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Yesterday’s big court ruling against Apple is opening the floodgates for developers to offer their own in-app payment options with no Apple fees. As a result, unsurprisingly major companies like Spotify, Patreon, and more have confirmed they’re hard at work preparing updates to bypass Apple’s payment system and 30% fee.

This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: iPhone 17 and 18 AI upgrades, ‘Apple Vision Air’ release timing, and iOS 18.5’s upcoming hidden features. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

Benjamin and Chance react to the huge developments in the Epic vs. Apple case, with Apple now compelled to allow free rein links out to the web, with no commission. Also this week, we get our best look yet at the super-slim iPhone 17 Air, there are intriguing rumors about iOS 19 and iPadOS 19, and Apple quietly launches a bizarre new microsite on its website. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, understandably, Chance gives up on Mac support for HomePod audio output. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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Yesterday Apple TV+ premiered a brand new series, Carême, and it’s yet another recent debut to earn a strong critical reception. Here are the details.

Despite Apple reversing its stance on console emulators in the App Store a year ago, GameCube and Wii emulators have largely remained absent from the iPhone and iPad — until now, perhaps.

Apple will unveil iOS 19 next month, bringing a big redesign, Siri with AI, an AirPods upgrade, and more. Rumors point to another key feature coming to iOS and iPadOS 19 that will be a perfect fit for next year’s new foldable iPhone and iPad: multitasking via ‘Stage Manager 2.0.’

Payments processor Stripe has published new documentation for developers looking to accept out-of-app payments for digital goods and subscriptions on iPhone and iPad.

The move follows a court ruling that bars Apple from preventing developers from directing users to web-based payment options from within their apps.

Less than 24 hours after Apple’s legal defeat over its App Store model, Epic Games is wasting no time. For starters, Fortnite is set to return to the iOS App Store in the U.S. next week. Under the court’s order, Apple can no longer block apps from directing users to the web to purchase digital content. I’s also barred from collecting a 27% commission on those web-based sales that originate from App Store apps.

Meanwhile, Epic Games has announced two new business moves — one of which takes direct aim at Apple’s in-app purchase revenue model.

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Not long ago, Siri couldn’t seem to catch a break. After Apple officially delayed the assistant’s big AI upgrades, several internal leaks highlighted just how bad things were behind the scenes. But now, the tides have seemingly turned, and Siri’s good news season is in full swing ahead of iOS 19’s big reveal.

Apple may be planning to release three new Apple Watch models later this year. This is what we know so far about Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3.

Apple’s developer relations are a major point of controversy at the moment following the court ruling related to Epic Games. Earlier this week, Mark Zuckerberg discussed Meta’s relationship with Apple in an interview that was just published at Stratechery. Here’s what he said.

Apple has been ordered to pay Optis $502M for the use of standards-essential 4G patents in both iPhones and cellular iPads. Interest also has to be paid, bringing the total due to over $700M.

The court ruled in favor of the patent troll, despite an unconvincing attempt by Apple’s lawyer to claim that the company might withdraw the iPhone from sale in the UK if it was forced to pay …

When the US Supreme Court upheld the court ruling in the Apple vs Epic Games case, I said that the iPhone maker’s response was clearly made in bad faith, and was effectively giving the middle finger to the judge in the case.

The judge has now officially confirmed this view. She has not only directly called out Apple for ignoring her ruling, but said that a senior Apple exec lied under oath, and referred the matter for prosecution …

Apple has notified iPhone users in 100 countries that their devices have been infected with spyware, implying that it may be NSO’s Pegasus.

The company has warned victims to take it seriously, and to immediately take a number of security actions in response. One of the recipients has shared almost the entire message, the first time I can recall seeing more than a brief excerpt …

Apple has just been handed perhaps the most bullet-proof injunction ever, affecting the App Store in the United States, as a result of the ongoing dispute between Apple and Epic Games.

Apple has said it will appeal, but comply in the meantime — and the judgement explicitly spells out how to do so, with seemingly little wiggle room. There’s one small concession that app developers must conform to, but otherwise they get free reign …

Apple has dropped the price of MLS Season Pass by 30% for the remainder of the 2025 season, reflecting that about a third of the season is now over.

The new pricing means you can now subscribe for just $69 for the 2025 season, further discounted to $59 for Apple TV+ subscribers.

Derick Gant from Ohio relied on his Apple Watch to call for help after he had a stroke while exercising outside. The incident shows how even the most active people can experience a medical emergency and benefit from being connected to emergency services through the Apple Watch.

Apple has responded to the court’s latest injunction decision in its ongoing legal battle with Epic Games over App Store policies.

In a statement to 9to5Mac, an Apple spokesperson said the company disagrees with the decision and plans to appeal—but will comply with the court’s order in the meantime:

Apple has lost its latest legal battle with Epic Games over App Store commissions. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says Fortnite will return to the U.S. App Store next week. And with Apple set to report quarterly earnings tomorrow, the timing couldn’t be more pointed. So, what happens now? We’ll share Apple’s official response as soon as one exists. In the meantime, three possible paths lie ahead.

One more thing about Apple’s App Store loss to Epic Games: the timing of the court’s decision couldn’t be more pointed.

Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney has announced that the company will submit Fortnite to the iOS App Store in the U.S. next week. The move follows a court decision that ruled against Apple’s App Store practices. However, Fortnite’s return isn’t a sure thing yet…