There was a reminder last month and it finally happened. This year's WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) saw the announcement of several updates in the UX, design and even how the software updates are named.
There's a naming convention when it comes to software updates. Usually, the go-to pattern indicates a specific version or release number; like Apple's current "iOS 18.5"—software type (iOS), version (18th) and update type (patch, update, service pack; in this case: the fifth patch). Mind you, this is the naming standard that every developer uses but Apple is now terming their next software update—for example—"iOS 26", where you have the software type, followed by the year after the update is released. This alteration will be reflected in all of Apple's products—VisionOS 26; MacOS 26; watchOS 26; and so on. I'd assume that for any update types, it'll be "iOS 26.1" or "iOS 26.2", etc.
Do note that this name simplification isn't unique to Apple—Samsung did the same thing with their own updates in 2020.
Apple’s design team has a reworked GUI and design language across its products. It's a unified visual theme that injects life to every app. Using real-time rendering, Liquid Glass reacts to movement with specular highlights. Buttons glow. Widgets breathe. The time dances around your Lock Screen wallpaper.
The redesign stretches from Safari—now edge-to-edge—to a minimalist interface of the Camera app.
Apple is still working on Apple Intelligence but here's what we get: but here’s the crux: Live Translation is now active natively in Messages, FaceTime and even your humble Phone app. Its visual intelligence goes beyond your iPhone screen, where it can parse your screen content, dig for dates in an event poster, and auto-add it to your calendar. context.
You can refuse unwanted phone calls before you answer them. Call Screening is that personal bouncer who reads the vibes of the caller by gathering and presenting the deets on whether you choose to pick up of ignore the call. you need to decide if you want to pick up or ignore the call. In Messages, unknown senders get automatically screened into a separate inbox and new features like polls and custom backgrounds make group chats look less of a ransom negotiation and more of a party invite.
Instead of having a personal trainer scream at you to do another rep, watchOS 26 will come with Workout Buddy, a personalised motivator with Apple Intelligence. Workout Buddy analyses your exercise data and conjures up insights and—I dunno—gives a pep talk about achieving your health goals. Do we get to see an avatar of your Workout Buddy? No. But your mind's eye already conjures up a gymbro-lookalike so that would do for now.
We are so glad to see there are still more support placed in the Apple Vision Pro. With the visionOS 26, users get an upgraded spatial experience. Remember the Personas? Back then, these avatars carried the stink of uncanniness but this time you can see improvements to the avatar's complexion.
It's not the same as Apple Arcade but think of Apple Games as an app that is your gaming library, social scoreboard, discovery engine, and event calendar all rolled into one. Running on the idea that "gaming is best fun when its with other people", the app collates all your Game Center friends and recent co-op partners into one view. There, you can compare achievements, track shared history, and launch into multiplayer sessions with just a few taps.
But these are just the tip of the iceberg of WWDC announcements. If you're interested, check out the entirety of the keynote address here:
