FOREVER EVOLVING: APPLE'S WWDC THIS YEAR WAS A MIXED BAG. BUT THAT DEPENDS ON WHO IS TALKING: TECH EXPERTS OR FANBOYS.

APPLE'S WWDC THIS YEAR WAS A MIXED BAG. BUT THAT DEPENDS ON WHO IS TALKING: TECH EXPERTS OR FANBOYS.

- ARNAV DAS SHARMA

APPLE'S WORLDWIDE DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE—commonly known as WWDC—has long been the holy grail for tech enthusiasts and Apple loyalists. This is where the Cupertino-headquartered tech giant unveils its latest innovations for Apple devices, keeping the aforementioned two categories of humans on the edge of their seats. Quite literally.

More than just a showcase of software updates, WWDC has become a place where Apple sets the tone for the future of technology. Its legacy is steeped in game-changing moments: the return of Steve Jobs in 1997, which marked the beginning of Apple’s modern renaissance; the launch of Safari in 2003; and the unveiling of the App Store in 2008, which forever altered the way we engage with mobile apps.

Given that kind of historic weight, each year’s edition arrives with a singular question: can Apple still surprise us? That brings us to the 2025 edition—an event loaded with speculation, expectations, and the usual breathless anticipation.

This year at WWDC

So, how did WWDC 2025 fare? The answer depends upon who this question is being addressed to. If we're talking about Apple fanboys, the answer is singular: WWDC in 2025 was historic. Because here, since iOS 7, Apple overhauled its entire design aesthetic, introducing Liquid Glass. Essentially, by introducing a glassy, translucent design, Apple has signalled a decisive shift away from its legendary product designer Jony Ive’s flat design, which defined Apple’s products for decades. Crucially, Apple also revamped the naming system for its software, aligning it with the fiscal year when the development is rolled out.