Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET
Apple finally launched the iOS 26 public beta, and with that comes a slew of new AI features you can try out today — and their usefulness may surprise you.
While the new features may not be as flashy as the promised Siri 2.0 update, which has yet to be released, many address issues Apple users have long had with their devices or in their everyday workflows, while others are downright fun. For example, don’t you like waiting for customer service calls? Want your song transitions in Apple Music to sound better? Are you envious of Android’s Circle to Search? The new features address all of these points.
Also: Apple’s iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 public betas are here: How to access and why you’ll want to
I gathered the AI features announced and ranked them according to what I’m most excited to use and what people on the web have been buzzing about.
1. Visual Intelligence
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET
Apple introduced Visual Intelligence last year with the launch of the iPhone 16. At the time, it allowed users to take photos of objects around them and then use the iPhone’s AI capability to search for them and find more information. Last month, Apple upgraded the experience by adding Visual Intelligence to the iPhone screen.
To use it, you just have to take a screenshot. Visual Intelligence can use Apple Intelligence to grab details from your screenshot and suggest actions, such as adding an event to your calendar. You can also use the “ask button” to ask ChatGPT for help with a particular image, which is useful for tasks such as solving a puzzle. You can also tap on “Search” to look on the web.
Also: My new favorite iOS 26 feature is a supercharged version of Google Lens – and it’s easy to use
Although Google offered the same capability years ago with Circle to Search, this is a big win for Apple users, as it’s functional and was executed well. It leverages ChatGPT’s capable models rather than trying to build an inferior one itself.
2. Real-time translation
Since generative AI exploded in popularity, a useful application that has emerged is real-time translation. Because LLMs have a deep understanding of language and how people speak, they can translate speech not just literally, but accurately using additional context. Apple will roll out this powerful capability across its own devices with a new real-time translation feature.
Also: Your iPhone will translate calls and texts in real time, thanks to AI
The feature can translate text in Messages and audio on FaceTime and phone calls. If you use it for verbal conversations, just click a button on your call, which alerts the other person that live translation is about to take place. After a speaker says something, there is a brief pause, and then you get audio feedback with a conversational version of what was said in your language of choice, plus a transcript you can follow along.
This feature is valuable because it can help people communicate with each other. It’s also easy to access because it’s baked into communication platforms people already rely on every day.
3. AutoMix in Apple Music
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET
The AutoMix feature uses AI to add seamless transitions from one song to another, mimicking what a DJ would do with time stretching and beat matching. In the Settings app on the beta, Apple says, “Songs transition at the perfect moment, based on analysis of the key and tempo of the music.”
Also: How to use the viral AutoMix feature on iOS 26 (and which iPhone models support it)
It works in tandem with the Autoplay feature, so if you’re playing a song like a DJ, it can play another song that matches the vibes while seamlessly transitioning to it. Some users who tried it during the developer beta posted their results on social media, and they were pretty impressive.
4. Shortcuts using Apple Intelligence
The Shortcuts update was easy to miss during the keynote, but it’s one of the best use cases for AI. If you’re like me, you typically avoid programming Shortcuts because they seem too complicated to create. This is where Apple Intelligence can help.
Also: My favorite iPhone productivity feature just got a major upgrade with iOS 26 (and it’s not Siri)
With the new intelligent actions features, you can tap into Apple Intelligence models either on-device or in Private Cloud Compute within your Shortcut, unlocking a much more advanced set of capabilities. For example, you could set up a Shortcut that takes all the files you add to your home screen and then sorts them into files for you using Apple Intelligence.
The process is meant to be as intuitive as possible, with dedicated actions and the ability to use Apple Intelligence models either on-device or with Private Cloud Compute to generate responses that feed into the rest of a shortcut, according to Apple. However, if even this seems too daunting, there’s a gallery feature available to try out some of the options and get inspiration for building.
5. Hold Assist
The Hold Assist feature is a prime example of a tool that isn’t over the top but has the potential to save you a lot of time in your everyday life. The way it works is simple: if you’re placed on hold and your phone detects hold music, it will ask if you want your spot held in line and notify you when it’s your turn to speak with someone, alerting the person on the other end that you’ll be right there.
Also: Your iPad is getting a huge upgrade for free. 4 features I can’t wait to use on iPadOS 26
Imagine how much time you’ll get back from calls with customer service. If the feature seems familiar, it’s because Google has a similar “Hold for me” feature, which uses Call Assist to wait on hold for you and notify you when they’re back. That said, even though it may not be an original feature, it’s one Apple users will be happy to have.
6. Spatial Photos
The Apple Vision Pro introduced the idea of enjoying your precious memories in an immersive experience that places you in the scene. However, to take advantage of this feature, you had to take spatial photos and record spatial videos. Now, a similar feature is coming to iOS, allowing users to transform any picture they have into a 3D-like image that separates the foreground and background for a spatial effect.
Since it’s easier to explain visually, I included a quick video below that previews what spatial photos look like.
The best part is that you can add these photos to your lock screen, and as you move your phone, the 3D element looks like it moves with it. It may seem like there’s no AI involved, but according to Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of software engineering, it can transform your 2D photo into a 3D effect by using “advanced computer vision techniques running on the Neural Engine.”
7. Workout Buddy
Using AI for workout insights isn’t new, as most fitness wearable companies, including Whoop and Oura, have implemented a feature of that sort before. However, Workout Buddy is a unique application of AI I haven’t seen before. Essentially, it uses your fitness data, such as history, paces, Activity Rings, and Training Load, to give you feedback as you’re working out.
Also: watchOS 26 public beta is out right now – 8 new Apple Watch features you can try
Even though this feature is part of the WatchOS upgrade — and I don’t happen to own one — it does seem like a fun and original way to use AI. As someone who lacks all desire to work out, I can see that having a motivational reminder can have a positive impact on the longevity of my workout.
Honorable mentions
The list above is already extensive, and yet Apple unveiled a lot more AI features:
- Order tracking in Apple Wallet: Apple Intelligence can analyze your emails for tracking details, and then populate all of that information in Apple Wallet, even if you used a different payment method than Apple Pay.
- Polls for Messages: Apple Intelligence can detect in your Messages when a poll could be useful and suggest one. Users can then use Image Playground to create different backgrounds for the polls.
- Better routes in Maps: Using on-device intelligence, users can better understand a daily route, and then receive more tailored suggestions.
- Genmoji and Image Playground: The Genmoji update is simple: now you can mix two emojis to create something new. Image Playground was upgraded to create images leveraging ChatGPT’s image-generating model for specific styles.
- Call screening: Call Screening automatically answers unknown numbers, asks why they are calling, and shows you the transcription of the caller’s responses in real time.
How to access
Apple released the official public beta on July 24, which users can download to test the features until the final, most stable version is released in the fall with the launch of its latest devices.
To enroll in the public beta, visit the Apple Beta Software Program site and click the blue sign-up button. The program is free and open to anyone with an Apple Account who accepts the Apple Beta Software Program Agreement when signing on.
Also: iOS 26 envy? 5 iPhone features you can already use on your Android (Samsung included)
When downloading a beta, it’s worth keeping in mind that while the beta gives users access to all the latest features available in iOS 26, they aren’t fully developed and, as a result, are buggy. Since you won’t get the best experience, a good practice is to use either a secondary phone or make sure your data is properly backed up in case something goes wrong.
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