Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: July 18, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Apple's Market Dominance and Shifting Loyalty

Apple regained its position as the world's most valuable company, briefly surpassing Nvidia in market capitalization. This surge in valuation comes as iPhone loyalty, indicating a stronger hold on its user base compared to the previous year, with fewer users switching to Android. Alongside these financial and market trends, Apple has in Japan, following similar price hikes on Macs and iPads globally.

New Features and Expanding Ecosystems

The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, expected in two months, are rumored to feature while maintaining a design similar to their predecessors. Apple's ecosystem continues to expand with Car Key support reportedly, integrating with future vehicles from the Chinese manufacturer. In software, iOS 27 introduces a new Recovery Assistant that allows iPhones to boot into a recovery mode without needing a connected computer, while users can to iOS 26 if stability or usability issues arise.

Subscription Adjustments and AI Integrations

Apple has also in several countries, adding to recent subscription and hardware price increases. In the realm of AI, the password manager 1Password now supports Claude, allowing the AI service to access credentials without directly viewing them. Meanwhile, the European Commission has formally ordered Google to provide rival AI services with the same level of Android access as its own Gemini.

App Store Scrutiny and Community Engagement

Apple and Google are facing demands to remove AI "face-swap" apps capable of generating nonconsensual nude images, with a San Francisco City Attorney sending cease-and-desist letters for. On a more positive note, a giveaway is offering Mac Rumors readers a chance to win a MacBook Neo and. In other app news, WhatsApp is rolling out a new username feature to some users who. The Mac Rumors Show podcast is, hinting at significant changes for next year's models.