Apple WWDC 2025 recap: Tim Cook shows off iOS 26 and new 'Liquid Glass' design coming to iPhone, Mac, and iPad

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4 hours ago

Apple's WWDC 2025 developer conference begins today.
Apple CEO Tim Cook kicked things off with a 1 p.m. ET keynote.
Apple showed off "Liquid Glass," the new look to its software coming to iOS 26, iPads, Mac, and more products.
Apple just showed off the new look of its software ecosystem coming to its products at its Worldwide Developers Conference.
WWDC 2025 is when Apple reveals its coming version of Mac as well as iOS and its other products, and this year the theme was unifying the look and feel of its software across its multiple devices.
The new design language is called "Liquid Glass." It'll be available later this fall for iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watches, Vision Pro, and Apple TV.
Apple is also bringing the numbering of its various software systems together. This year, it'll be iOS 26, iPadOS 26, WatchOS 26, and so on. Macs, however, are the lone holdout — the next operating system for Apple's computers will be called macOS Tahoe.
Going into the event, Wall Street analysts said the keynote represented a "critical opportunity" for Apple to reassure investors and fans that it can stay competitive on AI. Last year, Apple unveiled its AI software suite, Apple Intelligence, which has suffered setbacks and delays.
Apple did show off some new Apple Intelligence capabilities, but it also reiterated that it needed more time to develop some of its features, which would be arriving in the next year. Apple's stock price was trading down around 1.5% at the conclusion of the 1 p.m. ET keynote.
Business Insider liveblogged the entire keynote, which featured Tim Cook and other Apple execs detailing the coming software features — scroll on for the entire play-by-play.
Tim Cook closes the keynote out — and that's a wrap!
Cook says the public betas of the various software updates will be available next month, with the developer betas arriving today.
Most people, however, will get their hands on iOS 26, VisionOS 26, WatchOS 26, MacOS Tahoe, and iPadOS 26 in the fall with the official launches.
Craig Federighi is back — it sounds like we're nearing the end of the keynote
Federighi is detailing some developer-focused announcements, including some new coding tools, bringing generative intelligence to Xcode using ChatGPT.
"This unique experience flows naturally between the source editor and the assistant to write code, tests, documentation, iterate on a design, or fix that stubborn compiler error," he says.
More iPadOS 26 features continue the Macification-of-the-iPad theme…
iPadOS 26 is getting some more features that are similar to Mac, such as the ability to personalize your folders in the Files app.
There's also the Preview app and menu bar.
And there's a new Local Capture feature for recording and sharing audio and content directly from your iPad.
You can also set Background Tasks to operate in the background, even if you're using a different app.
Apple is calling iPadOS 26 the "biggest iPad release ever."
Now, onto iPadOS 26.
Apple is hyping this up, calling it the iPad update we've "all been waiting for."
Continuing the theme of Apple overhauling the look and feel of its software, the iPad is getting redesigned app icons and widgets with iPadOS 26.
Apple says it's continuing to push the capabilities "even further," with new multi-tasking features — including a new windowing system.
App windows can be arranged by tiling for a more organized layout of a number of apps.
We're now seeing a pre-recorded demo of the new windowing system on an iPad. Apple says it's designed to work great with either touch input or a trackpad.
It all looks very Mac-like.
Apple says its virtual "Personas" on Vision Pro are getting dramatically improved
Apple says Vision Pro's "Personas" — its virtual avatars that are designed to look like you — are getting a "striking" change.
It means your floating head will look more like you than it did when Vision Pro first launched. New improvements include "hair, lashes, complexion," making your persona appear more natural, Apple says.
Moving onto VisionOS, Apple's software for its $3,499 "spatial computing" headset.
The Vision Pro is getting an "expansive update," Apple says.
Apple says VisionOS 26 is "packed" with new experiences and features. That means new "spatial" content as well.
In VisionOS 26, users can place widgets around their virtual space, and they'll remain where they left them thanks to the new Widgets app. The content will show up as you left it whenever you power up your Vision Pro.
In other words, that clock on the wall will still be there when you put your headset on.
Apple is showing how you can use Spotlight in your workflow.
We're seeing a pre-recorded demo of using Spotlight on Macs to accomplish some tasks, along with Shortcuts.
We're seeing "quick keys" being used. Typing "sm" and "ar" into Spotlight search, for example, will pull up prompts to send a message or set a reminder.
Spotlight will also have search history to pull from your previous searches. You can run your shortcuts through Spotlight and use quick keys to pull them up.
Shortcuts on Mac are getting "Intelligent actions"
Apple says Mac shortcuts are getting smarter, thanks to AI. It's calling it "Intelligent actions."
Users can incorporate AI to get a more personalized experience from different apps and have more complex shortcuts.
"Every day, they combine multiple steps from your favorite apps to create powerful personal automation," Apple says.
"MacOS Tahoe" is the next operating system for Apple's computers.
Apple isn't sticking to the naming convention of its other software systems for Mac, instead naming it "Tahoe."
It is, however, getting the "Liquid Glass" treatment.
There's now the ability to change the color of folders on your Mac.
"You can go with that sleek, clear look, or dial up" the dark aesthetic, Federighi says.
Live Activity updates, such as Uber Eats delivery ETAs in the Dynamic Island on the iPhone, are now coming to Macs too.
Apple TV's software is getting a "bold new look."
With tvOS 26, Apple says the layout is getting more cinematic, with tools that are less distracting and new poster formats.
It also gave a sneak peek of originals coming to Apple TV+, with star-studded offerings, and updates to the karaoke experience on Apple TV with the Apple Music Sing feature, which turns your iPhone into a karaoke microphone.
"Your iPhone becomes the mic, amplifying your voice through TV visual effects that light up when you're with friends," Apple says.
WatchOS 26 is also getting the Liquid Glass treatment.
Other new features include Workout Buddy, which tracks your exercise history and encourages you using a text-to-speech AI fitness coach.
WatchOS 26 users will have a more personalized recap of their workouts and fitness milestones.
Apple says it's also improving its "Smart Stack" feature, which surfaces apps or items it thinks you are likely to find useful at a given time.
A new Watch gesture, "wrist flick," will make navigating notifications as simple as a flick of the wrist.
"You can also use wrist flick to mute incoming calls, silence timers and alarms, or even close the smart stack," Apple says.
Apple has some new features for Visual Intelligence.
Now for Visual Intelligence, Apple's AI feature that can detect what's on your screen or in front of your phone's camera.
Using the AI program, anything you're viewing on an app can be searched using Visual Intelligence. All you have to do is take a screenshot and select the search option for results.
Users can tap a part of a screenshot to search a specific product that shows up in the photo. The same process exists for events. Visual Intelligence can view and create an event based on details in a screenshot. You can also ask ChatGPT for information based on your screen.
Apple has a new "Games" app.
Apple overhauls its gaming experience with a new app, which the company says is an "all-in-one destination for games and playing with friends." The app will feature "Challenges," or new ways to compete with friends in various apps.
There will also be Apple Arcade integration, Apple's subscription gaming offering.
Apple Wallet is getting a tune-up.
At the airport, in stores, or online shopping, Apple says Wallet is getting more features to make travel and shopping more convenient.
In nine participating states, you'll be able to store your ID.
"Digital ID can be used for domestic travel at supported TSA checkpoints, in apps and in person where age and identity verification are required," Apple says.
Your phone will learn your travel habits
Heads up, commuters.
"Your iPhone will adapt to it, and with the Maps widget, you can check your commute. If there's significant delays, maps will send you a notification with alternate route options, even if you didn't start directions," Apple says.
Apple Music is getting translation, too.
Users will see translations of their music lyrics, and they can pin their music favorites to make them easily accessible.
Live translations are coming to messages and calls.
This looks pretty useful. In messages and calls, you can get a live translation of yourself or recipients, even if they aren't iPhone users.
For example, a FaceTime sent in one language would be translated in real time.
Next, the Messages app
In iOS 26, you can set your own background for group message threads using Apple's Image Playground. In your group chat, you can create polls, use Apple Cash, and see when your friends are typing.
There's also the Unknown Senders feature in Messages, in which unknown senders appear in a dedicated area where you can decide if you want to mark the number as known, ask for more information, or delete.
Unknown senders will be filtered out of your message threads to avoid a cluttered text list.
The Phone app is getting overhauled.
The Phone app is getting more seamless — and by the looks of it, more private.
In the overhauled app, voicemails, recents, and favorites are combined.
A new Call Screening feature will allow Apple to silently answer unknown calls and give you info to know if it's worth answering.
In another change, if you're put on hold during a customer service call — the feature can detect hold music — Hold Assist can keep your spot in line until someone actually is ready to help you.
CarPlay updates are up next
CarPlay is getting more like an iPhone.
Users can access widgets and their friends' flights, for example, via their dashboard.
It's "all done in a way to help you stay focused on the road," Apple says.
The camera is getting a simpler layout
The most used capture features, video and photo, will be easily accessible. The company will also update its Photos app to make finding your media faster.
Apple overhauls its naming structure for iOS. The new version jumps to iOS 26.
Apple is unifying its software naming across iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad to match. So, going forward, it will be tied to the year.
This year's iOS version, for example, will be "iOS 26."
The "Liquid Glass" design language in iOS 26 starts off with the home screen and refreshes the look of apps while maintaining that familiar Apple feel, the company says.
Say hello to "Apple Glass"
Apple announces its "broadest design update ever" — "Liquid Glass," its new design language across all of its software.
The new is inspired by the look and feel of the Vision Pro, Apple says.
Apple teases a new iOS, saying the last major overhaul was years ago with iOS 7.
Here we go..
Exec Craig Federighi recaps Apple Intelligence features.
No new features yet, just a recap of what's already launched.
Federighi says some of the Apple Intelligence features "needed more time to reach our high-quality bar" and more will be launched in the coming year.
However, Federighi says there are more Apple Intelligence features that will be announced today.
Tim Cook is now on the livestream
Cook, speaking from inside Apple's headquarters, teases a slate of announcements.
And we're off! Apple's WWDC keynote has begun
We're starting with an F1-focused skit — Tim Cook is in it, as is Apple exec Craig Federighi.
Apple's "F1" movie debuts later this year.
Here's a look inside Apple Park for the event
Curious where the audience will be? Photos from earlier this morning show inside Apple Park, where people will watch the keynote together before breaking off into various developer sessions.
Further proof that Siri needs an overhaul? People are roasting its answer about WWDC.
At WWDC 2024, Apple demoed a more conversational, personalized Siri that could take on more complex requests. The virtual assistant is still working on its communication skills after its overhaul was delayed to 2026.
"I asked Siri if there's an Apple event today... she has no idea," tech reviewer Marques Brownlee said in an X post.
Some users joined in to show how their Siri answered the question, and others compared it to rival chatbots. The assistant directed some to Apple's official website with event information.
One user said Google's Gemini said yes and provided a brief summary of what the event is.
"Gemini knows there is an Apple event today. How embarrassing," the user wrote.
What Wall Street is saying ahead of the keynote
Apple Intelligence made a big splash at WWDC 2024. Since then, it's had a challenging rollout with delays along the way. Analysts want answers on AI and what's next, but they aren't sure Apple will make any big announcements on that front.
"The WWDC announcements will be relatively incremental and muted, perhaps except for a likely visual design overhaul of the user experience," Forrester analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee told Business Insider on Friday.
Any updates on its AI strategy will be a topic of interest as it "ultimately unlocks the developer ecosystem, which remains the hearts and lungs of the Apple story," Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives wrote in a note.
It's a "critical opportunity" to put analysts' minds at ease when it comes to tariffs, AI, and hardware plans, said Gadjo Sevilla, analyst at EMARKETER, a sister company to BI.
This year's WWDC swag is a mix of bold colors
WWDC attendees got a swag bag of rainbow-colored pins, a water bottle with pink accents, and more, according to one app developer's social-media post.
One collectible pin features an octopus hovering over a keyboard.
Tim Cook says good morning from Apple Park
Cook posted his signature sunrise picture over the Apple campus to let followers know he's up and ready for WWDC.
"See you soon," Cook captioned the X post.
You can watch the livestream remotely too.
Apple's keynote, featuring Cook and other Apple leaders, will stream live on YouTube and on its website starting at 1 p.m. ET.
Apple teased a "Sleek peek" at WWDC 2025
Apple usually teases some of the announcements from WWDC with a themed announcement. For this year's conference, guests were invited to take a "sleek peek."
A play on "sneak peek," reports have indicated Apple is going to show off a sleeker iOS software design that has been called "Liquid Glass."
Read the original article on Business Insider