Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 15, 2026, 6:15 AM ET

iOS 27 and Apple's OS 27 Wave Arrive

Apple released iOS 27 to the public today, delivering the long-awaited overhaul of Siri alongside AI-driven changes to Photos. The update is available for everyone with an iPhone 11 or newer, bringing Siri AI, new Apple Intelligence features, more control over Liquid Glass, and improved performance. Apple simultaneously shipped iPadOS 27 with the same Siri AI and Liquid Glass refinements. Mac Rumors published a 10-feature starter guide for new users, while a separate 50-things rundown catalogs the smaller additions. A mega guide aggregates every feature and how-to. Federico Viticci's annual review concludes it is good to see Apple sweat the details again.

Siri AI: Waitlist, Requirements, and Data Opt-In

Siri AI debuted as part of iOS, but the assistant requires a waitlist before users can access it. Apple Insider explains where to sign up for the queue, and 9to5Mac details the full requirements for getting Siri AI on a device. Apple is also adding an opt-in setting for sharing data to improve its Foundation Models. Users who decline can follow a guide on how to stop Apple from training on their Siri AI interactions. Apple Insider frames the broader shift as Apple realistically needing customer data to make Siri AI work well.

Siri AI May Be Swappable for Claude or Chat GPT

Code in iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate suggests Siri AI is built to be replaceable by third-party models including Claude and Chat GPT. Private frameworks uncovered by code sleuth "pdfu" show Apple designed the architecture to work with external AI models. 9to5Mac reports the code references and asks readers whether they would swap Siri for a rival chatbot.

mac OS Golden Gate and the Mac

Apple released macOS Golden Gate with Siri AI, Visual Intelligence, and more. The full feature list covers deeper Liquid Glass refinements, major Safari additions, and a long list of performance improvements. Mac Rumors picked 10 features to try first. Apple Insider's review calls Siri AI its remarkable best. Apple is also testing 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro OLED touch models running mac OS 27.1, scheduled for late October.

Security: 200+ Flaws Patched Across Releases

mac OS 27 Golden Gate, mac OS Tahoe 26.7, and mac OS Sequoia 15.8 fix more than 200 vulnerabilities, according to Apple's security notes. iOS 27 and iOS 26.7 together address over 100 security bugs. 9to5Mac published the complete list of iOS 27 fixes for iPhone and iPad.

Older Operating Systems Still Get Updates

Users not ready to jump to OS 27 can install iOS 26.7, a security-focused update to the existing iOS 26 software. 9to5Mac confirms the release is security fixes only. Apple also shipped macOS Tahoe 26.7 and macOS Sequoia 15.8, with 9to5Mac detailing what's new in each. Apple Insider notes the company didn't forget older operating systems as the OS 27 era begins.

watch OS, vision OS, tv OS, and Home Pod 27

watch OS 27 brings Siri AI and better health tracking to the Apple Watch, and is rolling out now to users. Mac Rumors highlights a new watch face and Smart Stack improvements. vision OS 27 adds Siri AI to spatial computing despite Apple temporarily downsizing its Vision Pro hardware team, and is available for all Vision Pro models. Mac Rumors covers the release's new spatial experiences. tv OS 27 adds video podcasts and improved audio, with a redesigned Podcasts app among the changes. Mac Rumors confirms tvOS 27 is free for Apple TV 4K. Home Pod 27 delivers two primary improvements, and Mac Rumors notes AutoMix support as the headline addition. iPad OS 27 brings Siri AI and system optimizations including speedier animations and faster file transfers, with 9to5Mac rounding up what's new for iPad.

Air Pods Firmware and Customizable EQ

Apple released new firmware for the AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro, AirPods, and AirPods Max 2 to support iOS 27 features. 9to5Mac confirms the AirPods Pro 3 firmware adds support for the latest capabilities. Apple Insider reports the update adds a customizable EQ, giving users more control over how their headphones sound.

Parental Controls, Wallet, and Data Sharing

iOS, iPad OS, and mac OS 27 add new Screen Time and parental control features aimed at giving parents more control over their kids' devices. Apple Wallet gains a set of new features in the update. Apple also added a dedicated Hermès MagSafe wallet animation found in the iOS 27 release candidate. Mac Rumors reports iOS 27 code reveals new Hermès wallet designs featuring Find My support.

Carrier Handoff and iOS 27.1

Apple announced that Verizon and EE will support iOS 27's new iPhone Handoff feature later this year, letting users switch between two iPhones while on a call. iOS 27.1 is confirmed to ship with the iPhone Duo, with new features and a release date now known.

App Updates: Fantastical, Things, Gentler Streak, Smart Gym

Fantastical 4.2 adds Siri AI, bigger widgets, and a refreshed Mac design alongside OS 27 launch day. Cultured Code's Things 3.24 adds Siri AI and Spotlight integration, with 9to5Mac noting OS 27 support and a new widget size. Gentler Streak and The Outsiders add Siri AI and onscreen awareness in their iOS 27 updates. Smart Gym 8 introduces natural-language workout creation with deeper Siri integration.

iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders Slip to October

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max have slipped to October for most models, with buyers who have not yet ordered facing longer waits. Mac Rumors reports delivery dates slipped further after pre-orders opened September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific. Accessory makers are capitalizing: Mac Rumors rounded up top charging accessories on sale ahead of Friday's September 18 launch, and 9to5Mac picked its favorite iPhone 18 Pro accessories. A buyer's guide compares the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, both featuring a new Main camera with variable aperture and Pro camera controls. Apple Insider compares the iPhone 18 Pro against Google's Pixel 11 Pro on specs.

iPhone Duo: Cases, Dock Limits, and Foldable Future

Hands-on coverage of Apple's two exclusive iPhone Duo cases finds the folio-style will be an early hit with users. The iPhone Duo's vertical Dock is limited to four app icons, as Marques Brownlee discovered in his hands-on. CNET's comparison pits the iPhone Duo against the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 in a battle of passport-style foldables. Craig Federighi acknowledged the iPhone Duo may replace iPads for some users. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman predicts the iPhone Duo is just the start, with most iPhones foldable within a decade. Apple Insider tallies 16 products in line for future release beyond the Duo.

Emmy Night: Widow's Bay Sweeps, Ternus Debuts iPhone Duo

Apple TV's Widow's Bay swept the 78th Primetime Emmys with 14 wins, capping a record 29 total for Apple TV across the ceremony. New Apple CEO John Ternus attended the awards and demoed the iPhone Duo for stars and press, two weeks after taking over from Tim Cook.

Legal: Musk Drops Apple Suit, Apple Takes Epic to SCOTUS

Elon Musk's X Corp and Space XAI asked the court to dismiss their claims against Apple over App Store favoritism toward OpenAI, while continuing to sue OpenAI. Apple Insider notes it is not clear why Musk filed to dismiss the suit. Separately, Apple filed its opening merits brief with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the contempt ruling in its Epic Games battle. Apple Insider outlines why Apple is standing its ground on App Store fees, with arguments set for October.

Retail: New Store Design and a Genius Bar Comeback

Apple's newest store, Apple Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, California, reopened with three key design changes. A broader retail overhaul would bring back dedicated Genius Bars, add order-pickup and Today at Apple spaces, and remove oversized video walls. 9to5Mac's daily podcast recapped the Apple retail changes and iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders.

Services, Hardware Pipeline, and Deals

In more than 100 countries, Apple now bundles Apple TV and Apple Arcade into iCloud+ at no extra charge. iOS 27's AI camera summaries require a paid iCloud+ tier costing $9.99 for one camera and $59.99 for five. Apple Care One Family launched at $49.99 per month for U.S. iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. Gurman reiterated that a new Apple TV and HomePod mini remain on track to launch this year. Apple has now released more than 1,000 Apple Watch bands since April 2015. App Zapper returned as AppZapper 3000 with a new design and updated functionality. X's standalone messaging app XChat disappeared from the App Store, with Mac Rumors confirming the app no longer surfaces in search. On the deals front, Amazon's iPad pricing starts at $399, the M4 iPad Air is discounted up to $149 at Amazon and Best Buy, and 9to5Mac is tracking AirPods and MacBook Air discounts including $150 off the MacBook Air. A buyer's guide compares the AirPods 4 and AirPods 5, the latter adding ANC as standard. iMazing is offering a 20% discount for 9to5Mac readers ahead of a major release, and Vinich's Mag Safe wallet comes in 15+ colors with a traditional look.