Liquid Glass is a huge new change coming to iOS 26. (Apple)
Tired of waiting for iOS 26? Get a sneak peeknow! Apple’s public beta is live, letting you play with all the new features months before the official fall release. Tim Cook himself boasts it’s the “most popular developer beta” ever. Want a taste of the future? Our preview of the iOS 26 public beta unveils the stunning “Liquid Glass” redesign – a translucent interface coming toallApple devices. This dramatic visual overhaul, first showcased at WWDC on June 9th, is just one of the many exciting changes hitting iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and the entire Apple ecosystem. Dive in and experience the future, today!
Apple dialled back the AI hype this year, but don’t think iOS is standing still. This update is all about those sweet, everyday upgrades that make you wonder how you ever lived without them.
Think peace and quiet. Finally, iOS is tackling the relentless spam texts and unknown senders cluttering your Messages. Prepare to reclaim your inbox!
And remember endlessly waiting on hold, listening to that same awful jingle? Apple’s got your back. Now, your iPhone will hold your place in line and ping you when a real human is ready to talk.
But the real kicker? Something we foolishly took for granted is making a triumphant return to the Photos app. Prepare for a blast from the past!
Siri’s stuck in limbo. Remember that super-smart voice assistant Apple teased at WWDC 2024? Yeah, that’s been pushed to “sometime next year,” so don’t expect beta miracles. But whispers suggest Apple’s planning a serious AI upgrade, potentially grafting on brains from OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude. Could 2026 be Siri’s year of transformation? And get this: Apple’s also supposedly cooking up its own stripped-down ChatGPT rival.
iOS 26 betas are dropping bombshell features! The latest? FaceTime’s new “Freeze Frame” tech instantly blurring nudity. Got a recent iPhone? You’re likely golden for the iOS 26 upgrade (beta or final). Hungry for the full feature feast arriving this fall? Keep reading!
What is iOS 26?
Forget iOS 19. Get ready for iOS 26! Apple’s pulling a fast one, skipping straight to the future with a bold new naming convention. Think car model years – iOS will now reflect theyear ahead, meaning the late 2025 release is already christened “26.” So, while your iPhone 18.6 is still soaking up summer updates, Apple’s secretly brewing a version that’s practically from next year. Buckle up, the future of iOS is here sooner than you think.
It’s official, we’re moving to iOS 26. (Apple)
What is Liquid Glass design?
Forget everything else. WWDC’s real showstopper? Liquid Glass. Admit it, iPhone home screens have been snoozing for years. Custom widgets were a nice shot of espresso, but this? This is a complete visual overhaul. Finally, our lock and home screens are waking up from their slumber.
Apple’s calling it “Liquid Glass” – a name as smooth as the effect itself. Imagine app interfaces shimmering with a translucent depth, widgets hovering like ethereal projections. But this isn’t just about aesthetics. Liquid Glass dynamically shifts, embracing both the starkness of dark mode and the brightness of light, adapting to your environment like a chameleon.
Beyond the surface, notice the redesigned buttons – floating islands of functionality in apps like Phone and Maps. Apple aims for subtlety, creating visual cues that guide without demanding attention.
The design’s stirred debate, drawing comparisons to Windows Vista’s Aero. Nostalgia or innovation? You decide. Our own Devindra Hardawar sees potential, a refreshing direction in UI. But one thing’s for sure: Liquid Glass is more than just a visual update; it’s a statement.
Good news, early adopters! Apple’s already tweaking the “Liquid Glass” interface in iOS 26 beta 2, responding tosomeuser grumbles about its intense transparency. While this shimmering aesthetic is here to stay – designed to unify Apple’s entire ecosystem – prepare for a subtly refined look. Curious how this translucent wave will wash over your desktop? Get a sneak peek at Liquid Glass in the upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.
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 Phone App Chaos? Prepare for a Streamlined Revolution!
Imagine: One swipe access to your entire phone world. Contacts, calls, voicemails unified on a single, intuitive screen. No more frantic switching or endless scrolling!
But that’s not all. IntroducingHold Assist, your timesaving superhero. Ditch the dreadful hold music! This ingenious feature alerts you the moment a live agent picks up, freeing you to conquer your todo list until then. Reclaim your time and say goodbye to holdmusic misery! The future of phone apps is here.
Imagine effortlessly chatting with anyone, anywhere, regardless of language. iOS 26 makes this a reality with Live Translation! Phone calls and text messages will now feature realtime translation, bridging communication gaps like never before. Be prepared for a slightly staggered flow, as seen in Apple’s demos, but the future of global connection is undeniably here.
Group Chat Gridlock? Polls to the Rescue!
Drowning in a sea of group texts, trying to nail down brunch plans or decide who’s driving? Soon, say goodbye to endless scrolling! Group chat polls are coming, making decisions a breeze. Get ready to effortlessly coordinate with your crew and finally agree onsomething.
Tired of Texting Trolls? Silence the Spam with Apple’s New Filter.
Finally, sweet relief from the avalanche of bogus toll notices and scam citations flooding your Messages app! Apple’s new filtering feature is about to banish those irritating texts from unknown senders to a secluded folder, restoring peace and sanity to your inbox. Consider it a digital bouncer, keeping the riffraff out of your personal texting space.
See something, want something? iPhone’s Visual Intelligence is your digital Sherlock Holmes. Screenshot that envy-inducing Instagram post, circle those killer shoes, and let your phone do the detective work. Boom! Instant results of where to buy them (or something strikingly similar) pop up. It’s like Google image search, but for your entire iPhone screen, turning fleeting inspiration into instant gratification.
Remember the endless scroll after last year’s Photos update? The pain is over! Apple’s heard your cries and is restoring the beloved tabbed navigation. Library and Collections are getting their own dedicated spaces, making photo hunting a breeze once more. Say goodbye to frustration and hello to photofinding bliss!
Apple’s iOS 26 introduces a gamechanging “Communication Safety” feature in FaceTime, acting like a digital guardian angel. Forget awkward moments – this innovation intelligently pauses video calls if nudity is detected, protecting children from unwanted exposure. Best of all? The magic happens directly on the device, sidestepping privacy concerns about cloud storage. It’s smart, safe, and sets a new standard for online child protection.
Tired of elevator music? Apple’s Hold Assist feature promises sweet relief from endless hold times. Imagine, reclaiming those precious minutes usually lost to robotic voices and repetitive jingles. Apple’s new feature quietly waits, freeing you until a real person finally picks up.
Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26?
- 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’s almost a sure bet for Apple’s next iPhone reveal – you can practically set your watch to it. While everyone’s buzzing about the rumored iPhone 17 (or, dare we dream, iPhone 26?), mark your calendars, the annual Apple spectacle is looming.
How to install iOS 26 beta
Ready to get a sneak peek at the next generation of iOS? The iOS 26 public beta is here, and you’re invited to the party! Join the Apple Beta Software Program and be among the first to explore cuttingedge features and experience the future of mobile.
Signing up is easy (and free!). Head over to beta.apple.com, register with your phone number or email, and prepare to be amazed. Don’t just wait for the future – experience it now!
Once you’re in, you can install it by going toSettings>General>Software Updateand selectingiOS 26 public beta.
Beta Burn Notice: Tempted to test the latest iOS on your primary iPhone? Think twice. You’re essentially volunteering your daily driver for glitch duty. Proceed only if you’re prepared for potential crashes, bugs, and the occasional digital meltdown. Your call.
When will the final version of iOS 26 be released?
Mark your calendars, Apple enthusiasts! This fall, prepare to dive headfirst into iOS 26. Anticipation is already building for its September debut, a tradition as reliable as pumpkin spice lattes and the changing leaves. History suggests a launch window tightly coupled with the annual iPhone unveiling. Remember last year? On September 16th, a mere seven days after the iPhone 16’s grand entrance, iOS 25 landed on our devices, ready to redefine our mobile experience. Will Apple keep to the script this year? All signs point to yes. Get ready.
Dive headfirst into Apple Intelligence! Missed WWDC? Catch up on all the AI announcements for iOS, macOS, and more in Engadget’s deep dive: everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more. Plus, are leaked iOS 26 screenshots teasing the future of Siri? Explore the intriguing possibilities of Apple’s upcoming AI overhaul: intriguing preview of Apple’s delayed Siri rework.
Update, August 4: Noted that Apple is reportedly working on a ChatGPT rival.
Update, August 1: Added quote from Tim Cook about iOS 26.
Update, July 31: Noted that iOS 18.6 is now available.
Update, July 24: Noted the iOS 26 public beta is now available.
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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