Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: April 18, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Legal & Intellectual Property

Apple secured a major victory in its protracted patent dispute with Masimo, as the International Trade Commission terminated its investigation concerning the blood oxygen sensing technology within the Apple Watch. This favorable development comes as the company faces ongoing litigation across various jurisdictions globally regarding hardware features and licensing agreements, allowing current models to remain on sale without immediate import restrictions related to that specific feature.

Financial Outlook & Product Cycles

Investment banking firm BNP Paribas has raised its stock target for Apple to $300, up from $260, driven by the firm's analysis suggesting the company is positioned to capitalize on an impending memory shortage across the semiconductor industry. This optimistic forecast supports market anticipation for upcoming hardware refreshes, particularly the next-generation Mac Studio, which sources indicate is slated for a 2026 release as inventory levels for the current generation begin to thin out. Separately, the window is closing for consumers to enter a giveaway featuring a new MacBook Pro bundled with a BenQ 4K Nano Gloss Monitor, a promotion designed to coincide with the launch of BenQ’s MA series.