Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: June 2, 2026, 2:39 PM ET

Apple Design & WWDC Preview

Apple announced its annual Design Award winners on Friday, recognizing outstanding apps and games ahead of Monday's WWDC 2026 keynote. The awards highlight innovations across iOS, mac OS, and vision OS, with winners spanning productivity tools to creative applications. Apple unveiled the winners alongside a "Get Ready" video and new #WWDC26 hashmoji campaign on X, while developers received invitations to a special "The Mandalorian and Grogu" screening at Apple Park. The company teased the conference with an "All systems glow" tagline, suggesting major software announcements are imminent.

Software Updates & Features

Apple released mac OS Tahoe 26.5.1 to address unexpected shutdown issues affecting enterprise users on M5 Macs, particularly those using content-filtering network extensions. The update follows iOS 26.5.1, which fixed charging problems on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 models. iOS 27 will reportedly include a split-screen app landscape adaptation feature, addressing how portrait apps will display on wider screens. Meanwhile, iOS 28 is expected to be far more significant than iOS, though details remain sparse. watch OS 27 will bring three new Apple Watch features to be announced at WWDC, while mac OS 27 naming speculation centers on whether Apple will continue its California landmark tradition.

MacBook Neo Performance & Competition

The $599 MacBook Neo outsold every other Mac in its debut quarter, with Apple shipping 1.1 million units according to IDC data. This strong performance compares favorably to M5 MacBook Air and Pro sales, showing Apple's appeal in the lower-cost laptop segment. Dell unveiled a $699 laptop claiming features not found on the MacBook Neo, while Nvidia's PC chips are taking on Apple Silicon in the broader Windows laptop market. B&H is offering 15-inch MacBook Air M4 units at $969, providing significant discounts on remaining inventory.

iPhone Rumors & Development

Apple's first foldable iPhone, reportedly called the iPhone Ultra, will feature a liquid metal hinge that could pay off 16 years of research. The hinge technology addresses production concerns that have circulated in supply chain reports. A prototype image allegedly shows the device's design, while color options for the iPhone Ultra reportedly include standard and premium finishes. Despite production challenges, the foldable iPhone remains on track for a September 2026 launch. Battery capacity for the iPhone 18 Pro shows only modest gains according to leaked data, with the Pro model offering fractionally higher capacity than its predecessor.

AI & Search Developments

Perplexity will add task splitting between local and cloud models in Perplexity Computer, expanding the AI assistant's capabilities across different processing environments. Duck Duck Go continues gaining iPhone users following Google's AI search overhaul at I/O, as privacy-focused search attracts users seeking alternatives. OpenAI enhanced the ChatGPT app with a hidden gesture for setting prompt effort levels and improved navigation for longer conversations. Anthropic expanded Glasswing access while promising public releases of its Claude Mythos-class model, building on the AI model unveiled in April. Google's Gemini Spark demonstrates agentic AI capabilities that could pressure Apple Intelligence to match similar functionality.

Apple TV Content & Services

Apple TV ranked higher than Netflix in a new streaming quality index from Moffett Nathanson, marking a significant milestone for the service. The sci-fi series Silo returns July 3 for season three, with Apple unveiling a split-timeline plot trailer showing Rebecca Ferguson's continued starring role. Pluribus won Breakthrough Drama Series at the Gotham Television Awards, adding to Apple TV's growing collection of honors. Zoë Kravitz will star in an upcoming untitled Apple TV movie following her role in The Studio. Apple TV kicks off June with several original series already airing, including Widow's Bay and Maximally.

Apple Watch & Vision Pro

A next-generation OLED display could improve power efficiency in 2027 Apple Watch models, according to reports from Korean publication The Elec. This follows LG's new screen technology that promises better battery life for future wearables. Apple Vision Pro remains compatible with PlayStation 5 Remote Play apps for streaming games in stereoscopic 3D. However, a cheaper Vision Pro successor likely won't arrive before late 2028 or 2029, disappointing those seeking more accessible AR hardware.

Deals & Accessories

Amazon slashed iPad prices to as low as $299 during its June sale, offering steep discounts across Apple's tablet lineup. Air Pods Pro 3 returned to $199 via Amazon, while Prime Day 2026 approaches with early discounts already available. Apple Card users can earn up to $30 in Uber Cash through Uber Eats purchases when subscribed to Uber One, with similar promotions running through August 31. Withings unveiled a more affordable smart scale featuring body scanning capabilities at a lower starting price point than its Body Scan model.

Enterprise & Security

Microsoft will block Office 2019 for Mac document editing starting July 13 due to expiring digital certificates, pushing users toward newer versions. Apple is integrating Car Key support into future Mahindra vehicles, expanding the digital car key feature beyond premium automakers. Apple Card promotions extend to Uber One subscribers through enterprise partnerships. Congress took Towson union's side in a letter to Apple's CEO, calling the store "high-performing" with 100 skilled workers. A security breach in ChatGPT for Mac requires mandatory updates by June 12, while hackers exploited Instagram AI to hijack high-profile accounts through Meta's support bot.

Smart Home & Developer Tools

The Controller for Home Kit app added AI features with "just say it" natural language control, allowing users to describe desired actions rather than navigate complex menus. Nintendo Music expanded to iPad and CarPlay with Siri integration and dedicated tablet support, enhancing the Switch Online companion app. WhatsApp is bringing Liquid Glass to its Mac app after rolling out the redesign to iOS users. Apple shared WWDC materials including wallpaper and playlist to prepare developers for next week's announcements.