Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 kicked off on Monday as the tech giant revealed its new software for its iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and more.
This year, the spotlight is on iOS 26, the new operating system for iPhones, which is getting a major makeover.
Instead of calling it iOS 19, Apple switched to a year-based name, so it's iOS 26 to match the 2025-2026 launch period.
Apple fans were treated to a seek preview of the sleek new 'liquid glass' design inspired by Apple's Vision Pro headset, making the iPhone look more modern and futuristic.
iOS 26 is also expected to include updates like smarter Siri features, the ability to create polls or set background images in Messages, and better battery management for longer-lasting iPhones.
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- Apple CEO Tim Cook opened Worldwide Developers Conference 2025 by revealing that iOS 26 will be the company's biggest revamp of its operation system since iOS 7
- Software chief Craig Federighi revealed new changes for Apple Intelligence, which has faced criticism as one of the worst AI systems in Silicon Valley.
- iOS 26's new design focuses on the concept of 'liquid glass' which will allow users to see their pictures in 3D
- New features and updates are coming for the iPhone's Phone and Camera apps
- iOS 26 will allow users to instantly translate conversations in real-time
- Updates for the Apple Wallet will include more features for tracking purchases, air travel boarding passes, and verify your ID
- Version of iOS 26 will also be coming for the iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac
- Developers can start testing this software starting today, with the public getting the Beta testing version in July. iOS 26 will be officially available this fall.
Protester attempts to crash Apple's keynote speech
Craig Federighi’s opening remarks were nearly derailed by a protester who snuck into WWDC 2025 Monday afternoon.
It's not clear what the protester said while they tried to interrupt Federighi's presentation of iOS 26, CNBC reported.
Several major technology events have been interrupted by protests recently, most of which supported Hamas and protested the tech industry's business ties to the Israeli government.
Tim Cook says iOS 26 is available for testing TODAY
Apple CEO Tim Cook closed out Monday presentation of the company's new operating system by announcing that iOS 26 is now available to developers for Beta testing today.
That means a pre-release version of the iOS 26 operating system for iPhones is now accessible for registered Apple developers to test.
It’s an early, unfinished version of iOS 26 that Apple shares with app developers so they can try it out, test their apps, and make sure everything works before the final version comes out. It’s like a rough draft of the software, so it might have bugs or glitches.
Cook added that a public Beta will be avilable in July, meaning Apple will have a pre-release version of software available to regular users so they can try it out before the final version is released.
All users will be able to start using iOS 26 this fall, Cook said.
Apple reveals brand new windowing design of the iPad in 'mind-blowing release'
In an update Craig Federighi called a 'massive update' and 'mind-blowing release,' the iPad has been received a complete redesign to give users a windowed display for all of their various apps and programs.
Federighi said this will help with multitasking on the iPad, giving users the ability to resize apps into windows or bring their main task to fullscreen size.
You can also place your iPad windows wherever you want on the screen. Flicking those windows toward the edge of the screen allows you to tile them.
A new menu bar for the apps will help users find their favorite features quickly.
'Liquid Glass' coming to iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, revealed that iPhones won't be the only Apple products using the new 'liquid glass' design.
During WWDC 2025, Federighi reveal that the Apple Watch and Macs will all have their own versions of iOS 26, called watchOS 26 and macOS Tahoe.
For the watch, there will be greater AI-integration in features like Workout Buddy. the watch will gather info from your workout and sends you new insights immediately.
Generative AI will also speak to users, providing words of encouragement during their workout sessions.
On the Mac, Tahoe will use the new design liquid glass to give users menu bars that are now transparent to make the display feel larger than ever.
You can also personalize the look of your Mac, changing colors of folders and adding icons or emoji to give yourself visual cues.
Apple Wallet gets an update that improves purchase and ID features
The Apple team revealed that iOS 26 is including several new updates to the Apple Wallet.
These features will give iPhone users more details about each of their purchases, including being able to track shipments and order statuses.
The wallet also has enhanced features for Digital ID, making it easier for travelers to verify their identity throughout the US and territories like Puerto Rico.
iOS 26 also includes updated boarding pass features, making check-in at airports and getting through TSA security easier if you're keeping all those documents on your phone.
iOS 26 can instantly translate foreign languages for people texting or traveling internationally
Apple's engineering team revealed that Apple intelligence on iOS 26 will now support live translation across iPhones.
This will allow people to translate conversations during phone calls, FaceTime sessions, and text exchanges in real time.
New camera and phone features coming to iOS 26
The camera app in iOS 26 has been redesigned to include more streamlined menus.
The photos in your iPhone are also getting a revamp, allowing users to view their images in 3D thanks to the new liquid glass Apple redesign.
Additionally, iOs 26's phone app is getting a 'unified look,' combining recents and favorites.
Apple Intelligence will provide iPhone users with summaries of their voicemails. The tech giant has also added a Call Screening feature which works a lot like Google's Call Assist.
Apple unveils 'liquid glass' visuals for new design
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, revealed that Apple's new design focuses on the concept of 'liquid glass.'
As part of Apple's introduction of iOS 26, all the apps for the iPhone will have the same version number marking the year that the update will carry you through.
Federighi noted that the last major operating system update was iOS 7. The current system is iOS 18.5.
That means this year's update for the iPhone is iOS 26 since you'll be using it through 2026.
Federighi then showed off the new operating system, and the 'liquid glass' affect on the home screen and lock screen which can give your pictures a 3D effect.
Apple's top engineer reveals new changes to Apple Intelligence
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, revealed that the company is working improving and expanding their Apple Intelligence system.
Apple Intelligence is a personal AI system introduced by Apple to make iPhones, iPads, and Macs smarter and more helpful.
One of the major updates will be the addition of several new languages users can speak while utilizing the AI.
A new 'Foundation Models' framework will let Apple's developers directly access the large language models Apple is using - similar to AI programs like ChatGPT.
Who is Apple's Tim Cook?
Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple, one of the world’s biggest tech companies, known for products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Before Apple, Cook worked for major tech rivals like IBM and Compaq. In 1998, he joined Apple when the company was struggling.
Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, hired him to fix the company’s supply chain. Cook's planning helped Apple make and sell products more efficiently, turning the company into a powerhouse.
When Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Cook, then Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, stepped in as acting CEO during Jobs’ medical leaves in 2004, 2009, and 2011.
As CEO, Cook led Apple to create popular products like the Apple Watch (launched in 2015) and AirPods (launched in 2016), which became huge successes.
Under his leadership, Apple’s value skyrocketed, making it the first US company worth over $1 trillion in 2018.
Tim Cook expected to deliver keynote on iOS26
Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to speak during the opening announcement at WWDC 2025, where the company's new operating system will be revealed to the world.
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 is an annual event hosted by Apple, mostly for developers but also eagerly anticipated by Apple fans.
The keynote speech is expected to highlight major new features, such as iOS 26’s new 'digital glass' design inspired by visionOS, enhanced Apple Intelligence with features like 'Generative Shortcuts,' improved Siri capabilities, and updates to apps like Messages, Safari, and CarPlay.
