Here’s everything Apple announced at WWDC25: ‘Liquid Glass,’ Tahoe, and ChatGPT Playground

After months of speculation, Apple on Monday pulled back the curtain on a wave of software updates during its WWDC25 keynote on June 9, 2025. The event spotlighted Apple’s push for a more seamless, AI-infused ecosystem—anchored by a bold new design language called “Liquid Glass,” the debut of macOS Tahoe, and smarter features powered by ChatGPT and on-device intelligence.

From iOS 26 and macOS 26 to watchOS 12 and visionOS 3, the company laid out a roadmap blending design refreshes, cross-platform continuity, and privacy-focused AI tools. Over 600,000 tuned in on YouTube to watch the presentation live. The response? Subdued applause, but plenty of substance.

WWDC25

Let’s break it down.

Here’s a rundown of the big announcements:

• Liquid Glass redesign: A fresh, translucent interface rolling out across iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and visionOS.

• All systems go to 26: Apple is unifying its OS version numbers—iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS are now all at version 26.

• macOS Tahoe: A visually revamped macOS with new AI features, tighter iPhone integration, and upgraded graphics performance.

• Vision Pro upgrades: Adds gaming support (including Sony VR2 controllers), new content partnerships, and enterprise tools.

• Apple TV karaoke mode: Lets users mute vocals with machine learning and sing along using an iPhone as a mic.

• Apple Music lyric translation: Real-time translations to break language barriers across your playlists.

• ChatGPT in Image Playground: Lets users generate and style content by describing it, with processing handled on-device.

• Live translation: Real-time translations during calls, FaceTime, and texts—powered by Apple Intelligence.

A See-Through Makeover: Liquid Glass

For the first time since 2013, Apple is giving iOS a full visual overhaul. “Liquid Glass” brings translucent layers, smoother animations, and adaptive icons across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3.

Apple’s Alan Dye described it as “unified, fluid,” echoing the aesthetic of Vision Pro. Think glassy surfaces, light reflections, and customizable folders—even with emojis. Control Center also got a redesign, making quick settings more accessible.

People online are already calling the new look “sleek,” and if early feedback is any sign, Apple may have nailed the design refresh. Developer betas are live now, with public releases dropping in September.

macOS Tahoe: More Personality, Less Manual Labor

Named after the California hotspot, macOS 26 (aka “Tahoe”) mixes the Liquid Glass look with new AI features under Apple’s “Apple Intelligence” umbrella.

Highlights:

• Smarter Spotlight with Quick Keys and Intelligent Actions that automate multi-step tasks.

• iPhone app launching from Mac, making the cross-device experience more seamless.

• Visual tweaks like transparent menus, color-coded folders, and emoji labels.

• Metal 4 support for higher-quality graphics and better performance in games and creative apps.

Developer builds are already out, with public betas on the way this summer.

ChatGPT Playground: OpenAI Comes to iOS, Carefully

One of the more talked-about reveals was the ChatGPT Playground, a developer-focused tool that expands last year’s Image Playground. Users can now stylize things like contact posters simply by describing them. All processing happens on-device—nothing is sent to OpenAI unless you agree to it.

Wired reports that developers can hook into this via API, meaning more apps will start supporting this kind of AI customization soon.

It’s all part of Apple Intelligence, which also powers new features like:

• Visual Intelligence, where you can tap a “ChatGPT Ask” button to get info about objects on your screen.

• Workout Buddy, an AI fitness coach that learns from your habits.

The Playground runs on Apple Intelligence-enabled devices only, and availability will vary by language and location.

iOS 26 and iPadOS 26: More AI, Smarter Features

Both iOS and iPadOS 26 take full advantage of Liquid Glass and Apple’s on-device AI smarts.

Key features:

• Live Translation for calls, FaceTime, and Messages. Think spoken captions during calls, real-time translations in text threads, and multi-language support (starting with English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean).

• Visual Intelligence that reads and understands photos, like picking up dates and events, and syncing them to your calendar.

• Tighter Mac-iPhone-iPad integration, including real-time app mirroring with almost no lag.

Bloomberg called out the new Control Center and adaptive icons as standout updates. iPad multitaskers will appreciate the dynamic layouts, too.

watchOS 12 and visionOS 3: Smartwatch Gains, Spatial Push

watchOS 12 brings the Liquid Glass vibe to your wrist. Expect more personalized watch faces and smarter health features like Workout Buddy. Notifications are easier to read, with new translucent backgrounds.

visionOS 3 is Apple’s play to keep Vision Pro in the spotlight:

• Gaming support for Sony’s VR2 Sense controllers, putting it in direct competition with Meta’s Quest line.

• Content upgrades, including partnerships with GoPro, Canon, and Insta360 for wide-angle experiences.

• Enterprise tools, with new APIs for private viewing modes and 3D collaboration tools like Logitech’s Muse.

Both platforms are in beta and should go public later this year.

Apple TV, Music, and CarPlay Get Fresh Features

• tvOS 19: Adds Liquid Glass and a karaoke mode that uses machine learning to mute vocals so you can sing along with your iPhone as a mic.

• Apple Music: Real-time lyrics translations and new Automix playlists that blend tracks like a DJ.

• CarPlay: Improved widgets that let you get directions even while on a call.

Apple’s New “Games” App

Apple introduced a centralized Games app, bringing downloaded games together with social add-ons like leaderboards, friend challenges, and play history. It builds on Game Center and taps into the App Store’s massive game revenue base.

Backed by Metal 4, the Games app supports cross-device syncing and is now in beta for iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe.

So, What’s the Big Picture?

WWDC25 didn’t flip the table, but it gave us a good look at how Apple is thinking about design, AI, and user privacy. Liquid Glass polishes the visual experience, Apple Intelligence adds smarter tools, and the ChatGPT Playground opens new creative doors without compromising data privacy.

Live Translation could be a sleeper hit. But with Siri’s full upgrade still missing and language support still limited, it’s clear Apple is pacing itself. Developer betas are live now, and we’ll see the full rollout this fall.

The real test will be hands-on use: Will Liquid Glass feel fresh months from now? And can Apple’s privacy-first AI stack hold its own in an industry that’s already racing ahead?

Time—and user adoption—will tell.

Watch the full WWDC25 keynote on YouTube below.