Apple News 24 Hours

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

Apple's Record Valuation Under New Leadership

Three weeks into the John Ternus era, Apple has crossed its highest valuation ever. Apple shares briefly reached $345.34 moments after the market opened, surging on investor confidence in the new CEO's product roadmap. The stock later closed at a record high of $338.98, buoyed by strong reception to the iPhone Duo and Siri AI initiatives. Ternus himself addressed his new role in an interview with Canal+ talk show Clique, discussing the iPhone Duo design philosophy and the future of Siri AI. He also praised the Apple Vision Pro, saying the spatial computing platform has a bright future but faces a long journey before reaching mainstream adoption.

Mac Hardware: New Models Launch, Storage Upgrades Disappear

Apple's new Mac mini and Mac Studio models launched today in 30 countries, with same-day pickup available at Apple Stores. However, the M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini have dropped support for aftermarket storage upgrades, with the SSD now soldered directly to the logic board. This marks a reversal from the M4 Mac mini, which released two years ago with an upgradable SSD that teardowns revealed could be swapped by users. The Mac Studio, notably, still retains its slotted SSD design. For those building out a new rig, a curated list of accessories has been assembled to elevate the M6 Mac mini and Mac Studio experience.

MacBook Pro Discounts and Display Technology Roadmap

Massive discounts have hit the 2026 MacBook Pro on Amazon, with savings of up to $600 available on select configurations. Meanwhile, Apple is planning to bring iPhone Duo display technology to Pro models in 2029. The 2029 "Pro" iPhones could adopt thinner and more power-efficient OLED panels using Color on Encapsulation technology, which eliminates the need for a polarizer layer and improves power efficiency.

iOS 27: New Features, Downgrade Block, and Siri App

iOS 27 has arrived with Siri AI and new Apple Intelligence features as headline additions. Among the smaller but highly useful changes is a convenient paste shortcut added above the keyboard. Apple Notes in iOS 27 also adds a power-user feature rare in other apps: section links that let users jump between different parts of a note. A standalone Siri app has also arrived on the iPhone's Home Screen. On the flip side, Apple has stopped signing iOS 26.6.2, meaning iPhone users running iOS 27 can no longer downgrade to iOS. The change, confirmed by the signing window closure, is standard practice but eliminates the option to revert for users encountering issues.

iOS 27.2 Beta: Anti-Snatching, Camera Features, and More

New references in the latest iOS 27.2 beta show that Apple continues to develop an anti-snatching feature that automatically locks a stolen iPhone. The feature locks the device when it detects snatching motion, and new details have emerged about how the system identifies theft scenarios. Apple Insider reports that the protection is being tested in the beta and could ship in a future update. In other beta news, Apple's new Texture and Grain controls for Photographic Styles are not available on older iPhones, quietly limiting the feature to newer hardware. The iOS 27.2 beta also reveals new features coming to Apple Music, Car Play, and more.

iPhone 18 Pro: Face ID, Cases, and Upgrade Considerations

Apple has added an additional layer of authentication to Face ID on the iPhone 18 Pro, using supplemental image data to enhance security. For those considering the new model, a buyer's guide compares the iPhone 14 Pro against the iPhone 18 Pro to help determine whether an upgrade is worthwhile. PITAKA has also launched its iPhone 18 Pro case lineup, with stunning designs and protection starting from $59.99, plus a 10% savings offer. The latest 9to5Mac Daily recaps the top iPhone 18 Pro and iOS 27.2 stories of the day.

Apple Music Hall Opens in London

Apple has opened a spectacular new Apple Music Hall concert venue at Battersea Power Station in London. The venue, part of Apple's UK headquarters at the famous landmark, adds a new live music destination to the campus. Apple announced the opening of the spatial audio venue, which is designed to showcase Apple Music's immersive audio capabilities. The new live music venue opens in Battersea Power Station, London, marking a significant investment in live entertainment.

Apple Retail History and Tap to Pay Expansion

A new book co-written by Ron Johnson, the original head of Apple retail, reveals much about how the Apple Store came to be. "Shop Different" offers a tantalizing glimpse at Apple Store origins and the retail philosophy that shaped them. The book is now available for readers interested in the behind-the-scenes story of Apple's retail operations. In other news, Apple has announced that Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available in 8 more countries, expanding the contactless payment feature's global footprint.

watch OS, mac OS, and Cross-Platform Updates

The App Switcher has returned in watch OS 27.2 beta with a new launch gesture. Apple has apparently listened to user feedback and brought back the App Switcher after its removal in an earlier version. On the Mac side, mac OS 27.2 beta brings new volume and brightness sliders, arriving with the second beta of mac OS Golden Gate. WhatsApp now lets Apple Watch users react with any emoji, following an initial limited rollout of emoji reactions on the Apple Watch.

Car Play, Weather, and Automotive Partnerships

One of the most powerful weather apps for iPhone has come to Car Play. Radar Scope 5.7 brings detailed weather radar to the car dashboard, leveraging Car Play's robust app platform. Meanwhile, GM has cleared up confusion over its Car Play strategy, confirming it isn't changing course on Car Play for its electric vehicles. Despite recent reports suggesting a reversal, GM still plans to ditch Apple Car Play in future EVs, sticking with its native infotainment system.

Security, AI, and Legal Developments

The last 24 hours at Meta were eventful, with the company's Muse AI agent exploited via a 0-day vulnerability. The incident raises questions about the security of AI agents deployed at scale. In a separate legal matter, Apple has challenged OpenAI's forensic analysis in their trade secrets case, seeking access to hardware R&D in the dispute. On the enterprise security front, a new podcast episode discusses phishing simulations for the AI era, exploring how organizations can train employees to recognize increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Accessories, Audio, and Developer Tools

The new Beats 360 are premium headphones that are customizable and sweat-resistant, offering good all-around sound according to a new review. For fall camping trips, BLAVOR's solar power bank is built to keep devices charged outdoors. In developer news, AI coding platform Bitrig has added iPhone Duo support with an interactive 3D simulator, following the release of Xcode 27.1 beta.

AI Glasses Market Surge

AI glasses shipments surged 263% in the first half of 2026 as Apple prepares to enter the market. Counterpoint Research reports the dramatic growth, signaling strong consumer appetite for smart eyewear ahead of Apple's anticipated entry into the category.

iCloud Glitch and Miscellaneous

Some iPhone users on iOS 27 are experiencing an annoying iCloud storage notification glitch that puts an unremovable red badge on the Settings app. The bug persists despite attempts to clear notifications, and Apple has not yet acknowledged the issue publicly.