Top stories: Apple Maps adding Waze features, Intel Downplays M1 chip, MacBook Pro charging issue resolved

This week, another good mix of news and rumors took place, led by the discovery that Apple Maps is going to get Waze-like features for accidents, dangers and speed checks among the crowd.

Intel also generates some headlines for a new advertising campaign and questionable benchmark data targeting Apple’s latest M1 Macs, while the well-known Apple Car stays in the news with Hyundai / Kia apparently shooting it in the foot by admitting previously that it is in talks with Apple to manufacture the vehicle. Read on for details on these stories and more from this past week!

Apple Maps adds Waze-like features in iOS 14.5

iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, which are still in beta, become major software updates for the iPhone and iPad. We already highlighted several new features last week, such as 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 and AirPlay 2 streaming for Apple Fitness + exercises, and we We have since learned that the update adds new Waze-like features to Apple Maps for accidents, speed traps, and traffic hazards.

From iOS 14.5, Siri also remembers which streaming music service a user chooses, making it possible to set third-party services like Spotify rather than Apple Music as the default – here’s how. This feature does not yet seem to work perfectly for all beta users.

Finally, it seems that YouTube’s mobile site is working again with the “Picture in Picture” mode on the iOS 14.5 beta. Apple has indicated that iOS 14.5 should launch to the public in early spring, which is likely to mean some time around the end of March.

Intel highlights Apple’s M1 chip with ‘carefully crafted’ benchmarks

Three months after the launch of Apple’s fantastic M1 Macs, Intel has fallen behind with benchmarks and a new advertising campaign, but there are a few asterisks involved.

First, Intel has selected some very specific standard tasks to demonstrate that Windows laptops powered by its latest 11th Generation Core processors are better than Macs with Apple’s custom M1 chip, such as running a PowerPoint presentation as a PDF file.

Intel also used different processor SKUs, depending on the test, and switched from the 13-inch MacBook Pro to the MacBook Air for the battery life test, so there are a lot of inconsistencies during the slideshow.

“Inconsistent testing platforms, shifting arguments, omitted data and the not-so-faint scent of desperation,” Apple columnist Jason Snell wrote for Six Colors. “Today’s M1 processor is a cheap chip for low-end systems, so Intel only has a small window to compare itself favorably with these systems before higher-quality Apple silicone Macs are available and its work so much harder. make.”

Apple is offering free battery replacements for MacBook Pros for 2016-2017 that can not charge more than 1%

Apple this week released macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 to address an issue that could prevent the battery from charging in some 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models.

Apple says a “very small number of customers” have experienced a problem that the battery did not charge more than 1%, and they offer free batteries. Our article contains steps to identify your Mac model to see if it is eligible.

If your MacBook Pro does not show this problem, it is still strongly recommended as a precaution to update it to macOS 11.2.1 as soon as possible. There is also an additional update of macOS Catalina 10.15.7 that addresses the issue.

Buyer’s Guide: Don’t Buy a MacBook Pro Now

If you’re thinking of buying a new MacBook Pro soon, it should serve as a reminder that this may not be the best time to do so.

In recent weeks, trusted sources such as TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman of Bloomberg have claimed that there will be significant changes to the MacBook Pro this year, such as the return of MagSafe charging and more ports, including an SD card reader. .

Kuo and Gurman also said that Apple plans to replace the controversial Touch Bar with a physical row of Fn keys, and a modest redesign is expected with flatter edges on the top and bottom of the MacBook Pro. Other expectations include a brighter screen and the next-generation Apple silicone.

If you are buying a MacBook Pro now, we recommend choosing the lowest 13-inch model, which already uses Apple silicone. Otherwise, it’s a good choice to wait for the rumored 14-inch and 16-inch models later this year.

Mark the MacRumors Buyer’s Guide for more buying recommendations!

Hyundai and Kia now say they are not in talks to develop Apple Car

Following weeks of unspoken rumors about “Apple Car”, Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia filed regulations this week, saying they are not (or at least not anymore) in talks with Apple to work together on the development of ‘ a self-driving electric vehicle.

Hyundai confirmed last month that Apple was in talks with a variety of global automakers, including Hyundai. However, the carmaker returned the statement just hours later, merely saying that it had received ‘requests for potential co-operation from various companies regarding the development of autonomous EVs’.

Bloomberg reported that talks between Apple and Hyundai were ‘recently’ stopped ‘, adding that Hyundai’s original statement and subsequent reports upset Apple, a company known for its secrecy culture.

It is suspected that Apple is still considering partnerships with other car manufacturers, such as Nissan, Honda and Mazda. In any case, it is widely believed that the Apple Car is still a few years away from reality.

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