Apple unveils design overhaul & new AI tools for developers
Apple has announced a series of updates to its developer tools and software platforms intended to support the creation of new app experiences across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
The company has introduced a new software design called Liquid Glass, which aims to bring an increased focus to content across Apple devices while retaining a sense of familiarity. This design extends from minor interface elements such as buttons and sliders to larger navigation features.
Native frameworks like SwiftUI are designed to help developers adopt this new design. A new Icon Composer app has also been unveiled, intended to assist developers and designers in creating consistent and modern app icons with advanced features, such as blurring, translucency adjustment, and previewing icons in multiple tints.
The Foundation Models framework is new to Apple's developer ecosystem and allows developers to build on-device experiences leveraging Apple Intelligence. The aim is to offer intelligent features that are available offline and prioritise user privacy. The framework supports Swift and is structured to simplify access to Apple's on-device AI models with minimal code.
"Developers play a vital role in shaping the experiences customers love across Apple platforms," said Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. "With access to the on-device Apple Intelligence foundation model and new intelligence features in Xcode 26, we're empowering developers to build richer, more intuitive apps for users everywhere."
Automattic has already taken advantage of the Foundation Models framework for its Day One journaling app.
"The Foundation Model framework has helped us rethink what's possible with journaling," said Paul Mayne, head of Day One at Automattic. "Now we can bring intelligence and privacy together in ways that deeply respect our users."
Xcode 26
Apple has also updated its integrated development environment with the release of Xcode 26, adding intelligence features to assist developers in tasks such as code writing, test generation, documentation, error fixing, and more. Xcode now supports integration with large language models, including built-in support for ChatGPT, and allows for the use of third-party API keys or running models locally on Macs equipped with Apple silicon.
Coding Tools in Xcode 26 offer developers suggested actions and support a range of tasks directly within the editor. Additional features include a redesigned navigation interface, improvements to localisation, and expanded voice control capabilities for coding and interface navigation.
App Intents and visual intelligence
This update includes enhancements to App Intents, with new support for visual intelligence. Developers can now provide visual search results that link users directly into their apps. For example, Etsy is incorporating visual intelligence to improve product discovery in its app.
"At Etsy, our job is to seamlessly connect shoppers with creative entrepreneurs around the world who offer extraordinary items — many of which are hard to describe. The ability to meet shoppers right on their iPhone with visual intelligence is a meaningful unlock, and makes it easier than ever for buyers to quickly discover exactly what they're looking for while directly supporting small businesses," said Etsy CTO Rafe Colburn.
Swift 6.2 and new framework support
Swift 6.2 is set to bring improved performance, concurrency, and interoperability, now with expanded support for WebAssembly in conjunction with the open-source community. The new version also offers enhancements for writing single-threaded code.
The Containerisation framework now enables developers to run Linux container images directly on a Mac, with an emphasis on isolation and security, and is optimised for Apple silicon.
Gaming tools and APIs
Updates for game developers include Game Porting Toolkit 3, new Metal 4 APIs designed for Apple silicon, and expanded support for running inference networks in shaders. Other features include MetalFX Frame Interpolation and Denoising, a new Apple Games app, Game Center enhancements, and support for managing in-game digital assets.
Child safety and accessibility
Developers can now use the new Declared Age Range API to deliver age-appropriate content, allowing parents to control what information is shared for their children. App Store Accessibility Nutrition Labels have also been introduced, providing users with more detailed accessibility information before downloading apps.
The App Store Connect app also gains new capabilities, including viewing TestFlight feedback and crash reports, push notifications for tester feedback, enhanced support for webhooks, and expanded asset management features.
The Apple Intelligence features require supported devices, including the latest iPhones, select iPads, and Macs with M1 and later processors, as well as compatible regional settings and languages. More languages are expected to be supported by the end of the year, with availability varying by region and device.
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