Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 8:33 PM ET

Messaging and Productivity

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a feature for iOS that will allow users to customize their emoji reactions. This means you could eventually replace the default set of emoji reactions with your own chosen selection, offering a more personalized messaging experience. In other news for productivity, ChatGPT subscribers can now integrate their Google Drive files directly into the chat interface. This new feature allows users to add documents to their Chat GPT Library and edit them without ever leaving the conversation, streamlining workflows.

Apple Devices and Refurbished Gear

Apple has added a variety of new configurations to its Certified Refurbished Store, including several MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The selection also features unique iPhone 16 Plus variants. For those looking to upgrade, rumors suggest the upcoming iPhone 18 will not have an entry-level model, marking a shift in Apple's product strategy. Leaks also indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro could feature distinct advantages over the standard Pro model, with the Pro Max version potentially offering exclusive features.

Entertainment and Smart Home

Apple TV has significantly expanded its movie library, adding over 15 new titles that are just the beginning of a larger fall lineup. On the smart home front, a new iPad app called Dashboard has emerged, designed to transform your Home Kit setup into a wall-mountable command center. This application aims to provide a centralized and accessible interface for managing your smart home devices.

Gaming and Wearables

The Mac ecosystem is expanding its gaming capabilities, with classic console games now playable natively on Mac through a growing number of fan-made decompilations and recompilations. In the world of wearables, discussions about the future of the Apple Watch suggest a potentially radical redesign is on the horizon. Meanwhile, the conversation around the future of personal technology is also touching on smart glasses, with industry leaders discussing their potential to revolutionize user interaction.

Consumer Tech

The Terra Mow V1000 has been reviewed as the easiest iPhone-controlled robot lawn mower tested to date. This innovative device uses the iPhone for control and mapping, simplifying lawn maintenance. For those interested in AI integration with everyday life, the Memoket Gem is an 11g AI wearable designed to be worn alongside an Apple Watch, capable of capturing conversations with a single press.