Apple starts third Developer Beta for iOS 26 & IpadOS 26

Apple has released the third developer beta of iOS 26 and Ipados 26. While the new content of the iPhone version remains in the dark, the update for tablets brings exciting new functions such as improved multitasking and a new preview.

Apple’s third beta brings ipados 26 to the fast lane

After Apple officially presented his new iOS 26 at the WWDC, the first followed the first, and two weeks ago the second developer beta. Now the company from Cupertino has heralded the next round and has released the third trial versions of its operating systems for developers. While there are hardly any information about the innovations at iOS 26, the update come up with some interesting functions on Apple’s tablets.

Developers can look forward to improvements in battery life and error deposits. Apple also implements visual changes based on the feedback that was collected during the last beta. As BGR reports, Ipados 26 also brings a completely new window system with it, which should be significantly more flexible than the previous options such as Stage Manager, Split Screen and Slide Over.

Liquid Glass Design revolutionizes the surface

The new Liquid Glass Design, which Apple introduces with iPados 26, has been one of the most important design changes for years. This design language should make the change between Mac, iPhone and iPad more seamless.

The transparent, glass-like surface reflects and breaks its surroundings like real glass, which means that controls seem to float and give the iPad interface more depth and liveliness. Apple’s philosophy with this new design is that UI elements lie in a functional layer above the apps. They adapt to bright and dark content underneath and are abstracted by them instead of framing them, as was the case with iOS and iPados 18 and earlier.

Real multitasking comes to the iPad

The absolute highlight of iPados 26 are the new multitasking features already mentioned. Apple finally allows iPad users to display a larger number of app windows on the screen at the same time, to change the window size freely and to position apps on the screen as with Windows or MacOS. With this system, users can place as many open apps on their start screen as they want.

As with desktop operating systems, windows can simply be pulled to the edge of the screen in order to scale them to half or a quarter of the screen size. With a wiping gesture, all open windows can also be clearly displayed side by side. Apple even introduces a menu bar on the upper edge of the screen, which, just like on the Mac, makes features that are often used easily.

New preview app

The preview app also comes to the iPad and allows numerous document types to be opened and sometimes even edited without having to fall back on third-party apps. The native application for leafing through and editing PDFS also supports drawing with the Apple Pencil.

This function, which users already know from Mac, is now finally available on the iPad. The files app was also improved so that everything can be displayed in the list view and columns can be adapted in size. Ipados 26 now also runs tasks in the background, which means that you can export a video while using another app.

Live translations and other system updates

Another innovation is the function for live translations with which messages, calls and facetime conversions can be automatically translated in real time-and that completely locally on the device, so that personal conversations remain private. In addition to the third beta version of iPados 26 and iOS 26, Apple has also released the third trial versions of Macos Taoe, Watchos 26, TVOS 26 and Visionos 26.

In addition, the company is expected to release the first public beta for its operating systems in the next few days. The final versions are expected to appear in autumn and will then come onto the market together with new hardware.