Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: July 30, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Apple Services and Systems

Apple's App Store, iTunes Store, and other services experienced an outage for some users, though the issues were resolved shortly after. In other service news, Apple pledged support for relief efforts following wildfires in southern Europe, with Tim Cook announcing donations via X. Apple also began selling certified refurbished Studio Display XDR models in the U.S., offering significant savings of up to $540.

iPhone and Future Devices

The 20th anniversary iPhone, anticipated for fall 2027, is expected to feature the most substantial redesign since the iPhone X. Meanwhile, Apple's reliance on Qualcomm for modem chips than expected after Q4 2026, driven by Apple's increasing use of its in-house C-series modem. Qualcomm itself expects its Apple revenue to drop more rapidly than previously forecast, citing supply constraints as a factor. The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will reportedly offer distinct features, with analysts already comparing the two models.

iOS and Software Updates

iOS 27 is set to introduce several new features, including the ability to hide the often-mistakenly pressed Messages button to prevent accidental voice dictation activations. Apple Maps in iOS 27 will further enhance the 'Suggested Places' feature, making it even more useful. The high-end Apple One Premier plan will gain new advantages in iOS, making the bundled service offering more appealing. Support for adding digital driver's licenses to the iPhone is expected to roll out to a 15th U.S. state soon.

Industry and Regulatory Landscape

US senators urged Apple to abandon plans to use Chinese-made chips for products sold in China, citing concerns amidst an AI-driven memory shortage. This bipartisan pushback was reported by Bloomberg. In the UK, Apple stated that new App Store steering rules would grant regulators a "highly intrusive" role in dictating business operations, as reported by Reuters according to Mac Rumors. The Department of Justice is fighting Apple's request for records from 14 federal agencies in an ongoing antitrust case. OpenAI president Greg Brockman addressed Apple's lawsuit, stating the company does not need Apple's proprietary information and discussed future product plans.

Retail and Accessories

Amazon is offering significant discounts on Apple audio accessories, with the Air Pods Max 2 available for $449, a $100 reduction. The Air Pods Pro 3 remain at $199.99, their best price since Prime Day. Best Buy's Back to School sale also features markdowns on Air Pods and Mac Books, among other Apple devices. Apple's Certified Refurbished store now includes the Studio Display XDR, providing potential savings of up to $540.

App and Software Development

Apple released Safari Technology Preview, which includes bug fixes and performance improvements. Pastebot 3 for Mac, the latest version of Tapbots' clipboard management software, launched with rule-based organization and powerful paste filters. Google is bringing its Gemini AI assistant to the Mac with a new voice mode that converts spoken requests into text without requiring users to switch apps. WhatsApp has rolled out new features for group calling, including web calling and call transfer across devices.

Market Trends and Consumer Behavior

iPhone sales continue to rise in China, even as the overall smartphone market experiences a decline. Elsewhere, a US government update to its list of banned foreign-made products now includes "advanced robotic devices," potentially impacting future robot vacuums. Support for school cellphone bans has reached new highs, with more Americans favoring students remaining phone-free throughout the school day. Online scams cost Americans nearly $150 billion last year, a figure seven times higher than previously reported.

Apple's Business and Financials

Apple will report its third-quarter 2026 financial results on July 30, with analysts expecting key highlights from Tim Cook's final earnings report as CEO. A new Apple Upgrade leasing program for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches launched yesterday, offering a new purchasing option, though its value proposition is complex.