Latest news with #iOS19
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Apple released iOS 26 beta 2: Here's everything you need to know about the iPhone operating system
It's true: Apple's iOS 26 (not iOS 19) is coming your way this fall with some cool new features you'll want to try. Here's what we're excited about: the iPhone is finally getting a fresh home and lock screen redesign dubbed Liquid Glass, a look and feel that will extend across all of Apple's upcoming operating systems. The overhaul was one of several big changes coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the rest of Apple's software suite, all of which were showcased during the company's WWDC keynote on June 9. If you're a developer, you can check out the iOS 26 beta 2 now; the public beta coming in July. After overpromising on AI plans at WWDC 2024, Apple kept its iOS roadmap focused more on basic quality of life improvements this year. There are multiple useful additions coming to the Phone and Messages apps on your iPhone, for instance: Apple execs outlined the ability to weed out spam texts or other unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. Plus, a treasured feature that we took for granted is coming back (hint: it's in the Photos app). Keep reading to check out the most notable features coming to your iPhone this fall, according to Apple. Also, make sure your iPhone is eligible to download the iOS 26 update (thankfully, most recent models are). While the current iPhone operating system is iOS 18, Apple is skipping the numbering ahead to iOS 26 later this year. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems will be released in late 2025, they're all designated "26" to reflect the year ahead. Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year — the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing. So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a "new translucent material" since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some — including Engadget's own Devindra Hardawar — like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago. That said, as of the newly released iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop. iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile: Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks. Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation. Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends will soon be able to create polls in group messages for deciding things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip. Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder. Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online. Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's still frustrated with the Photos changes made last year, you'll be happy to know that your tabs are coming back. Library and Collections will have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for. A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS — iPhone XR, XS and XS Max — won't be compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones released in 2019 or later will be eligible for the iOS 26 update. 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 Not listed here are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or maybe iPhone 26?) that are all but certain to be announced and released in September. The iOS 26 public beta will become available in July via the Apple Beta Software Program. If you're not already a member, you'll need to sign up to try out all the latest features. Just visit and sign up with your phone number or email address. It's free. Once you're in and the beta is available, you can install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and selecting iOS 26 public beta. A word of caution: Don't sign up with your main iPhone unless you're OK with any risks that occur with using an OS that isn't finalized. iOS 26 will be released to the public this fall. It usually comes in September, within a week of the Apple iPhone event. Last year, it rolled out to iPhone users on September 16 — exactly one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was announced. If you're more interested in the Apple Intelligence features coming, here's everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more during WWDC. Also, check out how iOS 26 screenshots could be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework. Update, June 25: Noted changes added in iOS 26 beta 2.
Engadget
3 days ago
- Engadget
Apple released iOS 26 beta 2: Here's everything you need to know about the iPhone operating system
Liquid Glass is a huge new change coming to iOS 26. (Apple) It's true: Apple's iOS 26 (not iOS 19) is coming your way this fall with some cool new features you'll want to try. Here's what we're excited about: the iPhone is finally getting a fresh home and lock screen redesign dubbed Liquid Glass, a look and feel that will extend across all of Apple's upcoming operating systems. The overhaul was one of several big changes coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the rest of Apple's software suite, all of which were showcased during the company's WWDC keynote on June 9. If you're a developer, you can check out the iOS 26 beta 2 now; the public beta coming in July. After overpromising on AI plans at WWDC 2024, Apple kept its iOS roadmap focused more on basic quality of life improvements this year. There are multiple useful additions coming to the Phone and Messages apps on your iPhone, for instance: Apple execs outlined the ability to weed out spam texts or other unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. Plus, a treasured feature that we took for granted is coming back (hint: it's in the Photos app). Keep reading to check out the most notable features coming to your iPhone this fall, according to Apple. Also, make sure your iPhone is eligible to download the iOS 26 update (thankfully, most recent models are). What is iOS 26? While the current iPhone operating system is iOS 18, Apple is skipping the numbering ahead to iOS 26 later this year. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems will be released in late 2025, they're all designated "26" to reflect the year ahead. It's official, we're moving to iOS 26. (Apple) What is Liquid Glass design? Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year — the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing. So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a "new translucent material" since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some — including Engadget's own Devindra Hardawar — like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago. That said, as of the newly released iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 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: Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks. Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation. Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends will soon be able to create polls in group messages for deciding things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip. Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder. Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online. Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's still frustrated with the Photos changes made last year, you'll be happy to know that your tabs are coming back. Library and Collections will have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for. Apple's Hold Assist will be nifty for those pesky services that put you on hold for 10 or more minutes. (Apple) Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26? A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS — iPhone XR, XS and XS Max — won't be compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones released in 2019 or later will be eligible for the iOS 26 update. 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 Not listed here are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or maybe iPhone 26?) that are all but certain to be announced and released in September. When will the iOS 26 beta be available? The iOS 26 public beta will become available in July via the Apple Beta Software Program. If you're not already a member, you'll need to sign up to try out all the latest features. Just visit and sign up with your phone number or email address. It's free. Once you're in and the beta is available, you can install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and selecting iOS 26 public beta. A word of caution: Don't sign up with your main iPhone unless you're OK with any risks that occur with using an OS that isn't finalized. When will the final version of iOS 26 be released? iOS 26 will be released to the public this fall. It usually comes in September, within a week of the Apple iPhone event. Last year, it rolled out to iPhone users on September 16 — exactly one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was announced. If you're more interested in the Apple Intelligence features coming, here's everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more during WWDC. Also, check out how iOS 26 screenshots could be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework. Update, June 25: Noted changes added in iOS 26 beta 2. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Major free iPhone upgrade is coming soon and you can get it first - here's how
If you fancy being one of the first to try the latest iOS 26 update from Apple, there's a simple way to get it. Apple has just confirmed the launch of its next new operating system, which will arrive on devices later this year. It's called iOS 26 (no, it won't be called iOS 19 as expected) and along with that new name it gets plenty of shiny new features and a refreshed appearance called Liquid Glass. Once installed, there's that slick new look along with changes such as Call Screening - which blocks unwanted phone conversations - and spam texts are also removed automatically. Many of Apple's popular apps - such as Maps and Photos are also getting an update . There will even be the option to set a snooze duration between 1 and 15 minutes, giving you more flexibility and customisation for your daily alarms. There's no date set for the launch of iOS 26, but we expect it to arrive on compatible devices in September. Luckily, if you can't wait that long, there's good news. Apple has confirmed that its Public Beta will be made available from next month, with users able to sign up and try things out long before it's released to everyone across the globe. "New public betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, tvOS 26, HomePod software 26, watchOS 26 and AirPods Firmware are coming soon," Apple explained. "As a member of the Apple Beta Software Programme, you can take part in shaping Apple software by test-driving pre-release versions and letting us know what you think. "The Apple Beta Software Programme lets you try pre-release software and provide feedback to help us make it even better." If you fancy giving it a go, you can sign up here. Then, once it is released, you'll be able to download the update and give it a whirl. The only thing Apple advises is not to install the beta on your main device. That's because it is a pre-released version and may have some bugs and issues in it. That, of course, is the whole point of the beta as it gives Apple time and feedback to iron out any glitches. There's no word on an exact release time for the iOS 26 beta but watch this space for more details. 'iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful,' said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering. 'Experiences are more expressive and personal, from the Lock Screen and Home Screen, to new capabilities across Phone and Messages that help users focus on the connections that matter most. And with powerful new Apple Intelligence capabilities integrated across the system, users can get things done easier than ever.'
Engadget
16-06-2025
- Engadget
Apple's iOS 26 public beta release date is planned for July
Apple's WWDC is here and with it comes some of the company's biggest operational developments — along with confirmation of when you can check them out in beta. This year's WWDC brings the awaited news of a visual overhaul that is platform-wide, with changes like round icons on the home screen and Control Center. The company has launched its first major redesign since iOS 7, calling it "our broadest design update ever." The new uniform design across all devices includes a new material called liquid glass. This translucent design theme shows up across OSes on widgets, icons and even through a new all-clear mode, available alongside the light and dark modes. Apple has further confirmed the rumors that it's changing the names of its operating systems. So, instead of getting the iOS 19 this fall, it will be the iOS 26, representing Apple's system for the year ahead. The same is true for all other devices' operating systems, like the iPadOS 26, MacOS 26 and so on. However, Apple is sticking with its California-themed names for MacOS, naming the next version Tahoe. WWDC has revealed a range of iOS 26 updates, including typing indicators for group chats and live translations on iMessage, FaceTime and calls, even if the other person doesn't have an iPhone. So, when can you see some of these changes for yourself? Betas for all of Apple's platforms (iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS and tvOS) went out on June 9 through the Apple Developer Program, while a public beta should roll our in July through the Apple Beta Software Program. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Phone Arena
16-06-2025
- Phone Arena
2025 is the year Apple silently admits its mistakes
Apple doesn't like to say sorry. Not in words, anyway. But the WWDC 2025 announcements sounded like one long, elegant apology wrapped in Liquid year's WWDC wasn't about brave leaps into the unknown. It was about crawling back from a few of those leaps, keeping grandiose AI promises at bay. It was also about giving users what they actually want — maybe old ideas, maybe not exciting and shiny. But definitely what we wanted. Remember the Photos app redesign in iOS 18? How could you forget it, you are probably still having a hard time navigating that tried to modernize the experience, but all it did was replace utility with clutter. Somehow, Photos became more confusing than Instagram's settings screen (is it me or does it change things around every month?).In iOS 19, it's been 'rethought' (read: put back closer to what worked in the first place). Cleaner structure, easier navigation, and just enough nods to AI to justify the CPU cycles. It's not revolutionary — if anything, it's perfectly simple and… well have two tabs — Library and Collections. Making it super-easy to just see your latest photos as soon as you open the app. And get into the folders only if you make the deliberate choice to do so!Yeah, leave the confusing gallery stuff to Android, Apple! Nothing was said on stage and this all passed through as a part of the major redesign with Liquid Glass. But, given that Gallery was freshly redesigned just last year with iOS 18 , I think it's obvious that everyone hated it. Such a quick rollback gives me some serious Apple Maps mislaunch flashbacks. After years of begging, Apple gave us multi-tasking on the iPad, and we all hated it. I am talking about Stage Manager, which was first cleverly introduced as a Mac feature, then shown off as coming to the iPad with iPadOS on Mac used it. Nobody on iPad used Manager was Apple's attempt to reinvent multi-tasking for the touchscreen, or at least for the iPad screen. But it just confused everyone, including tech reviewers. You had windows, but not really. A dock, but with attitude. And a 'resizable' interface that somehow fought your fingers at every iPadOS 26 gets real multitasking. After years and years of begging. After literally giving the iPad Pro the most powerful Apple chip before it made it to laptops and desktops. In 2025, we finally get window snapping, a proper mouse pointer (that points!), and workflows that don't make you feel like you're training a dog to walk backward (I've done that, it's actually easier).Apple doesn't say Stage Manager is dead, but I have a strong feeling that it's going to be phased out pretty soon. Right now, in the beta, it's even hidden and not on by know what makes a file manager useful? Seeing actual information about your files. Radical, I know. Until now, Files on iPadOS was more of a well-lit folder than a serious tool. No list view with metadata. No real preview system. Just desktop vibes and a chill empty space. In iPadOS 26 beta, Files behaves like a grown-up. List views, file details, and double-click previews that feel suspiciously like Finder on macOS. Which they should have been from day one. You can edit pictures and PDFs in place, with said Preview. You can put shortcuts to your most used folders directly to your desktop. And you can — get this — sort files by date created, date modified, or size. What are we going to do with all these new options?! Genmoji with Emoji Kitchen vibes When Apple first launched Genmoji, it was meant to be a limitless source of new emoji. Think up of anything and generate it into a new small picture to send. Ironically, this actually kills the excitement and fun of using emoji in the first aren't powerful because they're limitless. They're powerful because they aren' fun of communicating through emoji is about finding the perfect symbol from a fixed palette. Don't have the exact emoji you need to get your point across? Well, combine a few of them and hope for the best! Apple's Genmoji 2.0 update shows that they've learned this lesson. You can now create new emoji by combining two (or more) existing ones — like Google's Emoji Kitchen. So it still has the spirit of creating something fresh, but at least it's still somewhat limited and within a system that we have silently agreed to mean something. It's emoji jazz, not emoji jazz fusion. Apple's 2025 updates are less about what's new and more about what's right. The company didn't stand on stage and apologize. That would've been fun, but we all know it's never happening. Every interface tweak, every design reversal, every quiet deletion of a failed feature was a soft-spoken 'Oops, let's try that again'.Are we entering an era where Apple is more willing to evolve its platforms based on reality, voiced customer concerns, and actual competition breathing down its neck? That sounds equal parts exciting and concerning! Here's hoping Apple doesn't lose its magic touch. But also that it gets its head out of the ground a bit more often.
