Apple just released iOS 26 in public beta! This latest update brings a whole host of cool new features, designed to create a better user experience and in direct response to customer requests. More significant is that the update brings back tabs in the Photos.app. Now, users can browse through their images much more easily due to an overwhelming amount of demand from the community. Visual Changes iOS 26 comes with a whole new visual design, aptly named Liquid Glass. In fact, it’s one of the most extreme aesthetic reversals we’ve witnessed in half a decade.
This new draft adds several key improvements to make TRNs more useful and functional for different types of applications. Users will be able to experience the revamped Messages app, new and improved call screening capabilities, and more customized alarm settings. These updates are further evidence of Apple’s balancing act between true consumer input and feedback, and carving creative, innovative paths for its products.
User-Centric Features
The Photos app has been completely overhauled. Tabs—the option to edit in separate panels, like back in the old Versatrans days! This move follows much user outcry after the Pixel 6 launch, as many users found it frustrating navigating their photo library with this feature missing. The reintroduction of tabs aims to provide a more intuitive and efficient way for users to access their favorite images.
In addition to this change, iOS 26 introduces a call-screening feature that empowers users to manage incoming calls more effectively. This new feature gives users more control over their communication by enabling them to screen incoming calls according to their own criteria. Furthermore, the update permits users to set varied snooze times for alarms, offering flexibility with options ranging from one minute to 15 minutes.
The Messages app has received a massive, positive overhaul too. It now includes customizable chat backgrounds, a streamlined conversation flow, and the option to create polls directly in chats. In addition, users benefit from easier text selection, photo previews in chats and typing indicators in group chats. These improvements are a continuation of Apple’s project to make interactions between the user and Apple’s ecosystem as seamless as possible.
Visual Intelligence and Liquid Glass Design
In iOS 26, Apple took a major step towards more sophisticated visual intelligence capabilities, allowing devices to more fundamentally understand on-screen content. This is an incredibly important feature in terms of user engagement. It further puts the system in tune with the context of what it’s displaying.
Certainly the most head-turning feature of iOS 26 is its new design theme, dubbed Liquid Glass. This aesthetic rework creates a new “glassy” aesthetic on-screen that lightens up the whole interface providing a hyper-modern touch. The Camera app takes a cue from this design, reducing visual overload by showing only Video and Photo modes by default. This new method echoes Apple’s recent penchant for stripped-down design and zeroes in on the new reality of user engagement.
Even with these flashy upgrades, users have been vocal in pointing out that the update is somewhat shallow on the AI front. With so much built anticipation for the launch of more sophisticated AI tools after previous misses in feature release timelines. iOS 26 may not be a headline-maker, there are real-life improvements aimed straight for what users want most.
Expanded Functionality Across Applications
Beyond cosmetic changes to the homescreen and user interface improvements, iOS 26 improves functionality across several applications. Perhaps the most exciting feature, from a user standpoint, is the simple fact that users can select their input source when recording voice. This exciting new capability opens up new doors for customization with intent to make devices more quickly responsive to user interaction.
Unlike Google, Apple has added direct live translation support on the AirPods. This experiential aspect is new for any models, such as the AirPods Pro 2 or 3. This new feature offers users more effective communication for multilingual users and demonstrates Apple’s continued dedication to improving accessibility across their entire product line. In-app translation capabilities have been added in various places across the system, further simplifying conversation in multiple languages.
Gaming fans will be pleased to see the arrival of a new gaming and preview app, built right into iOS 26. Through this app we hope to offer users a place to discover new games and keep track of their gaming library. The interplay of these features demonstrates Apple’s commitment to bringing a powerful, flexible and captivating user experience.
How to Update
To move to iOS 26, it starts with one easy action. It’s as simple as having them open Settings, tap General, then Software Update on their devices. This easy-to-navigate process ensures users are always informed. That’s how they get the latest features and improvements the minute they release.
