Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: July 15, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Apple Intelligence and Software Updates

Apple Intelligence has been cleared by Chinese regulators, paving the way for its launch in the country. This development follows an agreement between Apple and the Chinese government regarding the rollout of the AI system, which is currently supported in English within the iOS 27 beta. In other software news, the iOS 27 public beta is now available for iPhone users, though some devices may not receive all features. The mac OS 27 Golden Gate public beta is also live, allowing users to test new features, including those related to Siri. Additionally, Apple released a new Air Pods beta firmware for public testers, compatible with Air Pods Pro 2 and Air Pods Pro.

Hardware Deals and Financing

Amazon is offering a $150 discount on 1TB M5 MacBook Air models, available with either 16GB or 24GB of RAM. Apple has also introduced new 36-month financing options for cellular iPad purchases through AT&T and Verizon, supplementing the existing 12-month plan. However, a workaround that previously allowed customers to buy unlocked iPhones with carrier financing has been closed by Apple and its partners. In accessory news, Satechi is releasing a color-matched hub and mouse for MacBook Neo owners to address the limited port selection.

Regulatory and Legal News

The European Commission has granted exemptions to its Batteries Regulation, meaning devices like the Apple Watch and Air Pods will not require user-replaceable batteries. Separately, a lawsuit accusing Apple of failing to prevent child sexual abuse material from being stored on iCloud has been dismissed by a judge.

OpenAI and Potential Competition

OpenAI is reportedly developing a portable smart speaker as its first AI hardware product, a move that could potentially put it in competition with devices like Air Pods. This comes amidst ongoing discussions about alleged trade secret theft between OpenAI and Apple, with OpenAI attributing a lack of response to an email mix-up.

Content and Media

Apple TV+ has released a first look at the second season of its German dark comedy ‘Where’s Wanda?’ and confirmed its return date. Additionally, the limited series ‘Lucky,’ starring Anya Taylor-Joy, has premiered its first episodes on Apple TV+.

Third-Party Software and Services

Opera has reported significant growth in its iOS browser user base in the US and UK during the second quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, Spotify has expanded its managed account feature, allowing users without a Premium subscription to create accounts for their children in several countries. Canva has unveiled Canva Code 2.0, an AI-powered platform for building and editing websites and applications. Mac Whisper 14 has launched with an updated transcript editor and improved performance.

Other Noteworthy Items

LEGO is considering a Bondi Blue iMac G3-themed set for its Ideas platform. There are also reports that Apple is in talks with Prism ML about its AI model-shrinking technology, which could enable larger AI models to run on iPhones. A public service announcement warns users about fake Mac crash reports designed to steal passwords and crypto wallets.