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Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 kicked off on June 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time with a keynote address at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. The event, blending in-person and online formats, showcased major updates to Apple’s software ecosystem, introducing a unified design language and new features across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Below is a detailed recap of the key announcements from the live keynote, based on real-time coverage and insights from the event.
Liquid Glass: A New Design Language
Apple unveiled Liquid Glass, a transformative user interface redesign inspired by the visionOS platform used in the Apple Vision Pro. Described as the most significant design overhaul since iOS 7, Liquid Glass introduces translucent, glass-like visuals with rounded buttons and a simplified, cohesive aesthetic across all Apple operating systems. According to Apple’s software chief, Craig Federighi, this design leverages the power of Apple Silicon to create a "see-through" effect with a 3D depth, enhancing user interaction across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 (named Tahoe), watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. The new interface aims to unify the look and feel of Apple’s ecosystem, making navigation more intuitive and visually striking.
iOS 26: A Major Overhaul
- The headliner of WWDC 2025 was iOS 26, marking a shift from the expected iOS 19 naming convention to align version numbers with the year of update (e.g., iOS 27 in 2026). This release introduces several user-focused features:
- Messages Enhancements: iOS 26 adds polls to group chats, allowing users to vote on plans like event dates or outfit choices. Users can also set custom background images for conversations, adding a personal touch. On-device spam detection has been improved, with messages from unknown senders sortable into a separate folder.
- Phone App Improvements: A revamped Call Screening feature now displays caller information immediately, helping users decide whether to answer. A new option allows users to put calls on hold, a long-requested feature.
- Live Translation: Integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, Live Translation supports real-time translation of messages, video captions, phone calls, and even song lyrics with pronunciation guides. This feature is expected to roll out with iOS 26 and a potential AirPods firmware update, likely limited to AirPods Pro models.
- Genmoji Customization: Users can combine two emojis or modify existing Genmoji expressions to create personalized emojis, adding creativity to messaging.
- Camera and Safari Upgrades: iOS 26 enhances the Camera app with new AI-powered features, including improved screenshot capabilities. Safari also receives updates for better performance and integration with the Liquid Glass design.
The developer beta for iOS 26 was made available immediately after the keynote, with a public beta scheduled for July 2025. The full release is expected in the fall of 2025, supporting iPhones from the past five years.
iPadOS 26: Mac-Like Multitasking
iPadOS 26 brings the largest update ever for iPad, introducing Mac-style windowing and enhanced multitasking capabilities. The Liquid Glass design enhances the tablet’s interface, making it more seamless for users transitioning between iPad and Mac. These changes aim to position the iPad as a more robust productivity device, addressing long-standing requests for improved window management.
macOS 26: Tahoe and Beyond
Named macOS Tahoe, the next iteration of Apple’s desktop operating system adopts the Liquid Glass UI and introduces a native Phone app, hinting at future cellular connectivity for Macs. While not a transformative release, macOS 26 drops support for older Intel-based Macs, requiring M1 or later models for compatibility. The update focuses on refining the user experience with a cohesive design and improved integration with iOS 26 features like Live Translation.
watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26
Apple’s other platforms received updates aligned with the Liquid Glass design:
- watchOS 26 introduces new day-to-day features, such as improved spam call and message detection, making the Apple Watch more practical for communication.
- tvOS 26 focuses on refining the Apple TV interface with the new design language, though specific feature updates were less prominent in the keynote.
- visionOS 26 builds on the Vision Pro’s interface, enhancing spatial computing with the Liquid Glass aesthetic and improved app integration.
Apple Intelligence and Foundation Models Framework
Apple continued to expand Apple Intelligence, its AI feature set, with improvements to on-device generative models. A new Foundation Models Framework allows developers to access Apple’s on-device large language models (LLMs) directly, outputting results in plain text or structured formats. This framework aims to empower developers to integrate AI into their apps more seamlessly, leveraging Apple’s focus on privacy with on-device processing. Additional Apple Intelligence features include enhanced spam detection and AI-powered screenshot tools.
No Hardware Announcements, But AirTag 2 Looms
Unlike previous WWDCs, no new hardware was unveiled during the keynote. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman noted that an AirTag 2 is “nearly ready” for launch, potentially arriving mid-2025. Rumors of a smart home hub or homeOS were mentioned but remain speculative, with no confirmation during the event.
Unique Keynote Moments
The keynote concluded with an unexpected highlight: a three-minute performance by a band singing lyrics composed of App Store review quotes, described as “incredibly weird” but memorable by attendees. This creative flourish, while unconventional, was a crowd-pleaser and added a lighthearted touch to the event.
How to Experience WWDC 2025
The keynote and Platforms State of the Union (held at 1:00 p.m. PT on June 9) are available for on-demand playback on Apple’s website, YouTube, and the Apple Developer app. Developers can access over 100 online sessions and labs through June 13 to learn about integrating these new features into their apps. A select group of developers, students, and media attended the in-person event at Apple Park, with opportunities to meet Apple engineers and explore the announcements in depth.
Looking Ahead
WWDC 2025 set the stage for a unified and visually refreshed Apple ecosystem, with iOS 26 and the Liquid Glass design as the stars of the show. While some expressed skepticism about the pace of Apple’s software updates and Siri’s ongoing challenges, the keynote delivered practical features like polls, Live Translation, and enhanced multitasking that promise to improve daily user experiences. Stay tuned for further updates from Apple Park as developers dive into the betas and more details emerge.
For the latest news and in-depth coverage, check out sources like MacRumors, Engadget, and Mashable, or watch the keynote replay on Apple’s YouTube channel.
