Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 2:53 AM ET

Software Updates

Apple has released the fifth developer betas of iOS, iPad OS, mac OS, tv OS, watch OS, and vision OS. The updates arrive after an unusually long three-week wait, and include new icons for Siri, Safari, and Settings, plus expanded Siri AI voice customization options for pace and expressiveness. iOS 27 beta 5 also introduces a Liquid Glass effect that can be made more transparent than ever, and tweaks to the “Before Searching” settings. Public beta testers can now download the third public betas of iPad OS, iOS, mac OS Golden Gate, tv OS, and watch OS; Apple’s third macOS Golden Gate public beta is available for non-developers. The third tvOS 27 and watchOS 27 public betas have also been released. Apple seeded watchOS 27 beta 5 to developers, while the tvOS 27 beta 5 and visionOS 27 beta 5 are also out for testing.

In addition to the OS 27 cycle, Apple released surprise betas of iOS 26.6.1 and mac OS 26.6.2 with security fixes. The iOS 26.6.1 and iPadOS 26.6.1 betas are available to developers and public testers, and a macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 beta has also shipped. Apple is also prepping beta security updates for iOS, iOS, and macOS 26. On the audio front, Apple released new AirPods beta firmware (build 9A5336b) for public testers.

A new leak reveals that watchOS 27 will upgrade the Modular watch face with new color customization options. iOS 27 celebrates friends’ birthdays with fireworks during calls. iOS 27 beta 5 also includes updates to Siri AI, speed upgrades, and a new birthday reminder feature. According to Apple, iPhone users who pay for 2TB+ iCloud storage will receive new perks in the Home app. A reference in iOS 27 beta 5 points to a feature that can authenticate that a photo came from an iPhone camera. The latest beta expands Siri AI voice customization with more pace and expressiveness options. Apple Maps in iOS 27 gains new features including enhanced navigation and transit info. The fifth developer beta of iOS 27 includes new app icons for Siri, Safari, Settings, and more.

Hardware Rumors

Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone is internally called the “iPhone Ultra,” according to a new rumor. The device may come in silver and dark blue finishes and feature larger displays in a third-generation model expected by 2028. Camera protector accessories for the “iPhone Ultra” also suggest silver and dark blue. A separate leak indicates the foldable iPhone Ultra 3 will have larger screens. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to start with 256GB of storage and three new camera upgrades. An alleged photo confirms the iPhone 18 Pro Max battery capacity at 5,391mAh, nearly 12% larger than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. A leaker weighed in on the correct shade for the Dark Cherry iPhone 18 Pro. The iPhone 18 Pro will reportedly bring three new camera upgrades. io S 27 beta 5 references ix unreleased iPhone models, hinting at the entire iPhone 18 lineup.

Two conflicting reports about the 20th anniversary iPhone emerged: one claimed it was canceled, while another said Apple’s all-glass design is still in the works. The rumored all-glass 20th anniversary iPhone may have been canceled according to Jefferies analyst Edison Lee. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 is set to break a 15-year fagship record based on current rumors.

On the wearable front, Apple is exploring a radical rethink of the Apple Watch, including a round model, a screenless fitness tracker, and more. The company may also reintroduce a ceramic Apple Watch case with the Series 12. A round Apple Watch is possible, but an Apple Ring is more likely.

Sonos is preparing an AirPods Max rival with voice assistant support called the Ace Ultra. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Hearing Aid feature has been cleared by the FDA, catching up on hearing health. An AirTag 2 add-on accessory extend battery life to 10 years. Apple plans to unveil new M6 MacBook Pro and refreshed iMacs in October. An OLED iMac panel could include an extra layer to fight screen burn-in. The iPad Air may get OLED panel orders split with BOE in 2027.

Services & Legal

Apple Pay chief Jennifer Bailey is retiring in October. Apple Pay will launch in India by October. Apple is in talks to acquire streaming rights for golf’s Open Championship. Apple TV released the trailer for Last Seen, a new crime thriller, and teamed up with Alfonso Cuarón again for the Ascension series. The second season of Women in Blue premiered on Apple TV. Apple and MLB announced 3D MLB games coming to Vision Pro.

In legal news, Apple failed to delay filing new App Store fees in its Epic Games fight, and must file them within 24 hours. The company cannot delay the App Store fee fight while waiting on the Supreme Court. Apple is facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging fraud over iCloud Private Relay. The company settled a religious discrimination lawsuit with the EEOC for $150,000. A Zoom flaw let an attacker take over devices, including iPhone and Mac.

Apple briefly posted a China guide for connecting Siri to Alibaba’s Qwen AI before pulling it, raising privacy questions. The company revealed how Siri AI features work in China using Alibaba Qwen models. Chat GPT users can now book restaurant tables through Yelp. Meta released a new Facebook Creator Studio app for iPhone. Bluesky now lets you hide reposts from specific users. WhatsApp’s latest beta for io S adds a faster in-hat searh tool.

Component Shortages & Pricing

Apple is cutting back 2026 hardware shipments due to a DRAM shortage, according to Ming-Chi Kuo. The memory crisis is now affecting MacBook Air availability. Apple is testing Chinese memory chips from CXMT in iPhones and Mac Books, but China is unlikely to solve Apple’s memory runch. Analyst Kuo poured water on a rumor of a $1B Apple chip stockpile at TSMC. Apple is stockpiling more OLED panels amid rising prices. The company dropped a plan to ship leased iPhones already set up for users. Will price hikes force Apple to stop dragging its feet on product upgrades? Apple’s Back to School promotion has been extended until September 24, but better discounts are available from other resellers.

Deals & Accessories

Amazon is offering AirPods Max 2 for $100 off in all five colors, down to $449. AirPods Pro 3 are 25% off on Amazon, and the M5 MacBook Pro is up to $300 off. B&H is blowing out the M4 15-inch MacBook Air at $1,279. Amazon has the Apple Watch SE 3 for just $219. The Apple official refurb store has top picks with hundreds in savings. Satechi launched a 240W ChargeView Desktop Charger with six USB-C ports. LG is hosting a Back to School sale with major discounts on OLED TVs and monitors; you can save up to $5,000 on LG OLED TVs. The TESSAN AERO 5000 brings a titanium finish to an ultra-thin MagSafe battery. The Ohsnap MCON modular controller transforms your iPhone into a mobile game console. A hands-on review covers the Mcon mobile gaming controller as a compact, pocketable option.

Other News

Microsoft Edge tests Apple Account sign-in support in its Canary build. The 9to5Mac Daily podcast covered iOS 27 beta 5 and glass iPhone rumors; another episode covered Apple Watch rumors. Steve Wozniak turned, and a piece reflects on how he gave Apple its soul before Steve Jobs made it a hit. The iPhone can capture the Perseids meteor shower with the right tools. The Apple @ Work podcast compares Chrome OS vs mac OS after 300 device deployments. A feature request suggests a shortcut to end the guessing game with iPhone app settings. The Smart Home Insider podcast covers a flight tracker, Schlage Sense Pro, and more. Generative AI needs ethical leaders and should be controlled like nuclear power. The Sunday Reboot covers AI device worries and Ted Lasso cheapness. Home Kit Weekly explains why the Eve Weather sensor is a must-have for Apple Home automations. The long-running text editor BBEdit remains a Mac app legend at 34 years old. Two new puzzle games are coming to Apple Arcade: Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+. A crime blotter covers thieves using stolen credit cards at a Miami Apple Store. Grok Bot brings always-on AI agents to macOS and iOS. Non-gaming apps drove mobile spending growth in Q2 as games fell 4.5%. Apple released iOS 27 beta 5 with new settings and updated app icons. The fifth developer betas of ioS, macoS 27 landed as testing continues. Apple released iPadOS 27 beta 5. Apple released iOS 27 beta 5 with new icons for Siri, Safari, Settings, and more. The iPhone 18 Pro Max’s larger battery capacity was allegedly revealed.