Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 4, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

App Store and Legal Matters

Telegram was briefly removed from the Apple App Store due to the presence of child sexual abuse material the app was removed after a review found content violating their strict guidelines prohibiting child sexual abuse material. The app was later restored after the offending content was removed. Russia's antitrust regulator has opened a formal case against Apple concerning the mandatory preinstallation of domestic apps. Apple is facing a civil lawsuit in Brazil seeking R$300 million, approximately $59 million, in damages over allegations that children can access casino-style games on the App Store without adequate age checks. Apple is also facing a class-action lawsuit in Illinois that could cost the company over $30 billion, alleging violations of the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) related to Apple Photos' face recognition feature. OpenAI has published a detailed response to Apple's lawsuit, which accused OpenAI of stealing trade secrets related to hardware development. Apple recently made changes to its bug bounty program due to a surge in security reports described as "AI slop". Apple is fighting back against a UK-mandated "backdoor" to encryption, launching its second legal challenge to the order.

Product Launches and Updates

Apple Pay has launched in the Philippines, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch owners in the country to add supported cards. The company has also rolled out a revamped shopping experience for "Apple Accessories" on the Apple Online Store and within the App Store app, making it easier to browse and purchase items. iOS 27 brings significant improvements to Apple's Photos app, including enhancements to slideshows and shared albums, alongside the addition of a much-needed camera roll feature. Google Health data can now sync to Apple Health through the latest update to the Google Health app for iOS, enabling data collection from wearables like Fitbit trackers and the Pixel Watch. WhatsApp's Mac beta now allows users to select between daily and weekly update schedules, in addition to manual checks for new updates. Wikipedia iOS has introduced a new app widget for the Home Screen, providing easier access to information.

Upcoming Products and Features

Apple is reportedly working on a new feature that will enable cross-device copy and paste functionality between iOS devices and Windows PCs, a request made through Apple's EU interoperability system. The company is preparing for its major September product launch event, with the iPhone 18 Pro expected to be a key announcement. Rumors suggest the 20th-anniversary iPhone will feature a glass-heavy construction and improved cooling, drawing design inspiration from the rumored "iPhone Air". The iPhone Fold is reportedly on schedule for a September release, with manufacturing difficulties having been resolved. Apple's first camera-equipped Air Pods could launch as soon as next month, according to reports. The iPhone Ultra is also anticipated to launch in the coming year with a substantially unique design. Apple's upcoming glasses product is reportedly being debated regarding the inclusion of a camera, with Duck Duck Go offering anti-AI glasses that feature zero cameras and notifications. Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus is rehiring Laura Legros, a former vice president of hardware engineering, to his team. Apple's future glasses and headsets are intended to function as health and fitness devices, according to reports.

Deals and Services

A 15-inch M5 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM is available for $1,499 after a $200 discount, though quantities are limited. Amazon is offering significant discounts on the 2026 MacBook Pro, with some prices now lower than in July and discounts reaching up to $500 on select models. Deals are also available on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $100 off, Series 11 from $299, and Air Pods Pro 3 at $50 off, alongside other discounts on Air Tag 2 and Anker chargers. The new Apple Upgrade program requires users to have a plan with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon for iPhone leasing. Apple TV subscribers can look forward to the return of "Ted Lasso" in August. Apple is highlighting the upcoming start of the Leagues Cup, an annual competition featuring teams from Major League Soccer and LIGA MX, which will be available on Apple TV. Apple recently agreed to acquire a company named Plasma Solve, which is expected to align with its product roadmap. Apple's Q3 earnings were discussed in a recent episode of the 9to5Mac Daily podcast.

Industry and Production

India is considering extending a tax exemption on manufacturing machinery and components to further boost Apple's iPhone production in the country. Hollywood is increasingly viewing YouTube as its primary competition, with streaming services like Disney+ reportedly considering a free tier for users. The cost associated with heavy Siri AI usage might be higher than initially anticipated, based on a comment from outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook during an earnings call. The latest solar eclipse on August 12 will be visible in parts of Spain, Portugal, Russia, Iceland, and Greenland. Apple is hosting a "Ted Lasso" look-alike contest in New York to celebrate the season four premiere.