Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: June 18, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

App Store and Market Regulation

Brazil opened its doors to alternative app marketplaces and third-party payment systems, aligning the country’s digital ecosystem with European Union-style regulations. This shift, which officially enabled AltStore PAL for local iPhone users, drew immediate criticism from Epic Games and the Coalition for App Fairness, who argued the new terms still fail to provide sufficient competitive freedom. The broader set of changes now permits developers to bypass traditional distribution channels, marking a significant departure from the company's long-standing walled-garden approach in the region.

Corporate Strategy and Hardware

Apple partnered with Intel to manufacture silicon domestically within the United States, a move announced by President Trump. While the specific financial terms and production timelines remain undisclosed, the confirmation pushed Intel stock up 9% in premarket trading. Meanwhile, iPhone sales rose 10% year-over-year, bucking a broader trend that saw the global smartphone market suffer its ninth consecutive week of declining sales. This hardware momentum is bolstered by a 21% surge in Apple Watch shipments during the first quarter of 2026, where the device comfortably outpaced industry competitors.

Security Vulnerabilities and Software

Security researchers identified a Boot ROM exploit affecting devices equipped with A12 and A13 chips, including the iPhone XR. The vulnerability, dubbed usbliter8, facilitates arbitrary code execution and is considered unpatchable, extending public exploitation risks beyond the reach of the older checkm8 exploit. On the software front, mac OS 27 Golden Gate introduced refined features for iPhone Mirroring, though the update has faced scrutiny after reports that it bricked legacy Time Capsules. Developers are also being warned that failure to adjust specific settings in Steam renders new Apple Silicon games unplayable on operating systems post-dating mac OS 10.15 Catalina.

Platform Features and Media

Apple will stream the entirety of the 2026 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix for free on the Apple TV app, marking the first time the company has offered a full race weekend without a subscription requirement for U.S. viewers. The content library continues to expand as the second season of Sugar premieres on the platform, alongside an upcoming comedy series titled Brothers featuring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey. In the music category, Apple teamed with Chart Data to publish an inaugural list of the top 20 most-streamed artists in history, confirming that Taylor Swift, Drake, and Future hold the top positions.

Consumer Pricing and Future Outlook

Apple confirmed price increases for upcoming products, citing the rising costs of RAM and storage components as a primary driver. Analysts expect the iPhone 18 Pro to start at $1,399 or higher, with the device slated to feature a larger camera bump to accommodate hardware upgrades. Despite these inflationary pressures, rare discounts on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and significant price cuts on M5-powered 1TB MacBook Pro models—now available for $1,529 via B&H coupons—are providing temporary relief to consumers. Looking toward the fall, the company is reportedly preparing for its biggest product launch cycle ever, with over 15 new devices expected to hit the market.

iOS 27 Feature Highlights

New updates to iOS 27 have introduced enhanced functionality for Find My, including a "Hide Location" feature, while the Calendar and Reminders apps have gained Apple Intelligence integration. The update also improves the Apple Wallet experience with long-requested tools, and watch OS 27 adds a convenient tap gesture that optimizes the Apple Watch for single-handed navigation. While some observers remain skeptical of incremental speed improvements in the new software, the collective impact of these systemic refinements aims to maintain the company's hardware lead as it prepares for the next generation of iPhone Pro handsets expected to arrive in three months.