Apple News 3 Hours

Last updated: May 11, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Apple Hardware & Biometrics

Future iterations of the Apple Watch will likely skip adding integrated Touch ID sensors, as internal prioritization favors expanding battery capacity and integrating more advanced health monitoring hardware over adding fingerprint authentication as previously considered in 2020. Sources indicate that engineering the necessary components for on-device fingerprint scanning within the constrained architecture of the Watch remains an "engineering nightmare," suggesting that biometric security upgrades will not materialize soon for the wearable device, including the entry-level Apple Watch SE.

Software Acquisitions & Security

Apple quietly acquired a small German firm specializing in color grading and management software, a move that suggests potential enhancements for professional creative applications like Final Cut Pro. Separately, security researchers noted that the distribution method known as Click Fix has rapidly emerged as a primary infection vector for compromising Mac computers, a trend discussed on the latest 9to5Mac Security Bite podcast sponsored by Mosyle.

Messaging App Monetization

The paid tier known as WhatsApp Plus is now launching on iOS devices, following its initial testing phase in the Android beta channel, according to reports from WABeta Info. This new subscription tier offers users expanded personalization options, including custom themes and icons, although analysts suggest that the majority of users will likely find the new features unnecessary and will not subscribe to the paid service currently rolling out in beta.