Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 5:57 AM ET

iOS 27 Beta 5 and Public Betas

Apple released the fifth developer beta of iOS 27 yesterday, bringing redesigned app icons for Siri, Safari, and Settings as well as a new "Liquid Glass" transparency slider that lets users make the effect more transparent than ever. The beta also expands Siri AI voice customization with adjustable pace and expressivity, and introduces a “Before Searching” settings menu. Following the developer release, Apple seeded the third public beta for iOS 27, iPad OS, watch OS, tv OS, and mac OS Golden Gate, giving non-developers access to the Siri AI headline feature alongside speed upgrades and birthday fireworks on calls. Public beta 3 for iPadOS 27 includes those same improvements, while the third watchOS 27 public beta introduces new color options for the Modular watch face. Apple also seeded beta 5 for tvOS 27 and visionOS 27 to developers. In a separate wave, the company shipped beta security updates for iOS 26.6.1, iPad OS 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2, all aimed at fixing vulnerabilities. A new AirPods beta firmware (build 9A5336b) is available for public testers on Air Pods Pro 2 and Air Pods Pro.

iPhone and Hardware Rumors

Leaked iOS 27 beta code references six unreleased iPhone models, fueling speculation about the upcoming lineup. Internally, Apple employees are calling the foldable the “iPhone Ultra,” though it’s unclear if that name will reach consumers. The foldable is expected to ship in silver and dark blue finishes, according to accessory leaks. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to start at 256GB of storage, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature a 5,391mAh battery — a nearly 12% increase over the iPhone 17 Pro Max, backed by an alleged photo. Three camera upgrades are expected for the iPhone 18 Pro, including a periscope lens with improved zoom. A known leaker weighed in on the correct shade for the Dark Cherry color option. Conflicting reports emerged about next year’s 20th anniversary iPhone: one claims an all-glass design has been canceled, while another notes that Apple’s long-term glass-phone vision may still be in play. The iPhone 17 is poised to break a 15-year record for the longest-lasting flagship price before a successor arrives. For the foldable, a third-generation “iPhone Ultra 3” with larger displays is already planned for 2028.

Apple Watch and Accessories

Apple is radically rethinking the Apple Watch lineup, considering a round model, a screenless fitness tracker, and the return of a ceramic casing as soon as the Series. A separate report suggests a round Apple Watch is possible, but an Apple Ring is more likely. The AirTag 2 got an add-on case that extends battery life to 10 years. Satechi launched the ChargeView 240W Desktop Charger with six USB-C ports, splitting 240W across multiple devices.

Services and Software

Apple Pay chief Jennifer Bailey is retiring in October, and the service will launch in India by the same month. Apple is in talks to acquire U.S. streaming rights for golf’s Open Championship, according to a report. On Apple TV+, the second season of Women in Blue premiered, and a new crime thriller “Last Seen” was announced alongside Alfonso Cuarón’s series “Ascension.” Two new puzzle games, Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+, are coming to Apple Arcade. For Vision Pro, Apple and MLB announced 3D games for Friday Night Baseball in September. In iOS, iCloud+ subscribers with at least 2TB of storage get new Home app perks, while Apple Maps gains improved transit directions and park details. A brief support guide in China revealed that Mac users can connect Alibaba’s Qwen AI to Siri and Writing Tools, raising privacy questions. Siri AI in China will use Qwen models.

Legal and Regulatory

Apple lost a bid to delay filing new App Store fees in its ongoing battle with Epic Games, and must now detail fees for outbound links within 24 hours. The company settled a religious discrimination lawsuit with the EEOC for $150,000. A proposed class action lawsuit accuses Apple of fraud and false advertising over an iCloud Private Relay security flaw. Apple scrapped a “white-glove” feature for its Upgrade Program that would have pre-loaded leased iPhones with user data before shipping.

Supply Chain and Pricing

Apple is stockpiling OLED display panels amid rising component prices, and cutting 2026 hardware shipments due to DRAM shortages, according to Ming‑Chi Kuo. The memory crunch is now affecting MacBook Air availability, with dwindling supply. Apple has been testing Chinese memory chips from CXMT in iPhones and Mac Books. Analyst Kuo also disputed a rumor of a $1B Apple chip stockpile at TSMC. LG Display is developing a five-layer OLED panel structure for future iMacs to fight burn-in. Apple is reportedly scaling back shipments due to the DRAM shortage.

Deals

Apple extended its 2026 Back to School Promotion until September 24, though resellers offer deeper discounts. Amazon has the Air Pods Max 2 at $449.00 and the Apple Watch SE 3 at $219. AirPods Pro 3 are 25% off at Amazon. LG’s Back to School sale cuts up to $5,000 off OLED TVs and monitors, and the 32” Ultra Fine 6K monitor drops to $1,099. B&H is selling the M4 15‑inch MacBook Air for $1,279. Apple’s official refurb store offers savings on Mac Books, Studio Display, and more.

Other Notable Stories

Samsung announced its Galaxy Buds Hearing Aid feature received FDA clearance, targeting a 2026 release. Sonos is developing an upgraded Ace Ultra with AI voice assistant support to rival Air Pods Max. Microsoft Edge Canary added flags for signing in with an Apple Account. ChatGPT users can now book restaurant tables through Yelp directly in chats. A Zoom flaw allowed remote code execution on devices, discovered with AI assistance. WhatsApp’s iOS beta hints at a faster in-chat search tool. Bluesky added the ability to hide reposts from specific users. The Perseids meteor shower can be captured with an iPhone using the right tools. Meta released a new Facebook Creator Studio app for iPhone. BBEdit remains a legendary Mac text editor after 34 years. Home Kit Weekly recommends the Eve Weather sensor for automations. A hands-on review of the Ohsnap MCON modular controller shows it transforming iPhones into gaming consoles. Crime blotter includes a Miami Apple Store credit card theft and Anthony Fauci’s iPhone being subpoenaed.