Liquid Glass is a huge new change coming to iOS 26. (Apple)
Eager to get your hands on Apple’s iOS 26? While the full release is still months away, the public beta is here, offering a tantalizing sneak peek at what’s coming this fall. Join us for a guided tour of the iOS 26 public beta, headlined by the stunning home and lock screen redesign we’ve been craving for years. This “Liquid Glass” aesthetic isn’t just a facelift; it’s a ripple effect, set to transform the entire Apple ecosystem. Unveiled at the WWDC keynote on June 9, this overhaul is just one piece of the puzzle, with significant changes coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and beyond.
Apple played it cool this year, ditching the AI hype for some good ol’ fashioned iOS upgrades that actually make your life easier. Forget robot overlords; think smarter iPhones.
Incoming: phone and messaging apps getting a serious glow-up. Say goodbye to spam texts from shady senders – Apple’s finally giving you the power to evict those digital squatters. And remember that soul-crushing hold music? Soon, your iPhone will patiently queue up for you, freeing you from speakerphone purgatory.
But the real mic drop? A beloved feature is making a comeback to Photos. Prepare for a blast from the past.
Siri’s future hangs in the balance. Apple’s promised AI-powered upgrade, initially teased at WWDC 2024, remains grounded until next year. Don’t hold your breath for beta breakthroughs. The rumor mill whispers of a radical Siri overhaul: a brain boost fueled by third-party AI giants like ChatGPT or Claude. Could 2026 be the year Siri finally gets smart?
iOS 26 is shaping up to be a game-changer, and the latest beta drops are packed with surprises! Think a next-level FaceTime feature that keeps things PG by automatically freezing your video if it detects nudity. Ready to dive into the future? If you’re rocking a recent iPhone, you’re likely eligible to download the iOS 26 beta (and the final version this fall). Curious about all the groundbreaking features heading your way? Buckle up and keep reading!
What is iOS 26?
Forget iOS 19, 20, even 25! Apple’s pulling a fast one, jumping straight to iOS 26 this year. Think of it like car models: the 2026 iPhone will run iOS 26, even if it lands late in 2025. Confused? Don’t be. Apple’s syncing its software with the future. And yes, iOS 18 is still getting a summer glow-up.
It’s official, we’re moving to iOS 26. (Apple)
What is Liquid Glass design?
WWDC dropped a lot this year, but let’s face it, Liquid Glass stole the spotlight. For years, our iPhones have sported the same, predictable home and lock screens. Remember the thrill of finally customizing with widgets and themed apps? Liquid Glass isn’t just a tweak; it’s a full-blown visual refresh, breathing new life into our daily digital landscape.
Apple’s calling it “Liquid Glass,” and it’s more than just a pretty face. This new translucent material gives apps and widgets a crystal-clear aesthetic, dynamically shifting between dark and light modes to seamlessly blend with your environment. Forget clunky buttons! Expect a sleek, floating design in apps like Phone and Maps. Are they less distracting? Arguably. Are they easy to spot? Absolutely. While this design shift has stirred debate – some recall the translucent Windows Vista Aero designs of yesteryear – others, like Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar, are embracing Apple’s fresh vision. Is it innovative, or a nostalgic nod? You decide.
Even in its beta phase, iOS 26 is already morphing. Apple’s listening, dialing back the transparency of “Liquid Glass” in response to early user feedback. But make no mistake: Liquid Glass is here to stay. Designed to unify Apple’s entire ecosystem, prepare for its shimmering, translucent aesthetic to wash over your desktop with the arrival of macOS Tahoe 26. Get ready for a whole new level of glassy immersion.
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 the endless tap-tap-tapping through your phone app? Prepare for a revolutionary redesign! Imagine: contacts, recent calls, and voicemails, all harmoniously displayed on a single, intuitive screen. But that’s not all. Introducing “Hold Assist,” your personal hold-time liberator. This ingenious feature alerts you the instant a live agent picks up, freeing you from the purgatory of elevator music. Reclaim your time, banish boredom, and experience the future of phone communication.
Imagine effortlessly conversing with anyone, anywhere, regardless of language. iOS 26 makes this a reality with Live Translation, seamlessly bridging communication gaps in phone calls, FaceTime, and Messages. While Apple’s demo showcased a slightly staggered, but understandable, backandforth, the potential is groundbreaking. Say goodbye to language barriers and hello to global connection.
Group Chat Gridlock? Polls to the Rescue!
Drowning in a sea of group chat messages, just trying to decide where to grab brunch? Soon, say goodbye to endless scrolling and hello to instant decisions! Group chat polls are coming, making it a breeze to choose everything from the perfect brunch spot to who’s shotgun on your next epic road trip.
Tired of toll scams clogging your Messages? Relief is on the way! iOS is about to silence the spam storm, banishing those bogus citation texts to a separate, secluded folder. Consider it a digital bouncer for your inbox, finally giving legitimate messages the spotlight they deserve.
Spotted something amazing on your screen? Imagine turning your iPhone into a visual search engine. See a friend’s killer shoes in an Instagram post? Screenshot it. Visual Intelligence lets you instantly hunt down those exact shoes (or ridiculously close matches) online. It’s like reverse image searching the real world, straight from your phone.
Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 is taking a proactive step in child safety with a groundbreaking FaceTime feature. Imagine a FaceTime call where, if the unthinkable happens and nudity is detected, the communication freezes instantly. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the “Communication Safety” feature. What’s truly remarkable is that this detection happens directly on the device, eliminating any concerns about sensitive images being sent to the cloud. iOS 26: Protecting kids, one FaceTime call at a time.
Tired of elevator music and endless loops of “your call is important to us”? Apple’s new Hold Assist feature is your sanity-saving superhero. Say goodbye to phone purgatory and hello to getting your life back, ten minutes at a time.
Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26?
Got an iPhone? Time for a tech check! iOS 26 is dropping this fall, but not every Apple device is invited to the party. Sadly, iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are officially out of the running. Good news if you upgraded in 2019 or later – your iPhone is golden and ready for the iOS 26 upgrade! Find out if your device made the cut.
- 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, carrying rumors of Apple’s next innovation: the iPhone 17 (or dare we dream, the iPhone 26?). While details remain shrouded in secrecy, expect the unveiling of Apple’s newest creation this fall.
When will the iOS 26 beta be available?
Ready to get a sneak peek at the next generation of iOS? The iOS 26 public beta dropped on July 24th, and Apple’s inviting you to the party.
Unlock the latest features and experience the future, today.
New to the Beta Software Program? No sweat. Signing up is simple and free. Just head over to beta.apple.com, create an account using your phone number or email, and get ready to explore. What are you waiting for?
Once you’re in, you can install it by going toSettings>General>Software Updateand selectingiOS 26 public beta.
Beta Temptation? Think Twice Before Installing on Your Primary iPhone. Live on the bleeding edge, but at a cost. Proceed with extreme caution. Unstable software lurks. Are you prepared for glitches and potential data loss on your daily driver? If the answer isn’t a resounding “yes,” steer clear until the official release.
When will the final version of iOS 26 be released?
Mark your calendars, Apple aficionados! This fall, prepare for the arrival of iOS 26. September is typically the magic month, with the release usually landing within days of Apple’s annual iPhone spectacle. Remember last year? iPhone 16’s grand unveiling was quickly followed by iOS 17 gracing our devices on September 16th – a mere seven days later. Get ready!
Craving a taste of Apple’s AI future? Dive headfirst into the details of Apple Intelligence revealed at WWDC! See what’s coming to iOS, macOS, and beyond. Plus, get a sneak peek at the potential Siri revolution – leaked iOS 26 screenshots might just be the key to Apple’s delayed AI assistant upgrade.
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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