Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC25) 2025

On Tuesday, June 9th, 2025, Apple held its yearly Worldwide Developers Conference (called WWDC25 for short) at their main headquarters called Apple Park in California. This is always a very important event where Apple shows all the new software changes coming to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple products. This year was special because Apple didn’t show any new physical devices like a new iPhone or MacBook – instead, they focused completely on making all their software better with many improvements.

The conference lasted several hours and introduced new versions of all Apple’s operating systems: iOS 26 for iPhones, iPadOS 26 for iPads, macOS Tahoe for Mac computers, watchOS 26 for Apple Watches, tvOS 26 for Apple TVs, and visionOS 26 for the Vision Pro headset. They also showed updates to Apple Intelligence, which is Apple’s version of artificial intelligence that helps devices be smarter.

Let me explain all the important announcements in very simple terms, one by one, with lots of details so you can understand exactly what’s changing.

1. Apple is Changing How They Name Their Software

Before this conference, Apple used different numbering systems for different devices. For example, iPhones were on iOS 19 while Apple Watches were on watchOS 12. This could be confusing because the numbers didn’t match across devices.

Now, Apple is making this much simpler. Starting next year, all Apple software will use the year it’s meant to be used in the name. So for 2026, everything will be called:

• iOS 26 (for iPhones)

• iPadOS 26 (for iPads)

• watchOS 26 (for Apple Watches)

• tvOS 26 (for Apple TVs)

• visionOS 26 (for Vision Pro headsets)

• macOS Tahoe (Mac computers will keep their nature names but also match the year)

This change helps in several ways:

• It’s easier to know which version is newest

• Developers can better keep track of updates

• It matches what companies like Samsung already do

• You’ll always know what year your software is meant for

The only exception is Mac software, which will keep its tradition of being named after beautiful places (this time Lake Tahoe) but will still match the 2026 year in its features.

2. Liquid Glass – A Completely New Look for Everything

The biggest visual change announced was something called “Liquid Glass.” This is a whole new design style that will change how all Apple devices look and feel. It’s the biggest design update since 2013 when Apple first introduced the flat, colorful look of iOS 7.

What makes Liquid Glass special?

• Translucent (see-through) menus and buttons – Things will look slightly glass-like

• Rounded edges everywhere – All buttons and icons have smooth curves

• Glossy, reflective app icons – Icons will shine and change based on lighting

• Dynamic toolbars – Menus get smaller when you’re not using them

• Context-aware options – Your device will show only relevant buttons

This design was inspired by the Vision Pro headset’s interface, which already has some of these glass-like effects. Now this beautiful, modern look is coming to everything – your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Vision Pro.

The main benefits are:

• Everything looks more consistent across devices

• The interface feels more alive and responsive

• It’s easier to focus on what’s important

• The design helps guide your eyes naturally

3. iOS 26 – All the New iPhone Features

The new iPhone software, iOS 26, gets many improvements:

Visual Changes:

• All app icons now have the Liquid Glass look (translucent with nice reflections)

• The top and bottom menus are now pill-shaped instead of straight bars

• The Camera app is simpler with just two main modes: Photo and Video

New Smart Features:

• Visual Intelligence – You can now ask questions about what’s on your screen. For example, if you see a flower in a photo, you can ask “What kind of flower is this?” and it will tell you using AI.

• Better Caller ID – When someone calls, your phone can now show why they’re calling before you answer (like “Calling about tomorrow’s meeting”).

• Smarter Messages – Group chats get polls, you can set background images for conversations, and there’s live translation for different languages.

What’s Missing:
Some people expected Apple to add food tracking to the Health app (where you could take pictures of meals and it would track calories), but this wasn’t announced.

4. Apple Intelligence – Smarter But Not Perfect

Apple’s AI system (called Apple Intelligence) got some updates, but not as many as some people hoped:

Improvements:

• More processing happens right on your device (better for privacy)

• Shortcuts can now use AI to do things like summarize long articles

• The AI can now understand images better across different apps

• Developers can add Apple’s AI to their own apps more easily

Disappointments:

• The big Siri upgrade that was promised last year got delayed until 2026

• Siri still can’t control multiple apps at once like some competitors can

• Because of this delay, Apple’s stock price dropped 1.6% during the event

5. macOS Tahoe – Mac Computers Get Powerful Upgrades

The new Mac software, named after Lake Tahoe, has great new features:

Design:

• The top menu bar is now see-through with Liquid Glass

• You can customize how folder icons look

• Everything feels more spacious and personal

Productivity Tools:

• Spotlight search is now like a command center (type “SM” to open Messages)

• You can see your clipboard history (everything you’ve copied recently)

• AI-powered Shortcuts can automate complex work tasks

Gaming:

• There’s a new Games app that combines Apple Arcade with social features

• Metal 4 graphics make games look and run better

• Big games like Crimson Desert will perform better

6. iPadOS 26 – Making iPads More Like Computers

Apple keeps making iPads more powerful:

Computer-Like Features:

• A real menu bar like on Macs

• You can resize app windows freely

• Better multitasking between apps

New Apps:

• The Preview app from Mac is now on iPad (great for PDFs)

• You can record studio-quality audio using just AirPods

What’s Still Needed:
The Stage Manager feature (for organizing multiple windows) didn’t get as many improvements as some people wanted.

7. watchOS 26 – Apple Watch Upgrades

The Apple Watch gets nice updates:

New Look:

• Smoother animations with Liquid Glass

• Everything flows better when you scroll

Health & Fitness:

• New Notes app lets you check lists on your wrist

• AI Workout Buddy gives you voice coaching during exercise

• The Workouts app is easier to use

Convenience:

• Flick your wrist to dismiss notifications

• Customize the Control Center with third-party apps

Missing Feature:
Rumors said Apple might add blood pressure monitoring, but this wasn’t announced.

8. tvOS 26 – Better Apple TV Experience

Apple’s TV software gets fun updates:

Visuals:

• Everything looks more cinematic with Liquid Glass

• Smoother animations when browsing shows

Features:

• Quickly switch between family members’ profiles

• Apple Music Sing turns your iPhone into a karaoke mic

• FaceTime is redesigned for TV screens

• Easier to log into apps

9. visionOS 26 – Vision Pro Improvements

The expensive Vision Pro headset gets better:

New Ways to Interact:

• Apps stay fixed in space around you

• Support for PlayStation VR2 controllers

• Scroll with just your eyes

Cool Features:

• Turn regular photos into 3D worlds with AI

• New tools for business use

The Problem:
At $3,500, it’s still too expensive for most people.

10. Tools for App Makers

Apple showed new tools for developers:

• One Games app that works across iPhone, iPad and Mac

• Xcode (Apple’s programming tool) now has ChatGPT built in

• Easier ways to add AI to third-party apps

What People Wanted But Didn’t Get:

• A completely new Siri

• New hardware like MacBooks or iPads

Final Thoughts

This year’s WWDC was all about making Apple’s software:

• Look better with Liquid Glass

• Work together more smoothly

• Be more private with on-device AI

• Easier to understand with simpler names

While some expected bigger AI improvements or new devices, the changes make Apple’s ecosystem more unified and pleasant to use. The beta versions will be available for testing in July 2025, with the final releases coming in September or October 2025.

Apple is clearly thinking long-term, but they’ll need bigger AI advances soon to compete with companies like Google and Microsoft. For now, these updates make Apple devices work better together while looking more beautiful than ever.