Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 25, 2026, 3:13 PM ET

Chips & Macs

Apple today unleashed a major wave of hardware announcements, headlined by its next-generation silicon. The M6 chip is the company's first built on a 2-nanometer process, featuring a dual Neural Engine for a significant leap in AI compute. Alongside it, Apple debuted the M5 Ultra, which the company calls its most powerful chip ever, with a 36-core CPU and an 80-core GPU. The M6 and M5 Ultra represent the foundation of a new generation that will eventually extend to the iPhone 18 Pro, hinting at major performance upgrades for mobile devices later this year. The new chips also reveal two ways the iPhone 18 Pro could get big upgrades.

The new silicon powers an updated Mac mini, which keeps its compact design but offers configurations with the M6 and M5 Pro chips. The update, the first in nearly two years, delivers a major performance boost while retaining the same form factor. However, the new Mac mini also arrives with a record-high starting price, breaking from the value-oriented positioning of previous models. A detailed spec comparison against the M4 version shows the upgrades, while another breakdown highlights that the M6 model keeps its three-display limit but raises maximum refresh rates and adds support for 8K displays on the M5 Pro. A separate feature comparison details all the new capabilities.

Mac Studio & Memory

Apple also refreshed the Mac Studio, now powered by the M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors. The top-end configuration supports up to 512GB of unified memory, with pre-orders opening today ahead of an October launch. The M5 Ultra's immense bandwidth is also why the new Mac Studio can support up to eight external displays, a capability that will appeal to professionals running complex multi-monitor setups. Pre-orders are now live, with the most expensive configuration hitting over $18,000 — and an even pricier option is expected in October. The new Mac Studio models were unveiled alongside the M6 chip announcement.

The full scope of today's announcements includes the new Mac mini, Mac Studio, a cheaper Polishing Cloth, and updated Magic Keyboards, as summarized by MacRumors. For those looking to buy, the new Mac mini and Mac Studio are available to pre-order now, and Amazon is already listing them for launch-day pre-orders. Meanwhile, Apple has moved the AppleCare option later in the purchase process for the new Mac mini and Mac Studio, a subtle change from where it historically appeared during ordering. The M6 Mac mini and the M5 Ultra-powered Mac Studio are both available for pre-order.

Accessories & Peripherals

Apple quietly updated its Magic Keyboard lineup with a notable change: the tab, caps lock, shift, return, and delete keys now use MacBook-style glyph symbols instead of text labels. The refresh applies to all four Magic Keyboard models, and surprisingly, the price remains unchanged. The new labeling is a subtle but visible shift in Apple's design language, bringing desktop keyboards in line with the MacBook's minimalist keycaps. The glyph-based labels replace the traditional text on the new keyboards.

In other accessory news, Apple's infamous Polishing Cloth has returned with a new version priced at $9, down from the original $19. The new cloth is available on Apple's online store, and despite the discount, our advice remains the same: don't buy it. The price drop is notable, but it's still a cloth. The new Polishing Cloth also arrives alongside the new Macs, as noted by 9to5Mac, though it's unclear if the material composition has changed.

Power & Charging

Alongside the new Macs, Apple expanded its 40W Dynamic Power Adapter to more countries, including parts of Europe and Vietnam. The adapter, which dynamically allocates power between two USB-C ports, is designed for users who need to charge multiple devices simultaneously. The expansion follows the launch of the new Mac Studio and Mac mini, suggesting Apple is positioning the adapter as a companion for its latest hardware.

Deals & Promotions

With the new hardware launching, retailers are offering significant discounts. A roundup of deals shows the M6 Mac mini available at over $500 off with a qualifying M4 trade-in, Air Tag 2 at $20 each, and the 48GB M5 Pro MacBook Pro at $400 off. Additionally, Labor Day accessory sales are live on Amazon, with discounts on Anker, Sony, and Samsung products. These deals arrive just as Apple's new hardware hits the market, offering opportunities for both new buyers and those looking to upgrade peripherals.

Software & AI

Anthropic has announced a significant update to its Claude AI platform, unifying memory features across Claude Cowork and chat. The change means that context and preferences established in one mode will now carry over to the other, creating a more seamless experience for users who switch between collaborative and conversational interactions with the AI.

In other AI news, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that AI is still awaiting its "iPhone moment" and needs to learn a key lesson from Apple: focus on consumer-friendly design. Altman's comments suggest that despite rapid advances in AI capabilities, the technology has yet to achieve the mainstream breakout that the iPhone delivered for smartphones. Meanwhile, a new DuckDuckGo survey highlights how much personal information users share with AI chatbots, and how little they understand about how that data is used — raising fresh privacy concerns about the AI boom.

Software Updates & Rumors

Apple's upcoming iOS 27 release will include Siri AI, but users may have to wait in line for it. Apple is preparing to put the feature behind a waitlist in the developer betas, similar to how it rolled out Apple Intelligence features in previous versions. The waitlist approach suggests Apple is managing server capacity and gradually rolling out the AI-powered Siri to ensure stability.

reports suggest Apple's next high-end laptop might not be a MacBook Pro at all. A new device, dubbed the "MacBook Ultra," is rumored to feature a touchscreen, an OLED display, and the M5 chip, along with five other significant changes. If the rumors are accurate, the MacBook Ultra would represent a major departure from Apple's current laptop lineup.

Apple Watch & iPhone

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 will feature fitness tracking upgrades, though the changes are described as minor. The new models are expected to focus on refining existing health features rather than introducing entirely new sensors, suggesting Apple is taking an iterative approach to its wearable line this year.

Meanwhile, iPhone trade-in values are sliding ahead of the new model launch. A new study from trade-in comparison site shows declining values for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone, which are expected to be announced next month. The timing is typical — trade-in values tend to drop as new models approach — but the study provides concrete numbers for those considering upgrading.

Accessibility & Smart Home

Apple has published a new support page outlining 50 ways to make its devices easier to use as users age. The company, which celebrated its 50th birthday this year, compiled the tips to help older customers get more from their iPhones, iPads, and Macs, covering everything from display adjustments to voice control features.

In smart home news, Apple remains on track to launch its first smart home device with a screen before the end of the year, according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. The device, which has been rumored for months, is expected to serve as a hub for Home Kit accessories and could feature a touchscreen interface for controlling smart home devices.

Virtualization & Security

Parallels Desktop 27 for Mac has been released, claiming to provide up to 160% faster OpenGL graphics for Windows apps such as Blender 4.3, as well as AI acceleration on M4 Macs. The update brings Open GL 4.3 support and AI acceleration to Apple Silicon, making it a significant upgrade for professionals who run Windows applications in virtual machines. The release is part of the ongoing Apple @ Work series, which covers enterprise and productivity software for Mac users.

Streaming & Security

Apple TV has announced a new original comedy series called Brothers, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, coming next month. The show, created by a former The Office alum, will be available on Apple TV and marks another high-profile addition to Apple's streaming lineup. The casting of McConaughey and Harrelson, who previously starred together in True Detective, is expected to generate significant buzz.

Laptop Security

A new accessory called the MacBook Lock aims to revive cable-based laptop security for modern Mac Books. Years ago, Mac Books featured a slot for cable locks, which were useful in coffee shops for securing devices to tables. The MacBook Lock adapters bring that functionality back for the Neo, Air, and Pro models, offering a physical security option for users who work in public spaces.