Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 5:36 PM ET

Legal & Regulatory Battles

Apple is challenging a contempt ruling by asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the legal sequence that forced the company to allow external linking in the App Store without commissions as part of the Epic case. This legal friction coincides with a broader search monopoly dispute, where Google has appealed a 2024 antitrust ruling, arguing that Apple chose its search engine "fair and square" despite the payments made to maintain default status on iPhones.

Hardware Leaks & Rumors

Speculation regarding the iPhone 18 is mounting, though some reports are proving unreliable; one alleged color leak was dismissed as mere painted lens covers rather than actual components. However, other reports suggest Apple may reverse a controversial design by reverting clear cases to an older Mag Safe marking style for the iPhone 18 range, while separate leaks point to new Pro colors appearing on camera components. In the wearables space, rumors suggest camera-equipped AirPods could launch this year, possibly under an "Air Pods Ultra" brand.

Software & AI Development

Apple is open-sourcing corecrypto code on GitHub to provide transparency into its post-quantum cryptography efforts for Mac and iPhone. This move comes as the company prepares for WWDC 2026, where iOS 27 is expected to introduce a "beta" version of a new Siri and Apple Intelligence 2.0 to address previous user dissatisfaction. In the immediate term, visitor logs suggest iOS 26.5.1 is imminent, following the recent launch of iOS 26.5, which added features to three popular apps.

Financials & Market Position

Apple topped the global smartphone market in the first quarter of 2026 by shipments, securing the number one spot. While competitors struggle with AI costs—with reports that OpenAI is losing $1.25 for every dollar earned—Apple has maintained a flat spending profile while still leveraging AI integrations. This financial stability stands in contrast to labor tensions, as unionized employees at the Towson Town Center store have scheduled a May 27 rally to protest the store's closing.

Retail & Consumer Deals

Memorial Day sales have triggered significant price cuts, with AirPods Pro 3 dropping to $199 at Amazon. Other notable discounts include iPad Air price cuts of $400 and all-time lows on the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air at retailers like Best Buy. For those not seeking discounts, MacRumors is offering a giveaway for an iPhone 17 and Video Proc Converter AI.

Services & Ecosystem

Apple TV is expanding its comedy slate with a new Matthew McConaughey series arriving this fall to join hits like Ted Lasso and Shrinking. The company is also leveraging its exclusive streaming rights for Formula 1 to broadcast the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend. Meanwhile, the ecosystem is seeing new third-party integrations, such as Aqara's Camera Hub G350, the first Matter-certified smart camera, and the SwitchBot Wallet Finder, which integrates with the Find My network.

Platform Updates & Technical Issues

Meta is shifting its iPhone strategy by launching a standalone app called "Forum" to separate Facebook Groups from the main feed as part of a May streak of new app releases. On the technical side, Safari Technology Preview 244 was released to fix bugs, while some users are reporting UI oversights where the MacBook Pro notch hides menu bar items. Additionally, Sonos app availability has vanished from the iOS and Mac App Stores due to an unresolved technical problem.