Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET
Apple finally launched the iOS 26 public beta, and with that comes a slew of new AI features you can try out today -- and their usefulness may surprise you.
While the new features may not be as flashy as the promised Siri 2.0 update, which has yet to be released, many address issues Apple users have long had with their devices or in their everyday workflows, while others are downright fun. For example, don't you like waiting for customer service calls? Want your song transitions in Apple Music to sound better? Are you envious of Android's Circle to Search? The new features address all of these points.
Also: Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 public betas are here: How to access and why you'll want to
I gathered the AI features announced and ranked them according to what I'm 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 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, which is useful for tasks such as solving a puzzle. You can also tap on "Search" to look on the web.
Also: My new favorite iOS 26 feature is a supercharged version of Google Lens - and it's easy to use
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