Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 11:59 AM ET

iOS 27 Beta 5 and New Features

Apple’s fifth developer beta of iOS 27 arrived after an unusually long three-week wait, bringing redesigned app icons for Siri, Safari, and Settings, plus a new “Liquid Glass” transparency option. The beta also introduces a birthday fireworks effect during calls and expands Siri AI voice customization with pace and expressiveness controls. For iCloud+ subscribers with at least 2TB of storage, the Home app gains new perks. Photos finally gets two long-requested features, while Calendar adds an extra-large Home Screen widget that the editor calls a game-changer. Apple also released the third public beta of iOS 27, giving users early access to Siri AI and speed upgrades. In total, the latest beta references six unreleased iPhone models, confirming the roadmap for the coming months.

iPhone, Ultra, and Anniversary Models

Apple’s annual iPhone event is expected this September, with the foldable “iPhone Ultra” reportedly called that internally by everyone at the company. The Ultra may launch exclusively in the U.S. first, following a Vision Pro–style staggered country rollout, and its screen protectors reveal asymmetric corners with two selfie cameras likely sitting in the same corner. The base iPhone, delayed until early 2027, is tipped to receive two Pro-level upgrades: 12GB of RAM and a new Dynamic Island. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro will start with 256GB of storage and secure lower display prices amid a RAM shortage, while also gaining three new camera upgrades. A leaked photo confirms the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a massive 5,391mAh battery—nearly 12% larger than the 17 Pro Max. On the anniversary front, conflicting reports swirl: Jefferies claims the all-glass 20th‑anniversary iPhone is canceled, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and other leakers insist it remains on track. Apple is also stockpiling more OLED panels amid rising component prices, and a separate report indicates the company is scaling back 2026 hardware shipments due to DRAM shortages.

Apple Watch and watch OS 27

The fifth beta of watchOS 27 is now available to developers, and the third public beta has also been released. watch OS 27 will add two new apps—Siri and Find My—to the Apple Watch, and a popular Modular watch face is set to gain new color customization options. For existing users, customizing sleep score settings made the feature more useful.

Mac and mac OS Updates

A third public beta of macOS Golden Gate is now available, while Apple also shipped a surprise beta of mac OS Tahoe 26.6.2 with security fixes. A newly discovered System Settings feature lets users set different default languages for individual Mac apps. Meanwhile, MacBook Air shortages are worsening, and Amazon continues to offer discounts on every 2026 MacBook Pro with up to $500 off. The M4 Mac mini is back in stock at Amazon, with savings on the M4 Pro model. On the enterprise front, the Apple @ Work podcast compares Chrome OS vs. mac OS after deploying 300 devices.

Apple TV+ and Content

Apple TV added a “Great Classic Movies” collection that subscribers can stream at no extra cost, including famous films newly added to the library. A trailer for the fifth season of the mindfulness series “Stillwater” was published, and the second season of “Women in Blue” (Las Azules) premiered. Eddy Cue hinted that more “Ted Lasso” seasons are coming beyond its current run, and creator Vince Gilligan revealed that “Pluribus” season 2 has hit a major milestone. Apple also picked up Alfonso Cuarón’s “Ascension” series, marking his second collaboration with the platform, and unveiled a trailer for the crime thriller “Last Seen” that kicks off the fall lineup. Additionally, Apple is reportedly in talks to acquire U.S. streaming rights for golf’s Open Championship.

Apple Services and Software

Apple is negotiating with publishers to pay for news content to power Siri AI, according to the Wall Street Journal. Apple Pay chief Jennifer Bailey is retiring in October, yet the service is set to launch in India by that month. A new patent describes improving notification summaries and the “Reduce Interruptions” focus mode. Microsoft is testing Apple Account sign‑in support for its Edge browser. WhatsApp now lets users save a contact’s username, and its latest iOS beta adds references to an in‑chat search tool. The MLB iPhone app gained improved Car Play and Live Activity features. Twitch will train Amazon’s AI on streams unless users opt out, while Claude’s Chrome side panel became a full Cowork session. Raycast introduced Screen Awareness for AI context from whatever is on screen.

Legal, Policy, and Security

Apple faces a proposed class action lawsuit accusing it of fraud over a security flaw in iCloud Private Relay. The Stop The Madness developer says “obvious” App Store ratings fraud is going undetected. Apple has 24 hours to file its App Store commission plan after failing to delay the Epic Games fee fight. A fake GitHub download turns Safari and Chrome into a Keychain data stealer, discovered by Jamf Threat Labs. An Apple billboard in Italy showing a toddler with an iPhone drew criticism and a referral to regulators. Apple settled a religious discrimination lawsuit with the EEOC for $150,000.

Deals and Accessories

Amazon offers AirPods Max 2 for $100 off in all five colors. The BowFlex T6 treadmill review highlights Apple Gym Kit coming home at a normal price. Satechi launched a 240W ChargeView desktop charger with six USB‑C ports. The Mcon mobile gaming controller review praises its compact, Mag Safe‑compatible design. “Dave the Diver” splashes onto iPhone, iPad, and Mac in September. An add‑on accessory extends AirTag 2 battery life to 10 years. LG’s Back to School sale slashes up to $5,000 off OLED TVs and 6K monitors. The official Apple certified refurb store offers hundreds in savings. Apple extended its 2026 Back to School promotion until September 24 across Europe and the U.S.

Industry Trends

U.S. smartphone sales fell 5% in Q2 2026 as prices climbed. Non‑gaming apps drove mobile spending growth in Q2 as gaming revenue declined 4.5%. Foxconn’s revenue from Apple dropped below 29%, with AI surpassing iPhone as a revenue driver. China is now even less likely to solve Apple’s memory crunch. Apple is cutting back 2026 hardware shipments due to a DRAM shortage, and a prominent analyst disputes rumors of a $1B chip stockpile at TSMC.