Technology

We're halfway through 2025, and the cinema has been outrageous!

If you love action, this year's delivered plenty already. Tom Cruise dazzled in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Anthony Mackie and Florence Pugh returned to the MCU with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*, respectively. Martial arts movie legends Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio joined forces with Ben Wang in the rousing Karate Kid: Legends. Then of course, Jack Black's A Minecraft Movie has action scenes so bonkers it drove audiences absolutely wild.

SEE ALSO: Teens are causing chaos in 'Minecraft' movie screenings

Other movies offered action with high doses of side-splitting buddy-comedy, like One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, and The Accountant 2, which reunited Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal. Meanwhile, horror offered plenty of new reasons to scream with Final Destination: Bloodlines, Heart Eyes, The Ugly Stepsister, and Ryan Coogler's epic vampire movie, Sinners. But of course, that's a movie that's more genre-fluid than just horror.

In fact, as Mashable's entertainment team looked over the movies hitting so far this year, we found a lot of our favorites didn't snugly fit into one genre. They could best be described as post-apocalyptic rom-com, espionage family-comedy, body horror fairy tale, sci-fi screwball comedy, and vampire historical drama/musical? But no matter how you categorize them, these films are absolutely awesome.

So with no further ado, here are the 10 best movies of the year so far, and where you can watch them.

10. The Phoenician Scheme

Wes Anderson reunites with The French Dispatch's Benicio del Toro for a father-daughter story unlike any you've seen before. Tapping into some elements of espionage thriller — spies! explosions! international intrigue! poisonous gas! — Anderson and company unfurl the story of manipulative and massively wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (del Toro) and his daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton).

The subject of a U.S. government investigation and a flurry of assassination attempts, Korda decides to reach out to his estranged daughter, who is training to become a nun. He wants her to be his heir and aid in his "Phoenician Scheme." But her faith and his dastardly dealings quickly lead to conflict. Along their journey, they'll meet an array of colorful characters, allowing Anderson to fold in familiar faces from his recurring collaborators, as well as Michael Cera, who — as I wrote in my review — was born to be in a Wes Anderson movie.

While critics have been divided on this Anderson offering, I cheered the filmmaker's genre approach and wrote, "The Phoenician Scheme becomes a charmingly hopeful tale about how even with our flaws we might find love, family, and salvation."

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, and Hope Davis

How to watch: The Phoenician Scheme is now in theaters.

9. The Ugly Stepsister

2025 is proving a great year for great horror movies, and it kicked off with The Ugly Stepsister out of the Sundance Film Festival. This twisted fairytale plays like the grubby baby of Wicked and The Substance. Hear me out.

This gnarly body-horror movie reimagines Cinderella by focusing on the heroine's much-maligned stepsister Elvira (Lea Myren). Writer/director Emilie Blichfeldt delivers not only a deeply empathetic tale of a young girl grappling with a princely crush, sibling rivalry, and crippling societal pressures to conform to cruel beauty standards, but also the grisly scenes to back up its social critique. This one isn't for the faint of stomach.

SEE ALSO: 'Sinners,' 'Black Mirror,' and 'The Ugly Stepsister': Film critics weigh in on what's worth watching and what's skippable

In my review for Mashable out of Sundance, I cheered, "The Ugly Stepsister is a deranged and dizzying achievement, folding in a classic story with a bitingly modern satire and bold body horror. Blichfeldt weaves these elements together to make a film that feels both of this moment but aesthetically nostalgic... And yet, her journey, as gross and grim as it is, is threaded with a ribbon of exhilaration, rebellion, and even defiant joy. Simply put, The Ugly Stepsister is savagely brutal and yet strangely beautiful."* — K.P.

Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, Flo Fagerli, Isac Calmroth, and Malte Gårdinger

How to watch: The Ugly Stepsister is now streaming on Shudder.

8. Love Me

While the debate of AI in work, education, and even our sex lives rages on, Love Me imagines a post-apocalyptic Earth in which AI is all that remains of humanity. And despite that very bleak setup, it's deeply sweet.

Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun star as will-they-won't-they lovers in this tale of buoy meets... satellite. She is a buoy, frozen in the ocean of a dead earth, programmed to learn from her surroundings. He is an orbiting satellite, left behind as a sort of time capsule of humanity's long-ago reign on the planet. She is entranced by him, but when looking to understand love finds cached videos of a pair of influencers, who who relish silly onesies, date night, Friends, and Blue Apron. So, these machines begin to mimic mankind. But can they find a love of their own?

Written and directed by Sam Zuchero and Andy Zuchero, Love Me is a strange sci-fi treasure. In my review, I praised Stewart and Yeun's performances, which begin as roboty voiceover and evolve into flesh and blood portrayals of identity crises and romance in peril. "As their characters shift from jaunty animated avatars to carefully crafted human forms — complete with flaws — the performances carry a new emotional weight, as both feel out the shift in tone," I wrote, adding, "Props to the Zucheros; however, who refuse to abandon the weirdness of their premise or online courtship. A satisfying steamy yet surreal sex scene creates a unique space for their self-actualizing characters to explore their desires and bodies. Moments like this, where their heroes' self-expression is a messy bramble of ideas, colliding imitation with their own impulses, sets Love Me apart from a sea of sweet but superficial rom-coms."

Starring: Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun

How to watch: Love Me is available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

7. Mickey 17

As follow-up to his Best Picture-winning Parasite, Bong Joon Ho delivered a scathing and silly political satire with Mickey 17.

Robert Pattinson stars as the eponymous protagonist, a low-level criminal who flees earth by taking a pretty brutal gig on a colonizing spaceship. He's an expendable, meaning a human test dummy who dies over and over only to be human printed again to, well, die again. Despite all these deaths, Mickey makes a cozy life for himself on the ship, falling for the tough-as-nails Nasha (Naomi Ackie). But their love life is thrown into spin when human error leads to two Mickeys — 17 and 18 — existing at once. That's a threat to the snarling rich folk (Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette) who rule the ship. And, man, we haven't even gotten to the "creeper" aliens who live on the surface of the humans new home world!

A film rich in plot and twists, Mickey 17 is a rollicking ride, mainly because its celebrated writer/director refuses to be predictable. The movie shifts tones and genres freely, reflecting the tumultuous life (or lives) of Mickey. And it's an absolutely mind-blowing blast. As I wrote in my review for Mashable, "The journey Mickey goes on is winding and wild, bucking the conventional flow of a sci-fi action movie, by being only gently sci-fi and barely action. Instead, Mickey 17 plays as a political comedy with cross-genre flare, ultimately urging the audience to see the similarities, and perhaps find our own inner Mickey 17."

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo

How to watch: Mickey 17 is now streaming on HBO Max.

6. The Life of Chuck

When people think of the works of Mike Flanagan (The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass) or Stephen King, they don't usually think life-affirming stories. But The Life of Chuck will change that.

Based on a King novella, this genre-bending wonder is post-apocalyptic thriller meets feel-good coming-of-age drama meets ghost story. And yet, it's more! Tom Hiddleston stars as Chuck Krantz, whose life, at a glance, might be considered average. But in this rapturous movie, filled with a wonderful ensemble cast, King and Flanagan weave a tale of love, loss, and dance that's sure to enthrall audiences.

SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King movie adaptation, ranked

In Mashable's review out of the film's Toronto International Film Festival premiere, I cheered, "The Life of Chuck is masterfully told. Like King's most moving adaptations, it doesn't play by standard rules of structure or audience expectations. It demands we follow the winding road through playful dialogue, painful lows, and rollicking highs to an unknown beyond. It's surprising and upsetting, funny and profound. I laughed hard, cried 'til my eyes ached, and once gasped so loud that I heard it echo across a theater struck silent by a moment both shocking and tender." Simply put, see it theaters, or you'll be missing out.*

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tom Hiddleston, Annalise Basso, Benjamin Pajak, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Matthew Lillard, Carl Lumbly, Samantha Sloyan, Harvey Guillén, Jacob Tremblay, Kate Siegel, and Mark Hamill

How to watch: The Life of Chuck is now playing in theaters.

5. Black Bag

Black Bag marks the third collaboration between director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp, the first being the riveting techno-thriller Kimi, and the second being the superbly unique haunted house movie Presence. Both creators relish the opportunity to shake up a genre. With this movie they do that to the espionage thriller, with Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.

SEE ALSO: 'Presence's Steven Soderbergh and David Koepp on ghosts, horror, and hating winks

When UK intelligence tells agent George Woodhouse (Fassbender) that his wife Kathryn (Blanchett) might be a turncoat, he does what any master spy might: He throws a dinner party, inviting all the suspected double agents. While Black Bag offers espionage standards like globe-trekking, covert surveillance, and lie detector tests, it's Koepp's dialogue over dinner that makes this movie absolutely electrifying. Soderberg's direction of a crackling cast makes the most of every cutting line.

In my review for Mashable, I was especially elated to see a portrayal or marriage that didn't fall into the tedious cliches of stagnation. I wrote, "As soon as Black Bag was over, I felt that dizzying high one gets from a proper spy thriller, the rush of vicarious adrenaline from the case cracked and the day saved. But I also had the deep urge to see this movie again immediately. Because as generous as the filmmaker and stars are with slathering this story in George and Kathryn's mutual attraction, I couldn't get enough. I wanted to go back to feel the thrill of their love for each other all over again."

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan

How to watch: Black Bag is now streaming on Peacock.

4. Bring Her Back

In 2023, filmmaking duo Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou awed critics and horror fans with their haunted hand hit Talk to Me. Now, they return with a gnarly psycho-biddy horror offering starring two-time Academy Award–nominee Sally Hawkins. The result is a nail-biting film that might have you gagging, covering your eyes, or experiencing some hard-won catharsis.

SEE ALSO: Say More: Danny and Michael Philippou on 'Bring Her Back'

The Philippou brothers probe into grief once again, exploring how this unmooring feeling can make the world around us feel unreal, hostile, and strange. In Bring Her Back, Hawkins stars as a foster mom named Laura, who takes in young orphans like Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), and siblings Piper (Sora Wong) and Andy (Billy Barratt). But despite Laura's chipper demeanor, 17-year-old Andy realizes something is off in her remote forest home. But can he stop the hell that's coming?

In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Bring Her Back is extraordinary. For those who found Talk to Me sensationally scary, this follow-up will thrill with its deeply deranged tale of heartache and body horror. But the Philippous went deeper, presenting a character-driven drama with flares of psycho-biddy and religious horror. That heady combination not only makes for a satisfyingly scary as hell movie, but also a profound one."

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, and Sally-Anne Upton

How to watch: Bring Her Back is now in theaters.

3. The Ballad of Wallis Island

You might have missed this feel-good movie when it hit theaters, but don't sleep on the chance to enjoy it at home. Perhaps while wearing a cozy sweater to be lavish in comfort.

Written and starring Tom Basden and Tim Key, this Focus Features gem imagines what would happen if a lonely but lovely folk-rock fan won the lottery. In The Ballad of Wallis Island, Charles (Key), who lives on the remote island, uses heaps of cash to reunite his favorite band, McGwyer Mortimer. There's just one problem. This folk duo — made up of Herb McGwyer (Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) — weren't just a band, but also a couple, who broke up hard. So, this reunion concert is socially awkward, to say the least.

Adapted from an award-winning short film Basden and Key made with director James Griffiths, The Ballad of Wallis Island creates an enveloping village atmosphere. Then it plops down a flailing rock star and his chipper ex to create some sparks and lots of laughs. In my review out of SXSW 2025, I cheered, "The Ballad of Wallis Island is not only deeply charming and laugh-out-loud funny for all its social foibles and comedy duo banter, but it's also cathartic....as Basden and Key strike their final chord of this masterfully charted comedy, you feel it reverberate warmly in your heart, carrying you out of the theater with a song still playing there."  

Starring: Tim Key, Tom Basden, Sian Clifford, Akemnji Ndifornyen, and Carey Mulligan

How to watch: The Ballad of Wallis Island is available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

2. Pee-wee as Himself

Between Pee-wee's Playhouse and Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Pee-wee Herman was an '80s icon adored by kids and grown-ups alike. But a scandal in 1991 brought Paul Reubens, the man behind the children's show, into a cruel tabloid spotlight. Since then, Reubens rebuilt his reputation and broadened his career, appearing in movies like Mystery Men, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Matilda. But the scorch of scandal kept Reubens reluctant to be open with the public about his life and loves — that is, until documentarian Matt Wolf began collaborating with the comedian for Pee-wee as Himself.

SEE ALSO: Say More: R.L. Stine on 'Fear Street: Prom Queen' and Matt Wolf on 'Pee-wee as Himself'

Though Reubens died of cancer before the film was wrapped, Wolf has built an empathetic and comprehensive portrait of the man, the artist, and the enigma. Told in two parts, this HBO documentary explores not only Reuben's inspirations for his most popular character, but also his queerness, and why he chose to go back into the closet to pursue a career in Hollywood.

In my review out of Sundance, I wrote, "Pee-wee as Himself is not a simple love letter to the iconic character or Reubens. That would suggest Wolf goes easy on either, fawning over them without reservation. This is something greater...Thought-provoking, boldly funny, and emotionally riveting, Pee-wee as Himself is [Reuben's] gift to us as grown-ups, as it reveals how hard that lesson can be, and how we must keep pushing ourselves to learn it."

Starring: Paul Reubens, Lynne Marie Stewart, Laurence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne, Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira: Mistress of the Dark), Debi Mazar, and David Arquette

How to watch: Pee-wee as Himself is now streaming on HBO Max.

1. Sinners

Ryan Coogler reunited with Michael B. Jordan, star of his critically heralded films, Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, and Creed. With Sinners, the two set the bar against which every other 2025 movie would be compared — not to mention every vampire movie from here to eternity.

Jordan stars as the Smokestack Twins, gangsters turned juke joint-proprietors whose opening night is crashed by a vicious vampire (Jack O'Connell), who craves the blood of their magical bluesman (Miles Caton in a jaw-dropping debut). Weaving folk lore, hoodoo practices, and history into the vampire subgenre, Coogler, who wrote and directed, built a world so rich that it could only be properly appreciated in 70mm IMAX. And in a time where naysayers are ringing the bell for the death of movie theaters, audiences came in such numbers that Sinners got a 70mm IMAX re-release to meet demand.

TikTok has been exploding with fans digging into every detail of the film, and we got in on the fun too! Critics praised the epic scope Coogler applied to his genre-fluid drama — which might be a horror musical. And audiences swooned over the ensemble, who were radiant as they created characters complex and compelling.

In my review of the film, I cheered, "Sinners is more than a hell of a thrilling vampire movie. Like Black Panther, it expands beyond the expectations of its genre to become a magnificent film, emanating with spirit, power, and purpose. Smoothly blending vampire horror into a unique tale of regret, resilience, and redemption, Coogler and Jordan have made a cinematic marvel that is terrifying, satisfying, and unforgettable."

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Yao, Lola Kirke, and Delroy Lindo

How to watch: Sinners is now in theaters and is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

SAVE $55: As of June 10, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is on sale for $174.99 at Amazon. That's a 24% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 $174.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $55 Get Deal

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is back on sale at Amazon, and this time it's at its lowest price in six months.

This impressive tablet is currently reduced to its lowest price this year, now just $174.99. This deal is for the 64GB option without lockscreen ads.

SEE ALSO: Save 41% on the kids-proof Fire 7 Kids tablet from Amazon

This tablet is one of the most advanced in the range, and is perfect for both work and play. The screen boasts an impressive 2000x1200 resolution and a bright display with over 2.4 million pixels. It's also certified for low blue light, so it's easy on the eyes, especially if you're looking at the screen for long periods of time.

You can add optional accessories to this tablet so you can adapt it to what you need. Accessories like a keyboard case and stylus pen can be purchased separately. It's even compatible with Microsoft 365, so you can download it onto the tablet for all your work or study needs.

For on-the-go use, the impressive battery life promises to last up to 14 hours. And with storage expandable to 1TB, it’s got plenty of room for all your favorite apps, movies, and documents.

This deal is stamped as "limited-time" only, so don't miss out.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

SAVE $120: As of June 10, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are on sale for $228 at Amazon. That's a 34% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 $228 at Amazon
$348 Save $120 Get Deal

Amazon's Daily Deals is the place to go for great discounts on tech, and if a new set of headphones is high on your wishlist, you'll love this latest deal on the Sony XM4, currently at their cheapest price this year.

As of June 10, you can find Sony XM4 headphones for $228 at Amazon, saving you $120 on list price. They are available in three colors, black, blue, and silver, all at the same reduced price.

SEE ALSO: The Dyson OnTrac headphones received a rare $100 discount

These headphones are packed with features that make them worth every cent. Noise canceling is handled by dual sensors, so they’re great for cutting out all kinds of background noise. Battery life is also solid and promises to give you up to 30 hours of juice. And when this runs out, simply charge for 10 minutes and get an extra five hours of listening.

These headphones also have touch controls for playback, volume, calls, and your voice assistant, plus a speak-to-chat feature that lowers the volume automatically when you start talking. There are also five built-in mics and smart voice pickup tech to make sure your calls and voicenotes are nice and clear.

Grab this deal from Amazon.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

During its opening WWDC keynote on Monday, Apple's presenters highlighted a striking new look for the iPhone's home screen: A clear look for all the icons, folders, and widgets on your screen, making it seem that everything is made of slightly curvy glass.

This is not, however, the default look on the iPhone in the new iOS 26, which is now available as a developer beta.

First, a quick name check-up: Apple calls its new design, which extends throughout all of its software, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, Liquid Glass. In this new design language, some of the elements, including some menus and notifications, are see-through, with an effect that slightly blurs the background design. It looks really cool, and has a visual effect of somehow freeing up space on your iPhone or iPad display.

But on the iPhone (and the iPad), the default look after you've installed iOS 26 isn't as striking, with most icons looking similar to how they did before.

The Liquid Glass elements show up everywhere, but if you want your phone to be fully glassified, read on. Credit: Apple

Fortunately, there are many ways to "glassify" your icons and widgets, some more obvious than others.

How to achieve the full Liquid Glass look in iOS 26: Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• iPhone
• iOS 26 Developer Beta

Step 1: Long press your home screen to get the Edit button in the top left corner.

Step 2: Tap Customise and choose a "Clear" look.

Step 3: Choose between Clear Dark and Clear Light look

From here, there are two options; the Clear Dark look will glassify your interface to a certain extent, but the icons will retain some of their original color. The Clear Light look turns everything into glass. Additionally, you can choose Auto, which means the look will switch from Light to Dark and vice versa depending on time of day.

Step 4: Glassify your widgets

Additionally, you can glassify or un-glassify (we're just making these words up as we go along) the elements on your lock screen. Go to Settings - Wallpaper - Customise. From there, tap on the big clock widget, and you'll get Font & Color options; in the bottom of the display, you'll see an option to make the look Glass or Solid. And if you want to make the look even glassier, slide the slider at the bottom all the way to the left, which will make the font more transparent.

Step 5: Tune-up your wallpaper

Finally, your choice of wallpaper can additionally enhance the clear look of your icons and widgets. I've found that nature panoramas and cityscapes work best for the home screen. Make sure to turn off the blur effect (click on Settings - Wallpaper - Customise and tap on "Blur" in the lower right corner) if you want the glassy icons and folders to slightly alter the details of your wallpaper in the background; the effect is really cool.

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are currently in the developer beta stage, with a public beta coming in about a month.

More glass! Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Most users should not attempt to install these new versions, as they will inevitably be buggy; they're primarily aimed for developers who need them for testing. If you do choose to sign up as a developer, you can do so here, after which you'll be able to download and install the developer betas. The developer program is not free; there's a $99 annual membership fee, but there's also a free tier which you can access by signing up here.

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro for only $14.97 (reg. $199) before codes sell out. Fewer than 50 are left in stock, and there's only one more day for this all-time low price.

If you haven't heard already, Microsoft has officially announced the countdown clock on Windows 10. Are you still running your PC on this dated operating system? Now might be the perfect time to finally upgrade your device's performance, because the latest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, is now less than $15. However, codes are limited.

With these Windows 11 Pro keys, you can completely revamp two compatible PCs, whether they're your personal or work computers. For starters, you'll enjoy a refreshed user interface that's been designed to be intuitive and aesthetically pleasing with rounded corners.

This updated operating system provides more than just an improved navigation experience. New productivity tools like snap layouts, easy redocking, and improved voice typing can help you complete personal and professional tasks, and you'll even have a more powerful search experience to get you further.

Digital safety is paramount for anyone online, which is why Windows 11 Pro is outfitted with enhanced security measures like Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, BitLocker device encryption, and more for greater peace of mind as you browse, stream, or game. And speaking of gaming, this operating system is designed to improve PC gaming graphics with DirectX12 Ultimate.

Since this is the Pro version of Windows 11, you'll additionally get remote work-friendly features, such as remote desktop access for viewing files and running programs from your mobile device. There's also Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for extra professional usage.

Act while the price is still at an all-time low, or before codes sell out for good.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $14.97
$199 Save $184.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Live stream Wimbledon 2025 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

What's the biggest Grand Slam on the calendar? The Australian Open, French Open, and US Open can all make legitimate claims to be the biggest tennis tournament of the year, but Wimbledon has that special something. We're not exactly sure what that is, but the fast-paced tennis, crisp white outfits, and copious amounts of champagne all contribute to the tournament's mystique.

Wimbledon is hard to beat, but easy to watch. If you're interested in watching Wimbledon 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is Wimbledon?

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It is chronologically the third of the four Grand Slam tennis events each year.

The defending singles champions are Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejčíková.

When is Wimbledon in 2025?

The 2025 Wimbledon Championships is the 138th edition of the tournament. This year's event takes place from June 30 to July 13.

How to watch Wimbledon 2025 for free

Wimbledon 2025 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Wimbledon 2025 for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream Wimbledon 2025 for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees and free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Wimbledon 2025 before recovering your investment. This is a sneaky trick, but it works.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Wimbledon 2025 for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Pornhub is seemingly getting banned everywhere.

Early in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws. As a result, Pornhub banned visitors from those states from accessing their website (plus YouPorn and RedTube). And now the same situation is taking place in France. Could you be next?

The reasons for this ban are complicated, but the workaround is straightforward. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to your favorite site, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.

The perfect cup of tea or coffee doesn't come easy. It takes practice — even the supposedly simple act of boiling some water, adding a tea bag, and then dropping in milk. It's a true art form — a delicate process that's refined over years of hot brew making. We're not here to tell you how to master the art, because everyone follows a slightly different routine. Though anyone who puts the milk in first needs to take a long hard look at themselves. (Seriously, what's that mad behaviour all about?)

With that out of the way, we can focus on what you'll need to make the perfect brew. Mugs and tea bags are important, obviously, but the kettle is the true difference maker. Think of the kettle as the artist’s canvas. You won’t brew any tea without it. And if you’re an enthusiastic caffeine-quaffer, the kettle is going to be put through its paces.

All of which means you should invest in a kettle that can cope with intense tea-making demands. But where to start? Here's some useful information to, erm, brew over.

What makes a good kettle?

First and foremost, a kettle boils water. That's what it's made to do. But there are all kinds of features that modern kettles have, going from kitchen essential to luxury item. These can include temperature control settings, "keep warm" functions, LED lights, a nice interface, and fast-boiling technology. It's also good to think about how big each kettle is for managing kitchen space, plus the water capacity. Finally, consider whether you need a kettle with a base. If the kettle itself is corded, that limits movement in the kitchen. If it has a base you'll be able to move around without the restriction of a cord.

Are plastic kettles safe?

Many electric kettles boil in plastic, which you could probably guess is unsafe. When plastic is boiled, the chemicals held within it can seep into whatever you're preparing. Plastic kettles are cheaper and the options are bountiful, but in all honesty, it isn't worth it unless you can find one that's totally BPA-free or made from silicone. We generally recommend going for either a glass or stainless steel electric kettle. 

What is variable temperature control?

We’ve honed in on this feature because it’s increasingly relevant in the age of herbal teas, serious coffee habits, and everything else. It's true that certain teas and coffees unlock the perfect flavour at very specific temperatures. Or maybe you just have a favourite temperature for hot drinks — some people prefer them piping hot, others like nicely warmed. Variable temperature control allows you to set the water to heat to a temperature of your choosing. You won’t always find variable temperature control on cheaper kettles, though it’s increasingly common on more premium models.

How much does a kettle cost?

A kettle costs as much as you want it to — or as much as you’re willing to spend. You can pick up a kettle from as little as £20 if you want to go seriously basic. Or you can spend over £100 if you’re looking for something with lots of features. We’ve included a selection of kettles at every price point.

What is the best kettle?

We have tried to make the purchasing process a little easier by lining up a selection of the best electric kettles from top brands like Sage, Smeg, and Black & Decker. All you need to do is pick your favourite and provide the tea bag.

These are some of the best electric kettles in 2025.

Travelling usually means compromising. Limited luggage space and the need to prioritise practicality often relegates matters of style to an afterthought, if they're thought of at all. This can result in you finally arriving at your picturesque holiday destination only to feel like the most disorganised, dishevelled person on the face of the Earth.

You aren't the only one who's been left haggard by travelling, and hotel staff have likely seen it all before. Even so, a few thoughtful upgrades to your travel kit can help you feel more glamorous than gremlin. Incorporating a little luxury may also help you reframe your travel identity for yourself, transforming from a harried airport sprinter to a poised and put-together globetrotter. After all, it's hard to feel your best when you aren't looking your best.

Here are six essentials to help you travel in style.

SEE ALSO: 7 overlooked and underrated essential travel gadgets 1. July Checked Expandable and Carry On Light Expandable luggage Credit: July

An enjoyable trip starts with a reliable set of luggage. While a good suitcase must be big enough to hold your travel shopping and sturdy enough to protect your purchases, it also shouldn't eat into your weight limit too much.

July's Checked Expandable suitcase strikes an excellent balance between these competing concerns. Weighing 4.5 kilograms (9.9 pounds), July's hard shell luggage can be expanded to a 90-litre capacity, which should be more than enough to satisfy many globetrotting shopaholics. The Checked Expandable has an in-built TSA combination lock, telescopic handle, aluminium-reinforced corners to help protect it from bumps, and rolls smoothly on four wheels. Its interior further indicates thoughtful design, including a side pocket which holds an extremely useful nylon laundry bag, and a strong Y-strap compression system. This includes a flat, structured pocket placed under the Y-strap to compress your clothes, helping maximise your suitcase space.

If you aren't planning on checking a bag, July's Carry On Light Expandable suitcase also offers a lot of space for minimal weight. Small enough to easily fit in a plane's overhead storage compartments, this delightfully convenient suitcase weighs just 2.2 kilograms (4.9 pounds) and has a 40-litre capacity when expanded — half the size of the unexpanded Checked Expandable. While it doesn't have a laundry bag or Y-strap compression system, its two zipped interior segments help keep the Carry On Light Expandable in order instead.

Opens in a new window Credit: July July Checked Expandable $300 at July
$375 Save $75 Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: July July Carry On Light Expandable $220 at July
$275 Save $55 Shop Now 2. DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Credit: DJI

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is the type of gadget that might sound excessive when you first hear about it. After all, do you really need a standalone video camera if you already have a smartphone in your pocket? The answer is yes, you very much do. In fact, once you try DJI's fantastic pocket-sized gimbal camera, there's a good chance you'll never want to record videos with your phone ever again. 

At just 5.5 inches long, the Osmo Pocket 3 is a great camera to slip in your bag when you're on the go. It's phenomenally simple to operate, turning on with a satisfying twist of its two-inch rotating display screen, while its facial tracking feature follows your subject for smooth, well-framed, professional-looking shots. Capable of filming 4K footage in landscape and 3K footage in TikTok-friendly portrait, this camera is much less unwieldy than recording on your phone, and turns out better results. In fact, the only reasons any vlogger or content creator wouldn't covet an Osmo Pocket 3 are either because they already have one, or because they haven't heard about it.

While you can just pick up the Osmo Pocket 3 by itself, it's well worth upgrading to the Creator Combo pack if you can afford it. This pack adds a few accessories such as a battery handle, mini tripod stand, and most significantly a DJI Mic 2 transmitter. It's ridiculously easy to connect the Mic 2 to your Pocket 3 — literally just turn it on — and it provides noticeably clearer audio than the Osmo Pocket 3's on-device mic. Just remember to set a bit of cash aside for a good microSD card as well, as the Pocket 3 doesn't have any internal storage.

You should also remember to treat your Osmo Pocket 3 with care, particularly its delicate gimbal. The camera does come with a hard carry case, but unfortunately it doesn't fit in the Creator Combo's soft carrying bag when in use, and the easy access design still leaves the Osmo Pocket 3 open to potential damage. Though considering the device's compact size and how fun it is to use, this is probably one you'll keep close by in your carry on anyway.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $979 at Amazon
Shop Now 3. MAISON de SABRÉ Weekender bag Credit: MAISON de SABRÉ

MAISON de SABRÉ's Weekender Bag is the type of bag you travel with if you have your life together and don't mind if everyone knows it. Made of gorgeously supple full-grain leather, this beautiful 23-litre luggage option is both fashionable and functional, firmly establishing you as prime airport crush material.

The Weekender has six internal side pockets to help keep your belongings organised, including a padded sleeve for your laptop and a zipped option on the opposite side. It also has two external sleeve pockets, one of which can be zipped open at the bottom to turn into a luggage passthrough. Though even if you opt not to use the passthrough, The Weekender's structured base allows it to sit neatly on top of your suitcase without you having to worry about it sliding off. The bag also features shoulder carry handles, and comes with a detachable crossbody strap for an alternate carry option.

Featured Video For You One day you might be able to travel by water, land, and sky all in one vehicle – Future Blink

Weighing 1.45 kilograms (3.19 pounds), the Weekender is slightly heavier than MAISON de SABRÉ's 1.42-kilogram Duffle Bag, which also has a larger 35-litre capacity. However, this is because the Weekender is designed to be used more frequently, so has increased reinforcement. Considering how attractive this bag is, you'll probably be searching for any excuse to use it. Though on the other hand, the Weekender is also so pretty that subjecting it to the cruel rigours of travel almost feels like sacrilege regardless of whether it can take it.

Opens in a new window Credit: MAISON de SABRÉ MAISON de SABRÉ Weekender Bag $519
Shop Now 4. Sonos Ace headphones Credit: Sonos

A good pair of headphones is imperative to a good travel experience. Unless you're on a road trip and it's your turn to drive, there's a good chance you'll spend a significant amount of time watching the scenery go by during the travel part of travelling. A decent soundtrack can make these hours feel restorative rather than mundane.

Sonos' Ace headphones are the speaker company's highly anticipated first foray into wearables. With decades of audio experience behind its development, the Sonos Ace offers exceptional sound quality, long battery life, notable comfort, and a well-balanced transparency mode in a sleek, minimalist design. This includes removable magnetic ear cups, so you can swap them out if they get damaged rather than ditching the whole device. The headphones come with a handy carry case as well, so you don't have to worry about them getting tossed around in your bag. 

The Sonos Ace operates via Bluetooth, so that's something to keep in mind if you were hoping to be able to connect via WiFi. However, if you just want to listen to your Spotify playlist on your phone, these headphones should have you covered. Like other Bluetooth headphones, the Sonos Ace can also be used to listen to your plane's in-flight entertainment if you pair it with Twelve South's AirFly wireless adapter. They're a particularly good option if you already have a Sonos sound system at home as well, as you can pair it with the Ace to easily swap audio from your speakers to the headphones and vice versa.

Sonos Ace headphones $329 at Walmart
Shop Now 5. Solbari ultra wide cotton linen hat UPF50+ and Traveller broad brim sun hat UPF50+ Credit: Solbari

Hats are severely underrated travel items. Many people have never had a good quality hat, getting by with miscellaneous branded caps that offer mediocre coverage at best. Considering that a bad sunburn can completely derail a trip, it's an area that travellers would do well to consider more seriously.

Solbari is an Australian brand focused on sun protection — and if anyone knows about sun protection, it's Australians. The country is notorious for its powerfully damaging sun which is seven to 10 percent stronger than in the U.S., resulting in sun safety being baked into its national consciousness as a constant concern for all Australians.

Solbari's ultra wide cotton linen hat UPF50+ is a fashionable yet functional addition to your travel kit. Made of a breathable linen and cotton blend that feels luxurious to handle, this lightweight hat's wide five-inch brim extends even further to six inches at the back, offering fantastic protection against the sun while also looking stylish. The hat even has a small slot at the back for you to pull your ponytail through, so it isn't uncomfortably pressed against the back of your skull.

While Solbari doesn't offer linen in its men's styles, its popular Traveller broad brim sun hat UPF50+ includes four vents to help keep you cool. With a brim measuring three inches at the front and 3.5 at the back, the hat is made of thin, lightweight nylon that's both water- and stain-resistant, features which are always beneficial in travelling gear.

Both of these Solbari hats are UPF50+ rated, and have adjustable chin straps and drawstrings at the back to keep them safely on your head (though the former is removable if that's the look you prefer). The cotton linen hat does fold up more easily than the Traveller which has a stiffer rim, but the latter still packs flat for easy transport. You can always simply loop the chin strap around your luggage handle as well.

Solbari Ultra Wide Cotton Linen Hat UPF50+ $79 at Amazon
Shop Now Solbari Traveller Broad Brim Sun Hat UPF50+ $48.30 at Amazon
Shop Now 6. Insta360 Flow Pro Credit: Insta360

While DJI's Osmo Pocket 3 is a great camera, it definitely isn't in everyone's budget. As the famous saying goes, the best camera is the one that's with you — and more often than not, that's the one on your phone. This doesn't mean you couldn't use an extra gadget to upgrade your photography, though.

The Insta360 Flow Pro is a gimbal, tripod, and selfie stick all in one, helping you perfectly frame your holiday videos. In addition to compensating for shaky hands, the Flow Pro can use AI to track subjects, allowing you to film yourself in steady, cinematic panning shots even when travelling alone. The buttons on its handle also enable you to control your camera, whether you want to change your phone's orientation, switch between the front and back cameras, start and stop tracking and recording, or even zoom in.

Though the Flow Pro is considerably more chunky than the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, it boasts 360-degree tracking. An upgrade from the Insta360 Flow, the Flow Pro further adds one-tap NFC pairing for quick and easy setup, and a light to indicate when tracking is active. This severely souped-up selfie stick even has native tracking within the iPhone camera (though you should definitely update your iPhone to at least iOS 18 to ensure this works properly).

While Insta360 Flow Pro does have extra compatibility with iPhones, Android users can still benefit from this gadget as well. Green bubble adherents won't be able to use one-tap pairing or tracking in their phone's native camera, but will otherwise be able to enjoy the Insta360 Flow Pro's full functionality via the Insta360 app. You'll probably want to use the Insta360 app even if you do have an iPhone anyway, as it offers a smoother experience, improved tracking, and access to features such as 3x3 panoramic photos.

Insta360 Flow Pro $127.50 at Amazon
$149 Save $21.50 Shop Now

UPDATE: Jun. 10, 2025, 12:00 p.m. AEST This article was originally published September 2024, and has since been updated in June 2025.

Apple is increasingly caught between a rock and a hard place — and not just on Artificial Intelligence.

Here's the problem, one that may have been stretched to breaking point during CEO Tim Cook's 2025 WWDC keynote. There are people in the market for Apple products, who want and have always wanted technology that just works. They want gadgets that are intuitive to use, not intrusive. According to multiple surveys, consumers continue to be distrustful of anything with an AI label. According to the nonprofit IAPP, 57 percent of us believe AI poses a threat to our privacy.

Then there are investors who are in the market for Apple stock, who are always on the lookout for tech products that seem new. Overall, tech investors are still drinking the AI Kool-Aid despite abundant evidence — including a brand new paper from Apple researchers! — that AI's ability to reason, and to be useful in general, may have already hit a wall.

SEE ALSO: 'The illusion of thinking': Apple research finds AI models collapse and give up with hard puzzles

Apparently, Apple is trying to keep both of those groups happy. Result: a keynote that liberally sprinkles on mentions of "Apple Intelligence," a rebranding of many software services (including voice assistant Siri, which got just one shout-out compared to multiple mentions of ChatGPT), but failed to gin up any excitement about what Apple Intelligence can do for you.

Given privacy is a major concern for consumers, it's cool that Apple Intelligence won't send any of your queries to the company. But we already knew that from Cook's 2024 keynote that introduced Apple Intelligence. Without getting tough on dangers posed by other companies who are more reckless with your data when it comes to AI — the same way Cook once dared to call Android a "toxic hellstew" — mentions of privacy just fly by like an F1 race car.

More than anything else, Apple's updates were mere vibes. Apple Intelligence is a vibe. The "liquid glass" design refresh is a vibe. Craig Fedherigi is definitely a vibe. But tech stocks are coasting on a different vibe right now, the one OpenAI's Sam Altman has been nurturing for the last three years — including hiring Apple legend Jony Ive to create a screenless gadget. There are only so many F1 dad jokes Apple can make to compete with that alluring vision.

The Apple analyst who called the event a "yawner" because Apple did not "monetize on the AI front" spoke for the market, which drove Apple stock down from the minute the keynote began.

How Apple is being a people-pleaser "Yes. F1, baby." Credit: Apple keynote, Mashable screenshot

You'd think the interests of Apple consumers and Apple investors would not diverge, and for most of the past two decades they haven't. Thanks to the roaring success of the iPhone, Apple got millions of new customers for all its well-designed, highly-rated, premium price products. Investors rewarded that runaway growth by making Apple the first company ever with a market capitalization of more than $3 trillion.

But Apple is increasingly dealing with mature markets. Or in normal person-speak, its gadgets have solved most major problems and settled down into standard versions of themselves. The average user can buy an iPhone now and be reasonably confident that its superfast chipset and self-updating software will keep it future-proofed for the next five years or so. You can still rock an iPhone 11 from 2019 well into 2026; it's the oldest phone that officially supports the upcoming iOS 26.

And that's as it should be! Apple would not have earned its current level of love from consumers if it had gone any further with the obnoxious business strategy known as planned obsolescence, or if it wasn't trying to rein in the environmental impact of its gadgets. A business model that has nothing to do with selling user data means the company can crow about privacy on billboards.

But it also means Cook has to work extra hard to convince the market that incremental updates are something to be excited about — and risks looking extra in the process.

"Liquid Glass" is a case in point. Fedherigi described it as a "material" that sits atop the user interface in Apple OSes, as if the company had literally injected liquid glass into all its screens. Spoiler alert: it hasn't. Liquid Glass is just a design language that makes menus a bit more "see-through-y", in Mashable senior editor Stan Schroeder's memorable summary. Such obvious overhyping makes Apple marketing a bit more see-through-y too.

In search of a new look, Liquid Glass also adds a drop shadow to some icons — verboten at Apple back when Jony Ive was there. Former Apple executive Scott Forstall was ousted in 2012 in part because he championed this kind of design, known as skeumorphism, whereas Ive favored a flat look. Apparently Apple has extended its recycling program to include design ideas.

Apple's new call screening feature will positively affect more lives than Liquid Glass. But Android has taken the lead on that front, so Cook can't really claim credit for it; it's just listed as one of a grab bag of features in Apple Intelligence. Polls in group chats? That's also an Apple Intelligence feature. Order tracking in Apple Wallet? Sure, let's call that Apple Intelligence too.

But whether you fear AI or love it, that grab-bag approach to what Apple Intelligence actually is ain't going to cut it. Investors, who have already sent the market cap of AI-leveraged companies like Microsoft and Nvidia soaring higher than Apple's, aren't going to be satisfied with what seems like a weak commitment to the coming AI era. And so long as he refuses to explain what the market and other companies get wrong about AI, Cook will stay stuck between the rock and the hard place.

It's hard to fit a high-end graphics card inside a small PC. So much so that apparently, it's easier to fit a small PC inside a high-end graphics card. Pretty weird, I know, but these are the times we're living in.

Apple’s 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote was sparse on the kind of groundbreaking announcements it’s usually known for. With no major hardware reveals until September and no pressure to wade into undercooked tech categories like AI or augmented reality, the Silicon Valley giant went back to basics. The message was clear: iOS needs an update.

That was the crux of this year’s keynote, with Apple CEO Tim Cook and Senior VP Craig Federighi diving deep into the all-new iOS 26 redesign, dubbed Liquid Glass. Apple also confirmed it's introducing a new naming convention for all of Apple’s software platforms, aimed at aligning with the company’s vision for the future. While Apple Intelligence and AI weren’t the headline act, the OS does include new AI features that will hopefully spark some enthusiasm among consumers. According to a new survey by CNET, just 11 percent of US consumers upgrade their phones for AI features. From live translations to music tools and Safari enhancements, AI is embedded across the system, even if it feels a bit reactionary following the Google I/O 2025 keynote, which was all AI, AI, and more AI.

iOS 26, along with updates across Apple’s hardware operating systems, brings a mix of big swings and incremental upgrades. Here’s a full breakdown of everything announced at WWDC 2025, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and WatchOS 26.

And let's start with...

iOS 26 updates Good enough, welcome back Windows Vista. Credit: Apple

Apple's new visual style is called Liquid Glass, and the translucent UI marks Apple’s most significant visual overhaul in years. It keeps the core layout familiar but introduces a suite of subtle quality-of-life improvements designed to make navigation smoother and more intuitive.

“Expressive” was the word Federighi leaned on to describe the new look, with demos showcasing apps that appear to float in space — a design language clearly borrowing from the spatial interface of Vision Pro. That spatiality now filters down to iPhone, giving everything a slick, responsive, and notably fluid feel.

This includes an updated Dark Mode and an all-new Clear theme — Apple’s take on a fully translucent UI that somehow feels modern, minimal, and a rich man's version of Windows Vista.

It’s a noticeable shift that brings a handful of thoughtful features. Nothing revolutionary, but enough to make you pause and think, okay, that’s pretty clever.

Live translations Credit: Apple

In one of the more genuinely useful Apple Intelligence features for everyday users, Live Translations are now integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and other core apps. It’s arguably the flagship AI-driven feature in iOS 26. Apple says the real-time translations are processed entirely on-device and can even mimic the user’s voice during translation — a technical flex that’s impressive, if slightly uncanny.

The feature also extends to music, with support for real-time lyric translations and live pronunciation to help users sing along. How seamless it all feels in practice remains to be seen.

Phone

The Phone app is getting a streamlined new layout that brings Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails into a single, unified view. Building on the existing Live Voicemail feature, Apple is also introducing Call Screening, which prompts unknown callers to explain why they're calling, giving you the chance to decide whether it's worth your time.

Apple wants to give you your time back. Credit: Apple

The standout addition, though, is Hold Assist. When you’re stuck waiting for a live agent, your iPhone will now alert you the moment a real person picks up. A small upgrade, but a smart one.

Photos

Photos are finally — finally — getting the visual "overhaul" it desperately needed. The app has been a mess since iOS 18, when Apple turned what was a perfectly functional interface into something oddly convoluted, burying albums and making navigation a chore.

Credit: Apple

With iOS 26, Photos is being restructured around two main tabs: one for your full photo library and the other for your collections. Apple is framing it as a sleek, modern redesign, but really, it’s a return to the pre-iOS 18 layout, just better looking. It's a reinvention of the wheel, sure, but at least it's a wheel that actually rolls.

Messages Credit: Apple

Group chats are getting a solid quality-of-life update in iOS 26, with the addition of Apple Pay integration and built-in Polls. It’s a small but meaningful upgrade that makes coordinating with friends or splitting bills a bit more seamless.

Messages is also getting smarter about unknown numbers, automatically sorting them into a separate folder. From there, you can mark them as known, request more info, or delete them entirely. Which is particularly useful for online daters navigating their talking stage graveyard.

Now integrated with Apple Intelligence, the app will now suggest creating a poll when it detects that a decision needs to be made, and works in tandem with Image Playground for generating custom backgrounds to personalize your chats.

CarPlay

The new design for CarPlay introduces a compact view for incoming calls, so drivers can see who’s calling without losing sight of critical info like navigation directions.

Credit: Apple

Messages in CarPlay now supports Tapbacks and pinned conversations, making it easier to keep track of active chats on the go. Plus, with the addition of widgets and Live Activities, staying informed while driving looks to be more seamless and less distracting.

Apple also introduced CarPlay Ultra, an enhanced version of CarPlay designed specifically for its luxury automotive partnerships, starting with Aston Martin. Despite the name sounding like a subscription tier (it’s not… at least for now), CarPlay Ultra is touted as a deeper, more immersive integration of Apple’s software into the car’s entire being.

Credit: Apple

Instead of being confined to the central infotainment screen, CarPlay Ultra extends across all driver-facing displays, blending iPhone functionality with the vehicle’s native systems for a more unified and premium in-car experience.

Maps, Wallet, and a Passport Digital ID

Apple Maps is getting a memory upgrade in iOS 26 with Visited Places, a feature that logs where you’ve been, like restaurants or shops, and organizes them right in the app. Sure, Google Maps has done this for years, but Apple’s finally catching up.

Credit: Apple

The app also gets smarter about your daily patterns. Using on-device intelligence, iPhone can now recognize regular routes — like your commute — and surface preferred directions, flag traffic delays, and suggest faster options, all from the lock screen.

As expected, it raises some privacy flags. But Apple claims both Visited Places and daily route tracking are end-to-end encrypted and can’t be accessed by the company itself, though by now, that promise feels more like a standard PR line than a standout feature.

Adding to the pile of privacy-adjacent updates, Apple Wallet in iOS 26 now supports Digital ID for passports, though Apple is quick to note it’s not a replacement for your physical passport. You can add it to your Wallet, and it’s currently accepted by TSA in 10 states and Puerto Rico. (For context, Digital IDs are recognized in 14 states total, but holdouts like New York and Louisiana use their own apps and don’t support Apple Wallet.)

Credit: Apple

Boarding Passes are also getting smarter with Live Activities integration. They let you share your flight status with friends in real-time, so they know when you land — no group text updates required.

A new Games app Credit: Apple

Apple is finally taking mobile gaming more seriously with the new Apple Games app. It pulls everything into one place—a Home tab for updates to the games you actually play, a dedicated section for Apple Arcade, and a Library that tracks every game you’ve ever downloaded.

There’s a new “Play Together” tab for comparing scores, sending invites, and competing in real-time challenges with friends. It works in portrait or landscape, and pairs smoothly with a controller.

Safari

According to Apple, Safari in iOS 26 is getting a boost in privacy and design. The mobile browser now includes advanced fingerprinting protection while browsing. Visually, Safari adopts a more rounded, edge-to-edge look — web pages now flow seamlessly from the top of the screen to the bottom.

Accessibility Features

iOS 26 brings a wave of meaningful accessibility updates across the Apple ecosystem. Accessibility Reader introduces a customizable, systemwide reading experience tailored to individual needs, while Braille Access delivers a completely rethought interface for users connecting braille displays to iPhone.

Apple has also improved features like Live Listen, Background Sounds, and Personal Voice, aiming to make day-to-day device use more intuitive and inclusive.

iPadOS 26 updates Credit: Apple

Apple claims iPadOS 26 is its most ambitious iPad update yet — combining the sleek new Liquid Glass design with deeper productivity features and expanded Apple Intelligence integration. The headline feature for iPadOS 26 is a powerful new Apple "invention" called Windows — an upgrade that finally lets users freely resize, move, and tile apps across their iPad screen. And no, this does not make the iPad just like a Mac. They have different names, after all.

Still, it’s the closest the iPad has come to feeling like a true multitasking machine, shedding some of the clunky constraints of Split View and Slide Over. It’s not macOS, but it's not far off either — just don’t say that too loudly in Cupertino.

The Files app gets new folder customization and default app settings, and the long-awaited Preview app comes to iPad for editing PDFs and images with Apple Pencil.

Creative pros get features like Background Tasks, local capture for recording, and improved audio input tools, while the Journal app, Game Overlay, and a new menu bar round out a packed update focused on making the iPad more capable, personal, and pro-friendly than ever.

macOS Tahoe 26 updates Credit: Apple

macOS 26, now officially named macOS Tahoe, builds out the Mac experience with deeper iPhone integration, smarter system-wide intelligence, and a much beefier Spotlight. The Phone app finally lands on macOS, complete with Call Screening and Hold Assist, while Live Activities can now surface in the menu bar for real-time updates like flights or rides.

Credit: Apple

Spotlight gets its biggest update yet — it can now execute actions like sending emails or creating notes, and supports filtering, quick keys, and results from third-party cloud services. Apple Intelligence brings on-device Live Translation, smarter Shortcuts, Genmoji customization, and new tools in Image Playground.

Credit: Apple

A personal favorite from the keynote is the updated Finder, which lets users customize folder icons with colors and symbols, and themes offer more personalized desktop setups.

tvOS 26 updates

tvOS 26 brings new content features and quality-of-life improvements to the Apple TV experience. Users can now set up individual profiles for personalized recommendations and continue watching across devices. The TV app has been redesigned to prioritize content, with streamlined playback controls that stay out of the way.

Credit: Apple

Cinematic poster art adds some polish, but, to be honest, the real highlight of the tvOS 26 spotlight was the Apple TV+ preview: Chief of War with Jason Momoa, Foundation season 3, Slow Horses season 5, and a new Denzel Washington film titled Highest to Lowest are all on the way.

It’s a steady update that Apple intends to be more personal and content-driven.

watchOS 26 introduces Workout Buddy Credit: Apple

It kind of feels like Apple’s heart just isn’t in watchOS anymore, at least based on what was shown at WWDC. The headline feature is Workout Buddy, an AI-powered fitness coach that dishes out real-time encouragement, milestone callouts, and personalized playlists, all voiced by synthetic versions of Fitness+ trainers.

The Workout app itself finally gets a much-needed redesign, making it easier to jump into custom routines and access pacing tools without digging through menus. Beyond that, most of what’s new in watchOS is inherited directly from iOS 26 — small quality-of-life improvements that round out the experience, but don’t exactly move the needle.

VisionOS 26 updates Good enough. Welcome back 'L.A. Noire." Credit: Apple

Finally, to wrap up this round-up, it’s VisionOS 26 and Vision Pro — the source of inspiration behind Apple’s new Liquid Glass aesthetic and translucent UI design overhaul across its platforms.

This year’s update doubles down on spatial computing and everyone's "love" for widgets. This includes spatially aware widgets that persist in your physical environment, letting users pin things like clocks, weather, and photos around their space, customizable down to frame depth and color.

Apple’s also focused on social and collaborative use cases. Users can now share spatial experiences with others in the same room or dial in friends via FaceTime. Safari supports interactive 3D models embedded in web pages, and developers can tap into new APIs to make apps more immersive.

That includes Personas, which is getting a — slightly less creepy — glowup. With the help of some "enhanced volumetric rendering," Personas invade your digital space with sharper detail, full side profiles, and more natural motion.

And yes, you can still watch movies and play games — because it's still a $3,500 headset, after all.

YouTube quietly loosened its video moderation rules a few weeks before Donald Trump was sworn in as president a second time, reports the New York Times.

The new rules encourage the site’s moderators not to remove videos that break YouTube’s code of conduct — which bans nudity, graphic violence, hate speech, and incendiary misinformation — if the videos are considered to be in the public interest. Previously, YouTube would keep up videos it considered in the public interest if only a quarter of its content was considered in violation of its rules; now, half of a video’s content can still break the rules and remain up, according to the Times.

YouTube considers content concerning “elections, ideologies, movements, race, gender, sexuality, abortion, immigration, censorship and other issues” part of the public interest, according to the Times, which viewed the training materials where the change was outlined.

SEE ALSO: Meta reportedly replacing human risk assessors with AI

YouTube, owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google, made the change in mid-December by introducing the updated training materials to moderators. Similarly, Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, ended fact-checking on social posts in January, the same month Trump entered the White House. Many Republicans, including Trump, have called for tech giants to minimize or end moderation on their users’ content. X ended fact-checking after Elon Musk bought the social media site in 2022, implementing a crowdsourced Community Notes feature instead. While X and Meta publicly announced they were ending or minimizing moderation, YouTube did not. 

The Times cited several examples of YouTube’s new policy. One included a 43-minute video about Trump’s cabinet appointees that remained up even though it included a slur against a transgender person. Another included a South Korean video that was not taken down even though a commentator discussed an imagined scenario involving a politician being killed by a guillotine. YouTube decided to keep the video up because “execution by guillotine is not feasible.”

When reached for comment, YouTube representatives stated that moderators removed 192,856 videos in the first quarter of 2025, which actually constituted a 22 percent year-over-year increase. Additionally, a YouTube spokesperson directed concerned viewers to visit their Community Guidelines Transparency Report for more details and clarity on the policy change.

"We regularly update our Community Guidelines to adapt to the content we see on YouTube," YouTube spokesperson Nicole Bell said in a statement to Mashable. "As examples, earlier this year, we retired our remaining COVID-19 policies and added new protections related to gambling content. The New York Times article is about a separate aspect of our approach: our long-standing practice of applying exceptions to our policies for content that serves the public interest or has EDSA (educational, documentary, scientific, artistic) context. These exceptions apply to a small fraction of the videos on YouTube, but are vital for ensuring important content remains available. This practice allows us to prevent, for example, an hours-long news podcast from being removed for showing one short clip of violence. We regularly update our guidance for these exceptions to reflect the new types of discussion and content (for example emergence of long, podcast content) that we see on the platform, and the feedback of our global creator community. Our goal remains the same: to protect free expression on YouTube."

Apple kicked off its 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference with a glossy flourish: a sweeping UI redesign called Liquid Glass for the newly christened iOS 26. It’s translucent, fluid, and "expressive," Apple says. Nearly every new feature is now stitched together with some form of Apple Intelligence or, in some cases, OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

However, amid all the name-dropping of LLMs and neural networks, one thing was conspicuously missing: Siri. Apple’s OG AI assistant. Apparently, she’s still not ready for her makeover.

"As we've shared, we're continuing our work to deliver the features that make Siri even more personal," said Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering, during the keynote. "This work needed more time to reach our high-quality bar, and we look forward to sharing more about it in the coming year."

When Apple first introduced its Apple Intelligence branding almost exactly a year ago, it was supposed to usher in a smarter, sharper Siri — a reimagined voice assistant powered by AI that combined its legacy system with Apple Intelligence to handle more advanced queries. But, as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported, Apple’s entry into the AI race has been more reluctant than revolutionary.

Because of this, Siri has become something of a collateral victim in what can only be described as Apple’s internal AI scramble. You can see the fallout in how iOS 18 has handled its so-called intelligence upgrades, rolled out in fragmented waves over the last year or so.

Back in March, Gurman noted Apple was still "running way behind" on delivering any substantial updates to Siri, with its more conversational, AI-enhanced version unlikely to land before 2027.

So, yes, iOS just got a sleek new skin, but Siri is still stuck in the waiting room.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed upon Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

On Monday, June 9, Apple held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where it confirmed that the successor to iOS 18 will actually be iOS 26. It's part of a whole new naming convention and a fresh new look, and it was the headline from an event packed with updates. See also: new Apple Intelligence features, the announcement of macOS Tahoe, and a new Live Translation feature.

At a glance, there's a lot to like about Apple’s new iOS 26, up to and including Liquid Glass, Cupertino’s brand new multi-platform design language. The hype train is real since it’s the first iOS design overhaul since 2013.

So, when can you actually get the iOS 26 update?

Apple intends to release iOS 26  to everyone this fall as a free software update, but enterprising individuals can try it early with the beta. 

The release of iOS 26 Liquid Glass is the biggest Apple redesign in over 10 years. Credit: Apple

In a press release, Apple only says that iOS 26 is coming in the fall.

You could wait for the stable release, which is coming to every iPhone from the iPhone SE and iPhone 11 series to the latest iPhone 16e. Alternatively, you can try out the iOS 26 beta starting today. Back in the olden days, you used to need a $99 Apple Developer account. These days, it’s much easier and $99 cheaper since you can get into it for free. You just have to know how to do it.

Read this before trying the iOS 26 beta

A note before we begin, betas tend to have bugs, glitches, and other instabilities that may make it difficult to use for daily use. For the most part, betas are a lot more stable than they used to be but it’s not guaranteed. Make sure you understand the risk before installing a whole OS, whether it’s iOS 26 or Samsung’s One UI 8 beta. 

So, before you start, you’ll want to make sure everything is backed up in case something goes wrong and familiarize yourself with the process of reinstalling iOS 18.5. 

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 on Monday, June 9. Credit: Apple How to install the iOS 26 beta

Note: You’ll want to make sure your iPhone is on the latest update, which is currently iOS 18.5. You’ll want to have a compatible phone as well. 

Getting the beta is a lot easier than it used to be, especially since Apple has a free tier of its Developer Program. Since that’s all you need to download the beta right now, you can download iOS 26 today. Here’s how:

• If you are already a developer, skip this part. 

• If you are not, head to this link and follow the instructions to sign up for a free Apple developer account. 

• Note: The process may ask for payment, but you can back out once you get to that point, and you should still have a free developer account. 

Once that’s done, go to the Apple Developers website and log in with your new (or existing) developer account. Once done, enroll your device for the Apple Beta Software Program. After that, do the following:

• On the device you enrolled, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. 

• Choose the iOS 26 Developer Beta.

• Return to the prior menu screen and tap Download and Install. 

• Grab a cup of coffee. It’s a whole OS update and it’s going to take a while.

If the iOS 26 Developer Beta doesn’t appear in your settings. Wait a few minutes or reboot your device. It should show up then. 

Alternatively, you can sign up for the public beta that is slated to launch next month. You can sign up for the public betas on Apple’s Beta Software Program website linked above and enroll your device. Once the public beta is ready, you’ll be able to install it. 

Which devices can run the iOS 26 beta? Some of the new Messages features in iOS 26. Credit: Apple

All of the devices that will receive iOS 26 at launch should be compatible with the beta. The list includes:

• iPhone SE (second generation and later)

• iPhone 11, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 12, Mini, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 13, Mini, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 14, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 15 Plus,, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 16 Plus, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 16e

Alternatively, you can sign up for the public beta that is slated to launch next month. You can sign up for the public betas on Apple’s Beta Software Program website linked above and enroll your device. Once the public beta is ready, you’ll be able to install it. 

What’s new in iOS 26? Liquid Glass has lots of translucent, clear, and customizable elements. Credit: Apple

On top of the new Liquid Glass design language, Apple has tucked some other neat stuff under the hood. Apple Maps got some cool new features, as did iMessage and the Call app. The iPad received something we’ve never heard of before called “windows.” There was a lot more from the keynote, but honestly, you’re here because you want to try Liquid Glass, and I don’t blame you. It looks pretty sweet. 

We’ll be diving more into iOS 26 as we learn more, so keep an eye out for more information.

Apple is releasing a substantial new iOS iteration later this year, but like always, some iPhones will be unable to run the operating system and will be functionally left behind by the Apple ecosystem.

Tim Cook and friends announced and elaborated on iOS 26 at Apple's annual WWDC keynote livestream on Monday. The new version of iOS brings a host of new features, such as the new "Liquid Glass" design language, improved live translation, and a sorely needed reorganization of the Camera and Photos apps. As you may have noticed, we also jumped from iOS 18 to iOS 26, as Apple has adopted a new OS naming scheme that focuses on years rather than version numbers.

SEE ALSO: Apple WWDC 2025 keynote event: live updates

However, this news comes with a bit of disappointment for some iPhone owners. Each new version of iOS represents a new group of older iPhones that will be effectively cut off from major software updates, thus incentivizing their owners to spend money on a newer iPhone instead. Here is the list of iPhones that support iOS 26, for those who are curious about the status of their older iPhones.

SEE ALSO: Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote ends with a piano man singing real App Store reviews Every iPhone that supports iOS 26

The list of iOS 26-compatible iPhones is as follows:

• iPhone SE (second generation and beyond only)

• iPhone 11, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 12, Mini, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 13, Mini, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 14, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 15, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 16, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max

• iPhone 16e

You can go ahead and pencil in the as-yet-unannounced iPhone 17, too. That means every iPhone model older than iPhone 11 is out of luck here. iPhone X line owners who got iOS 18 last year will have to upgrade at some point if they want to take advantage of the new features iOS 26 brings to the table. It's also worth noting that any Apple Intelligence features will be limited even further to iPhone 15 and 16 models (until the 17 is inevitably announced, too).

There's no official release date for iOS 26 yet, but expect it to drop before the end of the year.

Apple announced a ton of new features at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, including personalized backgrounds and customizable emoji, a new design language called Liquid Glass, and the macOS 26 update, "Tahoe." Among those exciting new updates are a ton of changes to the iPad, coming this fall in iPadOS 26.

"iPadOS 26 is our biggest iPadOS release ever, with powerful features that take the experience to the next level and transform what users can do on iPad," Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said in a press release. "With a beautiful new design, an entirely new powerful and intuitive windowing system, even more features powered by Apple Intelligence, huge improvements to working with files, and new capabilities for creatives to power their workflows, iPadOS 26 makes our most versatile device even more capable."

So, what changes are coming to your iPad with iPadOS 26? It's not just a new look, even if that was the main focus at WWDC 2025. Here's everything you need to know about the new iPad updates announced at Apple's 2025 WWDC.

Featured Video For You WWDC 2025: Everything revealed in 10 minutes SEE ALSO: Apple WWDC 2025 keynote event: live updates Did someone say Windows? Did someone say Windows? Credit: Apple Windows, Apple style. Credit: Apple

If you didn't expect an Apple event to talk about Windows so much, you're not alone. And yet — they really couldn't stop saying it.

iPadOS 26 gives users the ability to play around with app windows, including being able to resize them, drag and place them on the screen, close, minimize, and tile them. And the new menu bar makes it even easier to navigate through all those windows.

Liquid Glass is a "Beautiful New Design," according to Apple Meet Liquid Glass, Apple's new look. Credit: Apple

At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced Liquid Glass, a new visual aesthetic that brings more glass-like and translucent features to your display. Liquid Glass is one of the biggest redesigns in recent Apple history, and so far the Mashable hive mind seems to be in favor of the new look.

Not only can you customize the appearance of widgets and other elements on the display, but you can also make them clear, creating the illusion of additional space on the screen. This translucent design appears in all sorts of ways across iPadOS 26, as well as in iOS 26 and macOS 26.

Translucent elements will become much more common with Liquid Glass. Credit: Apple Apple Intelligence on your iPad

Apple Intelligence is bringing Live Translation to your iPad in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages — just like it did to your iPhone. You can create new custom Genmoji thanks to Apple Intelligence, for example. You can even use ChatGPT to create new Contact Posters and other images for your Apple tablet.

Of course, WWDC 2025 included a ton more Apple Intelligence updates (just not as much as some Apple fans would have liked).

Files gets a facelift Files gets a face lift Credit: WWDC 2025

As part of the new Liquid Glass personalization options, your Files widget is getting a makeover.

A newly enhanced Files app makes it easier for users to identify folders, customize folders with colors, icons, and emojis, and drag them onto the Doc in iPadOS 26.

Apps, new and old

If you love Preview on your MacBook, we have great news for you: The app is finally coming to your iPad, making it way easier to mark up PDFs without the rigmarole of using a separate app. The calculator app is bringing 3D graphics to Math Notes, and users now have the ability to import and export notes in the Notes app into a markdown file.

When does iPadOS 26 arrive?

In a footnote in the official press release, Apple only says that the new iPad software features will be available "as a free software update" in the fall. Assuming we don't get any new iPad releases later this year, that means iPadOS 26 will be coming to the following devices: iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later), iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Air (3rd gen and later), iPad (A16), iPad (8th gen and later), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad mini (5th gen and later). However, Apple Intelligence features will only be available with devices running Apple's M series silicon chips.

Apple has revealed the next big Mac update today at WWDC. Say hello to macOS Tahoe 26, with a fresh ‘Liquid Glass’ design, even more iPhone integration, updates to Spotlight, and more changes.

Apple's WWDC this year focused on design changes with iOS 26 and Liquid Glass, but we also saw some updates and new announcements for Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI features.

New Apple Intelligence announcements build on existing AI-powered features like Writing Tools, Message and Mail summaries, the ChatGPT integration, and others. But Apple has expanded on its Apple Intelligence offerings to all of the software updates announced for iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26. By the way, the company has changed its naming convention to reflect the year it's coming out. Change is hard, but this actually makes things much easier. The new name, alongside its next wave of AI capabilities, will hopefully spark some excitement among consumers. A new CNET survey found that only 11 percent of US smartphone owners upgrade their devices for AI features. If you do upgrade to iOS 26, here's what to know.

Foundation Models Framework

Apple unveiled a way for third-party apps to tap into Apple Intelligence called the Foundation Models Framework. This means developers can use Apple's API to integrate their features into Apple Intelligence.

Across all devices Live translation

Apple Intelligence now supports live translation for real-time text and voice translations. This works on Messages, FaceTime, and Phone for iOS 26, WatchOS 26, iPad OS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26.

Live Translation for real-time text and voice translation. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple Expanded features for Genmoji and Image Playground

Using Genmoji, you can also mix together emojis and use Image Playground to edit emojis like change someone's facial expression or hairstyle. Image Playground also got a ChatGPT integration, so you can create images with OpenAI's model too.

New AI features for iOS 26Voicemail features

Apple Intelligence already provides voicemail transcripts, but now it's adding call screening for scammers and Hold Assist, which conveniently notifies you when you're off hold.

Hold Assist will let you know when you're off hold. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple Polls for your group chat in Messages

Within group chats, you can now create polls and Apple Intelligence will compile the results.

AI-assisted polls on iOS 26. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple Visual Intelligence for screenshots

iOS 26 is getting a visual search feature by combining Visual Intelligence with Apple Intelligence. By taking a screenshot of any app you're looking at, you can use a new search function on the bottom of your screen. It can also recognize screenshots like events and pre-populate your calendar.

Use screenshots to search visually. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple Automated order tracking in Apple Wallet

Apple Intelligence can identify and summarize packages you've ordered and keep track of them in Apple Wallet.

macOS Tahoe 26 and iPadOS 26

Like iOS 26, Apple's operating systems for Macs and iPad have a bunch of Apple Intelligence features. These run more in the background so there's a more seamless workflow.

SEE ALSO: Apple reveals macOS 26 Tahoe: See all the changes coming to your MacBook An AI update to Shortcuts

Shortcuts gets the Apple Intelligence revamp, so now you can automate multi-step tasks like saving certain files or triggering actions at a certain time of day. Shortcuts can also tap into ChatGPT for off-device functions.

Shortcuts gets the AI treatment for automating complex tasks. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple Spotlight gets a lot more useful

No longer just the search bar you use to find certain apps or documents, Spotlight with Apple Intelligence can automate certain workflows like sending an email or uses intelligent suggestions to pull up relevant information or take actions based on what document or app you're working in.

The Spotlight Apple Intelligence update works more seamlessly in your workflow. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple WatchOS 26Workout Buddy

With Apple Intelligence, your Apple Watch now comes with an AI-powered trainer. Your "Buddy" is an AI-generated voice that uses your data from your workouts and health history and gives you tips like when to slow down, motivate you for more reps, and congratulate you when your workout is done.

Workout Buddy is your AI personal trainer for Apple Watch. Credit: Apple

Waymo suspended its self-driving taxi service in downtown Los Angeles after people set fire to some of the company's vehicles on Sunday.

Peaceful protests began in L.A. on Friday, in response to workplace raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, targeting undocumented residents.

By late Sunday, some of the protests turned violent as President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of National Guard troops and threatened to send military troops to the area. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass both criticized Trump's moves as "purposefully inflammatory" and a "chaotic escalation."

The Los Angeles Police Department said Sunday evening that "agitators" had "splintered" into downtown L.A.

It's unclear whether the individuals who torched the Waymo cars were affiliated with organized protests or were agitators who capitalized on the situation. Before the cars burned, they were graffitied with anti-ICE messaging.

SEE ALSO: Smooth, silent, strange: What it's really like to hail a robotaxi

Waymo is owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google, though there is no evidence yet to suggest the vandals knew that. A Waymo spokesperson told Mashable that the company is in touch with law enforcement.

The LAPD asked people to avoid the area following the fires.

"Burning lithium-ion batteries release toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride, posing risks to responders and those nearby," the department said on X.

Waymo removed the burned vehicles from the street, according to the New York Times.

Over the weekend, Trump attacked California politicians multiple times on his social media platform, Truth Social. On Sunday afternoon, he also called for bringing in military troops to respond to protests. Trump also deployed National Guard troops to the protests.

Governor Newsom said on X that the federal government was trying to create a "spectacle" by "taking over" the state's National Guard troops.

Authorities used tear gas and non-lethal impact rounds to disperse protesters, according to the Washington Post.

In advance of the ICE raids, LAPD's chief of police Jim McDonnell reassured Los Angeles residents in an Instagram post that the department wasn't involved in the federal operations. He also acknowledged that "these actions cause anxiety for many Angelenos."

Authorities arrested dozens of people who participated in protests, according to NBC Los Angeles. Charges included attempted murder, looting, and arson.

"This violence that I've seen is disgusting," McDonnell told NBC Los Angeles. "It's escalated now."

The vandalism of Waymo cars in Los Angeles wasn't the first time they became a target of mob violence.

In February 2024, a 14-year-old boy allegedly began vandalizing a Waymo in San Francisco. About a dozen bystanders joined him in smashing the car. A firework thrown inside the vehicle ignited it, according to authorities.

On Sunday evening, Mayor Bass urged protesters to remain peaceful.

"Angelenos — don’t engage in violence and chaos," she said in an X post. "Don’t give the administration what they want."