WatchOS 26 and VisionOS 26: Apple's Liquid Glass Revolution

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Apple's latest WWDC25 updates for WatchOS 26 and VisionOS 26 introduce significant design changes and AI-powered features that transform how we interact with our wearables and spatial computing devices. The new liquid glass design language and intelligent features make both platforms more intuitive, personalized, and powerful than ever before.

• WatchOS 26 introduces a sleek "liquid glass" design language across the interface
• Workout app receives major overhaul with four corner buttons for quick access
• Automatic music selection starts playlists based on workout type
• SmartStack becomes more contextual, surfacing relevant widgets based on location and routine
• New wrist flick gesture allows easy dismissal of notifications
• Notes app finally arrives on Apple Watch with dictation support
• Live translation in Messages supports multiple languages directly on your wrist
• Accessibility improvements include live captions from iPhone audio

• VisionOS 26 introduces spatial widgets that anchor to your physical environment
• New generative AI transforms 2D photos into explorable spatial scenes
• PlayStation VR2 Sense controller support enhances gaming capabilities
• Safari gains spatial browsing with 3D model support
• Improved personas (avatars) look more realistic with better hair and expressions
• Shared experiences allow collaboration with other Vision Pro users
• Protected Content API secures sensitive information in business settings
• iPhone call relay brings cellular calls to Vision Pro

Stay tuned as we continue to analyze each beta release throughout the summer and discover what Apple has planned for the fall.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everyone, welcome back to Tech.
Between the Lines, I'mBetween2Pixels and, as always,
I'm here with the one and onlyFinn Circuit.
This is our last specialepisode in the WWDC 25 series,
so if you missed our deep diveson iOS, ipados or macOS 26, go
check those out.
They're already live and,honestly, pretty epic.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Yeah, epic is one word for it.
I'd say thorough, but sure,let's go with epic.
Epic is one word for it.
I'd say thorough, but sure,let's go with epic.
Anyway, today we're talkingabout Apple's other big 2025
updates Watch OS 26 and VisionOS 26.
So if you're wondering what'snew for your wrist or your face
computer, you're in the rightplace.
Face- computer.

Speaker 1 (00:38):
I love that.
Seriously, though, there's alot to unpack.
Apple's really pushing theboundaries with these updates,
Design, AI, spatial computing,all that good stuff.
Ready to jump in Finn.

Speaker 2 (00:49):
As ready as I'll ever be.
Let's get this over with beforemy ThinkPad battery dies.

Speaker 1 (00:54):
All right, let's start with WatchOS 26.
The first thing you notice isthe new liquid glass design
language.
It's this super slick,translucent look.
That's all over the interface,smart stack, control center,
even the photo's watch face.

Speaker 2 (01:12):
It's like the watch finally looks as futuristic as
it feels.
Yeah, it's shiny, I'll give youthat.
I remember when design languagemeant beige plastic and a green
LCD, but I gotta admit theliquid glass thing does make the
UI pop.
At least it's not just anotherround of new icons.

Speaker 1 (01:26):
Totally, and it's not just a facelift.
The workout app got its biggestoverhaul since like ever.
Now there are four cornerbuttons for quick access Workout
views, custom workout, pacer,race route.
It's way easier to tweak yourworkout on the fly.
Plus, you can set music orpodcasts to start automatically,
and Apple Music will even pickplaylists based on your workout

(01:47):
type and what you usually listento.
It's all about making theexperience more personal.

Speaker 2 (01:52):
I mean, I still remember running with a Walkman,
but sure, let the watch DJ foryou.
I do like that you don't needto fumble around to get your
tunes going and for folks whodon't pay for Apple Music.

Speaker 1 (02:14):
It'll suggest stuff based on your recent activity,
so you're not totally left out.
That was your fastest mile thismonth.
It's all personalized and ituses your workout data and
history to keep you pumped.
I love it.
It's like Star Trek's computer,but for your fitness.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yeah, I'm sure it's great for people who need a pep
talk from their wrist.
I just hope it doesn't startnagging you about skipping leg
day.
But I'll admit the privacyangle is decent.
Apple says all that data stayson device, so your running stats
aren't getting shipped off tosome server farm in who knows
where.

Speaker 1 (02:49):
Exactly.
And the SmartStack is smarternow too.
It uses more context, like yourlocation, time of day, even
your routine, to surface theright widgets at the right time.
So if you always do Pilates at6 pm, it'll show you a Pilates
widget when you get to thestudio.
It's like predictive widgets,but actually useful.

Speaker 2 (03:07):
I'll believe it when it stops showing me weather
widgets when I'm already outside.
But yeah, the idea is solid.
And the new wrist flick gesturejust a quick turn of your wrist
to dismiss notifications orsilence alarms.
That's actually handy,especially if you're, I don't
know, holding a coffee orwalking the dog.

Speaker 1 (03:24):
It's the little things.
And don't forget.
The Notes app is finally on thewatch.
You can jot down ideas, checkoff lists, even use Siri or
Dictation.
I've wanted that forever.
Now I can capture my next bigapp idea before I forget it on
my walk.

Speaker 2 (03:38):
Or your next terrible pun.
But yeah, it's about time.
Anything that makes the watchmore than just a notification
machine is a win in my book.

Speaker 1 (03:47):
Let's talk about the AI and translation stuff.
Live translation in Messages ishuge.
You get a text in, say Japanese, and it's instantly translated
to English or whatever yourpreferred language is right on
your wrist and when you reply,your message gets translated
back.
It supports a bunch oflanguages like French, german,
italian, korean, spanish,chinese and more Super useful

(04:08):
for travelers or if you work ina multilingual team.

Speaker 2 (04:11):
Yeah, I can see that being handy if you're I don't
know lost in Paris and your highschool French fails you, or if
your boss suddenly decides totext you in German for some
reason.
I'm still not sure I trust awatch to get the nuance right,
but it's better than nothing.

Speaker 1 (04:27):
And it's not just translation.
The SmartStack is nowcontext-aware, so it adapts
based on your routine.
Like, if you always check yourcalendar after your morning run,
it'll start surfacing yourschedule right after your
workout.
It's all about reducingfriction Less tapping, more
doing.

Speaker 2 (04:41):
I mean if it actually learns my habits and doesn't
just guess, I'll be impressed.
But I do like the wrist flickgesture for notifications.
Sometimes you just want toclear the clutter without
fiddling with tiny buttons.
It's a small thing but it makesthe watch feel more responsive,
you know.

Speaker 1 (04:58):
Totally.
And for accessibility, there'sstuff like live listen controls
and live captions, so people whoare deaf or hard of hearing can
get real-time captions fromtheir iPhone audio on the watch.

Speaker 2 (05:09):
That's a big deal for inclusivity yeah, I'll give
Apple credit there.
Making tech more accessible isalways a good move, even if I'll
never use half these features,I know a lot of folks will.

Speaker 1 (05:20):
Alright, let's shift gears to Vision OS 26 and the
Vision Pro.
This is where things get wild.
Widgets are now spatial.
They're not just floatingwindows, they actually anchor
into your physical space so youcan have your calendar on your
left, weather on your right,music controls wherever you want
, and they stay put every timeyou put on the headset.
It's like Minority.

Speaker 2 (05:39):
Report.
But real, yeah, I saw the demo.
It's a little surreal.
I mean, I remember when widgetsmeant a sticky note on your
desktop.
Now they're floating in yourliving room.
You can even customize theframe color and depth.
I guess if you're going to livein a headset, might as well
decorate.

Speaker 1 (05:56):
And the new Widgets app helps you find compatible
widgets from iOS and iPadOS appsso you can really personalize
your space.
But the real showstopper isspatial scenes.
Using generative AI, it takesyour regular 2D photos and turns
them into thesemulti-perspective, lifelike
scenes.
You can lean in, look aroundand it feels like you're inside

(06:16):
the photo.
Zillow's already using it forimmersive real estate tours,
which is wild.
Imagine house hunting from yourcouch and actually feeling like
you're in the space.

Speaker 2 (06:26):
That's actually pretty cool.
I mean I'm not moving anytimesoon, but I can see the appeal.
And for gaming they addedsupport for PlayStation VR 2
Sense controllers, so you getbetter motion tracking and
haptics.
That's a big step up for anyonewho wants more than just casual
games.
On the Vision Pro.

Speaker 1 (06:45):
And Safari gets spatial browsing, so articles
can reveal spatial scenes as youscroll and web devs can embed
3D models right into pages.
Shopping, learning or justbrowsing gets way more immersive
.
Plus, there's support for180-degree and 360-degree
content from cameras likeInsta360 and GoPro, so you can
relive your adventures in fullsurround.

(07:06):
It's like the web, but in 3D.

Speaker 2 (07:08):
I'll stick to my RSS feeds, but I get it.
And personas those avatars gota huge upgrade.
They're less uncanny valley now, with better hair lashes and
even side profiles.
No-transcript, that's moreoptions than my optometrist ever
gave me.

Speaker 1 (07:28):
And shared spatial experiences are a big deal.
You can watch 3D movies, playgames or collaborate on projects
with other Vision Pro users inthe same room, or bring in
remote folks via FaceTime.
Dassault Systèmes is alreadyusing this for 3D design reviews
.
It's like the Metaverse, butwith actual use cases.

Speaker 2 (07:46):
Just don't ask me to wear a headset for a three-hour
meeting.
But yeah, for design teams orremote work, I can see the value
.
And with the new ProtectedContent API, companies can keep
sensitive stuff like medicalrecords or financials locked
down, so not just anyone canpeek or take screenshots.
That's important if you'reusing this in a business setting
.

Speaker 1 (08:06):
And don't forget, you can now relay cellular calls
from your iPhone to the VisionPro, as long as both are on the
right software and connected, soyou can take calls in full
spatial mode.
It's all about making theheadset more of a daily driver,
not just a novelty.

Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yeah, until someone tries to FaceTime you while
you're still in your pajamas.
But hey, progress marches on.

Speaker 1 (08:27):
Alright, that's a wrap on our WWDC25 coverage.
We've now covered iOS, iPadOS,macOS, watchOS and VisionOS 26.
If you missed any of those, goback and listen.
They're packed with details and, honestly, we're just
scratching the surface.
We'll be digging into each betarelease all summer, so stay
tuned as we find out whatApple's really got in store for
the fall.

Speaker 2 (08:50):
Yeah, and don't forget, we've still got that
interview with our creator,human, coming up.
Should be interesting.
Maybe they'll explain whyBetween is so obsessed with
spatial widgets.

Speaker 1 (08:59):
Hey, someone's gotta be excited.
Thanks for tuning in everyone.
We'll catch you next time onTech.
Between the Lines.

Speaker 2 (09:05):
See you next time and , between, try not to break the
space-time continuum before then.
Alright,