Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 8:50 PM ET

Software Updates

Apple released the fifth developer beta of iOS 27 earlier this week, bringing redesigned icons for Siri, Safari, and Settings, along with expanded Liquid Glass transparency controls and new "Before Searching" preferences. The beta also introduces birthday fireworks during calls with friends and expands Siri AI voice customization with pace and expressiveness sliders. iPhone users subscribed to an iCloud+ plan with at least 2TB gain new Home app perks, while Apple Maps gains enhanced transit directions and curated guides. The third public beta is now available for non-developers, and a full changelog of iOS 27 beta 5 details every tweak. Alongside the main OS, Apple seeded beta 5 for iPadOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27. The third macOS Golden Gate public beta and the third public betas of tvOS and watchOS 27 also arrived. Apple additionally released surprise beta security updates for iOS, iOS, and mac OS, alongside iOS 26.6.1 and iPadOS 26.6.1 betas with security fixes, and a macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 beta. A new AirPods beta firmware for public testers supports the Air Pods Pro 2 and Air Pods Pro. The latest iOS 27 beta also references six unreleased iPhone models, and includes photo authentication technology to verify an image came from an iPhone camera. The watchOS 27 beta leak suggests the Modular watch face will gain new color options. Both the 9to5Mac Daily for August 11 and August 10 podcasts recap these updates in detail.

Hardware

The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to bring three significant camera upgrades, including a periscope telephoto lens, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max will reportedly feature a 5,391mAh battery—nearly 12% larger than its predecessor. A photo leak backs up the battery claim, and the Pro models are said to start at 256GB of storage. A known leaker has weighed in on the correct shade for the Dark Cherry color. Meanwhile, the foldable iPhone—internally called the “iPhone Ultra” by Apple staff—is expected in silver and dark blue finishes, according to camera protector accessory images. A separate report claims the iPhone Fold will also come in those two colors. Two features that “Pro” users will love include a larger display and enhanced multitasking. Apple is already planning a third-generation foldable for a 2028 launch with even larger screens. However, the rumored all-glass 20th anniversary iPhone has reportedly been canceled, though conflicting reports suggest different outcomes. The iPhone 17 is on track to break a 15-year record as the longest-supported flagship.

Apple is also exploring radical Apple Watch redesigns, including a round model, a screenless fitness tracker, and a ceramic case for the Series. A round Apple Watch is possible, but an Apple Ring is considered more likely. For audio, Sonos is preparing an Air Pods Max rival with voice assistant support, while Amazon already discounts the Air Pods Max 2 by $100 in all five colors. A Satechi 240W desktop charger with six USB-C ports launched. New M6 MacBook Pro and refreshed iMacs are likely coming in October. LG Display is developing a five-layer OLED panel for a future iMac to prevent burn-in. iPad Air OLED panel orders could be split with BOE in 2027. The AirTag 2 gets a battery-extending accessory that boosts life to 10 years. A review of the Ohsnap Mcon mobile gaming controller praises its compact, premium design, and a hands-on video shows it transforming an iPhone into a console. The TESSAN AERO 5000 offers an ultra-thin titanium Mag Safe battery.

Services

Apple Pay is set to launch in India by October, though it will not include UPI support initially. Meanwhile, Apple Pay chief Jennifer Bailey is retiring in October. On the streaming front, Apple is in talks to acquire US broadcast rights for golf’s Open Championship. Apple TV+ released a trailer for the new crime thriller Last Seen and confirmed it picked up Alfonso Cuarón’s series Ascension. Apple also announced 3D MLB games coming to Vision Pro. Two new puzzle games, Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+, are joining Apple Arcade. ChatGPT users can now book restaurant tables through Yelp. Bluesky added a feature to hide reposts from specific users. WhatsApp’s latest iOS beta references an in-chat search tool. Meta released a new Facebook Creator Studio app for iPhone. The Smart Home Insider podcast covered a new plane tracker and smart home dashboard.

Business and Legal

Apple lost its bid to delay filing new App Store fees in the ongoing Epic Games litigation and now has just 24 hours to file. Apple fails to delay the filing of fees for outbound links. Separately, Apple agreed to pay $150,000 to settle an EEOC religious discrimination lawsuit. A class action lawsuit accuses Apple of fraud over an iCloud Private Relay security flaw. The DRAM shortage is forcing Apple to scale back 2026 hardware shipments, and RAM shortages are now affecting MacBook Air availability. Apple is stockpiling OLED panels amid rising prices and has been testing memory chips from Chinese firm CXMT in iPhones and Mac Books. China is unlikely to solve Apple’s memory crunch as proposed solutions fall through. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo poured water on a rumor of a $1 billion Apple chip stockpile at TSMC. Price hikes may force Apple to stop dragging its feet on product upgrades. Apple considered a “white-glove” leased iPhone program that would have delivered pre-configured devices, but it was scrapped. The scrapped feature is detailed further. Apple revealed that Siri AI in China uses Alibaba’s Qwen models, and briefly posted a support guide before pulling it. A Zoom flaw discovered with AI allowed remote code execution on iPhones and Macs.

Deals

Amazon is offering AirPods Max 2 for $449, down from $549. Air Pods Pro 3 are 25% off on Amazon, and the deal is still live alongside discounts on MacBook Pro and Anker Mag Safe chargers. LG’s Back to School sale offers up to $5,000 off OLED TVs and monitors, including a 32” UltraFine 6K monitor at $1,099. B&H is clearing out the M4 15-inch MacBook Air at $1,279. The Apple Watch SE 3 is just $219 on Amazon. The official Apple refurb store offers hundreds off top picks. Additional deals include M5 MacBook Pro $300 off and Beats Solo Buds for $41. Apple extended its Back to School promotion until September 24, though resellers offer better discounts.

Other News

Steve Wozniak, who gave Apple its soul, turned 76 on August 11. The text editor BBEdit remains a Mac legend after 34 years. Apple’s @ Work podcast compares Chrome OS vs mac OS after 300 device deployments. Generative AI needs ethical leadership akin to nuclear power regulation, argues an opinion piece. The Sunday Reboot column covers AI device worries and Ted Lasso cheapness. A crime blotter reports thieves trying to use stolen credit cards at a Miami Apple Store. An Eve Weather sensor is a must-have for Home Kit automations. The Perseids meteor shower can be captured with an iPhone using proper techniques. A feature request suggests an app settings shortcut to end the settings guessing game. Non-gaming apps drove mobile spending growth in Q2 as game revenue fell 4.5% year over year. The latest iOS 27 beta 5 makes Liquid Glass more transparent. The new iOS 27 beta 5 brings new icons for Siri, Safari, and Settings. Apple preps beta security updates for older OS versions.