Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: July 19, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Apple's Legal Battles and Software Updates

Apple is reportedly not expected to include Jony Ive in the OpenAI trade secret theft suit, despite his departure from Apple four years ago to join the AI company according to AppleInsider. The company also faces scrutiny over its new Genius Bar AI tool, Live Notes, which transcribes and summarizes customer conversations, sparking employee concerns about monitoring and evaluation as reported by AppleInsider. Meanwhile, Apple has released public betas for iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate, allowing broader testing of the upcoming operating systems according to MacRumors. Users can now access a new iPhone Recovery Assistant screen in iOS, eliminating the need for a Mac or PC to restore a malfunctioning device as detailed by MacRumors. iOS 27 also introduces an entirely new app to the iPhone’s Home Screen, alongside significant Siri and Apple Intelligence features according to 9to5Mac.

Product Strategy and Market Performance

Apple has reportedly shelved plans for "M2 Extreme" and "M3 Extreme" chips that would have offered significantly more processing power than the current Mac Studio, effectively dropping the Mac Pro from its top-tier lineup as detailed by MacRumors. The company has also been implementing broad price increases across its product and service lines, impacting Macs, iPads, and subscription services like iCloud+ in various countries according to MacRumors. Despite these price hikes, Apple has regained its position as the world's most valuable company, surpassing Nvidia in market valuation according to CNBC. Furthermore, iPhone loyalty remains strong, with an 87% retention rate for the first quarter of 2026, indicating a slowing trend of users switching to Android as reported by MacRumors.

Retail and Accessory Updates

Apple is set to open a new retail store at the Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on July 31st according to MacRumors. In accessory news, Air Pods Pro 3 are available for $199.99 and Air Pods 4 for $99, with other deals offering Air Pods Pro 3 starting at $119 according to MacRumors. This week's Mac Rumors giveaway includes a chance to win a MacBook Neo and Satechi accessories as announced by MacRumors. Apple has also added refurbished iPad mini models with the A17 Pro chip to its U.S. and Canadian online stores according to MacRumors.

New Features and App Developments

Apple's Car Key feature is expected to expand to TANK vehicles from Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor (GWM), based on code changes in Apple's Wallet app as discovered by MacRumors. WhatsApp has begun rolling out its new username feature to select iPhone users according to WABeta Info. The popular password management app 1Password has added support for Claude, allowing the AI service to access stored credentials as announced by 1Password. In the smart home space, hardwired Matter lighting is arriving with the Switch Bot RGBICWW ceiling light, integrating natively with Apple Home according to 9to5Mac. The Apple Journal app is highlighted for its potential to support mindful daily routines, aligning with psychological research on reflective writing as explored by AppleInsider.

Industry Trends and Policy

Apple has been targeted by a San Francisco City Attorney demanding the removal of 13 AI "face-swap" apps that can generate nonconsensual nude images according to WIRED. The company has also updated its Advertising Services policy to exclude certain ad categories from the Maps app as shared by Apple. In the semiconductor industry, Apple chip supplier TSMC has pledged an additional $100 billion for U.S. chip production, bringing its total commitment to $265 billion as confirmed by the Department of Commerce. The European Commission has ordered Google to provide rival AI apps with the same access to Android features as its own Gemini according to the European Commission.

Promotions and Device Information

Apple's annual Back to School promotion has launched in select Asian countries, including China, India, and Malaysia according to MacRumors. Apple has also listed products eligible for upcoming sales tax holidays in 10 U.S. states as updated on Apple's website. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are anticipated to launch in two months, with expectations of a similar design to their predecessors but with notable feature upgrades according to MacRumors. Apple has also closed a loophole that allowed T-Mobile and Verizon customers to purchase carrier-financed iPhones unlocked from Apple as reported by MacRumors.

App Store and Security Concerns

An investigation has uncovered dozens of disguised gambling apps on the App Store in Brazil, posing as simple games and utilities according to 9to5Mac. Apple has also been warned about mac OS Click Fix malware, which introduces a potential backdoor into enterprise fleets as detailed by 9to5Mac. On a positive note, a new indie app called 'Passable' allows users to easily share their contact information through Apple Wallet as showcased by 9to5Mac.

Other Notable News

Apple TV has released the first trailer for its docuseries 'The Dynasty: UConn Huskies,' set to debut next month as announced by 9to5Mac. YouTube's picture-in-picture mode is experiencing issues on both iPhone and Android devices as reported by 9to5Mac. Apple's long-running DOJ antitrust case may potentially be settled before going to trial, with early discussions underway according to AppleInsider. B&H is offering significant discounts on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops, with savings of up to $400 on M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max models as reported by AppleInsider. Amazon is also offering a $200 discount on the 512GB M4 iPad Air 13-inch model according to AppleInsider.