Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 3, 2026, 2:26 PM ET

Apple Hardware Roadmap

Apple has reportedly canceled plans for a foldable MacBook and a larger OLED MacBook Pro model, according to an updated roadmap from Omdia research. The decision, which affects products that were described as a priority for hardware engineering chief John Ternus, also includes a new 13.8-inch OLED MacBookthat could arrive in 2029, potentially creating a new tier between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Meanwhile, Apple's existing LCD-based MacBook Pro modelswith mini-LED backlighting are now expected to remain available until 2028, delaying the transition to OLED displays across the lineup. For those waiting on a more powerful portable, a MacBook Ultrais rumored to offer an M5 Ultra chip option, potentially launching alongside the OLED MacBook Pro models in early 2027.

iPhone 18 Pro and Chip Leaks

Ahead of Apple's event on Wednesday, September 9, new details have emerged about the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup. An alleged solder joint diagram for the A20 Pro chip suggests a seven-core GPU, a wider memory interface, and a larger L2 cache, according to a supply chain leakthat indicates significant improvements in gaming performance and memory bandwidth. Another leaker's claimscorroborate the seven-core GPU design and faster RAM, while Trend Force research suggests Apple will be paying 400% morefor the iPhone 18 Pro's memory compared to previous generations, driven by rising DRAM prices. These cost pressures are reflected in price estimatesthat show a 10–20% increase over current models, with the Pro starting around $1,099 and the Pro Max around $1,199. The iPhone 18 Pro is also expected to feature three upgrades that have been rumored for years: a larger battery, improved thermal management, and a periscope telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom.

Apple Legal and Privacy

Apple is facing a £2 billion ($2.7 billion) lawsuitin London, filed by a former UK antitrust director, accusing it of imposing stricter App Tracking Transparency rules on third-party developers than on its own advertising services. The class action claims Apple launched the privacy feature to disadvantage competitors and benefit itself, according to a report from AppleInsider. Meanwhile, the US government has made a legal filingthat argues copyright violations by AI companies are acceptable if they enable faster innovation, citing national security concerns. This stance has drawn criticism from creators, who argue it effectively sanctions legal theft of copyrighted material to train large language models.

Deals and Accessories

The giant Labor Day sales continue, with a 2026 Apple Studio Displayhitting an all-time low on Amazon at $214 off, bringing the price down to $1,684.88 for the Nano-Texture Glass and Tilt-Adjustable Stand version. The discount on the Studio Displayis accompanied by deals on Air Pods Pro, iPad Air models at $100 off, Air Tag 2 at $20 each, and various charging accessories. For entry-level iPad users, Brydge has launchednew color-matched keyboards that match the iPad's finish, marking the company's comeback after its 2023 acquisition and brief hiatus from the market.

Smart Home and AI

Anker is making a Matter smarthome bidwiththe launch of Mind Base, an AI home hub that runs locally, supports Matter, controls cameras and video doorbells, and doubles as a NAS with up to 48TB of storage. The MindBase hubworks alongside Home Kit and almost 100 Anker devices, positioning it as a central brain for smart homes. Aqara alsodebuted five new Matter-enabled smart lightscompatible with Apple Home, supporting Thread and Zigbee protocols. Govee introduced a $400 Matter-enabled Sky Ceiling Lightwith AI mood response, along with COB Strip Light 2 Pro and Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 Pro. For TV sync enthusiasts, Philips Hue's TV Syncnow starts at $120, down from the previous $385 entry point, with Nanoleaf integration also supported. Meanwhile, AI chatbots experienced widespread outages, as ChatGPT, Claude, and Grokall went down or suffered issues for many users, according to Downdetector data. Anthropic has upgraded Claude's computer useto run in the background on Mac, allowing users to multitask while Claude performs tasks autonomously.

iOS 27 and Software

iOS 27 introduces a new "iPhone Handoff" featurethat allows users to switch between two iPhones while using the same phone number on each device, a functionality briefly mentioned duringthe keynote. The update also fixes Apple Mailin three significant ways: improved search relevance, better handling of threaded conversations, and smarter notification grouping, addressing long-standing complaints from power users. For Mac users wanting animated wallpapers, there's now a way to run Wallpaper Engine filesnatively via Vivid Walls, though with some caveats regarding performance and compatibility. Apple's upcoming smart home displaycould launch soon, according to rumors, featuring a square display designed to power Apple Home, with Face Time camera supportand a built-in speaker.

Apple TV and Other News

Apple TV kicks off its fall lineup this week with Mayday,a Ryan Reynolds spy movie that has received strong early reviews, with critics praising its pacing and humor. In other retail news, Hobby Lobby has stealthily added Apple Pay supportat its checkouts, ending years of customer frustration over the lack of contactless payments. An original Apple-1 Computercould fetch between $500,000 and $800,000 at auction this October,with fewer than 75 units known to exist. For those wondering about wireless earbuds, Apple's AirPods release schedulepoints to new models arrivingin 2027, though Air Pods Pro 3 are expected sooner. Finally, a year after launch,the iPhone Airhas proven critics wrong,with its lightweight designand battery life emerging as strengths rather than weaknesses, according to a retrospective review.