Apple News 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 7, 2026, 9:37 PM ET
Prime Day and Deals
Amazon's fall Prime Day sale is wrapping up with discounts on Air Pods, Mac mini, MacBook, and accessories. Separately, Belkin charging stations are up to 53% off during Prime Big Deal Days, while Samsung OLED TVs have dropped to as low as $997.99 at Amazon.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4
iFixit gave the new models a 4/10 repairability score after teardown. Meanwhile, some owners have reported skin irritation from the devices, though Apple has not yet addressed the complaints publicly.
Software Updates
Apple released first release candidates for mac OS Sequoia 15.8.2 and mac OS Tahoe 26.7.2, which have since reached public beta testers. watchOS 27 adds three new apps to the Apple Watch, and WhatsApp is extending its Liquid Glass design to its video player.
Apple Home and Smart Accessories
Apple's second-party Home partnerships now extend beyond LG to include other manufacturers, opening a new category of compatible devices.
Services and Media
Spotify is expanding its audiobooks section to more than 180 markets. Apple also launched Apple x King's Trust Creative Labs, a initiative backed by Tim Cook, Elton John, and King Charles.
Transit and Privacy
Boston's MBTA is testing a new CharlieCard that supports Apple Wallet. On the privacy front, a new app lets users turn off and delete Apple Intelligence, while Amazon's About You feature has drawn privacy concerns.
Accessories Reviews
Reviewers found Rhinoshield's iPhone 18 Pro bumper minimalist yet surprisingly protective, while the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones address many shortcomings of the original model.