Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 11:41 PM ET

Apple News & Software Updates

Apple has released iOS 27 beta 5, which includes references to a new feature for authenticating iPhone photos. This update also brings a new ‘Discover’ section to Apple Wallet and an extra-large Calendar widget for the Home Screen. Furthermore, iOS 27 is set to introduce two highly anticipated features for the Photos app: slideshows and shared album upgrades. The watchOS 27 update will also include new apps, specifically Siri and Find My, for the Apple Watch. Apple is also reportedly preparing a second generation of the HomePod mini, expected to arrive with significant upgrades.

New Hardware and Product Rumors

Rumors suggest that the base iPhone 18 model will receive significant upgrades, including 12GB of RAM and the Dynamic Island, moving it closer to Pro-level features. The iPhone 18 Pro is also expected to feature lower display prices, despite ongoing RAM shortages. For Apple's foldable device, the "iPhone Ultra," reports indicate a staggered market rollout, potentially beginning in the U.S. only, and screen protectors reveal an asymmetric corner design. In other hardware news, Apple has added new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro configurations to its Certified Refurbished Store.

App and Service Updates

WhatsApp is expanding its customization options with new features for iOS, including the ability to create customizable emoji reaction sets and the introduction of chat themes with animated wallpapers. Chat GPT is enhancing its integration with Google Drive, allowing users to add and edit files directly within the chat interface. On the Mac, ChatGPT for Mac is introducing an opt-in "Computer History" feature. For Mac users, a new feature in System Settings allows for setting different default languages for individual applications.

Apple's Content and Partnerships

Apple TV has added a collection of classic movies to its streaming service, available at no extra cost to subscribers. The popular series "Ted Lasso" has set a new record for Apple TV with its season 4 premiere, and there are hints of a potential fifth season. Apple is also in talks with publishers to establish content deals for Siri AI. In a move to expand its market reach, Apple has trained its own AI model for China with support from Alibaba.

Industry and Market Trends

US smartphone sales experienced a 5% decline in Q2 2026, attributed to rising prices impacting the lower end of the market. Foxconn's revenue is increasingly diversified, with its reliance on Apple for iPhone assembly decreasing significantly as AI contributes more to its earnings. In a notable legal development, Apple is being compelled to propose commission rates for apps linking outside the App Store, with a court-ordered deadline for submission. Apple has also begun selling ads on Apple Maps in the US and Canada.

Apple Retail and Corporate News

Apple has confirmed the closure of its Basingstoke store in England, while a nearby location in Reading will undergo expansion and reopening. The company has also hired a former airline executive as its new vice president of government affairs. Apple has issued warnings to users in 110 countries regarding potential spyware attacks. In a controversial move, an Apple billboard in Italy featuring a toddler with an iPhone was temporarily displayed before being taken down due to public outcry.