Apple That photo you’re viewing on your iPhone lock screen looks a bit two-dimensional. If only you could add a splash of 3D to it — that’s just what you’ll be able to do with the release of Apple’s iOS 26. Also: What is Liquid Glass? Here’s everything we know about Apple’s major UI overhaul […] More
Apple/ZDNETWWDC, Apple’s annual software developer conference in Cupertino, brought iOS users several new feature announcements and a complete redesign, thanks to Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language that touches every device interface. The conference didn’t skimp on new WatchOS features, like an AI-powered fitness coach, Live Translation for Messages, and many more. Also: Everything announced at WWDC 2025: iOS 26, AI, MacOS, iPad OSThe new features subtly infuse AI into regularly used apps and functionalities, improve peskier features, like the Call Screener, which monitors unknown numbers for spam, or notification volume adjustments that take your ambient environment into account before sending a blaring Apple Watch ping. If you’re interested in trying out the new software ahead of its official rollout in the fall and want to test-run the beta today, you will have to own one of the compatible Apple Watches. Here are the Apple Watches that will get WatchOS 26. Also: Your Apple Watch is getting an upgrade. Here are the best features coming to Watch OS 26 WatchOS 26 requires iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE in tandem with one of the following Apple Watches. Certain Apple Intelligence-powered features, like Live Translation and Workout Buddy, require one of the following iPhone models: all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Max with Apple Intelligence enabled. Every Apple Watch model that supports WatchOS 26Apple Watch Series 6Apple Watch Series 7Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Series 10Apple Watch UltraApple Watch Ultra 2Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) More
Adam Breeden/ZDNETToday at WWDC, Apple announced a handful of changes to the iPad for the upcoming iPadOS 26, including making it feel a little bit more like a Mac with window control and tiling, the same Games app that’s also available for MacOS and the iPhone, and of course, more Apple Intelligence. Also: 4 best iPadOS 26 features revealed at WWDC – and which iPads will get themAll these new features won’t roll out onto your iPad until this fall, but if you’re keen on checking out the features iPadOS 26 has to offer now, you can download the beta version of the OS and take a peek at what’s in store. However, as with any beta, be aware that it can be full of bugs and not optimized for speed and efficiency. How to install the iPadOS 26 developer beta What you need: An iPad running iPadOS 16.4 or later with an Apple ID used in the Apple Developer Program. Since not all iPads are compatible with iPadOS 16.4, you’ll also need a model that’s on this list. Also: Your iPad will act more like a Mac now – here’s what that looks like More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Sabrent USB SSD 4-bay docking station is available now on Amazon for $80. This docking station makes adding external drives to your system a total plug-and-play affair. The case is plastic, so it feels a bit cheap but that doesn’t get in the way of performance. –> At Amazon, the […] More
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETRight now, Lenovo is slashing prices for many of its laptops. This includes the sixth-generation ThinkPad T14s, a great computer I tested in February. Sadly, my configuration is no longer available for sale (although the company is planning on restocking).Fortunately, there are other versions that I would highly recommend. One such model is the Snapdragon X Plus model of the ThinkPad T14s.Also: The best Lenovo laptops of 2025For a limited time, the ThinkPad T14s with the Snapdragon X Plus hardware More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETIt’s not far-fetched to call today’s WWDC Apple’s most important event of the year — it might even be its most important event this decade, with major implications for where the company stands in today’s AI space race.Off the back of developer conferences by Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic, the folks at Cupertino find themselves even further behind in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry — or at least it seems that way. Even my dad, who still rocks an iPhone 8 because he “can’t live without Touch ID,” understands that for Apple to leapfrog the competition, it must convince the public that it, too, can do AI. AI, the Apple way.Also: Apple’s secret sauce is exactly what AI is missingWhile the value of the company’s “Apple Intelligence” features has been rather disappointing, there’s one thing I don’t want to see during today’s keynote: extravagance. Cut out the lavish image and video generators, circle to searches, and the chatbots that impersonate celebrities. And please, don’t seclude any AI tools in separate hardware. Instead, give me features that blend so seamlessly with my daily apps and services that I almost forget they exist. More
SwitchBot SwitchBot just announced that its K20+ Pro household robot will be coming to market, available for preorder today. The SwitchBot K20+ Pro is a multitasking robot with modular flexibility through a FusionPlatform. The platform connects to the self-emptying robot vacuum and transports items around the house. It also has ports to connect cameras and other […] More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf the rumors are true, Apple is working on its biggest visual overhaul to its mobile operating system since iOS 7 — which famously ditched skeuomorphic features in favor of flat design. It reportedly plans to update the look of icons, menus and windows, system buttons, and even apps. But that’s not all: The company wants to extend this overhaul to all its devices. Also: How to watch Apple WWDC 2025 keynote : What to expect with iOS 26, Siri, AIAccording to Bloomberg, Apple aims to roll out a consistent appearance across its operating systems — from the iPhone to Vision Pro — and will use WWDC 2025 today to reveal this big update that’s currently called Solarium. What is Solarium? Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman first reported in March that iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and MacOS 16 will receive new designs, including more translucency for a glass-like appearance. Now, in May, he’s claiming the codename for this major redesign is known internally at Apple as Solarium. It’s meant to conjure thoughts of bright, glass-walled rooms full of sunlight. Also: 6 things I did immediately after installing iOS 18.5 on my iPhone – and why you should tooThis leaked codename is seen as evidence that the company is designing updated, modern interfaces. Gurman confirmed Solarium is expected to touch every corner of Apple’s software ecosystem — not just the iPhone — and it will be its biggest UI revamp in over a decade. There aren’t many details just yet, but the changes will “go well beyond a new design language and aesthetic tweaks.” How Solarium might change things More
