At the WWDC 2026 developer conference on June 8, Apple focused on introducing a series of features for Siri AI and Apple Intelligence. However, through the beta version of operating systems iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27, many functions have been noted by developers.
Apple equips the new iOS with a host of features. Among them, the Liquid Glass interface adds a slider to adjust transparency, while the application launch speed improves by 30%. AirDrop also operates more effectively with transfer speeds up to 80% faster and is optimized for seamless switching between Wi-Fi and mobile networks on iPhone and iPad. iOS 27 also supports larger widgets for easier user interaction.
Adjusting the transparency of Liquid Glass on iOS 27. Image: Apple
Adjusting the transparency of Liquid Glass on iOS 27. Image: Apple
Some features related to daily user experience have also been added, such as the ability to set the alarm volume independently from the system volume.
In the Mail app, a new ranking system will prioritize displaying the most relevant results at the top of the list, and the message loading speed has been improved. The Health app adds alerts for signs related to the perimenopause phase during menstrual cycle tracking. Messages now have more social media-like features, such as customizable chat backgrounds, polls, and some new effects that only appear in the beta documentation.
iOS 27 also has the ability to automatically create synchronized subtitles for playing videos. The FlyOver feature in Apple Maps has been upgraded by combining aerial imagery with Visual Intelligence to provide better detail. Visual Intelligence now works not only with the camera; users can take screenshots and request AI to analyze the content, find products, locations, or explain the information displayed.
At the system level, the platform will automatically reduce brightness, adjust performance, or limit some background tasks when it detects that the device is consuming abnormal power. The camera also starts up faster when activating battery-saving mode. When messaging, the system can automatically retry sending if a message fails. Apple also merges notifications in conversations to reduce fragmentation. Additionally, the device unlocking experience is smoother, while the emoji keyboard and sticker loading times are shortened.
macOS 27 Golden Gate
The latest operating system version for Mac has been refined, with Liquid Glass becoming more seamless across the system, focusing on displaying content clearly and creating consistency between applications.
The macOS 27 interface is refined for smoothness. Image: Apple
The macOS 27 interface is refined for smoothness. Image: Apple
The Safari browser adds tab grouping capabilities and can track websites to send notifications when content on the page changes. Spotlight has also been upgraded with a better search suggestion system, allowing direct actions such as sending emails, creating notes, activating commands, or quickly accessing AI features without opening the corresponding app. According to SQ Magazine, this is one of the biggest changes in macOS, but Apple did not showcase it.
In terms of hardware, macOS 27 supports ultra-wide displays with refresh rates up to 120 Hz at 5K resolution. Additionally, the familiar swipe-down gesture for refreshing content on smartphones and tablets has also appeared in apps like Safari and Mail.
The latest update for the iPad brings several performance and connectivity improvements. Among them, data transfer speeds between the iPad and external hard drives are up to five times faster than before. The ability to switch between Wi-Fi and mobile connections has also been improved, helping to maintain a seamless connection during use.
The iPadOS 27 interface. Image: Apple
The iPadOS 27 interface. Image: Apple
The Messages app on the iPad has also been optimized for more effective unread status synchronization. According to Apple, the number of unread messages will update faster and more reliably when returning to use the iPad after a period of inactivity.
iPadOS 27 also introduces Local Capture, allowing the separate recording of high-quality video and audio streams during calls or online meetings. Files are saved locally for post-editing, serving podcasts or content production.
The Journal app for personal journaling is now available on both iPad and Mac, no longer limited to the iPhone. Specifically on the iPad, the app supports Apple Pencil, allowing handwritten notes, sketching ideas, and direct annotations on content. According to The Verge, the availability across multiple platforms makes Journal a more synchronized tool for note-taking and experience storage within the Apple ecosystem.
The Apple Watch platform brings many small improvements related to the interface, fitness, and data synchronization capabilities, particularly enhancing the accuracy of distance measurement for running and walking workouts indoors. Apple has also adjusted the health data synchronization mechanism, ensuring that step counts displayed in the Fitness app match those recorded in Health.
watchOS 27 refines app interfaces and optimizes the system. Image: Apple
watchOS 27 refines app interfaces and optimizes the system. Image: Apple
watchOS 27 also adds a dynamic app grid and allows Smart Stack to be opened with a single tap for quick access to frequently used widgets. The Workout Buddy app can work even when the iPhone is not near the Apple Watch and adds support for the Spanish language.
The ability to stream music directly from the Apple Watch has also been optimized for faster startup. Additionally, the Wallet app allows the creation of custom cards from any membership card or card using a QR code, expanding the ability to store types of cards not included in the official support list.
visionOS 27
The operating system for Apple’s smart glasses mainly upgrades features related to the interface and spatial experience. Among them, Siri AI can appear as a virtual glass ball in the surrounding real environment, while application windows are no longer limited to flat designs but can be displayed with curved designs.
The workspace interface on visionOS 27. Image: Apple
The workspace interface on visionOS 27. Image: Apple
The operating system also leverages gaze tracking capabilities to simplify operations. Notifications can be previewed by looking at them. Users can also convert panorama photos into what is called a spatial scene and use it as a virtual personal environment in Vision Pro. To match the new interface, the Control Center has been redesigned.
Apple states that Vision Pro running visionOS 27 can connect to Wi-Fi three times faster. The operating system also adds an ultra-small widget size option to increase flexibility in workspace layout. The Safari browser has been upgraded to support a 360-degree web experience, allowing users to view and interact with immersive content directly.
The operating system for the TV seems to have been “overlooked” by Apple during the announcement at WWDC 2026, but in reality, it adds many new features aimed at speed and performance improvement. The new version is optimized for faster app launches, smoother responsive interfaces, and seamless transitions between content. AirPlay has also been improved to enhance connection speed and stability when streaming content from iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Apple TV.
The tvOS 27 interface. Image: Apple
The tvOS 27 interface. Image: Apple
Podcasts have been redesigned to better suit large screens, supporting both audio and video content. Apple Music on tvOS 27 adds the ability to stream Hi-Res Lossless music on compatible devices. The Smart Downloads feature allows automatic downloading of new episodes of shows that users are following.
However, tvOS 27 has not integrated Siri AI and Apple Intelligence as seen on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. According to Gadget Hack, this raises the possibility that Apple is preparing a new generation of Apple TV with stronger hardware to support AI features in the future.
Bao Lam compiled
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