Apple has unveiled its latest operating system, iOS 26, which brings a significant design refresh and new features to the table. The new Liquid Glass interface is a major overhaul of the iPhone’s user interface, making its way across all Apple product lines. This sleek and transparent design enables a third way to view app icons on the home screen, featuring an “All Clear” look where every icon appears as clear glass with no color.
The iOS 26 update also brings significant improvements to the Camera and Photos apps, with the Camera app gaining a new, simplified interface that takes minimalism to the extreme. The updated Photos app regains a Liquid Glass menu at the bottom of the screen, making it easier to navigate.
In addition to design enhancements, the Phone app gets a revamp, with features like Call Screening and Hold Assist to make dealing with calls more efficient. The Messages app is also getting a makeover, with new background options, poll features, and improved spam text detection.
Other notable updates include the introduction of Live Translation in the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps, allowing for real-time language translation during conversations. Apple’s CarPlay experience has also been enhanced with a more compact design when a call comes in, alongside Widgets that focus on just the data you want to see.
Furthermore, the Wallet app receives new features such as Digital ID for age and identity verification, rewards, and installment payments. The new iOS 26 update is powered by Apple Intelligence, which includes improvements such as suggested tasks based on emails or other text on your device, support for multiple journals in the Journal app, and updates to parental controls.
The final version of iOS 26 will be released in September or October with new iPhone 17 models. Developers can install the first developer betas now, with an initial public beta arriving this month.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/all-the-important-new-ios-26-features-from-liquid-glass-to-photos-app-fixes