Top Stories: Hands-on with AirPods Max, Apple Fitness + Debuts, iPhone 13 and Apple TV Rumors

Things remained extremely busy in the Apple world this week, even with the holiday season approaching. Apple released several new hardware and software releases this week, including AirPods Max, Fitness +, and other new features and enhancements as part of iOS 14.3 and associated operating system updates.

We also got some rumors about the iPhone 13 and Apple TV, as Facebook and Apple remain embroiled in an escalating dispute over Apple’s imminent move to seek permission before companies can track users’ online activities for personalized advertising purposes. Read on for details on all of these stories!

Hands-on with the AirPods Max

Apple’s new AirPods Max over-ear headphones launched this week, and we bought one to see if their $ 549 price tag is worth it. We’ve also shared impressions from reviewers and customers.

AirPods Max have a premium design, with a breathable mesh headband that connects to memory foam earcups with telescopic stainless steel arms, and a large Digital Crown for precise, tactile volume control. However, there is no power button, which will disappoint some users.

Sound quality and active noise cancellation are both impressive with the AirPods Max and competitive with over-ear headphones from competing brands such as Sony and Bose. And with an Apple-designed H1 chip in each earcup, the AirPods Max can pair instantly and automatically switch for Apple devices, extended Bluetooth range and more.

While the AirPods Max are pretty heavy, the headphones were quite comfortable in our experience, at least for shorter periods of time. Some users find the headphones heavier on their ears than their heads, as Apple says it designed the headband to distribute weight and reduce pressure on the head.

Overall, the AirPods Max are certainly a quality over-ear headset, but the average person should definitely consider looking at highly-rated alternatives like Sony’s WH-1000XM4 or Bose’s Noise Canceling Headphones 700 for hundreds of dollars less.

Apple Fitness + launches with a free trial

Apple’s new fitness + exercise service is now available, offering Apple Watch users studio-style guided exercise videos in a range of categories such as high-intensity interval training, yoga, dance, running, walking, cycling, strength and more. Apple says new content will be added to the service every week.

Fitness + requires an Apple Watch Series 3 or later, although workout videos can be viewed on an iPhone or iPad without having an Apple Watch nearby once service is set up. The videos can also be viewed on an Apple TV, but an Apple Watch is always required.

The main feature of Fitness + is that it integrates personal metrics such as the Apple Watch’s heart rate to motivate and animate users on screen during key moments in the workout. All training videos also offer adjustments for beginners or those who prefer a slower pace.

Fitness + costs $ 9.99 per month or $ 79.99 per year and automatically appears as a new tab in the Fitness app on iPhones running iOS 14.3 or later, while iPad users can download the Fitness app from the App Store for iPadOS 14.3 or higher. On Apple TV, the Fitness app will automatically appear when users upgrade to tvOS 14.3. At launch, the service will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Fitness + offers a one-month free trial to existing Apple Watch users, and an extended three-month trial is available to customers who purchased a new Apple Watch Series 3 or later after September 15, 2020.

iOS 14.3 Released – Everything’s New Here!

Apple released iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3 this week after a long beta testing period, and there are several new features in the software updates.

In addition to support for Apple Fitness + and AirPods Max, other new features include support for Apple’s new ProRAW picture format, a dedicated TV + tab in the TV app, a new pregnancy section in the Health app, privacy labels in the App Store and more. And for iPad users, iPadOS 14.3 restores the ability to delete emails with delete key on Magic Keyboard.

Other software updates released this week include watchOS 7.2 with a new Cardio Fitness feature measuring VO₂ max, macOS 11.1, tvOS 14.3, and a 14.3 software update for the HomePod and HomePod mini.

iPhone 13 Pro models are expected to use LTPO technology for 120Hz display

According to a Korean supply chain report, two of the four iPhone 13 models launching next year (presumably the Pro and Pro Max) will use OLED displays with energy-efficient LTPO technology, paving the way for a 120Hz refresh rate. this week.

LTPO technology would result in a more energy-efficient backplane, which is responsible for switching individual pixels on and off on the screen. This, in turn, can provide a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and smoother motion without significantly impacting battery life. As with recent Apple Watch models, LTPO can make sure that iPhone 13 models are always on.

While some rumors had suggested that iPhone 12 Pro models would support a 120Hz refresh rate, analyst Ross Young accurately claimed otherwise, noting that the feature will be added alongside LTPO in 2021. IPad Pro models support up to 120 Hz since 2017.

New Apple TV finally expected next year

Apple finally plans to release a new Apple TV in 2021, the Nikkei Asian Review, more than three years after the latest streaming box update.

The report didn’t reveal any possible features, but previous rumors have indicated that the next-gen Apple TV could be equipped with a variant of the A12 chip for faster performance, and possibly a game controller that would benefit Apple Arcade. There may also be a new 128 GB storage option, compared to up to 64 GB currently.

The current Apple TV 4K was released in September 2017 and looks almost identical to the previous generation Apple TV HD.

Apple responds to Facebook’s criticism of tracking, saying users deserve control and transparency

Apple has responded to Facebook’s criticism of an upcoming iOS 14 privacy measure – specifically, a change that will require users to grant permission to track their activity for personalized advertising purposes from early next year.

Apple emphasized that it welcomes in-app ads and does not prohibit tracking, but simply requires apps to obtain explicit user consent to track users for personalized advertising purposes, giving users greater control and transparency.

“We believe this is a simple matter of standing up for our users,” Apple said in a statement to MacRumors. “Users should know when their data is being collected and shared with other apps and websites – and they should have the choice whether or not to allow that. Transparency of app tracking in iOS 14 doesn’t require Facebook’s approach to tracking. users and creating targeted advertising, it just requires giving users a choice. “

Facebook claimed that Apple’s tracking change will “hurt many small businesses struggling to survive,” adding that the new policy is “about profit, not privacy.” Facebook said many apps and websites will have to charge a subscription fee or add more in-app purchase options to make ends meet, making the internet “much more expensive.”

MacRumors Newsletter

Every week, we publish an email newsletter like this one with the best Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week with all the major topics we covered and related stories for a big picture.

So if you want to get top stories like the above summary in your email inbox every week, Subscribe to our newsletter!