According to MacRumors, 2025 was a major year for Apple software, headlined by five key features. The most visible is Liquid Glass, a system-wide visual redesign introducing layered translucency and motion-responsive surfaces across Apple’s operating systems. For the iPad, iPadOS 26 finally introduced a true windowing system with a macOS-style Menu Bar and cursor. On Mac, Spotlight was completely overhauled into an actions-first command interface with a clipboard history and app library view. For communication, Live Translation now works in Messages, FaceTime, Phone calls, and even through AirPods for in-person chats. Finally, new Call Screening and Hold Assist features for the Phone app, plus aggressive message filtering, aim to combat spam and unwanted interruptions.
The Liquid Glass Polish
Liquid Glass is a big deal. It’s Apple‘s first major visual language shift since iOS 7 killed skeuomorphism over a decade ago. The focus on “spatial” and “playful” interfaces is interesting. It feels like a direct counter to the static, flat design that’s dominated for years. But here’s the thing: will it feel fresh in six months, or just… blurry? Major UI overhauls are always a gamble. They can make a platform feel new and exciting, or they can just alienate users who liked the old way. I think the success hinges entirely on performance. If those “motion-responsive surfaces” and refraction effects cause any lag or stutter, even on older devices, the backlash will be swift. It has to be buttery smooth, or it’s just a pretty battery drain.
The iPad Finally Grows Up
Now, the iPad changes. This is the admission everyone was waiting for. For years, Apple insisted the iPad was a different kind of computer, with its own touch-first paradigm. iPadOS 26, with its windows and Menu Bar, basically says, “Okay, fine, you want a desktop? Here’s a desktop.” It’s a massive capability upgrade and directly addresses the loudest critic complaints. But it also creates a weird identity crisis. Is the iPad a simple, intuitive tablet anymore, or is it now a compromised laptop? The risk is creating a Frankenstein’s monster—a device that’s neither the best tablet nor the best laptop. For power users with a Magic Keyboard, it’s probably a dream. For someone just wanting to watch Netflix and check email, it might feel overwhelmingly complex. Apple’s challenge is making this dual nature work seamlessly.
Smarter Tools & Smarter Assistants
The Spotlight and communication features are all about leveraging on-device AI to reduce friction. Transforming Spotlight into an Alfred/Raycast competitor is smart—it’s catching up to where power users have been for years. The built-in clipboard history? That’s a simple, brilliant quality-of-life win. And the communication suite—Live Translation everywhere, Call Screening, Hold Assist—is arguably more impactful than a visual refresh. It turns your devices into proactive assistants. Imagine never waiting on hold again? That’s huge.
But the skepticism creeps in with the translation features. Real-time, spoken audio translation is incredibly hard to get right without awkward pauses or errors. If it stumbles in a crucial business call or a personal conversation, the trust is gone. And Call Screening, while great for spam, feels like it could make phone-based customer service even more robotic. Basically, we’re outsourcing more human interaction to algorithms. The convenience is undeniable, but the potential for miscommunication or just plain weirdness feels high. It’s a trade-off, and we won’t know the real cost until we all start using it daily.
