Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: July 8, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Apple Faces EU Regulatory Hurdles and Investment News

Apple has again failed in its efforts to shield its App Store and iMessage from European Union regulations, losing a significant antitrust appeal in Europe. The company's three claims were dismissed by Europe's top court, which upheld the designation of Apple's platforms as "gatekeepers" under the Digital Markets Act in its latest ruling. This decision means Apple must continue to comply with stringent EU rules governing its digital services.

In a separate development, Apple announced a substantial manufacturing investment in the United States, committing $30 billion to a multiyear partnership with Broadcom. This agreement aims to increase the production of chips designed and manufactured within the U.S., fulfilling part of Apple's earlier pledge to invest $600 billion in American manufacturing over four years through its American Manufacturing Program.

Product Development and Software Updates

Rumors suggest that Apple's foldable iPhone, reportedly codenamed "iPhone Ultra," is currently in mass production and on track for a September release, despite earlier speculation of delays according to Chinese financial outlet Cailian Press. Meanwhile, Samsung has announced its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event for July 22, where it is expected to unveil new foldable smartphones that could rival Apple's upcoming device.

Apple has released the fourth public betas for iOS 26.6, iPad OS 26.6, and mac OS Tahoe 26.6, among other operating systems for testers. These betas likely include refinements for the Messages app, with iOS 27 expected to bring several "smarter and less annoying" improvements to the platform as detailed in recent reports. Additionally, beta firmware for Air Pods Pro 2 has been released, incorporating features that align with iOS 27 developments for AirPods Pro 3 and 4.

Legal Battles and Compliance

Apple's legal challenges continue as the company has asked a judge to pause proceedings in its case against Epic Games while the Supreme Court considers a portion of the dispute in California. In Texas, Apple must continue to enforce age verification for iPhone users following the Supreme Court's denial of a request to pause the state's law regarding user age. Separately, a federal judge has dismissed the majority of claims in a class-action lawsuit concerning a condensation defect in Air Pods Max, ruling that the headphones perform as intended despite the allegations.

Market Dynamics and Consumer Deals

Higher memory prices are impacting China's smartphone market, contributing to a 13% decline in sales during the 618 shopping festival, even as Apple offered significant discounts on its iPhone models. In consumer electronics deals, Amazon and B&H are offering a $150 discount on Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air with an M5 chip, bringing its price down to around $1,349. Further savings are available on MacBook Pro models, with a 2TB M5 Pro MacBook Pro discounted by $449, and various Apple Watch Ultra 3 models seeing reductions of nearly $100 according to deal trackers. Amazon is also discounting Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 models by up to $130, with prices starting at approximately $489.

Content and Services

The fifth season premiere of the comedy series "Trying" is now available for streaming on Apple TV. Additionally, Apple TV has announced the premiere date for its upcoming drama series "Nocturne," starring Liev Schreiber and Zazie Beetz as previously reported. In the app ecosystem, Lamborghini has launched an Apple Vision Pro application that provides an immersive, full-size view of its vehicles for enthusiasts. The popular flight tracking app Flighty has introduced a new "Connection Assistant" to aid travelers with connecting flights at airports globally through its latest update.

Executive Movements and Industry Events

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Eddy Cue have arrived in Idaho for the 2026 Sun Valley Conference, scheduled to run through July 11 according to attendee lists. Earlier, Cook, along with John Ternus, held a virtual meeting with Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria, to discuss various matters. Apple has also stopped signing iOS 26.5.1, preventing downgrades to older versions after a critical security fix was released for the iPhone last week.