Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 4, 2026, 2:31 AM ET

App Store and Legal Challenges

Apple briefly removed Telegram from the App Store due to user-posted child sexual abuse material (CSAM) which violated its strict guidelines. Separately, Apple is facing a civil lawsuit in Brazil seeking R$300 million, approximately $59 million, for allegedly failing to implement adequate age checks for casino-style games on its App Store. Russia's antitrust regulator has also opened a formal case against Apple concerning the mandatory preinstallation of domestic apps. In another legal development, Apple will proceed with a class-action lawsuit alleging violations of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) through its Photos app's face recognition feature, a case that could potentially cost the company over $30 billion. Apple is also continuing its legal challenge against a UK-mandated "backdoor" to encryption for iCloud.

Product Development and Features

Apple is developing a new feature to enable cross-device copy and paste functionality between iOS devices and Windows PCs, following a request submitted through Apple's EU interoperability system. The company has also made changes to its bug bounty program to address a surge in security reports generated by AI, which are often referred to as "AI slop." iOS 27 is set to bring significant improvements to the Photos app, including enhancements to slideshows, shared albums, and the addition of a much-needed camera roll feature. Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus is reportedly bringing back Laura Legros, a former vice president of hardware engineering who retired in 2022, to his team. Apple recently acquired a company named Plasma Solve, which is anticipated to align well with the company's product roadmap.

Upcoming Product Launches and Rumors

Apple is gearing up for its major September product launch event, which is expected to include the iPhone 18 Pro and a folding iPhone. 20th-anniversary iPhone might feature a glass-heavy design similar to the rumored iPhone Air and offer improved cooling. iPhone Fold is reportedly on schedule for a September release, with production issues having been resolved. iPhone 18 Pro is expected to see a price increase, with a credible starting price being debated. camera-equipped AirPods could be launched as soon as next month, according to reports. Apple's future glasses and headsets are being envisioned as potential health and fitness devices.

Services and Partnerships

Apple Pay has officially launched in the Philippines, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch users in the country to add supported cards. Leagues Cup an annual competition featuring teams from Major League Soccer and Liga MX, will begin streaming on Apple TV starting August 4th. Google Health data from wearables like Fitbit trackers and the Pixel Watch can now sync to Apple Health following an update to the Google Health app for iOS. WhatsApp's beta for Mac is testing flexible update schedules, allowing users to choose between daily and weekly checks for new versions.

Deals and Promotions

Significant discounts are available on Apple products, including the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM, which is currently $200 off. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available for $100 less, and the Series 11 is priced starting at $299, with further deals on Air Pods and Anker chargers as part of a Best Buy back-to-school sale. Amazon is continuing to offer substantial discounts on 2026 MacBook Pro models, with some prices now lower than they were in July.

Miscellaneous Apple News

Apple launched a revamped shopping experience for accessories on its online store and within the App Store app, aiming to simplify browsing. The company is also hosting a Ted Lasso look-alike contest in New York to celebrate the upcoming fourth season premiere. The new Apple Upgrade leasing program requires customers to have a subscription with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon for their iPhone. Apple is reportedly considering whether to include a camera in its upcoming glasses product. Outgoing CEO Tim Cook's comments suggest that heavy usage of Siri's AI capabilities could incur higher costs than initially anticipated. The 2026 Solar Eclipse on August 12th will be visible in parts of Spain, Portugal, Russia, Iceland, and Greenland.