WWDC 2025 has concluded, and this year's developers' keynote was particularly noteworthy, with significant advancements across the entire Apple ecosystem. The most prominent highlight for me was the substantial overhaul of iPadOS, transforming the device into a truly capable computer with a full-fledged desktop environment. From revamped windows, files, and menus to sophisticated audio/video input and recording, and enhanced multitasking, the iPad's capabilities have expanded dramatically. The announcements extended far beyond just the iPad, though so let's dive into the key highlights and takeaways from WWDC 2025 Keynote.

A Theatrical Start and Apple Intelligence

The keynote kicked off with a unique F1-themed intro, cleverly tied to the promotion of an upcoming F1 movie on Apple TV. This introduction also served to underscore Apple TV's continued growth. A major theme throughout the event was Apple Intelligence and Apple's new foundational framework for on-device model usage. These models operate offline, providing enhanced privacy and efficiency. Notably, third-party apps will also have the ability to leverage these on-device models. Though not available currently, these features are slated to roll out in the “coming year”

Unified Design and the "Liquid Glass" Aesthetic

Apple emphasized significant OS redesigns, enabled by the latest Apple Silicon. The goal is a universal and unified design language across all platforms. Apple introduced the "Liquid Glass" design. This aesthetic features a look similar to the older design, except with chamfered edges, that reflect and refract light. This "Liquid Glass" is dynamic and contextual, reminiscent of the Dynamic Island. It also resizes elements to fit various screen shapes. This design extends to lock screens and wallpapers that also contextually adapt.

The Camera app sees the reintroduction of tabs and you get spatial effects for all photos. The browser now offers edge-to-edge content and dynamic controls. CarPlay also gets enhancements, including the introduction of CarPlay Ultra, which, among other things, provides more layout and design control options.

iOS 26: A Wealth of New Features

iOS 26 brings a host of new features and improvements. The Phone App now includes summaries for voicemails, call screening, automated call screening, and World Assist. The Messages App features backgrounds, enhancements to group chats with polls, Apple Cash, and typing indicators, a separate area for messages from non-contacts, emoji updates, and significant translation capabilities, including live translations and a Final Fantasy 11-esque translation feature for text. This lets you type in your native language and the recipient receives whatever you type, in their native language.

Apple Music gains voice and text control, lyric translation, an auto-mixing DJ feature, and the ability to pin favorites. Maps learn preferred routes, notifies users of delays with alternate routes, and tracks visited places. In Gaming, a "Play Together" tab is introduced, along with “Challenges” (leaderboards) for top scores among friends, even in single-player games.

Visual Intelligence brings on-screen AI tasks, similar to "Circle to search," initiated by the screenshot gesture. It uses ChatGPT for non-local tasks and the "Ask" tool. Third-party apps can leverage the camera and Visual Intelligence to analyze their surroundings.

WatchOS 26, TVOS 26, and MacOS 26 Improvements

WatchOS 26 introduces the Work Out Buddy, which tracks fitness app info for advice and motivation, marks performance highs and milestones, and includes a Music DJ. Smart Stacks gets improved predictions and notifications, with adjustments to call and notification volumes based on location, ambient noise, and time.

tvOS 26 boasts a new design, poster art, and original content, including shows like "Chief Of War." It also includes Profiles and enhancements to Apple Music, notably the Sing Along feature, which utilizes iPhones as microphones with multi-mic/phone capabilitie

macOS 26 brings live translation and a design overhaul with transparent menus, more controls for apps, and increased customization options, such as folder colors. Continuity enhancements include Live Activity and the Phone App on Mac. Shortcuts see Intelligent Actions and Spotlight shortcuts. Spotlight is significantly upgraded with Intelligent Selection, the ability to launch iPhone apps, actions, text actions in the search bar, and Quick Keys, effectively becoming a one-stop shop.

VisionOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Breakthroughs

VisionOS 26 introduces persistent and lockable widgets, persistent and lockable apps, enhanced spatial scenes for photos and websites, improved personas, multi-person sessions, shared devices (for companies), and the Logitech Move for AR drawing. Spatial Content includes the Adobe App and action cam video viewing, even 360º footage. Hand tracking and sensing sees an increase as well with a bump to 90 Hertz.

“Stacks” feature, from MacOS, in new iPadOS 26.

iPadOS 26 marks a significant turning point, truly blurring the lines between tablet and computer. The Calls App and messaging features are fully integrated. Multitasking gets real and sees a new windowing system that gains more windows and a grab handle for resizing. Windows and widgets positions are persistent, there’s a better pointer/cursor, and improved window arranging with tiles, all akin to the Mac. There’s an app menu bar that now offers more app features and options, mirroring macOS. Color sync, default app selection, file preview, the dock, and stacks also align with macOS. The new Audio/Video features for iPadOS are improvements including an audio input selector, vocal isolation, local video capture, echo cancellation, and background tasks. All of these features speak to me as a creator and I think a lot of creators are going to take notice.

Availability and Closing Thoughts

Apple is still catching up on the AI front and this event didn't show me anything to suggest that that will change this year. But that’s not the story here. The new iPadOS and the new unified design of all the operating systems is the story, and they knocked that portion of the show out of the park.

All of these exciting updates and features will be available this Fall. Lastly, the event concluded with a song that was corny but awesome at the same time, I highly suggest you take a look if you get the time. Needless to say, it was a great song that capped off a truly impactful WWDC 2025.

WWDC 2025: The Year iPad Became a Computer

eInk Displays and Spectrophotometry