Apple’s WWDC 2025 introduced iOS 26, featuring a Liquid Glass UI, enhanced AI translation, and a new Phone app for Macs. The event focused on software upgrades across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro, with iPadOS 26 offering Mac-like multitasking. CarPlay and Vision Pro also saw significant updates, while AI-enhanced Siri remains delayed until 2026.
Apple’s 2025 Developer Conference Highlights: iOS 26 and Beyond
At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, held from June 9 to June 13 at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, Apple showcased a suite of software updates, with iOS 26 taking centre stage. The keynote, led by CEO Tim Cook, revealed a visually striking Liquid Glass design language, inspired by the Vision Pro’s translucent interface, marking the most significant iOS overhaul since 2013. This unified aesthetic will roll out across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, aligning the operating systems with the year 2026 to reflect their usage period.
The iPhone’s iOS 26 introduces a host of user-focused features. The Phone app now includes spam text filtering and a hold-your-spot feature for call queues, simplifying communication. The Translate app gains real-time voice translation with captions, enabling seamless conversations across languages. Safari and Camera apps are also set for major redesigns, with Apple emphasizing simplicity in the Camera app’s new approach, though specifics remain under wraps. A rumoured dedicated gaming app is expected to enhance mobile gaming, potentially integrating with Apple Arcade.
iPadOS 26 brings Mac-like multitasking when paired with a keyboard and trackpad, making iPads more versatile for productivity. The introduction of a Preview app for PDFs on iPhone and iPad further bridges the gap between Apple’s mobile and desktop ecosystems. macOS Tahoe 26 introduces a native Phone app, leveraging the iPhone’s cellular signal for calls, hinting at future Macs with cellular connectivity. Spotlight search on Macs also gets a smarter, AI-driven overhaul.
Apple’s CarPlay Ultra, the next-generation in-car software, expands to more automakers, offering deeper integration with vehicle systems. Vision Pro’s visionOS 26 enhances immersive experiences, building on the headset’s niche but growing appeal. However, Apple Intelligence updates were modest, with live translation features for phone calls, texts, and AirPods being the highlight. The much-anticipated AI-enhanced Siri, promised at WWDC 2024, is now slated for spring 2026, reflecting Apple’s cautious approach after last year’s overpromises.
Developer betas for iOS 26 and other updates are already available, with public betas expected in July and a full rollout in September, coinciding with the iPhone 17 launch. The iPhone 11 series may see its final software update with iOS 26. Apple also teased a 20th-anniversary iPhone for 2027, codenamed “Glasswing,” featuring slim bezels and curved glass edges, signaling ambitious hardware plans.
The conference, attended by thousands of developers, underscored Apple’s focus on refining user experience over chasing AI trends, though its partnership with OpenAI for the Image Playground app hints at deeper AI integration in the future.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports and announcements from WWDC 2025, sourced from reputable technology news outlets and posts on X. Information is accurate as of July 7, 2025, and subject to change as Apple releases further details.