Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 2:35 PM ET

Apple Ecosystem Updates and New Releases

Apple is gearing up for a significant September event, expected to unveil new Apple Watch models and potentially the highly anticipated iPhone Ultra. The iOS 27 update is also on the horizon, bringing a host of new features to iPhones, including enhancements to the Photos app with slideshow and shared album upgrades, and a new ‘Discover’ section for Apple Wallet. Further refining the user experience, watch OS 27 will introduce Siri and Find My apps to the Apple Watch, while tv OS 27 is poised to drive upgrades to the Apple TV 4K. In a move that could impact the broader tech landscape, Apple has begun selling ads on Apple Maps, offering incentives to attract advertisers.

iPhone and Mac Hardware Rumors and Deals

The future of the iPhone is a hot topic, with rumors swirling about the iPhone 18 Pro and the foldable "iPhone Ultra," the latter of which may see a staggered, US-first launch. The base iPhone 18 is tipped to receive pro-level upgrades, including 12GB of RAM. Meanwhile, deals are plentiful for Mac users, with significant price cuts on various MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. The M5 Pro MacBook Pro is seeing discounts of up to $540, and the M5 MacBook Air is available starting at $1,099. Additionally, Apple's 2026 Back to School Promotion has been extended across Europe and other regions until September 24.

AI Developments and App Updates

Artificial intelligence continues to be a major focus, with Apple reportedly in talks to pay publishers for news content to power Siri AI. OpenAI's Grok Bot is expanding with new features, including always-on AI agents for mac OS and iOS, and a computer history feature for Chat GPT for Mac. In the app world, WhatsApp is rolling out username support and exploring chat themes with animated wallpapers. Marco Arment, the creator of Overcast, has launched a brand-new app called Unforgetful designed to enhance Apple Reminders. Meanwhile, the App Store review process is facing scrutiny, with claims of obvious rating fraud going undetected by Apple.

Apple Services and Content

Apple TV+ is expanding its content library, with the addition of classic movies and the premiere of "Women in Blue" season. The streaming service has also released the trailer for the fifth season of "Stillwater" and is reportedly in talks to acquire streaming rights for golf’s Open Championship. In a notable deal, Chase has added free Apple TV and Apple One perks to its popular Sapphire Preferred credit card. Apple has also declared the iPhone X obsolete, a designation that impacts service and support availability.

Other Tech News

Beyond Apple, other tech companies are making moves. Google's recent Pixel announcements, including the Pixel 11 and Pixel Watch, are being compared to Apple's upcoming offerings. Twitch is implementing an opt-out system for streamers to prevent their content from being used to train Amazon's AI. In the smart home sector, robot vacuum maker Matic has introduced voice and gesture control through its Matic Cues update, and Terra Mow V1000 is being lauded as an easy-to-use, iPhone-controlled robot lawn mower. The MLB app for iPhone has also received updates, improving its Car Play and Live Activity features.