Liquid Glass design to Genmoji: At WWDC 2025, Apple unveils new iOS 26 features

Apple has announced iOS 26 the next version of its iPhone operating system as part of its suite of announcements at its Worldwide Developers Conference WWDC on Monday reported The VergeAmong the new features there is a complete redesign with Apples new Liquid Glass design language along with updates to apps across the platform according to a report by The VergeThe announcement also marked a change in how Apple signifies its major updates to iOS Under the previous marketing scheme this years major release would have been iOS 19 the direct followup to iOS 18However as per the new announcements at the WWDC 2025 Apples big iOS updates will now be numbered based on the year following their introduction reported The VergeA bunch of elements of the operating system has got a major facelift as a result of the redesignAs per the new updates the time on your lockscreen can stretch to fill more of the screen The Camera app has a more streamlined layout with many controls now hidden to make the experience feel cleanerIn Safari webpages are edgetoedge and the tab bar floats over your content as reported by The VergeApple will be adding some improvements to the phone app including a call screening feature that can answer calls on your behalf and sit on calls on your behalf while youre on hold reported The VergeThe Messages app has got a bunch of updates too like customised backgroundsIn the new updates Apple has offered backgrounds but you can also add your own photos or images generated by Image Playground according to The VergeYoull be able to create polls and Apple Intelligence can suggest adding a poll if the feature detects that it might be helpful The group chats will be getting typing indicators tooTo make new emojis Apple will let you merge two emojis with Genmoji instead of just using a text description Image Playground will be getting a new feature that lets you make images with the help of OpenAIs ChatGPTIn its new updates Apple has also added Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence that can translate conversations in real time reported The VergeIt runs using models that are all ondevice The translations can happen in text threads or on phone or FaceTime callsDevelopers will be able to add Live Translations to their apps with an API too as per the new update reported by The VergeAs per the latest update the new feature called AutoMix can transition songs from one to another like a DJ Youll also be able to pin your favourite artists and playlists to the top of the appApple Maps will be able to learn and offer your preferred routes and it can send you a notification if there are delays or traffic on that routeYoull also be able to check back on your visited places if you want to more easily share them with your friendsStarting this fall in Apple Wallet youll be able to create a digital ID Boarding passes are getting a refresh and will let you access indoor maps of the airport reported The VergeApple Pay will be able to use Apple Intelligence to track your orders made outside of Apple PayIn its new update Apple has made an entirely gamesfocused Games app With this youll be able to access your whole library of App Store games youve downloaded and see the Apple Arcade library reported The VergeThe Play Together tab shows what your friends are playing and you can see leaderboards of challenges between your friendsApple will also let you use Visual Intelligence to learn more about whats on your iPhones screenIn a demo during the keynote Apple showed an example of seeing a jacket in a photo in a social media app and by taking a screenshot the person could use Visual Intelligence to search for that jacket using GoogleYou can also take a screenshot of an event and use Visual Intelligence to help add it to your calendar Visual Intelligence will also let you ask ChatGPT about something you see on your screenThis is Apples second major iOS update following the introduction of the companys Apple Intelligence AI featuresiOS 18 received some basic AI features like tools to improve writing Genmoji for custom emoji and integration with ChatGPTBut some big promised upgrades to Siri like the ability to take action based on what it could see on your phone were delayed ahead of their expected launch