Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: May 19, 2026, 8:57 PM ET

Streaming & Media Services

Plex users will face a $500 price jump for Lifetime Plex Pass subscriptions starting in July, with the cost rising from $249.99 to $749.99 as the media platform seeks to monetize its self-hosted streaming features. The increase draws criticism from subscribers who argue the new pricing makes the service prohibitively expensive for personal video hosting. Disney is pushing toward its planned Hulu-Disney+ merger with three new integrated features including cross-platform profile linking and enhanced parental controls. Apple TV is expanding its Peanuts catalog with a new feature film and multiple specials arriving this summer, while Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed debuts as a new thriller starring Tatiana Maslany that early reviews suggest could strengthen the streamer's original content lineup.

Gaming & App Store Developments

Nintendo is launching Pictonico on May 28, a mobile game that transforms user photos into Wario Ware-style microgames, marking the company's latest experiment with photo-powered interactive content. Epic Games has restored Fortnite globally across the App Store in all markets except Australia, declaring a "victory royale" months before the antitrust case concludes while simultaneously rereleasing the battle royale globally. The move comes as India's competition court ordered Apple to cooperate with an antitrust investigation into App Store practices, rejecting the company's attempt to pause proceedings. Spotify confirmed a CarPlay bug displaying incorrect track information and acknowledged awareness of the issue affecting iOS users.

Apple Events & Software Updates

Apple sent WWDC 2026 media invites for the June 8-12 conference in Cupertino, where iOS, mac OS, and vision OS updates will debut. The upcoming iOS release will generate AI-powered wallpapers and automatically create shortcuts according to Bloomberg reports, while grammar checking tools expand Apple's Writing Tools suite. mac OS 27 will drop support for four legacy Mac models as Apple pushes users toward newer hardware, and order tracking fixes finally address long-standing Wallet app complaints. Apple previewed accessibility features including eye-controlled wheelchair functionality and AI-enhanced Voice Over capabilities ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

Hardware Rumors & Retail Milestones

Apple's iPhone Fold production reportedly stalled amid hinge design challenges that could delay the anticipated foldable device, with testing delays attributed to crease-free display engineering problems. The company celebrated its retail anniversary marking 25 years since the first Apple Stores opened on May 19, 2001, fundamentally changing how consumers purchase technology. Apple re-released the Hikawa Grip & Stand in three new colors after the accessory sold out globally last year, with the accessibility-focused product now featuring updated pricing. Memorial Day sales slashed $250 off 16-inch MacBook Pros at Amazon while Best Buy's annual promotion offered notable discounts across Apple's product lineup.

AI & Technology Partnerships

Google announced AI smart glasses launching this fall in partnership with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker, bringing intelligent eyewear with iPhone support to compete with existing Ray-Ban Meta offerings that discounted up to 25% this week. Apple acquired virtual avatar startup Animato to enhance Personas for Vision Pro headsets, licensing intellectual property and hiring key personnel from the California-based company. Anthropic enhanced Claude Managed Agents with new privacy controls allowing users to manage data retention and security settings for AI-powered workflows. WhatsApp began rolling out a redesigned media share sheet on iOS that streamlines file sharing while maintaining conversation context.

Enterprise & Security

Apple's Vision Pro wheelchair controls and accessibility features leverage advanced eye-tracking technology that could transform how users with mobility limitations interact with spatial computing devices. The company's enterprise podcast series highlighted how NeXT's foundational technologies enabled Apple's business market expansion, while new malware disguised as Apple security tools threatens mac OS users through credential-stealing infostealer attacks. A major Apple gift card scam resulted in hundreds of millions in losses and led to FBI raids recovering thousands of stolen iPhones worth millions of dollars. Privacy remains central to Apple's AI strategy as the company prepares to relaunch Apple Intelligence with new foundation models that emphasize on-device processing and data minimization.