Apple’s latest software release, iOS 26, marks a significant redesign, the first since 2013, breathing new life into even older iPhone models. This update not only refreshes the user interface but also introduces several noteworthy features that enhance user experience across various applications and functionalities.
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### The Dawn of Liquid Glass
At the heart of iOS 26 is the introduction of “Liquid Glass,” a design ethos that harmonizes the user interfaces across all Apple operating systems, now uniformly labeled as version 26. This new design strategy focuses on enhancing content visibility through the use of transparent elements that appear to float over other content. The effect is a more vibrant interaction with the device, starting from the lock screen where the clock adjusts fluidly to the available screen space and a 3D effect that comes into play as you tilt your iPhone.
Within apps like Safari, a transparent address bar allows web pages to fill the entire screen, creating a seamless browsing experience. The camera and photos apps have also been revamped under this theme, with the shutter button “floating” over the preview and the Photos app receiving distinct tabs for the library and collections, all embracing the transparent aesthetic.
### Enhanced Apple Intelligence Features
While plans to elevate Siri to the capabilities of Google’s Gemini assistant have been delayed, iOS 26 still rolls out advanced features under the umbrella of Apple Intelligence. Top of the list are live translations for both text and audio across Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls, initially supporting languages such as English, Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese for voice, with a broader range for text.
Visual Intelligence introduces the ability to interact with ChatGPT about elements visible on the screen and search supported platforms like Google and Etsy for similar images or products. For English speakers, it can now integrate events displayed on posters directly into your calendar. Moreover, iOS 26 allows for more intricate AI interactions, like embellishing conversations with Genmojis or images created via Image Playground, and even integrating these functions into shortcuts.
### Innovations in Communication
iOS 26 brings a unified layout to the Phone app, collating favorites, recent calls, and voicemails in one place. It can now preemptively handle calls from unknown numbers by gathering information for you to decide whether to answer or reject the call. The update also introduces a hold assistant that takes over during call waits and alerts you when a human responds.
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The Messages app now has the capability to filter messages from unknown senders into a dedicated folder, remaining silent until the sender is approved. Additionally, users can now create polls within messages, a feature suggested by Apple Intelligence at opportune moments. The app also supports custom backgrounds for individual conversations and shows typing indicators in group chats. Moreover, iOS 26 enhances interactions in car settings with new CarPlay features, allowing for a compact view of incoming calls and quick responses to messages with emojis.
### What Else is New?
Apple has introduced several other exciting features with iOS 26. The Wallet app now displays live updates from airlines about gates and delays and can pull up airport maps. Apple Games, a new app, consolidates games from the App Store and Apple Arcade, including events and updates.
For AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 (ANC) users, the update enables audio recording in studio quality and allows the earbuds to act as a remote control for your camera.
Parents will appreciate enhanced child safety features, such as permissions for contact requests and blurred displays of sensitive content in FaceTime and shared photo albums. Additionally, parents can allow their children to download apps with age-restricted content within set limitations.
Lastly, Safari has improved protections against “fingerprinting,” a technique used to track users online through unique device or browser data. Accessibility improvements include a new interface for Braille displays, which transform digital content into Braille for visually impaired users, simplifying tasks like note-taking or calculations directly from their iPhones.
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Ned Winslow is passionate about technological innovations. He writes about AI, cybersecurity, startups, and big tech companies. He makes technology understandable for everyone, with a critical eye on its impacts.
