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Apple News 3 Hours

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9 articles summarized · Last updated: LATEST

Last updated: May 4, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Regulatory & Software Rollouts

Apple officials lashed out at the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, with the company’s VP of products & regulatory law, Kyle Andeer, repeating assertions that the legislation unfairly targets the firm and imposes unworkable requirements regarding platform sharing. Concurrently, iOS 26.5 is preparing for launch soon, with the Release Candidate version confirming the inclusion of new visual features, including the latest iteration of the Pride wallpapers. Furthermore, the same iOS 26.5 RC code sets the stage for app sideloading functionality to be enabled in Brazil, a move mandated by the country’s competition watchdog following last year's ruling. Finally, the Homebridge community saw an upgrade as Homebridge 2.0 exited beta, bringing expanded support for more devices across the Apple Home ecosystem and other Matter platforms.

Hardware Sales & Future Lineups

Analysis from Counterpoint Research indicates that the iPhone 17 claimed the top spot globally for best-selling smartphone during the first quarter of 2026, surpassing its larger sibling, the iPhone 17 Pro Max. to the fall, the next generation of devices is anticipated to include a major hardware shift, as the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is rumored to introduce an 'iPhone Ultra' foldable model alongside six other new features for the higher-end segment. Shifting focus to existing accessories, one charging accessory quietly achieved desk essential status after maintaining long-term utility for reviewers, while another popular accessory, the ESR Geo Wallet Boost, continues to offer Find My integration that requires periodic charging, prompting users to rethink their attachment methods.

Carrier Connectivity Expansion

T-Mobile customers traveling internationally now have expanded device functionality as the carrier activated its satellite link service across Canada and New Zealand, utilizing Starlink connectivity. This expansion builds upon existing roaming agreements, allowing users in those regions to access basic connectivity features even when standard cellular service is unavailable.