Apple Releases Second macOS Tahoe 26.2 Public Beta With Edge Light

[MacRumors]

Apple today provided public beta testers with the second beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.2 update for testing purposes. The public beta comes a day after Apple provided the beta to developers.

After signing up for beta testing on Apple's beta site, public beta testers can download the updates using the Software Update section in the System Settings app.

macOS Tahoe 26.2 beta 2 adds an Edge Light feature for video calls. Edge Light provides a light border around the edges of the Mac's display, mimicking the look of a physical ring light to improve lighting in darkened rooms.

Edge Light uses the Neural Engine for positioning, so it is optimally placed around your face in the video frame. Light color can be adjusted from warm to cool, and the feature is available in video conferencing apps alongside other options like backgrounds, Portrait mode, and Voice Isolation. It is available on Macs that support Apple silicon.

The macOS Tahoe 26.2 beta is limited to developers and public beta testers right now, but it won't be a long testing period. We'll likely see Apple release the update right around mid-December given past launch timelines.

Article Link: Apple Releases Second macOS Tahoe 26.2 Public Beta With Edge Light

 

[PalacePlayers]

Anyone know if game controllers finally work in the Games app now?

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

we need the snow leopard treatment or MacOS will end up worse than windows.

 

[dannyyankou]

Interesting that they released this public beta before the second 26.2 public beta.

 

[FNH15]

we need the snow leopard treatment or MacOS will end up worse than windows.

I hope that happens next year when they strip out all of the Intel code...

 

[Corefile]

Santa Tim has come early for all Mac users.

 

[lapstags]

Anyone know if game controllers finally work in the Games app now?

It does.

 

[MacHeritage]

I hope that happens next year when they strip out all of the Intel code...

I doubt it, since they would need more then one year to make it as stable as 10.6.8 is. That is part of what made Snow Leopard so stable. 2+ years of major updates and fixes and another three of security updates. Not a one year sprint, just to do it all over again the next. That must be a tough schedule to keep up.

 

[Ursadorable]

Title scared me for a second.

I thought Apple was going to include a stripped down (light) version of the Microsoft Edge browser.

Phew, dodged a bullet there.

 

[tcphoto1]

For the last couple of weeks Mail, Messages and Calander have been unresponsive for about 95% of the time. Is anyone else having issues? I’m using an M2 MBP.

 

[tennisproha]

when safari compacts tabs layout return?

 

[Newjackboy]

Can this feature come to iPad Pro too?

 

[chmania]

It was installed yesterday. Nothing much. Getting used to the Vista style look.

 

[OliOliOliOli]

Does only me feel that Apple is turning macOS into some kind of ****** Windows-like mess?
They removed useful buttons, made navigation inside apps more difficult, adding staff sucks, etc…?

 

[omenatarhuri]

I wish they'd fix the issue where 240hz display leads to kernel panic.

 

[q3anon]

As an Apple developer, I’m honestly fed up with how Preview has been handled over the last few macOS releases. It used to be a rock-solid, versatile tool. Now it feels like a slow erosion of features and an increasing pile of bugs.
First, Apple removed EPS and PS support, which was incredibly useful for anyone dealing with technical documents, academic publishing, or graphics pipelines. Preview used to open and convert these files flawlessly — now we have to rely on third-party tools or command-line workarounds for something that was built in for years.
On top of that, there are several persistent bugs:
– Renaming and moving files from the title bar often fails or behaves inconsistently.
– Preview sometimes stays running in the background even after quitting, eating up RAM for no reason.
– For some users, dragging a PDF onto Preview doesn’t even open it anymore — macOS just defaults to another app with no explanation.
All of this might sound minor on its own, but together it paints a clear picture: a core macOS tool that used to “just work” is becoming unreliable and less capable. And the most frustrating part is the lack of transparency. Features disappear silently, bugs linger for multiple releases, and power users are left guessing whether something was intentionally removed or just broken.
Apple can and should do better. If Preview is being simplified, say it. If features are being deprecated, document it. Quiet regressions only undermine trust — especially for developers who depend on consistent tools.

 

[Tig_one]

Forget bug & performance fixes guys, Edge Light is all you need.

 

[henryhbk]

Is this really an important thing? I can add room lighting (even a ring light) if I want that, not sure I want my screen glowing brightly making even harder to see things. I know it may be super subtle (like a few pixel's worth) but then why do it? Does that mean if I have a dark theme window dragged across said border is it going to paint a bright strip across them. And if I am screen sharing please don't share the lit stripe...

 

[Ursadorable]

As an Apple developer, I’m honestly fed up with how Preview has been handled over the last few macOS releases. It used to be a rock-solid, versatile tool. Now it feels like a slow erosion of features and an increasing pile of bugs.

This comment sums up alot of issues with MacOS and iOS under Tim's reign. Features that users took for granted have started to erode or break. User friendly design decisions turning user hostile. I used to promote the Mac over Windows, because Apple controlled the entire stack. The last several years seem to have seen that ideology wane in areas, and design decisions make you question the direction Apple is taking.

If I was to try to make it feel more tangible, I would guess Steve's roadmap for Apple has been exhausted, or close to being exhausted, and Tim does not have the insight nor vision to steer Apple in the same light.. which is why your starting to see cracks in the Apple design and user engagement philosophy.

 

[tcphoto1]

I updated the Beta this morning and received the unresponsive error fifteen times trying to launch Mail and Messages. I guess Apple disables the ability to send them notes after fourteen times. Way to go Apple, I will never install a Beta again.

 

[Tig_one]

This comment sums up alot of issues with MacOS and iOS under Tim's reign. Features that users took for granted have started to erode or break. User friendly design decisions turning user hostile. I used to promote the Mac over Windows, because Apple controlled the entire stack. The last several years seem to have seen that ideology wane in areas, and design decisions make you question the direction Apple is taking.

If I was to try to make it feel more tangible, I would guess Steve's roadmap for Apple has been exhausted, or close to being exhausted, and Tim does not have the insight nor vision to steer Apple in the same light.. which is why your starting to see cracks in the Apple design and user engagement philosophy.

Absolutely. Like for example, it's clear they never wanted to implement a back button, but look at this inconsistent usability spread all over the OS...

 

[awshucks]

Absolutely. Like for example, it's clear they never wanted to implement a back button, but look at this inconsistent usability spread all over the OS...

Steve Jobs actually did want a back button but Imran Chaudhri convinced him not to

 

[zenmacx]

As an Apple developer, I’m honestly fed up with how Preview has been handled over the last few macOS releases. It used to be a rock-solid, versatile tool. Now it feels like a slow erosion of features and an increasing pile of bugs.

I concur, Preview has been degraded.

All of this might sound minor on its own, but together it paints a clear picture: a core macOS tool that used to “just work” is becoming unreliable and less capable. And the most frustrating part is the lack of transparency. Features disappear silently, bugs linger for multiple releases, and power users are left guessing whether something was intentionally removed or just broken.

In years past “just work” meant something.

Apple can and should do better. If Preview is being simplified, say it. If features are being deprecated, document it.

Apple is fully capable… what happened?

Quiet regressions only undermine trust — especially for developers who depend on consistent tools.

Quiet regressions undermine the trust of those of us who rely on our Macs for mission critical work day in and day out. It’s incredibly frustrating and disappointing to witness and live with the current state of affairs.

 

[zenmacx]

I updated the Beta this morning and received the unresponsive error fifteen times trying to launch Mail and Messages. I guess Apple disables the ability to send them notes after fourteen times. Way to go Apple, I will never install a Beta again.

Yes indeed, over the years I’ve learned the hard way. Avoid betas at all costs. Especially on my main mission critical MacBook Pro.

Because I embrace change, I now choose to test beta versions on my secondary non mission critical MacBook Pro. So far issues with the beta version aside, this entire Liquid Glass experience has been rather dreadful.

Cautious optimism prevails knowing Apple is capable of sorting out this mess… the question is will they?