Latest news with #WWDC
Digital Trends
3 hours ago
- Digital Trends
10 iPadOS 26 tips and tricks to try once the public beta drops
At WWDC 2025 this year, all eyes were on Apple to deliver some AI fireworks that would bring its operating systems closer to what Microsoft and Google have achieved lately. That didn't happen, but what Apple revealed was a design makeover with some familiar functional upgrades. The most notable recipient of the year-on-year software upgrades, however, turned out to be iPadOS 26. Apple reimagined it in the same vein as macOS, making it feel more like a computing tablet than a mobile-first slate. Recommended Videos I've been running the developer beta of iPadOS 26 since its release, and so far, I am impressed. If you've got an iPad lying around and waiting for the Fall release, here are a bunch of features that are worth a try: Start with looks and customization iPadOS 26 is a massive leap forward in terms of aesthetics. It gets a massive design lift across the board. The updated Lock Screen, which brings an automatically adjusting clock widget and a new 3D photo effect, both of which look quite pretty. I love the new Liquid Glass design approach, especially the ability to adjust it between light and dark presets. Apple has extended the signature transparent look across the control center, app icons, widgets, and even the edges of windows. iPadOS 26 feels fresh, and thanks to the OLED panel on the Pro model, the refreshed glass-inspired design truly comes to life. There were some initial issues with shadow rendering, but Apple has fixed them by adjusting the opacity behavior. Window system One of the biggest challenges with working on an iPad so far has been the app window management, and how it felt a lot restrictive, especially in terms of resizing. Apple tried to offer a stopgap solution with Stage Manager, but it didn't really solve the fundamental challenges. In iPadOS 26, you get a new Windowed app system that lives alongside Stage Manager. The new approach not only lets you handle more apps and arrange them elegantly, but also remembers their size format the next time you open them. With Expose, you can quickly expand the entire app cluster across the full screen and pick the one you want to work with. Going a step further, Apple also brought the familiar three-button windowing controls from macOS and put them on iPads. I love the facility to tile windows across either edge of the screen by simply flicking them. And if you are working across multiple app windows, the new tiling buttons now give up to eight resizing presets to quickly adjust the app window size and place it in the desired spot. Menu bar Another macOS utility that has made its way to iPadOS 26 is the menu bar at the top of the screen. It's a crucial upgrade for a few reasons. First, you no longer have to pause your current workflow and dig into the Settings page of apps, since they can now be directly accessed from the top of the screen. Second, the Menu Bar gives developers the flexibility to add more settings and controls, making them easily accessible from across the menu bar pages. I love the fact that these menu bar options are adaptable, which means different apps will serve their own unique mix, while a few like File, Edit, Format, Window, and Help remain a mainstay. It may not make a day and night difference with touch interactions, but when using the iPad with a keyboard and/or trackpad, the menu bar comes in handy. I can't wait to test how it helps my day-to-day workflow in demanding apps such as DaVinci Resolve. Next-gen phone app I recently wrote about how Apple's phone app has fallen behind when it comes to modern conveniences and proactive safety features. Apple not only filled some of those gaps, but also ported them over to the Mac and the iPad. The Phone app on the iPad has a familiar look, but one that feels more fit for FaceTime or Teams video calls than the iPhone. All my contacts, contact posters, and calling tools are easily accessible, complete with the customization controls I see on my phone. Additionally, the new features announced by Apple, such as live translation, hold assist, and call recording, are now available on the iPad. Interestingly, the recorded calls will also be transcribed and summarized automatically in the background. Shortcuts go AI I've been playing around with the new shortcuts system, and I believe there is a lot of potential. Apple has introduced AI in the Shortcuts app, which brings intelligent actions to the table. These actions dip into the existing Apple Intelligence capabilities that can handle text, audio, and images. The best part is that you can describe the action for a shortcut, and it will automatically be converted into a chain of commands that are needed to run a shortcut. You can also choose the AI framework by picking between the on-device AI model or going with Apple's secure AI cloud compute system. Understanding natural language queries and delivering an actionable shortcut is going to make the app a whole lot easier for an average user. And with AI coming into the mix, it will be much easier to create multi-layered automations that can understand files and comprehend various forms of content on your phone. Journal One of the most notable absences from iPadOS, so far, has been the Journal app. Apple launched the app over a year ago and kept it locked to the iPhone, but I always felt that the iPad is a more natural space for it. With iPadOS 26, the mistake has been rectified. If you haven't used it so far, the Journal app is like a personal digital diary where you can log your daily musings, thoughts, progress, and more. It accepts texts, audio recordings, photos, videos, locations, music, and even news articles with rich card-like previews. Apple also integrated bookmarking and filtering systems in the Journal app, alongside the ability to manually schedule notifications. By default, access to the Journal is locked behind a passcode or biometric unlock. On the iPad, you get even more flexibility as you can use the screen, keyboard, or the Apple Pencil to jot down your ideas. Files app (and folder in the dock) The Files app gets a much-needed makeover in iPadOS, thanks to a new list view that lets you glance over more details of any content without having to open it and dig within the information window. For ease of identification, you can also color-code the icons, paste an emoji over the folder, and get it synced across all your devices. On the functional side of things, you can drag any folder into the dock and access it directly. Moreover, if you have installed different apps for handling certain file types, you can now set them as a default. For example, I prefer my photos to open in Lightroom for editing, and I can now do it directly without having to open the share sheet. Preview app Another minor, but quite meaningful change, in iPadOS 26 is the arrival of the Preview app on the tablet. And I'm glad to report that the experience is familiar to how it handles files and media on the Mac. In the Preview app on iPad, you can now directly edit and mark up PDF files, and play with images, as well. In fact, the experience is more versatile than macOS, because you have the flexibility of using touch, a stylus, or a keyboard. And if you've enabled auto-fill, iPadOS 26 will save you some valuable time while dealing with PDF files. Moreover, the Preview app can also take you directly to the file's storage container in the pre-installed Files app. Local capture and audio switching If you are someone who captures video content or just attends too many video meetings, there is some good news. iPadOS 26 introduces a new Local Capture system that lets you directly record your camera preview in high resolution. No third-party app or clunky camera add-on needed. You can choose to start the local capture from within any app of your choice, and separately share the audio and video assets. Moreover, thanks to intelligent mic tuning, the speaker's voice is prioritized to ensure clarity and reduce external noise. Apple calls it voice isolation. Going a step further, if you are using dedicated mic gear for capturing your sound, you can now directly switch the microphone audio input, irrespective of the app or website you are using. Enhanced study tools Apple's Notes app has steadily made some solid progress ever since Writing Tools and Apple Intelligence arrived. In iPadOS 26, the Notes app adds a feature that users have been demanding for years. Now, you can import and export any note into a Markdown file. Moreover, all the call recordings captured via the Phone app can now be seamlessly imported into the Notes app, with full transcription and summary in tow. And let's not forget the Calculator app, which recently made its way to the iPad. In iPadOS 26, the app gains the ability to create modeling graphs based on mathematical equations. There is support for up to three variables, opening the doors for creating interactive three-dimensional graphs in the Calculator app.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
iOS 26 features Apple didn't announce but you may get later this year
Even after a packed WWDC 2025 unveiling, Apple hasn't finished rolling out iOS 26 features just yet. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, two previously rumoured capabilities, both of which missed the keynote, are still on track for release later this year. iOS 26 brings a major visual overhaul, deeper AI integration via Apple Intelligence, and significant improvements.(Apple) One of the more ambitious features that didn't make it to the WWDC stage is live translation directly through AirPods. This feature would allow users to carry on real-time conversations with someone speaking a different language, with the translation being delivered straight into their ears via AirPods. The feature was expected to be an extension of the Live Translation system Apple demoed in Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, and could greatly benefit travellers and multilingual households. While Apple didn't provide an update during WWDC, Gurman suggests this is still in development and likely to launch later this year. Mobile Finder: iPhone 17 Air expected to debut later this year Captive Wi-Fi Sync Across Devices Another useful feature left out of iOS 26's initial rollout is automatic syncing of captive Wi-Fi logins across your Apple devices. Captive Wi-Fi networks are the kind typically found in hotels, airports, and cafes, the kind that require you to log in through a pop-up web page. With this feature, once you've authenticated on one Apple device, the login credentials would sync across your other Apple products using iCloud, saving you from having to repeat the process. Why They Weren't Announced Gurman explains that Apple has adopted a more cautious approach this year, choosing not to announce features unless they're 'near shipping.' This change follows WWDC 2024, when several high-profile features were revealed months in advance but ended up delayed, or still missing. With iOS 26, Apple is trying to avoid that same misstep. When Will They Arrive? If all goes according to plan, these delayed features should arrive with the iOS 26.1 update in October or iOS 26.2 in December. They may even be tested during the iOS 26 beta cycle leading up to those releases. Apple hasn't confirmed these details publicly, but if you're waiting for more from iOS 26, especially if you use AirPods or rely on public Wi-Fi, you'll want to keep an eye on updates later this year.
Geek Culture
19 hours ago
- Geek Culture
Expanded Apple Parental Controls Offer More Granular Controls, Including Permissions To Text New Numbers
With the dangers of unfiltered content targeting minors and teenagers, Apple is rolling out a new suite of parental control features aimed at protecting the young, including expanding age brackets to five categories – 4+, 9+, 13+, 16+, and 18+, up from 17 from before. As part of the new Communication Limits, which are part of Apple's Child Accounts created when setting up a new device for a child, parents can have tighter management over who their children communicate with across Messages, FaceTime, calling and iCloud contacts, as children must now send a request when they want to connect with a new phone number. With the new update, children must now seek parental approval whenever they contact a new phone number, and parents must either approve or decline a request. These new features will be made available to developers, who can choose to introduce a similar feature into their apps, allowing the young to chat, follow, or friend users through third-party apps. Introduced earlier this month at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the updated features will be part of the upcoming rollout of updated operating systems across Apple's host of hardware devices – iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26. Apple's parental controls and Child Accounts, managed via linked devices through Screen Time and Family Sharing, allow parents to monitor and limit their child's device by managing screen time through app limits, restrict access to content and app access, limit inappropriate content, control app purchases, and manage communication settings. Child Accounts are required for children under 16, and available for children up to 18. In a slightly more proactive mode, Apple's Communication Safety tool will also be updated to 'intervene' when it detects nudity in FaceTime calls, and also blur nudity in shared albums in the Photos app. The company has been constantly updating its parental controls to meet the increasing dangers posed by technology, most recently updating the way parents can access these controls via a PIN code. To prevent children from discovering and using their parents PIN code, parents will now be alerted whenever the PIN code is used on their child's devices, thereby warning parents of any unauthorised access. With the expansion of age ranges, parents can also protect their child's privacy by applying their child's age range within the apps used, in a manner that does not disclose a minor's birth date while accessing age-appropriate content and apps. And to better protect families, Apple App Store will now reflect when developers indicate that their apps offer user-generated content, messaging, or use advertising models. Apps that exceed the age-appropriate range will also not appear anywhere on the App Store. Hsals needs more space in his house, and more money in his bank account to pay for all the toys, collectibles and other geek related items that companies are churning out. Free-time? Girlfriend? Who's got time for those?
Forbes
20 hours ago
- Forbes
iOS 26: Apple's New iPhone Software Has More Secrets To Reveal, Report Says
Apple announced a lot of new features at its recent World Wide Developers Conference, but it seems there were some innovations which didn't appear at the event. A new report says they're on their way. Apple iOS 26 The new iOS 26 iPhone software is currently in its second developer beta beta, with the first public beta due next month and general release expected in September with the iPhone 17 series. In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has talked about the secret new features which Apple hasn't talked about yet. He refers to two: live translation for AirPods and a neat, new Wi-Fi feature. 'At WWDC, Apple was careful not to announce anything that wasn't close to shipping (either in the first version of iOS 26 or an update soon after). The company didn't want to risk repeating WWDC 2024, where it announced several features — including some tentpole technology — that were ultimately delayed by months or have yet to arrive,' Gurman said. By 'yet to arrive,' he mostly means the new Siri which was headlined last year, which leverages what the iPhone knows about you to deliver much more personal help. It did look amazing, and led to a (later-pulled) commercial showing how it could help, but it hasn't landed yet. Apple said that of the entire 2024 WWDC event, only four minutes' worth of features haven't yet arrived. It's also worth noting that while it's true that Apple hasn't delivered this feature yet, no other company has come close to launching anything similar. 'There are at least two capabilities that weren't announced at WWDC that I expect to come this year: live translation of conversations via AirPods and the ability to sync your wireless network login information at a hotel or gym across devices. I reported on both features before WWDC,' Gurman went on. You could be forgiven for thinking the translation element was announced: in fact, though there were several translation features announced by Apple, the one for the AirPods wasn't one of them. As it hasn't been mentioned yet, it's possible that Apple won't talk about this feature until the launch of the iPhone 17 series in September — read this for exactly when. The Wi-Fi feature, which will be handy for anyone with multiple devices wanting to log in seamlessly, also went under the radar, but, 'there also have already been hints related to the Wi-Fi feature hidden within iOS 26 code,' according to Gurman.
CNET
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
My Wife and I Are Never Splitting AirPods Again Thanks to This iPhone Trick
When my wife and I travel, we usually download some shows to watch on our flight. But when we watch those shows, we always have to split a set of AirPods so we each have one earbud. That means one of our ears is enjoying the show while the other is forced to endure whatever is happening around the plane, which can be a little distracting. But thanks to Apple's Audio Sharing feature, we can each enjoy a show together while using our own sets of AirPods. Audio Sharing was introduced with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in 2024. It allows two pairs of compatible AirPods or Beats headphones to pair with a single iPhone or iPad. So you and one other person can immerse yourselves into music, movies or a TED Talk without disturbing those around you. Read more: Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2025 Here's how to share audio with another set of AirPods or Beats headphones. How to enjoy music and podcasts together You can share your audio with another pair of headphones by tapping your own headphone control. Apple/Screenshot by CNET 1. Open Music, Podcasts, Spotify or any similar app with your AirPods in your ears and connected to your iPhone or iPad. 2. Start playing music or a Podcast. 3. Open your Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of your screen. 4. Go to your audio controls page -- it's your second Control Center page by default. 5. Tap the AirPods logo near the bottom of your screen. 6. Tap Share Audio. 7. Bring the other pair of AirPods in their case or Beats headphones near your device. You might need to press the button on the back of your AirPods case to go into Pairing Mode. 8. Tap Share Audio when your device detects the other AirPods or Beats headphones. You can control the volume of both headphones from the connected device. Apple Each pair of headphones can change their own volume via headphone controls, or you can change the volume for each pair via the connected device. But you'll be able to enjoy a podcast or other music together without splitting a pair of AirPods or disturbing people around you. How to watch a movie or show with separate headphones Pairing another set of headphones to your device to watch a film or TV series is similar. Here's how. 1. Open Apple TV, Netflix, YouTube or another streaming app with your headphones in. 2. Start playing a film or show. 3. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open your Control Center. 4. Go to your audio controls page -- it's your second Control Center page by default. 5. Tap the AirPods logo near the bottom of your screen. 6. Tap Share Audio. 7. Bring the other pair of AirPods in their case or Beats headphones near your device. You might need to press the button on the back of your AirPods case to go into Pairing Mode. 8. Tap Share Audio when your device detects the other AirPods or Beats headphones. Tapping Share Audio will let you connect to another set of headphones so you and another person can listen or watch something together on the same screen. Apple/Screenshot by CNET Now you and another person can watch a video together without disturbing the people around you and without splitting a pair of AirPods. For more on iOS 18, here's what you need to know about iOS 18.5 and iOS 18.4, as well as our iOS 18 cheat sheet. You can also check out what you should know about iOS 26.
