Apple has released the first public beta for its newest unified OS 26, allowing early adopters access to its new Liquid Glass user interface (UI) alongside other improved AI features across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac, with a wider public release later in the year.
Announced during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, the Liquid Glass UI redesign marks the most notable visual change since iOS 7, and features a transparent theme to elements such as buttons, screens or other in-app controls. This UI change will be integrated throughout the device, spanning key apps such as Safari, Camera and Music, to essential systems like the home screen, the lock screen and notifications.
Apart from Liquid Glass integration, the public beta will also include a further redesigned lock screen for iPhone and iPad, which will feature a 3D photo effect, updated app icons and a dynamic clock, all of which can be customisable to a user’s preferences.
The implementation of several AI features also marks a major improvement available in the public beta, introducing tools such as real-time live conversation translation, updated Visual Intelligence for image searches online, poll suggestions in the Messages app, and AI-powered shortcuts.
Other notable new features include a dedicated gaming app on iPhone, which will serve as the new games hub and home of Apple Arcade, a revamped, more intuitive windowing system for multitasking on the iPad, the Spotlight feature for Mac devices, which uses AI to anticipate searches and suggest actions based on user activity, Workout Buddy for Apple Watch that provides an AI-powered fitness assistant, and the ability to seamlessly switch user profiles on tvOS 26 devices. For more, check out our top 10 unified OS 26 features.
The public beta is now available via the Apple Beta Software Program across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, HomePod software, and AirPods.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
