Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: May 16, 2026, 8:35 PM ET

Apple Watch Tease

Rumors of the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 have resurfaced as Apple prepares for its September launch event. Industry observers note that the new watch is expected to retain the familiar “flat‑top” band and rectangular face while incorporating a thinner display and a slimmer overall profile, mirroring the design continuity observed in earlier models. Analysts predict that the Series 12 will likely ship with a 1.8‑inch LTPO OLED panel, offering up to 50% better energy efficiency than its predecessor, a move that could extend battery life to 25% longer than the Series. The timing of the announcement is seen as a strategic counter‑offensive to rival Wear OS releases slated for next month.

Data‑Broker Alert

A new guide warns consumers that personal data harvested by brokers can be sold for as little as $0.01 per record, yet the cumulative value reaches millions when aggregated. The article lists phone numbers, email addresses, and Social Security numbers as the most sought‑after pieces, with spammers using them to craft targeted phishing campaigns. The piece highlights that users often unknowingly share this data through free apps, which then feed the broker’s databases. Apple’s own privacy initiatives are under scrutiny as the company faces calls to tighten data‑sharing protocols.

MacBook Pro Redesign Speculation

Late‑year speculation points to a significant redesign of the MacBook Pro that diverges from the company’s 2021 OLED revival. Reported features include a new 16‑inch Retina screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a revamped keyboard with haptic feedback, and a “touch‑display” panel that could replace the traditional Magic Keyboard. Engineers anticipate that the introduction of a new chip architecture—potentially a 5‑core GPU—will boost performance by up to 30% for professional workloads. This shift is viewed as an effort to reclaim market share from high‑end Windows notebooks.

Legal & Financial Moves

Apple and Epic Games have agreed to a pre‑court schedule to discuss new App Store fee proposals, a development that could influence the upcoming court hearing in District Court. The proposed timeline aims to resolve the dispute over the 30% commission on in‑app purchases, a point that has cost developers an estimated $10 billion annually. Meanwhile, Apple’s stock closed above $300 for the first time, buoyed by a $100 billion buyback program and stronger‑than‑expected earnings, which analysts cite as evidence of resilience amid AI‑driven market volatility. The share price surge underscores investor confidence in Apple’s diversified revenue streams.