Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: September 22, 2026, 2:04 PM ET

Apple Hits Record Valuation as Ternus Era Begins

Apple shares briefly reached $345.34 moments after the market opened today, marking the company's highest valuation ever just three weeks into the John Ternus era. The milestone underscores investor confidence in the new leadership even as Apple navigates an increasingly complex product landscape.

Mac Hardware: Soldered Storage and Same-Day Availability

The new Mac mini has dropped support for aftermarket storage upgrades, with teardowns confirming that M6 and M5 Pro configurations now use soldered SSDs. This reverses a brief two-year window when the M4 Mac mini offered an upgradable slot. The Mac Studio, however, retains its slotted design, preserving at least one desktop option for users who want to swap drives themselves. Both new machines are available for same-day pickup at Apple Stores across 30 countries starting today. Meanwhile, Amazon has slashed prices on the 2026 MacBook Pro, with discounts reaching $600 on select configurations.

iPhone 18 Pro: Face ID Upgrades and Display Tech Roadmap

Apple has added an extra authentication layer to Face ID on the iPhone 18 Pro, incorporating supplemental image data to strengthen biometric security. Looking further ahead, the company plans to bring COE OLED technology to Pro iPhones in 2029, enabling thinner, more power-efficient panels. On the accessory front, PITAKA has launched its iPhone 18 Pro case lineup starting at $59.99, with a 10% launch discount.

iOS 27: New Features and Security Developments

iOS 27 has arrived with a convenient paste shortcut positioned above the keyboard, alongside Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence enhancements. In security news, references in the iOS 27.2 beta reveal that Apple is still developing an anti-snatching feature that would lock stolen iPhones. However, the company has quietly excluded older iPhones from new Texture and Grain controls for Photographic Styles. Separately, Meta's Muse AI agent was exploited via a 0-day vulnerability within the last 24 hours, a reminder of the threat landscape Apple continues to address.

Apple Pay Expansion and Retail Innovation

Apple announced that Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available in eight additional countries, broadening the contactless payment system's global reach. The company's retail legacy is also in the spotlight with the release of "Shop Different," a new book by Ron Johnson that offers a tantalizing glimpse at the origins of the Apple Store. The book, now available, was co-written by the former head of Apple retail and reveals much about how the company revolutionized consumer electronics shopping.

Audio, Music, and Automotive

The new Beats 360 headphones have received a positive review, praised for good all-around sound and customizable features in a sweat-resistant premium package. Apple's UK headquarters at Battersea Power Station has added a spectacular new concert venue called Apple Music Hall. For iPhone users who rely on Car Play, one of the most powerful weather apps has arrived on the platform with Radar Scope 5.7, bringing professional-grade radar data to the dashboard.