Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: July 24, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Apple Prepares Fall Software Updates

Apple is gearing up for its fall software releases with iOS 27 and watch OS 27 on the horizon. iOS 27 is set to introduce a host of new iCloud capabilities across applications like Apple Home and Siri, alongside a notable new feature for the Phone app that is described as an "instant favorite" iOS 27. Meanwhile, watch OS 27 will bring a "proactive battery extension notification" feature to Apple Watch users, aimed at improving battery life. Apple also continues its extended testing period for mac OS for both mac OS Sonoma 14.8.8 and mac OS Sequoia 15.7.8.

Apple Pay and iPhone Enhancements

Apple Pay is poised for an upgrade with designed to enhance the user experience for in-store, online, and in-app purchases. While details on these specific enhancements are emerging, the company is also reportedly working on a top-tier foldable iPhone model, tentatively named the iPhone Ultra, which is expected to launch this fall and may include.

App Updates and Legal Battles

Third-party developers are also seeing significant updates. Tapbots has launched Pastebot, a major update to its popular Mac clipboard manager, bringing improved organization and automation tools nearly a decade after Pastebot. On the communication front, WhatsApp is testing a new design for its message bubbles on iOS, following its recent broader rollout of the Liquid Glass redesign. In a separate development, a federal judge has ordered an amidst a legal dispute over the ownership of security research.

Rare Apple Hardware Surfaces

A piece of computing history is up for auction, with a working 1977 Apple-1 computer expected to fetch at least $300,000. This rare item is part of a larger auction featuring vintage hardware, prototypes, and memorabilia.