AirPods may get sleep detection, photo snapping via stems, and studio-quality mic mode.
Messages, Music, and Notes apps set to receive smart updates including polls and Markdown export.
iPadOS 26 could bring a Mac-style menu bar, Stage Manager 2.0, and a glass-inspired redesign.
Apple WWDC 2025 keynote will take place on June 9. Tim Cook and the company are expected to announce the much anticipated iOS 26 with a lot of new features. As per the latest reports, the iOS 26 could bring new features for AirPods, and built-in apps like Messages and Notes. The details, first reported by 9to5Mac, suggest that Apple’s next big software update could be one of its most feature-packed and transformational yet after iOS 7.
Here’s everything we know about the iOS 19 aka iOS 26, iPadOS 26 features, release timeline, and other details.
AirPods features
The iOS 26 is said to bring five new AirPods features which include automatic pausing when the user falls asleep and the ability to snap iPhone photos using AirPods stems. The other updates also include a new studio-quality mic mode, additional head gestures, and smarter shared iPad pairing, making the AirPods more advanced and context-aware.
Messages, Music, Notes to get smarter
Apple is expected to make some big changes to its core apps. The Messages application could get polls inside group chats and offer inline translation while the Music application may get to introduce full-screen animated album art on the Lock Screen. The Notes application may now support exporting in Markdown format. Additionally, a revamped Shortcuts app is also said to be under development and could see integration with Apple Intelligence.
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iPadOS 26 features
As per the reports, Apple may introduce a Mac-style menu bar that will appear while using Magic Keyboard with an aim to enhance productivity. The company is also reportedly working on Stage Manager 2.0, which will be a reworked multitasking interface that will fix the clunky experience of its first version.
The iPad users may also get to see Siri upgrade with AI enhancements like onscreen awareness and more contextual actions across apps.
Last but not least, the iPadOS 26 is said to get a visual design change. It may bring a glass-like design, inspired by visionOS.
The iPadOS 26 and iOS 26 are expected to be released weeks after the iPhone 17 series launch. However, the exact release timeline remains unconfirmed.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
