Tech giant unveils biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 alongside live translation tools but keeps Siri improvements under wraps.
Apple concluded its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 on Monday with significant announcements centered around a comprehensive software redesign and enhanced artificial intelligence features.
Unlike WWDC 2024, which heavily featured Apple Intelligence announcements, this year's conference took a more measured approach to AI features. Craig Federighi kicks things off with a recap of last year's Apple Intelligence launch and all the tools that actually made it to Apple devices. (Siri is notably missing from the list.) In fact, Federighi mentions that Siri needs more time and that Apple will have more to share later this year.
Revolutionary "Liquid Glass" Interface Takes Center Stage
Apple's calling their new look "Liquid Glass," and frankly, the name tells you everything you need to know. Think translucent panels, shimmery effects, and interfaces that seem to breathe with light. It's a far cry from the stark, minimalist designs we've grown accustomed to.
"Today marks an exciting and beautiful new chapter for our design," said Alan Dye, Apple's vice president of human interface design, clearly excited about what his team has been working on. The new interface "beautifully retracts light and dynamically reacts to your movement with specular highlights."
What does that mean in plain English? Your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch are all getting a glossy makeover that changes based on how you move and what lighting you're in. Dye wasn't exaggerating when he called this the biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 dropped more than a decade ago.
Unified Year-Based Naming Convention Introduced
Apple is ditching those confusing version numbers once and for all. The company is moving away from sequential version numbers to a year-based system. To reflect the majority of the year when these software updates will be available to customers, the company will release iOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, macOS 26, visionOS 26 and iPadOS 26, Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, said at WWDC.
The Translation Game Gets Real
While Apple kept their AI cards closer to their chest this year, they did roll out something genuinely useful: Live Translation that actually works across their ecosystem (Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps).
While people are having voice conversations with foreign language speakers, iOS 26 will speak out words in the other person's native language, along with a written caption as well. When they reply, the operating system will provide a quick spoken translation and a caption, Leslie Ikemoto, Apple's director of input experience, said during the company's WWDC keynote.
The feature is "enabled by Apple-built models that run entirely on device, so users' personal conversations stay personal."
But there's a catch, though. Right now, it only works for English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Still, it's a solid start for breaking down language barriers.
Enhanced Developer Access to Apple Intelligence
Here's where Apple made their biggest AI move – opening up the hood for developers. Third-party app creators can now tap directly into Apple's on-device AI models. Developers will be able to access the on-device large language model at the core of Apple Intelligence, giving them direct access to intelligence that is powerful, fast, built with privacy, and available even when users are offline.
Platform-Specific Enhancements Across the Ecosystem
macOS Tahoe 26 (yes, they're keeping the California naming tradition) received some serious attention, particularly around search. Spotlight is getting smarter, ranking results based on what matters to you personally. Plus, you can now do things like send emails or create notes directly from search results without bouncing between apps.
The Apple Watch is getting what Apple calls "Smart Stack hints" – basically, your watch will suggest the right app at the right time. For example, a hint for Backtrack may appear when a user is in a remote location with no connectivity, or a hint for a Pilates workout may show up when a user arrives at a studio location at their usual time.
iPadOS 26 received significant productivity enhancements, addressing long-standing user requests for improved multitasking capabilities. Apple is making it easier to work across multiple windows on iPad. Now, users will be able to resize windows, and they'll maintain that size if a user closes and reopens them.
visionOS 26 gained new gaming capabilities, including partnership with Sony to use PlayStation VR controllers with Apple Vision Pro.
AirPods Gain Professional Recording Features
Content creators got something too. Apple's adding studio-quality recording to AirPods, along with remote camera controls. Press the stem on your AirPods to start recording video from across the room – perfect for solo content creators who've been juggling timers and awkward arm stretches.
Availability and Release Timeline
Apple says the new systems will be available as developer betas today, with public betas coming soon. The full releases are scheduled for fall 2025, coinciding with the expected launch of new iPhone and Apple Watch models.
