Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: July 19, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Software and Public Betas

Apple has officially released the first public betas for iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate, inviting a wider audience to test the upcoming operating systems. Users looking to revert from the iOS 27 Beta can learn how to downgrade to iOS 26. The iOS 27 public beta also introduces a new app to the iPhone Home Screen and enhances existing features like Apple Music's Auto Mix is getting a big upgrade. Additionally, the iOS 27 public beta offers improvements to CarPlay. Discussions around the iOS 27 Public Beta, its features, and whether to install it on a primary device are ongoing talks about. For Mac users, instructions on how to install the mac OS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta are available.

Product Launches and Pricing

Apple has seen a surge in its market valuation, momentarily surpassed that of Nvidia to become the world's most valuable publicly traded company. However, this comes as Apple continues to implement price increases across its product and service lineup. These price hikes are reportedly just the beginning, with further increases on Apple products and services expected just the start. Specifically, iCloud+ subscription prices have been raised in several countries following previous increases in the U.S. and other markets. Apple Care+ for Macs and iPads has also seen a price increase in some subscription plans, which in turn makes the Apple Care One warranty bundle a more attractive value proposition. Despite these increases, deals are still available, with MacBook Pro laptops seeing discounts of up to $400 off at B&H savings of up to $400 and Amazon offering up to $500 off on some 2026 MacBook Pro models. Deals on Air Pods Pro 3 and Air Pods 4 with ANC are also highlighted, with Air Pods 4 available from $119 from $119. Apple's annual Back to School promotion has launched in select countries, though other resellers are offering greater discounts.

iPhone and Future Devices

The iPhone loyalty rate has climbed to 87%, indicating a slowdown in users switching to Android. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected in two months, with the Pro models anticipated to retain a similar design to their predecessors, while the base iPhone 18 model may not be released won’t be making an appearance. Apple has reportedly ramped up orders for vapor chamber cooling components, potentially for upcoming foldable iPhone and 20th-anniversary iPhone models. Carrier-financed iPhones purchased from Apple will soon be locked to the respective carrier, ending a loophole that allowed users to purchase unlocked iPhones on payment plans ending a workaround. Apple has also added the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip to its refurbished store in the U.S. and Canada.

App Store and Developer News

A San Francisco City Attorney has issued cease-and-desist letters to Apple and Google, demanding the removal of 13 AI "face-swap" apps capable of generating nonconsensual nude images demanding the removal. An investigation has revealed dozens of disguised gambling apps on the App Store in Brazil, posing as simple games and utilities. Apple has also updated its Advertising Services policy to outline ad categories that will not be permitted in the Maps app won’t be allowed. The password management app 1Password has added support for Claude, allowing the AI service to access stored credentials without seeing them directly. OpenAI has made adjustments to its Chat GPT app for Mac to improve chat accessibility. Meanwhile, AI-generated Roblox games are becoming easier to create on iPhone through the app's mobile-first AI creation tools.

Services and Ecosystem

Apple's Car Keys feature is reportedly expanding to TANK vehicles from Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor (GWM), based on code changes in Apple's Wallet app backend. WhatsApp has begun rolling out its new username feature to some users who had previously reserved their usernames. The app is also implementing in-call controls for Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum on iPhone, allowing users to switch between different Mic Modes. Apple's Hide My Email feature is under scrutiny, with a proposed class action lawsuit seeking payouts without alleging evidence of attacks or that the plaintiff's email was compromised. Despite this, Apple Insider confirms that while retrieving a real email address from Hide My Email is possible, it's not considered a significant concern for intended use as a spam filter not much of a concern. Apple TV+ has released the first trailer for its docuseries "The Dynasty: UConn Huskies" and announced the release date for the fifth season of "Stillwater". Apple is also selling refurbished iPad mini models with the A17 Pro chip at a discount.

Industry and Partnerships

Apple's chip supplier, TSMC, has pledged an additional $100 billion for U.S. chip plants, bringing its total commitment to $265 billion. Apple and the U.S. Justice Department are reportedly in early discussions regarding a potential early settlement of a 2024 antitrust suit concerning the iPhone early discussions. Apple's relationship with OpenAI has become strained, with Apple suing OpenAI over alleged trade secret misappropriation. WhatsApp is rolling out its username feature for select iPhone users after a reservation system was previously introduced. Meta AI can now alert parents when their teens discuss self-harm on its platforms like Instagram. In the smart home space, hardwired Matter lighting is arriving with the Switch Bot RGBICWW ceiling light, integrating natively with Apple Home. The Signal Ring offers blood pressure readings, unlike Apple Watch models that only provide alerts for potential hypertension.