Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 3:10 PM ET

Manufacturing Expansion

Apple has officially opened a new Houston center designed to train the next generation of U.S. manufacturers, part of a broader push to bolster American production. The company is calling the facility its Advanced Manufacturing Center in Texas, with resources aimed at educating workers and improving domestic supply chains. The move comes as Apple continues to diversify its manufacturing footprint beyond Asia.

Upcoming Hardware Rumors

A flurry of leaks and reports paint a busy hardware roadmap. The MacBook Neo 2 is rumored to receive the upgrade it needs most: a RAM bump to 12GB when it arrives next year. For foldables, speculation around the iPhone Ultra is intensifying, with analysts questioning whether Apple’s design can avoid the dust-ingress issues that plagued Samsung foldables. A separate report suggests the iPhone Ultra staggered rollout will begin exclusively in the U.S., mirroring the Vision Pro’s launch strategy. Meanwhile, the Apple TV 4K upgrade is expected this fall with a much faster chip after nearly four years without a refresh. On the wearables front, the latest iOS 27 beta 5 suggests Apple is taking a fresh look at fitness wearables, and rumors swirl around a glassy iPhone 20 design. Finally, all eyes are on the iPhone 18 Pro event, expected in September alongside the iPhone Ultra reveal.

Software Updates

iOS 27 continues to mature with significant new features. The iOS 27 Photos app now includes a long-awaited slideshow mode and upgrades to shared albums, addressing two of the most requested user improvements. For Mac users, a hidden feature lets you set different default languages for Mac apps via System Settings, a useful trick for multilingual workflows.

Deals and Discounts

Multiple retailers are slashing prices on Apple gear. Amazon is offering major Beats discounts of up to 54% off earbuds and headphones, while Nomad iPhone cases drop to as low as $19. The loaded 1TB M5 MacBook Air with 24GB RAM is now $1,649 at Amazon and B&H, a $150 discount. On the pro side, the 2026 MacBook Pro discounts are still live with up to $500 off select models.

App Store & Security

Apple’s App Store review process is facing renewed scrutiny. A developer behind the Stop The Madness Safari extension calls it “obvious” App Store ratings fraud that goes undetected by Apple. A broader critique argues that the App Store review is broken precisely when it’s needed most, with users left to discover problematic apps themselves. Meanwhile, security researchers at Jamf Threat Labs uncovered a Fake GitHub download that turns Safari and Chrome into a Keychain data stealer, giving attackers a copy of the browser.

Apple TV+ & Content

Apple continues to expand its streaming library. Subscribers can now access a Classic Movies Collection on Apple TV at no extra cost, housed in a new “Great Films” section. Separately, you can now watch classic movies free with an Apple TV subscription, offering a curated set of famous films. On the original series front, Eddy Cue hints at more Ted Lasso seasons to come, suggesting a fifth season is likely despite only a confirmed fourth-season renewal.

Patents & Accessories

A newly published patent details how Apple Glasses patent could play a recording chime audible only to the wearer, addressing privacy concerns while filming. In the home robotics space, Matic has introduced Matic Cues — voice and gesture control for its robot vacuum and mop, letting users simply point at a mess to clean. For current iPhone users, two affordable iPhone 17 Pro accessories are worth trying: a case and a screen protector that are inexpensive enough to test without commitment.

Store Changes

Apple has confirmed it will close its Basingstoke store closure in Festival Place, England, permanently in November 2026. Meanwhile, a nearby Reading location is undergoing a major expansion and is set to reopen with a larger footprint.