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ZDNETApple just announced a list of new features for MacOS 26 “Tahoe” today at WWDC, and we’re seeing some compelling visual UI design, more cross-device compatibility, and a more open Apple Intelligence. But not all of the features are brand new; in fact, a handful of them have already been available in Windows (some, for many years). Also: Your Apple Watch is getting a major upgrade. Here are the best features in WatchOS 26One thing Apple does well is deliver a clean, sleek UI, and the new “Liquid Glass” design theme looks undeniably good. But Windows geat Apple to these four features, even though they’re new to Mac. 1. Window tiling  More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETWWDC 2025 is in full swing, and although there’s plenty of news surrounding Apple’s software design overhaul, live translation services, and other features powered by Apple Intelligence, new CarPlay features caught my eye the most.Also: The best iOS 26 features that will make updating your iPhone worthwhileI plug my iPhone into my car every time I get into it, even if I don’t need Maps. I love the interface, and I like having quick access to vital apps like Phone, Messages, and, most importantly, Chick-fil-A.Apple’s new CarPlay design isn’t significant enough to call it a complete redesign, but the new features and look are meaningful enough to change how you interact with CarPlay. This year’s WWDC brought three new features I’m most excited about, and here’s why.1. Notification banners and message TapbacksWhen I use Maps and am driving on Atlanta’s hectic interstates, it always bothers me when an incoming call usurps my screen and hides my driving directions. Then, I have to briefly take my eyes off the road to click back to Maps.Now, phone calls pop up as banner notifications, allowing you to tap the accept button or press your steering wheel’s call button while keeping your Maps in frame. Also: Apple’s secret sauce is exactly what AI is missingIn CarPlay’s current form, you can only listen to Siri read you a text message and respond using your car’s voice control. The new update will change how Messages are displayed, mirroring the pinned conversations you have on your phone and allowing you to respond to messages via Tapback responses.Additionally, iOS 26 ushered in a new Phone feature named Hold Assist. If you’re on hold and your phone detects hold music, it will ask if you want your call spot held in line and notify you when it’s your turn to speak with someone. It’ll come in handy for people like me who call doctors’ offices and insurance companies in the car.2. More widgets More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETHow many irrelevant notifications are you receiving on a given day? Too many, probably. You can flick them away with this new Apple Watch feature that the tech giant debuted at its annual developer conference. Wrist Flick is the latest hand gesture that Apple Watch wearers can use to dismiss messages or notifications they aren’t ready to answer just yet. Debuting on WatchOS 26, the gesture, which is activated by turning the wrist, dismisses notifications, timers, alarms, incoming calls, and Siri, Apple said in its press release. Also: Your Apple Watch is getting a major upgrade. Here are the best features coming to Watch OS 26Wrist Flick builds on the Apple Watch’s Double Tap feature, used for accepting calls or responding to text messages. These hand gestures allow for a nearly hands-free experience, eliminating multiple taps or two-handed dismissals. They’re great for when you’ve got your hands full with groceries or are carrying a sleeping kid in your arms and don’t want the pings around your wrist waking them.As someone who constantly receives notifications from unused Slack channels or an endless barrage of group chat messages, I’m looking forward to using this feature to dismiss the constant pings easily.  Also: Every Apple Watch that will get Watch OS 26During Apple’s WWDC 2025 event on Monday, the company announced several software updates across its device lineup. One of the biggest developments is the Liquid Glass design overhaul coming to every iOS device. This design update creates a clearer and richer interface and turns the notifications, icons, and apps from opaque to clear to blend in with the device’s background display.  More

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. When will iOS 26 be released? Apple is releasing the iOS 26 developer beta during WWDC 2025, and the public beta version will likely be released in July. If past years are any indication, the general release of iOS 26 will take place in September. What to do before installing the iOS 26 developer 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 do I install the iOS 26 public beta version? You’ll need an iPhone running iOS 16.5 or later. Since not all iPhones are compatible with iOS 18, you’ll also need a model newer than the iPhone 11. Go to your iPhone’s Settings and select General.Go to Software Update in Settings.Enable Beta Updates. To enable Beta Updates, go to Beta Updates and select the iOS version you’d like to access. This setting is turned off by default on iPhones.Select iOS 26 Public Beta. Then you’ll begin receiving automatic software updates to the latest beta version of iOS 26. By the time the public beta is released, Apple will have two beta versions of iOS: iOS 26 public beta and iOS 26 developer beta. Once you do this, return to the previous page. If an update is available now, your iPhone will prompt you to download and install it.Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More

Apple Shortcuts app on MacOS 26 Apple At WWDC 2025, Apple showcased multiple new functionalities coming to its Shortcuts app. While most of these features were part of the MacOS 26 announcement, the Shortcuts app on iPhone will receive this update, too. The Shortcut app can use AI directly and enables developers to access Apple’s […] More

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