Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: April 24, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Hardware & Future Devices

Anticipation is building for next year’s silicon upgrades, with rumors suggesting the standard iPhone 18 could feature 12GB of RAM for the first time, a substantial increase according to analyst Dan Nystedt. Conversely, the highly anticipated foldable device, potentially named the "iPhone Ultra," may arrive in Fall 2026 but reportedly could lack five key features currently found in the existing iPhone 18 Pro, despite an expected $2,000 price point. Further out, the 20th-anniversary iPhone is slated to utilize a custom micro-curved OLED panel from Samsung that is thinner and brighter, signaling a significant display evolution away from current standards.

The MacBook lineup is also seeing future speculation, with reports detailing the upcoming 'MacBook Ultra' which is expected to launch with six new features, while the current M5 Pro generation is already seeing aggressive discounting, with the 14-inch model hitting a new record low of $1,949 using an in-cart coupon, though supply remains constrained at that price. For users looking to extend the life of older hardware, guidance is available on repurposing obsolete Macs rather than discarding them, even as Apple continues to push out behind-the-scenes looks at its marketing, such as a recent YouTube Short detailing the production of the MacBook Neo introduction video.

Software & Services Expansion

Expansion of services continues across the Apple ecosystem, as the company prepares to integrate advertising into Apple Maps beginning this summer, with initial indicators of the promotional placements already surfacing in the iOS.5 beta build. Meanwhile, the Wallet app’s Digital ID feature, launched last fall, is receiving updates that expand its utility for official use, providing users with more ways to verify identity through the integrated system. In application news, X launched its dedicated messaging client, XChat, available now for iPhone and iPad, while Apple's own Invites app received an update allowing hosts to manually edit guest list responses.

Content & Streaming

The streaming offerings on Apple TV+ are set for a strong May lineup, complementing existing top-tier shows, including the premiere of the new comedy Widow’s Bay, which critics are hailing as a twisted series unlike anything else on TV. Sports fans can tune in tonight for the return of Friday Night Baseball, featuring a doubleheader with the Philadelphia Phillies facing the Atlanta Braves exclusively through the Apple TV channel subscription. This content focus comes as the current generation Apple TV 4K hardware, introduced in 2022, risks setting an undesirable record for longevity due to the lack of a recent hardware refresh.

Ecosystem & Legal Matters

In ecosystem integration, the Aqara G400 Doorbell Camera is bringing sought-after features like Power over Ethernet (PoE) support and HomeKit Secure Video compatibility to the smart home front door segment. On the accessory front, Kuxiu is releasing a revised Mag Safe battery pack, the S4, which boasts a slimmer profile and includes a real-time smart display. However, the company also faced a legal setback as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction against OpenAI and Jony Ive’s hardware venture, preventing the use of the 'io' brand name in their ongoing trademark dispute with iy O. Separately, security tools remain a focus, with one application offering users alerts if their Mac webcam or microphone is activated while they are away from the device.