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WWDC 2025 Recap: New design, features, and more! |
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| Apple’s 2025 Worldwide Developers’ Conference is finally here, and it was well worth the wait. From a radical visionOS-inspired redesign to an all-new Games application, the company’s latest assortment of operating systems brings a lot to the table. This special edition of the AppleInsider Newsletter has all the details on Apple’s latest software.
Here’s everything Apple announced at WWDC 2025, and why it matters. |
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| | | | With iOS 26, Apple introduced a new unified design language dubbed Liquid Metal. The operating system now features glass-like UI elements that change in size as needed, and the new material also extends to app icons, the Lock Screen, and Home Screen.
There’s also a new Full Screen mode for FaceTime and Safari, which hides the controls for a better content-viewing experience. Messages received in-app polls, chat backgrounds, improved spam detection, and more.
Apple Music benefits from lyric translations, including pronunciation guides, while the Camera app received a simplified UI. iOS has also gained new Call Screening and Hold Assist features.
Our take: iOS 26 features new transparent UI elements across the operating system, but largely maintains the color palette of previous releases. The Camera and Safari apps received some of the most significant changes.
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| | | | | iPadOS 26 brings a much-needed productivity update to the iPad platform. Rather than the tried-and-true iOS-style multitasking system, the update now lets users adjust application windows to their liking.
There’s a familiar set of three dots in the top left corner of every app window, letting you minimize, hide, or display the app in full-screen. Preview is now an app on iPad, the Files app has been reworked to let users choose default apps for file types, and background processes have been opened up. Journal has made its way to the iPad as well.
Our take: Apple’s approach presents a significant improvement to iPadOS, while still keeping it separate from the Mac. The company’s new features and UI alterations were specifically made with the iPad in mind, and they’ll surely be useful for pro users.
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| | | | | | | With macOS Tahoe 26, Apple has extended the connections between the iPhone and the Mac. Using Continuity, users can relay cellular phone calls to their Mac, and also access features such as Call Screening, Recents, and Voicemails.
Another much-wanted addition to the Mac is the addition of Journal, which until now has been exclusive to the iPhone. Apple has also introduced an entirely new Apple Games app, which is intended to make it easy to play games with friends.
In addition, macOS Tahoe 26 includes a whole new range of Shortcuts specifically for controlling Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools.
Our take: macOS Tahoe further illustrates Apple’s goal of cross-platform coherence, as the operating system features the same design language as iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. There’s also improved iPhone integration, with enhancements to Continuity.
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| | | | | visionOS 26 introduces anchored spatial widgets and includes support for the Sony PlayStation VR2 controller. Also in the update are shared Spatial Experiences and improved Personas.
With visionOS 26, users can pin widgets to walls and surfaces. Widgets placed in a room are anchored to the wall or furniture, appearing when you look at them. If you take off or even restart the Apple Vision Pro, those widgets reappear without needing to place them every time.
Spatial Personas are much more realistic. Also, users can share Spatial Environments and view objects in an app together. If you're hanging out or working with someone who also has an Apple Vision Pro, you can share a space, watch a movie, view a 3D scene, and more.
Our take: visionOS 26 wasn’t the star of WWDC 2025, but the overall look and feel of the operating system served as the basis for Apple’s cross-platform 'Liquid Glass’ redesign. The Apple Vision Pro received a few worthwhile enhancements, but not a lot compared to other platforms.
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| | | | | watchOS 26 introduces new intelligent features and improved fitness tools aimed at making the Apple Watch more personal and useful. A new wrist flick gesture lets users dismiss notifications, calls, or timers with a subtle hand motion, adding to the convenience of one-handed use.
Volume adjustments for Siri, calls, and alerts now respond to ambient noise levels for better situational awareness. Apple Intelligence plays a central role in the update. Workout Buddy offers real-time, spoken coaching drawn from the user's metrics, using Fitness+ voice models for a natural tone.
The redesigned Workout app adds new layout controls and the ability to auto-play curated Apple Music playlists based on workout type and listening history.
Our take: The added health and fitness features in watchOS 26 serve to continue Apple's steady push to make the Apple Watch a better fitness companion. watchOS 26 also received Apple’s ‘Liquid Glass’ design, which allows for a consistent experience across different platforms.
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| | | | | The tvOS 26 update expands entertainment and communication features. Apple Music Sing now lets users turn their iPhones into microphones, with real-time lyrics, visual effects, and group controls on the big screen. FaceTime gains Contact Posters, multilingual Live Captions, and smart call notifications tied to user profiles.
The Apple TV app now features cinematic poster art, redesigned navigation, and enhanced profile switching that personalizes recommendations and Watchlists as soon as the system wakes. Control Center updates make it easier to adjust settings like audio, sleep timers, or lighting scenes without missing what's on screen.
Additional updates include new Aerial screen savers from India, speaker assignment for AirPlay, and developer APIs that simplify app logins through Apple Accounts.
Our take: tvOS didn’t receive nearly as many upgrades as its iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 counterparts. Still, the sleek redesign and the changes Apple introduced make it a worthy update for Apple TV fans. The new design is limited to Apple TV 4K and newer, however.
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| | | | | Starting in iOS 26, Apple is introducing new features to AirPods that will make it easier for content creators to capture high-quality audio and remotely control video recording. New content creator-focused features will be available for AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and AirPods Pro 2. The features are tailored toward those making videos and other content on the go.
Apple has also announced that developers will soon be able to access the on-device large language models that power Apple Intelligence in their own apps, through a new ‘Foundation Models’ framework. Apple is giving developers the chance to use native AI capabilities. Third-party apps will be able to use the features for image creation, text generation, and more.
Our take: Apple’s AirPods received a useful upgrade that will primarily appeal to video content creators. Apple Intelligence understandably took a back seat at WWDC 2025, but the Foundation Models framework will undoubtedly prove useful to developers.
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| | Today, we finally got our first look at the highly anticipated iOS 26 update, and it packs quite a punch. With a redesigned user interface and a multitude of new features, it was well worth the wait. Apple’s other platforms weren’t left out either, as the company’s latest software updates focus on a consistent, fluid cross-platform experience, packed full of new features.
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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