Apple's controversial design approach is set to touch down on the Apple Watch in the near future
Apple has recently unveiled watchOS 26 Beta 4, the latest iteration of its operating system for the Apple Watch. This update brings a host of new features and improvements to the wearable device, including a system-wide design called "Liquid Glass" and an evolved Workout Buddy.
The Liquid Glass design introduces a translucent, glass-like material that adapts dynamically to surrounding content and lighting conditions. This design affects icons, the System UI, and integrates real-time rendering with specular highlights, improving visual appeal across Apple Watch interfaces.
One of the key new features is the Workout Buddy, designed to help motivate users during workouts. The feature includes new voices for guidance during exercise sessions and offers AI-generated playlists and motivational feedback during runs or rides.
In addition, the new beta allows for instant voice dictation from the wrist through the integrated Notes app. Users can now access and use the Notes app directly on the Apple Watch, facilitating quick note viewing and editing.
The update also includes improvements to the Control Center and new watch faces. While some older faces like Toy Story have been removed, users can now rearrange tiles more intuitively in the Control Center.
Regarding live translation, this feature allows on-the-wrist translation but is exclusive to Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2, and requires pairing with an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
Apple has not officially announced the exact date for the public beta availability for non-developers, but it is expected to be released soon, likely within the same week as Beta 4’s rollout (around late July 2025). The public beta is anticipated imminently, aligned with Apple’s typical summer beta schedule.
watchOS 26 will support Apple Watch Series 6 and later, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) and later, and Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2. However, Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and the first-gen SE will not receive the watchOS 26 update.
The software in Beta 4 appears stable, with few bugs reported, but developers are still advised not to install it on primary devices due to the lack of an easy rollback option. The final version of watchOS 26 is expected to launch in September.
In summary, watchOS 26 Beta 4 introduces a system-wide design called "Liquid Glass," which aims to create a lively user experience through transparency, depth, and movement. Additionally, the update includes a motivational workout assistant, direct access to the Notes app on the Apple Watch, on-wrist language translation, updated Control Center, new watch faces, and improvements in app response time and battery performance. The public beta is expected to be released soon, and the final version of watchOS 26 is anticipated in September.
- The "Liquid Glass" design in watchOS 26 Beta 4, a system-wide update for the Apple Watch, incorporates a translucent, glass-like material that dynamically adapts to surrounding content and lighting conditions, enhancing visual appeal across smart-home-devices and gadgets connected to the Apple Watch.
- Along with the new "Liquid Glass" design, watchOS 26 Beta 4 also introduces the Workout Buddy, a feature that uses AI-generated playlists, motivational feedback, and new voices for exercise guidance, demonstrating how technology can elevate fitness experiences on smart-home-devices like the Apple Watch.
