With the upcoming release of iOS 26, Apple is set to impress users with a stunning Liquid Glass redesign, but that's not all. This new update will also feature the launch of two brand new applications aimed at enhancing the user experience on your iPhone's Home Screen. Let's take a closer look at what these apps have to offer.
The first significant addition is the Apple Games app, which serves as a central hub for gaming on the iPhone. This new app joins the lineup of other media-focused applications, including Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Books. The Apple Games app is designed to keep gamers connected and engaged with their favorite titles.
According to Apple, the Home tab within the Apple Games app is where users will spend most of their time. It keeps you connected to the games you love while recommending new titles tailored to your preferences. The Home view also allows you to browse can't-miss events from your favorite games and provides personalized suggestions for what to play next.
In addition to the Home tab, the Apple Games app features several other tabs, including:
Arcade: This tab largely replicates the content found in the App Store's Arcade section. Play Together: Here, you can find challenges, multiplayer options, and Game Center data from your friends. Library: This section contains all the games installed on your iPhone, along with your achievements and more.The Apple Games app is set to launch not only on the iPhone but also on iPad and Mac this fall, making it a versatile addition to Apple's ecosystem.
Another exciting addition in iOS 26 is the Preview app, which will finally bring its functionality to the iPhone and iPad. While the name might be familiar to Mac users as a utility for viewing and editing PDFs and images, this new version offers a dedicated app experience tailored for mobile devices.
With the Preview app, you can easily view PDFs and images stored in iCloud, on your device, or from other sources within the Files app. Some of the standout features include:
Browsing PDFs and Images: Enjoy a dedicated space for viewing your documents. Editing Tools: Edit PDFs and images with essential tools like resize, rotate, and more. Document Scanning: Easily scan documents directly through the app. PDF AutoFill: Streamline your workflow with automatic filling of PDF forms. Creating New Images: Generate new images from scratch or directly from the clipboard.Similar to how the Mac's Finder launches PDFs and images in the Preview app by default, the Files app on your iPhone and iPad will now utilize Preview for these document types. Although the app may look different from its Mac counterpart, its functionality remains strikingly similar, enhanced by the new document browser UI introduced in iPadOS 18.
With the introduction of the Apple Games and Preview apps, Apple continues to expand the range of built-in applications available on the iPhone. The Apple Games app aims to capitalize on the iPhone's status as a popular gaming platform, while the Preview app offers valuable utilities for document management and editing. Both apps bring features previously found in other areas but also introduce new functionalities that make them worthy of being standalone applications.
Are you excited about the new Apple Games or Preview apps in iOS 26? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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