Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 2:38 AM ET

Apple Content & Entertainment

Apple TV ramped up its slate of original programming with two major announcements on Tuesday. The thriller-comedy "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed" debuted its first two episodes on the platform, while "Rhea Seehorn" signed on to star in the upcoming Apple Original film "Running," marking her second project with the company. The streamer also revealed a summer of Peanuts content, including four new premieres and a feature-length Snoopy film titled "There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy." Meanwhile, the "Apple Design Awards 2026" finalists were unveiled ahead of WWDC, with games like "Cyberpunk 2077" and "Civilization VII" earning nominations in categories that signal Apple's expanding push into gaming and creative software.

Accessibility & Hardware Moves

Apple announced a suite of AI-powered accessibility features coming to iOS 27 and mac OS, including eye-controlled wheelchair functionality and enhanced Voice Over narration powered by Apple Intelligence. The company also re-released the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone in three new colors after the accessory sold out last year, positioning it as part of the OS 27 accessibility push. On the hardware side, Johny Srouji continues reshaping Apple's product development structure as the newly appointed Chief Hardware Officer, with a second reorganization reportedly aimed at accelerating development timelines ahead of what analysts describe as a potential leadership transition. Srouji's plan to streamline hardware teams reportedly includes tighter integration between chip and industrial design groups.

Apple Sports & International Expansion

Apple expanded its Sports app to 90 additional countries with version 4.0, adding 2026 World Cup features and bringing coverage to over 170 markets ahead of the tournament. The move turns the app into a much larger international platform as Apple competes with legacy sports broadcasters for global rights. Separately, Apple's global F1 ambitions hit a roadblock as Sky extended its broadcast rights in the U.K. and Italy, potentially complicating Apple's effort to expand its U.S.-focused Formula One streaming deal into key European markets.

Google I/O & Wearable Competition

At Google I/O 2026, the company unveiled Gemini 3.5 and a wave of AI features alongside its first intelligent eyewear product, which launches this fall with iPhone support through partnerships with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker. The new Google smart glasses position the company directly against Apple's rumored AR efforts, while Ray-Ban Meta glasses are currently on sale for up to 25% off across major retailers. In the avatar space, Apple acquired virtual avatar firm Animato to potentially enhance Vision Pro Personas, following a deal to license Animato's IP and hire its staff.

Pricing & Platform Shifts

Plex tripling its Lifetime Plex Pass price to $750 starting in July drew immediate backlash from users, with critics calling the move "ludicrous" given that the pass had previously cost $249.99. The hike will likely push users to reconsider self-hosted streaming at a time when subscription fatigue is widespread. On the gaming front, Epic Games rereleased Fortnite globally and confirmed the app is back on the App Store worldwide, except in Australia, as the company signals what it calls the "final battle" with Apple over App Store policies. India refused to let Apple pause its antitrust investigation into App Store practices, adding regulatory pressure to the company's global market challenges.

Deals & Peripheral News

Amazon slashed $250 off 2026 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro or M5 Max chips, marking record-low prices during Memorial Day sales. Best Buy kicked off its own Memorial Day sale with markdowns across Apple devices, while Spotify confirmed a CarPlay bug that displays incorrect track, artist, and album info on in-car screens. WhatsApp began rolling out a redesigned media share sheet on iOS alongside a new disappearing-messages feature that auto-deletes content after the recipient reads it. Nintendo launched Pictonico on iOS, a Wario Ware-style game that transforms user photos into minigames, arriving just as summer begins. An Insta360 Mic Pro review praised the wireless microphone's build quality and sound performance despite its larger form factor.