WWDC 2025: A Brand New Look for Apple's Operating Systems
- Written by Malte Mansholt
- Est. Reading Time 4 Minutes
Apple revisits its core competence: Focusing on design, innovation, and user experience. - Contemplating Potential Avenues for Maximizing Corporate Efficiency at Apple
Apple's grand return to its design roots at the WWDC 2025 left spectators in awe. After 12 years, the tech titan delivered a stunning makeover for its iPhone, iPad, and more, even renovating the names of their operating systems. But the opening keynote was about more than just a fresh look - it shouted loud and clear: "Apple is back to doing what it does best!"
The keynote highlighted the company's strengths: impeccable design, user-friendly features, and a generous helping of Apple's signature marketing prowess, turning everyday innovations into a spectacle. Feeling like a pioneer setting industry standards, Apple left attendees buzzing about what’s to come.
Revamped Design and New Nomenclature: Apple's Stalwarts on Show
Two areas where Apple excelled during the event: its innovative design and clever marketing. The new design, inspired by the Vision Pro's glass optics, gives Apple systems a modern edge over the competition. This redesign signifies that Apple is doubling down on its status as a design icon.
The new names for the operating systems symbolize Apple's exceptional marketing. Regardless of whether it's iOS 18, WatchOS 10, or VisionOS 2, they've all leapfrogged forward to version 26. Software chief Craig Federighi explained that the systems will now be named after the year they were intended for. This little change has multiple advantages, including consistency across all systems and the psychological impact of appearing more technologically advanced (for instance, iOS 26 feels more modern than iOS 19).
Besides the intriguing new design, a plethora of much-anticipated features were introduced, such as a revamped camera and phone app, long-awaited multitasking on the iPad, and countless smaller updates within the systems. The effect is significant: the new systems finally feel like a major hit once again.
Behind the Showmanship
Apple's discovery of this magic was necessary. Last year's WWDC saw the introduction of Apple Intelligence, a feature widely publicized and criticized as controversial. Despite strong approaches, the focus on privacy, and various AI-based features, it was, in essence, a late attempt by Apple to catch up with the success of smart KIs like ChatGPT. The indefinite postponement of the smarter Siri and the lackluster fulfillment of Apple Intelligence's promises have only reinforced the impression that Apple is falling behind other competitors.
Being a company that places a massive emphasis on its meticulously crafted public image and reputation for perfectionist innovations, this situation was undoubtedly tough on Apple. Failures like these tarnished both aspects of the Apple brand.
When setting its sights on AI, Apple isn't always the first to launch. The iPhone wasn't the first touchscreen smartphone, the Apple Watch wasn't the first smartwatch, the Mac wasn't the first computer, and the iPod wasn't the first MP3 player. Yet, these products are considered ingenious innovations because they were always more thought-out, more refined, and simply more stylish than their predecessors. Hence, they triggered a wave of imitators attempting to capture this very essence of innovation.
Despite the hype surrounding AI, Apple has rarely managed to dominate the technology, despite investing in it for years. They were the pioneers of the first voice assistant, Siri, and numerous Apple device features are based on AI, though not heavily marketed as such.
AI: Pushed to the Background
At the WWDC 2025 keynote, the AI conversation took a backseat. While Apple Intelligence remains a part of the company's vision, most of the new features build upon it without drawing too much attention. The focus is on moving forward and the new design.
This strategic step allows Apple to showcase its true strength. The “Liquid Glass” redesign includes all systems, from the iPhone and Mac to Apple TV and CarPlay, and promises user experiences never seen before. The transparent glass-based design elements bring novel features such as sliding menus, partially or fully transparent surfaces, and floating windows. These features could have a more direct impact on our daily lives than the grand promises of AI in the industry today.
A Sneak Peek into the Future?
Interestingly, the new design could be more than just a fresh coat of paint. The glass surfaces could hint at two devices rumored to be under development at Apple.
One is the anniversary iPhone, tipped to be launched in 2027 to celebrate Apple's flagship product's 20th birthday. The new operating system look would be a fitting complement for such a smartphone. Nevertheless, the new design could prove even more significant for Apple's planned successor to the iPhone: full-fledged augmented reality glasses, inspired by the Vision Pro. Tim Cook has envisioned this futuristic evolution of the glasses to eventually replace smartphones by overlaying content directly in our field of vision. And it's not hard to see how a transparent operating system would fit seamlessly into such a device.
- Apple
- WWDC
- iPhone
- iPad
- Apple iOS
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At WWDC 2025, Apple announced several significant updates and changes across its entire suite of operating systems, marking one of the most notable overhauls in recent years.
Unified Year-Based Naming System: Apple Streamlines Its Approach
Apple unveiled a major renaming scheme for its operating system names: instead of individual version increments (such as iOS 19 or macOS 19), all platforms will now use the year as part of their names. The updated lineup includes:
- iOS 26
- iPadOS 26
- macOS 26
- watchOS 26
- tvOS 26
- visionOS 26
This change aims to provide clarity and consistency, aligning Apple's naming system with industry competitors like Samsung and Microsoft, and making it easier for users and developers to identify the latest updates [1][3][2].
Highlights of System Updates: All Eyes on Enhanced User Experience
- Visual Consistency: The new Liquid Glass design ensures consistency across all devices, aiming to enhance user familiarity.
- System Experience Updates: Key areas like the Lock Screen, Home Screen, desktop, and Dock received updated designs and functionalities [4].
- AI Improvements: Continued advancements in Apple's machine learning and language model integrations, emphasizing gradual improvements upon previous year's announcements [1][5].
Other Notable Points: Release Plans and Developer Access
- Release Schedule: Public releases of these updates are expected in September, with developer previews available shortly after WWDC [5].
- Third-Party Integration: The new naming and design strategies aim to make cross-platform experiences more understandable and accessible for users and developers alike [3][2].
These improvements signify a strategic shift for Apple, focusing on visual unity and deeper integration of AI-powered features across its ecosystem [1][3][4].
The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down the rules for the application of the revamped Apple iOS 26, ensuring consistent and easy-to-understand cross-platform experiences for users and developers, as part of Apple's strategic focus on visual unity and deeper integration of AI-powered features across its ecosystem. With the new glass-based design, Apple's iOS 26 technology brings novel features like sliding menus, transparent surfaces, and floating windows, showcasing Apple's innovative approach to technology and design.
