APPLE UPDATES

Everything new coming to iPhones, iPads and Macs later this year

- SAMANTHA MURPHY KELLY CHRIS WELCH

Apple kicked off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference recently with a roughly 90-minute presentation where it unveiled a slew of updates to its various software platforms.

Consumers and investors alike had high expectations ahead of the event, after Apple indefinitely delayed some artificial-intelligence features it announced at last year’s conference. While Apple's effort to start an AI comeback at this year’s conference fell short, with a limited number of enhancements, there are several new non-Al upgrades.

Accompanying the changes is a major visual overhaul, a new look that Apple calls “Liquid Glass”. As the name suggests, it’s lighter and transparent — a nod to the idea that more devices in the future will feature glass of some kind. Bloomberg News reported the new look is in preparation for the 20-year anniversary iPhone coming in 2027.

As part of its rebranding efforts, the company also confirmed that it will use years, not version numbers, to identify its software. The upgraded platforms announced earlier this month, for instance, include iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26 and visionOS 26.

Here is a list of the most significant new features coming to your devices later this year.

IOS 26

■ The interface now has new icons — including a fully transparent option — as well as redesigned navigation bars, menus and in-app interfaces that are reminiscent of those on the Vision Pro headset.

■ Hot on the heels of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, Apple showed off a new Games app, allowing users to track what their friends are playing, start challenges with others, and explore new titles from both the App Store and Apple Arcade.

■ The Phone app has a new view that combines recent calls, favourite contacts and voicemails. It also adds hold detection with real-time updates to the iPhone user for when a live person comes back on the line.