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Google rolls back Pixel’s controversial At a Glance change in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3

Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google has restored colorful weather icons to Pixel’s At a Glance widget in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3. The earlier all-white icon design faced criticism for reducing readability. The update also includes larger weather text and various other Pixel improvements. Google is walking back a recent design change in the Pixel Launcher’s At a Glance widget. With the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 update, colorful weather icons are returning after the company briefly switche

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 is here to install with Google’s latest bug fixes

Google just changed the way we’re going to be looking at new Android features with the introduction of its public Canary program, and while that’s going have a major impact on how Android 17 reveals itself to us, the company’s existing Beta programs are rolling right on like always. This summer we’ve already seen lots of progress towards what we’ll be getting from the next Pixel Drop in the form of Google’s Android 16 QPR1 releases, first with Beta 1 in May, and then Beta 2 in early June. Now it

Rumor Replay: All the latest on iPhone 17 Pro and iOS 26

This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: all the latest rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup and iOS 26. iPhone 17 Pro colors might include orange, have Liquid Glass effect Source: Majin Bu The floodgates opened this week on iPhone 17 Pro color rumors. It started with Sonny Dickson sharing camera protector images that included five colors: Black Dark Blue Gray Orange Silver Macwor

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Here are the new features for Pixels in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Google has released the third and final beta for Android 16’s first quarterly platform release (QPR1). Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 is available without a detailed changelog, which is typical for these releases. We’ve already started digging into the build to find out what’s new, though, and here’s what we’ve discovered so far. Note: At the time of this article’s publication, Google has only released the Generic System Images (GSIs) for Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3. The

Google brings yet another change to Gboard’s emoji picker

Tushar Mehta / Android Authority TL;DR Gboard is getting a subtly redesigned emoji picker interface. With this refresh, Google reverts the recent design change in beta that introduced broader buttons. This time, the update is rolling out in the stable channel, which means it will be available to a broader range of users. Google is constantly testing new UI tweaks or behavioral changes in its apps. Some of these changes don’t stick, especially when they are limited to beta versions of the app

Before iOS 26, Apple Will Release at Least One More iOS 18 Update Soon

Before Apple releases iOS 26 this fall, the company will likely release iOS 18.6 in the next few weeks. The company released the third public beta of the software on July 15, but it didn't change much on the iPhones of developers and beta testers. While iOS 26 will bring a major redesign to iPhones, the latest beta is filled with bug and security fixes, so developers and beta testers shouldn't expect new features. Apple/Screenshot by CNET Since this is a beta, I recommend downloading it on som

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Google Messages is splitting Gallery and Camera into separate options

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Google Messages is separating Gallery and Camera in the latest beta. Both options now have their own dedicated buttons. Tapping on Camera still brings up the camera with the gallery below. Google is making a change to the Messages app in the latest beta. The change should make accessing your gallery or camera a little more intuitive. When you go into Google Messages and tap on the plus icon in the text field, you’ll see a group of options like GIFs,

iOS 18.6 beta 3 and more available now, here’s what to expect [U: Public]

Apple has just released a batch of new betas for the current iOS 18 software cycle: iOS 18.6 and more have received beta 3 updates. Update 7/15/25: One day later, Apple has released public betas in addition to the developer versions. Latest iOS 18.6 beta and more rolling out now This fall, Apple will release major new versions of its various software platforms. iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and more will release this fall packed with new features, a Liquid Glass redesign, and more. But th

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iOS 26 public beta rumored to launch next week

iOS 26 has been in beta testing with developers for over a month, and there’s still been no public beta release yet. Apple has only confirmed a July launch, but according to Mark Gurman, there’s a specific day next week being targeted. Apple reportedly targeting July 23 for iOS 26 public beta Historically, Apple tends to launch its summer public betas about a week after beta 3 debuts. But iOS 26 beta 3 arrived last Monday, July 7 and we’re now over a week later with no public beta. According

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iOS 18.6 beta 3 and more available now, here’s what to expect

Apple has just released a batch of new betas for the current iOS 18 software cycle: iOS 18.6 and more have received beta 3 updates. Latest iOS 18.6 beta and more rolling out now This fall, Apple will release major new versions of its various software platforms. iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and more will release this fall packed with new features, a Liquid Glass redesign, and more. But the next update for your iPhone is coming even sooner. Apple is currently beta testing not only its majo

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Android’s lock screen widgets are getting a slick new background blur effect

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR A future Android update will give the lock screen widget page a blurred wallpaper background, aligning it with the Material 3 Expressive design language. This visual change, which replaces the current opaque colored background, was spotted in the new Android Canary build, making the UI more consistent. Although lock screen widgets are currently exclusive to tablets, Google has confirmed they will be coming to phones in the Android 16 QPR1 release. Mat

This new Android Canary feature will let you stop HDR photos from blinding you at night

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR HDR content can really stand out on a screen of SDR images, especially in low-light environments . In order to limit distractions like that Google’s been working on an new set of “Enhanced HDR brightness” options. After first spotting them in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, they’re now usable in the new Android Canary release. Google just opened the door on a brave new world of Android development, extending its existing program of Developer Previews and Beta

Apple just released new AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 beta firmware

Apple’s beta software cycle has had a busy week, with updates like iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 hitting first, then tvOS 26 beta 3 landing a day later. Now today, Apple has released new AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 beta firmware. Here’s what you should know. Latest AirPods firmware includes support for new iOS 26 features This summer, Apple has made AirPods beta firmware easier than ever to install. And it seems like coordinated with that change is a shift to more frequent beta releases. Historically

tvOS 26 beta 3 available now for Apple TV 4K users

tvOS 26 beta 3 is now available for developers, debuting one day after Apple has released a variety of new beta software for its other platforms. Later this year, Apple is expected to ship its first new Apple TV 4K hardware in three years. tvOS 26 includes some key changes that hint at that new hardware getting a built-in camera. But whether you buy a new Apple TV box this year or not, tvOS 26 will still offer a variety of upgrades for you. New features include: Liquid Glass redesign overh

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Following hiccup, macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta 3 is now available for Apple Silicon Macs

Earlier today, Apple released its new set of developer betas, but a distribution issue affected the Apple Silicon version of macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta 3. Now, the issue seems to have been resolved, and the update is now available for all compatible Macs. What happened? Users on X claimed that the hiccup involved Rosetta 26 beta 3, a required component for running Intel apps on Apple Silicon. Apple didn’t confirm the issue, but whatever the problem might have been, it seems to have been sol

Liquid Glass in iOS 26 beta 3 less dramatic as Apple optimizes redesign for usability

Sorry or you’re welcome? Apple’s new Liquid Glass visual element is getting any icy design change in some places before it reaches customers. iOS 26 developer beta 3, which will likely be iOS 26 public beta 1 later this month, reduces the transparency effect in a number of places like navigation bars in certain apps. In the example above, the top shows beta 2 while the bottom shows the current look in beta 3. Here are just a few more examples of iOS 26 beta 2 and iOS 26 beta 3 visual changes:

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macOS 26 beta 3 features a new ‘Tahoe Day’ aerial screen saver, get it here

Alongside today’s bug fixes and under-the-hood improvements, macOS 26 beta 3 introduces a new “Tahoe Day” aerial screen saver and wallpaper. Here’s what it looks like. New ‘Tahoe Day’ option among Landscape wallpaper selection Much like on tvOS, Apple recently introduced native video screen savers on macOS that transition smoothly into the wallpaper upon unlocking. With today’s beta seed, Apple included a new “Tahoe Day” screen saver that glides across the surface of Lake Tahoe’s rocky shorel

iOS 26 beta 3 dials back Liquid Glass

The iPhone’s new glassy look has been toned down with Monday’s release of the third developer beta of iOS 26. This follows user complaints that the update made parts of the user interface more difficult to read. At WWDC 2025 in June, the tech giant introduced its new design language, known as Liquid Glass, which is inspired by the optical qualities of glass in the real world, including how it refracts light and its translucent nature. But the early version in the first developer beta of iOS 26

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Everything new in iOS 26 beta 3

iOS 26 beta 3 is out now for iPhones on the developer beta. Below we’re collecting all of the iOS 26 beta 3 changes compared to the previous version. iOS 26 beta 3 changes First up, the iOS 26 stock wallpaper now comes in more color choices. Four styles include Shadow, Sky (previous default), Halo, and Dusk. That left align app icon behavior on the iPhone dock is also fixed. Centered when using fewer than four icons is the restored behavior. Now for a Liquid Glass comparison between beta 2 a

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Liquid Glass in iOS 26 beta 3 is much less dramatic as Apple optimizes redesign for usability

Sorry or you’re welcome? Apple’s new Liquid Glass visual element is getting any icy design change in some places before it reaches customers. iOS 26 developer beta 3, which will likely be iOS 26 public beta 1 later this month, reduces the transparency effect in a number of places like navigation bars in certain apps. In the example above, the top shows beta 2 while the bottom shows the current look in beta 3. Here are just a few more examples of iOS 26 beta 2 and iOS 26 beta 3 visual changes:

Topics: 26 apple beta change ios

iPadOS 26 beta 3 now available ahead of public beta launch

Apple has just released iPadOS 26 beta 3 for developers. Today’s release brings the latest changes to the iPad’s big new OS update ahead of the expected public beta soon. iPadOS 26 beta 3 has greater potential for changes following user feedback Liquid Glass is the big theme of Apple’s new OS versions launching this fall. Every update includes a fresh design that brings greater uniformity across platforms. But aside from that redesign, Apple clearly spent a lot of time preparing iPadOS 26’s m

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Apple releases iOS 26 beta 3 for iPhone

Four weeks have passed since Apple unveiled iOS 26 and the major software redesign coming for iPhone. Now it’s time to start testing the third developer beta preview and see how performance and polish have improved. iOS 26 also includes loads of new features and functionality in addition to the new Liquid Glass-inspired look and feel. iOS 26 developer beta 3 is here Apple summarizes the upcoming iPhone software update by saying that iOS 26 “delivers a stunning new design, powerful Apple Intell

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macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta 3 now available, here’s what to expect [U]

Update: It looks like Apple ran into a distribution issue affecting the Apple Silicon version of today’s macOS Tahoe beta. For now, the update appears to be available only to Intel Macs. Two weeks after releasing the second wave of developer betas, Apple has just dropped macOS Tahoe 26 beta 3, alongside updates to its other operating systems. The build number for today’s macOS Tahoe 26 beta 3 release is 25A5306g. As announced at WWDC25, macOS Tahoe 26 introduces the Liquid Glass UI overhaul

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Apple releases developer beta 3 for visionOS 26

Alongside the new macOS 26 developer beta 3, Apple has also pushed out the third developer beta of visionOS 26, and the rest of its operating systems. The build number for today’s visionOS 26 beta 3 release is 23M5290f. If you want to enroll in the developer beta program for Apple Vision Pro, here’s what you’ve got to do: Open the Settings app Choose “General” Choose “Software Update” Select “Beta Updates” Select “visionOS Developer Beta” What’s new? As announced on WWDC25, visionOS 26 brin

Apple releases watchOS 26 beta 3, here’s what to expect

Apple Watch users have new beta software to install. watchOS 26 beta 3 is now available for developers, here’s what to expect. watchOS 26 beta 3 now available with latest fixes and changes The next major Apple Watch update will be watchOS 26. Apple plans to widely release the new software this fall, but for now it’s available in developer beta. Beta testing offers Apple the opportunity to implement developer feedback and eliminate as many bugs as possible. Today’s beta 3 version of watchOS 2

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iOS 26 beta 3 adds new color options for default iPhone wallpaper

iOS 26 is launching to all users this fall, but during the summer Apple is continually refining the update through a beta process. Today, iOS 26 beta 3 arrived, and one change is an expanded array of color options for the new default wallpaper. New iOS 26 wallpaper now available in four colors Every year, iOS introduces a new default wallpaper for users. Often, that wallpaper includes several color variants. With iOS 26, previous betas only had a single blue version of the default wallpaper.

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Google’s At a Glance weather icons are getting a controversial minimalist makeover

Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Android 16 QPR1 beta users are noticing a change to the weather at a glance icon. The icon now appears flat and colorless. This change is happening in QPR1 beta only, not stable Android 16. If you’re an Android 16 QPR1 beta user and noticed that At a Glance looks a little different lately, you’re not alone. Google has rolled out an update to the weather icons that appears to have users divided. At a Glance, which appears at the top of the Pixel Launcher,

Leaks hint at Operator-like tool in ChatGPT ahead of GPT-5 launch

A few new code references in the ChatGPT web app and Android point to an Operator-like tool in GPT's chain of thoughts. As spotted by Tibor on X, the Android beta has strings like “click,” “drag,” “type,” and even “terminal feed,” which seem to suggest that ChatGPT could soon call a remote browser or sandboxed environment (Operator?). For those unaware, OpenAI already has Operator, which uses an AI agent to navigate a remote browser session and execute tasks for you. These references suggest

iOS 18.6 beta 2 and more now available, here’s what to expect [U: Public]

Apple has just released iOS 18.6 beta 2 to developers, alongside companion updates like macOS Sequoia 15.6 and more. Here’s what to expect. Update 7/1/25: Public beta versions are now available one day later. Apple offering two beta cycles this summer, including iOS 18.6 It’s rare for Apple to offer multiple different beta cycles for its software, with the main exception being summertime. In the summer, Apple always tests its big new OS versions in developer and public betas. This year that’

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