Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: May 16, 2026, 11:42 AM ET

Markets & Corporate

Apple shares closed above $300 for the first time on Thursday, driven by stronger-than-expected earnings and a record $100 billion share buyback that helped investors look past lingering concerns over the company's AI roadmap. The rally comes as the stock has now added more than 15% this year, reflecting growing confidence that Apple's massive services revenue and cash position will sustain its growth trajectory even as competitors race to launch AI-first hardware. The momentum also precedes WWDC, where analysts expect Apple to make its case for Apple Intelligence ahead of a crowded field of AI announcements from rivals.

Hardware & Product Pipeline

Apple is preparing to launch 15 or more new products this fall, according to supply chain reports that outline a packed refresh cycle spanning the full lineup. The most eagerly anticipated addition is a redesigned MacBook Pro arriving later this year, marking the first overhaul since 2021, though early reports suggest the headline feature will be touch-enabled displays rather than OLED panels alone. Separately, iPhone 17 Pro has been named the fastest-charging smartphone overall by CNET's lab, reinforcing Apple's push into power efficiency ahead of the device's expected September launch. Rumors about the iPhone Ultra are also converging around a premium tier with six new features, while the broader hardware calendar includes updated iPads, Macs, and Wearables through the fall. The iPhone 18 Pro rumors are already circulating as WWDC approaches, suggesting Apple will preview the next generation before its typical September debut.

Legal & Regulatory

Ahead of a return to District Court in the Apple-Epic antitrust dispute, the two companies have agreed on a pre-court schedule to discuss revised App Store fee proposals, a move that could shape the broader developer compensation debate for years. Meanwhile, in a separate legal battle, a federal judge granted Elon Musk's xAI a request to add Craig Federighi as a document custodian in its antitrust lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, while sparing CEO Tim Cook from the same obligation. Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, would be required to turn over internal communications related to the company's partnership with OpenAI, potentially exposing details of how Apple Intelligence was developed and deployed.

AI & Software

With WWDC less than a month away, Apple's AI strategy is under intense scrutiny. Gemini Intelligence launched just weeks before Apple Intelligence's big moment at WWDC, but early reviews suggest it falls short of displacing Siri as the default voice assistant. At the same time, Apple is integrating AI into cybersecurity training for Mac administrators through its Mosyle-powered Apple @ Work platform, signaling that AI-driven threat detection is becoming a core enterprise feature rather than a novelty. The tension is also playing out in App Store policy: Replit released its first iPhone app update in four months after resolving a review dispute with Apple over how AI-generated apps can be previewed and developed on iOS, suggesting a possible thaw in Apple's treatment of AI coding tools after months of friction.

Services, Deals & Accessories

Apple is reportedly preparing an Apple Card promotion that would give new applicants free AirPods Pro 3, a move that could drive millions of new card signups during the back-to-school season. On the consumer side, Apple Cash experienced a service outage for some U.S. iPhone users earlier this week before Apple marked the issue as resolved, though the brief disruption raised questions about the reliability of Apple's financial services infrastructure. For accessories, a new Mag Safe headphone amp now adds a DAC and mini display to the back of an iPhone for wired audiophiles, while the iVANKY FusionDock Ultra brings 26 Thunderbolt 5 ports to the Mac docking market at a premium price point. An ex-Apple designer also revealed that AirPods Max development involved hundreds of variations over five years, explaining the product's premium positioning and the absence of an audio jack despite early prototypes.

Entertainment & Gaming

Apple TV is entering what it calls its best summer lineup ever, with new shows already rolling out and more debuting in the weeks ahead, a strong content push that could help the streamer compete with Netflix and Disney+ for subscribers. On the gaming front, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is coming to Mac this month, marking another high-profile title in Apple's ongoing effort to make the Mac a viable gaming platform. Meanwhile, practical software continues to evolve: Cats Lock for Mac prevents feline keyboard interference by locking input when the machine detects a cat sitting on the keyboard, while MacRumors rounded up 10 lesser-known iPhone tips that remain hidden in iOS settings after years of feature additions.