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This week’s top stories: iPhone 13 rumors, March Apple event expectations, iOS 14.5, more

In this week’s top stories: iOS 14.5 beta 2 released with even more new features, iPhone 13 rumors, March Apple event expectations, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top Apple Stories.

iOS 14.5 beta 2

Apple this week released the second developer and public betas of iOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4, tvOS 14.5, macOS Big Sur 11.3, and iPadOS 14.5.

In iOS 14.5 beta 2, the Music application has gotten a variety of new features, including the ability to share lyrics, new swipe gestures, redesigned pop-over menus, and more. iOS 14.5 beta 2 also includes over 200 new emoji for iPhone users.

Check out our full video on all of the changes in iOS 14.5 beta 2 and our video on the new changes and features in macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta 2.

March 16th Apple event? Nah.

Over the last week, March 16th gained traction on social media as a potential date for an Apple event. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, however, tweeted that Apple will not hold an event on March 16th — and that AirTags won’t be announced on that day.

Notably, Gurman’s tweet did not rule out the possibility of an Apple event in March, or the possibility of announcements in March. Here’s our full roundup of everything Apple could announce this spring.

Microsoft all-in-one Office app

If you’ve wanted to use a Microsoft Office iPad app, you’ve been able to run the individual Word, Powerpoint, and Excel apps for many years. This week, however, Microsoft has officially launched its new all-in-one Office app for iPad.

This app combines Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps you know into a single, iPadOS-optimized app. Microsoft also says hat it has added additional tools to keep you more productive. Learn more in our full coverage right here.

MagSafe battery for iPhone 12

Bloomberg reported this week that Apple is developing a new MagSafe battery pack accessory for the iPhone 12. With previous iPhone models, Apple has released Smart Battery Cases, but this year it’s planning this modular MagSafe battery pack instead.

Bloomberg says the accessory will be similar in design to MagSafe leather wallet accessory, and it would attach using MagSafe to the back of the iPhone 12 lineup.

However, Bloomberg says that the accessory has faced development issues such as software issues, and the product could be scrapped altogether.

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

iOS |

iPhone |

Apple Watch |

Mac |

iPad |

Top Apple stories, retail |

Apple TV |

Apps |

AAPL Company |

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This week’s top videos |

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.

WWDC24 officially announced 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 FastMinder: Simple, easy to use fasting tracker for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Get started today for free.  Introducing 9to5Mac Daily Plus! Support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock:  Ad-free versions of every episode Monthly bonus episodes  Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join.  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: Following DOJ, Apple faces new class action lawsuits alleging the iPhone is a monopoly Apple pursuing ways to launch TV+ and more in China, report says WWDC 2024 confirmed for June 10: iOS 18 and more expected Apply for WWDC24 in-person event Apple teases 'Absolutely Incredible' AI-focused WWDC iOS 18 again said to be 'the most ambitious overhaul' to the iPhone ever Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Overcast RSS Spotify TuneIn Google Podcasts 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. Also, connect with us in the official 9to5Mac Discord server with forums, chatrooms, and more!
  1. WWDC24 officially announced
  2. Apple display projects, App Store changes rejected
  3. A18 Pro chip rumors, iOS 18 customization
  4. iOS 17.4.1 now available, Apple Watch on Android
  5. The United States sues Apple

9to5Mac Watch Time |

Jeff Benjamin joins Zac Hall to give 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 Apple Watch is affecting their lives.

Sponsored by Pillow: Pillow is an all-in-one sleep tracking solution to help you get a better night’s sleep. Download it from the App Store today.

This week on Watch Time join 9to5Mac's Zac Hall and Tempo developer Rahul Matta in the final episode of this podcast "season". 9to5Mac Watch Time is a podcast series hosted by Zac Hall. In this series, we talk to real people about how Apple Watch is affecting their lives. Subscribe now to catch up with each episode and automatically hear new episodes as soon as they’re released every two weeks: 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🟠 Overcast | 🟢 Spotify Follow Zac Instagram @apollozac Twitter @apollozac SpaceExplored.com Follow Rahul Matta Twitter @rmatta Twitter @TempoLog Blog indie.sh Follow 9to5Mac Instagram @9to5mac Twitter @9to5mac Facebook YouTube.com/9to5Mac Listen & Subscribe Apple Podcasts Spotify Overcast RSS Read More Toning down the Apple Watch: Tips and feature requests to avoid being overwhelmed Apple releases watchOS 7.4.1 with security improvements Apple Watch blood sugar and blood pressure measurement could be a step closer watchOS 7.4 brings iPhone mask unlock feature for Apple Watch Enjoy the podcast? Shop Apple at Amazon to support 9to5Mac Watch Time!
  1. Week 6
  2. With guest Sigmund Judge
  3. Week 5
  4. Week 4
  5. Week 3

9to5Mac Happy Hour Podcast |

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Apple turns to Google for iOS 18 AI features, new AirPods with noise canceling, anti-reflective iPad screens 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance react to the news that Apple is partnering with Google to use their Gemini models to power some AI features coming in iOS 18. Also, there’s more details about the two new AirPods models set to debut later this year. There’s also rumors about anti-reflective matte screens for iPhone and iPad, and Walmart announces that it is selling Macs for the first time, starting with the cut-price $699 M1 MacBook Air. In Happy Hour Plus: Chance tells Mayo about his experience seeing the Rivian R2. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Nom Nom: Your pet’s a member of the family–don’t feed them like they’re in the dog house. Give them Nom Nom. Get 50% off your no-risk two-week trial at trynom.com/happyhour and use code HAPPYHOUR. 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. 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 Walmart begins selling the Mac for the first time: M1 MacBook Air for $699 [Updated] Mass production of two new AirPods models to start in May, targeting fall release iOS 18 to include new 'hearing aid mode' for AirPods Pro, report says Apple might use Google Gemini to power some iPhone AI features Apple says DOJ ‘threatens who we are’ as it vows to ‘vigorously defend’ against iPhone antitrust lawsuit NYTimes echoes report of AI partnership talks between Apple and Google Apple to be sued by US Department of Justice for antitrust as soon as tomorrow Rumor: iPhone 17 to have new anti-reflective display New iPad Pro could be available in new matte screen option, rumor claims
  1. Apple turns to Google for iOS 18 AI features, new AirPods with noise canceling, anti-reflective iPad screens
  2. Apple’s latest DMA changes, new iPad Pro details, Apple AI ads platform 
  3. M3 MacBook Air, iOS 17.4 released, Apple TV+ content catalog
  4. Apple Car canceled, iOS 18 design changes, AirPods with cameras
  5. Apple AI coming to Spotlight search, new Sports app, iPhone 15 battery re-rated

Stacktrace Podcast |

Stacktrace by 9to5Mac is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

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!
  2. 178: “Let’s try something new”
  3. 177: “The stand is included!”
  4. 176: “Extra Keynote Poker”
  5. 175: “A Bluetooth fanboy”

Apple @ Work Podcast |

Apple @ Work by 9to5Mac is available on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and via RSS for other podcast players.

Sponsored by Kandji: A modern, cloud-based platform for centrally managing and securing your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices, saving IT teams countless hours of manual work with features like one-click compliance templates and 150+ pre-built automations, apps, and workflows. Request access.

AI will transform network management Apple @ Work

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  1. AI will transform network management
  2. A brief history of the Mac at work
  3. The lasting impact of the iPhone
  4. Vision Pro and device management support
  5. Webex comes to Apple TV and Vision Pro

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Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com