Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: July 8, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Legal & Regulatory

Apple's legal battles saw a setback as Europe's top court dismissed its challenge against the EU's "gatekeeper" designation for its App Stores and iOS platform on Wednesday. This ruling upholds stricter regulations on major tech companies operating within the European Union. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Apple has asked a judge to pause proceedings in its legal case with Epic Games while the Supreme Court reviews a portion of the dispute this week. Separately, a federal judge largely dismissed claims in a class-action lawsuit alleging a condensation defect in Air Pods Max, stating the $549 headphones function as intended, even if condensation occurs 9to5Mac reported. In Texas, Apple must continue to enforce age verification for iPhone users after the Supreme Court denied a request to pause the state law's enforcement 9to5Mac noted.

Software Development & Betas

Apple continued its beta testing cycle, releasing the fourth public betas for iOS 26.6, mac OS Tahoe 26.6, and other operating systems on Wednesday. This follows the company's release of the third developer betas for iOS, mac OS, iPad OS, tv OS, and vision OS 27 earlier this week. Key enhancements in iOS 27 beta 3 include improved Siri voice customization with separate controls for speaking pace and expressivity 9to5Mac reported, and more accessible adjustments for Air Pods Adaptive mode intensity Mac Rumors noted. The beta also features an overhaul of RAW photo processing using machine learning for better detail and noise reduction 9to5Mac stated, and Siri's ability to pull information from third-party apps is progressing 9to5Mac observed. Apple also released a third beta firmware for Air Pods Pro, Pro, and Air Pods 4 Mac Rumors reported. Separately, Apple has stopped signing iOS 26.5.1, preventing downgrades after a critical security fix was issued 9to5Mac stated.

Hardware & Devices

Rumors persist about future iPhone models, with reports suggesting the iPhone 18 Pro could be noticeably thicker than its predecessor due to an aluminum frame and camera housing increase Mac Rumors reported. Regulatory filings from China appear to confirm battery capacities for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max Mac Rumors noted. A second-generation iPhone Air is reportedly in development, aiming for a spring 2027 launch with a focus on battery life improvements Mac Rumors stated. The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, potentially mirroring the iPhone X's staggered release strategy Mac Rumors reported. Apple Watch shipments accounted for nearly all Edge AI smartwatch shipments in the first quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research 9to5Mac stated.

Deals & Pricing

Significant discounts are available on Apple hardware. The 15-inch MacBook Air with an M5 chip is priced at $1,349 following a $150 price cut on Amazon and B&H Apple Insider reported. A 2TB M5 Pro MacBook Pro is available for $449 off, alongside deals on MacBook Air models and Apple Watch Ultra 3 units 9to5Mac noted. B&H is also clearing out M4 Pro MacBook Pro inventory, with prices as low as $1,799 and discounts up to $500 Apple Insider stated. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is discounted by $99 on Amazon, starting at $699.99 Mac Rumors reported. iPad mini 7 Wi-Fi models are seeing discounts of up to $130 on Amazon Mac Rumors noted.

Content & Services

The fifth season of the comedy series "Trying" has premiered on Apple TV+ 9to5Mac reported. Additionally, Apple TV+ has confirmed a premiere date for the new drama series "Nocturne," starring Liev Schreiber 9to5Mac stated. Apple is also offering free 4K upgrades for previously purchased TV shows 9to5Mac reported. In the automotive sector, Lamborghini has launched an Apple Vision Pro app featuring interactive, full-size car models 9to5Mac noted.

Third-Party Apps & Services

Third-party applications are expanding their functionality and availability. The popular flight tracking app Flighty has introduced a new Connection Assistant to aid travelers with connecting flights worldwide Mac Rumors reported. Pocket Casts has released an update with three new features, including Car Play chapter artwork for drivers 9to5Mac stated. Anthropic is bringing its Claude Cowork feature to mobile and the web, with beta access rolling out to Max users first Mac Rumors reported. Notion has launched a new iPhone app called Agents, following the discontinuation of its Notion Mail client 9to5Mac noted. Xbox Family Settings for iPhone and iPad has expanded its console parental control tools 9to5Mac stated. Proton VPN is highlighted as a trusted VPN service for online security and traffic encryption Apple Insider reported. Maestral, a free open-source Dropbox client for Mac, has been retired by its maintainer Mac Rumors reported. Plex has introduced a new five-year subscription pass for $249.99, following a price hike for its lifetime pass Apple Insider noted.

Executive & Industry News

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Eddy Cue attended the Sun Valley Conference in Idaho 9to5Mac reported. Cook also held a virtual meeting with Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria, alongside John Ternus 9to5Mac stated. Apple has renewed its supplier agreement with Broadcom through 2031, ensuring a continued supply of custom chips Apple Insider reported. Tony Fadell, the "father of the iPod," has written a column arguing that the choice of AI assistant is significant and raises broader questions 9to5Mac noted. In China, rising memory prices have impacted the smartphone market, causing a 13% sales decline during the 618 shopping festival, despite Apple's iPhone discounts Apple Insider reported.

Accessories & Charging

New charging accessories are available, including Beats woven charging cables now offered in a "Power Pink" color Mac Rumors reported. The NOCO XGrid XDS3 is presented as an ideal companion for Stand By mode 9to5Mac stated. Anker's 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charger is matched with a Prime Day low at $99.74 Mac Rumors reported. Multiple charging accessory roundups and deals continue to be published, covering multiport chargers, Mag Safe accessories, and travel-oriented options 9to5Mac noted.

Miscellaneous

The Boox Go 6 Gen II e-reader has been reviewed, with its incremental spec bump potentially not justifying a purchase for some users Apple Insider reported. Apple's Mac mini and Mac Studio are reportedly becoming the preferred machines for running AI agents, according to Doug Brooks, Apple's senior product manager for Apple silicon Mac Rumors noted. Scientists have suggested that iPhones may have contributed to lower birth rates, while Elon Musk's AI prototype developments highlight the threat of specialist hardware Apple Insider reported. A report indicates that Apple Watch accounted for almost all Edge AI smartwatch shipments in Q1 2026 9to5Mac stated.