Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: July 20, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Apple Ecosystem and Software Updates

Apple is reportedly testing a hidden popover interface for Siri AI in the mac OS 27 Golden Gate beta, which surfaces Writing Tools and contextual actions when text is selected uncovered by MacRumors. The public betas for iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate have been released, offering a broader audience the chance to test new features, including over 30 ways iOS 27 makes iPhones faster is now available. Additionally, iOS 27 introduces improvements to Car Play, with several changes in the public beta worth exploring. For users who need to revert, a guide on downgrading from iOS 27 Beta to iOS 26 is available is provided. A fix for Mac users experiencing beach balls and unresponsive trackpads on mac OS 26.5 has also been identified.

AI Concerns and App Store Issues

Concerns are growing regarding AI-generated content on Apple Books, with some books reportedly written in a matter of hours. Apple and Google have received cease-and-desist letters from a San Francisco City Attorney demanding the removal of 13 AI "face-swap" apps capable of generating nonconsensual nude images. Apple is also testing a new AI-powered "Live Notes" feature at its Genius Bar, which transcribes and summarizes customer conversations, though employees are reportedly worried about employee monitoring and evaluation. On a positive note, Apple's efforts in shrinking AI models could lead to significant benefits and a potential billion-dollar business opportunity, especially with the move towards on-device AI processing.

Hardware, Pricing, and Deals

Apple has once again become the world's most valuable publicly traded company, surpassing Nvidia in market valuation surpassed that of Nvidia. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected in two months, with a similar design to their predecessors but featuring 12 new features. However, one report suggests that despite the upcoming launch, users might not need to wait for the iPhone 18 Pro, as the base model iPhone 18 won't be released won't be making an appearance. iPhone loyalty remains strong, with an 87% retention rate in the first quarter of 2026, indicating a slowdown in users switching to Android. In terms of pricing, Apple has increased prices on more products and services beyond Macs and iPads, with iCloud+ subscription prices also rising in several countries. Despite these increases, Apple One still offers considerable savings for regular users. Several deals are available, including Air Pods Pro 3 for $199.99 and Air Pods 4 for $99, MacBook Pro laptops with savings up to $400 off M5 models, and a 512GB M4 iPad Air 13-inch with a $200 discount.

Apple Services and Car Technology

Apple's Car Key feature is expanding its support to Great Wall Motor's (GWM) TANK vehicles, according to code changes in Apple's Wallet app backend. In other service news, WhatsApp is rolling out its new username feature to select iPhone users after a reservation system was introduced. Apple is also reportedly being sued by OpenAI over alleged trade secret misappropriation, adding another layer to the ongoing tensions between the two companies.

App Store and Security Investigations

An investigation has revealed numerous apps on the App Store in Brazil that disguise gambling platforms as simple games and utilities. Separately, a new mac OS Click Fix malware has emerged, posing a potential backdoor threat to enterprise fleets. While Apple's Hide My Email feature makes it easy to uncover a real email address, it is not considered a significant concern if used as intended for spam filtering.

Other Apple News

Apple is expanding its retail presence with a new store opening at the Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor, Michigan on July 31st. Apple chip supplier TSMC has pledged an additional $100 billion for U.S. chip investments, bringing its total commitment to $265 billion. Apple has also released the first trailer for its upcoming docuseries, "The Dynasty: UConn Huskies," which is set to debut next month on Apple TV. Password management app 1Password has added support for Claude, allowing the AI service to access credentials without seeing passwords directly. OpenAI has also updated its Chat GPT app for Mac to improve chat access.