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Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple is building early prototypes of a display-free health and fitness band, using a thin fabric strap paired with a sensor module. The project has been in development for several months, remains in early stages, and Apple has not decided whether to actually release it, with a possible launch no earlier than 2028.
Apple has cut a small number of employees working on Fitness+ audio content, including the Time to Walk and Time to Run series, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He says new episodes will continue but less frequently, and the layoffs are seen internally as the start of larger cost-cutting changes to come rather than a one-off trim.
In a Decoder podcast interview, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman discussed Apple's recent iPhone hardware event, which marked John Ternus's debut as CEO following Tim Cook's departure less than two weeks earlier. The event also introduced the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable smartphone, a launch Gurman says was deliberately timed to coincide with the leadership transition.
Apple originally designed a smaller, hinge-mounted Apple Pencil exclusively for its foldable iPhone Duo, but according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the accessory hit unresolved technical problems before mass production and was scrapped. Apple instead opted to support the existing USB-C Apple Pencil, though that compatibility won't be ready at launch and is expected to arrive later in 2026 after further software development and testing.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlines Apple's near-term product roadmap, saying six devices should ship before year's end, including touchscreen MacBook Pro models, an updated non-touch 14-inch MacBook Pro, a refreshed iMac with an M6 chip, a HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K with Siri AI, and an OLED iPad mini. The long-rumored HomePad smart display remains unconfirmed for this window, with Gurman calling its timing still fluid. He also previews a first-half-2027 wave covering an iPhone Air 2, an OLED iPad Air, and mostly iterative chip upgrades across iPhone, MacBook Air, MacBook Neo and iPad Pro lines.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is considering repositioning Beats as a label for less refined, lifestyle-driven products, with gaming controllers as a starting point. The idea reflects Apple's interest in tapping into gaming culture without attaching its flagship brand to hardware that may not meet its usual design polish.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has spent over a year developing gaming controllers for iPhone, but plans to release them under its Beats brand rather than the Apple label. Code referencing two devices, codenamed T6502 and T1057, was recently found in a macOS release candidate, showing components like dual thumbsticks, shoulder buttons and D-pads. Beats executives are reportedly leading the design and engineering of these controllers.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple is speeding up renovations across its retail stores with three key changes: new dedicated 'Avenue' sections for order pickups and Today at Apple sessions, removal of large video walls at the back of stores, and the return of standalone Genius Bars in place of the Genius Grove format used for over a decade.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple is building two game controllers for the iPhone, likely to be sold under its Beats subsidiary rather than the Apple brand itself. The report follows earlier findings by MacRumors of references to two first-party controller devices buried in macOS 26.7 code, even though the products are apparently intended for iOS.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has confirmed earlier code discoveries suggesting Apple is building its own gamepad accessories for iPhone, identified internally by model numbers T6502 and T1057. The devices reportedly include a D-pad, thumbsticks, haptic motors, and possibly motion-sensing hardware, though their final design remains unknown. Gurman suggests the controllers may ultimately launch under the Beats label, with Beats executives leading the project.
Analyst Mark Gurman says the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will come in four colors: Black, Light Blue, Silver, and Burgundy. This marks a shift from last year's iPhone 17 Pro, which shipped with only three color options and no black variant. Gurman also noted the foldable iPhone Duo is expected in dark blue and white.
Ahead of Apple's 'Surprise and shine' event, leakers and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman detail expected announcements including the foldable iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro with a smaller Dynamic Island supporting three Live Activities, a mechanical aperture on the Pro Max, and faster charging. AirPods 5 are also expected, offering versions with and without wireless charging cases plus improved noise cancellation, while camera-equipped AirPods have reportedly been pushed to next year. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro are expected to open September 12 at the usual 5 a.m. PT time.