iOS 26 Public Beta Released: Liquid Glass, AI Upgrades & More

 iOS 26 Public Beta Live – New Liquid Glass Design & AI Features
 Apple today launched the iOS 26 public beta, showcasing its new “Liquid Glass” visual overhaul, powerful on-device AI, call screening, Live Translation, Apple Games, and more.

1. Liquid Glass Interface

Apple introduces a major visual redesign: the Liquid Glass UI. This translucent, glass-like aesthetic transforms buttons, Control Center, Lock Screen, app icons, and key apps like Camera and Safari — marking the most significant change since iOS 7 Wikipédia+15TechCrunch+15Techlore Forum+15.

 2. Enhanced On‑Device AI

• Live Translation: Real-time voice and text translation across Phone, Messages, and FaceTime — all processed on-device for privacy TechCrunch+5TechRadar+5The Verge+5.

• Apple Intelligence Upgrades: Includes smarter Shortcuts, Visual Intelligence for image-based search & actions, Genmoji emoji mashups, and an Image Playground with ChatGPT integration Wikipédia+5Wikipédia+5The Verge+5.

 3. Smarter Communication Tools

• Call Screening & Hold Assist: Screen calls by prompting unknown callers before they ring through; get alerts when you’re stuck on hold The Verge+3TechRadar+3The Sun+3.

• Messages Enhancements: Polls in group chats, typing indicators, custom backgrounds — boosting social and collaborative chat experiences Techlore Forum+12Wikipédia+12The Verge+12.

 4. Apple Games App

A new centralized gaming hub: browse Apple Arcade, track game progress, social features, and discover fresh titles — all in one single-styled experience The Verge+3TechRadar+3The Verge+3.

 5. Cleaner Camera & UI Tweaks

The Camera app is streamlined with intuitive swipe-based controls. Additional tweaks include 3D photo effects on lock screens, dynamic wallpapers, and refined widget/icon personalization Wikipédia+15Wikipédia+15TechCrunch+15.

 Public Beta & Supported Devices

• Availability: First public beta launched July 24, ahead of the full release planned for September YouTube+11TechCrunch+11TechRadar+11.

• Compatible Devices: Supports iPhone 11 and newer. Apple Intelligence features need iPhone 15 Pro or later Diario AS+4Wikipédia+4Indiatimes+4.