Hello iOS / iPadOS 26! What’s Changing + How I’m Using It
Apple’s new update, iOS 26 / iPadOS 26, is rolling officially out as of yesterday. Here’s what I’m most excited about and how I plan to put these new features to use for J Lorrain Studio and The V.A. Cafe.
What’s New: Key Updates to Know
Liquid Glass Design
Transparent, rounded elements, more fluid visuals, and a general UI refresh that makes iPadOS feel more polished and immersive.Windowing System + Multitasking Upgrades
Resizable and movable windows, better ways to arrange apps on screen, and more flexibility for switching between tasks. This feels closer to a desktop experience.Better File Management + Preview App
The updated Files app, plus a new Preview app for viewing and annotating PDFs and documents — especially helpful when planning or designing.Live Translation & New Apps
Real-time translation in Messages / FaceTime, plus some apps making their debut or getting upgraded on iPad, things like Journal, Phone, etc.
What It Means for My Workflow
I’m especially excited about how these changes will affect my daily planning and content creation:
More flexible layouts in my planner apps — I can have multiple visible (notes + calendar + design) without switching constantly.
Using the Preview app to markup PDFs of templates, or drafts I’m designing, without needing to switch devices.
Smooth transitions where things like chat translation or better file access speed up my planning and content prep.
A better visual environment helps me feel more inspired. The Liquid Glass design adds subtle beauty.
Things I’ll Experiment With
Here are some ideas I want to try in the coming days/weeks:
Use the windowing system to have my content calendar + GoodNotes open side-by-side when planning out content batches.
Customize the Files app layout so my most-used templates, graphics, and notes are easier to find.
Use the new translation features when I’m working with content or tools that have other-language references.
Test the Preview app to see if I can speed up my review process for PDF-based planning inserts or downloaded templates.
Should You Update Right Away?
Sure, why not? But also, take it slow. If your device is compatible and everything’s backed up, updating today makes sense. But don’t force yourself into fussing over minor design tweaks if you’re in a rush. Let yourself adjust to the changes over a few sessions.
Final Thoughts
Updates like this are more than eye candy. They matter because they change how we work. For me, iPadOS 26 is helping to bridge the gap between aesthetic and functionality. It’s giving me tools to plan with more intention, stay organized, and still enjoy the process.
Here’s to making the rest of 2025 smoother, more beautiful, and more intentional.
Until next time, bye!
Sources: Apple, The Guardian, 9to5 Mac