Your iPhone, Apple Watch, and other Apple-owned devices are getting a big overhaul soon. The tech giant recently rolled out all of the newest apps and updates coming to its devices over the next few months.
Apple announced several new features coming to WatchOS 26 at its annual software conference, WWDC, on Monday in Cupertino. The features touch everything from Fitness to Messages, and include a major design update across Apple's platforms for a more unified look and naming mechanisms that reflect the year the software debuts.
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The highly anticipated event had spectators curious about the tech giant's future in AI after several hiccups and detours in its previously announced products, like Apple Intelligence and AI-infused Siri. In addition to WatchOS updates, Apple also introduced AI feature developments, like Live Translation and on-screen Visual Intelligence, iOS, like Hold Assist for phone calls and Polls for Messages, and more.
For those interested in trying out the beta software, WatchOS 26 is supported on the latest Apple Watches. Owners of these devices can download the OS, though it may have some bugs.
Here are the features we're most excited to try out on WatchOS 26.
1. Liquid Glass design update
Your Apple Watch interface, along with the rest of your Apple devices, is getting the Liquid Glass design treatment. Apple's "broadest design update ever" introduces a fluid and clear across-platform display overhaul inspired by VisionOS's visual interface.
Liquid Glass can reflect or refract whatever is behind or in front of it to create a transparent, glassy look.
Also: The 10 Apple Watch features that convinced me to switch to the wearable full-time
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