Tech News
← Back to articles

7 AI features coming to iOS 26 that I can't wait to use (and how you can try them)

read original related products more articles

iOS 26 camera Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

Apple Worldwide Developers' Conference (WWDC) was a little over a month ago -- meaning the iOS 26 public beta should be released any day now.

Even though Apple has not yet launched the highly anticipated Siri upgrade -- the company said we will hear more about it in the coming year -- at WWDC, Apple unveiled a slew of AI features across its devices and operating systems, including iOS, MacOS, WatchOS, and iPadOS.

Also: Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 public betas will release any minute now: What to expect

While the features aren't the flashiest, many of them address issues that Apple users have long had with their devices or in their everyday workflows, while others are downright fun.

I gathered the AI features announced and ranked them according to what I am most excited to use and what people on the web have been buzzing about.

1. Visual Intelligence

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

Apple introduced Visual Intelligence last year with the launch of the iPhone 16. At the time, it allowed users to take photos of objects around them and then use the iPhone's AI capability to search for them and find more information. Last month, Apple upgraded the experience by adding Visual Intelligence to the iPhone screen.

To use it, you just have to take a screenshot. Visual Intelligence can use Apple Intelligence to grab the details from your screenshot and suggest actions, such as adding an event to your calendar. You can also use the "ask button" to ask ChatGPT for help with a particular image. This is useful for tasks in which ChatGPT could provide assistance, such as solving a puzzle. You can also tap on "Search" to look on the web.

... continue reading