Key Points
- iOS 26 public beta 5 introduces the Liquid Glass translucent UI across iPhone home and lock screens
- Phone app redesign adds Hold Assist and consolidates contacts, recent calls, and voicemail
- Live Translation rolls out for Phone, FaceTime and Messages, enabling real‑time language conversion
- Messages now filters unknown senders and supports polls in group chats
- FaceTime adds Communication Safety to pause video when nudity is detected
- Photos tabs return for easier navigation between Library and Collections
- iPadOS 26 brings optional multitasking with resizable windows and the same Liquid Glass look
- AirPods gain studio‑quality audio recording and remote camera control via earbud press
- Beta available through Apple Beta Software Program for iPhone models from 2019 onward
a list of the new OSes
New Hold Assist being displayed at the wwdc keynote
Liquid Glass Design Redefines the iPhone Interface
Apple’s iOS 26 beta showcases a new visual language called Liquid Glass, a translucent aesthetic that spreads across the home and lock screens. The design makes app icons and widgets appear clear while still adapting to light and dark modes. Buttons in apps such as Phone and Maps have been given a floating style meant to be less distracting. Early feedback has already prompted Apple to tone down transparency in certain areas.
Phone, Messages and FaceTime Receive Functional Upgrades
The Phone app now consolidates contacts, recent calls and voicemail on a single screen and introduces Hold Assist, which notifies users when a call center agent becomes available, reducing time spent on hold. Live Translation is being added to Phone, FaceTime and Messages, allowing real‑time language conversion during calls and chats. Messages will filter unknown senders into a separate folder, and group chats can now create polls for quick decision‑making.
FaceTime adds a Communication Safety feature that automatically pauses video when on‑device detection identifies nudity, providing an extra layer of protection for younger users.
Photos, Visual Intelligence and Other iOS Enhancements
Apple brings back the familiar Photos tabs, separating Library and Collections for easier navigation. A new Visual Intelligence tool works like a reverse image search, letting users snap a screenshot and find similar items online. Additional tweaks include a bouncy animation on the passcode screen and updated Control Center visuals.
iPadOS 26 Extends Multitasking and Visual Consistency
The iPadOS iteration of iOS 26 introduces optional multitasking with real windowing, allowing users to resize and move apps on the screen. The Liquid Glass aesthetic is applied throughout iPadOS, and a new menu bar appears when users swipe down, offering familiar file‑type options.
AirPods Gain Recording and Remote Control Features
AirPods receive studio‑quality audio recording for clearer capture in noisy environments. Users can also control the camera remotely with a simple press of the earbuds, triggering a three‑second countdown before a photo is taken. A gesture hinting at live translation was observed in the beta, suggesting future language‑translation capabilities for AirPods.
Availability and Compatibility
The iOS 26 public beta is free through the Apple Beta Software Program. Any iPhone released in 2019 or later can install the beta, while older models such as the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max are excluded. Users are advised to enroll a secondary device, as beta software may carry stability risks. The final iOS 26 release is slated for the fall season, typically following Apple’s annual iPhone launch event.
Source: engadget.com