Apple News 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 16, 2026, 4:32 AM ET
iPhone Duo and Foldables
Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, dominated the news cycle, with reporting on repair costs and the device's starting price of $1,999. Apple CEO John Ternus, speaking to TIME, called early foldables "kind of cheap and crappy," while a separate profile reported that Ternus spent 15 years planning the device. Samsung's contribution to the display was also discussed by Apple executives, and a renewable display layer was presented as a possible justification for the price. Accessory makers moved quickly, with Sonos adding Duo support in its app, and reviewers pointed to the best case options available so far. Pre-orders open tomorrow, and Apple set a cutoff time for customers seeking the fastest checkout.
Smart Home and Home View
Apple unveiled HomeView, a smart home hub alongside a new Apple TV 4K and Home Pod mini. Pricing drew scrutiny, as a $300 starting cost left some observers questioning its target audience, and MKBHD was not convinced by the product. The wall-mounted version ships without a power adapter, and pre-order delivery times for the Apple TV 4K and Home View have slipped later into November. Reporters also uncovered hidden details from hands-on testing, and the new Siri Remote's Precision Finding feature came with an unexpected iPhone requirement.
Upcoming Hardware
Rumors point to a busy stretch of launches, with Apple expected to kick off four weeks of new products this fall. An unreleased iPad mini model surfaced through a regulatory filing, and Apple tested both 60Hz and 120Hz Pro Motion displays for the next iPad mini. A touchscreen MacBook Pro with OLED is reportedly set for November 6, although the OLED MacBook Pro won't get M7 chips until late 2027.
Apple Intelligence and AI
Apple's AI strategy drew commentary from SVP Greg Joswiak, who said the company doesn't feel threatened by OpenAI's hardware plans and that Siri AI is built for everyday users rather than the "lunatic fringe." Apple's research into a system called Minions describes turning idle Mac GPUs into a shared virtual GPU cloud. Mac Paw launched Eney, a proactive AI assistant for Mac and iPhone, and Strava introduced coach-designed strength workouts with live set and rep tracking.
Legal and Corporate
Apple won a round in a trade secret lawsuit over iPhone anodization against Envirodigm, which is now being appealed. Apple also reportedly donated $25 million to the White House ballroom project. Apple CEO John Ternus was featured on the cover of TIME magazine's Best Inventions issue under the headline "New Era."
Services, Media and Deals
Apple Sports gained soccer leagues from around the world and improved Live Activities. Apple TV's Tenzing, starring Genden Phuntsok, Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe, premiered, and the comedy Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed was renewed for a second season. Shogun 2 - Complete Edition was pulled after launch bugs. On deals, Amazon cut AirPods Max 2 and AirPods Pro 3 prices, an M5 MacBook Air with 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD dropped to $1,599, and a HomeView pre-order discount was offered.
Retrospective and Other Coverage
Looking back, Apple Insider revisited John Sculley's rise and fall as Apple's CEO, marking the anniversary of his departure on October 15, 1993. Elsewhere, United Airlines Starlink Wi-Fi is now available on roughly half its flights, and Home Pods can now output Mac system audio for compatible Macs. Finally, Pokémon x Beats Pill was praised in hands-on coverage as one of the favorite collaborations yet.