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Significant advancements revealed in the latest iOS 26 unveiling:

Over half of perceived glass-like appearance observed

Lock Screen's Enhancement with Liquid Glass
Lock Screen's Enhancement with Liquid Glass

Bringing More Than a Sleek Interface: iOS 26's Exciting New Arsenal

Significant advancements revealed in the latest iOS 26 unveiling:

By Peyton Stone

Apple's not just updating the look of its beloved iOS with version 26; it's packing a punch with practical, AI-powered features, too. Still in the works, set to drop this September, iOS 26 is set to revolutionize the iPhone's capabilities, bringing everything from live translations to an advanced voicemail system.

Apple showcased the new operating system during the WWDC developer conference in June. The buzz surrounding iOS 26 is not only because of its long-overdue interface revamp, but also because of these smashing new features.

"Liquid Glass": A Shared Shine

Apple is taking steps to unify its operating systems, marked not only by the matching version number 26, but also by the sleek new shared look called "Liquid Glass." According to Apple, these interfaces will dynamically change, using transparent elements that appear to float over other content, making navigation feel more responsive.

It starts on the lock screen, where the clock adapts fluidly to fit the available space, and continues with a 3D effect on background images when you move your iPhone. The transparent address bar in Safari allows websites to fill the entire display, and the Camera and Photos apps have more intuitive designs.

More Power to the People

While Apple had to put off dreaming up Gemini-like AI assistant power until next year, iOS 26 still brings some dazzling new - or improved - features thanks to Apple Intelligence.

Real-time, text, and audio translations are now a reality in Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls. Initially, only English, Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese will be supported for speech, with more languages coming later for text. Visual Intelligence comes with new features like utilizing ChatGPT to help identify stuff on the screen, searching for similar images with Google, and adding events to your calendar with location, date, and time.

There's also an extended AI emphasis on enhancing conversations with Gemini Mojis and images crafted using Image Playground, as well as through improved Shortcuts. If you're into automation, you can now let the AI automatically identify and summarize tracking details from emails sent by retailers and suppliers.

Calling Modifications

The Phone app welcomes a fresh layout, combining favorites, call history, and voicemails in one place. It can now automatically answer calls from unknown numbers, giving you the option to gather more information about the caller before deciding to accept or reject the call. The hold assistant is also on-hand: while you're on hold during a call, it takes over and signals when there's a human on the other end of the line.

John Doe says: "Strangers are either excited or already annoyed: You can now create anonymous contacts in your phonebook under iOS 26." New contacts appear in a designated folder where you can decide whether to accept or reject their call based on a brief profile the AI compiles.

Messaging Makeover

In addition to the anonymous contacts feature, there's now an option to filter out messages from unknown senders, with these messages appearing in a special folder that allows you to mark the number as known, ask for more information, or delete it. The messages remain silenced until you accept the number. Some people can’t get enough: You can now create up to 26 polls in messages under iOS 26. If you hit a creative wall, Apple Intelligence is your saving grace, suggesting ideas at the right time. Those who love aesthetic flourishes can add individual backgrounds crafted in Image Playground to conversations. In group chats, you can now see a typing indicator and request, send, and receive Apple Cash.

CarPlay Changes

CarPlay is getting a facelift, too. A compact view for incoming calls helps you see who's calling without missing important information like directions, while easier message management lets you react to messages with emojis and other symbols. In addition, you'll get pinned conversations, widgets, and real-time updates about everything from sports scores to delivery statuses.

What else?

"Lyrics Pronunciation" is now a reality, with the AI translating song lyrics real-time, providing a hilarious and possibly chaotic touch to Apple Music sessions.

A New Day for Economy

Apple's making some design changes as well, introducing long-requested features like live activities in Wallet, a Game Center app, and studio-quality audio recordings for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 (ANC).

Parents will breathe a sigh of relief with the update's additional parental control options, including allowing contact requests, blurring sensitive content in FaceTime calls and photos in shared albums, and allowing children to install apps with age-restricted content that has already been restricted.

The Safari browser will also gain improved protection against "fingerprinting," a technique used to track users online based on specific device or browser data.

Among the accessibility features, there's now a redesigned interface for Braille displays—devices that help blind and visually impaired people read content in Braille. Users can now, for example, easily take notes or perform calculations with the iPhone.

  • iOS
  • iPhone
  • Apple
  • WWDC
  • Operating Systems

Enrichment Data:

Overall:iOS 26 introduces several key new features beyond its revised user interface design, including:

  • Live Translation:
  • Functionality: This feature allows real-time translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps. It can translate text messages as users type them, providing instant delivery in the recipient's preferred language. For audio and video calls, it offers live captions and spoken translations without sending data to the cloud[1][3][4].
  • Integration: Live translation is part of Apple's system-wide framework, Apple Intelligence, utilizing on-device foundation models for speed and security[1][2].
  • Intelligent Voicemail System:
  • Functionality: The Phone app now includes an AI-powered voicemail system, featuring voicemail summaries on the main screen. This integrates Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails into a unified layout[5].
  • Spam Fighting: The Phone app also receives spam-fighting capabilities, enhancing user experience by filtering out unwanted calls[5].
  • Messages App Enhancements:
  • Polls and Customizable Backgrounds: Users can now create polls and customize conversation backgrounds in Messages[5].
  • Text Indicators: Group chats will display typing indicators, allowing users to see who is actively typing[5].
  • CarPlay Updates:
  • Design Overhaul: CarPlay receives a design update with the Liquid Glass theme, including light and dark modes. This update also includes features like Live Activities and easier message management[5].
  • Improved Security and Filtering:
  • Apple Intelligence-powered Screening: Incoming text messages are screened, with spam and unknown senders filtered into a separate tab[5].
  • In the realm of technology, Apple's new iOS 26 not only boasts an updated interface but also introduces the use of smartphones and gadgets in daily life with its advanced AI-powered features.
  • Apart from the visually appealing "Liquid Glass" shared design across Apple's operating systems, iOS 26 promises practical AI enhancements such as real-time text translation, an intelligent voicemail system, and improved Messages app functionality like polls and customizable backgrounds.

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