Information Technology

When will iPadOS 26 be released?Apple released the developer beta of iPadOS 26 for registered developers during WWDC in June. The public beta is available now, giving anyone early access to test it. The final general release is slated for this fall, most likely in September.Also: Apple just gave me a compelling reason to ditch my MacBook for an iPad. Here’s whyHow do I install the iPadOS 26 developer beta?You can navigate to your settings to install the iPadOS 26 developer beta if your device runs iPadOS 16.4 and is used with an Apple ID enrolled in the Apple Developer Program:Go to your iPad Settings.Tap General.Select Software Update.Go to Beta Updates.Choose the iPadOS 26 Developer Beta.If you can’t see this option, go to Settings, select Privacy & Security, and enable Developer Mode. Which iPads are compatible with iPadOS 26? You’ll need an iPad with iPadOS 16.4 or later, which means one of these models: iPad Pro (M4)iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later)iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)iPad Air (M3)iPad Air (M2)iPad Air (3rd generation and later)iPad (A16)iPad (8th generation and later)iPad Mini (A17 Pro)iPad Mini (5th generation and later)Also: Every iPad model that supports iPadOS 26 (and which ones won’t be compatible) What to do before installing the iPadOS 26 developer beta? You can always join the Apple Beta program to get the latest beta versions of iPadOS. Before you download a beta version of an operating system, keep these housekeeping items in mind: Back up your device and personal information.Don’t download beta software, which will likely have bugs and glitches, on your everyday iPad.Beta versions are released so you can test new features and share feedback to improve iPadOS.How to submit beta feedback to AppleBy the time the public beta is released, Apple will have two beta versions of iPadOS: iPadOS 26 public beta and iPadOS 26 developer beta. Both come with a built-in Feedback Assistant app, which can be opened from the Home screen on your iPad. When you experience an issue or something does not work as expected, send your feedback directly to Apple with Feedback Assistant.Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More

Bloomberg / Contributor/Getty Software development company GitHub’s AI-powered app-building platform Spark is now available for public preview to Copilot+ Pro subscribers, the company said Wednesday. First unveiled at GitHub’s annual Universe conference in October, Spark allows users to design and launch “micro apps,” or “sparks,” through natural language prompts. For example, a developer might instruct the system […] More

When will iOS 26 be released?The iOS 26 public beta is available now. The developer beta was released during WWDC in June 2025. If Apple follows its usual cadence, the final, general release of iOS 26 should arrive in September 2025.How to download the iOS 26 developer beta?To download the iOS 26 developer beta version, navigate to your settings to install the iOS 26 developer beta if your device runs iOS 16.5 and is used with an Apple ID enrolled in the Apple Developer Program:Go to your iPhone SettingsTap on GeneralSelect Software UpdateGo to Beta UpdatesChoose the iOS 26 Developer BetaIf you can’t see this option, go to your Settings, select Privacy & Security, and enable Developer Mode.If you aren’t already a member of the Apple Developer Program, you can sign up to become one in the app. An annual membership costs $99, but you don’t need one to try the developer beta.Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 26?Apple removed the iPhone XR and XS from its list of supported devices with iOS 26, so any iPhone 11 or newer is compatible with the new operating system, including the iPhone SE. Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to iOS 26 (and which ones don’t support it) What to do before installing the iOS 26 public beta? You can always join the Apple Beta program to get the latest beta versions of iOS. Before you download a beta version of an operating system, keep these housekeeping items in mind: Back up your device and personal information.Don’t download beta software, which will likely have bugs and glitches, on your everyday iPhone.Beta versions are released so you can test new features and share feedback to improve iOS.How to submit beta feedback to AppleThe iOS 26 public beta comes with its own built-in Feedback Assistant app, which you can open from the Home screen. If you encounter something that doesn’t work, or you have feedback on any part of the new OS, you can communicate directly with Apple via that app.   Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More

How does the MacOS 26 public beta differ from the final release?When Apple releases the beta to the public, it’s a sign that it believes the operating system to be stable enough to try out. But there are certainly still bugs, and the software may not be fully optimized. This means it could be a little slower and unpolished than the final version this fall. Which Macs are compatible with MacOS 26?You’ll need a Mac with Apple Silicon (not Intel) running MacOS 15, which is generally from after 2020. Here’s the complete list of compatible models: MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)iMac (2020 and later)Mac mini (2020 and later)Mac Studio (2022 and later)Mac Pro (2019 and later)My Mac isn’t on that list, but I’m running Sequoia. Is it compatible?Unfortunately, some Macs from 2020 or before that are compatible with Sequoia won’t work with MacOS 26. The following models fall into that category: MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)iMac Pro (2017)Mac mini (2018)When will MacOS 26 release?The final general release will launch in September 2025.What should I do before installing the MacOS 26 beta?Before you download a beta version of an operating system, keep these housekeeping items in mind:Also: MacOS 26 envy? 4 best features that Windows PC users can already useBack up your device and personal information.Don’t download beta software, which will likely have bugs and glitches, on your everyday Mac. Beta versions are released so you can test new features and share feedback to improve MacOS.How to submit feedback to AppleThe MacOS public beta comes with its own built-in Feedback Assistant app, which you can open from the dock. If you encounter something that doesn’t work, or you have feedback on any part of the OS, you can communicate directly with Apple via that app. Also: Your Mac is about to get a huge Spotlight upgrade – finallyEditor’s note: This article was originally published in June 2025. It was fact-checked and thoroughly updated on July 8, 2025.Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More

Jian Fan/Getty Images Wireless charging is about to get a lot faster. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), an open standards development group of more than 300 members who work together to ensure compatibility between wireless chargers and power sources, announced a new, faster standard for wireless charging today: Qi2 25W. Also: The best wireless chargers: Expert […] More

What is cache?Cache — or browser cache — is the temporary storage of website files. So, things like images, scripts, and cookies that your browser saves on your phone to make pages load faster the next time you visit. Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to iOS 26 (and which ones don’t support it)Over time, though, those files can add up, taking a large bite out of your device storage and slowing things down. That’s why it’s smart to clear your browser cache regularly. In this article, I focused on clearing Safari and Chrome’s cache on an iPhone, but keep in mind that apps and even your phone’s processor have their own caches, too.How to clear your app cache on iPhoneYou can clear an app’s cache by deleting and reinstalling it — or, when available, using an in-app “Clear Cache” option. Since iOS doesn’t offer a universal cache-clearing tool, each app handles it differently. TikTok and CapCut include a built-in cache-clear button, Amazon lets you erase your browsing history, and Reddit offers a way to wipe local history. It depends on an app’s features.Is ‘clear cache’ the same as offloading? Not quite. Offloading an app via your iPhone’s settings can boost performance when your storage is tight by uninstalling the app and keeping its documents and data intact. Just go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, tap the app you want, and choose Offload App. This removes the app and its cache but leaves your data in place, so when you reinstall it, you’ll pick up right where you left off.Are cookies and cache the same thing?Cache and cookies are not the same. Cache stores copies of images, scripts, and other page elements so sites load faster on your next visit, while cookies are small data files that remember specific information about you — like login credentials, site preferences, or items in your shopping cart. Also: Cookie pop-ups don’t have to be a fact of life online – how I block them and whyClearing your cache removes those saved page files but won’t log you out of sites, whereas deleting cookies will wipe your saved logins and settings, forcing you to sign in again and reset any preferences.Can you block cookies on an iPhone?You can block cookies in Safari. Turning them off stops sites from tracking you, but it can also break some websites or limit features. So, you’ll need to weigh privacy against usability. If you’d like to block cookies in Safari, follow these steps:Go to Settings and select Safari.Tap on the toggle next to Block All Cookies.There are also third-party extensions — such as Ghostery More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETGood news: You don’t have to put up with an old phone just because you don’t want to pay up-front for a new device, or deal with a monthly fee. Right now, T-Mobile is offering a free iPhone 16 Pro More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Twelve South’s PlugBug is a wall charger optimized for iOS, offering native Find My support. It’s especially convenient for frequent flyers who are prone to misplacing their vital charging cables. The device is pricey but worth it for its bulk, versatility, and convenience. –> The PlugBug Travel 120W<!–> is currently on […] More