Liquid Glass is a huge new change coming to iOS 26. (Apple)
The future is here (almost)! Apple’s iOS 26, bursting with long-awaited features, is slated for a fall debut. But for the impatient among us, the public beta is LIVE today! Dive in headfirst, or take a peek at our exclusive preview of the iOS 26 public beta release. Prepare to be mesmerized by “Liquid Glass,” the stunning home and lock screen redesign years in the making. This isn’t just an update; it’s a visual revolution cascading across Apple’s entire ecosystem – iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and beyond. This sweeping overhaul headlined a suite of groundbreaking innovations unveiled at Apple’s electrifying WWDC keynote on June 9th.
Forget the AI hype. Apple’s iOS update is all about making your daily iPhone life smoother. Think less spam, more sanity. Imagine finally silencing those shady texts and reclaiming your Messages app. Or picture this: stuck on hold? iOS now waitsforyou, freeing you from elevator music purgatory. But the real mic drop? Prepare for the triumphant return of a beloved Photos app feature. Prepare to be delighted.
Siri’s stuck in standby. Remember Apple’s smarter voice assistant tease from WWDC 2024? Forget about it for now – it’s MIA until next year. Beta users, don’t hold your breath for upgrades. The rumor mill’s buzzing, though: Apple might be giving Siri a serious intelligence boost, potentially grafting on AI brains like ChatGPT or Claude. If true, 2026 could be Siri’s radical makeover year.
Every beta release of iOS 26 feels like unwrapping a treasure chest! The latest discovery? A privacy-boosting FaceTime feature that automatically freezes your video if it detects nudity. Ready to upgrade? If you’ve got a recent iPhone, you’re likely eligible to download iOS 26 – both the beta and the official release this fall. Intrigued? Keep reading to unlock the complete list of game-changing features heading your way.
What is iOS 26?
Forget iOS 19, 20, or even 25! Apple’s pulling a fast one, jumping straight to iOS 26 this year. Think of it like car models – you buy a 2026 car in late 2025. Apple’s doing the same, aligning its iOS version with thenextyear. So, while we’ll get the iOS 26 release later next year, it’s all about that futuristic 2026 vibe. And don’t worry, iOS 18 isn’t dead yet – expect some summer surprises before the big leap!
It’s official, we’re moving to iOS 26. (Apple)
What is Liquid Glass design?
Forget the specs, the performance boosts, the under-the-hood tweaks. WWDC’s true showstopper? Liquid Glass. For years, our iPhones have been visual echoes, home and lock screens stagnant save for that fleeting thrill of personalized widgets. Now, finally, Apple’s given us a refreshingly fluid, utterly captivating visual rebirth.
Apple’s calling it “Liquid Glass” – a see-through world where apps and widgets float on your screen. But this isn’t just a simple transparency trick. The display dynamically shifts between light and dark modes, responding to your environment like a chameleon. Notice the subtly raised, almost ethereal buttons in apps like Phone and Maps? These are designed to guide, not grab, your attention. This bold redesign has sparked debate, with some drawing comparisons to Windows Vista’s Aero interface. Yet, amidst the chatter, voices like Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar champion this new direction, even with its echoes of the past. Is it a nostalgic nod or a glimpse into the future? The jury’s still out, but one thing’s clear: Apple’s Liquid Glass is turning heads.
But even as iOS 26 beta 2 lands, Apple’s already tweaking the shimmering Liquid Glass interface, dimming the transparency based on early user reactions. This isn’t a fleeting experiment, though. Liquid Glass is Apple’s vision for a unified future across all its operating systems. Imagine macOS Tahoe 26 bathed in this translucent aesthetic – here’s a glimpse of what’s heading to your desktop.
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 contact lists, juggling voicemails, and that soulcrushing hold music? Prepare for a phone app revolution!
Imagine: One screen, instant access. Contacts, recent calls, voicemails – all beautifully organized at your fingertips. But that’s not all. Say goodbye to wasted minutes on hold with our groundbreaking “Hold Assist” feature. Multitask like a pro while we patiently wait in the digital queue. A notification alerts you the instant a real person picks up, freeing you from elevator music purgatory and maximizing your precious time.
Imagine effortlessly conversing with anyone, anywhere, regardless of the language they speak. iOS 26 makes this a reality, introducing live translation directly into your phone calls, FaceTime chats, and text message threads. While Apple’s demo showcased slightly staggered conversations as the system processes and translates in realtime, the potential is revolutionary. Get ready to connect with the world like never before.
Group Chat Gridlock? Polls to the Rescue!
Drowning in a sea of group chat messages, just trying to decide where to grab brunch? Soon, end the endless scrolling! Group chat polls are arriving to streamline your decisions. From picking the perfect pancake palace to choosing the designated road trip ride, making group decisions will be a breeze.
Tired of spam texts clogging your Messages app? Relief is on the way! Soon, those bogus toll violations and fake citations will vanish, automatically filtered into a separate folder, leaving your main inbox pristine and spamfree.
Spotted something amazing on your screen? Now, hunt it down with Visual Intelligence! Imagine reverse image search, but foranythingon your iPhone. See a friend rocking killer shoes in an Insta pic? Screenshot, tap Visual Intelligence, andbamfind those exact shoes (or a strikingly similar pair) online. Unleash your inner digital detective!
Photo Organization Just Got a Whole Lot Easier!
Remember the endless scrolling after last year’s photo app update? Say goodbye to the frustration! The beloved tabbed interface is making a triumphant return. Get ready for dedicated “Library” and “Collections” tabs, putting an end to the infinite scroll and making photo organization a breeze. Find what you need, faster than ever.
Apple’s iOS 26 introduces a controversial “Communication Safety” feature for FaceTime. Think of it as a digital chaperone, freezing video calls if it detects nudity. Designed as a child safety measure, the feature processes images directly on the device, aiming to sidestep cloud privacy concerns. But will this wellintentioned safeguard be effective or overly intrusive?
Tired of elevator music torture? Apple’s Hold Assist is your new savior. Finally, reclaim those precious minutes stolen by endless hold queues.
Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26?
Heads up, iPhone users! iOS 26 is coming this fall, but not every device is invited to the party. If you’re rocking an iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max, it’s time to start thinking about an upgrade. But fear not, iPhone fans! Any model released in 2019 or later will be ready to experience the latest and greatest features iOS 26 has to offer. Is your iPhone on the list? Check out the full list of compatible iPhones to find out.
- 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 promise: new iPhones, likely the iPhone 17 line, or even – dare we dream? – the iPhone 26, ready to steal the spotlight.
When will the iOS 26 beta be available?
Want a sneak peek into the future of your iPhone? iOS 26 public beta is here, launching you into a world of cutting-edge features! Available now through the Apple Beta Software Program. Not on the list? No sweat. Signing up is your golden ticket: head to beta.apple.com and register with your phone number or email. Best part? It’s absolutely free. Be among the first to experience what’s next!
Once you’re in, you can install it by going toSettings>General>Software Updateand selectingiOS 26 public beta.
Thinking of beta testing the new iOS on your primary iPhone? Hold up! Remember, you’re essentially volunteering as a crash test dummy. Unless you’re cool with potential glitches and the occasional system meltdown, maybe stick with your secondary device. Your sanity (and your iPhone’s stability) might thank you.
When will the final version of iOS 26 be released?
Get ready! This fall, your iPhone is about to get a serious upgrade. Expect iOS 26 to drop, likely in September, following Apple’s big iPhone reveal. Remember last year? iPhone 15’s debut was followed seven days later with iOS 25’s release on September 16. History tends to repeat itself.
WWDC’s over, but the AI buzz is just beginning! Dive into Apple Intelligence with Engadget’s deep dive into every AI announcement for iOS, macOS, and beyond. But that’s not all – are the iOS 26 screenshots hinting at a Siri revolution? Explore the intriguing preview of Apple’s rumored, and much-anticipated, Siri revamp.
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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