Experience the 26 groundbreaking features of iOS in the public beta version - discover what sets it apart from the rest
Apple's latest operating system, iOS 26, is now available for public beta testing, bringing a host of exciting features designed to enhance user experience and functionality. Here's a rundown of the key features and enhancements you can expect:
Key Features
Visual Intelligence Enhancements
Apple's Visual Intelligence tool now extends beyond just photos to screenshots, allowing users to search for items within images. This feature integrates with services like Google or ChatGPT. This enhancement makes it easier to find products or information seen in screenshots, similar to reverse image searching.
Real-time Translation in Calls and Messages
iOS 26 introduces live translation for phone calls, FaceTime, and Messages. This allows users to communicate with others in different languages in real-time, significantly enhancing communication capabilities across languages and making it easier to interact globally.
Polls in Messages
Users can now create polls within group chats to easily make decisions or vote on topics. This feature simplifies decision-making in group conversations, reducing the need for back-and-forth discussions.
Screening Unknown Senders in Messages
Messages can now filter out unknown senders, placing them into a separate folder. This reduces clutter and spam in the inbox, improving user experience by reducing unwanted messages.
Call and Voicemail Integration in the Phone App
Although a specific call screening feature is not highlighted in the available information, the Phone app redesign allows for easier navigation through contacts, recent calls, and voicemail messages. This redesign improves the overall usability of the Phone app, making it simpler to manage communications.
Apple Cash in Group Texts
While there is no specific mention of Apple Cash being integrated into group texts in iOS 26, users can still send Apple Cash to others in individual messages.
Spatial Photos
There is no detailed information on "spatial photos" in the context of iOS 26 features provided. However, users can convert any photo into a spatial photo on their iPhone 12 or later with iOS 26. The spatial photo effect makes static images appear with a sense of depth, and these photos can be set as the background image on the lock screen or home screen.
Other Notable Features
- Liquid Glass Design: A new visual design across the system, enhancing the look and feel of apps like Apple Maps.
- Apple Maps Updates: Includes features like Preferred Routes and Visited Places to personalize navigation.
- Photos App Updates: Returns the tabs for Library and Collections, improving navigation within the app.
These features collectively aim to enhance user interaction with the iPhone, improving both functionality and aesthetics. Additionally, unknown texts are relegated to their own list, and users can choose to not see notifications for these texts. With call screening, unknown callers are instructed to state their name and reason for calling before the call is connected to the user.
To experience these features, download the iOS 26 public beta and start exploring the new capabilities of your iPhone.
Technology advances in iOS 26 are set to revolutionize user experience, with features like visual intelligence enhancements that allow users to search for items within images, real-time translation for calls and messages, and polls in group chats. These innovations are designed to simplify everyday tasks, promote global communication, and enhance decision-making in group conversations.
