Apple’s Latest Updates: Have They Chosen Form Over Function?
Apple’s newest software updates look different, but not necessarily better. For me, the changes feel more like distraction than innovation — and they’ve actually pushed me back toward using my PC.
Today I want to talk about Apple’s most recent software updates — iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and the rest of the lineup. To make it short, I don’t really like them.
Visually, they just don’t appeal to me. That’s obviously a personal thing, but even from an accessibility standpoint, I can see how these changes might cause problems for people. If you use a busy wallpaper, have an unusual color scheme, or simply rely on consistency to navigate your device, the new look can be more confusing than helpful.
I also find it frustrating to locate where the controls have been moved to. Every update seems to rearrange something, and I feel like I’m constantly relearning tasks that used to come naturally. To be honest, it feels like the entire 26 overhaul was designed to distract consumers from Apple’s lack of progress in other areas — things like Apple Intelligence or meaningful improvements to Siri.
That said, I’m not planning to move away from the iPhone or iPad anytime soon. There are too many conveniences built into them, and when your whole family is part of the Apple ecosystem, it just makes life easier. Still, these changes have nudged me further toward using my Windows PC.
I’m not sure yet if that’s a good or bad thing, but so far it hasn’t bothered me. A lot of people love the seamless continuity between Apple devices, but I’ve actually started to appreciate the separation that my computer brings. When I sit down at the PC, I can focus on what I’m doing instead of constantly being connected — and maybe there’s something to be said for that.
