Apple restores ‘Liquid Glass’ clarity, enhances AI tools in iOS 26 beta 4

Apple has unveiled the fourth beta of iOS 26, showcasing a combination of visual updates and advanced AI capabilities. Launched on July 22, this latest iteration reverts some previous modifications, particularly restoring the striking Liquid Glass interface. After a brief phase where the transparency was toned down—coined the 'frosted glass' look by users—Apple has reinstated the glossy, reflective appearance seen in earlier beta versions. In addition to reviving background reflections, the Notification Center has been updated to include a new darkening effect that enhances readability. Another significant feature making a comeback is the AI-generated notification summaries for news. This tool had previously been disabled due to user feedback regarding inaccuracies in summarizing content from News and Entertainment categories. It now includes a disclaimer reminding users that “summarisation may change the meaning of the original headlines” and advises them to verify the information. The new beta also introduces a redesigned camera app interface, which presents users with a prompt highlighting the changes upon first launch. Additionally, users are granted the ability to disable Call Screening, silence calls from unknown numbers, and request unidentified callers to state their purpose. Furthermore, a fresh 'Welcome' screen has been added, featuring a dynamic background that shifts colors based on context or time of day. Although Apple has not yet released official notes detailing the changes in this beta, users can expect to discover more updates in the days ahead. Alongside iOS, Apple has also released the fourth beta versions of iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The final version of iOS 26 is anticipated to launch in September, coinciding with the introduction of the iPhone 17 series.