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Geeky Gadgets
4 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
iOS 26 Public Beta: Top Features You Need to See!
Apple has officially launched the iOS 26 public beta, showcasing a significant evolution in its mobile operating system. This release introduces a host of new features, design improvements, and performance upgrades, setting a new benchmark for functionality and user experience. However, it also marks a shift in device compatibility, as older models like the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR are no longer supported. Below is a comprehensive look at what iOS 26 offers and how it impacts users. The video below from iReviews gives us more details on the new features on the first iOS 26 Public Beta. Watch this video on YouTube. Device Compatibility: Prioritizing Advanced Hardware With iOS 26, Apple has chosen to focus on newer devices, leaving behind models such as the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. This decision underscores Apple's commitment to using the capabilities of advanced processors and hardware to deliver a seamless experience. By phasing out older devices, Apple ensures that the operating system can fully use the latest technologies, offering users improved performance and access to innovative features. If you own a compatible device, this update promises to unlock its full potential. Performance and Stability: Enhanced Efficiency iOS 26 introduces a noticeable boost in performance, as evidenced by benchmark tests like Geekbench. Both single-core and multi-core performance have seen measurable improvements, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming experiences. Stability has also been a key focus, with refinements that reduce crashes and improve overall reliability. These enhancements make iOS 26 a robust and efficient platform for daily use, whether you're managing tasks, streaming content, or running resource-intensive applications. Design Overhaul: A Modern and Adaptive Interface The visual updates in iOS 26 bring a fresh, modern look to the operating system. The introduction of the 'liquid glass' design creates a sleek and polished aesthetic, while dynamic wallpapers adapt to your environment, adding a personalized touch. Key areas such as the home screen, control center, and lock screen have been reimagined for improved usability. These changes not only enhance the visual appeal but also make navigation more intuitive, making sure a user-friendly experience. Customizable Home Screen: Tailored to Your Preferences For the first time, iOS 26 allows users to fully customize their home screens. You can now personalize app icons, widgets, and wallpapers to reflect your style and preferences. This level of customization enables users to create a device layout that balances functionality with individuality. Whether you prefer a minimalist design or a vibrant, dynamic setup, iOS 26 provides the tools to make your device uniquely yours. Core App Enhancements: Improved Usability and Features Several core apps have been significantly upgraded in iOS 26, enhancing their functionality and user experience: Photos: A redesigned interface simplifies photo organization and editing, making it easier to manage your image library and apply enhancements. A redesigned interface simplifies photo organization and editing, making it easier to manage your image library and apply enhancements. Messages: New conversation-specific backgrounds and interactive features add a layer of personalization to your chats, making communication more engaging. New conversation-specific backgrounds and interactive features add a layer of personalization to your chats, making communication more engaging. Phone: Advanced call screening and queue management tools provide greater control over incoming calls, helping you stay organized and minimize interruptions. Camera App Redesign: Simplified and Powerful The Camera app has undergone a significant redesign, offering a cleaner interface and more intuitive controls. Key settings are now easier to access, allowing users to focus on capturing high-quality photos and videos without unnecessary distractions. Whether you're a casual user or a photography enthusiast, the updated Camera app enhances creativity and simplifies the process of capturing memorable moments. New Apps: Expanding Functionality iOS 26 introduces two new apps that broaden its capabilities: Preview: This app enables users to view, annotate, and edit files directly on their devices, streamlining productivity tasks and reducing the need for third-party tools. This app enables users to view, annotate, and edit files directly on their devices, streamlining productivity tasks and reducing the need for third-party tools. Gaming: A dedicated gaming platform offers an immersive experience, catering to both casual players and serious gamers with optimized performance and exclusive features. Battery Performance: Balancing Efficiency While iOS 26 has been optimized for efficiency, battery performance remains an area with room for improvement. Early tests indicate that battery life is acceptable but not significantly better than previous versions. Users who rely heavily on their devices may need to adjust settings or monitor usage to maximize battery longevity. Apple is expected to address these concerns in future updates, further refining the operating system's energy management. Update Timeline: What to Expect Apple plans to release the next public beta of iOS 26 in early August, with weekly updates to follow. These updates will focus on addressing bugs, refining features, and enhancing overall performance. By the time the official release is available, users can anticipate a polished and stable operating system that builds on the strengths of the beta version. Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for iOS The iOS 26 public beta represents a significant step forward in Apple's mobile operating system. With its modern design, enhanced performance, and expanded functionality, it sets a new standard for iOS. However, the decision to discontinue support for older devices and the need for further battery optimization may leave some users weighing their options. For those with compatible devices, iOS 26 offers an opportunity to explore the future of mobile technology and experience its innovative features firsthand. Here are more guides from our previous articles and guides related to iOS 26 that you may find helpful. Source & Image Credit: iReviews Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. 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Calgary Herald
10-07-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
This travel hack can save you money on your next vacation
Article content Nicola Wilson spends nearly half the year on the road. As co-owner of Finisterra Travel, a self-styled international travel design company based in Vancouver, she journeys around the world leading small group trips and scoping out new destinations while trying to keep in contact with clients, family and friends at home. Article content Like most business and leisure travellers, staying in touch while travelling is key for Wilson. And like many savvy travellers today, that means using an eSIM for her smartphone. 'I love landing in a place and being able to turn data on right away, instead of having to wait until I get into the terminal to buy a physical SIM card,' she said. Article content Article content Article content Nearly all iPhones since the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR series support eSIM, as do newer phones from the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy families. Before downloading an eSIM app, check with your mobile provider or retailer to confirm that your smartphone model supports eSIM. Article content Article content You can use eSIMs both at home and abroad, but it's when you journey outside of Canada where they become a true travel gamechanger. Article content Frances Johnson lives in Coquitlam, B.C. and has used an eSIM on her iPhone 13 on trips to Portugal, Greece and Japan over the past two years. 'They've been an inexpensive alternative to using mobile WiFis or the international rates offered by our phone carrier,' said the 72-year-old world traveller. Article content Canadian mobile phone providers are exceptional for charging some of the highest rates in the world. And that includes roaming charges for Canadians travelling beyond our borders. Bell, Telus and Rogers all currently charge a $16/day roaming rate for international destinations. Article content Some telcos may allow you to use home data through individual plans, but data caps may apply and those high fee roaming rates will then kick in automatically. Keeping track of data usage and counting gigabytes is nobody's idea of a fun family vacation game. Article content By comparison, an Airalo eSIM of 1 GB for seven days coverage in Japan or France is C$6.50. A regional Island Hopper package that provides the same coverage among 26 countries in the Caribbean is C$11.50. Article content Also, eSIMs plans are flexible. You can customize an eSIM plan by amount of data and length of time, and it's easy to top up data plans halfway through your holiday. Article content Using an eSIM eliminates the drudgery of waiting to purchase a physical SIM card in a busy foreign train station and the maddening hassle of trying to remove and reinstall that miniature chip into your phone. Article content The process to install an eSIM in your mobile phone begins at home before you leave. Download and install your eSIM of choice for the country (or countries) you're visiting. Then activate the data and service plan upon arrival with the supporting mobile carrier. Article content Article content Canadians can choose from many eSIM companies and providers. Airalo eSIMs are easy to install and can be purchased for nearly every country in the world. Airalo also offers regional eSIMs, covering 42 countries in Europe or an Island Hopper plan for 26 Caribbean countries, and even global packs covering 137 countries. Other eSIM providers include GigSky, Global YO, Alosim and Saily. Article content You can choose from 1 GB of data valid for seven days, or up to 20 GB for 30 days, at a sliding price scale depending on destination. Plans can be easily topped up when data runs low, the eSIM app will notify you at the 500 MB mark. If you need to top up, buy more data coverage before your plan runs out, especially if not in WiFi range. Article content Choose the eSIM app of your choice in the iPhone or Google app stores and download it to your smartphone. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the eSIM app before you leave on vacation, particularly if you're new to the world of eSIMs. Article content Article content Follow the instructions carefully when you're ready to purchase an eSIM package. Remember measure twice, cut once? Read twice, install once. The eSIM can only be installed on the phone if there is consistent data coverage or WiFi. Article content Install the eSIM onto your smartphone at home or at the airport where there's a good connection. Activate it upon landing at your destination, ensuring that your 'primary' (home) cellular settings are OFF and your eSIM setting is ON. You can label the eSIM as Travel, Business or Secondary in your phone's settings app, to keep track of which line is which. Article content
