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WWDC 2025 saw the debut of Apple’s ‘Liquid Glass’ design language, a new “26” version number, and much-needed multitasking improvements for iPad. The company’s June 9 developer betas also contained references to three unreleased devices. Meanwhile, President Trump touted a new tariff deal with China, but that hasn’t stopped Apple from increasing iPhone imports from India.
Here’s what happened during the past week, and why it matters. |
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Apple’s latest assortment of operating systems all bear the ‘Liquid Glass’ design, and they all share the same “26” version number. iPadOS 26, however, introduced some of the most significant changes this year, as a new multitasking system makes the iPad platform feel more like the Mac than ever before.
iOS 26, meanwhile, features an all-new Adaptive Power mode, designed to make your battery last longer between charges. Lock Screen customization, the Photos app, and Image Playground all received upgrades this year, as well.
Our take: WWDC 2025 largely focused on the cross-platform ‘Liquid Glass’ design language, but the iPad and iPhone did get a few worthwhile enhancements. Apple Intelligence upgrades were few and far between, however, making it somewhat of a subdued experience.
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Apple may have added a lot of gloss to macOS Tahoe with its new Liquid Glass design language, but that’s far from the only change in the operating system.
macOS Tahoe includes five specific features that will make a world of difference, once you know they’re there and once you know their limitations. Some of them are easy to miss, so check out this week’s newsletter-exclusive guide to find out exactly what they are, and where they are!
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Apple’s latest assortment of operating systems, specifically the developer betas released on June 9, included a few surprises. References to three unreleased devices were discovered in the software code.
iOS 26 contains explicit mentions of AirPods Pro 3 and includes strings that point toward a second-generation AirTag. Xcode 26, meanwhile, contains a new name for the original Apple Vision Pro, which the software calls “Apple Vision Pro 4K.” This suggests a cheaper headset may be in the works.
Our take: References to upcoming AirPods Pro were also found in an Apple software update on May 15. Rumors of all three products have been floating around for months, meaning there’s a decent chance we’ll see them debut over the next couple of years.
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On June 9, Apple software chief Craig Federighi confirmed that the promised artificial intelligence upgrades to Siri have been delayed, saying the company needs more time to meet quality standards before launching the features in iOS 26.
In two separate interviews, Federighi explained that Apple had working versions of the contextual Siri powered by app intents, but that they were not yet up to the iPhone maker’s high standards. The long-overdue Siri features are expected to debut “in the coming year,” and a recent report suggests we might see them in the spring of 2026.
Our take: Apple has faced stern criticism over its Apple Intelligence delays, which sparked two class action lawsuits against the iPhone maker. The company is trying to save face with its recent statements, while the iOS 26 'Liquid Glass’ redesign serves as a convenient distraction for the average user.
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On June 11, President Trump revealed the U.S. and China were in the process of completing tariff negotiations. According to Trump, the U.S. will receive 55% tariffs, while China will receive 10%, pending approval from both parties. As part of the deal, China will supply magnets and rare earth materials, while the U.S. will continue to allow Chinese students to attend American colleges.
Even as Trump changes his "reciprocal" tariffs on a whim, it remains the case that he levies a lesser charge on Apple for importing from India than from China. Consequently, Apple has been rerouting its supply and distribution lines to minimize the impact of tariffs. Foxconn's iPhone exports to the U.S. have risen from 50% of Indian production to 97%, according to a Friday report.
Our take: The tariff situation remains chaotic but, on the surface, appears to be a notably worse deal for the U.S. public than what was in place. Before the tariff kickoff in April, U.S. companies paid about 15% to import goods from China, with Apple paying notably less than that. Apple will continue to expand in India, and it will not reshore iPhone production to the US.
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WWDC 2025 was either full of meaningful software enhancements or utterly underwhelming, depending on who you ask. AppleInsider’s Amber Neely sees WWDC 2025 as a lackluster event, saying that “Apple slapped a new coat of paint on its operating systems at WWDC and called it good.”
While the author of the AppleInsider Newsletter agrees with this assessment, our William Gallagher argues the changes in macOS Tahoe are more than skin deep. AppleInsider’s Wesley Hilliard similarly says that iPadOS 26 fixes all of the platform’s problems, but believes visionOS was neglected this year, given the continued lack of new native apps.
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From the bold new Liquid Glass UI to Apple Intelligence, a redesigned Lock Screen, and powerful new apps like Games and Preview, Apple’s 2025 software releases are among the biggest ever.
In this week’s video, AppleInsider’s Andrew O’Hara breaks down all the biggest new features announced across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. Check out the video to learn more! |
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For in-depth insights on recent developments in the area of technology, you should check out the AppleInsider Podcast. This week, William Gallagher and Wesley Hilliard discuss everything Apple released at WWDC 2025, Siri’s delayed Apple Intelligence features, and much more.
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You can score an upgraded M2 iPad Air at up to $400 off with blowout deals on Amazon. Expercom is clearing out iPad Air inventory, with steep discounts across Wi-Fi and cellular configurations. Check it out! |
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A new iPad would go great with some AirPods, and AppleInsider has you covered! Amazon has AirPods 4 available for just $99. That’s an impressive $30 off the retail price!
Apple’s top-of-the-line AirPods Pro 2, with ANC and Hearing Health features, are also on sale for only $169. Grab them while you can! |
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Be sure to check out our Price Guides to find the best deals on AirPods, AirPods Pro 2 and iPad Air configurations:
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. |
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WWDC 2025 delivered an entirely new assortment of Apple operating systems, with a unique look that emulates real-world glass. Still, it leaves something to be desired, given that we still have yet to see any of the Siri features Apple promised in 2024.
At AppleInsider, our mission is to keep you up to date on all major developments in the area of technology, particularly related to Apple, its products, and endeavors.
We publish stories, guides, and reviews throughout the week, so be sure to check out AppleInsider.com.
For any comments, questions, or suggestions regarding the AppleInsider Newsletter, reach out to marko@appleinsider.com. |
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