The MacRumors Show: Talking iOS 26 Beta 2 Features and Changes

[MacRumors]

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the changes introduced in the second developer beta of iOS 26.

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In iOS 26 beta 2, Apple refined several interface elements to slightly improve visual clarity and usability. The Control Center's Liquid Glass buttons now appear more clearly, thanks to increased background blur that makes them easier to distinguish. Similarly, the Reduce Transparency setting in Accessibility has been enhanced, further cutting down the see-through effect across the UI.

Safari saw a couple of adjustments as well. The new tab button in the tab management view has been moved from the top left to the bottom left corner, bringing it back to its position in iOS 18. Additionally, when using the Compact tab bar layout, back and forward navigation buttons are now present.

Apple Music now includes a Live Radio widget, giving users quicker access to real-time radio streams from their Home Screen. There's also a new ringtone option—"Alt 1" under the Reflection category—available in Sounds and Haptics settings.

Low Power Mode's description has been rewritten for greater clarity, now explicitly noting that it reduces background activities, processing speed, display refresh rate, brightness, and limits features like 5G and iCloud syncing.

Lastly, the default wallpaper introduced with iOS 26 has been updated to animate in response to the system's spatial photos feature, adding a more dynamic feel to the home screen.

We also discuss Apple's apparent consideration of a bid to buy AI search startup Perplexity, as well as the new purple and green color options rumored for the iPhone 17.

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Article Link: The MacRumors Show: Talking iOS 26 Beta 2 Features and Changes

 

[Caseman93]

I'm pretty disgusted with the lack of improvement and polish. If they release new beta versions, they should at least try to get something correct while moving forward. Everything on the Mac got much worse after the recent update. I understand these are beta updates. At least fix enough to make sure it's good enough to send out. Maybe it's literal rocket science and I don't know what I'm talking about.

Is it just me or Apple products getting incredibly boring? Love Apple. Huge fan. But boring products. I think the most beneficial product line for iOS 26 is the iPad. That's a bit of a game changer. Though I don't own or need an iPad. Multitasking is a pretty big win.

 

[Digital Dude]

Yeah, I agree. Apple has fallen way behind, and some of us understand why. 🫩

 

[UnknownTechGuy]

that thumbnail is SAVAGE 💀💀💀

 

[darngooddesign]

Low Power Mode makes a huge difference to my iPad's standby battery life.

 

[rbbloom99]

Digital Glass. Who thought THAT would be a good idea?

 

[rbbloom99]

I'm pretty disgusted with the lack of improvement and polish.

It's making it oh so easy to Not look forward to new product releases.

 

[-BigMac-]

This is the first WWDC i haven't watched live in over 10 years. I still hadnt watched it

 

[Agent007]

30:20 "I feel like, in 2025, you shouldn't be putting a case on your phone unless you work in, like, construction"

Who here isn't using a case? Are you still using a screen protector?

While exiting a vehicle, I dropped my 16PM from 4 ft (like 1.25 meters) onto asphalt but with my thin Torras case and a glass screen protector, the phone is unscathed. I don't think it would have survived without the case and/or screen pro.

 

[Vaga8ond]

Why does this whole update feel like one big nothing burger? One would think they would make an OS conceptually from the ground up, designed around AI.

 

[Leon Nash]

30:20 "I feel like, in 2025, you shouldn't be putting a case on your phone unless you work in, like, construction"

Who here isn't using a case? Are you still using a screen protector?

While exiting a vehicle, I dropped my 16PM from 4 ft (like 1.25 meters) onto asphalt but with my thin Torras case and a glass screen protector, the phone is unscathed. I don't think it would have survived without the case and/or screen pro.

iPhones are way too expensive for me to not to use a case. I don’t use case for my work phone (Samsung S24) because… well I don’t care. But I do use screen protector with that one also.

That comment from the show is absolutely ridiculous to my ears.

 

[Cristim74]

For the first time in 10 years since switching to iPhones I'm not using a case on my 15 Pro Max. I still use a screen protector. I still dropped it a few times, but nothing major. After close to 2 years it looks like new. Maybe I was just lucky. I went to replace my screen protector a few weeks ago and the lady at the shop after she replaced it asked for my case to put it back on. I told her I don't have one and she said it looks much better than many phones that have cases on.

 

[brian3uk]

I love that the improvements in this version are to correct how poorly the new look works IRL. It might look nice in theory but once you have to use it you realize it sucks. This liquid glass redesign seems useless and really poorly thought out.