The annual WWDC 2026 developer conference concluded in Cupertino. This event received a double resonance: on the one hand, it marked the end of the Tim Cook era, who is leaving the post of CEO; on the other — the presentation of radical updates changing Apple's approach to artificial intelligence and design.
Joint Breakthrough: Siri and Google
The main technological surprise of the evening was the presentation of Siri AI. After the loud failure of the attempt to implement a smart assistant in 2024, which led to collective lawsuits by users, Apple chose a partnership strategy. The "brains" of the new assistant are built on Google Gemini technologies. This decision made Siri significantly more intelligent in contextual dialogues.
Key innovations of the voice assistant:
- Voice Customization: Siri has received a more expressive, "live" speech. Users will be able to manually adjust the pace, emotional expressiveness, and even the accent.
- Separate App: Insiders confirm that a full-fledged autonomous app for Siri is in development, going beyond system functions.
iOS 27: Stability and "Liquid Glass"
The new mobile platform iOS 27 bet on stability of operation and interface improvement. Good news for owners of old gadgets is that Apple has not closed their access to updates: support extends to all smartphones starting with the iPhone 11 lineup.
The central visual change was the refinement of the Liquid Glass design. Last year, interface elements were criticized for poor text readability on a transparent background. In iOS 27, developers added a special opacity slider, allowing the user to independently adjust the degree of transparency of panels and menus.
Melomaniacs received a separate gift: AirPods finally got a full-fledged manual equalizer. Instead of a fixed profile from Apple, owners will be able to independently adjust low, mid, and high frequencies to their taste.
macOS Golden Gate and Security
The desktop system was named macOS 27 Golden Gate. Apple devoted less time to it, focusing on cross-platform functions. In addition to the transparency slider common with iOS, the system returned a retro element: side menu panels and icons were returned to their original colors, abandoning strict monochromy.
Important attention was paid to children's safety. In the Safari browser for users under 13, a strict filter is enabled by default, requiring parental confirmation when attempting to open suspicious websites.
Protests at Apple Park
The technological triumph was accompanied by protest actions at the headquarters walls. Human rights organizations UltraViolet and Heat Initiative set up posters addressing the company's future leader, John Ternus. Activists demand stricter moderation of the App Store and iCloud, calling for a complete ban on apps using AI to undress people in photos (nudify apps) and strengthening algorithms for blocking illegal content.