Apple kicked off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference today with a keynote packed with significant software announcements that will reshape the user experience across all Apple devices. The highlight of the event was the introduction of iOS 26, marking a dramatic shift in Apple’s naming convention and design philosophy.
Major Naming Convention Change
Apple has adopted a new year-ahead numbering system, jumping from iOS 18 to iOS 26, with the “26” reflecting the launch season covering September 2025 to September 2026 . This change extends across all Apple’s operating systems, with iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 all receiving the new naming scheme
iOS 26: The Liquid Glass Revolution
The centerpiece of today’s announcements was iOS 26’s revolutionary new “Liquid Glass” design language. This new design system draws inspiration from visionOS, Apple’s operating system for the Vision Pro headset, bringing a more immersive and fluid visual experience to iPhones.
Key iOS 26 features include:
- Enhanced Messages App: New polling capabilities and the ability to set custom background images within conversations
- Redesigned Phone App: A simplified interface that streamlines the calling experience
- Preinstalled Games and Preview Apps: Expanding the default app ecosystem
- Lock Screen Improvements: Animated album art display when listening to Apple Music
Cross-Platform Updates
Apple didn’t limit the updates to iOS. The company announced comprehensive updates across its entire software ecosystem:
macOS 26 “Tahoe”: The next iteration of macOS, reportedly codenamed ‘Tahoe,’ promises enhanced desktop functionality and improved integration with other Apple devices.
watchOS 26: The latest Apple Watch software maintains the new year-ahead naming convention, suggesting significant improvements to health tracking and app functionality.
Enhanced Notes Functionality: Users will gain the ability to export Notes in markdown format, improving productivity workflows for developers and content creators.
Apple Intelligence Integration
While specific details about Apple Intelligence improvements weren’t fully disclosed in the initial reports, the company is expected to announce significant enhancements to its AI capabilities throughout the week-long conference.
Developer Focus Maintained
True to WWDC’s software-focused heritage, Apple kept hardware announcements minimal, concentrating on the developer tools and software innovations that will power the next generation of apps and services.
Looking Ahead
The announced software updates will enter developer beta immediately following the keynote, with public betas expected in the coming weeks. The final releases are scheduled for September 2025, coinciding with Apple’s traditional fall product launch cycle. Apple’s WWDC 2025 represents a significant evolution in the company’s software strategy, with the Liquid Glass design language potentially setting the visual standard for Apple products well into the next decade. The conference continues through June 13, with additional developer sessions and technical announcements expected throughout the week.
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