Liquid Glass is a huge new change coming to iOS 26. (Apple)
Eager to get your hands on Apple’s iOS 26 before autumn leaves fall? Ditch the wait and dive into the public beta! Get a sneak peek at the future of your iPhone, starting with the stunning home and lock screen redesign we’ve been clamoring for. Prepare for “Liquid Glass,” a mesmerizing translucent aesthetic cascading across Apple’s entire ecosystem. This isn’t just an update; it’s a visual revolution, unveiled at WWDC on June 9, and poised to redefine iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and beyond.
Apple, humbled by last year’s AI overreach, is playing it cool this iOS season, opting for bread-and-butter improvements that’ll actually make your iPhone life smoother. Think ninja-level spam text annihilation in Messages and a phone app that patiently holds your place in call center purgatory. But the real head-turner? Apple’s resurrecting a beloved Photos feature we didn’t realize we missed so much. Prepare for a welcome blast from the past!
Siri’s stuck in snooze mode. Apple’s super-smart voice assistant, teased at WWDC 2024, is officially “coming next year” so don’t hold your breath for beta breakthroughs. But whispers suggest Apple’s plotting a radical AI makeover, potentially grafting in third-party brainpower like ChatGPT or Claude. If the rumors are true, buckle up; 2026 could be Siri’s singularity.
iOS 26 is shaping up to be a game-changer! The latest beta unveils even more surprises, including a mind-blowing FaceTime feature that automatically blurs your video if it detects nudity. Talk about next-level privacy! Ready to get your hands on these cutting-edge features? If you’ve got a recent iPhone, you’re likely eligible to download the iOS 26 beta (and the final version this fall). Curious about the full list of features dropping this autumn? Keep reading!
What is iOS 26?
Forget iOS 19, 20, or even 25! Apple is pulling a fast one, jumping straight to iOS 26 later this year. Think of it like car model years – a sneak peek into the future. While we’re still enjoying the summer updates for iOS 18, Apple’s already gearing up for 2026. The next big iOS release, landing in late 2025, will boldly be known as iOS 26, aligning its number with the year ahead. Prepare for a quantum leap in operating system naming!
It’s official, we’re moving to iOS 26. (Apple)
What is Liquid Glass design?
WWDC dropped a lot, but let’s face it: the Liquid Glass design stole the spotlight. Year after year, the iPhone’s home and lock screens have felt…stagnant. Remember the thrill of finally customizing your aesthetic with apps and widgets? Liquid Glass is the refresh we desperately needed, breathing new life into those familiar screens.
Apple’s calling it “Liquid Glass” a design overhaul that cloaks apps and widgets in a translucent sheen. But this isn’t just about aesthetics. The screen dynamically shifts between light and dark modes, mirroring your environment. Buttons now hover with a subtle “floating” effect in apps like Phone and Maps, a deliberate move to minimize distractions while maintaining visibility. This bold new direction has sparked debate, drawing comparisons to Windows Vista’s Aero interface from the late 2000s. Yet, despite the mixed reactions, some, like Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar, are embracing this nostalgic yet forward-thinking design.
Even in its beta phase, iOS 26 is already bending to user desires, with Apple subtly toning down the initially aggressive transparency of its “Liquid Glass” design. Prepare to embrace this evolving aesthetic – Liquid Glass isn’t going anywhere. It’s Apple’s vision for a unified OS experience, extending its translucent touch to the upcoming macOS Tahoe 26, transforming your desktop into a subtly shimmering landscape.
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? Our phone app’s getting a makeover!Imagine a world where your contacts, call history, and voicemails live together in perfect harmony, accessible with a single glance. But wait, there’s more! Say goodbye to soulcrushing hold music with “Hold Assist.” This nifty feature alerts you the moment a real person answers, freeing you to conquer your todo list instead of being serenaded by elevator muzak. Reclaim your time; upgrade your experience.
Imagine effortlessly chatting with anyone, anywhere, regardless of their language. iOS 26 makes this a reality with Live Translation! Finally, conquer language divides during phone calls, FaceTime chats, and even text messages. While Apple’s demo showcased the tech’s realtime, slightly staggered translation, the implications are revolutionary. Get ready for seamless communication across cultures like never before.
Group Chat Gridlock? Unleash the Power of Polls!
Drowning in a sea of group chat messages, desperately seeking consensus? Imagine effortlessly deciding brunch destinations or road trip rides with a simple tap. Soon, say goodbye to endless scrolling and hello to instant decisions with builtin group chat polls! Get ready to reclaim your sanity and make planning a breeze.
Tired of text message scams cluttering your inbox? Get ready for a cleaner Messages app! Soon, those bogus toll violations and fake citations will vanish into a dedicated filter, leaving your main inbox spamfree. Consider yourself lucky if you’ve dodged these digital annoyances so far, but for the rest of us, relief is finally on the way!
Apple’s iOS 26 is rumored to introduce a “Communication Safety” feature for FaceTime, a digital guardian against unwanted exposure. Forget awkward moments – this tech reportedly freezes video if nudity is detected, safeguarding younger users. The best part? It works directly on your device, sidestepping cloud privacy concerns and keeping your private moments truly private.
Tired of elevator music torture? Apple’s Hold Assist is your new secret weapon against endless hold times. Reclaim your minutes.
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 consider an upgrade. But if you’ve got an iPhone from 2019 or newer, get ready to experience the latest and greatest Apple 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
And, of course, swirling in the mists of the future, beyond even these tantalizing glimpses, lie the inevitable new iPhones perhaps christened the iPhone 17, or some future iteration we can only dream of. September, as always, beckons with the promise of Apple’s latest innovations.
How to install iOS 26 beta
Dare to glimpse the future? iOS 26’s public beta is here!
Apple has unleashed the iOS 26 public beta, inviting you to explore the cutting edge of mobile technology. Want a sneak peek at the features poised to redefine your iPhone experience? Head over to the Apple Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com.
New to the beta scene? No problem! Registration is swift and simple just a phone number or email address stands between you and a world of innovation. Best of all, it’s absolutely free. Join the beta revolution and help shape the future of iOS today!
Once you’re in, you can install it by going toSettings>General>Software Updateand selectingiOS 26 public beta.
Beta Testing Blues: Think twice before loading the new iOS onto your daily driver. Are you willing to risk glitches and potential data loss for a sneak peek? Your primary iPhone is your lifeline – are you ready to gamble with it?
When will the final version of iOS 26 be released?
Get ready for a serious iOS upgrade this fall! iOS 26 is expected to drop its curtain in September, following Apple’s iPhone event like clockwork. Remember last year? September 16th marked the arrival of the new OS, precisely seven days after the iPhone 16 stole the show. So, mark your calendars – a fresh wave of features is coming soon to your iPhone.
Intrigued by Apple’s AI leap? Dive into the comprehensive breakdown of Apple Intelligence unveiled at WWDC – explore all the juicy details for iOS, macOS, and beyond here. Plus, get a sneak peek at the potential future of Siri: these leaked iOS 26 screenshots offer a tantalizing glimpse into Apple’s highly anticipated AI-powered revamp here.
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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