After stumbling out of the starting gate in Big Tech’s pivotal race to capitalize on artificial intelligence, Apple tried to regain its footing Monday during an annual developers conference that focused mostly on incremental advances and cosmetic changes in its technology.
The Presummer Rite, which attracted thousands of developers from nearly 60 countries to Apple’s Silicon Valley headquarters, was more subdued than the feverish anticipation that had surrounded the event during the previous two years.
Apple highlighted plans for more AI tools designed to simplify people’s lives and make its products even more intuitive while also providing an early glimpse at the biggest redesign of its iPhone software in a decade. In doing so, Apple executives refrained from issuing bold promises of breakthroughs that punctuated recent conferences, prompting CFRA analyst Angelo Zino to deride the event as a “dud” in a research note.
In 2023, Apple unveiled a mixed-reality headset that has been little more than a niche product, and last year WWDC trumpeted its first major foray into the AI craze with an array of new features highlighted by the promise of a smarter and more versatile version of its virtual assistant, Siri — a goal that has hasn’t been achieved yet.
“This work needed more time to reach our high-quality bar,” Craig Federighi, Apple’s top software executive, said Monday at the outset of the conference. The company didn’t provide a precise timetable for Siri’s AI upgrade to be finished but indicated it won’t happen until next year, at the earliest.
“The silence surrounding Siri was deafening,” said Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee. “No amount of text corrections or cute emojis can fill the yawning void of an intuitive, interactive AI experience that we know Siri will be capable of when ready. We just don’t know when that will happen. The end of the Siri runway is coming up fast, and Apple needs to lift off.”
The showcase unfolded amid nagging questions about whether Apple has lost some of the mystique and innovative drive that turned it into a tech trendsetter during its nearly 50-year history.
Instead of making a big splash as it did with the Vision Pro headset and its AI suite, Apple took a mostly low-key approach that emphasized its effort to spruce up the look of its software with a new design called “Liquid Glass” while also unveiling a new hub for its video games and new features like a “Workout Buddy” to help manage physical fitness.
Apple executives promised to make their software more compatible with the increasingly sophisticated computer chips that have been powering their products while also making it easier to toggle between the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
“Our product experience has become even more seamless and enjoyable,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told the crowd as the 90-minute showcase wrapped up.
IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said Apple seemed to be largely using Monday’s conference to demonstrate the company still has a blueprint for success in AI, even if it’s going to take longer to realize the vision that was presented a year ago.
“This year’s event was not about disruptive innovation, but rather careful calibration, platform refinement, and developer enablement —positioning itself for future moves rather than unveiling game-changing technologies,” Jeronimo said.
Besides redesigning its software. Apple will switch to a method that automakers have used to telegraph their latest car models by linking them to the year after they first arrive at dealerships. That means the next version of the iPhone operating system, due out this autumn, will be known as iOS 26 instead of iOS 19, as it would be under the previous naming approach that has been used since the device’s 2007 debut.
The iOS 26 upgrade is expected to be released in September, around the same time Apple traditionally rolls out the next iPhone models.
In an early sign that AI wasn’t going to be a focal point of this year’s conference, Apple opened the proceedings with a short video clip featuring Federighi speeding around a track in a Formula 1 race car. Although it was meant to promote the June 27 release of the Apple film, “F1” starring Brad Pitt, the segment could also be viewed as an unintentional analogy to the company’s attempt to catch up to the rest of the pack in AI technology.
While some of the new AI tricks compatible with the latest iPhones began rolling out late last year as part of free software updates, the delays in a souped-up Siri became so glaring that the chastened company stopped promoting it in its marketing campaigns earlier this year.
While Apple has been struggling to make AI that meets its standards, the gap separating it from other tech powerhouses is widening. Google keeps packing more AI into its Pixel smartphone lineup while introducing more of the technology into its search engine to dramatically change the way it works. Samsung, Apple’s biggest smartphone rival, is also leaning heavily into AI. Meanwhile, ChatGPT recently struck a deal that will bring former Apple design guru Jony Ive into the fold to work on a new device expected to compete against the iPhone.
Besides grappling with innovation challenges, Apple also faces regulatory threats that could siphon away billions of dollars in revenue that help finance its research and development. A federal judge is currently weighing whether proposed countermeasures to Google’s illegal monopoly in search should include a ban on long-running deals worth $20 billion annually to Apple, while another federal judge recently banned the company from collecting commissions on in-app transactions processed outside its once-exclusive payment system.
On top of all that, Apple has been caught in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump’s trade war with China, a key manufacturing hub for the Cupertino, California, company. Cook successfully persuaded Trump to exempt the iPhone from tariffs during the president’s first administration, but he has had less success during Trump’s second term, which seems more determined to prod Apple to make its products in the U.S.
The multidimensional gauntlet facing Apple is spooking investors, causing the company’s stock price to plunge by 20% so far this year — a decline that has erased about $750 billion in shareholder wealth. After beginning the year as the most valuable company in the world, Apple now ranks third behind longtime rival Microsoft, another AI leader, and AI chipmaker Nvidia.
Apple’s shares closed down by more than 1% on Monday — an early indication that the company’s latest announcements didn’t inspire investors.
Apple announced tons of exciting features on Monday, starting with the brand new Liquid Glass design arriving in its next operating system updates. The rumors were true: Apple’s operating systems are now tied to the year. “Our releases for the fall that will power us through the coming year, 2026, will be version 26,” Craig Federighi said on stage.
Instead of iOS 19, we’re getting iOS 26 this year, and the first iOS 26 beta is already available to download on iPhone 11 and newer devices.
The Liquid Glass design is ready to preview right now in the iOS 26 developer beta, but some of the other interesting iOS 26 features that Apple demoed on stage won’t be available until future beta releases roll out. But that’s not all, as Apple also quietly revealed even more iOS 26 features that it didn’t have time to highlight during the keynote.
Custom snooze length for alarms
There are two types of people in the world: those who wake up when the alarm goes off, and those who hit snooze. I’m in the latter category, so I know how much extra sleep a snooze gives me: 9 minutes. In iOS 26, I’ll be able to set that to any number I want.
AirPods pause media when asleep
Speaking of sleep, rumors before WWDC said that iOS 26 would allow AirPods to pause media playback automatically when you fall asleep. That rumor has been confirmed.
Natural language search in Messages
There are also two types of people when it comes to iPhone Messages: those who delete conversations and those who don’t. I’m in the latter group. I might need some information from those old texts, but finding it isn’t always easy. In iOS 26, Apple Intelligence will bring support for natural language search to the Messages app, which will make my life easier.
Select partial text in a bubble in Messages
When I do find what I need, I often struggle to copy the text in the chat bubbles. Apparently, iOS 26 will fix that, and I’ll be able to select just the portions I need.
Adaptive power for batteries
I’m not quite sure what adaptive power means, but rumors suggested that the iPhone would use AI to intelligently adapt power use to improve battery life. As a future iPhone 17 Air owner, I hope that’s what this iOS 26 feature does.
Estimated time to charge your battery
Speaking of battery life, iOS 26 will finally tell us how long it’ll take to charge an iPhone.
Lens cleaning hint in the Camera
Another useful thing the iPhone could tell us concerns the camera. iOS 26 will detect dirt on the lens and warn us to give it a wipe.
Events in Photos
I’m also routinely looking for images in the Photos app, including pictures taken around specific events. I’m hoping this iOS 26 feature will make it easier to mark events in the Photos app.
Manage AutoFill credit cards in Wallet
Apple also listed an exciting feature for managing credit cards in the Wallet app. You’ll be able to manage autofill cards in the app, which is great news for serial shoppers.
New incident report types in Maps
Apple Maps will get new incident report types in iOS 26, a feature that has made Waze such a popular mapping app alternative in recent years.
Create multiple journals
I’ve never been a fan of journaling on the iPhone or iPad. But I thought about using the app for jotting down thoughts about my marathon training sessions and the races I go to. Support for multiple journals might help me with that. It might help me journal other things, too, like travel-related info, in a different journal.
Export notes to Markdown
Notes is my go-to writing app, as is the case for many iPhone owners. Among them, some want to export Notes to Markdown. iOS 26 lets them do just that.
Create reminders from the Action button
iPhone users with Action buttons on their devices (iPhone 15 Pro and later) will soon be able to create reminders by pressing the Action button.
Enhance Dialogue in Podcasts
iOS 26 will be able to enhance dialogue in the Podcasts app, a feature I have wanted for quite some time. I listen to Podcasts sometimes while I’m running, but I hate having to max out the volume to hear people speaking. This feature should bring clarity to dialogue.
More playback speeds
I also want to speed up podcasts while I run, and iOS 26 will grant me that wish.
Block list in Settings
The new iPhone operating system has new safety features that Apple didn’t talk about. For example, the Settings app will feature a Block list, which is handy if you need to handle spammers, stalkers, and/or the annoying people in your life who might need blocking.
Safety Check while blocking a contact
iOS 26 will also do Safety Checks while blocking a contact, though it’s unclear how this feature works.
Use Focus to silence SIM
A new Focus feature will let you silence a SIM card, which is great news if you have one phone number for work and another for your personal life. Just silence it completely when you get home. You’ll probably be able to automate the feature, too.
Password history
Finally, the Passwords app will show you a history of passwords, which is something other password apps already offer. That way, you’ll be able to keep track of the passwords you used for apps and websites, and avoid reusing any of them.
Those are the highlights, but we’ll continue to cover iOS 26 in the weeks and months ahead.
Alongside the reveal of iOS 26 at the WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple unveiled a few new features coming to Apple Intelligence when the software update arrives later this fall. Below, we’ve gathered all of the Apple Intelligence features coming later this year.
Apple Intelligence updates in iOS 26
Live Translation: Integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, Live Translation helps users communicate across languages, translating text and audio.
ChatGPT improvements: While Siri with onscreen awareness isn’t ready, users will be able to ask ChatGPT questions about what they’re looking at onscreen to learn more. It can also search on Google, Etsy, or other supported apps to find similar images and products.
Visual Intelligence: This feature recognizes when a user is looking at an event and suggests adding it to their calendar, including all the details. Visual Intelligence is also similar to Android’s Circle to Search, as you can screenshot a photo of a lamp or a jacket and then search on Google to see similar pictures or find out where to buy it.
Shortcuts improvements: Apple is adding new shortcuts enabled by Apple Intelligence. Apple says users will see dedicated actions for features like Writing Tools and Image Playground.
Order tracking details: When you receive an email sent from merchants and delivery carriers, Apple Intelligence can automatically identify and summarize order tracking details from them.
Foundation Models Framework: Apple is giving developers direct access to intelligence features, which can be available offline, using AI inference that is free of cost.
Apple Intelligence expands to more languages
By the end of the year, Apple Intelligence will expand to more languages, including:
- Danish
- Dutch
- Norwegian
- Portuguese (Portugal)
- Swedish
- Turkish
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Vietnamese
Apple Intelligence supported devices
The new Apple Intelligence features are available on the following devices:
- iPhone 15 Pro or newer devices
- iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- iPad and Mac with M1 chips or later
While Apple Vision Pro supports Apple Intelligence, it’s unclear if these features are coming to the spatial computer at this time. The newest Apple Watch models will also get Apple Intelligence features for the first time in 2025.
iOS 26 is official. During the WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple unveiled its new operating system for iPhone devices.
“iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Experiences are more expressive and personal, from the Lock Screen and Home Screen, to new capabilities across Phone and Messages that help users focus on the connections that matter most. And with powerful new Apple Intelligence capabilities integrated across the system, users can get things done easier than ever.”
The biggest change in iOS 26 is the new design. Apple says it “makes apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful, while keeping iOS instantly familiar.” This new design extends to the Home Screen and Lock Screen.
The new design is built on a translucent material that Apple calls Liquid Glass, which is capable of both reflecting and refracting its surroundings. This also opens the door to new customization options, such as the ability to make app icons and widgets clear. You can also see a prime example of Liquid Glass in action on the Lock Screen, as the time automatically adapts to the available space in the image that makes up your background.
For Apple Music, Apple added a new Lyric Translation feature, which will help users understand the words to their favorite foreign-language songs. With Lyrics Pronunciation, everyone can sing along, regardless of language. A new AutoMix feature uses intelligence to transition from one song to the next like a DJ would.
More Apple Intelligence is coming with iOS 26
These are some of the new Apple Intelligence features available with iOS 26 later this fall:
Live Translation: Integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, this feature helps users communicate across languages, translating text and audio.
ChatGPT improvements: Users can ask ChatGPT questions about what they’re looking at onscreen to learn more. It can also search on Google, Etsy, or other supported apps to find similar images and products.
Visual Intelligence: This feature recognizes when a user is looking at an event and suggests adding it to their calendar.
Genmoji and Image Playground updates: Apple says iOS 26 improves these OG Apple Intelligence features as it’s now possible to mix emoji, Genmoji, and descriptions together to create something new.
Shortcuts improvements: Apple is adding new shortcuts enabled by Apple Intelligence.
Supported devices and release date
iOS 26 is scheduled for release to the public later this fall.
The software update will be available for iPhone 11 and later, as Apple is finally bringing an end to support for 2018’s iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max. Apple Intelligence features are still available for the same devices as previously announced.