AirPods 3 review, 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, and a 2022 iMac Pro, on the AppleInsider Podcast

On the AppleInsider podcast we review the new AirPods 3, discuss leaks of a new iMac Pro, plus subscription pricing models, and hands on with the new 14-inch MacBook Pro.

Apple is halfway through its two year transition to Apple Silicon with only the 27-inch iMac and Mac Pro left using Intel chips. Leaker @Dylandkt tweeted that the larger iMac will be updated in the first hall of 2022 with a ProMotion display, dark bezels, and sport Apple's M1 Pro and M1 Mac chips.

While we wait for that, popular note-taking and productivity app Notability recently announced a transition to subscription based pricing — and it did not go well.

At first, the company said that users who previously purchased the app would be required to sign up for the annual subscription after a one year grace period. Notability received significant backlash from this change and backed down from forcing previous buyers to subscribe.

If a user has already purchased Notability they will have lifetime access to the current feature set. Future updates and new features will require a subscription, although the company did also say that it might include some enhancements for free.

Next, it's time for the long-awaited AirPods 3, now focusing on sound quality improvements and the redesigned form factor. With the increased price of $179, however, users will have a tough decision to make as AirPods Pro are frequently on sale for $199 or less. We discuss the pros and cons of both models and how you can device which AirPods to buy.

Then there's the 14-inch MacBook Pro and how it is, how it performs, in the real world. With co-host Wes being an iPad-first user, we use this to also examine the key benefits of macOS over iPadOS and describe the trade-in experience through Apple.

Follow our hosts

• @stephenrobles on Twitter
• @Hillitech on Twitter

Sponsored by:

• Bespoke Post: Get 20% off your first monthly box when you sign up at: boxofawesome.com and enter the code appleinsider at checkout.
• Truebill: Save $100s a year by tracking and cancelling your subscriptions with Truebill! Visit truebill.com/appleinsider to get started.
• The Prisoner Wine Company: Get 20% off and FREE shipping when you visit: theprisonerwinecompany.com/appleinsider
• ExpressVPN: AppleInsider listeners can get three extra months when you sign up for a year of service! Get the most secure and fastest VPN service today by visiting: expressvpn.com/appleinsider

Support the show

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

Links from the show

• Apple's 21.5-inch Intel iMac is officially retired
• Apple Silicon iMac Pro coming early 2022, says leaker
• Facebook changes the one thing it doesn't need to, is now called 'Meta'
• Meta Company - Daring Fireball
• Notability backs down on subscriptions for existing users
• Updates to Notability 11.0 Subscription
• Wes Tweets about Subscriptions
• Stephen's Tweet with AirPods 3 MagSafe
• New Apple AirPods Pro - Amazon
• Compared: M1 vs M1 Pro and M1 Max
• Apple executives discuss how the M1 Pro, M1 Max were developed
• iFixit 16-inch MacBook Pro teardown reveals a more repairable design
• Bids for the 'world's first USB-C iPhone' eclipse $85,000 on eBay

More AppleInsider podcasts

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast artwork from Basic Apple Guy. Download the free wallpaper pack here.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: steve@appleinsider.com

Subscribe to AppleInsider on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Pocket Casts
• Castro
• Sticher
• Google Podcasts

Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast — and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too.If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.