Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 5:34 AM ET

Apple Executive Retiring, New Product Rumors Emerge

Jennifer Bailey, the executive in charge of Apple Pay, will be retiring from the company in October. Meanwhile, rumors about upcoming Apple products continue to surface. The base iPhone 18 model is reportedly being delayed until 2027, while the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature three new camera upgrades and start with 256GB of storage. The "iPhone Ultra," Apple's rumored foldable device, is internally referred to as such and may see a staggered international launch, beginning in the US. Leaked screen protectors suggest an asymmetric corner design for the iPhone Ultra. Furthermore, the iPhone 20 Pro is anticipated to feature slightly larger displays with familiar aspect ratios and a bezel-free design. Apple has also reportedly secured lower prices for OLED displays for the iPhone 18 Pro, despite a wider RAM shortage.

iOS 27 and watch OS 27 Updates Bring New Features

The latest beta versions of Apple's upcoming operating systems are revealing a host of new features. iOS 27 beta 5 is set to bring improvements to the Photos app, including long-awaited slideshow and shared album upgrades, as well as a new 'Discover' section for Apple Wallet. For Mac users, a new feature allows for setting different default languages for individual Mac apps. The upcoming watch OS 27 is expected to enhance the Modular watch face with new color options and introduce new apps for Siri and Find My. Apple is also preparing new perks for iCloud+ subscribers with at least 2TB of storage, which will be available in the Home app on iOS. A new feature in iOS 27 will also provide birthday reminders with fireworks during calls. Apple is also reportedly developing a system to authenticate iPhone photos.

App Store Legal Battles and Product Obsolescence

Apple continues to navigate legal challenges related to its App Store policies. The company has proposed settlement talks with Epic Games, suggesting commission rates between 5% and 15% for external purchases, though Epic is appealing any value above 0%. Apple has been denied further stays by the Supreme Court in its ongoing legal fight with Epic Games regarding these fees. Separately, Apple has officially declared the iPhone X and the 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro as obsolete products, meaning they will no longer be eligible for hardware services.

New Hardware and Service Offerings from Apple

Apple is reportedly working on a second generation of the HomePod mini, expected to arrive years after the original. The company has also opened its Advanced Manufacturing Center in Houston, Texas, which could support future Mac mini production. In terms of services, Apple TV has added a collection of classic movies for subscribers to stream at no extra cost. Furthermore, Apple is in discussions to acquire US streaming rights for golf's Open Championship. The "Ted Lasso" season 4 premiere has set a new record for Apple TV's biggest launch to date, with viewership data indicating nearly 300 million U.S. viewing minutes in its first two days.

Third-Party Integrations and Sales Promotions

Beyond its own products, Apple's ecosystem is seeing increased integration. Microsoft Edge browser is testing support for signing in with an Apple Account. In terms of sales, Amazon is offering discounts on Beats products and Nomad iPhone cases, with savings up to 54% on earbuds and headphones. Additionally, Amazon is offering up to $190 off Beats and Nomad iPhone cases. Apple's annual Back to School Promotion has been extended until September 24th across Europe. Several MacBook Pro models are also seeing significant discounts on Amazon, with savings up to $500 on select 2026 configurations. The 13-inch M5 MacBook Air with 24GB RAM is available for $1,649, and the M5 Pro MacBook Pro is discounted by up to $540.

Security and Privacy Updates

Apple is actively addressing security concerns, with a new wave of threat notifications being sent to users in 110 countries to warn them about potential mercenary spyware attacks. The company is also exploring ways to improve notification summaries and reduce interruptions through a new patent application. In a separate development, a proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against Apple, accusing the company of fraud and false advertising regarding a security flaw in iCloud Private Relay. Meanwhile, OpenAI is enhancing its Chat GPT for Mac with an opt-in Computer History feature.

Gaming and Entertainment on Apple Platforms

Apple Arcade is expanding its puzzle game catalog with the addition of "Block Blast!+" and "Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+". The popular game "Dave the Diver" is set to launch on iPhone, iPad, and Mac on September 17th. Apple TV+ continues to bolster its content library, with the trailer released for the fifth season of "Stillwater" and a new crime thriller series, "Last Seen," premiering soon. The second season of "Women in Blue" has also begun streaming on Apple TV.

Other Notable Developments

Apple CEO Tim Cook has shared his hopes for his legacy, stating he would like to be remembered as a "good and decent man" as he prepares to step down on September 1st. Apple has also hired former American Airlines executive Nick Gatten as its new vice president of government affairs. In a move that may signal broader industry trends, Google's Pixel 11 lineup has been released, including the Pixel Watch 5 and a rival to Apple's Air Tag. The MLB app for iPhone has received an update with improved Car Play and Live Activity features. Additionally, Twitch is now allowing streamers to opt out of having their content used to train Amazon's generative AI.