Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Apple's Legal Battles and Regulatory Scrutiny

Apple is reportedly in early settlement discussions with the US Department of Justice regarding the antitrust lawsuit filed in 2024 accusing the company of anticompetitive practices related to the iPhone. A judge has sided with Apple in its fight to obtain documents from 14 federal agencies as part of its defense in this DOJ antitrust case discovering new information. Separately, Apple has been accused of "aiding and abetting" the use of "nudify" AI apps, with San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu demanding their removal from the App Store demanding, a sentiment echoed by letters sent to both Apple and Google. In a different legal arena, Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging trade secret theft by former employees and has sent legal letters to dozens of these former staffers now at OpenAI, warning them against deleting potentially relevant data warning. OpenAI has responded to claims of not replying to Apple's trade secret theft complaints, attributing the issue to an email mix-up blaming. Meanwhile, a proposed class action lawsuit seeks a payout related to an alleged Hide My Email flaw, though it does not allege that the vulnerability was used in an attack seeking. Apple has also defeated a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing it of failing to stop child sexual abuse material from being stored and shared through iCloud defeating. Brazil has also raised questions about Apple's handling of betting apps accessible to minors, giving the company five business days to provide additional details questioning.

Apple's Ecosystem and Product Updates

iPhone loyalty remains strong, with new research placing it at 87% for the first quarter of 2026, indicating that most users are not switching to Android sticking. Apple's Car Keys feature is expanding, reportedly coming to select vehicles from a major Chinese automaker and specifically to Great Wall Motor's TANK SUVs expanding. The iOS 27 public beta is now available, introducing significant changes to Car Play, a new app on the Home Screen, and enhancements to Apple Music's Auto Mix feature introducing. This new iOS version also includes a redesigned Notification Center, breaking from a 15-year-old design paradigm changing. The iOS 27 public beta also brings a new iPhone Recovery Assistant feature, allowing iPhones to boot into recovery mode without a Mac or PC allowing. Apple has also released public betas for Air Pods, which include a long-requested feature releasing. The company also announced an update for Apple TV and Apple Music on Android, adding homescreen widgets to the former and WhatsApp sharing to the latter adding.

Apple's Market Position and Financials

Apple has reclaimed the title of the world's most valuable company, surpassing Nvidia in market capitalization with its stock up 17 points this week reclaiming. The company has also increased prices for some Apple Care+ subscription plans for Macs and iPads increasing. Apple's annual Back to School promotion has launched in select countries in Asia, including China, India, and Malaysia launching. Apple has listed products eligible for tax-free holidays in 10 U.S. states on its website listing. The company is also reportedly ramping up orders for vapor chamber cooling components, potentially for upcoming foldable and 20th-anniversary iPhone models ramping. Apple's chip supplier, TSMC, has pledged an additional $100 billion for U.S. chip plants, bringing its total commitment to $265 billion pledging. Apple has also closed an unlocked iPhone loophole for T-Mobile and Verizon financing, meaning carrier-financed iPhones purchased from Apple will now be locked to the carrier closing.

Apple's Content and Services

Apple TV has released the first trailer for its docuseries ‘The Dynasty: UConn Huskies,’ which is set to debut next month releasing. The service also announced the return of Major League Soccer following the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has released new Apple Maps guides and Apple Music playlists to mark the occasion announcing. Additionally, Apple TV has shared a first look at season two of the German dark comedy ‘Where’s Wanda?’ and confirmed its return date sharing. The new limited series ‘Lucky,’ starring Anya Taylor-Joy, has premiered on Apple TV+ premiering. Apple has also shared a new Advertising Services policy that outlines ad categories not permitted in the Maps app sharing.

Third-Party Integrations and Deals

WhatsApp is rolling out its new username feature to a limited number of users and has also activated in-call controls for Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum on iPhone rolling. The popular password management app 1Password has added support for Claude, allowing the AI service to access stored credentials adding. Suno now allows iPhone users to generate songs directly in iMessage allowing. Opera has seen significant growth in its iOS browser user base in the UK and the US during Q2 2026 growing. In terms of deals, Air Pods Pro 3 are currently seeing a $50 price drop, and Air Pods 4 with ANC are at their best price in months, available from $119 seeing. Amazon is offering a $200 discount on the 512GB M4 iPad Air 13-inch as part of a weekend sale offering. Deals also include up to $449 off the iPhone 17 Pro Max and discounts on the Apple Watch Series, with some models seeing up to $130 off including. MacBook Pro models from 2026 are also available with discounts of up to $500, though prices have increased post-hike available. Amazon also has a $150 discount on M5 MacBook Air models offering.

Upcoming Products and Rumors

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in two months, with a similar design to their predecessors but potentially 12 new features expected. Apple is reportedly increasing orders for vapor chamber cooling components for its upcoming foldable iPhone and 20th-anniversary iPhone models increasing. Rumors suggest that the Apple Watch Series 12 will feature four new capabilities this fall suggest. Apple's smart home lineup for 2026 may include a new Apple TV, Home Pod, and Home Hub may. Apple Intelligence has received approval from Chinese regulators and is cleared to launch on iPhones in the country received. There is speculation that LEGO is considering a Bondi Blue iMac G3 set for its "Ideas" platform.

Other Notable News

WhatsApp has begun activating reserved usernames for select iPhone users. Apple's Journal app is highlighted as a tool that aligns with psychological research for reflective writing highlighted. The EU has ordered Google to grant rival AI apps the same Android access as its own Gemini service ordered. OpenAI's first AI hardware product is reportedly a portable smart speaker without a display. Apple has also added the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip to its refurbished store in the U.S. and Canada added. The EU has adopted new exemptions to its Batteries Regulation, removing the requirement for battery removal for Apple Watch and Air Pods adopted.