Apple has unveiled its next-generation operating system, OS 26, at WWDC 2025, showcasing how artificial intelligence will be more deeply integrated across its entire ecosystem.
In a significant shift, Apple has adopted a new naming convention that unifies all its operating systems under the '26' designation, representing the year 2026 when most users will be using these systems. This means iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS will all carry the same version number, simplifying identification across platforms.
The most immediately noticeable change is the introduction of 'Liquid Glass,' Apple's biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 in 2013. This new interface features translucent, glass-inspired elements that create a more cohesive experience across devices, with Craig Federighi, Apple's SVP of Software Engineering, noting that 'Apple Silicon has become dramatically more powerful — enabling software, materials and experiences we once could only dream of.'
On the AI front, Visual Intelligence has been expanded beyond camera functionality to analyze on-screen content. Users can now take screenshots and use AI to search for similar items, ask ChatGPT questions about what they're viewing, or have events automatically detected and added to their calendars. This feature works by pressing the same buttons used for screenshots, offering options to save, share, or explore with Visual Intelligence.
Live Translation, another key AI feature, is now integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps, enabling real-time translation of text and audio conversations across multiple languages. Apple emphasized that these translations are powered by on-device models, ensuring privacy for personal communications.
Practical AI utilities include Call Screening, which automatically answers calls from unknown numbers and provides transcripts of the caller's identity and purpose before the phone rings. A complementary Hold Assist feature detects when you're on hold and alerts you when a live agent becomes available.
For developers, Apple is opening access to the on-device foundation model powering Apple Intelligence, allowing them to integrate these capabilities into their own apps without cloud API costs.
OS 26 will be available as a developer beta immediately, with public beta testing beginning in July and the full release coming this fall alongside new iPhone models.