Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

iOS 27 Features and Hardware Rumors

Apple's upcoming iOS 27 is set to bring significant updates to the Mail app, improving search functionality and introducing new AI capabilities. The Messages app also receives a revamped experience under the hood, with changes that might not be immediately apparent. Additionally, iOS 27 will integrate Gym Kit features into iPhones and Air Pods, allowing them to function like an Apple Watch at the gym by connecting to compatible equipment integrates Gym Kit. Car Play is also getting a boost with 8 new features designed to improve the in-car experience. Meanwhile, rumors persist about potential new hardware, including an "iPhone Ultra" and potential foldable iPhone development. Component costs for the iPhone 18 Pro Max could rise by nearly $300, potentially impacting demand forecasts for the standard iPhone 17 due to increasing hardware costs. Apple is also exploring ways to run larger AI models directly on iPhones using technology from startups like Prism ML.

Apple's Ecosystem and Services

Apple Watch is dominating the Edge AI-capable smartwatch market, accounting for approximately 90% of shipments in the first quarter of 2026. The Walkie-Talkie app will be removed in watch OS, replaced by a push-to-talk functionality. Apple TV is expanding its content offerings, announcing the August "Friday Night Baseball" schedule and taking over Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con for the first time with previews of shows like "Widow's Bay" and "Silo". The Apple TV app will also feature the first trailer for "There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy". Apple Card is celebrating its seventh anniversary, with a move to JP Morgan Chase marking its first major change. In app store news, Apple has added new age rating questions to App Store Connect for apps with social media features.

Deals, Accessories, and Third-Party Integrations

This past weekend saw significant deals on Apple products, including Air Pods, Apple Watch Ultra, Mag Safe chargers, and Magic Mouse. Additional deals feature the Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $140 off, M5 MacBook Air, and M5 Pro MacBook Pro with discounts up to $450 off. LG's 32-inch Ultra Fine evo 6K Thunderbolt 5 monitor is available for $700 off, making it cheaper than Apple's Studio Display. On the accessory front, the SANDISK Phone Drive offers a solution for low iPhone storage. The LNDU HK01W smart lock brings Apple Home Key and Wi-Fi support to a budget-friendly option. For Mac users, the iVANKY Fusion Dock Ultra is a Thunderbolt 5 dock built for workflows.

Industry Trends and Competitor News

Meta has removed a feature that allowed users to generate AI images from public Instagram posts. Anthropic is highlighting Claude Code’s in-app browser on the Mac and is updating its Claude AI with a "Reflect" feature for tracking usage. Spotify is making its Release Radar more customizable with new listening filters. Netflix is reportedly exploring acquiring Letterboxd and is looking into live TV and bundles to increase engagement, with Apple TV app integration noted as an option. Duck Duck Go's browser now blocks most YouTube ads on iPhone and Mac by default. Memory price increases are seen as bad news for Android brands but potentially beneficial for Apple, which recently increased prices on many of its products.

Manufacturing, Tariffs, and Legal Matters

Apple may have secured a 100% semiconductor tariff exemption from President Trump through a deal to contract Intel for chip production. Import duties in India have been cut, making the country more attractive for iPhone manufacturing by lowering component costs for assemblers. Apple has stopped signing older iOS versions for several legacy iPhone and iPad models, preventing restoration or downgrading to those versions. In legal news, Apple will pay owners of certain iPhone models to settle a class-action lawsuit regarding "Siri AI". Separately, reports indicate that iPhones sold in the European Union will not feature removable battery backs in 2027, contrary to some online claims. Apple's M1 MacBook Air is noted for having the longest usable lifespan of any Apple laptop in history.

App and Software Updates

An indie app spotlight features "Route," an all-in-one social app for Pokémon collectors. Mac shipments are reportedly growing, according to a recap of top stories from 9to5Mac Daily. Discussions on The Mac Rumors Show suggest a potential shift away from the MacBook Pro towards a "MacBook Ultra". OpenAI is discontinuing its dedicated web browser, Chat GPT Atlas, prompting users to consider alternative AI browsers. TV Time users can now migrate their data to Just Watch ahead of the former's shutdown. Strava has added an Events tab for discovering races and group runs.