Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: March 23, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Apple Executive Succession & Internal History

Speculation surrounding the next chief executive officer at Apple continues to intensify, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus emerging as the leading internal candidate. Ternus is reportedly "well-liked" by colleagues and credited with helping reverse a period of perceived "declining product quality" within the company, according to an in-depth profile published today in Bloomberg Businessweek. This succession chatter coincides with Apple preparing for an elaborate 50th anniversary celebration planned for Apple Park, marking a major milestone for the company that recently launched a new book detailing its first five decades.

A newly resurfaced internal video from July 27, 1999, offers a rare, unfiltered perspective on the company’s post-turnaround strategy directly from co-founder Steve Jobs, discussing earlier products like the iBook and Air Port. This historical context frames the current moment, where Tim Cook continues to engage globally, recently praising Chinese developers at the China Development Forum in Beijing even as local regulators press for greater App Store openness.

iPhone Strategy & Future Hardware

Reports indicate that Apple is preparing the largest set of iPhone revamps ever for upcoming models, signaling a major overhaul across the product line. Concurrently, the company is focusing intensely on its entry into foldables, with the rumored iPhone Fold display utilizing a dual-layer ultra-thin glass structure designed to reduce the visibility of the screen crease, a persistent issue that plagued early competitors like the original Samsung Galaxy Fold which saw pre-orders cancelled. This protective design is part of a broader effort to shield the display from stress caused by the device’s own hinge mechanism as noted by supply chain rumors. Furthermore, market data suggests that the current non-foldable iPhone Air model is proving twice as popular when compared to the performance of the Plus model it effectively replaced in the lineup.

Chip Architecture & Device Updates

The internal push for performance enhancement extends to Apple's silicon, where the forthcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to employ vertically-stacked dies using the same Ultra Fusion architecture that powered the larger Ultra chips, thereby boosting speed and efficiency over previous generations. While the focus remains on powerful computing, internal discussions years ago reportedly included exploring the addition of a camera and other sensors to the HomePod before the current product line materialized. Elsewhere in the ecosystem, the Apple Sports app received an update introducing new features tailored specifically for MLB and NASCAR fans, enhancing the experience for users tracking live scores and statistics.

Ecosystem Integration & Pricing Shifts

In a move that blurs the lines between competing mobile platforms, AirDrop functionality is scheduled to roll out to Samsung Galaxy S26 devices this week via an update to Samsung's Quick Share feature, enabling direct file sharing between Android and Apple users. Meanwhile, the cost of accessories appears to be climbing, as Apple increased prices for external hard drives sold through its online and retail channels, a shift attributed by Mark Gurman to an AI-driven shortage impacting storage components. Despite the increase in accessory costs, consumer hardware deals remain competitive, with the current MacBook Air configuration featuring 512GB of storage and 16GB of memory available directly from Apple for $1099. For users seeking tracking solutions, the first-generation AirTag 4-Pack has seen a significant price drop, currently available on Amazon for $59.99.

Security & AI Deployment

The industry continues its migration away from traditional passwords, with security experts pointing out the inherent benefits of biometric authentication like Face ID and Touch ID, which are superior for deploying passkeys. This focus on security underpins Apple's approach to its own software, even as competitor Meta reversed course on end-to-end encryption for Messenger, potentially leaving users more vulnerable. Regarding conversational AI, reports suggest that Apple possesses the ideal platform for deploying advanced conversational agents, building on the foundation laid during the initial Apple Intelligence rollout. Finally, users of the Apple Vision Pro can anticipate a major fidelity boost in simulation racing, as the iRacing platform promises "immersion and fidelity never before seen" in the genre.