WWDC 2025 Summary : Design Overhaul Steals the Show, But Major AI Leap for Siri Still on Horizon
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 wrapped up last week, and while the keynote promised a future deeply intertwined with AI, the real star of the show was a dramatic design overhaul. Dubbed “Liquid Glass,” this new aesthetic is set to redefine the look and feel of every Apple operating system, from your iPhone to your Vision Pro. Here is your WWDC 2025 Summary:
For months, the tech world was buzzing with predictions of a groundbreaking AI-powered Siri that would finally rival Google’s Assistant or OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, while Apple did deliver some impressive incremental AI advancements, the much-anticipated, truly intelligent Siri remains elusive, with hints that a significant upgrade won’t land until 2026. This left some analysts raising an eyebrow, wondering if Apple is still playing catch-up in the generative AI race.
The “Liquid Glass” Revolution: A Unified, Translucent Future
Forget the flat, minimalist design of yesteryear. Apple’s “Liquid Glass” is a bold new direction, bringing a translucent, almost ethereal quality to app icons, menus, and controls across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. Inspired by the immersive depth of the Vision Pro, this design language aims for a more harmonious and intuitive user experience.
Imagine app icons that refract and reflect light, dynamically responding to your movements and the content on your screen. This isn’t just about aesthetics; Apple claims it enhances clarity and focuses attention where it matters. First-party apps like Camera, Safari, and Phone have already received this sleek new look, with redesigned interfaces that prioritize simplicity and user flow.
Adding to the clarity, Apple has also simplified its operating system naming convention. Instead of iOS 19, we’re now entering the era of iOS 26, aligning with the calendar year, much like car model releases.
Apple Intelligence: Understated Power, Developer Focus
While the radical Siri overhaul was notably absent, Apple did showcase significant advancements in its “Apple Intelligence” suite. These AI-powered features are deeply integrated across the ecosystem, aiming to make your devices smarter and more proactive.
Key AI updates include:
- Live Translation: Breaking down language barriers in real-time within Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls. This on-device processing means your conversations stay private.
- Visual Intelligence: Users can now leverage their iPhone camera or screenshots to learn about their environment. You can ask ChatGPT questions about what you’re seeing, or search for similar products on platforms like Google or Etsy.
- Genmoji and Image Playground: These creative tools get smarter, allowing for more personalized emoji creations and advanced image editing, with integrated ChatGPT capabilities for enhanced ideation.
- Foundation Models Framework: This is a huge win for developers. Apple is opening up access to its on-device large language models, allowing third-party apps to integrate powerful AI features without relying on cloud APIs, ensuring user privacy and offline functionality. Imagine apps that can summarize notes, draft emails, or generate content directly on your device.
- Workout Buddy (watchOS 26): Your Apple Watch gets an AI-powered personal trainer, offering coaching, summaries, and motivation based on your health data.
- Improved Spotlight: The universal search bar is now even more intelligent, capable of automating multi-step tasks and providing more contextual suggestions.
Vision Pro and Beyond: Spatial Computing Expands
The Apple Vision Pro also received a significant update with visionOS 26, further solidifying Apple’s commitment to spatial computing. Updates include:
- Enhanced Personas: More photorealistic and expressive avatars for virtual meetings.
- Spatial Widgets: Users can now place 3D widgets directly into their physical space, customizing their size, color, and depth.
- 360° Video Support: Vision Pro now supports wide-angle and 360° footage from popular cameras like GoPro, Insta360, and Canon, offering even more immersive content experiences.
- Shared Spatial Experiences: Multiple Vision Pro users in the same room can now share 3D movies, games, and work projects.
- Gaming Improvements: Support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers expands gaming options on the headset.
The Verdict: A Polished, AI-Enhanced Ecosystem, But Siri’s Potential Remains a Tease
As we have discussed in our previous post of WWDC 2025 Leaks. All the rumors and leaks were true to some extent and I would say WWDC 2025 showcased a more refined, visually stunning, and intelligently integrated Apple ecosystem. The “Liquid Glass” design is a clear indicator of Apple’s aesthetic direction for the coming decade, aiming for a consistent and delightful user experience across all its devices. While the AI advancements are significant, particularly the opening of the Foundation Models to developers, the long-awaited transformation of Siri into a truly powerful, conversational AI remains a promise for the future. For now, Apple is focusing on making its existing platforms smarter, more beautiful, and more cohesive than ever.
