Apple News 3 Days

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

Apple's AI Ambitions and On-Device Processing

Apple's AI strategy is focusing on shrinking models for on-device processing, a move that could yield significant benefits and potentially a billion-dollar business opportunity. This push for local AI capabilities aligns with a broader industry trend, as seen with password manager 1Password adding support for Claude, allowing the AI to access credentials without direct access to user passwords. Meanwhile, OpenAI has tweaked chat access in its Chat GPT app for Mac to improve usability. On a different note, concerns have arisen regarding Apple's new Genius Bar tool, Live Notes, which transcribes customer conversations, with employees worried about potential misuse for monitoring and evaluation.

New Software Betas and Operating System Updates

Apple has released the first public betas of iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate, opening up testing to a wider audience ahead of their official fall releases. For those who have already installed the iOS 27 beta, instructions are available for downgrading back to iOS 26 if usability or stability issues arise want to downgrade. The iOS 27 public beta also introduces an all-new app for the iPhone's Home Screen, alongside numerous Siri and Apple Intelligence features. Additionally, the iOS 27 public beta includes several CarPlay enhancements. For Mac users, details on how to install the mac OS 27 Golden Gate public beta are also available make the first mac OS 27 Golden Gate public beta available.

iPhone Loyalty and Upcoming Models

iPhone loyalty remains strong, with research indicating an 87% retention rate for the first quarter of 2026, a higher figure than the previous year. This strong customer base is proving difficult for competitors to penetrate, as Google is reportedly making no progress in switching iPhone users to Android iPhone owners continue to account for nearly nine in 10. The next generation of iPhones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, are expected in two months and will likely feature a similar design to their predecessors. However, one report suggests that the base model iPhone 18 will not be released, and consumers might be better off not waiting for the iPhone 18 Pro due to anticipated upgrades in subsequent models won’t be making an appearance. Apple is also reportedly ramping up orders for vapor chamber cooling components, possibly for a foldable iPhone and 20th-anniversary iPhone models.

Apple's Market Valuation and Financial News

Apple has once again surpassed Nvidia to become the world's most valuable publicly traded company, based on market valuation. In supply chain news, Apple's chip supplier TSMC has pledged an additional $100 billion for its U.S. manufacturing plants, bringing its total commitment to $265 billion. Apple has also been implementing price increases across a range of its products and services, following earlier hikes on Macs and iPads increased prices on more products and services. These price adjustments extend to iCloud+ subscription plans in several countries, and some Apple Care+ subscription plans for Macs and iPads have also become more expensive. A poll is seeking user opinions on whether these higher prices will become permanent.

Product Deals and DiscountsDeals are available on various Apple products, including Air Pods Pro 3 for $199.99 and Air Pods 4 for $99** $199.99. Other promotions include discounts on Air Pods Pro 3 and Air Pods, with some available from $119 from $119. Significant savings of up to $400 are offered on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips at B&H. Amazon is also offering a $200 discount on the 512GB M4 iPad Air 13-inch model $200 discoun. Even with recent price increases, Amazon continues to offer deals on MacBook Pro models, with savings up to $500.*

App Store and Security Concerns

An investigation has revealed numerous disguised gambling apps on the App Store in Brazil, posing as simple games and utilities. In response to the proliferation of AI "face-swap" apps capable of generating nonconsensual nude images, a San Francisco City Attorney has issued cease-and-desist letters to Apple and Google demanding their removal. On the security front, new mac OS Click Fix malware has been identified, potentially introducing a new backdoor to enterprise fleets.

Apple Services and Ecosystem

Apple's Journal app is highlighted for its alignment with psychological research on reflective writing and its potential to support mindful daily routines closely aligns with what decades of psychological research actually supports. The company is also offering its annual Back to School promotion in select countries, including China, India, and Malaysia. Apple has updated its website with a list of products eligible for upcoming sales tax holidays in several U.S. states list of products eligible for upcoming 2026 sales tax holidays. The Apple TV app for Android has received an update adding widgets, and Apple Music for Android now includes WhatsApp sharing capabilities homescreen widgets as the shared theme.

Retail and Automotive Integration

A new Apple Store is set to open at the Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Friday, July 31 relocating to a new space. Apple's Car Keys feature is reportedly expanding to TANK vehicles from Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor (GWM), based on code discoveries in Apple's Wallet app backend appears to be coming to TANK vehicles.

Legal and Regulatory Developments

Apple and the U.S. Justice Department are reportedly in early discussions regarding a potential early settlement for a 2024 antitrust lawsuit concerning the iPhone potential for an early settlement. Separately, the European Commission has formally ordered Google to grant third-party AI services the same access to Android device features as its own Gemini AI. Apple has also shared a new Advertising Services policy that prohibits certain ad categories from appearing in the Maps app.

Other Notable Updates

YouTube's picture-in-picture mode is currently experiencing issues on both iPhone and Android devices. WhatsApp has begun rolling out its new username feature to select iPhone users beginning to activate the full feature. The first trailer for Apple TV+'s docuseries ‘The Dynasty: UConn Huskies’ has been released ahead of its debut next month. Apple has added the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip to its refurbished store in the U.S. and Canada.