Apple Unveils Liquid Glass Design and Unified OS at WWDC 2025

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 unveiled a sweeping update across its ecosystem, centered on the new Liquid Glass design language. This fresh aesthetic, inspired by VisionOS, introduces pervasive translucency, dynamic lens-like effects, and specular highlights that respond to viewing angles, marking the first major UI overhaul since iOS 7.

Unified OS versioning was another headline: all major Apple operating systems now share the '26' suffix, except MacOS Tahoe 26, which retains a destination-inspired name. This streamlines developer targeting and user understanding across iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Vision Pro devices.

iOS 26 introduces a redesigned communications layout, merging Phone and FaceTime with smarter call screening and hold assist features. Messaging gains customizable backgrounds, group polls, Apple Cash integration, and advanced emoji generation with AI-powered Genmoji customization. Live Translation now works seamlessly during calls, even with non-iPhone users.

The long-anticipated Games app debuted as a centralized hub for Apple Arcade and personal game libraries, featuring 'Play Together' for co-op and group challenges with controller support. This opens new avenues for developers to transform single-player experiences into social gaming events.

iPadOS 26 takes a significant leap toward Mac-like multitasking with a new windowing system, including a grab handle to resize apps, flick gestures to tile windows, and an Expose feature showing thumbnails of open windows. A persistent menu bar enhances desktop-style navigation, compatible across iPad models and external displays.

MacOS Tahoe 26 integrates the Liquid Glass design and communication updates, adds customizable control center options, and introduces Live Activities continuity with iPhone. The new Games app on Mac includes an in-game overlay and benefits from Metal 4 graphics enhancements, promising improved frame interpolation and denoising for richer gaming experiences.

WatchOS 26 debuts Workout Buddy, an AI-powered fitness coach providing vocal guidance and workout summaries. It also features smarter notification management with ambient noise-based volume control and a Wrist Flick gesture to dismiss alerts, enhancing user convenience during active moments.

VisionOS 26 deepens its real-world integration with persistent personalized widgets, spatial photo views, and improved Personas for more accurate avatars. Business users benefit from collaborative features like saving settings on shared devices and a new Eyes Only privacy mode. New accessories like the Logitech Muse 3D stylus and PSVR hand controllers expand interaction possibilities.

Overall, WWDC 2025 signals Apple’s commitment to a cohesive, visually stunning user experience across devices, empowered by AI and enhanced multitasking. Developers have fresh tools and frameworks to create immersive, collaborative, and socially connected applications, especially in gaming and communication domains.