Apple recently hosted its highly anticipated WWDC 2025 at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, where it unveiled next-generation software updates. The event showcased major upgrades across the entire Apple ecosystem.
In a notable shift, Apple has moved away from traditional version numbering and adopted a year-based naming convention for all its operating systems. The iPhone’s next-gen software is now called iOS 26, with the same naming applied to iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS.
The iOS 26 introduces a bold new user interface called ”Liquid Glass”, which marks Apple’s most dramatic design overhaul since iOS 7. The redesigned experience spans all major Apple devices – including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Vision Pro – all of which will transition to version 26 this fall. Now, let’s check out all the major announcements from WWDC 2025.
iOS 26
Apple introduced iOS 26 with a bold new “Liquid Glass” UI, offering a translucent, dynamic design that brings depth and focus to icons, widgets, and navigation. The Lock Screen adapts to backgrounds with fluid, spatial effects, while customization options get a major boost.
iOS 26 also brings new updates to the Phone and Messages apps to reduce distractions. The Camera app now features a simplified layout to keep focus on the moment.
Moreover, new features come to CarPlay, Maps, Music, Wallet, Camera, Photos, and Safari for a more streamlined and immersive experience.
watchOS 26
Apple watchOS 26 with Liquid Glass design brings smarter interactions and deeper personalisation. Apple Watch users will now get Live Translation in Messages, Workout Buddy with spoken motivation, a redesigned Workout app, and a new wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications hands-free. The update also brings adaptive sound management, improved Smart Replies, and synced customizable backgrounds from iPhone.
iPadOS 26
The iPadOS 26 brings the all-new Liquid Glass design and advanced AI features via Apple Intelligence. It introduces smarter windowing, Live Translation, customizable Genmoji, a new Preview app, and studio-quality audio upgrades. The Phone app now comes to iPad, alongside features like Journal, a dedicated Apple Games hub, and smarter Messages.
visionOS 26
Apple’s visionOS 26 is a major upgrade for Apple Vision Pro, bringing spatial widgets that live in your environment, enhanced shared experiences, and lifelike Personas with greater detail. The update introduces Spatial Scenes that turn photos into immersive 3D environments, smarter Safari browsing, and PlayStation VR2 controller support for next-level gaming.
macOS Tahoe 26
Apple previewed macOS Tahoe 26 at WWDC 2025, introducing a sleek new Liquid Glass design, powerful Apple Intelligence features, and enhanced Continuity with iPhone. Spotlight now goes beyond search, enabling quick actions and smart suggestions, while the new Phone app, Live Activities, and iPhone Mirroring enhance cross-device use.
tvOS 26
At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled tvOS 26, delivering the most immersive and personalized Apple TV experience yet. It comes with Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language, which brings a translucent, ambient look to Apple TV.
From smarter profile switching and enhanced Apple Music Sing with iPhone mic support, to FaceTime improvements and Aerial screen savers filmed in India, tvOS 26 blends style with substance. The update also brings deeper integration with iPhone and AirPlay speakers, making setup and streaming more seamless than ever.
AirPods Get Smarter with Studio-Grade Features
At WWDC 2025, Apple announced major upgrades for AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 2. With iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, users will gain studio-quality recording powered by the H2 chip and beamforming mics. A new camera remote control feature lets users capture photos or videos with a tap on the AirPods stem, perfect for solo creators.
Apple Intelligence Brings on-device AI Features
At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced new upgrades to Apple Intelligence, bringing a bunch of on-device AI features to iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro.
- Live Translation to Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls. This feature allows real-time translation of text and voice conversations between different languages.
- Visual Intelligence for context-aware actions, and enhanced creative tools like Genmoji and Image Playground.
- Apple Watch gains Workout Buddy, a personalized fitness coach, while developers can now build AI-powered features using Apple’s on-device Foundation Models.
All the latest updates across the Apple ecosystem are now available in early beta for developers. A public beta is set to roll out next month, with the official release scheduled for September.
[Gizbot]