Eliana Willis

The iOS 26 beta version differs slightly from the general release. Beta testers are given a release that has recently exited its alpha phase, so problems and bugs are expected to arise. The purpose of the beta phase is to gather user feedback to repair these bugs and address any user interface issues before the software is massively distributed.Beta versions can also be incomplete and are not the final product. This means the iOS 2 beta version is more prone to bugs, glitches, and instability.Also: Apple may rebrand to iOS 26 with the upcoming version – here’s why that’s a big dealThe general release will have ironed out most of these bugs and problems using the user feedback gathered during the beta phase, delivering software that isn’t as prone to issues. However, they can still happen.One example of this process in action is when Apple released the iOS 17 beta version in 2023. The early beta version featured the “End” button during a call that had moved from the center to the right, which was a big change for iPhone users. Disapproving feedback from beta testers resulted in Apple moving the “End” button back to the center of the screen, where users had been accustomed to. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Asus RT-BE86U router is currently on sale for $300. This supports Wi-Fi 7 delivering fast, wireless connections protected by multiple security features. However, getting the most out of the device requires Wi-Fi extenders which can be an expensive endeavor. more buying choices Wi-Fi 7 has been around since last January, […] More

M1 MacBook Pro, the first of many laptops with Apple’s own silicon. Jason Cipriani/ZDNETWWDC 2025 is a big day for Apple users since it’s when the tech giant previews future updates. This year, we saw the introduction of a robust UI redesign called Liquid Glass. But sometimes the most important news comes after the keynote presentation.Also: How to install MacOS 26 on your MacBook (and which models support it)During the Platforms State of the Union, Apple announced that MacOS 26 Tahoe will be the final version of the operating system that will roll out to Intel-based Mac computers. This means that starting in 2026, you must own an M1 or newer MacBook to receive all the improvements and new features that MacOS 27 will bring. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETApple just announced its latest update for MacOS 26, codenamed “Tahoe.” It’s full of new visual design elements like Apple’s Liquid Glass design theme, better integration with the iPhone, and a more robust Spotlight feature that’s better integrated with Shortcuts. The theme of all of Apple’s updates this year is streamlining both the visual UI and feature sets across Apple devices, while making more apps and features available on them, punctuated by Apple Intelligence. Also: Everything announced at Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote: Liquid Glass, MacOS Tahoe, and moreFollowing the same trajectory as the last few years, Apple’s announcement of MacOS 26 comes during WWDC, with a developer beta opening up now, and a public beta in July. The full release of MacOS 26 won’t be out until this fall, however. Let’s take a look at the biggest announcements Apple made for MacOS. The Phone app on Mac More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETApple just announced the latest updates coming to the iPad’s operating system — iPadOS 26 — during WWDC 2025. The new iPadOS 26 supports Apple’s goal of offering users a more seamless experience across devices, making its user interface more intuitive and consistent. Also: Everything announced at Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote: Liquid Glass, MacOS Tahoe, and moreAll of Apple’s operating systems across devices have a new version number of 26, which streamlines the different versions for consumers. Instead of each OS having a different version number, Apple is rebranding them all according to the year in which most users will have access to them. iPadOS 26 was announced today and launches to the public in September.Best iPadOS 26 features announced at WWDC 2025 More

The big story with iOS 26 and all the other operating system updates announced at WWDC this year is the new Liquid Glass appearance. Inspired by the physicality of VisionOS, app icons, settings, and other various user interface elements now have a translucent, glass-like design.Also: What is Liquid Glass? Here’s everything we know about Apple’s major UI overhaul at WWDC”Experiences are more expressive and personal, from the Lock Screen and Home Screen, to new capabilities across Phone and Messages that help users focus on the connections that matter most,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering.With the optical quality of glass and the fluidity that Apple hardware can achieve, the new software design reacts to how you tap, swipe (with some interfaces minimizing or expanding), and even hold your phone. The colors of Liquid Glass react to the various colors on your screen.To accommodate the design change, popular app icons like Messages, Phone, and Camera have received visual updates. More generally, toolbars and tabs have been redesigned into rounded menus instead of the usual drop-down lists. This promotes a less intrusive and distracting experience when navigating the software.Lastly, building on the foundation of iOS 18’s icon themes, Liquid Glass introduces a transparent icon finish. More

Apple/ZDNETIt’s Apple Watch obsessives’s favorite time of the year when the tech giant rolls out all of the newest apps and updates coming to its devices over the next few months. Apple announced several new features coming to WatchOS 26 at its annual software conference, WWDC, on Monday in Cupertino. The features touch everything from Fitness to Messages, and include a major design update across Apple’s platforms for a more unified look and naming mechanisms that reflect the year software debuts. Also: The best Apple Watch of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedThe highly anticipated event had spectators curious about the tech giant’s future in AI after several hiccups and detours in its previously announced products, like Apple Intelligence and AI-infused Siri. In addition to WatchOS updates, Apple also introduced AI feature developments, like Live Translation and on-screen Visual Intelligence, iOS, like Hold Assist for phone calls and Polls for Messages, and more. For those interested in trying out the beta software, WatchOS 26 is supported on the latest Apple Watches. Owners of these devices can download the OS, though it may have some bugs.Here are the features we’re most excited to try out on WatchOS 26.  More

Apple Last year, Apple announced a redesigned Photos app, touting it as “the biggest-ever redesign.” Over the past year, we’ve seen users complaining about the redesign and wanting to go back to iOS 17’s Photos app. Apple seems to have listened to all the feedback and fixed its Photos app with the new iOS 26 […] More