This week on AI: iMac Pro launch, Apple buys Shazam, FCC repeals net neutrality & more

By Roger Fingas

Somehow news accelerated this week, even with the impending Christmas holiday -- the biggest stories being the launch of the iMac Pro, and Apple's takeover of song recognition service Shazam.

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A roundup of all of our hottest stories this week:

Apple begins selling $4999 27-inch iMac Pro with 8-core CPU, deliveries arrive Dec. 27Apple acquires song identifying app Shazam for undisclosed sumiMac Pro debuts custom Apple T2 chip to handle secure boot, password encryption, moreApple grants Finisar $390M for research & production on laser tech used in iPhone XApple updates Final Cut Pro X to version 10.4, with 8K video editing, extended VR video supportApple buys original space drama TV series from 'Battlestar Galactica' creatoriPhone X delivery times improve worldwide, down to 1-3 days in some marketsApple pushes back against shareholder measures on human rights & greenhouse gasesApple may fix aging battery issues, prevent random shutdowns by slowing down iPhonesApple donates $1M to southern California fire reliefGymKit for Apple Watch makes North American premiereApple now allows all developers to offer app pre-orders on App StoreApple used data from iOS app to resolve 196 environmental supplier violations in ChinaApple expands Everyone Can Code program to almost 500,000 Chicago studentsApple's 14- & 18-core iMac Pro configurations won't ship until 2018Apple updates AirPort firmware with KRACK vulnerability fixApple releases promised iOS 11.2.1 and tvOS 11.2.1 update, restoring shared HomeKit accessApple releases first iOS 11.2.5, watchOS 4.2.2, tvOS 11.2.5 betasApple ready to expand Advanced Manufacturing Fund beyond $1B, COO says'Intentional' event redirects cloud traffic from Apple, Google & others through RussiaLogic Pro X updated to take advantage of high core counts in the iMac Pro, future Mac ProFCC votes to undo net neutrality protections despite public protestsAmazon spokeswoman confirms Apple TV 4K being processed for return to saleVideo: Which iMac Pro configuration is right for you?Court rejects US bid to intervene in Apple's appeal of EU tax ruling