Notes app: More functions, for the first time on the Apple Watch
With Apple's new operating systems, the Notes app is also being improved – with small but significant innovations. Reminders is also getting an upgrade.
Notes app under iOS 26: Apple is turning the Notes app into a universal tool.
(Image: Screenshot Mac & i)
Apple is giving two of its most popular apps a series of interesting new features: Notes and Reminders. This can be seen in the developer preview versions (currently: Beta 3) of macOS 26, iOS 26, and watchOS 26. This also includes one of the apps surprisingly landing on a new platform.
Phone calls and Markdown
The Notes and Reminders apps are actually relatively simple, but Apple has added more and more functions over the years. The first thing that stands out is that the apps now come in the “Liquid Glass” design of the new operating systems, although this is implemented in a rather restrained manner. For the first time, the Notes app can record phone calls on iPhone, Mac, and iPad and automatically save the transcript. The other party is informed of the recording. Apple Intelligence can also be used to create summaries. For friends of Markdown, Apple is offering an export function in.md file format for the first time – so you no longer have to resort to PDFs.
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This allows easier archiving or further processing with other text tools. But it doesn't stop at exporting: Notes can also import.md files (via Share-Sheet). On the iPad, Notes now copes better with calligraphic input. A special pen (“Reed Pen”) has been added for this purpose. This is capable of different pressure levels and pen positions.
Apple Watch gets notes, context for reminders
For the first time ever, Notes will be on the Apple Watch. This gives you an overview of all stored notes, but you can also create new ones – both via Siri / voice command and using the on-screen keyboard, for which you need the usual pointed fingers. You can still pin notes, unlock them, and tick off checklists.
Apple's Reinnerungen app, on the other hand, has been on the Apple Watch for a long time. But there are improvements on iPhone, iPad, and Mac: in the future, Apple Intelligence can be used to create to-do lists from emails or notes, as well as shopping lists. According to Apple, the system adapts to the user, it is personalized and context-dependent. It remains to be seen how well this will actually work. The announcement is somewhat reminiscent of Apple's postponed context-sensitive Siri.
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