Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: June 12, 2026, 11:35 AM ET

Apple's AI Push and Software Updates

Apple is set to unveil a suite of new products in the latter half of the year, following the conclusion of its annual WWDC developers conference. A significant focus is on the upcoming iOS 27 and watch OS 27 updates, which will introduce enhanced child safety tools and new applications for the Apple Watch, respectively. The new operating systems are also bringing landscape mode to more built-in iPhone apps, including Apple Music, Podcasts, and Health, and a revamped Weather app with improved forecast views. These software advancements are underpinned by Apple's new AI initiatives, including its third generation of Apple Foundation Models, comprising five models that operate both on-device and in the cloud.

The new Siri AI is positioned as a major upgrade across iOS, mac OS Golden Gate, and watch OS, though its advanced capabilities will be limited to newer Apple devices. Apple executives, including software chief Craig Federighi, have emphasized that the company's approach to AI prioritizes user well-being and efficiency over replicating human companionship, stating they "don't do AI for AI's sake". This is in contrast to competitors, which Federighi suggested are "racing forward" without adequate user consideration. Apple also appears to have modified the audio of the WWDC keynote to prevent accidental Siri activations when the assistant was mentioned. Design resources for iOS, iPad OS, and mac OS Golden Gate have been released to developers, detailing changes such as revised app icons and Liquid Glass design elements.

Apple Watch and Fitness

The watch OS 27 update for Apple Watch will include two new applications and several performance enhancements, focusing on refining the underlying platform alongside new features. Apple also highlighted new content for its Fitness+ subscription service this week, further expanding its digital health and wellness offerings. While an AI health service was rumored for iOS, it was reportedly scrapped, though it could be revisited in the future. Strava has expanded its hiking tools with improved route planning and navigation, including enhancements to its Apple Watch app.

Deals and Discounts

This week has seen significant price drops on Apple's audio products, with multiple AirPods models hitting record low prices, including the Air Pods Pro 3 and Air Pods Max. Apple is also touting the "world's best" noise cancellation for the AirPods Pro 3 in a new advertisement featuring footballer Vini Jr. In addition to audio deals, there are reports of an ultra-rare discount on a new Switch 2 console available on Woot. Furthermore, a flash deal offers $300 off Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with an M5 Pro chip and 48GB of RAM, with early Prime Day deals also featuring discounts of up to $300 on Apple products.

Apple TV+ and Content

Apple TV+ has secured a highly coveted film deal, reportedly outbidding 40 other interested parties for a new project. The streaming service has also renewed its comedy horror series Widow's Bay for a second season.

Other Platform and App Updates

WhatsApp is expanding its multi-account support to more iOS users, a frequently requested feature. Meanwhile, Spotify has released an app update to fix its controversial disco ball icon, which was part of its 20th-anniversary celebration. Cross Over, a tool for running Windows applications on Mac, is now exclusively supporting Apple Silicon with its latest version. Apple is also addressing potential compatibility issues for users relying on Mac RAID enclosure software, advising them to check with their vendors regarding mac OS 27 plans.

Industry and Corporate News

Apple's stock experienced a dip following WWDC, but analysts have broadly revised their price targets upward, suggesting continued confidence in the company's future performance. The company is also facing scrutiny over a U.S. antitrust bill targeting the App Store, which Senators Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar have reintroduced. Separately, Meta's Facebook and Instagram services experienced a widespread outage, impacting millions of users with no immediate update on resolution. In a positive move for developers, Apple has made design resources available for iOS, iPad OS, and mac OS Golden Gate, facilitating the creation of new applications and user experiences. Developers are also being invited to provide feedback on WWDC 2026 through a survey published on Apple's Developer blog.