Apple kicked off its annual developer conference, WWDC, with some huge and surprising announcements. The company revealed a complete visual overhaul for its devices, marking the first major redesign in over a decade. In an even stranger move, Apple is also changing how it names its software, skipping ahead several numbers.
The new look, which will be available on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, is centered around a new design theme called “liquid glass.” This gives icons and widgets a new translucent, see-through feel. The classic square app icons are gone, replaced with round ones across the home screen and Control Center. In addition to the familiar light and dark modes, a new “all-clear” mode will be introduced, providing a fully transparent look. Apple is calling it its biggest design update ever.
Get ready for a new numbering system. Instead of getting iOS 19 this fall, your iPhone will update to iOS 26. Apple says the new number represents the year ahead. The same applies to other devices which will receive iPadOS 26 and macOS 26.
The new iOS 26 will also bring some long-awaited features. These include typing indicators in group iMessage chats and a live translation feature for FaceTime, calls, and messages that works even if the person on the other end doesn’t have an iPhone.
If you’re eager to try it all out, you won’t have to wait long. The developer beta was released on June 9, and a public beta for everyone else is expected to arrive in July.
