Apple has introduced iOS 26, the following model of its iPhone working system, as a part of its suite of bulletins at its Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC). It includes a full redesign with Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design language together with updates to apps throughout the platform.
The announcement additionally marks a change in how Apple signifies its main updates to iOS. Underneath the earlier advertising scheme, this yr’s main launch would have been iOS 19 — the direct follow-up to iOS 18. However now, Apple’s large iOS updates can be numbered primarily based on the yr following their introduction, somewhat bit like car-makers do with new automotive releases.
A bunch of parts of the working system are getting a serious facelift because of the redesign. The time in your lockscreen can stretch to fill extra of the display screen. The Digital camera app has a extra streamlined structure – many controls are actually hidden to make the expertise really feel cleaner. In Safari, webpages are edge-to-edge, and the tab bar floats over your content material.
Apple is including some enhancements to the cellphone app, together with a name screening function that may reply calls in your behalf and sit on calls in your behalf whilst you’re on maintain.
The Messages app is getting a bunch of updates, too, like custom-made backgrounds. Apple will supply backgrounds, however you too can add your individual pictures or photos generated by Picture Playground. You’ll have the ability to create polls – and Apple Intelligence can recommend including a ballot if the function detects that may be useful. And group chats are getting typing indicators.
To make new emoji, Apple will allow you to merge two emoji with Genmoji as an alternative of simply utilizing a textual content description. And Picture Playground is getting a brand new function that allows you to make photos with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Apple can be including Reside Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, that may translate conversations in actual time. It runs utilizing fashions which might be all on-device. The translations can occur in textual content threads or on cellphone or FaceTime calls, for instance. Builders will have the ability to add Reside Translations to their apps with an API, too.
Apple Music is getting lyrics translation and lyrics pronunciation. A brand new function referred to as AutoMix can transition songs from one to a different like a DJ. You’ll additionally have the ability to pin your favourite artists and playlists to the highest of the app.
Apple Maps will have the ability to study and supply your most well-liked routes, and it could actually ship you a notification if there’s delays or visitors on that route. You’ll additionally have the ability to test again in your visited locations, if you wish to extra simply share them with your folks.
Beginning this fall, in Apple Pockets, you’ll have the ability to create a digital ID. Boarding passes are getting a refresh and can allow you to entry indoor maps of the airport. Apple Pay will have the ability to use Apple Intelligence to trace your orders made outdoors of Apple Pay.
Apple is making a wholly games-focused app, the Video games app. You’ll have the ability to entry your complete library of App Retailer video games you’ve downloaded and see the Apple Arcade library. The Play Collectively tab reveals what your folks are enjoying, and you’ll see leaderboards of challenges between your folks.
Apple will even allow you to use Visible Intelligence to study extra about what’s in your iPhone’s display screen. In a demo through the keynote, Apple confirmed an instance of seeing a jacket in a photograph in a social media app, and by taking a screenshot, the individual may use Visible Intelligence to seek for that jacket utilizing Google. It’s also possible to take a screenshot of an occasion and use Visible Intelligence to assist add it to your calendar. Visible Intelligence will even allow you to ask ChatGPT about one thing you see in your display screen.
That is Apple’s second main iOS replace following the introduction of the corporate’s Apple Intelligence AI options. iOS 18 acquired some fundamental AI options like instruments to enhance writing, Genmoji for customized emoji, and integration with ChatGPT. However some large promised upgrades to Siri, like the power to take motion primarily based on what it may see in your cellphone, have been delayed forward of their anticipated launch.
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