Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: July 11, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Apple's AI and Chip Strategies

Apple is reportedly benefiting from a deal with Intel, which will see the U.S. company manufacture some upcoming Mac and iPhone chips, potentially helping Apple avoid semiconductor tariffs. Meanwhile, the U.S. is easing restrictions on Apple's access to advanced computing chips and data center equipment in the UAE, allowing the company to bring controlled technology into the region without individual export licenses. The tech giant also accounted for approximately 90% of all Edge AI-capable smartwatch shipments in the first quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research.

iOS 27 and Apple Watch Updates

iOS 27 is bringing significant enhancements to the Mail app, including improved search functionality and new AI features improvements to search. The Messages app is also getting a revamped experience under the hood, though outward changes may not be immediately apparent. On the Apple Watch front, the Walkie-Talkie app will be removed with the watch OS 27 update, replaced by a new push-to-talk feature.

Apple Retail and Product Rumors

Two Apple retail stores in the U.S. are set to relocate to nearby premises later this month. Speculation about future hardware continues, with discussions about a potential "MacBook Ultra" replacing the MacBook Pro line. Component costs for the iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to increase by nearly $300 compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. There are also ongoing rumors about a potential iPhone Fold and Air Pods equipped with cameras.

Smart Home and Other Apple News

The LNDU HK01W smart lock now supports Apple Home Key and Wi-Fi connectivity, offering a budget-friendly option for Apple smart home users. In a reflection on smart home technology, some users find that simpler, "dumb" switches can sometimes be the more practical choice. Separately, Apple Card is undergoing its first major change with its move to JP Morgan Chase.

Deals and Competitor News

Current deals include savings on Air Pods at nearly 25% off, an Apple Watch Ultra 3 with $140 off, and an M5 MacBook Air with $150 off. LG's 32-inch Ultra Fine evo 6K Thunderbolt 5 monitor is available for $700 off, making it cheaper than Apple's own Studio Display. In competitor news, Meta has removed an AI feature that allowed image generation from public Instagram posts. OpenAI is discontinuing its Chat GPT Atlas web browser OpenAI is pulling the plug. Spotify is making its Release Radar more customizable with new listening filters. Netflix is reportedly showing interest in acquiring the movie tracking app Letterboxd. Anthropic is highlighting Claude Code's in-app browser on the desktop.