Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 15, 2026, 10:03 PM ET

iOS 27 Rollout and Core App Overhaul

Apple released iOS 27 this week, delivering a sweeping set of changes across the iPhone experience. The update brings a natural-language input feature to the Calendar app that lets users type phrases like "lunch with Dana next Tuesday" and have events created automatically. The Camera app gains three powerful new capabilities, including a Siri mode and custom controls that are exclusive to iPhone 18 Pro hardware. Users have gravitated toward a new call context feature in the Phone app that surfaces relevant information about incoming callers, and a birthday call animation now plays when you ring a contact on their special day. Apple Card received three new features in iOS, including recurring transaction tracking. For those concerned about battery life, the initial drain experienced after updating is a temporary indexing phenomenon that resolves within days. Apple also tucked a Dogcow easter egg into iOS, a nod to the classic Macintosh development icon. The company published a daily recap of the launch. Parental controls across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS also received substantial updates, with new Screen Time management tools.

Siri AI Waitlist and watch OS Integration

The all-new Siri AI shipping with iOS 27 requires users to join a waitlist before gaining access, a staggered rollout strategy Apple has adopted to manage server capacity. On the Apple Watch side, watchOS 27 includes a dedicated Siri app that lets users continue existing conversations from their iPhone, though the feature is somewhat buried in the interface. However, the update also removes a multitasking shortcut that allowed users to switch between apps by double-clicking the Digital Crown, a change that has frustrated longtime Watch users. The Apple Watch Series 12 introduces a Siri Recap feature that continuously listens to conversations throughout the day, but Apple itself cannot access the audio, a privacy-by-design approach. Two new Watch features may nonetheless require new legal precedent to fully address privacy concerns. Apple also introduced a new Readiness app on Apple Watch that generates a daily health score based on sleep, heart rate variability, and activity data.

iPhone Duo Launch and Supply Constraints

The iPhone Duo, Apple's foldable flagship, faces significant supply constraints at launch, with pre-orders opening next month and availability expected to be extremely tight. The device's camera system represents a series of design compromises rather than flaws, trading some optical capability for the foldable form factor. Compared directly to the iPhone 18 Pro camera, the Duo delivers strong but not class-leading photography. Apple CEO John Ternus showed off the device on the Emmys red carpet, generating both excitement and internet criticism. For Mac users enamored with the Duo's opening animation, a third-party app now brings that same visual flourish to MacBook lids. dbrand has launched a full range of cases for both the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro.

iPhone 18 Pro Demand and Trade-In Shifts

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro got off to a muted start according to analyst reports, with initial wait times shorter than previous cycles. One high-profile analyst described demand as lukewarm, though cautioned against reading too much into early signals. For those weighing an upgrade, a buyer's guide comparison between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro outlines the key generational improvements. Apple simultaneously updated its trade-in program, cutting iPhone values while raising estimates for Mac and iPad devices.

Car Keys Expansion and GM's Car Play Reversal

Apple Wallet car keys are expanding to three more brands, with Lincoln, Lucid, and Freelander all gaining support. The feature lets drivers unlock, lock, and start their vehicles using an iPhone or Apple Watch. In a notable reversal, General Motors has abandoned its plan to remove Car Play from its gas-powered vehicles, caving to consumer pressure after previously signaling it would phase out the feature.

Mac Hardware: M5 Ultra, M6 Benchmarks, and Vintage List

The first benchmark for Apple's M5 Ultra chip has surfaced, revealing a substantial performance jump over the M4 Ultra in multi-core workloads. Separately, an M6 chip benchmark appeared online just ahead of a new Mac mini launch expected next week. In a sign of the Intel era's twilight, Apple added the 2019 21.5-inch iMac to its vintage products list, with a second report confirming the move. Mac Rumors also noted that the last Intel 21.5-inch iMac is now classified as vintage, meaning the final chapter of Intel-based all-in-ones is closing. Meanwhile, macOS 27 has killed Time Capsule backup support, though NAS-based backup solutions continue to function.

Mac Accessories, Software, and Deals

OWC has partnered with Mac Rumors to offer exclusive discounts on Mac accessories for readers. The classic Mac uninstaller App Zapper has returned as AppZapper 3000, rebuilt for modern mac OS. Ulysses received a major update adding Siri AI support, customizable toolbars, and project templates. The Apple @ Work podcast broke down Parallels Desktop 27 and its improvements for enterprise Mac users. Fleet Device Management announced it has joined Project Glasswing, Anthropic's initiative researching AI-powered endpoint security.

Air Pods, Apple Watch, and Pre-Order Discounts

The Air Pods 5 have arrived with a wireless charging case, and early reviews describe them as both better and cheaper than their predecessors. Amazon introduced the first pre-order discount ahead of Friday's launch, with the Air Pods 5 dropping to $125. A separate roundup highlighted the best pre-release deals across Apple's new lineup, including the Watch Ultra 4 at $780. Apple Insider also tracked the first preorder deal on Air Pods 5 alongside Mac mini and Mac Studio savings. Pre-order discounts for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 expanded with up to $20 in savings on Amazon. A comprehensive deals roundup noted the M5 MacBook Air at $150 off alongside other promotions. The 1TB M5 MacBook Air fell to $1,449, saving buyers $150. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 brings a new chip and more AI features compared to the Ultra, along with better heart tracking.

Apple TV Emmy Dominance and Content Pipeline

Apple TV scored a record 29 Emmy wins at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, led by "Widow's Bay." The series swept the ceremony with 14 wins of its own. Another report confirmed Apple TV's multiple record-breaking wins across categories. HBO's boss reacted to the results, acknowledging Apple's growing dominance in prestige television. In programming news, "Slow Horses" returned for its sixth season, and Apple confirmed two more seasons, renewing the show through season eight.

iCloud+ Bundling and Services Expansion

Apple announced that iCloud+ now includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and curated Apple Music stations in over 100 countries at no extra charge. A companion report noted the expanded bundle represents a significant value shift for subscribers. Spotify, meanwhile, introduced a toggle to exclude kids' music from recommendations, a feature that has long been on Apple Music wishlists. A separate report confirmed the Wrapped exclusion toggle will keep children's listening habits out of year-end summaries.

Regulatory, Privacy, and Industry Watch

India's consumer protection regulator has launched a probe into Apple's software warranties, examining whether the company adequately discloses coverage terms. Apple Intelligence's summarization of Home Kit Secure Video footage carries a cost of up to $60 per month for users who opt into the service. Apple TV and Home Pod mini orders continue to face extended shipping delays, with the Home Pod mini unavailable in orange. a product launch guide outlines which new Apple devices will arrive this year and which will slip to 2027. Finally, a retrospective marked the 12th anniversary of Apple's infamous U2 iTunes album giveaway and the awkward walk-back that followed.