Apple Silicon updates, Apple Store updates, and more places to get your Apple gear fixed on the AppleInsider Podcast

Apple settles some questions about Apple Silicon hardware, but raises others. Plus even as Apple Stores continue to reopen after the coronavirus lockdown, Apple is now allowing more independent firms to perform repairs.

The concern that Apple Silicon will drop support for Thunderbolt 3 has been resolved, as Apple commits to supporting it — and Intel announces more details of Thunderbolt 4, too. Yet even as that's been settled, there's now another question over whether Apple is looking to axe external GPUs instead.

In more certain and positive news, Apple is now allowing more independent companies to repair Macs, and other devices. There's more to it than there seems, but it looks as if we are all going to benefit from more and perhaps also more convenient repair firms.

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Links from the show

Software mentioned:

• Cardhop for iOS
• OmniFocus for iOS

News:

• Apple silicon Macs to support Thunderbolt despite shift to ARM
• Apple silicon Mac documentation suggests third-party GPU support in danger
• Apple expands its Independent Repair Provider Program to 32 countries
• Logitech launches Mac versions of MX Keys, K380 keyboards & MX Master 3 mouse
• Apple Music app bug reportedly causing sporadic battery drain
• Apple releases second developer betas for iOS 14, iPadOS 14, watchOS 7, tvOS 14, macOS Big Sur