This week’s top stories: M1 Mac details, iOS 14.2.1, App Store changes, and more

In this week’s top stories: The first M1 Macs have officially arrived, Apple shakes up its App Store commission structure, iOS 14.2.1 released for iPhone 12 users, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories.

M1 Macs

The first M1-powered MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini orders have officially arrived to customers. The first reviews were also published this week, and they were overwhelmingly positive.

For the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the consensus among early reviewers was that the new M1 chip truly lives up to Apple’s expectations. The machines are powerful and efficient, offering notable improvements in battery life and performance compared to their Intel predecessors. Furthermore, things will only get better as more Intel applications are optimized for the M1 Mac.

9to5Mac’s Stephen Hall also went hands-on with the entry-level MacBook Air, and he was equally as impressed. You can read his full thoughts right here.

App Store changes

In other news, Apple this week introduced the App Store Small Business Program, which will lower the App Store commission to 15% for developers who earned up to $1 million in proceeds during the previous calendar year.

The $1 million number is figured based on post-commission profit. This means developers are eligible for the program until their proceeds, after Apple takes its cut, exceed $1 million. Get the full details in our coverage.

iOS 14.2.1

Apple also released iOS 14.2.1 to the public this week, bringing notable bug fixes for MMS messages, hearing devices, and lock screen responsiveness on the iPhone 12 mini. In fact, iOS 14.2.1 is only available to the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Here are the release notes for iOS 14.2.1 on iPhone. Again, this update is available only for iPhone 12 users, not users of older iPhone models. 

• Some MMS messages may not be received
• Made for iPhone hearing devices could have sound quality issues when listening to audio from iPhone
• Lock Screen could become unresponsive on iPhone 12 mini

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

iOS | tvOS |

• Apple releases iOS 14.2.1 with bug fixes for iPhone 12 mini, text messaging, more
• iOS 14.3 beta 2 lets you run shortcuts from the home screen without launching the Shortcuts app
• 15% of iPhone users in the US have already installed apps to customize iOS 14 home screen
• Apple releases second iOS 14.3 beta with Apple ProRAW to developers

iPhone |

• iPhone 12 Pro Max receives ‘highest ever’ rating from DisplayMate, sets 11 records
• Apple aware of display issues affecting some iPhone 12 models
• iPhone 12 Diary: Night mode portraits with the LiDAR scanner are a game-changer
• New iPhone 12 Leather Sleeve with MagSafe now available to order for $129
• Hands-on: iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone 12 Pro Max design
• Halide developer shows what really changes with iPhone 12 Pro Max cameras
• iPhone 12 Diary: Night shots, and early thoughts on the camera
• Folding iPhones enter testing, possible 2022 release, claims Chinese report
• Peek inside your new iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max with iFixit’s X-ray wallpapers

Apple Watch |

• MagSafe Duo charger costs $180, not $129, to charge at full speed

M1 Macs |

• Opinion: Is the base MacBook Air M1/8GB powerful enough for you?
• Apple M1 Mac reviews: Impressive performance and battery life, iOS apps are a mixed bag
• M1 Macs can now run Windows apps and games through CrossOver 20
• Mac mini with M1 chip faster than all Intel Macs in single-core tests
• Craig Federighi says Windows can run natively on M1 Macs but is ‘really up to Microsoft’
• Here’s how the M1 Mac benchmark results translate into real-world performance
• M1 MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro, which should you buy?
• Here are all of the games found to be compatible with M1 Macs so far
• Parallels M1 Mac support in development as Big Sur update lands
• Apple Silicon app database lists all the apps compatible with M1 Macs so far
• Education-only 128GB M1 MacBook Air (MGN83LL/A) available for $799
• M1 Mac mini teardown begs the question ‘Why isn’t it more miniature?’
• Here’s how to install almost any iPhone or iPad app on M1 Macs, including Netflix, Instagram, and more
• Here’s what popular iPhone and iPad apps look like on M1 Macs
• iFixit teardown highlights similarities between M1-powered MacBook Pro and MacBook Air
• MacBook Air with M1 chip beats 16-inch MacBook Pro performance in benchmark test

Top Apple stories, retail |

• Today at Apple unwraps live online sessions and creative projects to brighten your holidays at home
• How to shop at an Apple Store this holiday season
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

Apps |

• Widgetsmith 2.0 now available with new themes and artwork for iOS 14 home screen widgets
• GeForce Now arrives on iPhone, iPad today; touch-friendly Fortnite coming soon
• 1Password for Mac update brings ‘Unlock with Apple Watch’ and better Safari integration

AirPods and HomePod |

• First generation HomePod can now be jailbroken with Checkra1n
• HomePod mini teardown reveals nearly impossible repairs and non-removable power cord

Top Apple stories, company |

• Apple doubles down on upcoming iOS 14 privacy features, slams Facebook for collecting ‘as much data as possible’
• Apple cuts App Store commission rate to 15% for many developers with new Small Business Program
• Apple executives talk Apple Silicon roadmap and more in new interview
• Apple doubles down on upcoming iOS 14 privacy features, slams Facebook for collecting ‘as much data as possible’
• Apple cuts App Store commission rate to 15% for many developers with new Small Business Program
• Apple executives talk Apple Silicon roadmap and more in new interview

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

This week’s top videos |

• iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max Unboxing & Review: A promise of the future [Video]
• iOS 14.3 beta changes and features — Apple ProRAW looks promising [Video]

9to5Mac Daily |

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Last-minute Apple event expectations, future iPhone rumors – 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. Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock:  Ad-free versions of every episode Monthly bonus episodes  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: Report: iPad event video on Tuesday to last about 35 minutes Apple homepage adds interactive 'eraser' teaser ahead of tomorrow's iPad event Warren Buffett offloads 115 million AAPL shares 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 Apple not making major AI news at upcoming product event, WWDC still expected venue [Updated] 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 Monthly bonus episodes  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. Last-minute Apple event expectations, future iPhone rumors 06:33
2. AAPL Q2 earnings and AI promises 07:26
3. More changes in the EU for App Store and iPad 06:25
4. New ‘Repair State’ Mode in iOS 17.5, more 06:14
5. Beats Solo 4 and Solo Buds, next-gen CarPlay update 08:16

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.

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Week 6 – 9to5Mac Watch Time

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 46:48
2. With guest Sigmund Judge 42:59
3. Week 5 52:45
4. Week 4 57:20
5. Week 3 56:40

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Beats Solo Buds, surprising iPad Pro specs, and iOS 18 rumors – 9to5Mac Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance assess the final iPad rumors ahead of next week’s ‘Let Loose’ event. Beats launches an incredibly compelling new addition to their headphones lineup, the Beats Solo Buds. At the same time, Apple fails to acknowledge what happened with people getting locked out of their Apple IDs over the weekend, in the same week as it releases a statement promising to fix an issue with iPhone alarms.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance discuss what podcast client they currently use and why, and how their listening habits reflect their app preferences. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Ladder: Go to Ladderlife.com/HappyHour today to see if you’re instantly approved. 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 Kolide by 1Password, the device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your apps. Close the Zero Trust access gap for Okta. Learn more or watch the demo. 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 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.  Feedback Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com Links Beats Solo 4 hands-on: the most iconic Beats headphones just got better Apple debuts new Beats Solo Buds with 18-hour battery life for $79 Apple's Beats Pill speaker could be about to make a comeback Apple users are being locked out of their Apple IDs with no explanation Apple working on fix for bug causing iPhone alarms to not play sounds iOS 18 rumor: These new AI features are coming to Safari EU will force Apple to add app sideloading, alternative browser engine support to iPad Report: iOS 18 to update many of the built-in apps, home screen updates, 'modular' design tweaks Gurman: New iPad Pro may actually be powered by the M4 chip, touting AI features M4 iPad Pro: Will Apple put a brand new chip in its next iPad? New Apple Pencil to include haptic feedback and new gestures

1. Beats Solo Buds, surprising iPad Pro specs, and iOS 18 rumors 59:52
2. iPad Apple event announced, FineWoven winding down, Apple TV FIFA deal 01:16:56
3. iOS 17.5 beta 2, M4 Mac schedule, Humane Pin reviews 57:58
4. iOS 18 rumors, game emulators in the App Store, Vision Pro camera access 47:25
5. Apple home robots, Spatial Personas on Vision Pro, iOS 17.5 beta 58:38

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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

Apple @ Work Podcast |

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Layers and layers of security – Apple @ Work

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1. Layers and layers of security 23:48
2. Security and productivity in the age of AI 29:54
3. Configuration Profile surgery 28:27
4. Dongles need not apply 25:44
5. The iPad's legacy 36:30

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