Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: July 9, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Apple Expands Entertainment Offerings and Prepares for Major Industry Events

Apple TV is slated for a significant presence at Comic-Con 2026, planning a two-hour panel and a preview of upcoming shows according to Apple Insider. The streaming service will take over Hall H, featuring content from series like Silo and Dark Matter as reported by 9to5Mac. In other content news, Apple TV released the trailer for Snoopy’s next adventure as detailed by 9to5Mac and announced the August schedule for Friday Night Baseball with MLB via Mac Rumors. Furthermore, Apple is extending its free 4K upgrade policy to select TV show purchases on the Apple TV Store according to Apple Insider. The streaming service also secured a notable 89 Emmy nominations this year as shared by 9to5Mac.

iPhone Manufacturing and Pricing Trends Under Scrutiny

India's decision to eliminate import duties on key smartphone components is making iPhone manufacturing more attractive by lowering assembly costs reported by Apple Insider. This move is expected to further reduce expenses for Apple's growing manufacturing operations in the country as noted by Mac Rumors. Meanwhile, new estimates suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost significantly more to build, with component costs potentially jumping by nearly $300 according to 9to5Mac. This potential increase in production expenses may lead to higher prices for consumers, a trend that has already impacted other Apple products like the MacBook Pro as indicated by Mac Rumors. Reports also indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro Max might be Apple’s heaviest iPhone in years, with a thicker design and longer battery life reportedly contributing to the increased weight and size as detailed by 9to5Mac.

Apple Explores On-Device AI and Software Updates

Apple is investigating methods to run significantly larger AI models directly on iPhones, reportedly holding discussions with Prism ML about the startup's technology according to The Information. This move could bring more advanced AI capabilities to iPhones without relying on servers as suggested by Apple Insider. Separately, iOS 27 is set to introduce nine new languages and accents to Apple Translate, alongside keyboard and typing improvements as detailed by 9to5Mac. In a move affecting older devices, Apple has stopped signing several older versions of iOS for legacy iPhone and iPad models, preventing users from reinstalling or downgrading to those software versions as reported by Mac Rumors.

Deals and Accessories Highlight Consumer Savings

Consumers can find significant discounts on Apple products, with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 currently available for $140 off, bringing the price to $659.97 on Amazon as noted by 9to5Mac. This deal is nearing its record low price. Other Apple accessories are also on sale, including the Apple TV 4K and iPhone 17 Pro/Max models with discounts up to $449. Memory price fluctuations, while potentially challenging for Android brands, may benefit Apple, which recently increased prices across its product line as reported by 9to5Mac.

Other Tech News and Platform Updates

OpenAI is announcing what it calls "the next chapter for Chat GPT" today during a livestream as shared by 9to5Mac. In the realm of TV tracking, Just Watch has launched a migration tool for users of TV Time, which is preparing to shut down next week according to 9to5Mac. Duck Duck Go's browser now blocks most YouTube ads on iPhone and Mac, with the feature active by default as reported by Mac Rumors. Separately, Meta's "super sensing" prototype smart glasses are capable of recording everything the wearer experiences as detailed by Mac Rumors. The company recently launched its own AI image model integrated into Instagram and other platforms as noted by 9to5Mac.