WWDC 2025: Key Highlights of Apple's Next-Gen Software
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 has just wrapped up, and it’s safe to say this was one of the most ambitious and transformative events in Apple’s recent history. Held at Apple Park and streamed online, the keynote focused entirely on software innovation, major design overhauls, and Apple’s long-awaited leap into artificial intelligence, now officially branded as Apple Intelligence.
If you missed the keynote or want a full breakdown of what’s coming this fall, here’s a detailed look at all the big announcements from WWDC 2025. So, let’s get started.
One of the first things Apple made clear this year was a shift to year-based naming across all operating systems. Gone are the confusing names like Ventura or Sonoma. Instead, Apple is going with clear, consistent names like iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and so on.
This update simplifies how users and developers follow Apple’s ecosystem, bringing all platforms under one consistent versioning system.
Image source: Apple
Apple showed off a new design style called Liquid Glass, a clean, semi-transparent look inspired by the feel of visionOS (used in the Vision Pro headset).
Liquid Glass improves the look of app windows, buttons, sidebars, and menus across all Apple devices. You’ll see more depth, clear layers, and soft glowing edges that give everything a more modern and futuristic feel on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches.
Apple calls this the biggest design change since iOS 7 in 2013, and it’s easy to see why. The interface feels lighter, smoother, and more interactive.
Image source: Apple
Another big reveal of the event was Apple Intelligence, Apple’s official foray into artificial intelligence, with a focus on on-device processing and user privacy.
Apple Intelligence is embedded across apps and devices to assist with everyday tasks. Here’s what it brings:
The AI runs directly on-device for newer iPhones, iPads, and Macs with A17 Pro or M-series chips. If needed, processing is offloaded to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, which encrypts and deletes data automatically.
Interestingly, Apple didn’t launch a new Siri yet, the heavily rumored Siri reboot has been pushed to 2026.
iOS 26 brings the full Liquid Glass design to the iPhone, making the entire OS feel lighter and more modern.
Key highlights include:
Image source: Apple
iPadOS 26 brings several features from macOS to the iPad, great news for those using iPads as laptop replacements.
Here’s what’s new:
Image source: Apple
Not all features are available for older iPads; you’ll need an M1, M2, M3, or A17 Pro chip to access all of Apple Intelligence.
macOS 26 “Tahoe” is the final macOS release to support Intel-based Macs, but only four models qualify (MacBook Pro 16″ 2019; MacBook Pro 13" 2020 with 4 Thunderbolt ports; iMac 27″ 2020; and Mac Pro 2019). All other Intel Macs are excluded. From macOS 27 onward, support will be limited exclusively to Apple Silicon machines.
Key upgrades include:
Image source: Apple
macOS 26 feels more tightly integrated with iPadOS and iOS, aligning Apple’s platforms into a more seamless experience.
The Apple Watch got some big updates this year, both visually and functionally.
What’s new in watchOS 26:
Image source: Apple
To use the AI features, you'll need a Watch Series 9 or newer, paired with an AI-compatible iPhone.
tvOS 26 may not have made headlines, but it did get some thoughtful upgrades:
Image source: Apple
visionOS 26 is designed to make the Vision Pro more immersive and useful.
What’s new:
Image source: Apple
While still niche, visionOS is evolving into a more stable and user-friendly OS for spatial computing.
Apple also unveiled a massive CarPlay upgrade, finally rolling out its multi-screen dashboard interface:
Image source: Apple
CarPlay Ultra is launching with Aston Martin and Porsche, with more brands joining soon.
Developers also got plenty of love at WWDC 2025:
(Note: While predictive code completion runs locally, Swift Assist itself still relies on a cloud‑based model and hasn’t entered beta yet.)
A few other highlights from the keynote:
Image source: Apple
People who follow the tech world had mixed feelings about Apple's big announcements. Many thought Apple's new AI features were not as exciting as they hoped, especially with Siri. They felt other companies like Google and Microsoft had more advanced AI tools. However, almost everyone liked the new "Liquid Glass" design, which makes Apple's apps look clearer and more modern. They also praised how Apple made iPads work more like Macs, making them better for getting work done. So, while the look of the software got a big thumbs-up, many are still waiting for Apple to truly impress them with its AI.
WWDC 2025 wasn’t just about exciting new features, it was about building a future where all Apple devices feel smarter, better connected, and easier to use. With Apple Intelligence, a bold new Liquid Glass design, and updated software across every device, Apple is clearly creating a future where technology feels more personal, more private, and more in tune with your life. We’ll have to wait until September for any new hardware announcements. But for now, WWDC 2025 shows that Apple’s software, and the powerful AI behind it, is already shaping tomorrow’s experience today.
1. What is WWDC 2025?
WWDC stands for Worldwide Developers Conference. It’s Apple’s big yearly event where they show new software and features coming to iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watch, and more.
2. What did Apple announce at WWDC 2025?
Apple introduced Apple Intelligence (its new AI system), iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Sequoia (macOS 15), watchOS 11, tvOS 18, visionOS 2, and new tools for developers. They also showed big upgrades for Siri and new design changes.
3. What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s new AI system. It helps your iPhone, iPad, or Mac do smart things like writing emails, summarizing texts, creating images, and understanding what you’re doing, while keeping your data private.
4. When will iOS 26 and the other updates come out?
The developer version is already available. The public version will come out in July 2025, and the final version will be released in the fall.
5. Did Apple announce any new devices at WWDC 2025?
No, this event was focused on software and AI. Apple usually saves hardware announcements for separate events later in the year.
6. What is the new Liquid design?
Apple introduced a new look called “Liquid,” inspired by visionOS (from Apple Vision Pro). It features more depth, glow effects, and smoother animations across apps and the lock screen.
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