Apple’s WWDC 2025 Unveils iOS 26 and Liquid Glass Design Amid AI Challenges

Apple’s WWDC 2025 Unveils iOS 26 and Liquid Glass Design Amid AI Challenges

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference commenced on Monday and runs through Friday. The Cupertino tech giant wasted no time in unveiling an array of significant updates and new features. The star attractions include revamped software versions for various devices, notably the iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Vision.

This year, Apple has adopted a unified naming scheme across its platforms, introducing a consistent “26” suffix for all its software versions. As a result, users can expect updates like iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and more. In addition to the new nomenclature, the updates bring substantial enhancements to software functionality across Apple’s devices, highlighted by an innovative Liquid Glass design reminiscent of Windows Vista’s aesthetic.

While these features present a thrilling prospect, an overarching concern arises regarding Apple’s artificial intelligence capabilities. Compared to the cutting-edge AI innovations announced by Google in the previous month, Apple’s AI functionalities appeared somewhat underwhelming.

Let us take a closer look at the highlights of WWDC 2025 and the context of Apple’s current AI landscape.

Unified Naming System Introduced

One notable shift this year is Apple’s decision to standardize the naming convention across all platforms. Instead of relying on incremental version numbers, the company has opted to name its releases after the year of launch. This means users can look forward to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. This modification aims to simplify the tracking of software updates compared to older versions like iOS 19, watchOS 12, or macOS 16.

A Fresh Look with Liquid Glass Design

Both iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 feature a striking redesign, showcasing the new Liquid Glass design. This visual language employs translucent materials alongside subtle animations to enhance depth and clarity. For some users, this design might evoke nostalgia, similar to the glossy glass effects from the old Windows Vista.

Core applications have undergone significant redesigns as well. The Camera app now boasts a cleaner interface that is easier to navigate, while Safari introduces improved tab management and new browsing tools. The Phone app merges Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails into a unified layout for simplified call management.

Interactive Messaging Features

The Messages app expanded its functionality, allowing users to integrate custom backgrounds into conversations, thus adding a personal touch. Furthermore, group chats now feature quick polls that streamline the process of gathering opinions from friends and family.

Enhanced iPad Experience with iPadOS 26

With iPadOS 26, Apple is significantly enhancing the iPad’s functionality to mirror that of a Mac. New windowing capabilities enable users to resize app windows, arrange them across the screen, and run multiple apps simultaneously. The update also introduces a precise mouse pointer and a new menu bar functionality that allows for quick options and commands.

macOS Tahoe 26 Introduces Liquid Glass

macOS Tahoe 26, succeeding macOS Sequoia, adopts the Liquid Glass design ethos, giving system elements like the Dock, app icons, and toolbars a translucent appearance. Additionally, the update features a newly designed Phone app with Continuity functionality that integrates smoothly with a paired iPhone. Users will benefit from streamlined access to Favorites, Voicemails, Call Screening, and real-time updates through Live Activities.

Spotlight Gets a Major Overhaul

This year’s Spotlight update represents a significant advancement, allowing users to execute Shortcuts and various actions directly within the currently active application. Quick keys facilitate swifter commands for tasks like sending messages or setting reminders.

Apple’s AI Features Leave Much to Be Desired

Under the Apple Intelligence umbrella, the integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT into system functionalities aims to enhance productivity. ChatGPT can now assist Siri when it encounters inquiries or tasks that exceed its capabilities, but only after users grant specific permission each time. This cautious approach reflects Apple’s commitment to user privacy; it ensures IP addresses are obscured and personal data remains secure unless users actively link their ChatGPT accounts.

Nonetheless, the AI features unveiled this year seem minimalistic in comparison to the rapid advancements seen from competitors like Google and Microsoft. Even though Apple announced new functionalities like live translation for Messages and FaceTime, many feel these upgrades fall short of expectations.

The Road Ahead for Siri

No major enhancements to Siri emerged from WWDC 2025, prompting concerns about Apple’s prospects in the virtual assistant arena. Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, provided only a cursory mention of Siri during the keynote. Apple had previously promised a revamped Siri experience, aimed at personalization based on user interactions, yet these features remain largely unavailable and stuck in a limited beta phase.

This ambiguous timeline hints that users may not see substantial updates to Siri until at least 2026, which is disheartening news as competitors continue to roll out frequent updates.

Final Thoughts on Apple’s WWDC 2025

WWDC 2025 showcased a wealth of polished features and intriguing developments. The Liquid Glass design grants Apple’s devices a modern aesthetic, and the unified naming system finally brings clarity to versioning. However, the company’s AI narrative struggles to keep pace with industry rivals. The groundwork for future advancements appears to be in place, but the most ambitious AI enhancements remain elusive, widening the gap between Apple and its competitors.

The question looms—can Apple reclaim its position as an innovator in AI technology? We invite you to share your thoughts with us.