Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: July 19, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Apple's Market Dominance and New Product Rumors

Apple regained its title as the world's most valuable company, surpassing Nvidia. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are reportedly launching in two months, with expectations of 12 new features, though they are expected to maintain a similar design to the iPhone 17 Pro models. In a notable trend, iPhone loyalty has climbed to 87%, indicating a slowdown in users switching to Android. there's speculation about significant upgrades for next year's iPhone, with "The Mac Rumors Show" podcast discussing potential major changes.

Software Updates and User Experience

Apple released first of iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate this week, following its promised July timeline. For users experiencing issues with the latest beta, guides are available on from iOS 27 Beta to iOS. The latest iOS versions also include improvements to the iPhone Recovery Assistant, allowing devices to boot into recovery mode without a Mac or PC, a feature first introduced in iOS. Meanwhile, WhatsApp has begun rolling out its new username feature to users who were able to reserve their desired names.

Deals and Accessory News

This week features significant discounts on Apple products. Amazon is offering Air Pods Pro 3 for $199.99 and Air Pods 4 for $99. B&H is also providing substantial savings on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops, with discounts of up to $400 on M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max models. In a giveaway, Mac Rumors readers have the chance to win a MacBook Neo along with color-matched Satechi accessories.

Privacy Concerns and App Policy

Apple and Google have from a San Francisco City Attorney demanding the removal of 13 AI "face-swap" apps. These apps are capable of generating nonconsensual nude images. This action highlights ongoing concerns about the misuse of AI technology and the platforms' responsibility in curating app stores. Separately, a guide is available on from the internet, addressing broader privacy concerns.

Smart Home and New Integrations

Hardwired smart lighting is becoming more prevalent in the Home Kit ecosystem, with the Switch Bot RGBICWW ceiling light being a recent example of a fixture that natively integrates with Apple Home via Matter. Additionally, Apple's Car Key feature is reportedly coming to future GWM Tank SUVs, expanding the integration of digital car keys into more vehicle models.

Pricing and App Functionality

Apple's hardware price increases in June were reportedly just the beginning of a trend of rising prices across Apple products and services. On the app front, YouTube's picture-in-picture mode is currently experiencing issues on both iPhone and Android devices, where it fails to activate when the app is closed. An indie app called "Passable" has been highlighted for its ability to easily share contact information through Apple Wallet.