Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Apple's Upcoming Product Launches and Updates

Apple is gearing up for a busy September with the anticipated launch of at least five new devices. The iPhone 18 Pro event is expected to occur next month, with Apple's announcement history suggesting a consistent window for invitations. While a live keynote presentation for the iPhone launch seems unlikely, the event itself might be more "live-lier" this year. iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to feature three long-anticipated upgrades. It may also come with a starting price of $1,399, though this figure is considered not credible for Apple. Apple's main manufacturer, Foxconn, has already announced record monthly earnings ahead of producing the iPhone 18 Pro and the folding iPhone. The folding iPhone, also known as the iPhone Ultra, is reportedly on schedule for a September release after production issues were resolved. Global foldable smartphone shipments are projected to increase by 20% in 2026, partly driven by Apple's entry into the category. There are also rumors of a second new iPhone display prototype, measuring around 6.4 inches, potentially for a 20th-anniversary iPhone model. The 20th-anniversary iPhone is rumored to have a glass-heavy design and improved cooling, drawing inspiration from the iPhone Air.

Beyond iPhones Watch Ultra 4 is expected to launch next month alongside the iPhone 18 Pro. Three new features for the Apple Watch Ultra 4 have already generated excitement. Apple is also reportedly preparing updates for the Home Pod mini, with a new model anticipated soon. The company has expanded its Apple Home-compatible product line with two new sensors from Abode, designed for garages, gates, and sheds. In the realm of software, iOS 27 is poised to bring significant upgrades, including four new ways to customize the iPhone's Lock Screen. iPad OS 27 will launch next month with new features for apps like Notes. Siri AI is set to become a major highlight of iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate, but it will only be available on newer Apple devices. The cost of heavy Siri AI usage might be higher than anticipated, based on a comment from Tim Cook. iOS 27 also introduces a powerful new feature for Face Time and a time-saving enhancement for the Messages app. Apple Photos in iOS 27 will receive a much-needed camera roll feature, alongside improvements to slideshows and shared albums.

Deals and Subscriptions

Apple Watch 3, Series, and Ultra 3 models are currently available with discounts of up to $172. Amazon and Walmart are offering these summer sales on various Apple Watch styles. Apple Watch Ultra 3 has also seen a $99 discount at Amazon, with other deals on the Ultra 3 offering $100 off. Series 11 models are available starting at $299. Additionally, discounts of up to $500 are available on Mac, iPad, Air Tag, and Apple Watch products at Amazon, with some prices starting as low as $27. Amazon is also offering significant discounts on 2026 MacBook Pro models, with some prices lower than they were in July. Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Max chip and a 40-core GPU is currently $500 off, representing the largest discount on the 16-inch lineup. The 15-inch M5 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM is available for $1,499 after a $200 discount, though quantities are limited. Best Buy's Back to School sale includes markdowns on various Apple devices, including Mac Books and Air Pods. AirPods Pro are still on sale with a $50 discount, and Air Tag 2 is at an all-time low price.

Disney is reportedly considering a free, ad-supported tier for Disney+ in the future, as Apple Music prepares for iOS 27 upgrades. Apple Pay expanded its availability to the Philippines, allowing users in the country to add supported cards to their devices. Apple Card can now benefit from faster loyalty rewards through a partnership with Booking.com. Russia's antitrust regulator has initiated a formal case against Apple concerning the mandatory pre-installation of domestic apps.

Security, Privacy, and Legal Matters

A class-action lawsuit alleging violations of Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) over Apple Photos' face recognition feature will proceed, potentially costing Apple over $30 billion. Apple is also facing a civil lawsuit in Brazil seeking approximately $59 million in damages due to allegations that children can access casino-style games on the App Store without adequate age verification. Security researchers have found that Apple's paid iCloud Private Relay feature, designed to mask IP addresses, is not always effective. In a separate incident, a former Apple employee allegedly accessed confidential documents after leaving the company to join OpenAI, though Apple disputes that iCloud mess played a role in the breach fighting a UK-mandated "backdoor" to encryption with a second legal challenge.

Scammers are circulating fake Uber emails claiming that payment methods have expired, aiming to steal payment information. A malware campaign is spreading through fake Zoom updates and business files, now extending to mac OS and granting attackers remote control. The risky Sunbird app for Android, which aims to provide iMessage functionality, has resurfaced despite Apple now supporting RCS. Telegram was briefly removed from the App Store due to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) being posted by a user, but was later restored after the content was removed that it is working on a feature to enable cross-device copy and paste between iOS devices and Windows PCs, a request made by Microsoft.

Entertainment and Smart Home

The popular comedy series "Ted Lasso" is back with its fourth season now streaming on Apple TV premiere, Apple is hosting a Ted Lasso look-alike contest in New York. "Ted Lasso" has been named Apple TV's most popular show of the year. Other hit Apple TV shows are also expected to be released soon. Apple is also highlighting the start of the Leagues Cup 2026, an annual competition featuring teams from Major League Soccer and LIGA MX, on Apple TV. A new TV and movies tracking app called Bingers, from one of the co-founders of TV Time, is now available.

Meta has launched Muse Code, a terminal coding agent for mac OS, with pricing that is up to 20 times less expensive if users allow Meta to train on their data. MacPaw is partnering with Liquid AI to develop an on-device AI technology stack for Mac, starting with its AI product, Eney. Wispr Flow introduced Notetaker, an AI-powered meeting assistant for Mac that integrates with calendars and other apps. WhatsApp is preparing to allow channel admins to flag AI-generated media, aligning with new EU transparency requirements. WhatsApp has also updated its group chats with "@all" mention features and poll upgrades. The Google Health app now allows Fitbit data to sync with Apple Health. DuckDuckGo is offering anti-AI glasses that feature no cameras and no notifications.