Liquid Glass is a huge new change coming to iOS 26. (Apple)
Get ready, iPhone faithful! Forget what you think you know about iOS – Apple just dropped a bombshell: iOS 26, not 19, is landing this fall, and it’s bringing a tidal wave of change. After nearly twenty years of iPhone devotion, prepare to feast your eyes on the mesmerizing “Liquid Glass” redesign – a complete home and lock screen reimagining. This isn’t just a facelift; it’s a system-wide evolution cascading across iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and beyond. Apple unleashed the beast at their WWDC keynote on June 9th, revealing a software suite poised to redefine user experience. Developers, dive into the iOS 26 beta 2 now. For the rest of us, the public beta arrives in July – brace yourselves.
Forget AI moonshots! Apple’s iOS update is all about those everyday wins. Remember drowning in spam texts? Or that soul-crushing hold music? Relief is coming! Apple’s cracking down on message mayhem and letting you reclaim your time on customer service calls. But the real gem? Prepare for a blast from the past – a beloved Photos feature is making its triumphant return. Get ready to rediscover a forgotten favorite!
Siri’s stuck in standby. Remember Apple’s WWDC 2024 pledge of a brainier voice assistant? Hold that thought. The upgrade’s been punted to “next year,” so beta testers shouldn’t hold their breath. But whisper it – rumors suggest Apple’s plotting a radical Siri makeover, potentially grafting on the smarts of third-party AI titans like ChatGPT or Claude. If true, 2026 could witness the dawn of a truly intelligent Siri.
Ready to unlock the secrets of your iPhone’s future? This fall, prepare for a tidal wave of game-changing features courtesy of Apple! But first, the burning question: Is your iPhone ready for iOS 26? (Spoiler alert: if you’ve upgraded recently, you’re likely in the clear.)
What is iOS 26?
Forget iOS 19, 20, or even 25! Apple is making a bold leap, catapulting its iPhone operating system straight to iOS 26 this year. Why the jump? Think of it like car model years. Apple’s syncing its OS numbering with the future. Even though the next iOS iteration arrives in late 2025, it’s dubbed “26,” foreshadowing the year ahead. But don’t worry, iOS 18 isn’t forgotten – expect fresh updates throughout the summer.
It’s official, we’re moving to iOS 26. (Apple)
What is Liquid Glass design?
Forget everything else. WWDC unveiled a shimmer of pure magic this year: Liquid Glass. Let’s face it, our iPhones have been rocking the same home and lock screen look for ages. Remember when customizing apps and widgets actually felt revolutionary? Liquid Glass isn’t just a facelift; it’s a complete visual rebirth, injecting a much-needed dose of excitement into our everyday iPhone experience.
Apple’s calling it “Liquid Glass,” a see-through skin for your digital world. Imagine apps and widgets shimmering with clarity, yet intelligently morphing between light and dark to match your surroundings. It’s a chameleon for your screen. Forget static buttons; now, picture floating controls in apps like Phone and Maps. Subtler, less intrusive, but still undeniably there when you need them. This design shake-up? Divisive, to say the least. Some, like our own Devindra Hardawar, are digging the fresh vibe, even if it whispers echoes of Windows Vista’s Aero glass from way back when. Love it or hate it, Apple’s betting you’ll see through it.
The whispers are true: Liquid Glass is seeping into the Apple ecosystem. Even in the nascent iOS 26 beta 2, Apple’s already tweaking the transparency, hinting at the evolving nature of this design overhaul. Make no mistake, Liquid Glass isn’t a fleeting trend; it’s the glue binding Apple’s OS family together. Prepare for a translucent takeover, starting with a sneak peek at how macOS Tahoe 26 will shimmer on 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 swiping through your phone app? Prepare for a refresh! Imagine: Contacts, recent calls, and voicemails, all elegantly displayed on a single, streamlined screen. But that’s not all – say goodbye to agonizing hold music with our groundbreaking “Hold Assist” feature. Get notified the instant a live agent picks up, freeing you to conquer your to-do list instead of being trapped in audio purgatory.
Imagine effortlessly chatting with someone across the globe, regardless of language. iOS 26 makes that a reality! Prepare for Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. This gamechanging feature delivers realtime translation during calls and texts. Apple’s demo hinted at slight pauses, but the future of seamless multilingual communication is here!
Group Chat Chaos? Polls to the Rescue!
Drowning in a sea of group texts just to decide on brunch? Wish there was an easier way to choose the designated road trip vehicle? Say hello to group chat polls! Soon, you and your friends can effortlessly weigh in on crucial decisions with a simple tap. No more endless scrolling – just quick, decisive results!
Tired of spam texts about phantom tolls and bogus citations clogging your Messages? Relief is on the way! Soon, those digital pests will be banished to a separate folder, leaving your inbox pristine.
Spotted a must-have item on your iPhone screen? Wish you knew where to buy it? Now you can. Think of Visual Intelligence as a Shazam for your screenshots. See shoes you love in an Instagram post? Screenshot it, and Visual Intelligence will hunt down those exact shoes (or incredibly close matches) online. It’s like a reverse image search, but way more powerful and built right into your phone.
Remember endlessly scrolling through your photo library, desperately searching for that one vacation photo? Well, say goodbye to the frustration! The beloved photo tabs are making a triumphant return. Get ready for dedicated “Library” and “Collections” spaces, putting an end to the infinite scroll and bringing order back to your memories.
Tired of elevator music torture? Apple’s new Hold Assist feature might just be your sanity saver. Say goodbye to endless waiting on hold and hello to reclaimed time.
Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26?
Heads up, iPhone users! While iOS 26 promises a fresh wave of features, some older models, specifically the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, will be left behind. If you’re rocking an iPhone released in 2019 or later, get ready to upgrade and experience the future of iOS!
- 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 always bring the unveiling, but let’s not forget the phantom iPhone 17s lurking just beyond the horizon – or perhaps the iPhone 26, if rumors truly run wild. Mark your calendars; something’s coming.
When will the iOS 26 beta be available?
Calling all iOS developers! Get your hands on the future: iOS 26 beta 2 is LIVE! Want a sneak peek at Apple’s latest innovations? The public beta drops in July via the Apple Beta Software Program. Not a member yet? No sweat! Head over to beta.apple.com, sign up with your digits or email, and prepare to be amazed. Best part? It’s absolutely FREE. Dive in and shape the next generation of iOS!
Ready to experience the cutting edge? Once you’ve gained access to the beta program, dive into the future by navigating toSettings>General>Software Update. There, selectiOS 26 public betaand prepare to be amazed.
Beta Testing Blues: Think Twice Before Installing iOS on Your Primary iPhone!
Tempted by the cutting edge? Remember, beta software isn’t polished gold. Proceed with extreme caution before loading it onto your everyday iPhone. You’re essentially volunteering as a crash test dummy. Glitches, freezes, and data loss lurk around every corner. Are you prepared to risk your precious photos, contacts, and that high score on Candy Crush? Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
When will the final version of iOS 26 be released?
Mark your calendars, Apple enthusiasts! This fall, brace yourselves for the arrival of iOS 26. If history is any indicator, expect the update to land in September, hot on the heels of Apple’s annual iPhone extravaganza. Remember last year? September 16th saw iPhones worldwide transformed, exactly seven days after the unveiling of the iPhone 16 family. Get ready to experience the next evolution of iOS!
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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