Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 5:56 AM ET

iPhone 18 Pro and Upcoming Models

Rumors are accelerating ahead of Apple’s fall event. The iPhone 18 Pro event is widely expected to take place on September 9, 2026, according to Apple Insider. A detailed rumor roundup outlines the A20 chip and C2 modem alongside under-display Face ID, while a new reader poll asks whether you’d choose the Pro or the foldable iPhone Ultra. In a separate development, a rumor suggests a rumored iPhone 17 price hike could arrive as soon as next week. The iPhone Air 2 is also in the spotlight as its predecessor nears its first anniversary, and Apple is said to be planning three new "Ultra" products by early next year. The September event may also introduce new AirPods with cameras, marking a significant shift in wearable technology.

iOS and watch OS Updates

Apple continues to refine its mobile software. iOS 27 fixes a long-standing lag when switching from Wi-Fi to cellular, and a new compact clock option lets wallpapers breathe. iOS 27 also introduces physical pass import to Apple Wallet, a feature users have requested for years. On the wearable side, watchOS 27 hypertension alerts may get improved sensitivity. Meanwhile, Apple is conducting iOS 26.6.1 internal testing, and security researchers have achieved the first jailbreak for iOS 26 using the Dopamine tool after 326 days of waiting.

Apple Services, Wallet, and Car Play

A slew of service updates rolled out today. WhatsApp is improving family safety with WhatsApp parental controls on iPhone, making supervised accounts easier to set up. OpenAI is working on ChatGPT stickers to WhatsApp export, while the Apple Account Card expands to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia. On the automotive front, Tesla, Rivian, and GM still resist CarPlay, and random dropouts may be explained by CarPlay radio interference issues. Apple TV+ has cast James Marsden’s third Apple TV project titled Bad News Dads. Apple also added 43 new MFi hearing devices to its compatibility list. Anthropic’s Claude Code cross-session messaging now lets mac OS sessions collaborate, and Claude Code auto mode default will become the default setting on August 14. OpenAI delays Astra model over critical hacking concerns, and the FaceTime scams on Security Bite podcast explains why scammers increasingly target the platform.

Hardware: Mac, Air Pods, and More

Apple’s hardware pipeline is buzzing. This fall, the company is expected to offer MacBook Pro M6 and Ultra models as compelling upgrade options. The refurb store adds M5 MacBook Pro models, Studio Display XDR, and Apple TV 4K configurations. Fans celebrated the Mac Pro 20th anniversary, even as the Mac Pro discontinued five months ago, leaving the "cheese grater" design as a beloved relic. Meanwhile, Apple’s memory supplier SK hynix $38B AI memory bet will not make iPhones cheaper. In a reflective piece, one columnist argues that Apple abandons Cinematic mode is a creative misstep.

Legal and Market

Legal proceedings are moving slowly in Apple’s trade secret lawsuit. Apple flags discovery delays in Prosser lawsuit, noting it hasn’t heard from the leaker’s legal team in a month. The AppleInsider Podcast on AI costs and OpenAI lawsuit covers rising component costs and Apple’s legal battle with OpenAI. On the market side, according to Counterpoint, Apple captures 65% of premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, as the premium segment’s share hit a record 29%.

Podcasts

This week’s episodes dive into retro gaming and daily news. 9to5Mac Overtime 076 discusses native retro games on iPhone, including a Mario Kart 64 port and Pokémon 3D mods. 9to5Mac Daily podcast recaps iPhone Fold hype and mac OS updates.