Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: July 16, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence

Apple released the iOS 27 public beta this week, introducing a host of new Siri and Apple Intelligence features. The public betas are now available for anyone to test the upcoming software, with Benjamin and Chance sharing their latest experiences with iOS 27 and Siri AI. One of the most significant changes in iOS 27 is the addition of an all-new app to the iPhone Home Screen, alongside a substantial upgrade to Apple Music's Auto Mix feature, which debuted last year in iOS 26. The new operating system is also poised to bring Siri AI to iPad OS 27 and mac OS, coinciding with Apple's 2026 smart home lineup, which includes a new Apple TV, Home Pod, and Home Hub according to reports.

Apple Hardware and Accessories

Apple has added the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip to its refurbished store in the U.S. and Canada, offering the device at a discount. Meanwhile, the entry-level iPad, previously rumored to launch this year, may no longer be on the immediate horizon as indicated by a recent report. The company is also reportedly increasing orders for vapor chamber cooling components, potentially for an upcoming foldable iPhone and its 20th-anniversary iPhone models. In accessory news, Satechi has launched new color-matched MacBook Neo accessories that add extra ports and functionality, enhancing the value of the already well-regarded entry-level laptop as noted by reviewers.

Apple Services and Legal Matters

A proposed class action lawsuit is seeking a payout related to an unresolved Hide My Email flaw, without alleging that the vulnerability was actually used in an attack or that the plaintiff's email address was compromised as detailed in the filing. Apple has also updated its Advertising Services policy, outlining specific ad categories that will be prohibited in the Maps app. Furthermore, Apple is implementing a change that will lock carrier-financed iPhones purchased from Apple to their respective carriers, ending a workaround that allowed customers to buy unlocked devices on payment plans.

Third-Party Integrations and AI Developments

Popular password management app 1Password has added support for Claude, enabling the AI service to access credentials stored in 1Password without directly seeing them. On the gaming front, Roblox is integrating AI game creation tools directly into its mobile app, making it easier for users to develop playable experiences from written ideas on their iPhones streamlining the process. In a move impacting the broader AI landscape, the European Commission has formally ordered Google to grant third-party AI services the same level of access to Android device features as its own Gemini AI as part of an antitrust ruling.

Deals, Promotions, and Chip Manufacturing

Apple's annual Back to School promotion has begun in select countries, including China, India, and Malaysia, offering deals on educational purchases as announced by the company. However, resellers are reportedly offering greater discounts than Apple's current offerings. Apple has also updated its website with a list of products eligible for upcoming sales tax holidays in 10 U.S. states making purchases. In semiconductor news, TSMC, Apple's chip supplier, has pledged an additional $100 billion for its U.S. chip investments, bringing its total commitment to $265 billion as confirmed by the Department of Commerce.

Other Apple News

Apple TV for Android is rolling out significant updates, including homescreen widgets, while Apple Music has gained WhatsApp sharing capabilities as part of the latest updates. Apple has also increased the prices for some Apple Care+ subscription plans for Macs and iPads, a change that makes the Apple Care One warranty bundle an even better value proposition according to analysis. The Apple TV+ series Stillwater has set a release date for its fifth season as announced by the platform. Additionally, Apple is reportedly facing increased competition in the wearable market, as the Signal Ring offers blood pressure readings, a feature not fully replicated by the Apple Watch, which primarily generates alerts for potential hypertension as noted by device comparisons.