Apple WWDC 2025 Highlights: iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, Apple Intelligence Features, More Announced

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Tim Cook Draws the Curtain on the first WWDC 2025 Keynote!

Cook expressed enthusiasm about developers embracing the new design language, while announcing that public betas for all OS updates will be available next month.

Looks like things are winding down as Craig Federighi highlights the new tools that will soon be available to developers, signaling that the event is nearing its conclusion.

iPadOS 26 Features and Availability

The features are available today through Apple's Developer Program at developer.apple.com; public beta testing begins next month at beta.apple.com before becoming widely accessible this fall via free software updates compatible across various devices including iPads equipped with M1 chips onwards among others listed online at apple.com/os/ipados .

Audio Enhancements

iPadOS 26 introduces flexible audio input options allowing selection of different microphones per app or website along with Voice Isolation for clearer recordings by blocking ambient noise during calls or recordings using AirPods models supporting studio-quality sound recording features.

The new Apple Games app provides a central hub for gaming activities while Game Overlay lets users see updates quickly during gameplay without interruption.

New Communication Tools

The Journal app debuts on iPadOS 26 enabling users to document everyday moments or special events using Apple Pencil or touch for drawings and handwriting alongside photos and videos. Multiple journals can be maintained with entries organised by location through a map view.

Preview App Comes to iPad

The Preview app now available on iPad allows users to view, edit, and mark up PDFs and images using Apple Pencil or touch. Users can access all saved PDFs and images directly from Preview and utilise AutoFill for PDF forms.

Improved File Management

The Files app in iPadOS 26 introduces new ways to manage documents efficiently. An updated List view displays document details in resizable columns and collapsible folders. Users can customise folders with colours, icons, and emojis that sync across devices. For convenience, folders can be dragged directly into the Dock for quick access from any app. Additionally, users can set default apps for opening specific files or types.

Advanced Features Powered by Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence in iPadOS 26 offers enhanced privacy-focused AI capabilities across the system. Live Translation facilitates seamless communication across languages in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages by translating texts into preferred languages automatically. Users can create Genmoji starting from existing emojis and descriptions while modifying personal attributes like hair length or accessories. Image Playground offers control over personal attributes and expressions with styles like oil painting for Contact Posters.

Revolutionary Windowing System

The introduction of a new windowing system allows users to manage app windows effortlessly while maintaining simplicity. This system enables resizing and positioning of windows as desired, supporting multiple open windows simultaneously. Familiar controls let users close, minimise, resize, or tile windows seamlessly. Window tiling is tailored for the iPad's unique capabilities, allowing users to arrange windows with ease. Exposé provides a quick overview of all open windows for easy switching. The system works well with Stage Manager for grouping windows into stages and supports external displays for expanded workspace.

A New User Experience

Liquid Glass technology introduces a dynamic vitality to the Lock Screen and Control Center experiences. Users can personalise their Home Screen with app icons that adapt to light or dark modes, offering a clear aesthetic. Updated navigation extends across apps like Mail, Safari, Apple TV, and Apple Music.

Enhanced Design

The new design of iPadOS 26 brings a vibrant experience to users while retaining the familiar feel of previous versions. Crafted with Liquid Glass, this material reacts dynamically to user interactions, enhancing focus on important content. It revitalises areas like the Lock Screen and Control Center, allowing for personalisation with updated app icons in various appearances.

Apple iPadOS 26 is here!!

Apple has unveiled iPadOS 26, marking its most significant update yet. This release enhances the iPad's capabilities with a fresh design and an intuitive windowing system.

visionOS 26

visionOS 26 brings new Apple Intelligence features like Image Playground updates and language support for French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, English (Australia), Canada), India), Singapore), UK). Look to Scroll allows users to navigate apps using eye movements. The redesigned Control Center offers convenient access to features like Guest User Mode and Travel Mode. Users can unlock iPhones while wearing Apple Vision Pro if both devices run compatible software versions.

Logitech Muse is introduced as a spatial accessory for precise input in collaboration apps like Spatial Analogue. Team device sharing simplifies managing shared devices within organisations.

Enterprise APIs and Tools

Companies are leveraging spatial computing on Apple Vision Pro for design, training, sales, education, and more. New enterprise APIs allow organisations to create unique spatial experiences tailored to their needs. The Protected Content API ensures only authorised individuals access confidential materials.

New Browsing and Viewing Capabilities

Users can transform articles on Safari into spatial browsing experiences by hiding distractions and revealing interactive scenes as they scroll. Web developers can embed 3D models directly into web pages for a more immersive browsing experience. visionOS 26 supports native playback of wide field-of-view content from Insta360, GoPro, and Canon. Users can view action footage as intended while developers incorporate this capability into apps and websites.

The update also introduces support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, enhancing gameplay on Apple Vision Pro. Players can enjoy new gaming experiences with high-performance motion tracking and finger touch detection.

Shared Spatial Experiences

visionOS 26 enhances connectivity by allowing users to share spatial experiences with others in the same room or remotely via FaceTime. This feature enables collaborative activities such as watching movies or playing games together. Dassault Systèmes is utilising this capability in their 3DLive app for visualising designs collaboratively.

Enhanced Personas

Personas have been significantly improved in visionOS 26. They now offer a more natural appearance with enhanced hair, lashes, and complexion details. These improvements are achieved through volumetric rendering and machine learning technology. Users can adjust their Persona's look during setup and choose from over 1,000 glasses variations.

Spatial Widgets

Widgets in visionOS 26 are now spatial, allowing users to customise them with various frame widths, colours, and depths. These widgets reappear whenever users wear the Apple Vision Pro. Users can decorate their spaces with widgets like clocks, weather updates, music playlists, and photos. Developers can create custom widgets using WidgetKit.

Apple announces visionOS 26!

Apple unveiled visionOS 26 at WWDC 2025, introducing spatial widgets, enhanced Personas, and new advancements in immersive computing for its Vision Pro headset.

Continuing Evolution of macOS

Tahoe follows last year's macOS 15 Sequoia announcement at WWDC which brought features like iPhone mirroring and window tiling to Macs. The evolution of macOS continues as Apple integrates more advanced features into its operating system. The release of macOS 26 Tahoe signifies Apple's commitment to innovation in its software offerings. By introducing these updates and enhancements, Apple aims to improve user experience across its devices while maintaining consistency in design and functionality.

A dedicated Phone app is introduced in Tahoe for use with a paired iPhone via Continuity. It mirrors the iPhone version with features like Favourites, Voicemails, Call Screening, and Hold Assist. Live Activities support allows users to view updates from nearby iPhones on their Mac's menu bar. macOS 26 Tahoe introduces a new Games App for cataloguing games and discovering new titles. It includes a Game Overlay for adjusting settings and chatting during gameplay. Although Macs aren't typically associated with hardcore gaming, Apple is enhancing this aspect with Metal 4 for developers.

Spotlight Enhancements and Apple Intelligence

Spotlight receives its most substantial update yet in macOS 26 Tahoe. Users can perform direct actions like taking notes or sending emails through Spotlight. Search results are ranked by relevance and can be filtered further for precision. Additionally, new Apple Intelligence features include Live Translations and improved Shortcuts. The Messages app will offer live language translations for both incoming and outgoing messages. Similar to a Windows 11 feature from last year, live captions for FaceTime calls will also be available. These updates aim to enhance user experience across communication platforms.

The most significant change in macOS 26 Tahoe is its new design, adopting Apple's Liquid Glass aesthetic introduced at WWDC 25. This style affects the Dock, toolbars, app icons, widgets, and colours. Users can now theme their Macs with colour-matched folders and app icons similar to iPhones.

Introducing macOS 26 Tahoe!

Apple has unveiled macOS 26 Tahoe at the WWDC 2025 keynote. This update, expected in the autumn, will be compatible with M-series Mac Pros, Mac Studios, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs. Developers can access the now, with a beta coming next month. The naming continues Apple's California-themed tradition while aligning with its annual update schedule.

There is no confirmation yet regarding new Apple TV hardware releases this year. However, the updated interface is a welcome enhancement for those using one of the top streaming devices available today.

tvOS 26 Enhances FaceTime, Captions & Entertainment Features

Apple's tvOS 26 update brings a more personalized FaceTime experience, allowing users to start calls from contact photos on Apple TV. Live captions now support multiple languages, while seamless integration with HomePod and iPhone improves notifications. New aerial screen savers and customizable AirPlay speaker settings enhance viewing, and Apple Music Sing lets users turn their iPhone into a microphone for fun sing-along sessions with friends and family.