Apple to release iOS 26 public beta in July

Apple announced significant updates at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), which began on June 9, 2025.

A major visual redesign across its platforms was one of the key announcements, marking the first overhaul since iOS 7.

The redesign introduces a “liquid glass” look with translucent widgets and a new “all-clear” mode for all Apple devices.

The upcoming version of iOS will be called iOS 26 instead of the anticipated iOS 19, aligning with the year of release.

Other operating systems, including iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, will adopt the same naming system.

The next macOS version will be named macOS Tahoe, following Apple’s tradition of California-themed names.

New features in iOS 26 include typing indicators for group chats and live translations for iMessage, FaceTime, and phone calls, even with non-iPhone users.

Developer betas are available now, with a public beta launching in July 2025.

🔗 Source: Engadget

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Apple’s design evolution follows a decade-long pattern of reinvention

The newly announced “liquid glass” translucent design represents Apple’s first major visual overhaul since iOS 7 introduced flat design in 2013, continuing a pattern of significant redesigns approximately once per decade.

This transition follows Apple’s historical design trajectory: from the colorful translucent iMac era of the late 1990s that helped revive the company, to the skeuomorphic designs of early iOS, and then to the minimalist flat design introduced with iOS 71.

The “liquid glass” aesthetic appears to combine elements from multiple eras of Apple design, incorporating transparency reminiscent of the original iMac while maintaining the clean lines of the flat design era. This demonstrates how Apple’s design language evolves while still respecting its heritage2.

Each major redesign has aligned with broader industry shifts. The move to flat design in 2013 paralleled similar changes at Microsoft and Google, as all three companies embraced minimalism and simplicity for better cross-device experiences1.

The comprehensive nature of this redesign, spanning iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and other platforms simultaneously, reflects Apple’s commitment to cohesive ecosystem design, a principle that dates back to their 1987 Human Interface Guidelines3.