Apple Unveils iOS 26.1 With Liquid Glass Controls & More
▼ Summary
– Apple has released final versions of the 26.1 update for all its operating systems, which now use a unified year-based version numbering system.
– This update is the first to introduce significant changes and tweaks to address early complaints and bugs from the September releases.
– A major addition is a new translucency control for Liquid Glass, offering Clear and Tinted looks to adjust visibility and readability.
– iPad users see the return of an updated Slide Over multitasking mode with quick swipe gestures for app summoning and dismissal.
– The new Slide Over mode features a redesigned interface, allows window moving and resizing, but makes switching apps within it more difficult.
Apple has officially launched the iOS 26.1 update alongside new versions for iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and the HomePod operating system. This rollout follows an extensive testing period and represents the first substantial feature enhancements since these platforms debuted in September under a fresh, unified year-based version numbering structure. While earlier patches addressed initial bugs, this release introduces meaningful refinements and new capabilities designed to improve user experience across Apple’s ecosystem.
A standout addition in this update is the enhanced Liquid Glass translucency control, available across most Apple operating systems. This feature gives users greater flexibility over the interface’s appearance. You can stick with the default Clear setting, which preserves the transparent, glass-like aesthetic and allows underlying content to remain visible, or opt for the new Tinted option. The Tinted mode provides a more opaque background, displaying only blurred shapes and colors to significantly improve text readability without completely turning off the Liquid Glass effect.
For those using an iPad, iPadOS 26.1 brings back a reimagined Slide Over multitasking mode. This functionality lets you quickly swipe to call up a secondary app that floats above your current workspace, making it easy to reference information or perform quick tasks. The latest iteration of Slide Over has been visually and functionally updated. Although switching between different apps in Slide Over has become slightly less intuitive, the new version compensates by allowing the floating window to be freely moved and resized, just like any standard app window in iPadOS 26. This brings greater consistency and control to the multitasking interface.
(Source: Ars Technica)
