Apple Intelligence's best feature gains new powers in iOS 26 — what's new with Visual Intelligence
It's tempting to dismiss Visual Intelligence as Apple's Google Lens knock-off, but that undersells what the AI-powered capability brings to the table. In the current iteration, you can use the Camera Control button on iPhone 16 models or a Control Center shortcut on the iPhone 15 Pro to launch the camera and snap a photo of whatever has caught your interest. From there, you can do run an online search of an image, get more information via Apple Intelligence's ChatGPT tie-in or even create a calendar entry when you photography something with dates and times.
iOS 26 extends those capabilities to onscreen searches. All you have to do is take a screenshot, and the same Visual Intelligence commands you use with your iPhone's camera appear next to the screenshot, simplifying searches or calendar entry creation.
The same restrictions to the current version of Visual Intelligence apply to iOS 26's updated version — you'll need an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence to use this tool. But if you have a compatible phone, you'll gain new search capabilities that are only a screenshot away.
Here's what you'll see when you try out the updated Visual Intelligence, whether you've downloaded the iOS 26 developer beta or if you're waiting until the public beta arrives this month to test out the latest iPhone software.
You can still use your iPhone camera to look up things with Visual Intelligence in iOS 26. But the software update extends those features to on-screen images and information captured via screenshots.
Simply take a screenshot of whatever grabs your interest on your iPhone screen — as you likely know, that means pressing the power button and top volume button simultaneously — and a screenshot will appear as always. You can save it as regular screenshot by tapping the checkmark button in the upper right corner and saving the image to Photos, Files or a Quick Note. Next to that checkmark are tools for sharing the screenshot and marking it up.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
But you'll also notice some other commands on the bottom of the screen. These are the new Visual Intelligence features. From left to right, your options are Ask, Add to Calendar and Image Search.
Ask taps into ChatGPT's knowledge base to summon up more information on whatever it is on your screen. There's also a search field where you can enter in a more specific question. For instance, I took a screenshot of the ESPN home page featuring a photo of the hot-dog eating contest that takes place on the Fourth of July and used the Ask button to find out who's won the contest the most times.
Add to Calendar pulls time and date information off of your iPhone screen and auto-generates an entry for the iOS Calendar app that you can edit before saving. (And a good thing, too, as Visual Intelligence doesn't always get things right. I'll discuss that in a bit.) With the Add to Calendar feature, I could look up schedules for the UEFA Women's European Championship and block out the matches that I wanted to watch on my calendar.
Image Search is pretty straightforward. Tap that command, and the AI will launch a Google search for whatever image happens to be in your screenshot. In my case, that happens to be an old Tapper arcade game console just in case I've got more money and nostalgia than sense.
For the most part these Visual Intelligence searches I've referenced above have been done using the whole screen, but you're able to highlight the specific thing you want to search for using your finger — much like you can with the Circle to Search feature now prevalent on Android devices. I highlighted the headline of a Spanish newspaper and could get an English translation. Yes, Visual Intelligence can translate language in screenshots, too, just as it can when you use your camera as a translation tool.
It's important to remember that Visual Intelligence's new tools are in the beta phase, just like the rest of iOS 26. So you might run into some hiccups when using the feature.
For example, the first time I tried to create a calendar entry for the Women's Euro championships, Visual Intelligence tried to create an entry for the current day instead of when the match was actually on.
When this happens, make liberal use of the thumbs up/thumbs down icons that Apple uses to train its AI tools. I tapped thumbs down, selected the Date is Wrong option from a list provided on the feedback screen and sent it off to Apple. I don't know if my feedback had an immediate effect, but the next time I tried to create a calendar event, the date was auto-generated correctly.
You can capture screenshots of your Visual Intelligence results, but it's not immediately intuitive how to save those screens. Once you've taken your screenshot, swipe left to see the new shot, and then tap the check mark in the upper corner to save everything. It's something I'm sure I'll get used to over time, but it feels a little clunky after years of taking screenshots that just automatically save to the Photos app.
It's an effort worth making, though. As helpful as the Visual Intelligence features have been, remembering to use your camera to access them isn't always the most natural thing to do. Being able to take a screenshot is more immediate, though, putting Visual Intelligence's capabilities literally at your fingertips.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
Best Leftover July 4th Laptop Deals: Top Models Still on Sale From Apple, Asus, Lenovo and Samsung
Fourth of July has come and gone, but there are still plenty of leftover laptop deals you can shop. And with Amazon's Prime Day shopping event only a few days away, more deals are launching daily, meaning you can get plenty of solid bargains right now if you want to upgrade to a new model. We've got discounts listed below on laptops from HP, Lenovo, Apple and others, with some of our favorite models discounted right now. Although Amazon has a ton of deals, it's not the only retailer offering markdowns -- Best Buy and Walmart also have some excellent offers you can grab at the moment. If you're not sure where to look, we're here to help. CNET's team of shopping experts is working around the clock to find the top discounts, and we've listed our favorites below. We'll keep updating this page throughout both sales, so be sure to check back often for the best prices live. Best July 4th laptop deals Apple MacBook Air M4 (13-inch): $849 The M4 MacBook Air is the latest model in Apple's lightweight lineup and our overall favorite laptop on the market right now. The basic model comes with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and there are plenty of more advanced configurations also on sale -- including the 15-inch model for people who prefer a larger display. Details Save $150 $849 at Amazon Close Samsung Galaxy Book 4: $600 This midrange Samsung laptop is an excellent option for Windows users who don't want to spend a small fortune. It has enough hardware to handle all your basic needs, including an Intel Core 7 processor 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It also has a large 15.6-inch HD display and it supports Microsoft Copilot AI features. Plus, the HDMI port, SD card reader and multiple USB ports make it easy to connect all your accessories. Details Save $300 $600 at Best Buy Close HP OmniBook X Flip: $750 Why choose between a laptop and a tablet when you can get the best of both worlds? This two-in-one HP OmniBook features a 16-inch 2K touchscreen display and a 360-degree hinge so you can easily use it with or without the keyboard. It has an advanced Intel Core Ultra 5 processor to help support tons of helpful onboard AI features, as well as 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Details Save $350 $750 at HP Close More July 4th sales and laptop deals: Should you shop July 4th laptop deals or wait until Prime Day? Unfortunately, there's no guarantee of which event will offer better prices. In reality, the Fourth of July and Prime Day sales are blurring into one massive shopping event that spans multiple days and retailers. With that in mind, we'd lean toward getting your order in sooner rather than later. While there's a slight chance we'll see prices dip a little lower later in the sale, there's a much greater chance that the best bargains will sell out fairly early. If you see a laptop that fits your needs and budget for several hundred dollars off, we'd recommend grabbing it before it goes out of stock. Which retailers offer the best July 4th laptop deals? As you might expect, major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy will be offering some excellent deals for the Fourth of July weekend and for Prime Day. You'll also want to check out smaller online-only retailers like Adorama and B&H Photo, as they may be offering some under-the-radar bargains that aren't being matched elsewhere. Plus, brands like HP and Acer are offering some direct deals of their own. What else is on sale for July 4th? There is a huge variety of deals that you can shop across retailers for the Fourth of July. These include tons of top tech like TVs and laptops, as well as tons of home goods and big-ticket items like mattresses and major appliances. There are also plenty of seasonal deals on things like grills, outdoor gear and other summer essentials. To give you a good idea of what's out there, you can check out our full roundup of all the best Fourth of July deals still available. How we choose the best July 4th laptop deals Many of us at CNET have covered shopping events for more than five years, including Black Friday, Prime Day, Memorial Day and countless others. We've become good at weeding out scams and superficial deals, so you'll see only the best offers on our lists. When choosing laptop deals, we look for real discounts, quality reviews and remaining sale time. Our team of experts has tested hundreds of laptops to ensure we're bringing you the best options at the best prices. Real discounts mean exactly that. We look at the price history for that product to make sure no brands are inflating prices to make the discount seem more substantial than it is. Quality reviews and testing are important for any product, including laptops. If you're unhappy the first time you turn it on, the discount wasn't worthwhile. Remaining sale time is a huge part of our vetting process. If a deal seems like it will only be around for a short while or will only be available for the remaining stock, we'll let you know up front so you don't come back to the deal later only to be disappointed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Apple Inc. (AAPL): People Are Tired Of The Stock Buybacks, Says Jim Cramer
We recently published . Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed. Cramer continues to be one of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s strongest proponents even though the firm's shares have lost 12.6% year-to-date. The stock has struggled due to trade tensions between the US and China that have threatened to disrupt the supply chain, the firm's struggle to convince the market about its presence in the AI market, and concerns about slow iPhone sales. However, the CNBC host believes that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will maintain its stature as long as the firm holds its high-end smartphone market share. This time around, he criticized Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s stock buybacks and deemed them inadequate: '[On reports of Apple reportedly looking to rely on third party AI] Look at how the stock reacted. Because people are tired of Apple just saying, you know what we're gonna do, we're gonna buy back stock until we get something better. No. I mean that's not what you can do anymore. A wide view of an Apple store, showing the range of products the company offers. Cramer commented on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s woes in detail recently. Here is what he said: '. . .Apple, which cannot get out of its own way. And I think probably could go down to 25 times earnings. Which is a substantial decline. Apple's a share donor. It's a share donor. '[On why Apple stock should be bought] No I'm not going to because I think the multiple's too high. While we acknowledge the potential of AAPL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Android Authority
2 hours ago
- Android Authority
As a Wear OS fan, I'm embarrassed to admit how excited I am for this watchOS 26 feature
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority I rely on lists to keep my life running: grocery lists, packing lists, home improvement checklists, birthday gift ideas for my 19 nieces and nephews, and ongoing logs of thank-you notes for gifts for my own kid. My note-keeping apps aren't just productivity tools; they're the backbone of my sanity. So, when Apple announced that the Notes app is coming to Apple smartwatches via watchOS 26, my ears perked up. Do you use note-taking apps on your smartwatch? 0 votes Yes NaN % No NaN % I don't wear a smartwatch. NaN % Apple Part of this job means bouncing between ecosystems to test devices and their competitors. When I'm using Apple's platform, I stockpile thoughts in the Notes app. It lets me access and update information from my iPad, MacBook, and iPhone interchangeably, and passively-aggressively share chore lists with my partner so he can see everything I've crossed off. The idea of extending that convenience to my Apple Watch is genuinely appealing and, honestly, overdue. When I read that the watchOS version would support checklists, plus Siri voice commands, I was even more intrigued. I am especially excited for the ability to create and mark off checklists using Siri. The ability to add a note or update a list by speaking, without reaching for a phone or fumbling with a touchscreen, is the kind of thoughtful feature that makes wearable tech feel meaningfully useful. The next time I'm juggling a grocery basket in one hand and a gallon of milk in the other (because I'll never learn to just grab a cart), being able to check off 'chili powder' via Siri might save me from dropping both. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority What's surprising is that this functionality isn't already available elsewhere. Google Keep has long supported checklists and remains a staple on my Wear OS smartwatches. Like Notes, I use it to maintain some semblance of organization. But voice interaction is still limited, which is a puzzling omission, especially considering Keep and Assistant are both core Google services. At this point, that integration should be seamless. Wear OS has come a long way in recent years and now offers a genuinely strong experience. But this is a reminder that polish often shows up in the smallest features. Apple's incoming update may seem minor, but for list-driven users, it's a meaningful one. This isn't about platform loyalty. It's about smart features that make a smartwatch feel smarter. And in this case, Apple got it right. Here's hoping Google is paying attention.
