Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: May 15, 2026, 5:36 AM ET

Smart Home & Accessories

Ikea's new Matter-over-Thread smart home lineup is expanding compatibility with Apple Home ecosystems, though reliability issues persist after extensive testing. Meanwhile, accessory maker Nimble's Wally Stretch power adapters offer 35W and 65W options with retractable USB-C cables, becoming favored charging solutions for users seeking colorful, portable designs.

iPhone Hardware Evolution

Apple's planned iPhone 18 modem transition from Qualcomm to in-house designs will introduce enhanced privacy features alongside improved connectivity. Battery performance tests show the iPhone 17 Pro delivers fastest charging among 33 smartphones tested, with average wired and wireless speeds topping competitors. Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro will feature three major upgrades targeting power users, while Apple is already developing second-generation curved displays for the 20th-anniversary model following next year's "four-edge bending" implementation.

iPad Market Dynamics

Consumers eyeing budget tablets face poor timing for low-cost iPad purchases despite the $349 starting price point, as refreshed models appear imminent. Supply chain reports indicate OLED iPad Mini development is progressing, with pricing and release date details expected soon for the successor to last year's iPad mini.

Software & Services Expansion

Apple's mac OS 26.5 delivers enterprise fixes addressing managed Mac issues, while iOS 27 rumors point to design changes across platforms. CarPlay integration expanded with six new apps including Chat GPT, Perplexity, and WhatsApp, plus two additional audio apps arriving for entertainment-focused drivers. Apple Wallet functionality grew beyond payments, storing everything from car keys to boarding passes, with new vehicle brand support broadening automotive partnerships. Apple's Creator Studio promotion showcases cooking, poetry, and music videos demonstrating creative workflow capabilities, and Spotify adopted Apple's video podcast technology for streamlined cross-platform publishing.

Financial Services Transition

Apple Card's migration to Chase officially launched, maintaining existing benefits while introducing new features as Goldman Sachs exits the partnership. Investment firm Evercore raised Apple's price target to $365, citing long-term Apple Intelligence growth potential and maintaining a positive outlook for shareholders.

Security & Privacy Challenges

OpenAI considers legal action against Apple after Chat GPT integrations failed to generate expected paid subscriptions, with user behavior diverging from CEO Sam Altman's projections. Cybersecurity researchers uncovered malware campaigns using fake Apple infrastructure to infiltrate Asia-Pacific organizations undetected for months. Additionally, OpenAI mandated ChatGPT Mac updates following supply chain attacks that compromised signing certificates, giving users tight deadlines to patch vulnerabilities.

Device Theft Economics

Organized iPhone theft rings extract $800 premiums for unlocked devices versus locked ones, fueling a broader theft epidemic where criminals deploy scooters and electric bikes to snatch phones from users' hands in public spaces.

Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Intel began testing production of certain iPhone, iPad, and Mac chips, potentially ending TSMC's decade-long exclusivity on Apple's systems-on-a-chip. Trump Mobile's low-end T1 Android device finally ships despite lacking original "Made in America" promises, while an unusual carrier joint venture between AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon aims to expand rural iPhone coverage gaps. The MacBook Neo earned strong reviews as a near-MacBook Pro alternative, though supply constraints limit availability.

Design Recognition

Apple's controversial Liquid Glass interface captured Gold Cube honors at the 2026 Art Directors Club of New York awards, marking a significant design victory amid user debate over the aesthetic overhaul.

Executive Diplomacy

Tim Cook joined Trump's Beijing delegation alongside Tesla's Elon Musk and Boeing executives, meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during high-profile U.S.-China business discussions.