iOS 26 introduces a new feature called 'Ask Reason for Calling' that intercepts calls from unknown numbers and asks callers to identify themselves before ringing, helping users avoid spam and robocalls. Users can enable this feature in settings and choose from other options like silencing unknown calls or allowing all calls to ring through. This upgrade enhances call screening and user control over unknown callers.
Despite being available for nearly four months, iOS 26 adoption remains low, with most users still on iOS 18, according to Statcounter data, though TelemetryDeck reports higher adoption rates. The discrepancy may be due to different tracking methodologies, but overall, the data suggests users are hesitant to upgrade, possibly due to concerns about battery life or other features.
iOS 26 introduces three key upgrades to Apple's Fitness app: expanded Fitness+ with custom plans and multilingual support, manual workout logging for all users regardless of Apple Watch ownership, and Live Activities for real-time workout tracking on Lock Screen and Dynamic Island, enhancing the fitness experience for a broader user base.
iOS 26 introduces a new Preview app on iPhone and iPad, inspired by the Mac version, offering enhanced PDF and image viewing, editing, and markup capabilities, making document management more efficient and flexible for users.
iOS 26 introduces several new features for iPhone users, including systemwide AutoFill for credit cards, a new Visited Places feature in Apple Maps that tracks locations with privacy safeguards, and the ability to pin favorite music in Apple Music for quick access, enhancing convenience and usability.
Apple Wallet's iOS 26 now supports boarding passes from Southwest, United, and Delta, with additional airlines like Air Canada and Qantas expected to follow, enhancing travel convenience with features like Live Activities, airport maps, and luggage tracking.
The author bought a used iPhone 13 Mini for $353 to explore its viability as a smaller, affordable alternative to newer models, finding it well-optimized for iOS 26 and capable of good photos, but hindered by poor battery life, leading to considerations of higher-quality used options or different models.
Apple is requiring iPhone users to upgrade to iOS 26 to receive the latest security fixes, effectively preventing users on iOS 18 from updating to the security-only patch iOS 18.7.3 unless they join the public beta program, which has caused confusion and frustration among users who wish to avoid major OS updates.
The author criticizes the recent iOS 26 update, highlighting widespread user frustrations with slow performance, confusing features, and usability issues, questioning whether such updates truly serve users or merely contribute to technological obsolescence.
Apple's iOS 26 introduces a beta Live Translation feature for AirPods, enabling real-time translation across nine languages during face-to-face conversations, with impressive accuracy but some delays and technical hiccups, making it a promising tool for basic communication in foreign languages.
An early build of iOS 26 leaked, revealing details about over a dozen unreleased Apple products including new Macs, iPads, iPhones, AirTags, Apple Watch models, AR glasses, and other projects, with timelines suggesting upcoming releases through late 2026.
A leak of early iOS 26 software reveals numerous upcoming Apple features across devices, including new AirTag and AirPods functionalities, software enhancements like Live Captions and Siri improvements, and future hardware updates such as the Vision Pro and foldable iPhone, with release timelines spanning 2025 to 2027.
iOS 26 introduces a new feature called 'adaptive time' that allows users to stretch or resize the clock on their lock screen by dragging a handle, enabling more personalized and modern lock screen appearances, though it requires specific font and wallpaper settings to work properly.
The article highlights five essential Apple CarPlay widgets introduced with iOS 26 that enhance the driving experience by providing useful information like calendars, weather, smart home controls, world clocks, and song lyrics, all accessible from the vehicle's infotainment screen.
