iPhone’s New Upgrade Is Here And Brings Back 1 Key Feature
On Thursday, July 24, Apple unleashed the first public beta version of its next-gen iPhone software: iOS 26. Until now, its use has been restricted to developers; now it’s available for anyone who signs up. Here’s what’s coming.
Apple iOS 26 public beta is here for iPhone 16 and earlier phones.
iOS 26: News And Entertainment Notifications Summaries
There’s a lot in the new release but one key element is the re-introduction of something that went missing earlier this year: notification summaries for news and entertainment apps.
These summaries, powered by Apple Intelligence, were suddenly removed in January when some summaries were delivering unclear or misleading information: BBC News, for instance, complained when inaccurate summaries had been generated.
They’re still in beta, to be clear, but Apple has made improvements to the experience and to the quality. It seems likely that Apple will have worked with news organizations to do this.
Apple iOS 26 public beta is here.
Users can always see the complete original notification with one click — which may be a useful failsafe move for those wanting to check the accuracy of the notifications for now.
Apple says it’s now built in a feature so users can report a concern if there’s an issue and this can be done directly from notification features.
iOS 26: Liquid Glass
This new design is at the heart of the new design. It’s highly eye-catching, even down to details such as the refractive edge of the lock screen as you swipe up to unlock. It’s been through some iterations during the developer beta, with more to come, perhaps, but it offers the biggest redesign in a decade.
iOS 26: Apple Intelligence Features
Though Apple didn’t go big on Apple Intelligence in its WWDC event, it powers several new features, such as one which asks unknown numbers to state who they are before putting you through, and a delightful option to let the iPhone hold your place in line while you’re on hold.
iOS 26: What Else?
There’s plenty more to check out, from a streamlined Camera app and redesigned Photos app, updated Safari, spatial effects to Lock Screen photos, and live translation in apps like Messages and FaceTime.