Whereas a lot of the buzz round subsequent week’s iOS 19 iOS 26 debut has been round a major design overhaul, we’ve got to know that Apple has extra in retailer for it than only a contemporary coat of paint.
iOS 26 is anticipated to see the largest modifications to its consumer interface design since iOS 7 when it deserted skeuomorphism in 2013 in favor of a a lot flatter design. If the stories we’ve seen are correct, Apple might be placing some depth again into its working techniques — not simply iOS, but additionally macOS and iPadOS — to resemble the appear and feel of its spatial computing headset, the Imaginative and prescient Professional.
That’s going to be thrilling sufficient, and it’s anticipated to be a spotlight of the WWDC25 keynote. Nevertheless, there’s no means that iOS 26 received’t additionally carry some new options to the desk.
We already know there received’t be loads of Apple Intelligence to speak about subsequent week, however that doesn’t imply there received’t be some options powered by synthetic intelligence. Apple continues to be working to ship the extra personalised Siri it promised finally 12 months’s keynote, however the firm has been including “AI” to its gadgets since lengthy earlier than that was a buzzword. This 12 months, it’s anticipated to introduce an AI-powered battery-saving mode and a real-time translation utilizing AirPods.
Nevertheless, we’ve heard treasured little about different potential new iOS options till immediately. Now, an unique report from 9to5Mac shares info from nameless however dependable sources about a number of extra new options we should always anticipate Apple to point out off for iOS 26 on Monday.
Polls and Translation in Messages
Messages stays one in all Apple’s most continuously up to date apps. We are able to’t bear in mind a single main iOS launch previously few years that hasn’t introduced one thing important, from Memoji and Animoji stickers in iOS 13 to RCS, scheduled sending, and animated textual content results in iOS 18.
If something, this 12 months’s Messages enhancements is perhaps a bit underwhelming, particularly since they’re lengthy overdue. In keeping with the report, Apple will add AI-powered automated translation for incoming and outgoing messages and Polls, just like what’s lengthy been out there in Fb Messenger, WhatsApp, and most different group chat platforms.
Nevertheless, Apple may additionally provide a brand new twist on Polls. It’s mentioned to be testing integration with Apple Intelligence to routinely recommend polls primarily based on the content material of a dialog. There’s no phrase if this might be prepared to point out off on Monday, and it’s doable it could not land till a later iOS 26 level launch.
Animated Lock Display screen Music Paintings
In the event you’ve listened to any of Apple Music’s mainstream playlists these days, you’ve in all probability seen many albums present expanded and animated album artwork within the Music app. It’s a cool impact that helps carry you deeper into the listening expertise, however sadly, it additionally disappears as quickly as you lock your iPhone, even when you’re viewing the album artwork in a full-screen view (which you are able to do by tapping on the art work within the Now Taking part in Lock Display screen widget).
Animated album artwork has been round since iOS 14.3 was launched in late 2020, and it appears like Apple will lastly carry it to the Lock Display screen in iOS 26. Presumably, this may also present the expanded full-screen art work on the Lock Display screen the place applicable.
Markdown Help in Apple Notes
Markdown followers will rejoice over this one — not less than partly. In keeping with the supply, Apple Notes will embrace the power to export notes in Markdown format.
That’s been out there in lots of third-party notes and writing apps for years, reminiscent of Bear and Ulysses, however it could not go so far as proponents of the format would really like. The report solely talks about exporting notes; it doesn’t say we’ll have the ability to compose in Markdown, which might be disappointing.
Refreshed CarPlay UI
Contemplating the stories that Apple plans to unify the appear and feel of its whole working system lineup, it ought to be a on condition that CarPlay would comply with iOS 26 in getting a significant UI refresh. Nevertheless, that’s by no means a certain factor in the case of how Apple rolls, and its current CarPlay Extremely announcement has left some to worry that customary CarPlay might now be on the again burner.
Fortunately, that’s not the case, which ought to be obvious from the truth that just one high-end automaker helps the brand new customary — and that’s unlikely to alter anytime quickly. Apple might like being within the high-end market, however even it has to confess that limiting its automotive ambitions to six-figure luxurious autos is a bridge too far.
The underside line is that CarPlay in iOS 26 will certainly get the identical design refresh that’s coming to the remainder of Apple’s working techniques, which solely is smart contemplating Apple’s major aim is unification. With even tvOS 26 and macOS 26 alongside for the experience, CarPlay would stick out like a sore thumb if it nonetheless had the “outdated” design.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]