15 things we learned at the Apple WWDC 2025 keynote

Date:
Mon, 09 Jun 2025 21:46:35 +0000

Description:
Apple's WWDC 2025 was packed with big software announcements. Here are the
key details you need in your brain

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Apple's WWDC keynote is over for another year, but it left us with plenty to pick over.

Such as? Well, the headline reveal was a new Liquid Glass-inspired design theme that represents the biggest visual change Apple's made to its software for a decade.

That was far from the only announcement from Apple Park, though. From iOS to visionOS to watchOS to tvOS, all of Apple's various platforms received upgrades and new features. Some were big, some were small, but if you use an Apple device they'll all be worth knowing about.

You can check out our full WWDC 2025 live blog for all of the news, but for a quick rundown of the highlights, read on. 1. Liquid Glass is the biggest
Apple design revamp in years @techradar

original sound - TechRadar

By far the biggest reveal at WWDC 2025 was the debut of Apple's new software design, based around a new digital material called 'Liquid Glass'.

The untitled design centers on translucency and fluidity and brings with it more rounded elements, new app styles and a new clear theme. What's more, the visual style will be unified across all of Apple's software platforms, with everything from iOS, iPadOS and watchOS to macOS and tvOS getting the
refresh.

It's a much-needed update to Apple's design language and inarguably the biggest the company has made to its software platforms since iOS 7 arrived in 2013. We can't wait to get it installed. Read more: Apple reveals major
visual redesign for iOS 26, macOS 26, and more at WWDC 2025 2. Apple's software platforms finally have consistent names @techradar

original sound - TechRadar

You can file this one under 'changes that don't really matter but that we
love anyway': Apple has finally done away with the naming anarchy that
reigned across its software platforms, renaming them all in a consistent manner.

So, bid farewell to iOS 19, iPadOS 19, tvOS 19, watchOS 12 and macOS 16 because none of them will ever exist. Instead, meet iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe.

See, Apple that wasn't so hard was it? 3. Design-aside, iOS 26 looks like a minor update @techradar

original sound - TechRadar

While the arrival of the Liquid Glass design language and the new name may be the headline changes coming to iOS 26, the next version of Apple's mobile OS will also bring with it a host of other small tweaks.

These range from Live Translation in the Phone and Messages apps to functionality upgrades in the Camera and Wallet apps. Theres a new dedicated Gaming app, too, which unites third-party games with those of Apple Arcade
and brings features that let you compete with friends.

Apple Intelligence has also been better baked into iOS, with iOS 26s Maps app smartly remembering the routes users usually take and serving up delay information where helpful.

Visual Intelligence has also broken out of the Camera Control toggle and can now be used, in a similar fashion to Google Lens, to scan screenshots and extract information from them.

In short, iOS 26 looks slicker and behaves smarter, and it will likely launch in all its glory on the iPhone 17 . But if youre brave and want to try a beta version of the software right now, check out our guide on how to download the iOS 26 developer beta . Read more: iOS 26 is official here are the 5 biggest new features coming to your iPhone 4. But it's game over for some older iPhones

With iOS 26 comes a whole new design and a suite of features, but it also means consigning older iPhones to the smartphone bone orchard. Thats because iOS 26 will only be available on iPhone 11 models or newer.

Older iPhones will instead be limited to iOS 18, which isnt exactly terrible; its a very capable version of Apples mobile operating system. However, it
does mean the likes of the iPhone X have entered their end-of-life phase.

So, if you own an older iPhone and were considering getting a replacement battery for it, do make sure you can run iOS 26 or you could be prolonging
the life of a device that wont be supported by Apple for much longer. Read more: iOS 26 compatibility does your iPhone support it? Here's the full list of supported devices 5. iPadOS finally got some real love @techradar

original sound - TechRadar

After years of waiting, we finally have an iPadOS update that feels not only worthwhile, but monumental.

iPadOS 26 is, as Craig Federighi said, the "biggest iPadOS release ever".
With true windowed multitasking, a better Files app, and Preview coming to
all current iPad models, plus improved Apple Intelligence for compatible iPads, Apple's tablet platform is once again a force to be reckoned with in terms of hardware and software. Read more: 'Our biggest iPadOS release ever' iPadOS 26 has landed, here are the 10 biggest upgrades 6. macOS 26 is Tahoe @techradar

original sound - TechRadar

As expected, we also got a glimpse of the upcoming version of macOS, the operating system for Macs and MacBooks.

Now renamed to macOS 26 Tahoe, its most exciting addition is arguably the expansion of Apples excellent Continuity feature, which allows you to seamlessly control your iPhone through your Mac.

With macOS 26 Tahoe, youll be able to use the Phone app on your Mac to make and receive calls, as well as access previous numbers, favorite contacts and much more.

Itll mean you dont have to pull your iPhone out of your pocket while working on your Mac, and it brings Apples vision of a unified ecosystem of products ever closer.

With big changes also coming to the Spotlight tool, Live Translation
abilities and better Mac gaming abilities, Tahoe looks like an update worth waiting for. Read more: macOS Tahoe 26 announced at WWDC 2025 with a new look and new numbering scheme: these are the best features for your new Mac or MacBook 7. Apple Intelligence got some useful upgrades @techradar

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Apple Intelligence might not have grabbed all the headlines at WWDC 2025, but Apple still announced some useful AI upgrades coming to iPhone, iPad, Mac,
and Apple Watch.

For instance, Live Translation hopes to remove language barriers for good, allowing you to easily communicate via FaceTime, phone calls, and messages in different languages.

Apple also announced screen-sharing functionality for Visual Intelligence, so you can ask questions related to content on your screen, similar to Google Lens. Its a nice improvement to one of the best Apple Intelligence features currently available.

For the first time ever, the world's most popular smartwatch just got AI functionality in the form of Workout Buddy, which will bring AI-powered motivation to your exercise by analyzing your workout data.

Shortcuts is also getting Apple Intelligence capabilities, which should completely transform the experience of one of Apples most beloved apps.

Finally, there are plenty of other small updates across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, including generative AI backgrounds in messages, integration with reminders, and allowing third-party developers to access Apple Intelligence models.

All in all, WWDC might not go down as the event where we finally see Apples
AI dream realized, but the company has done a decent job at improving and adding to the first wave of Apple Intelligence that launched last year. Read more: Every Apple Intelligence upgrade coming to your Apple devices in iOS
26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26 8. But Siri was nowhere to be seen

Poor old Siri. Apple's smart(ish) assistant was barely mentioned at WWDC, beyond a acknowledgement that its AI upgrade isn't here and that "we look forward to sharing more about it in the coming year".

In the coming year?! Seriously?! How long can it take to bring one bit of software up to speed with the rest of Apple's AI developments? Longer than Apple initially thought, clearly.

Still, if we're disappointed by that (non) development then presumably Apple is even more upset, given the speed with which the competition at Google, OpenAI, Samsung and Microsoft is moving. 9. watchOS 26 does get an AI
upgrade, though @techradar

original sound - TechRadar

Finally, Apple Intelligence arrives on your wrist, in ways both small and
big.

Workout Buddy is the big new flashy AI feature, but it's Hints, which uses context info to recommend actions depending on your location & activities, which is the real clever feature.

Live translation for messages, a new Wrist Flick gesture, smarter Smart Stack and the watchOS Notes app round out the major changes for the newly named watchOS 26. Read more: watchOS 26: these are the 6 big updates coming to your Apple Watch soon including an AI Workout Buddy and a Notes app 10. Apple CarPlay got some welcome polish @techradar

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Apple CarPlay Ultra may still only be for Aston Martin owners, but good old standard CarPlay just got some welcome upgrades thanks to iOS 26.

Naturally, theres the new Liquid Glass design language thatll spruce up the old 2D icons, plus a handy navigation bar to the left or right of the screen for quickly jumping into your favorite apps.

Perhaps the most useful upgrade is a new, small pop-up overlay for phone
calls thatll get out of the way of your navigation. Theres also widgets (also seen on CarPlay Ultra) thatll let you juggle info from multiple apps, while Call Screening will help you decide whether or not to take a call.

All in all, the refreshed CarPlay should make it much easier to keep your
eyes on the road, which is always a win in our book. Read more: Apple CarPlay just got 4 big free upgrades with iOS 26 here's what you need to know 11. tvOS' Liquid Glass refresh is for more than style alone

Apples tvOS 26 updates for its Apple TV boxes are, unsurprisingly, led by the addition of a Liquid Glass design that mirrors the transparent visual enhancements coming to its other devices.

In this case, however, thats sort of a big deal because transparent
on-screen controls mean you can continue watching a show with the image remaining unobstructed.

Other updates are more minor, with the iPhone now able to serve as microphone for the Apple Music Sing Karaoke feature on Apple TV, an ability to switch between custom display profiles upon wake, and a more personalized FaceTime experience. Read more: The 5 new Apple TV 4K features coming in tvOS 26 you need to know about 12. visionOS' updates reminded us that the Vision Pro exists @techradar

original sound - TechRadar

Apple hasnt forgotten about its mixed reality headset just yet, with this new suite of software updates for its visionOS platform.

For starters, Apple Vision Pro users can look forward to spatial updates galore with visionOS 26: apps, webpages and content are all set to become
more immersive thanks to improved 3D objects and 3D image support.

Personas will also get a visual overhaul, with better-defined features and a generally less ghostly aura, plus gamers will soon be able to use their PSVR
2 controllers with Apples headset. Oh, and youll soon be able to decorate
your home with virtual widgets.

It might take more than that to persuade people to splash the cash on a
Vision Pro, but for existing owners these upgrades will be welcome. Read
more: Apple announces Vision Pro overhaul with visionOS 26 here are the 6 biggest updates headed to Apples VR headset 13. Apple Music got some neat new features (Image credit: Apple)

Apple Music got a surprisingly large number of updates at WWDC 2025, with Lyrics Translation, Lyrics Pronunciation, AutoMix (for creating beat-perfect playlists and sets) all arriving, plus Music Pins to put your most-loved artists and albums right to the top of your Music home screen.

But possibly the most important update is that Apple's Liquid Glass design language which will appear on Apple Music as with all of the rest of Apple's software will level up what you see on your device while a song is playing.

That's because it'll provide more glass-like depth and elements within a track's artwork will move with a more three-dimensional quality, in and out
of focus, as it were.

Plus, with tvOS 26, karaoke sessions can reach new levels of fun via Apple Musics free perk, Apple Music Sing. How? Users will be able to transform
their iPhone into a handheld mic for Apple TV and have their voice amplified as they belt out their very best go at TayTay's Eyes Open .

Combined with Lyrics Translation (for perfect lyrics even if youre not fluent in a songs language) it sounds like music to our ears Read more: Apple Music got 3 huge new upgrades at WWDC 2025 14. AirPods weren't quite forgotten (Image credit: Future)

AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 models are getting two key upgrades when iOS 26 comes: studio-quality mic recordings, and camera control.

Small they may be, but both seem useful.The upgraded voice recording quality promises Voice Isolation to better pick your voice out from your
surroundings, using advanced audio processing, and promises to work in calls, video and recordings.

Camera control, meanwhile, means you can press and hold your AirPods stem to take a photo or start a recording, doing the same again to stop it.

These arent the addition of hi-res audio or other things we hoped for from AirPods, and theyre only coming to AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods 4 (not AirPods Max or any older AirPods), but theyre nice to have. Read more: AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 will get two useful free upgrades in iOS 26 15. Craig Federighi is not afraid to send himself up (Image credit: Apple)

WWDC usually starts with a mini-movie that's best described as 'vaguely comedic', but this year's was arguably one of the least cringeworthy.

The film featured Craig Federighi, Apple's SVP Software Engineering, tearing around a race track as a promo for the Brad Pitt-starring F1: The Movie , which will hit theaters later this month.

F1 looks pretty exciting in its own right, but the real star in the WWDC promo was Federighi or rather his hair.

Yes, the man who styles himself as Hair Force One ensured his carefully coiffured locks got prime billing here, removing his helmet to reveal, well,
a scene that I can't imagine Steve Jobs ever having approved.

But honestly, it was pretty good fun, and a nice reminder that Apple always benefits from taking itself a little less seriously. @techradar

original sound - TechRadar You might also like WWDCs best announcement was something Windows did 15 years agohere's why it's awesome iPad just won WWDC 2025 heres why the iPadOS upgrades just made me cry tears of joy iOS 26 is giving the iPhone's Camera app an upgrade I've been waiting years for



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/15-things-we-learn ed-at-the-apple-wwdc-2025-keynote


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