Apple previews iOS 26 with ‘beautiful new design, intelligent experiences’

Apple (AAPL) previewed iOS 26, which the company calls “a major update that brings a beautiful new design, intelligent experiences, and improvements to the apps users rely on every day.” Apple added: “The new design provides a more expressive and delightful experience across the system while maintaining the instant familiarity of iOS. Integrated throughout the system and built with privacy from the ground up, Apple Intelligence gets even more capable. Updates to the Phone and Messages apps help users stay connected while eliminating distractions like unwanted calls. iOS 26 also introduces new features in CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet, as well as Apple Games, a brand-new app that gives players a single destination for all their games.” Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said: “iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful. 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. And with powerful new Apple Intelligence capabilities integrated across the system, users can get things done easier than ever.” All of these features are available for testing starting today through the Apple Developer Program and a public beta will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program next month, while new software features will be available this fall as a free software update for iPhone 11 and later, Apple stated.