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WWDC 2025: Apple Unveils iOS 26 with "Liquid Glass" Redesign and Deeper AI Integration
June 10, 2025 – Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 has wrapped up, and it's clear the tech giant is charting a bold new course for its software ecosystem. Among the flurry of announcements, the most significant takeaways include a striking design overhaul across all operating systems, a strategic renaming of iOS to iOS 26, and a much-anticipated deeper dive into Artificial Intelligence with "Apple Intelligence."
For iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro users, these updates promise a more unified, intuitive, and intelligently powered experience, set to roll out in public betas this summer and officially launch in the fall.
iOS 26 Takes Center Stage: A New Naming Convention and Visual Identity
One of the most talked-about changes from WWDC 2025 is the new naming convention for Apple's mobile operating system. Moving beyond sequential numbering, iOS is now officially iOS 26, aligning its version number with the year of its release. This change will also extend to iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26, creating a more consistent and contemporary branding across Apple's platforms. macOS will retain its unique naming (e.g., macOS Tahoe 26).
Beyond the name, iOS 26 brings the most significant visual transformation since iOS 7. Apple has introduced a new design language dubbed "Liquid Glass." Inspired by the immersive interface of the Vision Pro, this aesthetic emphasizes:
- Translucency and Depth: Interface elements, from the Lock Screen to app icons and widgets, will feature a translucent, dynamic, and almost liquid-like appearance.
- Unified UI: The goal is to create a cohesive and harmonious user interface across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, making transitions between devices feel more seamless.
- Content-Forward Design: Controls and toolbars are redesigned to be less intrusive, allowing content to take center stage, dynamically morphing when users need more options.
Apple Intelligence: On-Device AI and Developer Focus
While rumors of a revamped, consumer-facing Siri powered by large language models (LLMs) persist for 2026, WWDC 2025 primarily focused on Apple Intelligence – Apple's overarching term for its suite of on-device AI capabilities – with a strong emphasis on empowering developers.
Key AI announcements and features include:
- Foundation Models Framework: This is a major development for developers. Apple is opening up access to its core on-device large language models through a new API. This allows third-party app developers to natively integrate powerful AI features into their applications, fostering innovation within a secure Apple ecosystem.
- Enhanced Shortcuts: Shortcuts will become even more powerful, leveraging Apple Intelligence for new "intelligent actions," such as summarizing text or creating images using "Image Playground."
- Live Translation: Across Phone calls, FaceTime, and Messages, real-time live translation will enable seamless communication across language barriers.
- Visual Intelligence: Building on existing capabilities, your iPhone will now be able to understand and take action on content directly on your screen. For example, recognizing items in an image from a chat and allowing you to search for them, or identifying event details to add to your calendar.
- Genmoji and Image Playground: New creative tools powered by AI that allow users to generate custom emoji (Genmoji) and experiment with image creation based on prompts.
- Call Screening & Hold Assist: Borrowing from features seen on other platforms, iOS 26 introduces Call Screening, where an on-device assistant can gather information from unknown callers before you answer, and Hold Assist, which notifies you when a live agent is ready after being on hold.
- Privacy-First AI: Apple reiterated its commitment to privacy, emphasizing that most Apple Intelligence processes will occur on-device, minimizing data transfer to the cloud.
Major Updates Across the Ecosystem
Beyond iOS 26, other Apple operating systems also received significant attention:
- iPadOS 26: Received major enhancements, bringing it closer to macOS functionality with a new, more intuitive windowing system for multitasking, improved file management (more like Finder), and new tools for creators.
- macOS Tahoe 26: Features the new Liquid Glass design, but also significant upgrades to Continuity, allowing closer integration with iPhone (e.g., iPhone Mirroring on your Mac, iPhone notifications on Mac). Spotlight also received an overhaul with smarter search, quick actions, and keyboard-driven workflows.
- watchOS 26: Introduces "Workout Buddy," an AI-powered personal coach providing personalized motivational insights based on your training data. Live Translation is also coming to the wrist.
- visionOS 26: For the Apple Vision Pro, updates include interactive spatial widgets, shared spatial experiences, more realistic personas for FaceTime, and enhanced 360-degree video support, leveraging AI for creating "spatial scenes" from photos.
The Road Ahead: Public Betas and Fall Release
The developer betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 are available now, with public betas expected to follow in July. The final software releases are anticipated in the fall of 2025, likely alongside the next generation of iPhones.
WWDC 2025 signals a new chapter for Apple, one where design unification and pervasive, privacy-conscious AI take center stage. While some consumer-facing AI features are still on the horizon, the groundwork laid for developers promises an intelligent and visually stunning future across the Apple ecosystem.