Apple WWDC 2025 Highlights: Major Design Overhaul and Powerful AI Features Unveiled

Highlighted in Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote were a compelling lineup of features and design updates across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and others. Going from the ambitious expansion of Apple Intelligence to a new Liquid Glass design language, and updated app experiences, it’s now clear Apple is pressing ahead with the ecosystem this year. Yet, as exciting as some announcements are, one must pause and ask if these Apple WWDC 2025 highlights really constitute a major step ahead or a cautious step sideways against strong competition.

Apple Intelligence: Privacy-First AI, But Is It Enough?

A central theme of WWDC 2025 was Apple Intelligence: the company’s evolving AI platform integrated deeply into its devices and apps. The big news: Third-party developers can now tap into Apple’s on-device foundational models using the new Foundation Models framework, allowing them to create smart AI experiences that run offline with a privacy guarantee.

This stands out as Apple taking strong positions in favor of privacy: most user data is stored on the device, unlike some competing models that involve cloud dependency. However, this comes with implied trade-offs. While Google and Microsoft have cloud-powered AI, the local AI from Apple might be limited in processing power and real-time learning capability. In a fast-changing market in terms of AI prowess, Apple’s steady improvements might seem like backward moves rather than leaps forward.

While Genmoji’s emoji mashups and ChatGPT-powered Visual Intelligence serve the bigger purpose of fun and utility, they somewhat fall short when compared to deeper AI integrations worldwide. Beyond the positive news about easy AI integration for developers, questions inevitably arise about how easy it will truly be outside simple demos. It’s at least somewhat of a challenge to build cutting-edge AI apps that work offline and are privacy-respecting.

Liquid Glass Design: Fresh Look or Mostly Cosmetic?

Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language — with semi-transparent widgets, rounded corners, and see-through elements — is being touted as the company’s broadest visual update yet. This consistent aesthetic refresh across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe adds polish and modern flair inspired by visionOS.

But it’s important to ask: do these changes truly enhance usability, or are they primarily stylistic? For most users, the interface will feel familiar, just more translucent and dynamic. This signals a focus on design cohesion rather than a radical rethinking of interaction or functionality.

Naming Shift to Year-Based OS Versions: Clearer or Confusing?

Apple also announced a shift from traditional version numbers to year-based identifiers — iOS 26 replacing iOS 19, for example. While this aligns software versions with calendar years and matches naming for watchOS and iPadOS, it could confuse users and developers alike. Year-based names risk dating the OS quickly and might complicate version compatibility and long-term support discussions.

Other Key Updates: Improved Apps and Smarter Features

The redesigned Phone app, new Messages capabilities (like customizable backgrounds and polls), and expanded Maps and Wallet features highlight Apple’s continued investment in everyday productivity. Visual Intelligence’s ability to scan your screen for visual search or calendar suggestions is a nifty convenience.

The new Games app with a dedicated Arcade tab and social challenges, along with iPadOS’s improved multitasking and studio-quality podcast recording features, show Apple addressing power users and content creators.

However, many of these features echo innovations already seen in competing platforms, underscoring that Apple is iterating on proven ideas rather than redefining categories.

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