This week’s top stories: iPad Pro rumors, the end of Adobe Flash, Apple Car, and more

In this week’s top stories: A reliable Apple analyst casts doubt on Apple Car rumors, a new iPad Pro in Q1 2021, the end of Adobe Flash, and much more. Read on for all of this week’s top Apple Stories.

Apple Car

Last week, we learned more details about Apple’s evolving plans to enter the self-driving electric car industry, as soon as 2025. More recently, however, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has cast some doubt on that timeline.

In an investor note this week, Kuo wrote that Apple Car could launch between 2025 and 2025, if development begins this year and goes according to plan. But with that being said, based on Apple’s standards, the fast-moving changes in the EV and self-driving car industry, Kuo says “would not be surprised” if Apple Car doesn’t arrive until “2028 or later.”

2021 iPad Pro

Elsewhere this week, a report indicated that Apple is still on track to launch a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with mini LED in Q1 of 2021. This isn’t the first time reports have indicated that the mini LED iPad Pro is coming in Q1 2021, but it serves as continued supply chain corroboration that the transition is still moving ahead on schedule.

History would suggest that the new iPad Pro would launch sometime towards the end of Q1, likely in March.

Corellium

Apple came out on the losing end of a notable lawsuit this week, with a judge in Florida throwing out Apple’s claims that Corellium’s virtualization tools violated copyright law. Corellium is a security research platform that allows users to run virtualized versions of iOS on desktop computers.

Read more about the Apple vs Corellium legal battle in our full coverage right here.

iPhone for Christmas

Apple once again dominated Christmas day smartphone activations in the US, new data published this week indicated. The iPhone 11 was the most popular iPhone activated on Christmas day, followed by the iPhone XR and the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Also notably, the iPhone 12 mini was nowhere to be found on the list this year, adding more fuel to claims that it is a rather niche product for Apple.

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

iOS | tvOS |

• These iPhone and Apple Watch apps help you create and achieve New Year’s resolutions
• App that promoted secret parties during the COVID-19 pandemic is removed from App Store

iPhone |

• These are some of the best camera and photo editing apps for your new iPhone
• Best iPhone apps to enhance your experience with Apple Music
• iPhone workers given choice of forced labor or being sent to detention centers, says report
• COVID-19 vaccination proof can be added to Apple Wallet in Los Angeles
• iPhone wins Christmas, claims top 9 spots for new smartphone activations in the US

Apple Watch |

• Here are some of the best features to try on your new Apple Watch
• These are some of our must-have apps to install on a new Apple Watch
• Images show disguised Apple Watch prototype running pre-watchOS software
• How to change your Apple Watch move, exercise, and stand goals with watchOS 7

Mac and iPad |

• New Mac for Christmas? Here are some of the best apps to download
• End of an era: As promised, Adobe is officially ending support for Adobe Flash today
• With support officially ended, Adobe ‘strongly recommends’ removing Flash now, here’s how
• New 12.9-inch iPad Pro with mini LED still on track for Q1 2021, report says
• Apple patents ‘reconfigurable’ Mac keyboard with small display for each key
• Apple says fix coming for using an M1 Mac with ultrawide monitors

Top Apple stories, retail |

• Download festive wallpapers from The 12 Days of Apple Stores
• COVID-19: Which Apple Stores have reopened?

HomePod and Apple TV |

• Getting started with Apple TV: How to set up Apple TV for the best experience
• Apple TV+ Guide: Here are all the Apple TV shows and movies available now
• HomePod mini adds support for 18W power adapters with 14.3 software update
• LG rolling out AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support for its 2018 Smart TVs

Apple Car |

• Kuo: Market ‘too bullish’ on Apple Car, launch could be 2028 or later

Top Apple stories, company |

• Apple negotiating settlement with Prepear after opposing its pear-shaped logo
• Apple loses copyright lawsuit against iOS virtualization company Corellium
• Apple’s report card 2020: My take on Apple’s performance this year
• Year in review: All of the new hardware Apple released in 2020

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

This week’s top videos |

• Is this MagSafe Alligator-Leather Wallet any good?

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 HabitMinder: Change your habits, change your life. HabitMinder helps you form healthy habits and stay accountable. Get started for free on iOS, Mac, and Apple Watch.

More changes in the EU for App Store and iPad – 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. Supported by Setapp: Get access to 240+ apps on your Mac for just $9.99. Sign up today for a free 7-day trial.  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: These changes are coming to the iPad in the EU this year Apple will protect indie developers in Europe from the bankruptcy risk of DMA changes iOS 18 rumor: New integration between Reminders and Calendar Apple's 'Let Loose' iPad event said to include a special event in London as well 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. More changes in the EU for App Store and iPad 06:25
2. New ‘Repair State’ Mode in iOS 17.5, more 06:14
3. Beats Solo 4 and Solo Buds, next-gen CarPlay update 08:16
4. M4 iPad Pro, iOS 18 rumors 06:28
5. The latest on the possible US TikTok ban 06:33

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 HabitMinder: Change your habits, change your life. HabitMinder helps you form healthy habits and stay accountable. Get started for free on iOS, Mac, and Apple Watch.

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.

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

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 Helix Sleep: Learn more and take the Helix Sleep quiz at helixsleep.com/happyhour.

Sponsored by Sun Basket: Save $35 off your order when you go to sunbasket.com/happyhour and use promo code happyhour.

Sponsored by CleanMyMac X: Learn more about CleanMyMac X and download it for free at macpaw.app/happyhour.

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

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.

Sponsored by MacStadium: Get a cloud hosted M1 Mac mini from $99 or use promo code 9TO5MAC for half off the first two months of a Gen 3 or 4 (Intel) mini. Enter the Mac mini giveaway here. 

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 |

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

Security and productivity in the age of AI – 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 Steve Won from 1Password about their annual report: Security and productivity in the age of AI Connect with Bradley Twitter LinkedIn Listen and subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Spotify Pocket Casts Castro RSS Listen to Past Episodes

1. Security and productivity in the age of AI 29:54
2. Configuration Profile surgery 28:27
3. Dongles need not apply 25:44
4. The iPad's legacy 36:30
5. AI will transform network management 24:48

Subscribe to get all 9to5Mac’s stories delivered to your inbox daily. And to 9to5Toys for the best deals from around the web.