Apple’s subsequent main software program updates are getting an enormous new function for playback velocity sickos like me: you’ll be capable of hearken to exhibits on the Podcasts app at as a lot as 3x velocity, Apple notes in a press release about new providers options. Beforehand, the utmost was 2x.
You possibly can transfer to tremendous velocity from the podcast play display screen within the Podcast app, however you’ll need to do some bit of labor to get there, based mostly on my testing within the first iOS 26 developer beta. If you faucet the playback velocity button, a small popup seems that exhibits buttons for a couple of totally different speeds: 0.8, 1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.8, and a couple of. To extra finely regulate playback speeds or entry ones quicker than 2x, you want to swipe on the buttons to get to a dial.
The popup additionally features a new “Improve Dialogue” possibility you can faucet on or off. “Utilizing real-time audio processing and machine studying, customers can activate Improve Dialogue to listen to speech extra clearly over background sounds,” in line with Apple’s press launch.
With Apple’s new suite of updates, Apple Information Plus subscribers will get entry to a brand new each day puzzle sport referred to as Emoji Recreation. “Emoji Recreation brings to life one in all customers’ favourite methods to speak in a enjoyable and interesting manner, with gamers challenged to make use of emoji to finish three phrases, with the objective of fixing the puzzle in as few strikes as doable,” Apple says. I’m not an Apple Information Plus subscriber, however I do love emoji and puzzle video games, so I may need to verify this out.
Within the press launch, Apple additionally highlights some options that appeared in Monday’s WWDC 2025 keynote, together with up to date boarding passes with Dwell Actions and the flexibility to make a “Digital ID” in your Apple Pockets with a US passport.