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Nearly three months after the launch of Apple's rave-reviewed M1 Macs, Intel has fired back, but there are some asterisks involved.

In a slideshow shared by PCWorld this week, Intel highlighted what PCWorld described as "carefully crafted" benchmarks in an attempt to prove that laptops with the latest 11th Generation Core processors are superior to those with Apple's custom-designed M1 chip.

For example, Intel said that exporting a PowerPoint presentation as a PDF file is up to 2.3x faster on a Windows laptop equipped with an 11th Generation Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM compared to completing the same task on a 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip and 16GB of RAM, with Intel noting that PowerPoint ran natively on both systems.

Intel also indicated that Topaz Labs' AI-based photo enlargement software Gigapixel AI performed up to 6x faster on the Core i7 system compared to the M1 MacBook Pro. In this case, PCWorld said "the results are pretty real," noting that Topaz Labs' apps are designed to take advantage of the hardware acceleration inside of Intel's processors.

As for gaming performance, the results were mixed, with Intel emphasizing the well-established opinion that Macs are not ideal for gaming and lack support for "countless" games like Gear Tactics, Hitman 2, and others.

Intel also conducted a "real world battery life test" and found that both the M1 MacBook Air and the Acer Swift 5 with an 11th Generation Core i7 processor achieved virtually identical 10-hour battery life when streaming Netflix with additional tabs open. Intel said both notebooks were set to 250 nits display brightness, with the MacBook Air running Safari and the Acer Swift 5 running Chrome for the test.

It's worth noting that Intel switched from the MacBook Pro for the performance benchmarks to the MacBook Air for the battery life test, and Intel used a different Core i7 processor SKU for each of these tests as well.

Apple's website advertises the M1 MacBook Air as having up to 18 hours of battery life when continuously playing back 1080p content in the Apple TV app with display brightness set to 50%, and up to 15 hours of battery life when browsing 25 popular websites in Safari over Wi-Fi with display brightness set to 50%.

Intel added that its processors are about not only performance, but also choice, as they power all sorts of devices from traditional notebooks to tablets with features like touchscreens and support for multiple external displays. Officially, the M1-based MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro only support one external display, but some users discovered that this limitation can be bypassed with DisplayLink adapters as an unofficial solution.

"M1-Unfriendly Benchmarks"

Apple columnist Jason Snell referred to Intel's benchmarks as "M1-unfriendly" in commentary shared on his website Six Colors.

"Inconsistent test platforms, shifting arguments, omitted data, and the not-so-faint whiff of desperation," wrote Snell. "Today's M1 processor is a low-end chip for low-end systems, so Intel only has a small window to compare itself favorably to these systems before higher-end Apple silicon Macs ship and make its job that much harder."

Tom's Hardware's Andrew Freedman also cautioned that all vendor-provided benchmarks should be taken with a grain of salt.

Apple says the M1 chip provides industry-leading performance per watt, with the latest MacBook Air outperforming a maxed-out Intel-based 16-inch MacBook Pro in Geekbench benchmarks. Rumors suggest Apple will launch new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, a redesigned iMac, and more with next-generation Apple silicon later this year.

It was a big week for software this week, with Apple kicking off a new round of betas for its operating systems with plenty of tweaks and changes in iOS 14.5 and related updates. We also saw the public release of macOS 11.2, which trailed last week's release of iOS 14.4.

In other news, we got some significant new rumors about Apple's VR headset project and the Apple Car, while over on our YouTube channel we put the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra head-to-head in a blind camera test. Read on for details on these stories and more below!

iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 Betas Released With Many New Features

Apple this week seeded the first betas of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 to developers and public beta testers. These updates are packed with new features for iPhone and iPad users, including the ability to unlock an iPhone with an Apple Watch while wearing a mask, support for 5G in Dual-SIM mode on iPhone 12 models, support for the latest PS5 and Xbox Series X controllers, AirPlay 2 streaming for Apple Fitness+, and more.

We've shared a hands-on video of unlocking an iPhone with the Apple Watch, which is a welcomed solution to Face ID not working properly with masks. We've also rounded up everything new in the first iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 betas, including hidden code-level changes.

Starting with iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, Apple is also enforcing its App Tracking Transparency privacy measure, requiring app developers to get consent from users to track their activity across other apps and websites for targeted advertising purposes.

Apple later pushed out a revised version of the first iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 betas with minor fixes.

macOS Big Sur 11.2 Released With Bug Fixes for Bluetooth, External Displays, iCloud Drive, and More

This week saw the public release of macOS 11.2, which improves Bluetooth reliability and addresses several bugs, including an issue where external displays might show a black screen when connected to an M1-based Mac mini using an HDMI to DVI converter.

Note that some users are still experiencing other external display issues on macOS 11.2.

The release of macOS 11.2 was quickly followed by the first beta of macOS 11.3, which introduces more customization options in Safari, adds improved sorting options in the Reminders app, enhances the Support tab for warranty coverage in the About This Mac menu, allows stereo-paired HomePods to be set as the default sound output for a Mac, and more.

Other betas released this week include watchOS 7.4 and tvOS 14.5.

Blind Camera Comparison Video: iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Samsung in January debuted its latest flagship smartphone lineup, which includes the Galaxy S21 Ultra, a direct competitor to the iPhone 12 Pro Max that Apple introduced in October. In our latest YouTube video, we pitted the two smartphones against one another for a blind camera comparison.

The idea is to look at the images and decide which aesthetic you prefer — "A" or "B" — before we unveil which camera is which at the end of the video. Share your choices in the comments section.

Apple's Mixed Reality Headset Said to Feature 8K Displays, $3,000 Price Tag, and More

Apple is widely rumored to be working on a virtual reality headset, and a report this week from The Information's Alex Heath and Wayne Ma outlined several potential features and other details.

The report claimed that the headset will be equipped with more than a dozen cameras for tracking hand movements, along with two ultra-high-resolution 8K displays and advanced eye-tracking technology. The cameras would be able to pass video of the real world through the visor and display it to the user, providing a "mixed-reality effect" that is a step beyond virtual reality.

The report also claimed that the headset will have interchangeable headbands, with one featuring spatial audio technology like the AirPods Pro for a surround sound-like experience, and another providing additional battery life on the go. Similar to AirPods Max replacement ear cushions, it is possible that the headbands will be offered in a variety of colors as well.

Apple has internally discussed pricing the headset around $3,000, according to the report. This price would certainly make Apple's headset a high-end, niche product, with the company apparently setting an internal goal of shipping only 250,000 units of the headset in the first year of its release. Multiple reports have said the headset will be released in 2022 at the earliest.

Apple Reportedly Plans to Invest $3.6 Billion in Kia for Apple Car Production

There continues to be a lot of rumors surrounding the so-called Apple Car, with a partnership between Apple and Korean automaker Hyundai looking increasingly likely based on a pair of reports this week.

The first report came from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said that Apple's electric vehicle chassis will be based on Hyundai's E-GMP battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform, which could allow for a range of over 300 miles, acceleration from 0-60 miles per hour in as little as 3.5 seconds, a top speed of 160 miles per hour, up to an 80% charge within 18 minutes, and more.

A second report out of Korea claimed that Apple is planning to invest the equivalent of $3.6 billion in Hyundai subsidiary Kia as part of a planned manufacturing partnership between the two companies that would see Kia build Apple Cars at its U.S. facility located in Georgia.

It's believed that the Apple Car is still years away from being released, with projections ranging from 2024 all the way to 2028.

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Prior to the release of the M1 Macs, Apple offered developers a $500 Developer Transition Kit (DTK) that included a Mac mini equipped with an A12Z Bionic chip first used in the iPad Pro, 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI 2.0 port.

The DTKs were available on a temporary basis, and earlier this week, Apple said that it would soon begin asking developers to return the Mac minis in exchange for a $200 credit.

Since developers shelled out $500, many were unhappy with the credit amount, which also required the funds to be used by the end of May. Many developers complained about Apple's credit amount and the time limit on spending, as the end of May would not allow the credit to be used toward a product released later in 2021.

Apple has now reversed course and upped the credit, and will now be providing developers with $500 to put toward an ‌M1‌ Mac or any other Apple product. The time limit to spend the credit has also been increased, with Apple giving developers until the end of the year to use it.

We heard your feedback regarding the 200 USD appreciation credit mentioned in our last email. Our intention was to recognize the tremendous effort that you have put into creating amazing universal apps. By partnering with us early, you showed your commitment to our platform and a willingness to be trailblazers.

So instead of the 200 USD credit that expires in May, we are giving you a 500 USD Apple credit and extending the time you can use it to get a new M1 Mac through the end of the year. If you already purchased a new M1 Mac, the Apple credit gives you the flexibility to purchase any Apple product to help with your app development work.

We'll share details soon about how to ship the Developer Transition Kit (DTK) back to Apple. Note that the DTK will no longer receive publicly available software updates after macOS Big Sur 11.2. We encourage you to return it as soon as possible so that your development work is not interrupted. And once you return the DTK, you'll receive your Apple credit.

Apple first sent out Developer Transition Kits at the end of June, so developers were able to use them for seven months. Developers were meant to have a year with the DTK for app development purposes, but other benefits that include a private discussion forum and technical support will continue to be available for the full 12 month period.

As noted in Apple's emails to developers, the $500 credit can be used toward any Apple product, including ‌M1‌ Macs or other devices.

Multiple rumors over the course of the last week have suggested that Apple has been discussing Apple car manufacturing with Hyundai and Hyundai affiliate Kia, but those talks have paused recently, reports Bloomberg.

Apple has also been discussing its Apple Car plans with other automobile manufacturers, so despite rumors suggesting Apple is considering a deal with Hyundai/Kia, Apple could establish an agreement with another company. Nikkei earlier today said that Apple was speaking with at least six Japanese automakers over supply partnerships and manufacturing contributions.

Earlier this week, CNBC said that Apple was close to finalizing a deal with Kia. Apple's talks with Hyundai have been known since early January when Hyundai confirmed that it had held discussions with Apple.

"We understand that Apple is in discussion with a variety of global automakers, including Hyundai Motor. As the discussion is at its early stage, nothing has been decided," the company said. Just hours later, Hyundai walked back the statement and eliminated the reference to Apple.

Hyundai's announcement and other detailed rumors about Apple's negotiations with the automaker have upset Apple. According to Bloomberg, it is not clear if and when discussions between Apple and Hyundai might resume, but there are a limited number of automakers that would be capable of manufacturing vehicles for Apple.

If talks do resume, it is likely that Apple will end up partnering with Kia to manufacture the Apple Car at Kia's U.S. factory located in Georgia.

Apple has some time to sort out its manufacturing and production plans as Bloomberg in an earlier report said that it will be five to seven years before the Apple Car is ready to launch.

South Korean a cappella group MayTree today shared a video where they vocally recreate many of the most popular ringtones and sounds available on the iPhone.

The video highlights default ringtones like Opening (which is the default sound when a someone calls an iPhone), Silk, and Uplift, plus it covers sounds like the battery charging, a message being received, and the screen locking.

Classic ringtones like the jarring "Alarm" tone, Xylophone, Timba, Strum, and Marimba are also included. As The Verge points out, the group also previously covered well-known Windows sounds.

All of the sounds in both the Windows and iPhone videos are spot on, and are well worth checking out. The Windows video is 30 seconds, while the iPhone version is just over a minute long.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Ampere to offer MacRumors readers an ultimate Apple Watch accessory bundle, which will include an Apple Watch Legend Band, the Unravel Triple Wireless Charger, an Apple Watch Charging Dongle and Stand, and an 18W USB-C Car Charging Adapter.

Our ultimate Apple Watch accessory giveaway is celebrating the launch of Ampere's new Legend Band for the Apple Watch. Priced at $70, the Legend Band is a slim, attractive black leather strap that has a bright blue interior accent and highlight stitching in black or colorful teal and pink variants.

Made from German leather, the Legend Band has been specially treated to make it water and sweat resistant so it can be comfortably worn all day long and for any activity. The leather will age over time and take on a unique patina that will be different for each wearer.

The Legend Band has a traditional buckle closure and the design matches any of the available Apple Watch colors. It is available in 42 or 44mm size options, so it will fit Apple's larger Apple Watches. It is compatible with all Apple Watch models, from the Series 1 to the Series 6 and SE.

Along with the Legend Band, the accessory bundle also includes the Unravel Apple Watch+ charger, which is a wireless charging station designed for Apple devices. It features two 10W wireless charging coils for Apple's iPhones and AirPods, along with a built-in Apple Watch charging puck for the Apple Watch.

The Unravel AW+ has a neat hinge design that lets it fold over itself so it's portable and ideal for travel. It's compatible with your MacBook charger, which is able to provide enough power for charging four Apple devices at once.

Ampere is also including the MFI Apple Watch Charging Dongle and Charging Stand, plus an 18W USB-C Car Charging Adapter.

The Charging Dongle and Stand is a handy little portable charger that can plug into a MacBook or any other USB-C power adapter, and when paired with the aforementioned Car Charging Adapter, it can be used in the car for a quick power boost.

We have five ultimate Apple Watch accessory bundles to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win our giveaway, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (February 5) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 12. The winners will be chosen randomly on February 12 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

For those interested in Ampere's products, we have a promo code that can be used to get a 40 percent discount on the Legend Band. Just use promo code AmpereLovesMacRumors to get the deal, which will last through February 14 at midnight.

Ampere is also running a buy-one-get-one sale on the Unravel and HyperCube from now until Valentine's Day with the promo code ShareYourLove.

Popular macOS package management system Homebrew today received a major update, with the 3.0.0 version introducing official support for Apple silicon chips.

Apple Silicon is now officially supported for installations in /opt/homebrew. formulae.brew.sh formula pages indicate for which platforms bottles (binary packages) are provided and therefore whether they are supported by Homebrew. Homebrew doesn't (yet) provide bottles for all packages on Apple Silicon that we do on Intel x86_64 but we welcome your help in doing so. Rosetta 2 on Apple Silicon still provides support for Intel x86_64 in /usr/local.

Homebrew, for those unfamiliar with the software, is a package manager like the Mac App Store. It's designed to let users quickly and easily install, uninstall, and update apps using Terminal.

Prior to now, Homebrew was able to run on M1 Macs through Rosetta 2, but now it works on the new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini natively. Homebrew doesn't yet support bottles for all packages on Apple silicon that are available on x86_64, but improvements will be made in the future.

According to Homebrew developer Mike McQuaid, the 3.0.0 development was helped along by MacStadium and Apple, with Apple providing hardware and migration help.

Designers Hank Beyer and Alex Sizemore have created a series of Macs encased in locally-sourced materials, including honeycomb, coal, and ice, to "question the implications of globalization" and "consider how unconventional materials can change product relationships" (via Fast Company).

The design project is titled "For the Rest of Us," which is a play on Apple's marketing tagline for the original Macintosh: "Introducing Macintosh, the computer for the rest of us."

Photographed with similar backdrops and framing as the original Macintosh ads, Beyer and Sizemore's Macs, which are effectively non-functional sculptures, seek to challenge Apple's industrial design aesthetics by reimagining them with thought-provoking materials.

Beyer and Sizemore chose a wide range of locally-sourced materials from the American midwest, including coal, ice, peat, lard, honeycomb, sandstone, and clay, for the series of designs. The machine made of limestone is almost practical, and intends to render the color of Apple's "Snow White" original Macintosh design in a natural material.

Others, such as the dirt, ice, or honeycomb-encased Macs, are much more extraordinary and surrealist.

The entire project began several years ago, and aims to present "an alternate reality." Yet the series of designs are also "future-forward," as companies seek out more sustainable manufacturing processes and materials.

We don't want people to view our project and feel resentment toward globalization, to feel that we want to replace industry or to consider new materials only for commercial merit. We want people to question the implications of globalization, and consider how unconventional materials can change product relationships.

After displaying the project in International Festival of Design at the Villa Noailles in Hyères, France, Beyer and Sizemore have now released a "For the Rest of Us" hand-bound linen hardcover book, investigating the "processes, people, history, politics, and values of each regional material source," and how different materials could be used to create a desktop computer.

We're just over one week away from Valentine's Day, which falls on Sunday, February 14 this year. Similar to years past, many third-party Apple resellers and accessory companies have opened up notable discounts on Apple products and accessories to coincide with the holiday.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Additionally, there are a few solid discounts on Apple products like the new MacBook Pro, AirPods, and iPad Air. In this article you'll find deals on Apple devices collected first, followed by special Valentine's Day sales from companies like Twelve South, Pad & Quill, ZAGG, and more.

AirPods

One of the best AirPods deals of 2021 continues this week, with Apple's AirPods with Wired Charging Case at $119.99 on Amazon, down from $159.00. We've seen these slightly lower in the past, but given that the best deals were over the holidays, this is a next-best price that's still a solid entry point for the lower-end AirPods.

You can also get the AirPods Pro for $199.99 on Amazon, down from $249.00. Woot typically has these down to $189.99 in its sales, but those aren't as consistent as Amazon's $199.99 price tag, so this is another solid offer on the noise-canceling AirPods Pro.

We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.

iPad Air

The 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air is at its lowest price ever this week on Amazon, priced at $549.00 in Sky Blue, down from $599.00. Most of the other colors are priced at $559.00, which is typically the sale price we see on this version of the iPad Air.

In another new lowest price, the 64GB Cellular iPad Air is on sale for $679.00 in Space Gray, down from $729.00. For more storage, you can get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad Air for $699.00, down from $749.00 in Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue.

M1 MacBook Pro

Lastly in terms of Apple products, the M1 MacBook is on sale in a few configurations. The 256GB model is priced at $1,199.00 on B&H Photo, down from $1,299.00, and this is the best price that we've tracked among the major Apple resellers online. Amazon is matching as well.

The 512GB model is on sale for $1,399.00 on Amazon, down from $1,499.00, and it's similarly being matched at B&H Photo. You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

Adorama

Adorama is discounting a wide array of tech gifts in February. You can get $20 off a Fitbit Charge 4, $50 off the Sony True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earphones, $30 off the Kodak 10-inch Digital Photo Frame, and more.

• Fitbit Charge 4 - $129.00 ($20 off)
• Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones - $178.00 ($50 off)
• Kodak Digital Photo Frame - $139.95 ($30 off)
• GoPro HERO9 - $399.00 ($50 off)

Belkin

Belkin is hosting a buy one, get one 30 percent off for Valentine's Day this year. You'll just have to head to the landing page for the sale, select two products, and use the code LOVE to see 30 percent taken off.

The sale includes items like SCREENFORCE Tempered Glass Screen Protectors ($24.99 - $44.99), a SCREENFORCE True Privacy Screen Protector for MacBook ($59.99), and a collection of portable chargers ($24.99 - $69.99).

Brydge

At Brydge, you can save on quite a few of the company's iPad keyboards. Brydge's iPad keyboards support a variety of different viewing angles, adjustable backlit keys, and a premium aluminum body construction.

• Brydge 10.5 - $59.99, down from $129.99
• Brydge 10.5 Series II - $59.99, down from $129.99
• Brydge 9.7 - $79.99, down from $99.99
• Brydge Pro (11-inch/12.9-inch options) - $79.99 with code BRYPROSAVE, down from $149.99
• Brydge 10.2 - $99.99, down from $129.99

Pad & Quill

Pad & Quill is offering up to 25 percent off sitewide for Valentine's Day in 2021. The retailer has a wide selection of leather accessories for Apple products like the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.

You can also shop for laptop bags, wallets, desk pads, journals, and Pad & Quill also sells a leather HomePod Coaster.

Twelve South

Twelve South has a large Valentine's Day sale this year, with discounts on MacBook cases, iPad cases, wireless chargers, and more.

iPad

• BookBook Cover for iPad + Keyboard - $54.99 to $74.99, down from $69.99 to $89.99
• BookBook Case for iPad - $64.99 to $84.99, down from $79.99 to $99.99

AirPods

• AirSnap - $24.99, down from $34.99
• AirSnap Pro - $29.99, down from $39.99
• AirFly - $34.99 to $54.99, down from $44.99 to $64.99
• AirFly Pro Switch Edition - $44.99, down from $49.99

iPhone

• CableSnap - $24.99, down from $29.99
• HiRise Lightning Stand - $29.99, down from $59.99
• BookBook CaddySack - $44.99, down from $59.99
• HiRise Duet - $59.99, down from $99.99
• PowerPic iPhone Charger - Buy one at $59.99, get a second for free
• HiRise Wireless - $79.99, down from $99.99

Mac

• BookBook for MacBook - $74.99 to $84.99, down from $89.9 to $99.99
• HiRise Pro for iMac - $139.99, down from $169.99
• HiRise for MacBook - $54.99, down from $79.99

Tile

Tile is taking up to 20 percent off all Tile 2-packs this week. You can get a Pro 2-pack for $49.99 (previously $69.99) or a Tile Mate 2-pack for $37.99 (previously $47.99)

A few limited edition Tile products are also on sale. These Tiles include a multitude of designs, and most include 2-pack options with different Tile products. There's a Nightbloom Performance Pack with one Tile Pro and one Tile Slim for $49.99 (previously $69.99), as well as an Onyx and Pearl Jazz Tile Pro 2-pack for $58.99 (previously $73.99).

Lastly, the company is offering a few bundles that pair Tile trackers with one year of Tile Premium. Prices start at $53 (previously $90) for the Performance Pack of one Tile Pro and one Tile Slim with Tile Premium, and rise to $125 (previously $170) for four Tile Pros and Tile Premium. These offers are only available for new Tile Premium customers.

Miscellaneous

• Nomad - Get 20 percent off the 1.5M USB-C to Lightning cable (originally $39.95) with code 20MACRUMORS
• Harber London - Buy two get 20 percent off
• JBL - Save between 10 and 30 percent on portable speakers, headphones, and more
• Moment - Save on backpacks, GoPro, iPhone cases, iPhone camera accessories, and more
• Newegg - Save on laptops, SSD, monitors, and more in Newegg's "Tech Lovers Unite" sale
• Sena Cases - Take 30 percent off phone cases with code CALLME30
• ZAGG/Mophie - Take 30 percent off your entire cart when purchasing two or more products on ZAGG's website

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

With Apple's upcoming iOS 14 privacy changes looming, Snap on Thursday warned investors that they could hurt Snap's ad business (via Reuters).

Starting with the next versions of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14 due to be released in the early spring, Apple's App Tracking Transparency privacy measure will require all apps to request the user's permission to track their activity across other apps and websites.

Granting permission would allow developers to access the random advertising identifier, known as the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA), on the user's device for targeted advertising purposes or to measure how effective their campaigns were.

According to Snap, makers of Snapchat, any changes to iOS are "usually disruptive" and present an uncertain outcome, and the planned IDFA changes could present a "risk" to advertiser demand. However, the company added that it was unclear how that could affect business in the long-run.

A handful of ad networks and companies have criticized Apple's decision, including Facebook, which ran full-page newspaper ads and launched a website claiming that Apple's tracking change will hurt small businesses financially.

But during an earnings call with analysts, Snap Chief Business Officer Jeremi Gorman reportedly struck a different tone, saying that Snap shares Apple's philosophy on protecting users' privacy.

"We admire Apple and believe they are trying to do the right thing for customers," Gorman said, adding Snap is well prepared to guide advertisers through the iOS changes.

During the earnings call, Snap revealed that user growth and revenue beat analysts' fourth-quarter estimates. SnapChat made the biggest gains outside the U.S. and Europe, with 55% growth in daily active users. Revenue generated mainly from ad sales grew 62% to $911 million, easily surpassing Wall Street's consensus estimate of $857.4 million, reports Reuters.

Xiaomi has announced a new concept phone featuring a display that curves around all four sides of the device, with no room for ports or buttons.

The "quad-curved waterfall display" refers to the phone having 88-degree "waterfall" curves not only on the left and right sides of the device, but also on the top and bottom of the handset. As the press release describes it:

The 88° hyper quad-curved screen design allows visual interfaces to flow over the phone's surface like water. Almost the entire frame of the smartphone is covered by screen, while its body carries no ports or buttons, bringing forward the futuristic unibody no-port design.

The sum total effect looks to include display-based touch controls on the sides and scrolling content that when viewed at eye level appears to sort of dribble down beyond the bottom of the screen. Based on the promotional material, the corners of the device don't exhibit the "waterfall" effect, and instead have rounded cutouts that lack any display features.

Xiaomi says the concept aims to "extend the limits of the display to infinity" and realize "a true, port-free unibody design." This feat is said to be a result of "countless breakthroughs in glass bending and laminating technology" and "an innovative screen stacking design adopted through our breakthrough 3D bonding process."

Thanks to 46 self-developed patented technologies, physical ports and buttons can have their functions replicated by more elegant alternatives. Groundbreaking technologies and engineering solutions – including ultra-thin piezoelectric ceramics, an industry-first flexible film display acoustic technology, third-generation under-display cameras, wireless charging, eSIM chips, pressure-sensitive touch sensors, and more – are seamlessly integrated together, forming a visionary yet intuitive device.

It's worth mentioning that while this is being called a concept phone, Xiaomi has told The Verge that the device does actually exist and indeed, reassuringly, they've "used it themselves."

Xiaomi's recent decision to ship upcoming smartphones without a charger and its newly announced "Mi Air Charge" remote wireless technology would seem to make more sense given the lack of ports on this device.

That said, who knows whether it will ever make it to market. Xiaomi's 2019 Mi Mix Alpha phone had a display that wrapped around almost the whole of the device, and that hasn't become commercially available either.

Google has announced that it intends to unify its Google Drive solutions for keeping files in sync on users' desktops.

Currently there are two desktop sync solutions for using Google Drive – Drive File Stream, which is for business users, and Backup and Sync, which is designed for personal use.

Later this year, these two clients will become one: Google Drive for desktop. Google explains that for Drive File Stream users, this is just a name change, and all functionality will remain the same.

For Backup and Sync users, they will essentially be using Drive File Stream in all but name, except with the features they're used to incorporated into the one client.

The reason for the change is that some Google Workspace customers have deployed both sync solutions, which can be confusing for end users and challenging for IT departments to manage.

As of version 45, Drive File Stream is known as Google Drive for desktop, and the company will give three months' notice for Google Workspace admins and end users before the deadline to transition to Drive for desktop.

Google Workspace customers with end users who are currently using Backup and Sync can apply for a beta of the new unified Drive for desktop experience, which includes Backup and Sync features.

Google says it will announce when Drive for desktop is officially ready for all Backup and Sync users, and will also share more details later this year on how Backup and Sync users can get started with the new client.

Google has released Chrome version 88.0.4324.150 with an important fix for a zero-day vulnerability in the web browser that the company says is likely to have been exploited in the wild.

Google hasn't provided specific details about the heap buffer overflow memory corruption bug known as CVE-2021-21148, and says it won't do so "until a majority of users are updated with a fix."

However, ZDNet notes that the date on which Google says the bug was reported, January 24, is just two days after Google's Threat Analysis Group reported a hacking campaign carried out by North Korean hackers against the cyber-security community.

Some of the attacks involved luring security researchers to a blog where the attackers exploited browser zero-days to run malware on the researchers' systems. On January 28, Microsoft also reported that attackers most likely used a Chrome zero-day for their attacks.

The proximity of the two events has led security researchers to suspect that it was indeed the CVE-2021-21148 zero-day that was used in the attacks. As a result, all users are being advised to use the Chrome menu bar's About Google Chrome option to upgrade their browser to the latest version as soon as possible.

Google Chrome for Mac is a free download available directly from Google's servers. Google Chrome for iOS is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Apple Car rumors continued to surface on Friday, with reports that Hyundai Group affiliate Kia has approached potential partners about a plan to assemble Apple's autonomous electric vehicle at its West Point plant in the U.S. state of Georgia (via The Wall Street Journal).

Kia Corp. has approached potential partners about a plan to assemble Apple Inc.'s long-awaited electric car in Georgia, according to people familiar with the matter. The proposal would involve a multibillion-dollar investment, according to people familiar with the matter, who stress that a deal hasn’t been completed.

Hyundai has talked to Apple about investing more than $3 billion in a deal that would see its subsidiary Kia begin building cars under the tech company’s brand as soon as 2024, a person familiar with the matter said. Under such an agreement, up to 100,000 vehicles could be assembled in the first year in Georgia, where Kia has a factory, the person said.

Meanwhile, in Asia, Nikkei reports that Apple is in discussions with at least six Japanese automakers over supply partnerships and manufacturing contributions (via Bloomberg). Honda and Mazda said they couldn't comment on rumors that they had been approached by Apple, while Mitsubishi said it had not been contacted and Nissan declined to comment.

According to Tatsuo Yoshida, a senior Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, Japanese automakers are usually too busy with their own development, manufacturing, sales and customer service to take on a task like working with Apple. However, Nissan or Mitsubishi "don’t have much work, and are somewhat idle, so they might sign up," he said.

Apple Car rumors have swirled for weeks now, with Apple said to be aiming to have a vehicle‌ in production in 2024, though it's possible that timeline will be delayed as work on the ‌Apple Car‌ is still in the early stages. Bloomberg recently said it would be five to seven years before an ‌Apple Car‌ is ready to launch, while Apple analyst Ming-Chu Kuo said this week that he expects to see the ‌Apple Car‌ in 2025 at the earliest.

Earlier this week it was reported that the first Apple Car to be released will not be designed to operate with a driver and could be marketed for food delivery operations and firms that incorporate robotaxis.

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 7.4 update to public beta testers, with the new beta coming a few days after the release of the first developer beta.

The ‌watchOS 7‌.4 update can be downloaded after upgrading your iPhone to the public beta version of iOS 14.5. After installing iOS 14.5, the watchOS 7.4 software should show up as long as you have the Apple Watch profile installed. To update to the new software, the ‌Apple Watch‌ needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌‌.

Alongside iOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4 introduces a new "Unlock with Apple Watch" feature that lets an iPhone with Face ID use an unlocked and authenticated Apple Watch as a secondary authentication measure when you're wearing a mask, alleviating the need to enter a passcode to unlock the iPhone.

‌Face ID‌ does not work when wearing a mask, but this new Apple Watch feature provides an easy but still secure way to access the iPhone without the hassle of a passcode. It's similar to the Apple Watch unlocking on Mac and can be enabled in the Settings app under ‌Face ID‌ & Passcode.

An unlocked Apple Watch paired with ‌Face ID‌ can unlock the iPhone when a mask is worn, but it's only for mask usage. The Apple Watch cannot be used to authenticate Apple Pay or App Store purchases, nor can it be used to unlock apps that require a ‌Face ID‌ scan. In these situations, the mask will need to be removed or a passcode/password will need to be used instead.

When the Apple Watch unlocks the iPhone, you'll feel a haptic tap on the wrist and will receive a notification on the watch, similar to how it works when using the watch to unlock a Mac.

For those who use Apple Fitness+, the watchOS 7.4 update combined with iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 enables AirPlay 2 for Apple Fitness+, so workouts can be streamed to an ‌AirPlay‌ 2-enabled TV or set-top box. Apple Watch metrics do not show up on the screen when AirPlayed, however, and that feature is limited to iPhone/iPad/Apple TV.

watchOS 7.4 is going to be available in a beta capacity for several weeks, with Apple planning to release the update in the early spring.

Apple today seeded the first public beta of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.3 update to its public beta testing group, with the new software coming two days after the beta was provided to developers.

Public beta testers can download ‌macOS Big Sur‌ 11.2 from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after installing the proper profile from Apple's beta software website.

macOS Big Sur 11.3 introduces more customization options for Safari, adding a way to rearrange the different sections on the Start Page like Favorites, Reading List, Siri Suggestions, Privacy Report, and more. Developers also have access for a new integration to develop features for the Start Page.

The update includes optimizations for using iOS apps on M1 Macs. When running iPhone and iPad apps on ‌M1‌ Macs, there's a Touch Alternatives preference pane that allows users to set keyboard commands for touch input alternatives, plus iPadOS apps launch with a larger window if the Mac's display allows it. Touch Alternatives can be enabled for iPhone or ‌iPad‌ apps by clicking on the app's name in the menu bar and then selecting the Preferences option. Touch Alternatives let you customize taps, swipes, and drags.

macOS Big Sur 11.3 also adds support for the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controllers for use with macOS games.

In the Reminders app, reminder lists can be sorted by Due Date, Creation Date, Priority, or Title, and there is an option to print lists by going to File > Print. Reminders can also be moved manually across lists with drag and drop, something that wasn't possible before.

Apple is adding a new "Made For You" library shortcut in Apple Music for finding personal mixes and Replay playlists, and the Listen Now section has been updated with support for highlighting live events.

There are new sorting options in the Reminders app along with options to print, and ‌Apple Music‌ has been updated with a Made for You shortcut and a live events option in the Listen Now section.

In the Apple News app, there's a redesigned ‌Apple News‌+ tab with a dedicated "For You" section and a new Browse tab that makes it easier to browse through available content. The new For You section is designed to help ‌Apple News‌+ users find favorite magazines and newspapers much faster, plus it adds new tools for managing downloaded issues.

9to5Mac discovered that macOS Big Sur 11.3 includes an updated "Support" interface when accessing "About This Mac." The new design includes details on your warranty and it allows for starting a repair right from the Mac interface.

The tab will work similarly to the AppleCare coverage menu in the iOS Settings app, which lets users request repairs, buy an ‌AppleCare‌ plan, and check their coverage. This updated support menu is not visible in the first beta of macOS Big Sur 11.3, but it could come at a later date. There are also signs that Apple may be planning to bring a support app to the Mac.

macOS Big Sur 11.3 adds support for HomePod Stereo pairs, allowing a set of paired HomePods to be set as the default sound output option, with the two HomePods showing up as a single selectable speaker rather than separate as in prior versions of macOS.

Apple today seeded a new version the of upcoming iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta updates coming a few days after Apple released the first iOS and iPadOS 14.5 betas. This beta appears to be an update to the first beta rather than a second version.

iOS and iPadOS 14.5 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or over the air after the proper profile has been installed on an iPhone or iPad. Apple has also released iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 betas for public beta testers, with the software able to be updated with the proper profile from Apple's public beta testing website.

iOS 14.5 is the biggest update to iOS 14 to date, introducing several significant new features. First and foremost, Apple is making it easier to unlock an iPhone when you're wearing a face mask with a new "Unlock with Apple Watch" feature.

This opt-in option lets you use an unlocked and authenticated Apple Watch as a secondary authentication method to unlock an iPhone alongside Face ID. With this feature, you no longer have to enter a passcode or remove your mask to unlock your iPhone. Both an iPhone running iOS 14.5 and an Apple Watch are required to use this, and the Apple Watch cannot authenticate Apple Pay purchases, App Store purchases, or unlock third-party apps that use ‌Face ID‌.

The update also brings worldwide support for 5G in Dual-SIM mode on iPhone 12 models, so if you use multiple lines, both can now connect at 5G speeds. Prior to now, Dual-SIM mode was limited to LTE networks.

With watchOS 7.4, iOS and iPadOS 14.5 include AirPlay 2 support for Apple Fitness+, so Apple Fitness+ subscribers can start a workout on an iPhone or iPAd and then AirPlay it to a compatible smart TV or set-top box. ‌AirPlay‌ 2 supports audio and video, but it does not display on-screen workout metrics.

PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers are supported on the iPhone and the ‌iPad‌ with iOS 14.5, and code suggests that Apple is going to add joint account support for the Apple Card in the near future.

iOS 14.5 is the update where Apple will begin requiring developers to comply with its App Tracking Transparency rules. Going forward, developers will need to ask for and receive your permission to access your random advertising identifier and track your activity across apps and websites.

Apple has made design tweaks to the Apple News and Podcasts apps, plus there are new print and sort options in Reminders. There are new settings for emergency alerts, a horizontal loading screen on the ‌iPad‌, and tons of other smaller feature tweaks that are outlined in our full iOS 14.5 features guide.

The new 14.5 update appears to have fixed an issue that prevented downgrading to the release version of iOS and it addresses a bug that prevented Microsoft apps from being opened by some users.

Update: Apple has also made the new version of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 available to public beta testers.

Update 2: There's also a new tvOS 14.5 update for public beta testers.