Apple Releases the Public Betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe
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On a recent episode of MacBreak Weekly, hosts Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, Jason Snell shared their hands-on experiences with Apple's newly released public betas, offering insights that go far beyond typical first impressions. After weeks of testing across multiple devices, the panel revealed which features truly deliver on their promise and which ones still need refinement.
iPad Finally Gets Serious About Window Management
The most significant change comes to iPad users, where Apple has introduced a Mac-like windowing system that fundamentally transforms how the device handles multitasking. Leo Laporte, despite initial reservations, found himself warming to the new approach. "I was you know at first, uh, this uh ugly new thing. I really pissed me off. I wasn't pleased, but I've gotten used to it now and it's okay," Laporte admitted, specifically praising the windowing capabilities: "I do like the windowing. That actually turned out to be more useful than I thought I'd keep a few little windows open which is great."
Andy Ihnatko emphasized how the new system bridges the gap between iPad and Mac experiences while maintaining the iPad's unique strengths. "It's almost there. I just have to turn off every other windowing aid that they've added, because it's still very confusing," he noted, but praised the tiling features that allow users to organize windows in quadrants without the complexity of overlapping window management.
The windowing improvements become even more significant when considering the iPad's expanding role in professional workflows. As Ihnatko pointed out, "the ability to put, like, several external displays on an iPad. This is going to be much, much more important to have workspace management like absolutely on lock."
The Slide Over Controversy: When Simplicity Gets Lost
Not all changes have been universally welcomed. The removal of Slide Over, a feature that allowed quick access to apps from the side of the screen, has drawn criticism from longtime users. Jason Snell explained the feature's appeal: "Slide over is a thing that's really easy to get to by accident, which is a problem, but you basically put an app off the side of the screen and then you swipe from the right edge and this little narrow version of an app comes in briefly."
The loss particularly affects users who relied on Slide Over for quick access to essential tools. As one example highlighted in the discussion, password manager users have depended on this feature for years to maintain secure workflows without interrupting their primary tasks.
Snell suggested that Apple may have underestimated the feature's utility: "They thought it was a compromise, and it's actually a productivity feature." The panel encouraged beta users to provide feedback to Apple, hoping the company might implement alternative solutions that preserve the quick-access functionality while improving overall usability.
macOS Tahoe: Power User Paradise with Visual Growing Pains
On the Mac side, macOS Tahoe introduces substantial improvements that particularly benefit power users. Jason Snell, who co-authored a comprehensive 15,000-word review, highlighted several standout features including enhanced Spotlight functionality and automation capabilities through Shortcuts.
The new Shortcuts implementation finally brings time-based automation to the Mac, addressing a long-standing limitation. "I was stunned when I was trying to do that on the mac that I couldn't how do you set a time shortcut? you can do that on an iPhone and on the mac it just hasn't been possible," Laporte noted.
Perhaps most significantly, the new Control Center implementation serves as a sophisticated menu bar manager. As Snell explained, "they have created a toolbar or a menu bar um manager, like bartender, it's. That's what that is going to be." The system allows third-party apps to create custom controls and enables users to organize multiple Control Center configurations, effectively providing built-in functionality that previously required third-party utilities.
Liquid Glass: Style Over Substance?
The controversial Liquid Glass design language received mixed reactions from the panel. While some elements, like the transparent menu bar, earned praise, other implementations felt incomplete or poorly executed. Snell noted that the design appears most problematic in cross-platform apps like Music, where transparency can interfere with functionality.
The implementation reveals a telling pattern: "You can tell the liquid glass stuff has been applied to the stuff that's cross-platform but not to the stuff that's unique to the mac, which is the tell that the mac was never really a serious part of the thought process," Snell observed.
Despite visual concerns, the panel emphasized that Liquid Glass doesn't significantly impact usability. "It's usable. I just don't really. That part makes me sad because I feel like, um, I was. I've been thinking about aqua a lot lately," Snell reflected, suggesting that a more thoughtful implementation could have captured the innovative spirit of Mac OS X's original Aqua interface.
The Beta Experience: Stable but Demanding
Regarding stability, the consensus was overwhelmingly positive. Laporte reported no significant issues across multiple devices: "It's been stable on all the devices I've put it on. I haven't had a single problem." The main concerns centered around battery life on iPhones and occasional app compatibility issues, particularly with apps that haven't been updated for the new features.
Alex Lindsay, representing the professional user perspective, chose to wait on upgrading his primary systems. "My delay has less to do with apple and more to do with a bunch of professional apps that are cross-platform, that take time to get to," he explained, highlighting the reality that professionals often need to balance new features against workflow stability.
Looking Forward: Should You Upgrade?
The panel's advice varied based on user needs and risk tolerance. For general users curious about the new features, the betas appear stable enough for daily use. However, professionals relying on specific third-party applications might benefit from waiting for broader compatibility updates.
The discussion revealed Apple's continued evolution toward platform convergence while maintaining each device's unique strengths. Whether users choose to upgrade immediately or wait for the fall release, these updates represent significant steps forward in making Apple's devices more capable and integrated than ever before.
For those considering the beta, the MacBreak Weekly team's extensive testing suggests the benefits likely outweigh the risks for most users—just be prepared for some visual adjustments and the occasional compatibility hiccup as the ecosystem catches up to Apple's ambitious new direction.
