Liquid Glass is a huge new change coming to iOS 26. (Apple)
Hold onto your iPhones! Apple’s about to drop iOS 26 this fall, and trust us, you’re not ready. The biggest shocker? Prepare for “Liquid Glass,” a jaw-dropping redesign of the home and lock screens we’ve been begging for. Think a visual feast that flows seamlessly across iOS, macOS, iPadOS the whole Apple ecosystem. This bombshell, along with other mind-blowing updates, exploded onto the scene at WWDC on June 9th. Get hyped.
Apple’s AI hype last year fizzled, leaving iOS to play it safe with quality-of-life updates. But don’t yawn just yet! Your iPhone’s about to get a whole lot smarter. Imagine dodging those infuriating spam texts for good. Picture this: No more agonizing hold music, just a notification when a real human finally picks up. And the best part? A beloved feature, long mourned, is making its triumphant return to the Photos app. Prepare for a seriously upgraded iPhone experience.
Siri’s stuck in a digital waiting room. Remember Apple’s promises of a brainier assistant, unveiled at WWDC 2024? Hold tight; that upgrade’s pushed to next year. Don’t expect beta breakthroughs just yet. But whispers suggest Apple’s cooking up something huge: a Siri reborn, powered by AI giants like ChatGPT or Claude. If the rumors are true, 2026 could be the year Siri finally gets smart.
iOS 26 Beta 2 is LIVE!
Developers, grab the latest iOS 26 beta 2 now! Public beta drops this month. Hidden gems are surfacing with each release, including a gamechanging FaceTime feature: instant video freeze upon detecting nudity. Eligible iPhones (most newer models) can dive into both the beta and final releases. Ready to peek at the full feature list hitting your iPhones this fall? Keep reading.
What is iOS 26?
Forget iOS 19, 20, or even 25! Apple’s pulling a fast one, jumping straight to iOS 26 later this year. Think of it like car model years: your brand new iPhone will be rocking iOS 26 to signify its cutting-edge 2026 readiness, even though it drops in late 2025. And don’t worry, iOS 18 isn’t dead yet – expect a few more summer surprises before the big 26 takeover.
It’s official, we’re moving to iOS 26. (Apple)
What is Liquid Glass design?
Forget everything else. At WWDC, the real showstopper wasn’t faster chips or fancier AR. It was Liquid Glass. Let’s face it, the iPhone’s home screen has been stuck in a time warp. Remember the last time it actually sparked joy? Custom widgets, maybe? Liquid Glass isn’t just a facelift; it’s a rebirth. Finally, a home screen that feels…alive.
Apple’s calling it “Liquid Glass” a fitting name for the iPhone’s subtly shifting interface. Imagine app windows as panes of clear glass, subtly adapting to the light around you, flowing between dark and light modes. Buttons get a makeover too, now appearing as buoyant, almost floating elements within apps like Phone and Maps. The goal? A less intrusive design that still pops. This redesign isn’t without its critics, but some, like Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar, are embracing this new direction, even if it evokes a nostalgic shimmer of Windows Vista’s Aero from yesteryear.
Apple’s iOS 26 beta 2 offers a glimpse into the future, revealing tweaks based on early user feedback, particularly regarding the immersive “Liquid Glass” design. While transparency might be dialed back in certain areas, prepare for a cohesive aesthetic across all Apple platforms. Imagine macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop, bathed in the translucent shimmer of Liquid Glass a unified vision is coming.
What are the new and notable features of iOS 26?
iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile:
Tired of endless scrolling and agonizing elevator music?
Say hello to the redesigned Phone app! We’ve ditched the clunky interface and unified your contacts, call history, and voicemails onto a single, streamlined screen.
But the real gamechanger? MeetHold Assist. This clever feature alerts you the moment a live agent picks up, freeing you from speakerphone purgatory. Reclaim your time, silence the Muzak, and get notified the second you’re connected. Finally, a phone app that respects your sanity.
Imagine a world where language is no longer a barrier. With iOS 26, Apple is making that a reality. Prepare to converse effortlessly with anyone, anywhere, thanks to realtime translation integrated directly into Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. Live Translation instantly bridges the linguistic gap, turning stilted exchanges into fluid conversations. While Apple’s demo showcased the inevitable pauses of onthefly translation, the potential is undeniable: a future where connection trumps communication challenges.
Group chat decisions driving you nuts? Ditch the endless scroll! Soon, you can conjure up polls within your chats to quickly conquer dilemmas like the ultimate brunch destination or whose trusty steed (car) gets the road trip honor.
Tired of those bogus toll violation texts clogging your inbox? Relief is on the way! Soon, Messages will automatically filter out texts from unknown senders, banishing those irritating spam messages to a separate folder, and restoring peace to your notifications. Consider yourself fortunate if you’ve been spared – the rest of us are eagerly awaiting this sanity-saving feature.
Spotted something amazing on your screen? Now, hunt it down with Visual Intelligence! Think of it as having a reverse Google image search built right into your iPhone. See those killer shoes in an Insta post? Just screenshot and let Visual Intelligence work its magic, finding you the exact pair (or something stunningly similar) online. Your iPhone just became your personal shopping assistant!
Photo Findability Just Got a Whole Lot Easier!
Remember the endless scroll through your photos? Well, those days are numbered! Rejoice, photo fanatics! The beloved tabs are making a triumphant return. Get ready to say goodbye to frustration and hello to dedicated Library and Collections sections, making finding your cherished memories a breeze.
Imagine a FaceTime call where inappropriate content is automatically detected and blurred, protecting young eyes in real time. That’s the promise of iOS 26’s rumored “Communication Safety” feature. This guardian angel, operating directly on your device, flags potential nudity, offering a shield against unwanted exposure without ever sending sensitive images to the cloud. It’s proactive child safety that respects everyone’s privacy.
Tired of elevator music torture? Apple’s new Hold Assist feature promises sweet relief from those soul-crushing, eternity-long hold times. Reclaim your precious minutes; Apple’s got your call (and your sanity).
Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26?
Heads up, iPhone users! iOS 26 is on the horizon, but not all devices are invited to the party. If you’re rocking an iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max, this upgrade isn’t for you. However, if you’ve upgraded to a 2019 iPhone or newer, get ready to experience the latest and greatest iOS has to offer!
- iPhone SE (second generation or later)
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
September whispers on the wind: the (likely) arrival of the iPhone 17 line (or dare we dream, the iPhone 26?). Mark your calendars, because Apple’s next chapter is all but guaranteed to unfold then.
When will the iOS 26 beta be available?
Want a sneak peek into the future of your iPhone? iOS 26 is dropping its public beta this month! Be among the first to experience the freshest features by joining the Apple Beta Software Program. It’s your golden ticket to try out what’s next. Head over to beta.apple.com and sign up – it’s quick, easy, and completely free. Get ready to unleash the potential of iOS 26!
Ready to dive into the future of iOS? Once you’ve secured your spot in the beta program, snag the groundbreaking iOS 26 public beta by navigating toSettings>General>Software Update, and tapping the gateway to tomorrow.
Beta Beware: Think twice before installing on your daily driver. Unstable software means potential glitches, data loss, and unexpected downtime. Proceed with caution.
When will the final version of iOS 26 be released?
Get ready, Apple aficionados! This fall, your iPhones are about to get a serious upgrade. iOS 26 is on the horizon, and if history is any indication, expect it to land in September, hot on the heels of the annual iPhone unveiling. Remember last year? September 16th marked the day iPhone 15 users got their hands on the new OS, a mere seven days after the grand iPhone 16 reveal. Mark your calendars – evolution is coming.
Dive deeper into Apple’s AI revolution! Uncover all the Apple Intelligence secrets unleashed at WWDC: everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more. Plus, get a sneak peek at Siri’s anticipated transformation with these revealing iOS 26 screenshots: intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.
Update, July 3: Noted new FaceTime feature found in the developer beta.
Update, June 30: Noted ongoing iOS 18 releases, and reports that Apple is considering additional external LLMs for Siri.
Update, June 25: Noted changes added in iOS 26 beta 2.
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