Apple unveiled a series of software updates and developer tools at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, signaling a strategic shift towards bolstering existing platforms rather than introducing groundbreaking new hardware. The event, described by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman as “smaller-scale” than the previous two years, focused heavily on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and watchOS 26, all featuring a redesigned user interface inspired by visionOS.
The most visually striking element of the updates is a new “glass-like” design, incorporating translucent user interface elements such as menus, buttons, and icons. Gurman noted this redesign, while potentially exciting for Apple fans, also carries the risk of appearing as though the company is “stuck in the past.” The emphasis on software comes after a period of significant hardware investment, including the 2023 launch of the Vision Pro and the 2024 debut of Apple Intelligence.
Despite the high price tag of the Vision Pro – starting at $3,499 – and reported low sales, Apple remains committed to the spatial computing platform. While a second-generation Vision Pro with a new M-series chip and cheaper versions are still in development, neither will arrive in 2025. Instead, Apple is concentrating on a “feature-packed release” for visionOS 3, slated for unveiling at WWDC this year. Details regarding the specific features of visionOS 3 remain limited, but Gurman reports that Apple is dedicating resources to ensuring the operating system is “as robust as possible.”
The company introduced visionOS 2.4 beta last month, integrating Apple Intelligence and a dedicated iPhone app for the Vision Pro, alongside the Spatial Gallery feature, scheduled for public release in April. Apple’s Vision Products Group appears to be shifting its focus to other form factors, while simultaneously prioritizing updates to the existing Vision Pro software.
Beyond visionOS, WWDC 2025 will also include an update to Swift Assist and a rich text editor for SwiftUI. However, Gurman anticipates limited advancements in artificial intelligence, suggesting Apple “will do little” to demonstrate progress in catching up to competitors like OpenAI and Google. Some Apple employees reportedly believe WWDC 2025 may be a “letdown” from an AI perspective, with Apple’s shortcomings potentially becoming “even more obvious.”
Significant enhancements to CarPlay were also highlighted, alongside improvements to the Vision Pro and iPad multitasking. While iOS 26 and the Liquid Glass interface garnered much attention, these other updates were described as the “real gems” of the conference. Apple has not yet announced a timeline for the public release of iOS 26 or the other updated operating systems.
