This video provides a hands-on review of iOS 26's top features, focusing on the significant visual overhaul, "Liquid Glass," and other key updates. Marques Brownlee ranks these features based on their perceived impact, exploring both their strengths and limitations.
New Camera App: A simplified design with hidden modes, offering improved access to format settings (easier selection, not cycling) for both photos and videos.
Enhanced Visual Intelligence: On-screen object recognition expands the utility of visual intelligence, despite some current limitations; allows for circle-to-search functionality similar to Android, enabling image searches and ChatGPT queries directly from screenshots. Calendar event extraction from images is also improved.
Updated Phone App: Incorporates call screening (transcribing unknown caller messages) and Hold Assist (auto-detecting and managing hold times), mirroring Google Pixel features. A unified layout combines favorites, recents, and voicemails.
Improved CarPlay: Addresses previous shortcomings by offering non-full-screen call display and Tapback reactions to texts. Includes new widgets and live activities support.
Liquid Glass Design: A significant visual redesign across the OS with transparency, refractions, and reflections. While initially polarizing, Apple has made adjustments to improve readability, offering a reduced transparency setting in Accessibility. The lock screen's customizable clock is highlighted as a positive aspect.
Here are some follow-up questions to better understand the video, categorized for clarity:
Regarding Specific Features:
Can you provide specific examples of situations where the improved visual intelligence features (image search, ChatGPT integration from screenshots, calendar event extraction) proved particularly useful or unhelpful in the video? What were the limitations of each?
The video mentions that the new camera app simplifies things. Can you give concrete examples of what has been simplified, and what trade-offs are involved? What settings are now harder to access?
The video mentions "Hold Assist" in the phone app. Can you elaborate on its functionality and how it works when a hold is detected? What types of notifications are sent?
The video discusses the "Liquid Glass" design. What specific UI elements are significantly impacted by the new design? Can you give examples of elements that were improved and those that were not?
What were some of the "neat things" mentioned as being added to the Messages app, and how do they compare to similar features in other messaging apps?
Regarding Overall Impressions and Comparisons:
The reviewer mentions that some aspects of the Liquid Glass design are polarizing. What are the main points of contention regarding this design choice? How does the reviewer's personal preference fit into this discussion?
How does the reviewer compare the overall iOS 26 update to previous iOS updates and similar updates on the Android platform? What are the key improvements and remaining areas for potential enhancement?
The reviewer mentions Apple's efforts to address readability concerns in later betas. What specific changes were made to address these concerns, and were these changes sufficient to resolve the issue entirely?
The video mentions that the new iOS features sometimes borrow elements from Android. Can you give a few specific examples and compare the iOS implementation to its Android counterpart?
Regarding Future Implications:
These questions aim to delve deeper into the specific details and nuanced aspects of the video's content, promoting a more comprehensive understanding. Remember to always refer back to the transcript for precise answers.
