WWDC 2025: No new AI but new UI

As usual, Apple demonstrated new software for the iPhone, iPad, Watch and other hardware at its annual WWDC. The focus this year was not on AI functionality, but on a new interface (UI) called Liquid Glass.

Anyone who has recently booted up a Mac knows that that interface looks nothing like an iPad. And an iPad, in turn, looks nothing like an Apple Watch. And then we have the Vision Pro, which has a style all its own. That should be our top priority, Apple said. And behold a new interface that we are going to see on all Apple products.

In fairness, Liquid Glass looks very slick with many element resembling glass that you can partially see through. But whether it solves Apple's biggest problems remains to be seen. Last year, the focus was precisely on AI, but it couldn't deliver on many of those promises. Reason for Apple to pull out all the stops, you would think, but nothing of the sort. As a result, Apple's lag in AI is only increasing.

iOS 26

Another big change this year is a new version number. We are skipping iOS 19 through 25 and going straight to iOS 26. With this, the version number runs concurrently with the year in which it is active. iOS 26 is due out in September 2025, and we'll forgive Apple those last few months. Not only does iOS skip some version numbers, all software now gets the version number 26.

In addition to the new Liquid Glass interface, existing iOS apps will get additional features. We list the most important changes

• All clear mode in addition to Light and Dark mode
• Spatial scene; 3D photo as background or in Photos
• New Camera app interface
• Collections in Photos app
• Edge-to-edge web pages in Safari
• New Telephone app home screen
• Call screening; automatically take calls to reject spam
• Hold assist; takes your place in a phone queue
• Backgrounds in Messages
• Polls in Groups Message
• Live translation in Phone, Facetime and Messages
• Automix in Apple Music to blend 2 songs into each other
• Maps tracks your routines and makes suggestions such as congestion
• New Games app where you can find all your downloaded games
• Search on your screen with Visual Intelligence

iOS 26 is expected in the fall when Apple also announces its new iPhones. Whether this will be the iPhone 17 series or whether it will also be called iPhone 26 we will hear then in the fall.

Adblock test (Why?)