[ad_1]
In this week’s top stories: iOS 14.3 released for everyone, Apple vs Facebook, new features for Apple Watch, additional AirPods Max details, and more. Read on for all the top news this week.
AirPods Max
Apple’s new AirPods Max on-ear headphones are officially available. Over the past week, we’ve learned more about headphones, including the controversial Smart Case. Nonetheless, AirPods Max have backorders until well into 2021, and availability in Apple stores is starting to run out.
For the Smart Case, Apple released a new support document that clarifies more details about the battery life ramifications of not using it. When you place the AirPods Max in the Smart Case, they go into low power mode immediately and ultra low power mode after 18 hours. When not in the smart case, they go into low power mode after 5 minutes and then into ultra low power mode after 72 hours.
iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2
Apple released iOS 14.3 to the general public this week, with new features like ProRAW support on iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. iOS 14.3 also makes it easy to set up custom app icons with the ability to run shortcuts from the home screen without launching the Shortcuts app first.
watchOS 7.2 was also released to the public and includes support for new notifications from Cardio Fitness. You can learn more about this new feature in our full coverage here.
Finally, iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2 also provide support for Apple Fitness +, Apple’s new subscription service that offers a library of on-demand workouts in 10 different categories. Here’s how to get started with the new service.
Apple Silicon rumors
This week also brought the introduction of the first developer and public betas of iOS 14.4. The update seems to primarily focus on bug fixes and performance improvements, but it also includes new features for HomePod mini.
With iOS 14.4 and a new HomePod mini beta, the $ 99 smart speaker now includes a much improved Handoff experience. Watch it in our hands-on video here.
Vacation Buying Guides
Finally, we continue to offer holiday gift guides and shopping guides at 9to5Mac. So far we’ve offered detailed tips on Apple Watch giveaways, AirPods vs AirPods Pro, and more.
These and the rest of this week’s top stories below.
iOS | tvOS |
iPhone |
Apple watch |
Mac and iPad |
Apple’s top stories, retail |
AirPods |
Applications |
Top stories from Apple, company |
Subscribe to the 9to5Mac YouTube channel to see more videos.
The best videos of this week |
9to5Mac Daily |
Hear a summary of the main stories of the day of 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 direct mailCreate and send great-looking email newsletters with Direct Mail, an easy-to-use email marketing application for Mac. Get started for free and save 10% when you sign up for any pricing plan.
-
Dec 18, 2020 – Apple vs Epic update, AirPods Max info
-
December 17, 2020 – Apple vs Facebook, changes in iOS 14.4
-
December 16, 2020 – AirPods Pro Lite Rumors, More
-
December 15, 2020 – iOS 14.3 Features, Apple Fitness +
-
December 14, 2020 – iPhone 13 production, Apple TV +
9to5Mac Viewing Time |
Jeff Benjamin joins Zac Hall in giving 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 the Apple Watch is affecting their lives.
Sponsored by Pillow: Pillow is an all-in-one sleep tracking solution to help you sleep better at night. Download it today from the App Store.
Sponsored by Calory: Count calories, track macros, water, and all your food intake right on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Try it for free.
9to5Mac Happy Hour Podcast |
9to5Mac Happy Hour is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play Music, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs: Go to LinkedIn.com/HAPPYHOUR and get $ 50 DISCOUNT for your first job!
Sponsored by ExpressVPN: Regain your online privacy today and get 3 months free with a 1-year package at ExpressVPN.com/HappyHour.
Sponsored by RemoteHQ: Get a taste of the future of virtual meetings for three months free at remotehq.co/happyhour.
Stacktrace Podcast |
Stacktrace by 9to5Mac it’s available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Apple @ Work Podcast |
Apple @ Work by 9to5Mac is available on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and via RSS for other podcast players.
Subscribe to get everything 9to5Macstories delivered to your inbox daily. And to 9to5Toys to get the best deals from all over the web.
FTC: We use revenue generating automobile affiliate links. Plus.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more news from Apple:
