Everything You Need To Know About Apple’s WWDC... And Then Some

When WWDC 2025 keynote wrapped up, Apple fans were left with more questions than answers. Despite the hype leading up to the event, Apple’s announcements didn’t live up to expectations for groundbreaking innovations. Instead, the focus was on refining existing technologies, with updates to iOS, macOS and other operating systems taking center stage.

Let’s dive into the most exciting moments and announcements that Apple has made at the WWDC over the years.

A Little Extra You Should Know About WWDC

WWDC is an annual event that brings developers, enthusiasts and media together to preview the latest software innovations from Apple.

Held every June at the company’s Apple Park headquarters—often referred to as the "spaceship campus"—WWDC runs for five days, with the keynote address on the first day serving as the main highlight. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple has shifted to a hybrid format that combines digital and in-person experiences. This change began in 2020 when WWDC went fully virtual, featuring cinematic drone footage and tightly edited segments to showcase updates.

By 2022, Apple adopted a hybrid approach, allowing more developers to participate globally through online sessions, while a limited in-person audience attends the keynote and special activities at Apple Park.

At its core, WWDC is a software-focused event. Apple unveils major updates across its operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and the newer visionOS. 

Despite its focus on software, WWDC occasionally includes surprise hardware announcements. Apple has introduced new devices and services during past conferences, such as Apple Music in 2015, HomePod in 2017, the M2 MacBook Air in 2022, and the Apple Vision Pro in 2023.

However, not every year includes hardware news, as seen in 2024 when Apple instead focused on launching "Apple Intelligence"—its suite of AI-powered features emphasizing on-device processing and privacy-preserving cloud support.

What Apple Announced At WWDC 2025

The main focus of WWDC 2025 was on Apple’s new design language, which the Cupertino giant has named Liquid Glass. This has been met with mixed reactions, with people on social media even comparing it with Windows Vista’s themes.

Liquid Glass dynamically reacts to movement and offers a translucent material effect. This design language will offer a consistent experience across iPhone, iPad, MacBook and Apple Watch.

Apple has also announced other features such as Live Translation, call screening, lyrics translation and updates to the Wallet.

Like last year, there have been updates to the Apple Intelligence features across board, including ChatGPT integration with the Image Playground.

Here Are The Most Significant WWDC Announcements Of All Time

Spotlight Search (WWDC 2004): Spotlight’s debut with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger changed how users searched for files, emails, contacts and more. Apple’s demonstration wowed audiences, making Spotlight a hallmark feature that continues to influence search functions across all Apple devices today.

Dashboard (WWDC 2004): Dashboard introduced a new desktop interface for widgets that allowed users to access quick information like weather and stocks. While the feature was eventually discontinued, its influence is still seen in iOS widgets today.

iPhone SDK (WWDC 2008): When Apple announced the iPhone SDK and App Store at WWDC 2008, it changed the mobile industry forever. Developers could finally create native iPhone apps, leading to the birth of countless successful apps like WhatsApp and Instagram.

iCloud (WWDC 2011): Replacing MobileMe, iCloud brought seamless syncing across all Apple devices, making it easier to store and access data across iPhones, iPads and Macs. iCloud was also the last major product introduced by Steve Jobs before his passing.

iOS 7 (WWDC 2013): The introduction of a flat, minimalist interface with iOS 7 marked a huge shift in design language for Apple’s mobile OS. It also brought major features like Control Center and AirDrop, shaping the iPhone experience.

Find My (WWDC 2019): Find My was updated to include offline device tracking, revolutionizing how users track lost devices. The technology, which led to the creation of AirTags, allowed devices to be located even when not connected to the internet.

That's all for this week! If you found these updates useful, you'll like more from this newsletter. Get deeper dives, hot takes, and all the latest tech news delivered straight to your inbox.