Apple releases iOS 26 beta with ‘Liquid Glass’ UI: Large bulletins at WWDC 2025 – Firstpost

At its annual Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) 2025, Apple unveiled a broad vary of updates spanning all of its platforms, introducing sweeping design adjustments and important software program enhancements throughout gadgets.

The occasion, held throughout a time of
elevated commerce tariff threats by the Trump administration
— additionally arrives on the heels of main developments in synthetic intelligence by
rivals like Google, Meta and OpenAI.

In opposition to this backdrop, Apple delivered a presentation centered closely on system-wide enhancements, together with a daring new design philosophy and deeper integration of its AI capabilities throughout its ecosystem.

Apple’s Liquid Glass

Central to the 2025 WWDC bulletins was Apple’s introduction of Liquid Glass, a clear, glass-like visible interface that reshapes the feel and appear of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and even visionOS.

iOS 26 appears to be like gorgeous! pic.twitter.com/n0GjCYTBBq

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) June 9, 2025

It marks the corporate’s most vital design replace for the reason that transition away from skeuomorphism with iOS 7 in 2013.

Alan Dye, Apple’s Vice President of Human Interface Design, described the change as “our broadest design replace, ever,” noting that “for the primary time we’re introducing a common design throughout our platforms.”

Liquid Glass makes use of dynamic rendering to create translucent layers, overlays and shiny results that enable components behind menus, buttons, or sliders to subtly present by means of. This impact is achieved by means of real-time rendering and adapts fluidly to each gentle and darkish environments.

As a part of the overhaul, Apple redesigned consumer interface components akin to buttons, switches, sliders, tab bars, and sidebars, and included the design all through core apps together with Safari, FaceTime, Apple Music, Images, Podcasts and the Digital camera app.

Now you can see how lengthy it would take your iPhone to cost in iOS 26 🚨 pic.twitter.com/cm0VWQmIgn

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) June 9, 2025

This new design, impressed by visionOS, seeks to unify Apple’s platform expertise whereas updating visible aesthetics to fulfill trendy expectations. Builders have been supplied with up to date APIs to start adapting their apps to this new type earlier than its full rollout later this yr.

On macOS Tahoe 26 — the newly named model of Apple’s desktop working system — the Liquid Glass aesthetic brings full transparency to the menu bar and redesigns the dock, sidebars and toolbars for a seamless look.

The adjustments are anticipated to make shows really feel extra expansive and the visible circulate extra coherent throughout gadgets.

Apple’s new naming scheme

Apple additionally
launched a brand new naming scheme for its software program.
Transferring away from its conventional sequential numbering system, the brand new format aligns working system variations with the ultimate two digits of the upcoming yr.

These are the gadgets appropriate with iOS 26! 🚨

RIP iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR pic.twitter.com/dCH9xdm16N

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) June 9, 2025

As such, this yr’s updates are named iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26. The naming system is predicted to assist customers extra simply perceive the model yr of their software program, however whether or not it stays constant in the long run stays to be seen.

Apple updates some options on Telephones & Messages

In response to rising expectations round AI integration in on a regular basis apps, Apple unveiled substantial updates to its Telephone and Messages purposes.

These embody a revamped name screening function that makes use of an artificial voice to immediate callers to clarify their motive for calling, transcribes the response, and permits customers to just accept or reject the decision primarily based on the transcription.

The Maintain Help function robotically detects when a caller has been positioned on maintain and gives to attend on the consumer’s behalf, alerting them when an actual individual joins the decision.

In Messages, group chat performance has expanded with new choices to conduct polls and ship Apple Money funds immediately inside threads.

AI-powered Stay Translation additionally made its debut, permitting for close to real-time translation of voice and textual content conversations. Apple identified that each one processing is performed on-device, which means conversations stay personal and are usually not despatched to Apple’s servers.

The interpretation function additionally extends to Apple Music, offering lyrics translation and pronunciation help.

One other key replace tied to Apple Intelligence is Visible Intelligence, a function that enables customers to ask contextual questions on screenshots or photographs — mirroring capabilities seen in Google Lens and Gemini AI.

The instrument recognises visible content material and offers info primarily based on what’s highlighted or tapped.

Apple’s iPadOS 26 breakthroughs

Apple’s long-standing ambition to blur the traces between its Mac and iPad platforms got here nearer to fruition with iPadOS 26.

The replace now permits customers to open apps in windowed mode, offering the flexibleness to resize, reposition and tile apps very similar to on macOS.

All the things new in iPadOS 26 #WWDC25 pic.twitter.com/2RuDYz5rrg

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) June 9, 2025

The addition of a menu bar and the return of Exposé-style multitasking performance additional solidify the iPad’s transition towards changing into a extra versatile productiveness machine.

Apple’s leisure ecosystem will get new options

Catering to the over half a billion customers who have interaction in cell gaming on iPhones, Apple launched a standalone Video games app that consolidates all downloaded titles right into a single interface.

Tabs for Apple Arcade and Play Collectively — which tracks mates’ playtime and facilitates multiplayer experiences — spotlight Apple’s push towards social and curated gaming experiences.

On the health entrance, Apple Watch customers will profit from a brand new Exercise Buddy, an AI assistant that gives spoken suggestions by means of AirPods throughout runs and selects exercise music primarily based on tempo or depth.

The Good Stack function now higher leverages contextual consciousness to counsel actions primarily based on location or exercise, akin to enabling BackTrack in distant places or adjusting notification quantity primarily based on ambient sound ranges.

watchOS 26 additionally incorporates the Liquid Glass redesign, enhanced messaging capabilities together with stay translation, and a brand new wrist gesture for improved navigation.

Apple TV’s working system, tvOS 26, will get a facelift by means of the Liquid Glass design, bettering menu visibility with out obstructing display content material.

All the things new in tvOS 26 #WWDC25 pic.twitter.com/0ZbQDFPeew

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) June 9, 2025

Apple additionally previewed new Apple TV+ choices, together with a System 1 movie, the Murderbot collection and have movies starring Matthew McConaughey and Jason Momoa.

Apple’s adjustments vis-à-vis VisionOS, Maps, and CarPlay

Whereas Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional headset stays a distinct segment product, updates to visionOS now embody spatial widgets — interactive components like calendars and music playing cards that keep in place in the true world, enhancing the immersive expertise.

Apple additionally launched shared-view performance, permitting customers to sync experiences with one other Imaginative and prescient Professional consumer — a transfer supposed to make VR much less isolating.

visionOS 26 will help PlayStation VR controllers #WWDC25 pic.twitter.com/HiiZKHlVqN

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) June 9, 2025

Apple Maps now gives a Visited Locations function, permitting customers to view a timeline of beforehand visited places with related pictures. This opt-in instrument shops knowledge regionally and encrypted, reflecting Apple’s dedication to privateness.

CarPlay has gained new customisation choices for widgets and streamlined controls for managing calls and messages whereas driving.

Emoji-based replies and improved spam screening options improve security and comfort on the street. These adjustments come as automakers reevaluate the function of touchscreens in favour of bodily controls.

Apple in-house silicon in closing section

Past design updates and have enhancements, Apple made it clear that the transition away from Intel processors is now reaching its closing section.

Whereas some late-generation Intel Macs will nonetheless help macOS Tahoe, they won’t be eligible for future macOS variations. The transfer reinforces Apple’s long-term dedication to its in-house silicon.

All the things new in macOS Tahoe #WWDC25 pic.twitter.com/98duPoubte

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) June 9, 2025

The brand new macOS additionally options Stay Actions — a menu bar widget that retains customers up to date on app-related actions akin to meals deliveries or scheduled conferences.

The Highlight search instrument has been refined to supply extra contextual outcomes and even work together with program-specific capabilities or current internet knowledge.

With inputs from businesses