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If you also dozed off during WWDC 2025, here's a quick recap of what was said. Liquid Glass Design and Name Unification Visual overhaul to paper over the cracks: Liquid Glass is the biggest software design change from Apple since iOS 7. Live Translation: Live lyrics translation in Apple Music, and real-time translation of voice conversations in calls and...
If you also dozed off during WWDC 2025, here’s a quick recap of what was said.
“Liquid Glass” Design and Name Unification
- Visual overhaul to paper over the cracks: “Liquid Glass” is the biggest software design change from Apple since iOS 7. It brings a dynamic, translucent aesthetic with more rounded elements and new app styles.
- New numbering scheme to get lost in — 26 is the new 2025: For the first time, Apple’s operating systems will be renamed to follow the current year, dropping the traditional sequential version numbers (e.g., iOS 26 instead of iOS 19).
Apple Intelligence: the Void
- Content analysis: “Visual Intelligence” enables analysis of on-screen content.
- Smart Shortcuts: AI-enhanced Shortcuts for more powerful automation. This might be the only part that actually interests me. It’s genuinely a differentiating feature of the Android platform. And these automations carry over to Mac, which allows for unified workflows.
- Live Translation: Real-time lyrics translation in Apple Music, and instant translation of voice conversations in calls and messages.
- AirPods sleep detection: AirPods will be able to detect if you fall asleep and pause the audio.
- Developer access: Apple will open its AI models to third-party developers so they can integrate them into their apps.
- Specific features:
- Call Screening and Hold Assist: Better management of incoming calls with information before you pick up. I thought this was already on my phone — when I tap the voicemail button during a call, it already seems to do that transcription.
- Genmoji and Image Playground: AI-powered tools for creating custom images and emojis. Not serious at all — this is a feature for teenagers.
iOS 26: the Intergalactic Void, Move Along, Nothing to See Here
- Messages: Customizable conversation backgrounds, polls, and improved spam filtering. A unified inbox and typing indicators for group chats are also new.
- Phone: New design, voicemail summary, and “Hold Assist.” Live translation is built in.
- Photos, Safari, FaceTime: These apps have also been redesigned to fit the new “Liquid Glass” look.
- CarPlay Ultra: New design with widgets, customization, and better integration with vehicle features (radio, climate control).
- New Games app: A hub for games (App Store, Apple Arcade, third-party) with challenge and score tracking.
- Apple Music: Lyrics translation, “Automix” feature, and the ability to pin artists.
- Maps: Habit-based suggestions, encrypted location history, and commute prediction.
- Wallet: Digital ID linked to your passport (United States), smart delivery tracking, and installment payment support.
- Accessibility: Significant improvements like real-time translated captions in FaceTime and remote Live Listen controls.
- Compatibility: iOS 26 will be compatible with iPhone 11 and newer, but Apple Intelligence features will be limited to iPhone 15 and later.
macOS 26 (macOS Tahoe) — Something Going on with Spotlight
- “Liquid Glass” design: A new design harmonized with iOS, featuring translucent materials and an improved Dock and menu bar.
- Spotlight: Major overhaul with smart filtering, “Quick Keys” (keyboard shortcuts), and hundreds of direct actions for sending emails or launching shortcuts. I’ll wait and see if these improvements make me ditch Alfred.
- Xcode boosted with AI — but not Apple’s own: Improvements to the Xcode development environment with AI assistance for code, documentation, and debugging via natural language.
- New features: New shortcuts, integrated Phone app, and games optimized via Metal 4.
- Customization: Customizable folder colors and a more flexible Control Center.
- Safari and Messages: New tab layout for Safari and live translation in Messages.
iPadOS 26 — or macOS?
Who said we’d never see macOS on an iPad? With Apple, you should never give up hope.
- Improved window management: Full multitasking with touch resizing, maximize/minimize controls, app tiling, and an “Exposé” function to navigate between windows.
- Menu bars: Menu bars are arriving, bringing the iPad closer to a desktop experience.
- Files app: Improvements to the Files app and background task support.
- App Preview: The Preview app is now available on iPad.
- Local recordings: Ability to locally record podcasts with professional audio/video quality.
- Real multitasking: Dear YouTubers, you’ll finally be able to export your holiday videos from an iPad.
watchOS 26: Garmin Can Sleep Soundly
- Workout Buddy with Apple Intelligence: AI is integrated into fitness features for a more personalized training experience. I’m nervous to try this one. I can already feel it’s something you’ll disable after the second workout.
- Notes app: The Notes app is now available on Apple Watch, letting you access and create notes right from your wrist. That’s the best announcement.
- Notification management: A new wrist gesture lets you quickly dismiss notifications without touching the screen. The watch can also lower notification sounds in quiet environments.
- Proactive smart scrolling: Context-based suggestions (e.g., a starting point when you’re in a remote location).
- Improved Messages: More customization, with the conversation backgrounds set in iOS 26 appearing on the watch, plus live translation.
visionOS 26: Not Interested, Moving On
And that’s it! Yes, we’re changing icons, the theme, sprinkling in a bit of AI, adding a few features — but nothing that’ll make you work significantly faster…
