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iOS 26 public beta now available with new design and more

The iOS 26 public beta is now available, the next major update for iPhone software. iOS 26 brings an all-new Liquid Glass design, updates to your favorite iPhone apps and features, and much more. Yes, iOS 26 If you haven’t been paying attention, you might be a little confused when you see “iOS 26” pop up on your iPhone. After all, the last major software update for iPhone was iOS 18. What happened to the other numbers? Well, the gist is that Apple is unifying all of its software platforms with

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tvOS 26 public beta is now available, here’s all the new features for Apple TV

The Apple TV 4K set-top box is getting a handful of new features with tvOS 26. tvOS 26 is available now as a public beta, and will be available as a free software update later this year for everyone to install. tvOS 26 includes updates to Apple Music Sing, easier profile switching, better support for AirPlay speakers that are not HomePods, and a visual design refresh featuring Liquid Glass material. Here’s everything new … tvOS 26 is available for all Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models, althou

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Apple launches AirPods firmware public beta for iOS 26, here’s what’s new

Apple has launched its first ever public beta for AirPods firmware, bringing forthcoming iOS 26 features to AirPods users ahead of their fall launch. Here’s everything new. Apple debuts first ever public beta for AirPods firmware AirPods beta firmware has historically been difficult to install. That changed this summer, when the developer beta became easier to get than ever. And now, for the first time, Apple has launched an AirPods firmware public beta too. You can visit beta.apple.com to e

HomePod 26 public beta launches with these new features

Apple has launched public betas for iOS 26 and its companion updates, including a HomePod software 26 public beta. Here’s what you should know about the release. New HomePod beta introduces at least two new features Today Apple launched its long-awaited public beta program for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and more. There’s even a public beta available for HomePod and HomePod mini. The new HomePod software 26 is rolling out now, and you can sign up for access on beta.apple.com. HomePod 26

There's finally a trailer for Battlefield 6, but no multiplayer details just yet

We knew it was coming and now it's here. EA has officially dropped a trailer for the long-rumored Battlefield 6. The footage is heavy on story, but light on gameplay. As for that story, there's a global war raging with a private military contractor, prompting an explosion-laden presidential address. The trailer certainly suggests that the newest entry in the franchise will have plenty of cinematic set-pieces. EA has confirmed that Battlefield 6 will have both multiplayer and a single player ca

Apple's iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26 and watchOS 26 public betas are ready to download

You can now take Apple's 2026 software for a spin. The first public betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26 and tvOS 26 are now available, and we have directions on updating your devices if you're feeling brave. The two most obvious changes serve to unify Apple's platforms. First, we have Apple's biggest cosmetic overhaul to date. Liquid Glass is the company's name for the shiny, translucent redesign that will be heading to its software this fall. The other significant change is in th

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How to install the iOS 26 public beta

This guide will also show you how to access the iPadOS 26 and (if you’re brave enough) watchOS 26 betas. The latest version of iOS will arrive officially this fall, but you don’t need to wait to start testing the software on your iPhone, thanks to Apple’s public beta rollout. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up the iOS 26 beta, along with the respective betas for iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26, which Apple also revealed in its WWDC 2025 keynote. Before we get started:, no, you haven’

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macOS 26 preview: Spotlight's time to shine

I've learned not to expect much from macOS updates — not through sheer cynicism, but from the obvious reality that Apple pays far more attention to iOS and iPadOS than its desktop platform. I get it. macOS is a thing of the past, while smartphones and tablets are Apple's profitable present and future. But still, I think Mac users deserve more than just widgets, or the ability to merely mirror their iPhones (a feature that's not only genuinely useful, but also cements how crucial iPhones are to A

iOS 26 preview: Liquid Glass is more than just a visual refresh

At WWDC 2025, Apple revealed a major visual shake-up for iOS (not to mention the rest of the company’s operating systems). This is the biggest change, aesthetically, since the shift away from the stitching, textures and skeuomorphic design of the iOS 4. It also comes with significantly fewer AI and Siri updates this time around. However, it’s the smaller touches that make iOS 26 seem like a notable improvement over its predecessor. I’ve been running the iOS 26 developer beta for the last two we

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iPadOS 26 preview: A long-awaited multi-tasking update pays off (so far)

I’m not going to beat around the bush: iPadOS 26 and its new multitasking features are a game-changer for Apple’s tablets. Pretty much ever since Steve Jobs introduced the iPad 15 years ago (!), Apple has tried to straddle two worlds. In one, the iPad is a super-simple, easy-to-use tablet with a gorgeous display and tons of good apps from the App Store for gaming, entertainment and light work. The other world is one where the iPad replaces your traditional computer, letting people do the serious

Microsoft: SharePoint flaws exploited in Warlock ransomware attacks

A China-based hacking group is deploying Warlock ransomware on Microsoft SharePoint servers vulnerable to widespread attacks targeting the recently patched ToolShell zero-day exploit chain. Non-profit security organization Shadowserver is currently tracking over 420 SharePoint servers that are exposed online and remain vulnerable to these ongoing attacks. "Although Microsoft has observed this threat actor deploying Warlock and Lockbit ransomware in the past, Microsoft is currently unable to co

I switched to a $280 Chromebook from my Windows laptop for a week - and didn't regret it

Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 ZDNET's key takeaways The Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 is available now for $279 at Best Buy. It's a versatile and highly-portable device that's as useful at home as in the office. Some of the most buzzworthy features are tied to subscriptions, and the keyboard and trackpad are very small. $279 at Best Buy $379 at Lenovo more buying choices The ninth-generation Lenovo Chromebook Duet is an 11-inch 2-in-1 laptop/tablet that combines a nice display, a versatile form

EcoFlow's new portable battery stations are lighter and more powerful (DC plug included)

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or

7 ways Linux can save you money

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Over the past few decades, I've watched many people spend huge amounts of money keeping their computers running or up to speed with modern technology. I've seen friends take their computers to support specialists to rid them of malware (spending more money than they'd prefer) and, lately, been privy to countless users faced with buying new machines to replace those running Windows 10. Also: The best Linux laptops Every time I see or hear of such things, the first

My favorite Kindle tablet just got a kids model, and it makes so much sense

Amazon My older kids each have a Kindle they use to read each night before bed. Thanks to strong parental controls and an easy user interface, it's the perfect e-reader for young readers. Now, Amazon is adding color to the Kindle Kids lineup with a new Kindle Colorsoft created exclusively for children. The first-ever color Kindle for kids is a 16GB Kindle Colorsoft built to provide young readers a more enriching experience. The device brings a color E Ink display to the Amazon Kids+ and Kindle

WatchOS 26 public beta is out right now - 8 new Apple Watch features you can try

Jason Hiner/ZDNET Your iPhone, Apple Watch, and other Apple-owned devices are getting a big overhaul. The best part? You won't have to pay a dime for them -- all you have to do is update your software. Several new features are coming to WatchOS 26, and the public beta software is now available for interested users to try. Just remember: before updating to the public beta, it's encouraged to backup your device. Reddit users in the r/Apple Watch subreddit are already getting into the latest upda

You can turn your Google Photos into video clips now - here's how

Google / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Have you ever wished you could bring your favorite pictures to life? New AI-powered features in Google Photos will let you. Also: How to turn off Gemini in your Gmail, Docs, Photos, and more - it's easy to opt out Six-second clips Earlier today, Google announced several new creative tools to "help bring your memories to life" -- including one that lets you take any picture saved in your gallery and turn it into a short video. You can choose to add "subtl

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 public betas are here: How to access and why you'll want to

Apple / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Apple held its Worldwide Developers Conference a month ago, during which it previewed the latest operating system upgrades across all of its devices, including iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, TVOS, WatchOS, and more. These updates give Apple users, regardless of whether they have the latest hardware, the opportunity to have a device refresh -- and this year, perhaps more than ever. During the event, Apple launched Liquid Glass, a new look for all of its devices that em

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Brave browser will block Microsoft Recall from tracking your online activity

ZDNET Microsoft has been touting its Recall feature to certain Windows users, but the screen snooper is already persona non grata with one popular browser. Starting with version 1.81, Brave for Windows will block Recall from automatically taking screenshots of your browsing activity, according to an article posted on Brave's website. "Given Brave's focus on privacy-maximizing defaults and what is at stake here (your entire browsing history), we have proactively disabled Recall for all Brave ta

WatchOS 26 is live: Every Apple Watch that will get the new software update

The public beta for the Apple Watch's latest software just arrived. Apple launched the public beta for iOS 26, WatchOS 26, and more, on Thursday. The software updates don'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 OS The new features subtly infuse AI into regularly used apps and functionalities, improve peskier features, like the Call Screener, which monitors u

I finally found a wall charger than can replace my AirTag when I travel - and it works in 150 countries

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. $129.95 at Apple The PlugBug Travel 120W is currently on sale for $85 on Amazon, which is $35, or 29% off its original price of $120. On my first trip abroad, one of my main concerns was purchasing w

How to clear your iPhone cache (and why you should do it before installing iOS 26 public beta)

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 art

OpenAI prepares to launch GPT-5 in August

is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Earlier this year, I heard that Microsoft engineers were preparing server capacity for OpenAI’s next-generation GPT-5 model, arriving as soon as late May. After some additional testing and delays, sources familiar with OpenAI’s plans tell me that GPT-5 is now expected to launch as early as next month. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently revealed on X that “we are releasing GPT-5 so

Diet, not lack of exercise, drives obesity, a new study finds

You can't outrun a bad diet. Food — not lack of exercise — fuels obesity, study finds toggle caption PCH-Vector/iStockphoto via Getty Images Back in the 1800s, obesity was almost nonexistent in the United States. Over the last century, it's become common here and in other industrialized nations, though it remains rare among people who live more traditional lifestyles, such as the Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania. So what's changed? One common explanation is that as societies have developed,

Electric cars produce less brake dust pollution than combustion-engine cars

“It’s not just the tailpipe y’all,” joked one Electrek commenter, alluding to the black discolorations on alloy wheels visible proof of a less infamous city pollutant: brake dust. For decades, exhaust emissions have been the focus of city-air cleaning initiatives, but a new wave of research indicates that the real story goes far beyond the muffler. Image credit to rawpixel.com | License details A trailblazing study by EIT Urban Mobility, surveying the busy streets of London, Milan, and Barcelo

Two narratives about AI

I want to present you with two narratives about AI. Both of them are about using this technology to automate computer programming, but they point toward two very different conclusions. The first narrative notes that Large Language Models (LLMs) are exceptionally well-suited for coding because source code, at its core, is just very well-structured text, which is exactly what these models excel at generating. Because of this tight match between need and capability, the programming industry is ser

I wasted weeks hand optimizing assembly because I benchmarked on random data

Once upon a time I worked in the field of Java Optimizations. The target system was a distributed data processing platform that ran across hundreds of thousands of machines. At such scales, a 0.5% improvement would easily make up my salary going forward, and 2% was a good result for the half. That doesn’t mean it was easy. Never have I ever seen such a highly optimized Java codebase. Not before, not since. Every low hanging fruit had long since been picked clean. For example, there was minima

Major Quantum Computing Advance Made Obsolete by Teenager (2018)

A teenager from Texas has taken quantum computing down a notch. In a paper posted online earlier this month, 18-year-old Ewin Tang proved that ordinary computers can solve an important computing problem with performance potentially comparable to that of a quantum computer. In its most practical form, the “recommendation problem” relates to how services like Amazon and Netflix determine which products you might like to try. Computer scientists had considered it to be one of the best examples of

UK: Phone networks down: EE, BT, Three, Vodafone, O2 not working in mass outage

Your support helps us to tell the story Read more Support Now From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need

Google Neutralizes Its Rivals… For Now

For over two decades, “Google it” has been the default way to find answers online. Now that dominance is being tested by a new wave of AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and upstarts such as Perplexity, which deliver conversational answers instead of a list of links. These disruptors are being cast as a mortal threat to Google Search, long the undisputed king of the internet. But on Wednesday, Google CEO Sundar Pichai delivered a powerful counter-narrative, armed with staggering new data that sugge