap is ready to explore and share Spotify Wrapped arrives with a new party feature Pluribus is Apple TV's biggest drama series launch ever Apple TV’s top 10 list that drove signups reveals big surprises

1. Two key Apple executives depart, App Store dealings, and Apple Music Replay 2025 01:10:48
2. Apple Black Friday, AirDrop on Android, macOS Tahoe thoughts  01:07:46
3. Slide Over improvements in iPadOS 26.2, Tesla CarPlay, Tim Cook retiring rumors 01:05:03
4. iPhone Pocket, iOS 26.2 beta 2, and the iPhone Air’s future 55:56
5. iOS 26.2 new features, App Store on web, Gemini Siri deal confirmed 54:56

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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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What's driving 1Password's $400M ARR momentum? – Apple @ Work

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5. Google Workspace and JumpCloud partner to launch new cloud productivity solution for enterprises 30:38

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