Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: September 8, 2026, 3:09 PM ET

Apple's "Surprise and Shine" Event

Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event is set for tomorrow, and expectations are running high for anywhere from six to nine new product announcements. The centerpiece will almost certainly be the foldable iPhone Ultra, a device that has been a decade in the making. New reporting reveals that Tim Cook personally pushed for years to perfect the foldable design, which was originally intended to cost $1,999 before the memory and flash storage crisis derailed those plans. With storage upgrades, the device could now reach around $3,000. The iPhone Ultra was widely expected to feature Touch ID instead of Face ID due to its thin chassis, and code references in the iOS 27 beta seem to back that up, though analysts caution the references are not definitive proof. Meanwhile, Counterpoint Research predicts Apple will quickly dominate the foldable phone market, with global shipments expected to surpass 100 million units by the end of this year.

One potential snag: the iPhone Ultra may launch later in China due to issues with eSIM support, according to a reliable Chinese leaker posting on Weibo. In other iPhone news, a sketchy rumor claims Apple may scrap the standard iPhone 18 entirely and rebrand the iPhone Air 2 as the iPhone, though the leaker has no real track record to speak of. The leaker also suggests the iPhone Air line could eventually replace the entry-level iPhone, but not anytime soon.

Apple Watch and iOS 27

Alongside the iPhone, new Apple Watch models will be unveiled at tomorrow's event. A last-minute leak from watch OS 27 code reveals four changes coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12, which will be introduced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra. The code also hints at new features for the broader watchOS 27 update. In iOS, code found in the Camera app reportedly points to four major pro photography features, including advanced videography tools that could appeal to professional creators. These additions would mark a significant upgrade to the iPhone's camera capabilities.

Air Pods Turn 10

Apple's iconic wireless headphones are now a decade old. The first Air Pods were unveiled on September 7, 2016, and the product line has since become one of Apple's most successful accessories, evolving through multiple generations with features like active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and the H-series chips. The milestone comes as Apple prepares to announce new products at tomorrow's event, and fans are speculating whether a new Air Pods model might be among the announcements.

Apple Acquisitions and Legal

EU filings revealed that Apple has acquired Sonera, a California-based startup working on non-invasive sensors that can measure neural signals from the brain. The technology, which sounds futuristic, could have health and accessibility applications ranging from muscle monitoring to active thought control. The acquisition was disclosed in a notice published on the European Commission's website, confirming that Apple bought the company earlier this year. On the legal front, Trinami X, a subsidiary of German chemical giant BASF, is suing Apple in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, accusing the company of infringing seven patents related to Face ID technology. The lawsuit could have implications for Apple's facial recognition systems across its product lineup.

Apple Arcade and Entertainment

Apple Arcade is adding five new games in October, led by Pusheen's Place, the internet's favorite cat's first officially licensed game. Other additions include "River City Survivors" and Terraria+, along with two more titles. The games will be added to the ad-free, in-app purchase-free library next month. In streaming news, BBC breakout comedy "Small Prophets" has been renewed for a second season following an Apple TV pickup. The show, starring Pearce Quigley as a man driven to desperate measures, is making the jump from BBC Two to BBC One. According to Deadline, the second season is confirmed. Separately, Apple TV+ series "Slow Horses" returns next week, and the sixth season is being hailed as "the best one yet" in first reviews.

Mac Deals and Hardware

Amazon is offering significant discounts on Apple hardware ahead of tomorrow's event. The M5 MacBook Air is seeing up to $150 off multiple models, with the 15-inch version dropping to $1,349, the lowest price of the season. Amazon has also introduced the first pre-order discount on the new M5 Max Mac Studio, saving you $50 ahead of its Sept. 22 release. The Mac Studio model includes 36GB RAM and joins the Mac mini in receiving discounts. Air Pods Pro 3 are at $50 off, and Air Tag 2 is back at an all-time low of $20 each. For those comparing options, a buyer's guide breaks down the differences between the 2024 and 2026 Mac mini models, with the new M6 chip and updated design being the key differentiators.

Apple Retail and Accessories

Apple Lakeside, located in Essex, England, will reopen on September 12 following a major redesign after nearly 20 years. The renovated store adds dedicated pickup, expanded accessibility features, and a brand new experience room. In accessories, OWC has announced a new Thunderbolt 5 Dock with Dual HDMI, priced at $350. The dock offers dual HDMI connectivity without needing adapters and provides 140W charging, expanding OWC's Thunderbolt 5 lineup.

Google Chrome and Car Play

In non-Apple news that still matters to Apple users, Google Chrome has shifted to a two-week release cycle starting with version. The faster cadence was previewed earlier this year and means Chrome users will see new features and security updates more frequently. Meanwhile, the Cadillac Lyriq EV is the first crack in GM's Car Play ban. General Motors first announced it was ditching Car Play in all future EVs back in 2023, but the Lyriq appears to be the first model where GM is softening its stance, potentially signaling a reversal of the controversial decision.