Apple followed through on its July release promise by delivering the first public betas of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, and other operating systems this week. The move opens up testing to a much wider audience beyond developers, who have had access for about a month. Anyone with a compatible device can now download and try out the new software ahead of the official launch expected in the fall.
iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 public betas now available for download
With the public beta release, Apple invites all users to preview iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 features. After roughly a month of developer beta testing, Cupertino extends testing to anyone willing to help improve the software. Installation guides are already online, along with tips on the best features to test, including new AI capabilities and interface customization options. While stable version users should wait for the final release, enthusiasts can already dive into the future of the operating system.
Apple Back to School 2026: up to $150 gift card with Mac and iPad purchases
Apple activated its annual Back to School promotion this week in the United States and many other countries. Compared to previous years, the offer arrives about a month later but offers attractive deals for students and teachers. In the U.S., purchasing a new MacBook Pro gets you a $150 gift card, while MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Air come with a $100 bonus. Excluded models include MacBook Neo, desktop Macs, iPad mini, and base iPad. Terms vary by country: some regions offer free accessories instead of gift cards.
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Apple sues OpenAI for stealing trade secrets to build AI hardware
Apple filed a blockbuster lawsuit against OpenAI last week, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets to develop its own AI-driven hardware. The complaint alleges that OpenAI leadership fostered a culture of intellectual property theft by recruiting Apple employees and misappropriating confidential information. Apple called OpenAI's hardware business "rotten to its core" due to its reliance on stolen data. OpenAI quickly denied the allegations, stating it has no interest in other companies' trade secrets and is not aware of any evidence supporting the lawsuit. The case could significantly impact future collaborations between the two tech giants.
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iPad Mini with OLED display and four upgrades reportedly launching by October
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple plans to launch a new iPad mini by October this year, featuring an OLED display and three other significant improvements. The rumor follows months of speculation about an iPad lineup refresh. The rest of the iPad family, including base iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, is expected to receive updates in the first half of 2027. Gurman also reports that Apple is developing two new Apple Pencil models to replace both the USB-C version and the Pencil Pro. The OLED iPad mini marks a step forward in visual quality, confirming Apple's commitment to premium display technology.
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Apple skips M6 Pro and Max chips to accelerate M7 Ultra development
Mark Gurman also revealed that Apple has decided to skip releasing Pro, Max, and Ultra variants of the M6 chip, focusing instead on a single base M6 that will be quickly followed by the M7 family. The move is motivated by a desire to bring significant AI-related improvements to market as fast as possible. Specifically, the M7 Ultra could support up to 1.5 TB of unified memory, making it a key component for Apple's internal Apple Intelligence servers. This strategy accelerates the chip upgrade cycle but leaves professional users waiting for higher performance until the M7 arrives.
For deeper insight into recent Apple hardware and service price increases, read the article Apple raises prices on hardware services and Apple Music. For more on public betas, visit Wikipedia iOS page.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/18/top-stories-ios-27-macos-golden-gate-public-betas
