Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Apple's Retail and Software Updates

Apple is expanding its "Tap to Pay on iPhone" service in Apple Stores. This feature allows merchants to accept contactless payments directly on their iPhones. The first public betas for iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate are reportedly launching this week.

Next-Generation Apple Silicon and Hardware

The M7 generation of Apple's custom silicon may have a short lifespan, with Apple reportedly aiming for an AI-focused M7 chip to follow soon after. The development of these M7 and M8 chips is said to be influenced by research from Apple's abandoned car project. The M7 Ultra processor is rumored to support up to 1.5TB of RAM, a capacity not seen in Macs since the 2019 Mac Pro. Separately, regulatory requirements in the EU could prompt Apple to release an updated Apple Pencil with more easily replaceable batteries in early 2027, potentially coinciding with the iPad Pro with M6.

Accessory Pricing and Incidents

The AirPods Pro 3 are currently available at their lowest price since Prime Day, retailing for $199.99. In other news, a stolen iPad was instrumental in the arrest of an accused bank robber, and dozens of iPads were stolen from an elementary school. A separate report details a man arrested for selling counterfeit Air Pods to police.