Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Apple's AI and Chip Advancements

Apple's research into the Apple Car project is now surfacing in the performance of its M7 and M8 processors, suggesting a focus on artificial intelligence capabilities. the M7 Ultra chip could support an impressive 1.5TB of RAM, bringing it in line with the capabilities of the 2019 Mac Pro. In a move to enhance its AI hardware infrastructure, the U.S. is easing restrictions on Apple's access to AI chips and data center equipment in the UAE, allowing eight U.S. companies, including Apple, to import advanced computing technology without individual export licenses as reported by 9to5Mac. Furthermore, Apple is exploring methods to run significantly larger AI models directly on iPhones, engaging in discussions with Prism ML about integrating the startup's technology as detailed by The Information. Apple Watch is also seeing AI integration, with reports indicating Siri AI is being tested for the smartwatch as mentioned in a 9to5Mac Daily podcast. Apple Watch itself is dominating the AI smartwatch market, accounting for approximately 90% of all Edge AI-capable smartwatch shipments in the first quarter of 2026.

Upcoming Product Iterations and Rumors

Rumors suggest that the iPad Pro, expected in early 2027 alongside the M6 chip, may necessitate upgraded Apple Pencil models with more easily replaceable batteries due to EU regulations as reported by AppleInsider. The next generation of Air Pods Pro, the Air Pods Pro, are currently available at their best price since Prime Day, listed at $199.99 according to MacRumors. Further deals on Air Pods are available, with Air Pods 4 seeing a discount of nearly 25% as noted by 9to5Mac. Discussions are also ongoing regarding potential Air Pods with cameras and the future of the iPhone Fold, with some speculation that the iPhone Fold's battery capacity might be less than initially anticipated according to AppleInsider. Apple's annual iPhone event is approaching, and clarity is still needed on the availability of the foldable "iPhone Ultra," with speculation that the company might face production challenges as detailed in MacRumors' top stories. The bill of materials for the iPhone 18 Pro Max is projected to increase by nearly $300 compared to the iPhone 17 Pro according to MacRumors. Apple has also reportedly lowered its demand forecasts for the standard iPhone 17 due to rising hardware costs as claimed by a Chinese leaker via MacRumors.

Software Updates and User Experience

iOS 27 is bringing substantial updates to the Mail app, with significant improvements to search functionality and the introduction of new AI features as detailed by MacRumors. The Messages app in iOS 27 is also receiving a significant overhaul under the hood, completely revamping the user experience according to 9to5Mac. iOS 27 is set to integrate Gym Kit functionality more broadly, effectively turning iPhones and Air Pods into Apple Watch equivalents for fitness tracking at the gym as noted by 9to5Mac. Car Play is also receiving a boost with iOS, which will introduce over eight new features designed to enhance the in-car experience reported by MacRumors. Multitasking on iPad OS is still being refined, with a desire for simpler execution despite last year's introduction of windowing features as discussed by 9to5Mac. The Apple Watch will see the removal of its Walkie-Talkie app with the upcoming watch OS 27 update, shifting to a push-to-talk functionality as reported by 9to5Mac.

Apple Ecosystem and Retail

Two Apple retail stores in the U.S. are scheduled to relocate within the month, though their new locations will be close to their current sites as noted by MacRumors. The LNDU HK01W smart lock is now available, offering Apple Home Key support and Wi-Fi connectivity at a budget-friendly price point as reviewed by 9to5Mac. In terms of hardware, the M1 MacBook Air is considered to have the longest usable lifespan of any Apple laptop to date according to 9to5Mac. Deals are currently available on various Apple products, including Air Pods Pro 3 at nearly $50 off, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 with a $140 discount as highlighted by 9to5Mac. The M5 MacBook Air is also discounted by $150, and the M5 Pro MacBook Pro has a $450 price reduction, though these deals may not last long following recent price increases as reported by MacRumors. For Mac users seeking enhanced connectivity, the iVANKY Fusion Dock Ultra offers a Thunderbolt 5 dock designed for professional workflows as reviewed by 9to5Mac. LG's 32-inch Ultra Fine evo 6K Thunderbolt 5 monitor is available with a $700 discount, making it a more affordable option than Apple's Studio Display as noted by AppleInsider.

Industry News and Partnerships

Apple may have benefited from a deal to contract Intel for chip production, which is believed to have influenced President Trump to grant the company an exemption from 100% semiconductor tariffs as reported by AppleInsider. Apple Card is celebrating its seventh anniversary and is undergoing its first significant change with a move to JP Morgan Chase as detailed by AppleInsider. In the realm of app development, Apple has updated its App Store Connect age rating questionnaire to include new questions specifically for apps with social media features as announced by Apple. Separately, Meta has removed a feature that allowed users to generate AI images from public Instagram posts as reported by 9to5Mac. In other industry news, Netflix is reportedly exploring options like live TV and content bundles to address declining engagement, despite Apple TV app integration being readily available as noted by 9to5Mac.

Other Tech and App Developments

A stolen iPad led to the arrest of an alleged bank robber, and in a separate incident, dozens of iPads were stolen from an elementary school as reported by AppleInsider. For iPhone users facing storage limitations, the SANDISK Phone Drive offers a solution for low storage issues as reviewed by 9to5Mac. In the world of AI browsers, OpenAI is discontinuing its dedicated web browser, Chat GPT Atlas, prompting users to explore alternatives as reported by 9to5Mac. Anthropic is introducing a new "Reflect" feature for Claude, which allows users to review their past usage, similar to Spotify Wrapped as announced by Anthropic. The app Strava has added an Events tab, providing users with a centralized location to discover upcoming races, group runs, and other local activities as announced by Strava. Separately, users of the TV Time app can now migrate their data to Just Watch ahead of TV Time's upcoming shutdown as reported by 9to5Mac. The indie app "Route 25" is highlighted as an all-in-one social app for Pokémon collectors as featured by 9to5Mac.