Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 8:52 PM ET

iOS 27 and mac OS Betas Hit Fifth Round

Apple has seeded the fifth betas of iOS 27 and iPad OS 27 to developers, arriving two weeks after the fourth beta. The update brings redesigned icons for Siri, Safari, and Settings, along with new "Before Searching" settings and a refreshed Liquid Glass aesthetic. Siri AI voice customization has been expanded with new pace and expressiveness controls in iOS 27 beta 5. Apple also released the fifth developer beta of macOS Golden Gate (mac OS 27), alongside watch OS 27 beta, tv OS 27 beta, and vision OS 27 beta. An important note: this iOS 27 beta cycle has been described as "the easiest to forget about," with the public release still four to six weeks away. In a surprise second wave, Apple also shipped iOS 26.6.1 beta and iPad OS 26.6.1 betas with security fixes, as well as a mac OS Tahoe 26.6.2 beta for older systems. Beta testing is also underway for security updates to iOS, iOS, and mac OS.

Apple Watch Redesign, Ceramic Return, and Round Model Rumors

Apple is re-evaluating the Apple Watch lineup, considering a host of radical new designs including a round model and a screenless fitness tracker, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. A round Apple Watch is possible, but an Apple Ring is seen as more likely. The ceramic Apple Watch casing could return as soon as this year with the Apple Watch Series 12. For accessories, the Air Tag 2 gets even better with an add-on case that extends battery life to 10 years. The TESSAN AERO 5000 is an ultra-thin Mag Safe battery with a titanium finish.

iPhone 18 Pro Max Battery Leak, Dark Cherry Color, and Foldable Ultra

A photo leak backs up a massive 5,391mAh battery for the iPhone 18 Pro Max — nearly 12% larger than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The correct shade for the rumored "Dark Cherry" iPhone 18 Pro has been weighed in by a Weibo leaker. Meanwhile, Apple's foldable future continues to take shape: the foldable 'iPhone Ultra' is rumored to come in silver and dark blue colors. A third-generation foldable "iPhone Ultra 3" is expected as early as 2028 with larger displays. Separately, Apple's rumored all-glass 20th anniversary iPhone has reportedly been canceled according to Jefferies analyst Edison Lee.

Memory Crisis, Chip Shortages, and Production Cuts

Apple is scaling back its 2026 hardware shipment plans due to a DRAM shortage, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said, and RAM shortages are now affecting MacBook Air availability. Kuo also poured water on the rumor of a $1 billion Apple chip stockpile at TSMC. Price hikes may force Apple to stop dragging its feet on certain product upgrades — the iPad Air jumped from $599 to $749, and the M5 MacBook Pro from $1,699 to $1,999. The memory crisis is also reportedly why Apple is testing Chinese memory chips (CXMT) in iPhones and MacBooks. Will price hikes force Apple to stop dragging its feet on certain product upgrades?

Upcoming Macs and iPads: M6 MacBook Pro, iMac, and iPad Deals

New M6 MacBook Pro and refreshed iMacs are likely coming in October, and Apple is reportedly skipping its M6 Pro and M6 Max chips to accelerate the M7 launch. An OLED iMac panel could include an extra layer to fight screen burn-in. The iPhone 17 is set to break a record no flagship has touched in 15 years — and iPhone 17 prices could rise as soon as Monday, a rumor claims. For shoppers, B&H is blowing out M4 15-inch MacBook Air inventory at $1,279, and the Apple Watch SE 3 is available for just $219 on Amazon. The A16 iPad is at its best price since June's hike at $399. Apple's official refurb store has top picks of the week, saving hundreds on iPhones and MacBooks. The M5 MacBook Pro is $300 off, along with Air Pods Pro 3 and other deals.

Siri AI in China, Photo Authentication, and App Settings

Apple revealed how Siri AI features will work in China, using Alibaba's Qwen models — raising privacy questions. Apple briefly posted a China guide for connecting Siri to Qwen AI before pulling it. A new feature in iOS 27 beta 5 will authenticate that a photo came from an iPhone camera using reference images. One feature request: do this to end the guessing game with iPhone app settings. Apple Maps in iOS 27 gets a host of new features. The scrapped plan to ship leased iPhones already set up for users would have made setup much more seamless, but Apple dropped the idea. Another scrapped feature: Apple considered a "white-glove element" for its Apple Upgrade program but never shipped it.

Yelp, Chat GPT, WhatsApp, and Claude Code

Chat GPT users can now book tables and join restaurant waitlists through Yelp without leaving their chats. WhatsApp's latest beta for iOS adds references to an in-chat search tool, and WhatsApp also makes parent-managed accounts easier to set up on iPhone. Meta released a brand-new Facebook Creator Studio app for iPhone. Claude Code adds cross-session messaging on macOS.

Ted Lasso, Alfonso Cuarón, and Apple TV+

Apple TV welcomes back Ted Lasso with a clever new commercial for season four. Apple TV also teams up with Academy Award-winning director Alfonso Cuarón for the second time, picking up his Ascension series. Apple announces 3D MLB games coming to Vision Pro as part of the September Friday Night Baseball schedule.

Lawsuits and Legal

Apple settled a discrimination lawsuit involving a converted Jewish employee for $150,000, brought by the EEOC. Apple also settled a religious discrimination case over grooming standards. In crime blotter: thieves try using stolen credit cards at a Miami Apple Store, and a Senate committee has Anthony Fauci's iPhone.

Generative AI, Nuclear Power, and Sunday Reboot

Generative AI needs ethical leaders and should be controlled like nuclear power. The Sunday Reboot covers AI device worries and Ted Lasso cheapness.

Smart Home, Accessories, and Reviews

The Eve Weather sensor is a must-have for Apple Home automations in 2026. On Smart Home Insider: flight tracking poster, Schlage Sense Pro review, and more. The Ohsnap MCON modular controller transforms your iPhone into a mobile game console — hands-on video. Apple adds nearly 45 hearing devices to its Made for iPhone compatibility list. CarPlay connection issues? This might explain why — radio interference could be the cause. Indie App Spotlight: 'Pocket Jam' helps you learn and practice your favorite songs.

Podcast and 9to5Mac Daily

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day on 9to5Mac Daily, covering Apple Watch rumors and more.

Enterprise and Mac Shipments

Apple @ Work: What IDC's latest shipments mean for the MacBook Neo and Air in the enterprise.