(Credit: Apple)
At its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, Apple took the unprecedented step of aligning all of its upcoming operating system names by their year of release alongside an eye-catching transparent design overhaul, as opposed to any big new AI-powered additions.
Apple previewed the next version of its desktop OS, dubbed macOS Tahoe 26, alongside the upcoming iPadOS. But as other tech companies talk up generative AI, Cupertino focused more on visual upgrades, which will adopt a new "Liquid Glass" design philosophy to improve usability and the overall look.
The new design, which is also coming to iOS and other Apple devices, is all about polishing the user interface, windows, and buttons to adopt a more translucent feel. “The Dock, sidebars, and toolbars have been refined, bringing greater focus to a user’s content,” the company says. “The menu bar is now completely transparent, making the display feel even larger.”
(Credit: Apple)On macOS, the redesign also offers more customization and colors, with Apple noting that “app icons come to life in light or dark appearances, colorful new light and dark tints, as well as an elegant new clear look.”
"When combined with personalized wallpapers and theme colors, it’s easier than ever to make Mac a seamless extension of a user’s style,” the company says.
For tablets, Apple is also promising better customizability on iPadOS 26. Along with the liquid design refresh, the company says a new windowing system will let “users fluidly resize app windows, place them exactly where they want, and open even more windows at once.”
MacOS: Better iPhone Mirroring Capabilities
(Credit: Apple)MacOS Tahoe, or macOS 26, also builds on Apple’s “Continuity” functions, which let users access their iPhone on the desktop OS. Apple decided to bring the “Phone” app to macOS, giving users a way to move phone calls from their iPhone to their computer.
“The Phone app on Mac has the familiar features of the Phone app on iPhone — including Recents, Favorites, and Voicemails,” Apple says. The same app will also receive access to “Call Screening” and “Hold Assist,” two features arriving for the upcoming iOS 26 that can screen out suspected calls from scammers and notify when a call on hold finally reaches a human.
(Credit: Apple)The upgraded Continuity on Tahoe also contains a feature called “Live Activities” that’ll display status updates from the user’s nearby iPhones, such as an upcoming Uber ride, flight, or live sports score. “When clicking on a Live Activity, the app opens in iPhone Mirroring to show more information so users can take action right from their Mac,” the company says.
Other macOS enhancements involve Spotlight, the search function. The company is promising an update that can more intelligently list your search results with the help of new filters. “Spotlight can also surface results for documents stored on third-party cloud drives,” the company says. “And when a user doesn’t know exactly what they’re searching for, Spotlight’s new browse views make it easy to scan through their apps, files, clipboard history, and more.”
(Credit: Apple)In addition, Apple is expanding Spotlight so that it can be used to execute actions without needing to open the associated app. This can include sending an email, creating a Note, or playing a podcast. “Users can take actions from both Apple apps and apps built by developers, because any app can provide actions to Spotlight using the App Intents API,” Apple says.
MacOS Tahoe is also receiving a new dedicated Games app, which is arriving on iOS too. But don’t expect a huge gaming push from Apple. The app is merely meant to make it easier to find and discover new games, while encouraging group play. On Mac, the Games app also offers a new in-game overlay, where “players can conveniently adjust their system settings, chat with friends, or invite them to play, all without having to leave their game.”
iPadOS: A Better File App and Preview
(Credit: Apple)On the next version of iPadOS, Apple will include an improved Files app that should offer better viewability, thanks to an updated List View. “To make folders easier to identify at a glance, Files also offers folder customization options that include custom colors, icons, and emoji that sync across devices,” the company says. “For quicker access, users can now drag any folder from the Files app right into the Dock.”
The company is also bringing the Preview app to iPadOS, giving users an easy way to view and edit PDFs. Users can also expect the arrival of the Journal app on iPad.
The next versions of macOS and iPadOS arrive this fall following a public beta.