Latest news with #ControlCenter
Geeky Gadgets
2 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
iOS 26 Beta 2 on the Horizon: A Look at Potential New Details
Apple's iOS 26 Beta 2 represents a critical step in the evolution of its latest operating system. Building on the foundation laid by the first beta, this release introduces a range of updates, including design refinements, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. These changes aim to address user feedback while pushing the system closer to its final form. If you're considering installing this beta, it's essential to understand its key features and potential drawbacks. In the video below, iReviews explores the most significant updates and their implications for users. Watch this video on YouTube. Control Center: Streamlined Design and Enhanced Usability The Control Center in iOS 26 Beta 2 has been reimagined with a focus on improving both functionality and aesthetics. Key updates include: A more streamlined layout that reduces visual clutter and enhances navigation. Improved usability with controls that are more intuitive and accessible. These changes demonstrate Apple's commitment to responding to user feedback. However, some challenges remain, such as the overuse of blur effects and occasional inconsistencies in design elements. While these updates enhance the overall interface, further refinements will likely be necessary to achieve a fully cohesive and polished experience. Notification Center: Refinements for Better Readability The Notification Center has also received notable updates aimed at improving readability and visual harmony. Key improvements include: Enhanced integration with wallpapers creates a cleaner and more visually appealing look. Less intrusive notifications, making sure of a more streamlined and distraction-free experience. Despite these advancements, some inconsistencies persist across different device configurations. These issues highlight the need for additional adjustments to ensure a uniform experience for all users. Nevertheless, the refinements introduced in Beta 2 represent a step forward in creating a more user-friendly notification system. Keyboard Updates: Subtle Changes with Meaningful Impact The keyboard in iOS 26 Beta 2 has been updated with subtle yet impactful changes designed to enhance the typing experience. These updates include: Rounded corners and improved spacing offer a more comfortable and visually appealing layout. Better compatibility with third-party apps, addressing integration issues identified in the first beta. While these changes may appear minor, they contribute significantly to the overall usability of the system. Whether typing in native apps or third-party platforms, users are likely to notice a smoother and more consistent experience. Performance Improvements: Tackling Overheating and Battery Drain Performance optimization remains a central focus in iOS 26 Beta 2, with targeted efforts to address common issues such as overheating and battery drain. Notable enhancements include: Reduced overheating, particularly when using dynamic wallpapers or transparent icons. Improved battery efficiency, minimizing excessive drain during resource-intensive tasks. Despite these improvements, some users may still encounter occasional performance hiccups, such as screen freezing when navigating the app library or using guided access. These issues are expected to be resolved in future updates as Apple continues to refine the system. Beta Timeline and Installation Recommendations The release timeline for iOS 26 Beta 2 provides a clear roadmap for users interested in exploring the latest updates. Key dates include: Developer beta release: June 23, 2023. Public beta availability: Mid-July 2023. Weekly updates are anticipated throughout the summer, gradually introducing new features and addressing user feedback. If you're already using iOS 26 Beta 1, upgrading to Beta 2 is advisable to benefit from its enhancements. However, if you're on an older version of iOS, waiting for the public beta may be a safer choice to ensure a more stable experience. Future Developments for iOS 26 Looking ahead, Apple plans to continue refining iOS 26 throughout the beta cycle, with the final release expected in September. The final version is anticipated to: Incorporate additional features and performance improvements based on user feedback. Address remaining issues to deliver a more polished and cohesive operating system. By the time of its official launch, iOS 26 is expected to set a new standard for performance, design, and usability, further solidifying Apple's reputation for innovation and user-centric development. Gain further expertise in iOS 26 Beta 2 by checking out these recommendations. Source & Image Credit: iReviews Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Geeky Gadgets
3 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Ambient Music in Control Center: Your Complete Guide (iOS/iPadOS)
Apple has introduced a significant enhancement with the release of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the integration of ambient music directly into the Control Center. This feature is designed to complement your daily activities by offering curated playlists and mood-based categories that help you focus, relax, or unwind. With seamless integration and customization options, your device becomes a personalized auditory companion, enhancing your overall experience. The video below from Apple shows us how to use this feature. Watch this video on YouTube. What Is Ambient Music in the Control Center? Ambient music in the Control Center is a feature that allows you to access curated playlists directly from your iPhone or iPad. By prioritizing simplicity and accessibility, Apple has made it easier to incorporate music into your daily routine. Whether you are working, meditating, or preparing for sleep, this feature provides a tailored listening experience to suit your needs. The playlists are categorized into four primary mood-based options: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Well-being. Each category is carefully designed to enhance specific activities, making sure that the music aligns with your current mood or task. This thoughtful integration makes ambient music a practical tool for improving focus, relaxation, and mindfulness. How to Set Up Ambient Music Setting up ambient music is a straightforward process, allowing you to quickly access this feature and begin enjoying its benefits. Follow these steps to enable it on your device: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. app on your iPhone or iPad. Navigate to the Control Center section and tap the '+' button to add the ambient music control. section and tap the '+' button to add the ambient music control. Once added, swipe down to access the Control Center and tap the ambient music icon. Explore the four mood-based categories: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Well-being. Each category is tailored to specific activities. For instance, the Sleep category offers calming tracks to help you relax and prepare for rest, while the Productivity category provides music designed to minimize distractions and enhance focus. This intuitive setup ensures that you can seamlessly integrate ambient music into your daily life. Customizing Playlists for a Personalized Experience One of the standout features of ambient music in the Control Center is the ability to customize playlists within each mood-based category. After selecting a category, you can browse curated options such as Laidback Lo-fi for relaxation or Meditation Music for mindfulness. These playlists are carefully crafted to suit a variety of preferences and activities. Once you've chosen a playlist, you can save it for quick access directly in the Control Center. This customization ensures that your music aligns with your personal preferences and daily goals, making it easier to create the perfect auditory environment for any situation. Whether you prefer soothing melodies or upbeat tracks, the flexibility of this feature allows you to tailor your listening experience. Practical Applications of Ambient Music The ambient music feature is designed to integrate seamlessly into your daily routine, offering a versatile tool for enhancing various aspects of your life. Here are some practical ways to use it: Boost Productivity: Play focus-enhancing tracks during work or study sessions to maintain concentration and minimize distractions. Play focus-enhancing tracks during work or study sessions to maintain concentration and minimize distractions. Relax and Unwind: Use chill playlists to create a calming atmosphere after a busy day, helping you de-stress and recharge. Use chill playlists to create a calming atmosphere after a busy day, helping you de-stress and recharge. Improve Sleep: Select sleep-focused playlists to help you drift off peacefully and enjoy a restful night. Select sleep-focused playlists to help you drift off peacefully and enjoy a restful night. Enhance Meditation: Incorporate curated meditation tracks into your mindfulness practices for a more immersive experience. This flexibility makes ambient music a valuable addition to your daily life, offering a simple yet effective way to improve your overall well-being. Seamless Integration with iOS and iPadOS The ambient music feature is fully integrated into iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, making sure a smooth and intuitive user experience. By centralizing control within the Control Center, Apple eliminates the need to navigate through multiple apps or menus, streamlining access to your favorite playlists. Additionally, the feature supports customization of the Control Center layout, allowing you to prioritize ambient music controls for easy access. This thoughtful design ensures that the feature is both functional and user-friendly, making it an integral part of your device's ecosystem. The Benefits of Ambient Music Research has consistently shown that ambient music can positively impact mood, productivity, and overall well-being. By incorporating this feature into the Control Center, Apple provides users with an accessible way to harness these benefits. Whether you're creating a focused work environment, relaxing after a hectic day, or improving your sleep quality, ambient music offers a practical and effective solution. The curated playlists and mood-based categories are designed to enhance specific activities, making sure that the music you listen to aligns with your goals. This thoughtful approach not only improves your listening experience but also helps you stay balanced and productive throughout your day. Gain further expertise on iOS by checking out these recommendations. Source & Image Credit: Apple Support Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPad, Apple iPhone, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I just installed the iOS 26 beta — and here's the first thing I did to make Liquid Glass better
Just like a lot of my colleagues that were tuned into the WWDC 2025 keynote, I was excited for the new iOS 26 redesign with its new Liquid Glass interface. Apple's reason to implement this change is to unify how its software looks and feels across its entire device portfolio, so whether you're using iPadOS 26 or macOS Tahoe 26, you'll be treated to a familiar experience. Liquid Glass brings a layered design philosophy that borrows from what Apple has done previously with visionOS, but it does introduce one particular quality that made things confusing for me. Soon after I installed the iOS 26 developer beta on my iPhone, I noticed how the transparency of Liquid Glass clashes with the way the Control Center appears on top of certain elements, like the icons on my home screen, or very busy web pages. After showing this to one of my colleagues, he suggested a fix that changes the way Liquid Glass looks — and I suggest you do the same as well. Here's what I did. The problem with Liquid Glass is that the space surrounding icons in Control Center is too transparent. Now, this isn't a visual distraction when I'm running apps that are showing mostly one solid color, but it looks messy when I access it on my home screen. This is because there's not as much separation between the overlaid Control Center with all the icons on my home screen. That's why the first you'll want to do in iOS 26 is what I ended up doing — enabling the reduce transparency option. It's really simple and it makes Control Center easier to visualize over the home screen and apps. You simply need to go to the Settings menu, select Accessibility, then Display & Text Size, and finally hit the toggle for Reduce Transparency. According to the option, it helps to improve the contrast between the foreground and background colors. Even though this feature is referred to as reduce transparency, the end result looks more like no transparency at all when I access Control Center. That's because the surrounding background becomes more opaque in tone, which ditches the see-through look that Liquid Glass offers. If you look at the shots above, you'll see the difference with how Control Center looks when it's overlaid on top of something. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. While I was looking at the before and after screens, I also tried enabling another accessibility option to help out with this — increase contrast. I like the way this adds more contrast to when the screen is covered by buttons that have very similar color tones to them. For those with reduced sight, this certainly helps to distinguish elements all across iOS 26. I'm not saying that Liquid Glass is poorly implemented with the Control Center, but the issue I have with the current implementation is that it feels like there's not enough separation between the overlays. Like I've said, it looks messy because of how difficult it is to make out icons in Control Center. Perhaps a stronger blur effect to the background, or an animation that "shrinks" the background could make for better layering with this new interface. Either way, I hope Apple does make a change to this before the final iOS 26 public build is released later this year.
Geeky Gadgets
13-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
macOS 26 Tahoe: Spotlight Actions, Custom Control Center & AI-Powered Shortcuts Revealed
macOS 26 introduces a suite of updates aimed at enhancing productivity, customization, and the overall user experience. With significant improvements to Spotlight, Control Center, and Shortcuts, this release focuses on refining existing tools while expanding their functionality. These updates empower you to take greater control of your workflows and daily tasks, offering a more seamless and efficient operating system. The video below from Stephen Robles gives us a detailed look at the new macOS 26 Tahoe and its range of features, including the new Control Center, Spotlight, Shortcuts, and more. Watch this video on YouTube. Spotlight Enhancements: Smarter, Faster, and More Contextual Spotlight in macOS 26 has undergone a major overhaul, delivering faster and more accurate search results. Whether you're searching for files, apps, or system settings, the improved search engine ensures quicker and more precise outcomes. Additionally, deeper integration with third-party apps allows you to access information directly within supported applications. For example, you can now locate specific emails, calendar events, or notes from compatible apps without leaving Spotlight, saving valuable time. A standout addition is the contextual search feature, which intelligently analyzes your queries and provides suggestions based on your recent activity and preferences. If you frequently work on a specific project, Spotlight will prioritize related files and tools, streamlining your workflow. These enhancements transform Spotlight from a simple search tool into a centralized hub for navigating your system efficiently. Control Center Updates: Personalization and Accessibility The Control Center in macOS 26 has been redesigned to offer a more intuitive and customizable experience. You now have the ability to rearrange the layout, prioritizing the settings and tools you use most frequently. For instance, if you often adjust display brightness or activate Focus modes, you can position these options for quicker access, tailoring the interface to your specific needs. Accessibility has been a key focus in this update. The revamped Control Center features larger icons, clearer labels, and improved keyboard navigation, making it easier for all users to manage system settings. Additionally, new quick actions have been introduced, allowing tasks like allowing AirDrop or switching audio outputs with a single click. These updates make the Control Center both more user-friendly and versatile, making sure that essential tools are always within reach. Shortcuts Improvements: Enhanced Automation Automation in macOS 26 reaches new heights with the updated Shortcuts app. Designed to simplify repetitive tasks, the app now offers expanded functionality and deeper integration with both system features and third-party applications. You can create complex workflows that span multiple apps, such as generating a report, emailing it, and archiving the file—all with a single command. The process of creating and managing shortcuts has also been streamlined. A new library of pre-built templates provides a convenient starting point for common tasks, while an improved editor allows for greater customization. For example, you can set up a shortcut to automatically organize your desktop files into folders based on file type, helping you reduce clutter and boost productivity. These enhancements make automation more accessible, even for users who are new to the Shortcuts app. Seamless Integration Across Features One of the most impressive aspects of macOS 26 is the improved integration between Spotlight, Control Center, and Shortcuts. These features now work together more cohesively, allowing you to perform complex tasks with minimal effort. For instance, you can search for a specific shortcut using Spotlight, activate it directly, and monitor its progress through the Control Center. This level of integration reduces the need to switch between multiple interfaces, streamlining your workflow and saving time. By connecting these tools, macOS 26 creates a unified ecosystem that enhances both efficiency and usability. Whether you're managing intricate workflows or handling everyday tasks, the seamless interaction between these features ensures a smoother and more productive experience. Take a look at other insightful guides from our broad collection that might capture your interest in macOS 26. Source & Image Credit: Stephen Robles Filed Under: Apple, Laptops, Technology News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Indian Express
Apple iOS 26: From realtime translations to Games app, 10 must-try features
A few hours after Apple unveiled iOS 26 at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2025, the tech giant started rolling out the first developer version of its operating system. The newest iOS version not only brings a ton of new features, but also gets a fresh UI redesign, which Apple calls 'Liquid Glass'. Here are some of the best features coming to the iPhone with iOS 26. Starting with the biggest visual change, iOS 26 introduces a new design language called 'Liquid Glass'. Inspired by the translucent interface from visionOS, Apple has changed the look of things like menus, options and notifications, Control Center and more. To match the new appearance, the tech giant has also updated the look and feel of first-party apps like Messages, Phone and Camera. Also, user interface elements like toolbars and tabs are getting a visual overhaul. Instead of drop-down lists, iOS 26 now features rounded menus, which Apple says are less distracting. With iOS 26, Apple has also changed the way the lock screen and homescreen look. The lockscreen now has a redesigned time and date widget with a Liquid Glass interface, and there's a new dynamic widget that changes the lock size according to the wallpaper. What's more, users can also create spatial scenes that offer depth and realism when they move their phone. As for the homescreen, Apple is changing the way app icons look. With iOS 26, you now have the option to make app icons translucent. For years, the camera app on iOS has mostly stayed the same. However, with the latest iOS version, Apple has spiced up things. Instead of the familiar and cluttered rows of modes just above the shutter button, Apple has moved it to the bottom of the screen. The update also hides the various options that appear on the screen, neatly hiding them in a menu that can be accessed by simply swiping up from the mode you are in. Powered by Apple Intelligence, iOS 26 is getting a new Live Translation feature, which, as the name suggests, can automatically translate messages in your preferred language in real time. The Apple Intelligence-powered feature is also making its way to other first-party apps like Phone and FaceTime. Alongside real-time translation, the Phone app is also getting a new feature that lets you summarise your voice calls. These AI-generated voicemail summaries give you an overview of what you talked about and are visible on the main screen. Apple has also introduced a new unified layout that merges Favourites, Recents and Voicemails on the same page. Apple Maps is also getting a bunch of upgrades. For example, the navigation app will now remember your preferred locations and travel paths. Also, if an alternate route is available, Apple Maps will show a notification when driving. Your iPhone will also be able to log your visited locations. This information is end-to-end encrypted and can be easily removed with a swipe. iPhones running iOS 26 will also get a new Games app that acts as a central hub for all available games and gives you quick access to Apple Arcade titles. You also get a dedicated section for multiplayer games and leaderboards. Apple introduced Visual Intelligence with iOS 18, but the feature was limited to the camera viewfinder. But with iOS 26, the enhanced functionality can also give you information about what's on your screen. However, the feature is more of a screenshot tool, as you will have to capture an image before getting more information about it. Another nifty addition is that Visual Intelligence can now scan an image and ask if you want to add details about an event to the Calendar app. If you are someone who often uses emojis, there's some good news for you. With iOS 26, iPhone users will be able to mix two emojis using Genmoji in the keyboard itself. Alternatively, you can also use the Image Playground app to generate new emojis and mix and match them to your liking. Talking of Image Playground, Apple says users can now ask ChatGPT to generate images in various styles like Ghibli, lo-fi and more. Apple is also bringing three of the biggest additions introduced with iOS 26 to CarPlay. These include widgets, live activities and tapback response. Similar to iMessage, users can also choose to pin their favourite conversations. Also, the incoming call UI will no longer take over the entire screen, but instead it will be positioned at the bottom of the screen. Anyone using an iPhone 11 or later can install iOS 26 on their device. However, Apple Intelligence features are only available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all models in the iPhone 16 series, including the recently launched iPhone 16e. To install iOS 26 on your phone, head over to ' and log in with your user ID. Now, enable Developer Mode by going to Settings> Privacy and Security. Once done, open Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and choose 'iOS 26 Developer Beta'. Here, tap on the 'Download and Install' button and follow the on-screen instructions. Your iPhone needs to be running iOS 18.5 to get the iOS 26 Developer Beta. Also, make sure you have backed up your important data and that there is at least 15GB of free space. Note: Since iOS 26 is currently not stable, you might experience some bugs and issues here and there, so make sure you refrain from install iOS 26 on your primary device. Anurag Chawake is a Senior Sub-Editor at His fascination with technology and computers goes back to the days of Windows 98. Since then, he has been tinkering with various operating systems, mobile phones, and other things. Anurag usually writes on a wide range of topics including Android, gaming, and PC hardware among other things related to consumer tech. His Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn user name is antechx. ... Read More
