Apple News 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 15, 2026, 3:32 PM ET
Apple Market Milestone
Apple briefly crossed the $5 trillion valuation mark on strong iPhone 18 Pro demand, and later closed above that level for the first time, making it only the second company ever to do so.
New Home Hardware
Apple unveiled its HomeView smart home hub this week, and early reviews have been mixed. Marques Brownlee said he is not convinced by the device, while the wall-mounted model ships without a power adapter or USB-C cable. Pre-orders for the Apple TV 4K and Home View have also slipped to later in November, while a HomeView prototype reportedly was already being tested in 2024. Apple also clarified which home devices will receive Siri AI and when.
iPhone Duo
Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo open tomorrow, and Apple has announced a deadline for customers hoping to get the fastest checkout. The device starts at $1,999, and a renewable display layer may help buyers justify the cost. Early Geekbench results suggest performance matching the iPhone 18 Pro, and the A20 Pro chip has been benchmarked ahead of launch.
Leadership and Foldables
New CEO John Ternus spent 15 years planning the iPhone Duo, according to reporting. In a TIME interview, he dismissed early foldables as "kind of cheap and crappy," and Ternus was also featured on the cover of TIME's Best Inventions issue. Apple SVP Greg Joswiak said the company does not feel threatened by OpenAI's hardware plans, adding that Apple is not focused on AI for the "lunatic fringe."
Upcoming Product Event
Apple has begun inviting media to an October 28 launch experience, where a touchscreen MacBook Pro and other iPad and Mac products are expected. The event will also reportedly bring the first OLED MacBook Pro.
Deals and Pricing
Amazon is offering a $120 discount on Air Pods Max 2 and $50 off Air Pods Pro. Apple's 13-inch M5 MacBook Air with 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD has dropped to $1,599, saving $200. Separately, a roundup of deals includes a Mac Studio discount of $220 and a Home Pod mini 2 offer.
Collectibles and History
A rare Apple-1 computer sold at auction for $1,148,200 including the buyer's premium, setting a new record after a rejected upgrade. A working Apple I signed by Steve Wozniak also fetched $1.15 million. Looking back, John Sculley's rise as Apple's CEO ended with his fall on October 15, 1993.
Pokémon and Fashion
Hands-on reviews praise the Pokémon x Beats Pill collaboration as one of the reviewer's favorite collabs. Apple also highlighted the iPad Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max role in a landmark fashion show.
Software and Services
iOS 27 adds new widgets for the Home Screen, and the Apple Invites app received manual RSVP and an extra-large widget. Apple Maps launched its Detailed City Experience in Austin, Texas, and users can blur their home in Look Around. Apple Intelligence is reportedly coming to China in December without Siri AI.
Industry and Other News
OpenAI says it will not use Apple trade secrets after a judge signaled he was "highly likely" to grant Apple an injunction. Apple also donated $25 million to the White House ballroom project. MacPaw launched Eney, a proactive AI assistant for Mac and iPhone, while Opera Air received a minimalist redesign focused on distraction-free browsing. Half of United flights now have Starlink Wi-Fi. Finally, HomePods can now output Mac system audio on compatible Macs.