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The most recent model of Apple iOS has been out for over a month now, however many individuals are most likely nonetheless undecided whether or not or to not set up the replace.

iOS 26 introduces the largest design overhaul to Apple’s cell working system in a decade, bringing the brand new Liquid Glass aesthetic to iPhones. However within the weeks since iOS 26 was launched, customers have shared as many opinions about it as there are apps within the App Retailer. Its new translucent visible model, person complaints about battery drain, and different quirks have led some customers to conclude that they need not obtain it but. In any case, when you obtain iOS 26 and change to Liquid Glass, there isn’t any going again.

Nevertheless, there are additionally positives to iOS 26. Listed below are just some explanation why you must (or should not) obtain iOS 26 in your iPhone.

Professional: A few of the new options are nice

Each new model of iOS comes with new options, in fact. Some years carry little or no, whereas others carry loads. There are at the very least just a few new options in iOS 26 that put this yr’s replace within the latter class.

For starters, it has dwell translation on messages, FaceTime and cellphone calls. Two individuals who communicate totally different languages ​​having the ability to perceive one another over the cellphone might be the very best software of Apple Intelligence but. Positive, it is likely to be somewhat awkward having to attend to listen to a translation of what was simply mentioned earlier than responding, however not as awkward as not understanding what was mentioned.

That is genuinely transformative, however there are different highlights as properly. Having the ability to take polls and set customized backgrounds in group chats in Messages looks like a small factor, however it may possibly inject a number of character into the areas the place you talk along with your family members and pals. That is nothing and you’ll solely do that on iOS 26.

Professional: You may like Liquid Glass

Liquid Glass did not simply come to the iPhone. Because of macOS Tahoe 26, iPadOS 26, and different working system updates, it is also altering the look of MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches. Mashable’s expertise editor gave iPadOS 26 a optimistic evaluation, thanks partly to the brand new Liquid Glass design. Many customers just like the translucent glass impact.

Mashable mild velocity

To cite our evaluation:

Put LitterLiquid Glass “combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity that solely Apple can obtain.” What does this imply? Key UI parts are actually translucent and expressive, so when objects overlap or work together, new liquid animations trigger a clear mild impact, as should you have been wanting by way of glass or water… I skilled no lag with the refined animations that happen when totally different widgets or icons meet on the edges. Liquid Glass additionally makes the only interactions rather more satisfying. Within the up to date digital camera app, switching between Photograph, Video, Panorama, and different settings causes textual content to bend and refract.

Liquid Glass additionally comes with new customized lock screens that allow you to add a contact of personalization to your iPhone.

Con: It’s possible you’ll not like Liquid Glass

Once more, essentially the most notable change Apple made with iOS 26 is Liquid Glass, and the brand new design language permeates your iPhone’s total UI after putting in the replace. It makes every thing appear like liquid glass, with a number of transparency results and dynamic animations that make every thing circulate rather well – when it really works.

There’s only one drawback: not everybody likes Liquid Glass. When you have some management over its look, the added results and transparency do not work for everybody. You may’t both actually flip it off. One of many newest beta variations of iOS 26 has a brand new “tinted glass” mode that permits you to exert somewhat extra management over the looks of Liquid Glass, nevertheless it nonetheless does not simply let customers preserve the previous UI, and it is only a beta function. Personally, I do not thoughts Liquid Glass (though I tweaked it a bit to make it rather less glassy), however should you hate it, you may wish to maintain off on putting in iOS 26.

Professional: Essential app redesigns

Along with new options and a brand new design language, iOS 26 additionally launched at the very least one vitally essential redesign of the applying. After all, I am speaking concerning the Photographs app.

In earlier variations of iOS, Photographs had change into a large number with a number of tabs organized confusingly. It was more durable than it ought to be to simply discover your library or Favorites folder, for instance, at the very least till you get used to it. In iOS 26, Photographs has been simplified in order that there are simply two tabs, Library and Collections, on the backside of the display. One in every of them exhibits every thing that is in your cellphone, whereas the opposite exhibits every thing you’ve got put in folders.

It is so easy it makes you marvel why it wasn’t at all times this manner.

Con: Your battery could undergo

Final however actually not least, there have been quite a few complaints from customers that iOS 26 is affecting – and even fully ruining – the battery lifetime of their iPhones. To be completely clear, this hasn’t affected all and even most iOS 26 customers, however that does not imply it is not actual.

There are just a few attainable explanations for this. Apple itself says this can be a non permanent setback as your cellphone will get used to the brand new replace (my phrases, not theirs). Some have claimed that updating all of your apps and energy biking your machine helps. Low Energy Mode (and the brand new Adaptive Energy Setting) might alleviate this, at the very least doubtlessly. It is also attainable that none of this works; At the moment, you could have to make an appointment with Apple Help.

Personally, I’ve nothing towards iOS 26, as I have been utilizing it since its launch, however there are good causes to not replace.

Since its launch On September 30, OpenAI’s Sora app dominated the iOS App Retailer charts, because of its simple, breezy AI video technology and an initially free interpretation of copyright legal guidelines. On Friday, his reign got here to an finish. Your new champion is… Dave’s Scorching Hen.

Sure! Not ChatGPT, Gemini, Threads or any of the opposite common suspects. Dave’s Scorching Hen now dominates the App Retailer, the place its floppy-beaked, bug-eyed mascot icon expresses applicable shock at its rise. How did this occur? How did this break OpenAI’s TikTok golem dominance? With one thing folks love much more than nice language fashions: free meals.

“They’re working a free sliders promotion in celebration of Drake’s birthday,” says Adam Blacker, director of public relations at app analytics agency Apptopia. “Free meals all the time will get the downloads flowing.”

For those who’re questioning what Drake has to do with all this, he invested within the quick informal restaurant chain in 2021 and sure cashed in when the corporate offered a majority stake to non-public fairness agency Roark Capital for a reported US$1 billion. For the third yr in a row, the corporate gave away one (1) free slider to anybody who downloaded the app in honor of Drake’s birthday. (The rapper and Raptors fan turns 39 at the moment; the draw was Thursday.)

“We’re celebrating a star who’s widespread and at present related, and we’re additionally placing meals in folks’s mouths,” says Leon Davoyan, chief know-how officer at Dave’s Scorching Hen.

And there actually are lots of people. In a typical week, Davoyan says, Dave’s receives between 20,000 and 25,000 new signups to its loyalty database. On Thursday alone, the promotion generated 343,531 new accounts – a greater than 10% improve within the model’s complete variety of members in a single day, in response to the CTO.

It was sufficient to knock Sora out of the highest spot for the primary time since October 3, a powerful stretch for an app that is nonetheless invite-only. Within the first 23 days since its launch, Sora has racked up 3.2 million iOS downloads within the US, in response to app analytics agency Sensor Tower. That is a a lot quicker tempo than ChatGPT, which, whereas equally viral, achieved 2.3 million downloads within the US on the similar time. (Sora is not but obtainable on the Google Play Retailer, nevertheless it’s coming.) OpenAI declined to remark.

Though Sora will possible reclaim the highest spot after Drake’s promotion ends, Dave’s Scorching Hen ought to proceed to reap the advantages of its providing. Final yr, in response to Sensor Tower, app downloads within the 4 weeks following the identical advertising and marketing push have been greater than 50% greater than the earlier month. All these free sandwiches are well worth the long-term features.

OpenAI lately launched new app integrations in ChatGPT to allow you to join your accounts on to ChatGPT and ask the assistant to do issues for you. For instance, with a Spotify integration, you may ask it to create customized playlists that can seem instantly in your Spotify app.

To get began, be sure to are logged into ChatGPT. Then enter the title of the app you wish to use firstly of the immediate and ChatGPT will information you thru logging in and connecting your account.

If you wish to configure all the pieces without delay, go to the Settings menu and click on on Functions and Connectors. You’ll be able to browse the out there apps, select those you favor, and you may be directed to the login web page for each.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to notice that connecting your account means you are sharing your app knowledge with ChatGPT. Remember to assessment the permissions you grant when linking your accounts. For instance, for those who join your Spotify account, ChatGPT can see your playlists, listening historical past, and different private info. (Sharing this info helps personalize the expertise, however if in case you have privateness considerations, think about whether or not you might be snug with this degree of entry earlier than connecting.)

It’s also possible to disconnect any app everytime you need instantly from the Settings menu.

Obtainable apps

Reserving.com

This integration with the web journey big is designed to assist vacationers, particularly first-time guests who want solutions on the place to remain.

After linking your Reserving.com account, you may ask ChatGPT to seek out resorts in your most well-liked metropolis primarily based in your dates and price range. It’s also possible to specify how many individuals will probably be coming and whether or not you need the resort near public transport. ChatGPT goals to make this course of extra intuitive than looking instantly on Reserving.com. Moreover, you may be extra particular, comparable to looking for “breakfast included” choices.

If you discover a resort you want, merely open the Reserving.com itemizing to finish your reservation.

Canva

Canva on ChatGPT is a useful gizmo for graphic designers and anybody who must generate visible content material rapidly. Whether or not it is for a social media publish, a poster, or a slideshow, this is usually a great way to assist kickstart your mission and brainstorm concepts.

When you join your Canva account, you may ask ChatGPT to create one thing like “a 16:9 slideshow about our This autumn roadmap” or “a enjoyable poster for a canine strolling firm.” You’ll be able to embody particulars like your most well-liked fonts, coloration schemes, codecs (like Instagram posts or Tales), and precise dimensions.

AI-generated designs are hardly ever excellent, with occasional distorted pictures or misspellings. Nevertheless, some customers might discover this higher than ranging from scratch and might go to Canva at any time to tweak their design and make it look precisely how they need.

Course

Coursera Integration is designed that can assist you rapidly uncover the most effective on-line programs in your ability degree. For instance, you may inform ChatGPT to seek out an “intermediate-level Python course.” You’ll be able to then inform the chatbot to match course choices by ranking, length, and price earlier than signing up. ChatGPT may also present a fast abstract of precisely what every course covers.

Expedia

ChatGPT can show resort and flight choices by way of Expedia with out leaving the chat. Whether or not you are on the lookout for a fast getaway or an extended journey, it might discover flights to fit your journey dates, price range and variety of vacationers. You’ll be able to slender issues down by saying issues like “Solely present 4-star resorts.” When you see one thing you want, head over to Expedia to finalize all the pieces and e book your journey.

Determine

To make use of Figma on ChatGPTyou may ask it to generate diagrams, flowcharts, and extra. That is helpful for turning your concepts and brainstorming classes into one thing extra tangible. It can be helpful for visualizing complicated ideas or workflows.

It’s also possible to add information and ask the chatbot to generate a product roadmap in your staff. This roadmap can embody milestones, deliverables, and deadlines, serving to your staff keep organized and centered on their targets.

Spotify

One of the crucial helpful facets of utilizing Spotify on ChatGPT is the flexibility to rapidly create playlists and take heed to really useful new music tailor-made to your particular tastes. You’ll be able to ask to create a playlist primarily based in your present temper or only a playlist that solely consists of tracks out of your favourite band.

It could possibly additionally counsel new artists, playlists, audiobooks, and podcast episodes. Moreover, ChatGPT can carry out actions in your behalf, together with including and eradicating gadgets out of your Spotify library.

Zillow

In case you are on the lookout for a brand new residence, Zillow on ChatGPT might make the search expertise extra simple. Utilizing a easy textual content immediate, yow will discover properties that meet your standards and apply filters to slender the outcomes. Whether or not you are on the lookout for a particular value vary, variety of bedrooms, or particular neighborhoods, you may specify these particulars in your immediate, making the search course of rather more environment friendly and tailor-made to your wants.

What’s subsequent?

Together with the announcement that OpenAI would deliver apps to ChatGPT, the corporate additionally stated it plans to welcome further companions quickly, together with DoorDash, OpenTable, Goal, Uber and Walmart. They are going to be launched on the finish of the 12 months.

Implementation of ChatGPT app integrations is presently restricted to the US and Canada. Customers in Europe and the UK are excluded for now.

There’s been a brand new comet within the sky in current weeks, however now’s the perfect time to see it for your self.

Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon was found by astronomer David C. Fuls on January 3 as a part of the Mount Lemmon survey, which is a near-Earth object detection program.

It handed closest to Earth on Tuesday, when it was seen close to the horizon. Nevertheless, the comet has now risen somewhat larger within the sky, making now an opportune time to watch it.

“Comet Lemmon is virtually at its greatest visibility proper now,” stated Robert Massey, deputy government director of the Royal Astronomical Society in London, in a press release.

And for those who lose it now, you will by no means see it once more: it will not come again till 1,300 years from now.

WATCH | Discovering Comet Lemmon in Halifax:

The place and when to look

The comet will be discovered within the western sky as quickly because it will get darkish.

For those who have a look at Ursa Main, the primary star on the deal with of the “spoon” factors to a vibrant star known as Arcturus, which is a part of the constellation Bootes.

Comet Lemmon will be discovered above and to the left of the unmistakably vibrant star.

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Over the following few days, it should proceed to maneuver towards the southwestern sky and stay at the same altitude.

Though beginner astronomers have supplied gorgeous photos of Comet Lemmon, do not count on to see it. As a substitute, it should appear to be a fuzzy object within the sky.

“It gained’t be like Hale-Bopp was for many who bear in mind it within the late Nineteen Nineties, and even NEOWISE in 2020, it is going to be somewhat exhausting to see along with your eyes,” Massey stated.

“However that stated, it is a fairly vibrant comet because it goes. The truth that you’ll be able to see it simply with binoculars makes it fairly uncommon, and I believe for that cause alone it is one thing to go and luxuriate in, particularly for those who’ve by no means seen a comet earlier than.”

The comet has brightened considerably over the previous month and is seen to the bare eye in fairly darkish places. However individuals in cities are additionally seeing it utilizing binoculars.

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Friday is an effective time to seize it, because the moon is just about 9 p.c illuminated and stays beneath the horizon. The moon will proceed to rise larger within the sky and shine because it enters its first quarter on Monday.

Comet Lemmon will likely be seen within the Northern Hemisphere till mid-November, however after Sunday it should start to descend over the southwestern horizon.

To seek out the comet you should use apps like SkySafari and Stellariumbetween others.