“This year, we’re redefining how our devices work together, making them smarter, more intuitive, and more personal than ever before,”
Apple CEO, Tim Cook.
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, is turning out to be an excitingly different event altogether.
As expected there is great emphasis on artificial intelligence, a unified design language, and deeper integration across its ecosystem.
CEO Tim Cook opened the keynote by stating, “This year, we’re redefining how our devices work together, making them smarter, more intuitive, and more personal than ever before.”
The introduction of a new naming system for its devices and operating system (iOS) is no doubt an outstanding highlight of Apple’s WWDC 2025.
As opposed to the traditional numbering where every new version took up a numerical order, they will now align with the year after their release.
We shall now have iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, all of which will be released later in the year. Agreeably, this naming system is much less confusing and much easier to remember.
Apple Intelligence: AI at the Core
Central to Apple’s 2025 strategy is Apple Intelligence, an on-device AI platform designed to enhance user experience while prioritizing privacy. This platform introduces several new features across. Here is a highlight:
- Workout Buddy: An AI-driven fitness assistant on the Apple Watch that offers live feedback and encouragement during workouts.
- Hold Assist: A feature that waits on hold during calls and notifies users when a human agent is available.
- Genmoji: AI-generated emojis that allow users to create personalized expressions.
- Image Playground: A tool that enables users to generate images from text prompts, enhancing creative possibilities.
- Live Translation: Real-time multilingual translation during calls, facilitating seamless communication across languages
Cook highlighted, “Apple Intelligence is built into the device, ensuring that your data stays private and secure.” In addition,Third-party developers can now build onto Apple’s on-device foundational models using the new Foundation Models framework, allowing them to create smart AI experiences that run offline with a privacy guarantee.
With this approach, Apple takes a different route with competitors like OpenAI and Google, who rely on cloud-based AI models. Analysts note that while Apple may not lead in cutting-edge AI capabilities, its emphasis on privacy and on-device processing sets it apart.
Liquid Glass: A Unified Design Language
Apple introduced Liquid Glass, a new design language that brings a cohesive and dynamic aesthetic across all its operating systems: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
This design features translucent elements, fluid animations, and a sense of depth that adapts to user interactions. Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, explained, “Liquid Glass is more than just a visual update; it’s a reimagining of how our interfaces feel and respond.”
The design draws inspiration from previous Apple interfaces, combining elements from Aqua, Dynamic Island, and visionOS to create a unified user experience across devices
Besides the new naming system, Apple further enhances its operating systems across devices with new features expected to deliver improved customer experience.\
Here is a highlight.
iOS 26: Smarter and More Personal
iOS 26 brings several enhancements focused on personalization and productivity:
- Messages App: Users can now create polls and set custom chat backgrounds, enhancing communication
- Games App: A dedicated app that centralizes all gaming experiences on iOS devices.
- Live Translation: Integrated into the system, allowing real-time translation across apps.
- Hold Assist: Automatically waits on hold during calls and alerts users when a human agent is available.
Federighi noted, “iOS 26 is designed to make your device more intuitive and responsive to your needs.”
macOS 26: Enhanced Productivity
macOS 26 introduces features aimed at boosting productivity. They include :
- Window Management: Improved tools for organizing and managing open windows, enhancing multitasking capabilities.
- AI Integration: Enhanced Siri functionalities and on-device AI tools for smarter workflows.
- Privacy Enhancements: Stronger privacy controls and data protection features.
Cook emphasized, “macOS 26 is built to help you get more done, with less effort.”
watchOS 26: A Smarter Companion
watchOS 26 focuses on health and fitness:
- Workout Buddy: Provides real-time feedback and encouragement during workouts.
- Smart Stack: A redesigned app launcher that intelligently displays relevant apps based on context.
“watchOS 26 is your personal health and fitness coach, right on your wrist,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer.
tvOS 26 and visionOS 26: Immersive Experiences
tvOS 26 enhances the home entertainment experience:
- Regional Screensavers: New screensavers that showcase different regions around the world.
- AirPlay Enhancements: Persistent speaker assignments for a more seamless audio experience.
visionOS 26 focuses on augmented reality
- Spatial Widgets: Widgets that interact with the physical environment, providing contextual information.
- Accessibility Improvements: Enhanced features to support users with disabilities.
Cook remarked, “With tvOS 26 and visionOS 26, we’re bringing the world closer to you, whether you’re watching your favorite show or exploring new realities.”
Developer Tools: Empowering Innovation
Apple introduced new tools for developers to leverage Apple Intelligence:
- Foundation Models Framework: Allows developers to integrate Apple’s AI models into their apps, running directly on devices to ensure privacy and performance.
- SiriKit Enhancements: Expanded capabilities for integrating Siri into third-party apps.
Federighi concluded, “We’re providing developers with the tools they need to create the next generation of apps, powered by Apple Intelligence.”
Apple’s WWDC always keeps us on the edge as we await the unveiling of new products or enhancements building on the existing ones. As expected, the company has increased its AI integration while tweaking several design, and ecosystem elements on various products.
In the words of CEO Tim Cook, “This is just the beginning of a new era for Apple.”