WWDC 2025: Apple confirms iOS 26 is coming soon
It's an interesting change and one aimed at continuity: all of Apple's operating systems will now operate within that naming convention. So, that means we'll also be getting watchOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, iPadOS 26, and so on.
It's not just a name that'll be different with iOS 26, however. There are lots of other changes. You can follow Mashable's comprehensive live blog for updates as they come in, but a key shift in iOS 26 is a total redesign, which had been widely expected. The big evolution in design relies on what Apple has dubbed "Liquid Glass." It incorporates see-through elements in an effort to have a crisper, easier-to-use interface.
So, for instance, you might be able to see the song you're currently playing while also keeping what's going on in the background visible.
Apple is so hyped about the new design that it's calling "Liquid Glass" a "software-based material," which basically just means it looks different.
Credit: Apple
Featured Video For You
Apple unveils Liquid Glass, a new design language
In a press release, Apple said:
"The elegant new design gives developers the opportunity to make their apps more expressive and delightful, while being instantly familiar. It's crafted with a new software-based material called Liquid Glass, which combines the optical qualities of glass with a sense of fluidity. This gorgeous new material extends from the smallest elements users interact with every day — like buttons, switches, sliders, text, and media controls — to larger elements, including tab bars and sidebars for navigating apps."
iOS 26 isn't simply a shift in aesthetics. We'll get more details as it rolls out, but Apple has already shown how it'll change how your iPhone works. For instance, you'll get new call screening tools (great for stopping scammers), an improved CarPlay with new widgets, updates in iMessages (like group chat polls), new camera experiences, and a revamped Photos app, to name a few. The Camera app also features a sleeker look and changed functionality when you take a picture.
Perhaps most importantly, iOS 26 will finally bring much-needed updates to your iPhone's Photos app.
Credit: Apple
Or, if you're like me and quite forgetful, Apple Maps' new "Visited Places" tool will be a welcome relief when you try to remember a spot you loved.
Credit: Apple
There will certainly be lots to explore in iOS 26, as it's one of Apple's biggest software changes in quite some time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
38 minutes ago
- USA Today
Apple TV+ raises monthly subscription price: See how much it costs
Apple TV+, known for psychological thriller "Severance" and other popular original shows like "Ted Lasso" and "The Morning Show," will raise its monthly subscription price by $3 starting Aug. 21. New subscribers in the United States will have to pay $12.99 per month, up from $9.99, for the streaming service, Reuters reported, citing a statement from Apple. The annual subscription price will stay the same, costing $99 per year. In March, The Information reported that Apple, whose stock ticker is AAPL.O, is losing more than $1 billion a year on its streaming service. Apple has spent more than $5 billion a year on content since launching Apple TV+ in 2019, but decreased spending by around $500 million in 2024, according to thetechnology industry-focused outlet. How many people are subscribed to Apple TV+? Apple does not publicly share its total number of subscribers. According to five analysts polled by Visible Alpha, Apple reached 40.4 million at the end of 2024. Netflix had more than 300 million paid memberships at the end of 2024, Business Insider reported. About 228 million people subscribed to Disney streaming platforms in March 2024. When did Apple last increase subscription prices? Apple has increased the subscription price of Apple TV+ three times since launching the streaming service in November 2019. The original price was $4.99 per month, increasing to $6.99 per month in October 2022 and then to $9.99 per month in October 2023. Contributing: Reuters
CNET
2 hours ago
- CNET
Keep Your Phone From Overheating When the Temperature Spikes
As the East Coast of the US faces high winds and flooding from Hurricane Erin, the West Coast is about to be hit with a brutal heat wave. Along with increased danger from wildfires, the hot temperatures also create risks for your personal tech, specifically your smartphone. Phones are more sensitive to extreme temperatures than most people realize. While the Pixel 6A made news earlier this year because of exploding, even the latest iPhone and Android models can overheat quickly if left in the sun or used heavily during hot weather. When your phone gets too hot, it can slow down, shut off or even suffer long-term damage. High temperatures put stress on the battery and internal components, which can lead to reduced performance and a shorter lifespan. Whether you're out on a hike, watching videos by the pool, or just leaving your phone on the dashboard, here's what you need to know about overheating -- and how to keep your device safe this summer. Why is your phone overheating in the first place? High temperatures -- over 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Apple -- can cause your phone to take precautions to protect its components. Your phone might overheat for many reasons, but here are some of the most common culprits: Leaving your phone in direct sunlight Keeping your phone in a hot environment, like a car on a hot day Using your phone's navigation system or other system-intensive tasks in hot conditions Overusing your phone when it's charging A faulty battery or charger Bugs in the software Rogue apps or malware Your phone might overheat from other causes, like a malfunctioning application or even a suffocating phone case, but the reasons above are the most likely causes of your phone getting too hot. You don't want to overuse your phone while it's charging. Nelson Aguilar/CNET What does overheating do to your phone? If the interior temperature of your phone exceeds its normal operating range and the device overheats, you can expect issues: You may not be able to use your phone Operations on your phone may slow down Charging may slow or completely stop Your signal may be weakened Your camera's flash may be disabled There are also possible permanent harmful effects: Overheating can cause lasting damage to the battery, SIM card and other crucial parts inside your phone. If your phone overheats, it may not be able to charge until it returns to a normal temperature. Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET So how can you prevent your phone from overheating? The most important thing is to keep your phone out of direct sunlight when possible, especially when it's warm. Your phone might be fine in the grass on an overcast day, but the warmer the temperature, the less your phone can withstand the sun. At the beach, your phone can overheat in just a few minutes in the sun. The same is true if you put it in a sunny spot on the dash or seat of your car. Instead, get your phone out of the direct light, whether it's in your pocket, inside a backpack or under a towel/blanket or dashboard. Anyplace that will keep it away from sunlight will work. It's fairly easy to protect your phone from the sun, but high temperatures alone can also cause your phone to overheat. After only an hour, the inside of a car can reach 143 degrees Fahrenheit when it's 100 degrees outside, for example, so a phone left in your cup holder could quickly overheat and get damaged. The short answer: Don't keep your phone in a hot environment for an extended period of time, even if it's not in direct sunlight. That includes your car, a sauna, the kitchen, the middle of the desert or anywhere near a fire. Your phone's optimal internal temperature should be somewhere between 32 degrees and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees and 35 degrees Celsius). To prevent overheating, Apple recommends keeping the device in a place where the temperature is between negative 4 degrees and 113 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 20 degrees and 45 degrees Celsius). While it might be tempting, don't stick your phone in the freezer to cool it down. The Apple community boards have lots of warnings about the damage you can do to your phone by putting it in an icebox. You should also follow these tips to prevent your phone from overheating Don't use graphics- or processor-intensive apps when your phone is charging . That includes massive mobile video games like PUBG Mobile or streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu. . That includes massive mobile video games like PUBG Mobile or streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu. Update your phone system software and apps to the latest software available . A bug in the software can cause overheating issues, so always stay up-to-date with your software. . A bug in the software can cause overheating issues, so always stay up-to-date with your software. Steer clear of third-party chargers. You'll be fine almost always, but a cheaply designed charger could cause your phone to overheat. While you're here, check out how to make your Android feel new again with these five tips.
CNET
2 hours ago
- CNET
IPhone or Android, Here's How to Finally Escape That Endless Group Chat
One reason people prefer group chats in Apple's iMessage or RCS texting is the extra control and security these platforms provide. If everyone in your group is using iPhones, or if you're on Android chatting through RCS, you'll get features like typing indicators, high-quality media sharing, and the option to mute or leave a conversation when you need fewer notifications. The biggest advantage is privacy. Both iMessage and RCS group chats offer end-to-end encryption, so your conversations stay secure. The only time that doesn't apply is when a thread includes a mix of iPhone and Android users, which limits encryption support. Knowing these differences can help you manage your chats more effectively, whether you're keeping up with friends, planning events, or just looking for a little more control over your notifications. And with RCS support with iOS 18, group chats that include a mix of iPhone and Android participants have more features than ever -- but it's not at the level you'll experience when a conversation is fully on iMessage or Google Messages. "Green bubble chats" from an iPhone to an Android phone can now include typing indicators, higher-quality media and easier group chats. However, RCS conversations between the iPhone and Android phones don't include encryption now, but it should be added in a future update. This will hopefully give these conversations a similar level of privacy that we expect when using chat services like iMessage, WhatsApp or Signal. Regardless of how you're in a group chat with others, you can leave a chat. Here are the steps to leave any conversation from your phone's texting app, regardless of whether it's happening on iMessage, RCS or as a mixed MMS chat. Don't miss any of CNET's unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome. Leaving group chats on an iPhone You can leave group conversations on your iPhone in two ways. You can either mute a chat, which keeps you in a conversation but you no longer receive notifications about it, or you can outright leave and no longer have access to the chat. The option to leave a conversation appears in iMessage chats with four or more participants. Screenshot by Mike Sorrentino/CNET On an iPhone, open Messages and go to the chat thread you want to leave. At the top of the screen are conversation controls, a group of icons with the participants. Tap this to open a pop-up menu. As long as your conversation has four or more participants, iOS gives you the ability to tap Leave this Conversation with red text. If your chat has three or fewer participants, though, the option is grayed out, but you can tap Hide Alerts to prevent the conversation from notifying you further. Tapping Hide Alerts also allows you to mute a conversation, letting you keep access to a chat without necessarily leaving it. These steps apply to both iMessage conversations and to those over RCS. Hide and block MMS chats on an iPhone Although you can't officially leave MMS group chats, you can hide or block the conversation. It's not as good as outright leaving a conversation (other participants will still see you as in it), but you at least have no personal evidence of the conversation continuing. On an iPhone, visit the group chat and tap the conversation controls. Instead of seeing Leave this conversation, you will see the option to Delete and Block this conversation. If you'd rather just mute the conversation instead of deleting and blocking it, you can hit Hide Alerts to mute it. Instead of leaving a conversation, iOS offers the ability to delete and block an MMS group chat. Screenshot by Mike Sorrentino/CNET Leave group chats on an Android phone On an Android phone using Google Messages, visit the chat thread you want to leave. Tap the conversation's name to bring up the Group Details menu. Within this menu is the Leave Group button. Unlike with iMessage, you can leave chats with as few as three participants. The Leave Group button appears for RCS conversations with three or more participants. Screenshot by Mike Sorrentino/CNET If you want to just mute notifications, tap Notifications on the Group Details screen to bring up a window with notifications controls. This includes options to make the conversation stay Silent to prevent it from ringing your chat, and if you tap Lock Screen, a pop-up menu will give you the option to prevent notifications. Tap Don't show notifications at all to enable. Hide and block MMS chats on an Android phone On an Android phone with Google Messages, follow the same steps to access options for controlling notifications. This includes visiting the MMS chat thread and then tapping either the name of the conversation or the names of the participants at the top to bring up the Group Details menu. You won't see a Leave Group option like you did with an RCS thread, but you do get the same ability to tap Notifications to access controls for hiding the conversation. This includes the same options for turning the conversation to Silent and to select Don't show notifications at all. SMS vs. MMS vs. RCS SMS stands for Short Message Service and debuted in 1992. Text messages are limited to 160 characters. MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service and supports sending photos, videos or other files and messages longer than 160 characters. MMS supports a group of people chatting in a single conversation thread, while SMS can text multiple people at once but is sent as individual messages to each person. RCS, which launched 15 years ago, is short for Rich Communication Services and can show typing indicators, read receipts and has end-to-end encryption. While cross-platform chat apps like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram have better controls for conversations, encryption and privacy, regardless of the type of phone participants are using, they don't support SMS, MMS or RCS. That's why the default messaging app on most phones is still widely used, even if it means that a group chat is on a less feature-filled, unsecured standard like MMS.
