Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Software Development & OS Updates

Developers are currently testing the second wave of software betas, with Apple seeding iOS 26.5 beta 2 for the iPhone and the corresponding iPad OS 26.5 beta 2 release following two prior versions of the initial beta build. This testing cycle extends across the entire ecosystem, as the second developer builds are also available for mac OS Tahoe 26.5, watch OS 26.5, tv OS 26.5, and vision OS 26.5, coming two weeks after the first round of releases. Concurrently, the company is streamlining its creative suite offerings; Apple has discontinued downloads for older versions of Pages, Keynote, and Numbers on mac OS as of April 13, directing users exclusively toward the Creator Studio versions of the free applications.

Hardware Rumors & Supply Chain Dynamics

Anticipation remains high for Apple’s first foldable device, with reports indicating the iPhone Fold is tackling the display crease as a materials science challenge, specifically focusing on specialized adhesive layers to manage screen stress. This focus on advanced materials aligns with sourcing intelligence suggesting that initial launch volumes for the foldable iPhone may be constrained, while rival Huawei has already debuted a Pura X Max that shares a similar wide aspect ratio with the rumored book-style Apple design. Separately, excitement surrounding the MacBook Neo continues due to overwhelming demand, which has reportedly exacerbated existing shortages for Mac minis, though consumers can still customize their units with official parts for under $40.

Executive Movements & Retail Promotions

Apple’s senior leadership structure is shifting as John Giannandrea, the former head of artificial intelligence, officially departs the company this week upon the vesting of his final stock allocations, concluding his tenure that began in 2018 after his move from Google. In consumer electronics deals, Amazon is heavily discounting hardware, offering the M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro models at record low prices and providing up to $300 off clearance M4 MacBook Airs. Furthermore, the Apple Watch Series 11 aluminum models are seeing an all-time low promotion, available for $100 less than usual across various configurations on the e-commerce platform.

Ecosystem Features & Services

The user experience across Apple services is seeing targeted improvements, with the biggest U.S. airline now supporting the new iOS 26 standard for boarding passes within Wallet, completing support coverage across all four major domestic carriers. For power users, the widely utilized 'Apple Frames' shortcut has received a major overhaul, now incorporating new features like frame color support, proportional scaling, and the introduction of a Command Line Interface (CLI) for developers using the Terminal. Meanwhile, the gaming experience on spatial computing is expanding, as Valve confirmed that the Steam Link application will soon be available for download on the Apple Vision Pro, enabling game streaming from a primary PC.

Product Pipeline & Color Speculation

Rumors persist regarding the color palette for the next flagship iPhone, with multiple sources now supporting the claim that the iPhone 18 Pro models will introduce a new deep red finish. This speculation is partially driven by reports that Android competitors are already prototyping devices in the same crimson shade, suggesting Apple is positioning the color as a premium offering. In related hardware development, internal testing shows Apple is exploring at least four distinct styles for its upcoming smart glasses, focusing heavily on superior design and high-end materials to differentiate them from current market offerings.