Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 5, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

Apple Product Rumors and Launches

Global foldable smartphone shipments are projected to increase by 20% in 2026, with Apple's entry into the foldable market expected to be a significant driver of this growth. Apple is reportedly preparing for its annual September iPhone event, where it is anticipated to unveil at least five new devices, potentially including the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. There are also indications that future iPhone models, possibly for the 20th anniversary, might include larger displays, with prototypes of a 6.4-inch screen being developed. Speculation about an "iPhone Ultra" is also circulating, which could further boost the foldable smartphone market.

Apple recently raised prices across a substantial portion of its product line, and further price hikes are anticipated next month for iPhones and other devices. One report suggests the iPhone 18 Pro might launch with a starting price of $1,399, though this figure may be exaggerated. T-Mobile has introduced a new 3-year plan, potentially in response to rising iPhone prices. Amazon is currently offering significant discounts on Apple products, with savings of up to $500 on Macs, iPads, Apple Watches, and Air Tags, with prices starting as low as $27. discounts include up to $69 off the M4 iPad Air models.

Apple has released a fourth beta version of firmware for the Air Pods Pro, incorporating features expected in iOS. The company is also preparing iOS, which will bring a major upgrade to Face Time with a new powerful feature, alongside enhancements to Messages and Apple Notes. The Apple Watch National Fitness Day challenge will return this weekend for users in China, offering virtual rewards. iPad users seeking a full mac OS experience can find a jailbreak solution now available for M1 and M2 iPads running iPad OS.

Apple Services and Software

popular show Ted Lasso has returned, with the premiere episode of its fourth season now available for streaming on Apple TV users can now benefit from a new partnership with Booking.com, designed to accelerate loyalty rewards. A lawsuit alleging privacy violations related to Apple Photos face recognition is allowed to proceed, despite Apple's claims that the technology is a privacy safeguard. In a separate legal matter, Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI states that an iCloud issue did not contribute to a former employee accessing confidential documents after joining OpenAI. Signal has updated its iOS app to improve the multi-device functionality for iPhone users, making it easier to use the encrypted messaging service across different devices. WhatsApp has introduced new features for group chats, including an "@all" mention capability and upgrades to polls, along with a faster method for creating new groups from existing ones. Spotify has surpassed 300 million paying subscribers, a significant milestone as it competes with Apple Music, which is expected to receive upgrades in iOS.

Developer and Industry News

Wispr Flow launched its first product beyond dictation, called Notetaker, an AI-powered meeting assistant for Mac that integrates with calendars and other apps. The Revenue Cat Shipaton mobile hackathon is currently underway, running until September 30th, and is offering $1 million in prizes for winning applications. A malware campaign is distributing fake Zoom updates and business files to mac OS users, aiming to install Screen Connect for remote access. A T-Mobile outage last week left many iPhone users without service, and some users may be eligible for compensation ranging from $10 to $80. Apple has achieved a record $10 billion in annual retail revenue in India, with its second major iPhone manufacturing facility contributing to this success.

Master Craft Boat has announced that Car Play will be integrated into pontoon boats through a partnership with Savvy Navvy. The app Bingers, created by a co-founder of the now-defunct TV Time, has been released and focuses on social features for tracking TV shows and movies. OpenAI has provided details regarding the shutdown of Chat GPT Atlas, its web browser for Mac, which is scheduled to occur this weekend.