If there’s one thing WWDC 2025 left me with, it’s a mixed bag of emotions. Sure, Apple delivered a ton of updates ranging from visually stunning redesigns to finally introducing features other platforms have enjoyed for years. But was it enough to keep Apple’s once-iconic identity intact? I’m not so sure.
Liquid Glass: A Beautiful Déjà Vu?
Apple’s new Liquid Glass redesign is undeniably one of the highlights. The aesthetic overhaul, which spans across macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, brings a unified and transparent visual UI inspired by VisionOS. Animations and layers look beautiful—whether it’s the new menu bar on macOS or floating widgets on Apple Watch.
But here’s my issue: doesn’t Liquid Glass remind you of Microsoft’s Aero design from Windows Vista circa 2007? It’s pretty, but it’s not exactly groundbreaking. At a glance, it feels more like Apple reaching into the past to catch up with modern aesthetics.
macOS Customization: A Bright Spot
Alright, time for some appreciation: macOS 26 “Tahoe” is good. Really good. The customization options alone—think folders with colors, custom icons, and layouts—are actually making me rethink my plan to daily drive Asahi Linux. Add to that the integration of Liquid Glass, and macOS feels more personal and polished than ever.
As a developer and tinkerer, these little touches matter. Apple may not have reinvented the wheel here, but they did smooth out some edges.
Also, this looks awesome, merge it with a great window manager (like yabai)
iPadOS: The Laptop Wannabe
Can we talk about how iPadOS 26 has finally caught up to being a productivity machine? The new “windowing system” lets users resize, move, and snap windows—something I’ve been waiting for on an iPad since… forever. Background tasks also make multitasking viable, allowing rendering operations in Final Cut Pro to run while you browse.
However, calling it “Windows on iPad” feels both exciting and bittersweet. Am I alone in wondering if the line between MacBooks and iPads is becoming thinner for all the wrong reasons?
Features That Should’ve Happened a Decade Ago
Let’s not forget Apple is playing catch-up with Android on key usability features:
- Spam call rejection and hold assists.
- Live translations for calls and messages.
- Group chat redesigns in iMessage (including typing indicators—which is shockingly absent until now).
These updates are welcome, but let’s face it: they’re overdue. For someone firmly rooted in the Android ecosystem (long live Android!), these additions aren’t nearly enough to tempt me back to iOS.
Vision Pro: The Dystopian Yet Cool Future
Apple did spend plenty of time hyping up Vision Pro, their AR/VR headset, which now supports multi-person use, spatial web experiences, and ultra-realistic Personas. But when you pitch this $3,500 device as a replacement for physical TVs, clocks, and calendars… it feels like something out of a Black Mirror episode.
Is it cool? Absolutely. But its practical viability hinges on affordability—a far-off reality at best.
Final Thoughts: Has Apple Lost Its Identity?
WWDC isn’t just about software updates; it’s where Apple showcases its vision. But this year, instead of paving the way forward, they seem to be doubling down on catching up. Customization options on macOS are nice. iPadOS is improving. Vision Pro is futuristic. But where’s the revolutionary Apple we knew?
For anyone deeply involved in the Apple ecosystem, this year’s announcements might be seen as productive and practical. For me, however, it feels like Apple is losing touch with what once made them distinct.
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