WWDC 2025: Key announcements like Liquid Glass, Apple Intelligence updates, and more

Apple's WWDC 2025 introduces iOS 26 with Liquid Glass UI and new naming scheme.

: At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled a major update with iOS 26 featuring a 'Liquid Glass' interface, marking the most dramatic design change in over a decade. The company is integrating the year into its operating systems' names, such as macOS 26 and watchOS 26. A new dedicated gaming app was also introduced for centralizing game management and social interaction on Apple devices. Updates to various platforms like watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS included AI-based features and enhancements for improved user experiences.

1. System-Wide Redesign: Liquid Glass

Apple introduced a new visual language called Liquid Glass, used across all platforms: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The interface is glossy, translucent, and adapts to content and ambient lighting—similar to how real glass reacts. Menus and alerts now appear right where you tap, making the UI feel more intuitive and immersive. This is Apple’s biggest design change since iOS 7 in 2013.

2. Unified OS Naming Scheme

Apple is simplifying OS version names by using the release year. Instead of iOS 19 or macOS 14, everything is labeled with “26” to reflect 2025. For example: iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, etc. This makes the ecosystem more consistent and easier to follow.

3. iOS 26 – What’s New on iPhone?

  • UI Overhaul: Entire system adopts the new Liquid Glass look, including Lock Screen and Home Screen.

  • Apple Intelligence (AI):

    • Real-time translation of voice and text directly on the device.

    • Genmoji: AI-generated emojis from your descriptions.

    • Image Playground: lets you create images using prompts.

    • Visual Look Up: scan and recognize objects using AI.

    • Siri is smarter and integrates better with apps.

  • Phone App: Redesigned layout, adds Call Screening (filters spam calls) and Hold Assist (waits on hold for you).

  • Messages:

    • Group polls

    • Custom chat backgrounds

    • Apple Cash transfers within group chats

  • Maps: Learns your commute habits and improves navigation.

  • Music: Adds lyrics translation and pronunciation guides.

  • Wallet: Smarter for travel with expanded digital ID support.

  • CarPlay: Adds widgets, live activities, and pinned messages.

  • AirPods: Gains studio-quality audio recording and remote camera control via AirPods button.

4. Dedicated Games App

Apple launched a new Games app available across devices. It’s both a game launcher and a social hub:

  • View and launch games in one place

  • Track achievements and leaderboards

  • Use “Play Together” to see what friends are playing

  • Join score-based challenges

It’s also backed by Metal 4, a new graphics engine that enables high-performance visuals and AI features inside games.

5. macOS 26 “Tahoe”

  • Entire system uses Liquid Glass visuals.

  • Control Center and Dock redesigned with transparency and fluid animations.

  • Spotlight now supports actions — e.g., you can create notes, reminders, or emails directly from search.

  • Integrates all Apple Intelligence features.

  • Note: macOS 26 is the last version to support Intel Macs. Future updates will require Apple Silicon.

6. iPadOS 26 – More Like a Mac

  • Shares the Liquid Glass look with iPhone and Mac.

  • Adds full Preview app, previously Mac-only:

    • Markup documents with Apple Pencil

    • Export images in different formats

  • Improved multitasking features bring it closer to the macOS experience.

7. watchOS 26 – Apple Watch Updates

  • Entire UI redesigned with Liquid Glass.

  • Adds a new wrist-flick gesture so you can control the watch without touching it.

  • AI-based Workout Buddy gives you real-time feedback and smart exercise tracking.

8. tvOS 26 – Apple TV

  • Updated design using Liquid Glass, more minimal and modern.

  • Adds profile switching on wake – lets each family member jump directly to their own profile.

  • New karaoke mode with lyrics and synchronized visuals.

9. visionOS 26 – Vision Pro

  • Adds spatial widgets and more lifelike digital Personas for AR/VR experiences.

  • Supports new accessories:

    • Logitech Muse stylus for precise interaction

    • PS VR2 Sense controller for gaming input

10. AirPods

  • Now supports studio-quality audio recording, helpful for podcasts or content creators.

  • Adds remote camera control — press a button on AirPods to snap photos with your iPhone camera.

11. Developer Tools & Release Timeline

  • Metal 4: Apple’s upgraded graphics framework; faster, more capable of AI processing.

  • Foundation Models API: Lets developers easily integrate Apple Intelligence into their apps.

  • Release schedule:

    • Developer Beta: June 9, 2025

    • Public Beta: July 2025

    • General Release: Fall 2025

Summary

  • Apple reimagines its UI with Liquid Glass across all devices.

  • Apple Intelligence adds real-time translation, image creation, and smarter Siri.

  • New Games app and upgraded gaming performance with Metal 4.

  • All OS versions renamed to match the year: 26.

  • Final Intel Mac support ends with macOS 26.

Sources: The Verge, Business Insider, TechCrunch, The Australian, Apple.com

SoftwareMobilegaming