Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 8:51 AM ET

iPhone & Rumors

A new rumor claims Apple could raise iPhone 17 prices as soon as Monday, August 10, well before the wider increases expected with next month's flagships. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro is anticipated to launch on September 9 according to the best estimates, bringing a 2nm A20 chip, an Apple C2 modem, and under-display Face ID. Apple is also reportedly testing iOS 26.6.1 internally, while iOS 26 has received its first jailbreak after 326 days thanks to the Dopamine team. For those torn between models, a new poll asks whether you plan to buy the iPhone 18 Pro or foldable iPhone Ultra, as rumors point to a flagship-only September lineup. The Mac Rumors Show this week examines iPhone Air 2 and what changes after a difficult first year on sale.

Software Updates (iOS & watch OS)

iOS 27 delivers a long-awaited fix for the Wi‑Fi to cellular handoff lag, making the software "more responsive, reliable, and delightful." The same update also adds a feature that's been on one writer's wishlist for years: the ability to import physical passes into Apple Wallet. On the wearable side, watch OS 27 could upgrade hypertension notifications on the Apple Watch, making the potentially life-saving health feature even better. In third-party app news, WhatsApp is bringing its dedicated parental controls section to the iPhone for easier setup, and OpenAI is working on a feature that lets users export custom stickers from Chat GPT straight into WhatsApp.

Developer Tools & AI

Anthropic has updated Claude Code so separate coding sessions on mac OS can message each other directly, removing the need to manually copy context between Terminal windows. However, Claude Code will enable auto mode as default starting August 14 for Pro, Max, and Team users unless an administrator pins another setting. Meanwhile, OpenAI is pausing its upcoming AI model Astra due to critical hacking concerns, delaying the release.

Apple Ecosystem & Accessories

If your Car Play connection randomly drops while driving, the culprit may be radio interference rather than your iPhone, cable, or car. That matters because Tesla, Rivian, and GM still don't support Car Play — here's the latest on why they resist and whether that future might change. On the hearing front, Apple added 43 models across 22 brands to its Made for iPhone hearing devices list. Meanwhile, new Air Pods with cameras could launch next month alongside the iPhone 18 Pro — a feature that sounds very exciting. Apple is also rumored to launch three new Ultra products by early next year, according to Bloomberg and Macworld. For Mac users, two compelling upgrade options are on the horizon: MacBook Pro with M6 and Ultra chips coming this fall. The Apple Certified Refurbished Store added rare M5 MacBook Pro configs, Studio Display XDR, and Apple TV 4K. And as the original Mac Pro "cheese grater" turns 20, many still consider it the best Mac ever made.

Apple TV+ & Podcasts

Actor James Marsden has been confirmed for his third Apple TV+ project, the series Bad News Dads. Over on the podcast front, this week's 9to5Mac Overtime discusses native retro games on iPhone, including a Pokémon 3D Mod and a native port of Mario Kart. Meanwhile, 9to5Mac Daily's August 7 episode covers iPhone Fold hype and macOS updates.

Apple Business & Market

Apple captured a staggering 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, with the premium segment's share of overall sales rising to a record 29%, according to Counterpoint Research. Meanwhile, SK hynix, one of Apple's memory suppliers, is making a massive $38B bet on AI chip production, but the investment won't cut iPhone prices. In legal news, Apple has told a federal court it hasn't heard from Jon Prosser's legal team in a month, flagging discovery delays in its trade secret lawsuit. On the services side, Apple expanded its Apple Account Card in Wallet to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia.

Opinion & Abandoned Features

Apple seems to have abandoned Cinematic mode, and one writer argues that's a mistake — the feature, introduced with the iPhone, offered depth-of-field effects that rivaled professional cameras. Meanwhile, the 9to5Mac Daily podcast noted that mac OS updates are also rolling out alongside the iPhone Fold hype.