Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 showcased exciting updates, particularly for its operating systems, with a significant highlight being the transition to a new naming convention.
Instead of continuing with the traditional versioning system, Apple will now name its operating systems after the year they are released.
As a result, iOS 19 is skipped for iOS 26, which is set to arrive in fall 2025, affecting other operating systems like iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS, aiming to eliminate confusion about the software versions in use.
While the naming change is noteworthy, the most impactful update this year is a comprehensive visual redesign across Apple’s ecosystem.
This fresh aesthetic takes inspiration from visionOS, Apple’s operating system for its innovative Apple Vision Pro headset.
The new interface dubbed Liquid Glass emphasizes factors such as light and transparency, departing from the flat design established a decade ago with iOS 7.
The major visual overhaul includes revamped app icons, buttons, and toolbars, with many elements adopting a see-through appearance for a more dynamic user experience.
Widgets are retained but refreshed to align with the updated design, and on the lock screen, the clock can now resize dynamically to accommodate incoming alerts.
CarPlay also embraces the visual redesign, featuring a compact incoming call view that ensures directions remain visible, alongside tapbacks in Messages and the ability to view widgets and Live Activities.
Several fundamental applications receive notable enhancements with iOS 26.
The Phone app consolidates recent calls and voicemails into one tab, with favorite contacts displayed prominently, and includes Apple Intelligence summaries of voicemail transcripts.
A new call screening feature can automatically pick up calls from unknown numbers, displaying who is calling and why, giving users the discretion to answer.
Additionally, Hold Assist is introduced, signaling when a live agent becomes available—an upgrade long awaited for those tired of endless hold music.
The layout of controls during FaceTime calls has been reshuffled, placing major functions at the bottom right for easier access.
In the Safari browser, users can look forward to a more transparent address bar and advanced fingerprinting protection for improved privacy.
The Camera app is set for simplification, allowing users to switch between still photo and video modes with a simple swipe, while tabs make a welcome return to the Photos app.
Messaging sees a significant upgrade with customizable background images and polls for group chats, mirroring features available in other messaging platforms.
In group conversations, users can send and receive Apple Cash payments, and typing indicators will notify users when others are composing messages.
On-device spam detection enhances the Messages experience, allowing users to screen messages from unknown senders, neatly organizing important communications like two-factor authentication codes.
The Wallet app introduces the option to create a digital ID using a passport, along with upgraded boarding passes that update in real-time regarding flight statuses and even offer navigation maps for airports.
Maps will become more intuitive, learning preferred routes for daily commutes and providing insightful traffic updates, mirroring the functionality seen in competitors like Google Maps—all with a focus on user privacy through end-to-end encryption.
A new addition, the Games app, centralizes Apple Arcade titles, multiplayer options, and games library access, as Apple intensifies its focus on gaming.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) features marks another prominent development in iOS 26, with Apple aiming to bolster the capabilities of Apple Intelligence.
This version will deepen the integration of translation tools directly into the operating system, minimizing the need to switch to external applications such as Translate.
One of the standout features includes live translation for text and audio in phone calls, FaceTime, and Messages, powered by advanced on-device models.
Music enthusiasts will find live translations and pronunciation guides for lyrics within Apple Music, enabling a fun learning experience for non-native speakers.
Furthermore, the AutoMix feature will use intelligence to create seamless transitions between songs in a manner reminiscent of a professional DJ.
For developers, the introduction of on-device Foundation Models opens doors for integrating live translation into their apps, enhancing the user experience through sophisticated AI capabilities.
Taking a cue from Google’s innovations, Apple reveals a visual intelligence update, allowing users to query information displayed on their screens via apps like Google and Etsy.
Additionally, the Shortcuts app receives an update with new options powered by Apple Intelligence and dedicated actions for various utilities.
Apple Intelligence will also facilitate the aggregation of tracking information from emails, streamlining the monitoring of purchases and deliveries within a single app interface.
Parental controls introduce several updates, making it easier for users to create Child Accounts and allowing exemptions for downloading apps that surpass age restrictions.
Sensitive content filters in FaceTime and Shared Albums aim to enhance safety for young users, reflecting Apple’s commitment to creating a secure ecosystem.
Accessibility features also see a significant enhancement with Accessibility Reader, offering a personalized reading experience.
The new Braille Access interface will simplify usage for individuals with braille displays, while a comprehensive upgrade to Live Listen, Background Sounds, and Personal Voice aims to improve overall accessibility.
iOS 26 will be accessible to users with an iPhone 11 or later, including the second-generation iPhone SE.
For more advanced features powered by Apple Intelligence, users will need an iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max, as well as compatible iPads and Macs.
In summary, the unveiling of iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 represents a paradigm shift for Apple’s mobile operating systems, emphasizing enhanced user experience, privacy, and accessibility, along with a significant focus on AI integration.
Users eagerly await the fall launch, keen to explore the fresh features and improvements that iOS 26 promises to deliver.
image source from：https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-reveals-new-ios-26-features-and-its-liquid-glass-redesign-at-wwdc-2025-171650243.html
