Apple held its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on June 9, 2025. CEO Tim Cook led the event, introducing new software updates for iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and Vision Pro. The highlight was a new design called “Liquid Glass,” which gives apps and screens a clear, see-through look, making them more modern. Apple said it’s their biggest design change since iOS 7 in 2013.
Apple announced new operating systems: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. Instead of calling them iOS 19 or other numbers, Apple chose names based on the 2026 release year to make things simpler. Only macOS keeps a special name, Tahoe, after a lake in California. These updates will come to devices this fall, likely with the iPhone 17 models.
For iPhones, iOS 26 brings a cleaner look with Liquid Glass. It includes real-time translation for phone calls, so people speaking different languages can understand each other. There’s also a feature called Hold Assist, which listens for hold music during calls and alerts you when a person comes back. The Spotlight search is improved to find files and apps faster. In the Messages app, users can now set custom backgrounds and create polls for group chats, making conversations more organized.
iPadOS 26 makes iPads work more like Macs. Users can open multiple apps at once, move them around, and resize windows, which is great for doing many tasks. It also adds the Preview app and better file organization in the Files app. For Apple Watch, watchOS 26 introduces Workout Buddy, an AI tool that tracks your exercise and gives tips during workouts, like how far you’ve run or how fast you’re going. It even offers encouraging words through your earphones.
tvOS 26 updates Apple TV with the Liquid Glass design, making menus look smoother and less distracting. A new feature lets you use your iPhone as a microphone for karaoke with Apple Music. visionOS 26 for Vision Pro adds movable widgets that stay in place, like a clock on your virtual wall. It also supports PlayStation and Xbox controllers for gaming.
Apple focused on its “Apple Intelligence” system, improving the Shortcuts app to help users automate tasks. Developers can now use Apple’s AI tools to add smart features to their apps, and everything runs on the device to protect privacy. However, Apple said its big Siri update, which would make the assistant smarter, needs more time and wasn’t ready for WWDC.
Developers can test these updates now, and regular users will get a public beta in July. The full release is expected in September. While no new devices were shown, fans are excited about the software changes but hope for more AI updates soon.
