Apple kicked off its Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino today, with a first look at what’s next for its operating systems. As its name suggests, WWDC is developer-focused, but it offers us a glimpse of the features to expect on our iPhones, iPads, Macs and other Apple devices this fall. Today, a “Liquid Glass” redesign was front and center, while Apple Intelligence faded into the background a bit. If you didn’t have time to watch Apple’s keynote, here’s what you missed.
WWDC 2025: Everything Revealed in 10 Minutes
Liquid Glass
(Credit: Apple/René Ramos)
Apple usually gives its mobile OS a visual refresh every few years, but Apple says this year’s “Liquid Glass” design is the biggest upgrade since iOS 7 in 2013. It gives apps and menus a more transparent look; they’re designed to expand and contract as you scroll or browse. It takes a page from visionOS, the interface on Apple’s pricey Vision Pro headset. On that device, see-through icons make sense since they’re overlayed on your entire field of view. We’ll have to see how that translates to smaller devices.
iOS 26
(Credit: Apple)
Most of us will probably get a first crack at Liquid Glass on the iPhone with iOS 26. No, you didn’t miss eight versions of Apple’s mobile OS. The company is changing how its names its OSes, so they’re all the same. Instead of iOS 19 and macOS 16, it’ll be iOS 26 and macOS 26, for example, but that applies across the board to iPadOS, visionOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Why not 25? Apple is apparently taking inspiration from automakers, which release “model year 2026” cars in 2025. Plus, iOS 26 won’t launch until 2025 is almost over.
As for what you get in iOS 26, it’s a lot of smaller upgrades, like a unified Messages inbox, typing indicators for group chats, CarPlay upgrades, and more. Here’s a full rundown.
macOS Tahoe 26
(Credit: Apple)
A number of iOS 26 features will also pop up on macOS, the latest version of which is known as Tahoe. But the two OSes will further merge thanks to Continuity, which will bring the iPhone app to Mac, letting you handle cellular calls from a nearby iPhone on the Mac.
Apple also touted an update to Spotlight search that will list results across all types of content (files, folders, events, apps, messages), ranked intelligently based on relevance. But you can also filter searches if you know exactly what you want. Apple also says macOS users can “take hundreds of actions directly from Spotlight — like sending an email, creating a note, or playing a podcast — without jumping between apps.”
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iPadOS 26
Preview app (Credit: Apple)
While I mostly use my iPad for binge-watching and mindlessly scrolling social media, Apple still wants you to consider its popular tablet as a device for work, too. Apple says iPadOS 26 features “major enhancements to working with files, audio, and video,” including a “supercharged Files app [with] new ways to organize files and customize folders” and Folders in the dock. The Preview app on Mac will also come to iPadOS for an easy way to view and edit PDFs. A new windowing system also allows for more customizable app layouts.
Apple Intelligence?
Did you notice how Apple Intelligence wasn’t the first thing I mentioned? After its starring role at WWDC 2024, Apple’s AI solution sputtered into existence late in 2024 and hasn’t done much since. The biggest Apple Intelligence announcement is that the company will open up its LLM to developers, so they can incorporate Apple Intelligence into their apps. But otherwise, we just got brief mentions of AI powering new tools across Apple’s OSes. Siri really only got mentioned when Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering, acknowledged that Apple needed more time to make it a true AI assistant.
watchOS 26
(Credit: Apple)
Apple’s smartwatch OS got its usual upgrade at WWDC. Here what PCMag’s Andrew Gebhart is most excited to try, but you’ll probably be hearing the most about workout buddy, which will talk to you—and even encourage you—as you move. The Live Translation feature from iOS 26 also comes to your wrist on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 (provided you have an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone).
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visionOS 26
Though Apple is rumored to be exploring smart glasses, that’s reportedly in the early stages, so for now we’re stuck with the first-gen Vision Pro. Those of you who shelled out $3,500, however, will get an OS upgrade this fall that promises “new spatial experiences” (widgets!). Expect support for 180-degree, 360-degree, and wide field-of-view content from Insta360, GoPro, and Canon. Apple will also let third parties create spatial experiences for visionOS. And it’s adding support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, allowing for more games on the Vision Pro. And visionOS 26 will support more lifelike Personas.
tvOS
Don’t forget about Apple TV. Its tvOS also gets the Liquid Glass treatment alongside cinematic poster art, enhanced profile-switching, and a streamlined way to log in to apps. You can opt to have the Apple TV display profiles whenever it wakes up to quickly get where you want to be. The Contact poster upgrade for FaceTime is also coming to Apple TV.
‘Studio-Quality’ AirPod Upgrades
(Credit: Apple)
Apple is appealing to podcasters, singers, and other creators with studio-quality audio recording for its AirPods. A new camera remote will also let people long-press the AirPods stem to take a photo or start a video recording on an iPhone or iPad camera app. For the TikTok fans among us, Apple says these new features “make it easy to perform in sync with a soundtrack while simultaneously recording the video.” They’re coming to the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 2 this fall as a free firmware update with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26.
About Chloe Albanesius
Executive Editor for News
