Top Stories

This week’s top stories: AirTag 2, blockbuster Apple acquisition, more

Chance Miller | Jan 31 2026 - 4:00 am PT

Welcome to 9to5Mac’s top stories of the week, where we recap the biggest news in the Apple world every Saturday. This week, we have AirTag 2, a blockbuster Apple acquisition, and iOS 26.3 beta testing continues. Plus, our usual slate of new podcast episodes, opinion pieces, and much more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories.

This week’s top stories

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AAPL Company

New EFF campaign urges Apple and other tech companies to ‘Encrypt It Already’

Apple loses more AI researchers, Siri exec to Google and Meta

Apple ‘runs on Anthropic,’ says Mark Gurman

Apple discontinues iPhone Upgrade Program in the UK

AirPods Pro 3 supply constraints may have cost Apple at least $230 million last quarter

Apple confirms Gemini-powered Siri will use Private Cloud Compute

Apple ‘looking at a range of options’ to make up for skyrocketing memory prices

Apple reveals it has 2.5 billion active devices around the world

Apple reports record-breaking Q1 2026 earnings: $143.7 billion in revenue, up 16%

Here’s how to listen live to Apple’s Q1 2026 earnings call

Apple acquires secretive Q․ai startup for $2 billion

Apple dominated best-selling smartphone rankings, with base iPhone 17 a standout

Halide cofounder Sebastiaan de With joins Apple’s design team

Apple was fined a total of $851M last year for privacy and antitrust violations

Tim Cook addresses Minneapolis shootings in internal memo: ‘time for deescalation’

Camo developer sues Apple for copying its tech with Continuity Camera

Apple expands iPhone share in India as overall smartphone market shipments flatten

JP Morgan boosts Apple price target, echoing recent Morgan Stanley hike

Tim Cook attends VIP White House screening of ‘Melania’ documentary

Contrasting Apple standing up to FBI with Microsoft BitLocker keys isn’t fair

Will Apple be raising its memory prices with upcoming Mac releases?

Apple has a lot in store for the Mac lineup this year, here’s what’s coming

Apple to ‘unveil’ results of Google Gemini partnership as soon as next month: report

iPhone users begin to receive payouts from $95 million Siri privacy settlement

Apple fights India antitrust authority over access to global financials

Software

Hands-on: This tiny MagSafe controller brings real buttons and a retro feel to your iPhone

This iOS 26.3 feature is a sign of what’s to come for iPhone

Apple pulls select iOS updates due to connectivity issues [Updated]

iOS 26.3: Here’s what’s new for your iPhone

Apple updates iOS 12 to extend iMessage and FaceTime support on older devices

iOS 26.3 adds new feature to limit location data shared with your carrier

Apple releases iOS 26.3 beta 3 for iPhone

Apple releases iOS 26.2.1 for iPhone, here’s what’s new

Apple Wallet adds time-saving iOS 26 credit card feature, here’s how to use it

iOS 26’s new Messages feature got better when I changed this one setting

iOS 26.3 public beta 3 available now, here’s what’s new

iOS 26.3 will add three new ways to customize your iPhone

A decade with Bartender showed me how overdue this macOS feature is

macOS Tahoe 26.3 beta 3 rolling out now for developers

watchOS 26.2.1 now available for Apple Watch, here’s what’s new

iPhone

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone Fold: These camera features are rumored

Apple shares heartwarming ‘Glad I Met You’ short film shot on iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone 18 isn’t launching until next year, new report reaffirms

Apple discontinues iPhone Upgrade Program in the UK

Rivian CEO touts ‘great working relationship with Apple’ despite lack of CarPlay support

Apple dominated best-selling smartphone rankings, with base iPhone 17 a standout

Another automaker doubles down on CarPlay support

iPhone 18 prices may defy rising Apple costs, per analyst

Apple updates iOS 12 to extend iMessage and FaceTime support on older devices

AirTag 2: Three tidbits you might have missed

How to tell the difference between AirTag 2 and the original AirTag

iPhone 17 Pro to play key role in offside calls in Brazil’s top soccer league

iPhone Air gets a SIM card slot in this interesting mod project

Leaker makes unlikely claim about improved iPhone 18 telephoto performance

The iPhone Fold won’t be the most expensive smartphone; this will

Mac

Should you update to the new Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Freeform on Mac?

Will the Mac ever get Face ID? This latest rumor is a good sign

Will Apple be raising its memory prices with upcoming Mac releases?

Apple has a lot in store for the Mac lineup this year, here’s what’s coming

Apple is planning a MacBook Pro overhaul for later this year: Three exciting upgrades

Latest Intel chips beat Apple’s M5 in multi-core scores – for maybe two days

iPad

Apple updates iOS 12 to extend iMessage and FaceTime support on older devices

More Hardware

AirTag’s best feature is now on Apple Watch, here’s how to set it up

Journalist says a high heart rate alert from his Apple Watch saved his life

Apple Watch offline map routes debut for Strava and Komoot apps

New study highlights Apple Watch’s role in AFib monitoring after treatment

Apple Watch hypertension notifications now supported in seven additional countries

Apple announces new Black Unity Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch

Apple TV’s hit detective series with Colin Farrell sets return date

Apple TV reveals F1 has become it most-watched film ever

Apple TV lands coveted rights to Brandon Sanderson’s ‘Cosmere’ fantasy books

Apple TV has acclaimed London crime thriller coming back soon

Apple TV scores 9 Writers Guild Awards nominations, Pluribus leads with 4

Shrinking is officially getting a season 4 on Apple TV

Apple TV launches F1 programming in app ahead of season kickoff

Apple TV adds Richard Gere to upcoming limited series with Jessica Chastain and Ben Stiller

Apple TV comedy returns soon with ‘outstanding’ new season: reviews here

Apps

Apple Watch offline map routes debut for Strava and Komoot apps

Pixelmator Pro launches on iPad, here’s what the new app can do

TikTok says it’s still working to resolve ‘cascading systems failure’

Brace yourself for paid subscriptions to Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook

Indie App Spotlight: ‘Phozzle’ is a unique puzzle game that taps into your photo library

9to5Mac Podcast Network

9to5Mac Daily: January 30, 2026 – AAPL earnings, $2B acquisition

Creator Studio bundle, AirTag 2, new Siri features coming soon

9to5Mac Daily: January 29, 2026 – M6 coming soon, more

9to5Mac Daily: January 28, 2026 – Face ID rumors, more

9to5Mac Daily: January 27, 2026 – AirTag 2 is here

9to5Mac Daily: January 26, 2026 – John Ternus expands his role, more

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Author

Chance Miller chancehmiller

Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.

You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.