Apple News 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 12:30 AM ET
Apple Hardware & Modding
The MacBook Neo is seeing user modification attempts, where one You Tuber, Director Feng, posted an ASMR video detailing a storage upgrade to 1TB, while separate analysis suggests that while a thermal pad modification can increase sustained clock speeds under heavy load, such tinkering is generally advised against for average consumers. Meanwhile, the rumored iPhone Fold launching this fall is generating excitement as late-stage rumors suggest it will effectively merge features from two highly regarded past products. On the legacy front, Apple has officially classified the iPhone, launched in 2012, as obsolete, removing it from the company's service list for vintage hardware.
Audio & Peripherals Updates
Apple formally announced the second-generation AirPods Max, which retain the overall physical design of the original but incorporate the H2 chip, resulting in improved Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Audio capabilities. The new over-ear headphones also feature a newly functional Digital Crown, though software requirements mentioned in the fine print suggest the accompanying iOS 26.4 update may follow shortly. In related deals, the earlier generation AirPods Pro 3 are available for $209.99 at Amazon this week, nearing holiday pricing, amidst broader markdowns that include $300 off Titanium Apple Watch models.
Software & AI Research
Researchers at Apple unveiled a new AI model capable of reconstructing three-dimensional objects from a single input image while maintaining the consistency of reflections and highlights across various viewing angles. Separately, the company is reportedly addressing user feedback regarding the controversial Liquid Glass feature introduced earlier, with potential mitigations being considered for the upcoming iOS 27 update. The iOS 26 Phone application also received a major overhaul, introducing several powerful features that one reviewer stated they "don't ever want to go without".
App Ecosystem & Acquisitions
Apple recently completed the acquisition of MotionVFX, a Polish firm specializing in plugins, motion graphics, and visual effects tools for Final Cut Pro, hinting that new editing features may be coming to the iPad version of the software. In third-party app news, Meta is expanding testing of "guest chats" on its messaging platform, bringing the feature to beta testers using iOS and the web after extensive trials on Android. Furthermore, Apple Maps is enhancing its EV Routing support within Car Play by adding automatic battery preconditioning stops for compatible vehicles like the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Company History & Brand Partnerships
As Apple approaches its 50th anniversary, Roswell’s Mimms Museum of Technology and Art will open a major retrospective exhibition titled “iNSPIRE: 50 Years of Innovation from Apple” on April 1st. Concurrently, one of the company’s co-founders, Ronald Wayne, is challenging the long-held narrative that he sold his initial 10% stake for a mere $800, claiming the conventional wisdom is inaccurate. The brand is also leveraging its performance technology platform by becoming the Official Performance Technology Product Partner for the TCS London Marathon starting April 26th.
Media & Consumer Deals
Apple Original Film production continues to gain critical acclaim, as the feature titled "F1: The Movie" secured the Oscar for Best Sound at the recent Academy Awards ceremony. On the accessories front, the company’s much-maligned FineWoven Wallet is being re-evaluated, with one editor offering their first impressions after using it following years of criticism directed at the material that replaced leather. In consumer electronics deals, Amazon is currently marking down Apple tablets, offering the iPad 11 for as low as $299 amidst broader March sales.