Apple has announced a sweeping redesign across its devices, introducing the Liquid Glass interface—a visual overhaul inspired by VisionOS. This update brings a fluid, transparent aesthetic to the Apple Watch, iPhone, and other products, replacing opaque icons with dynamic, light-reflective elements.
Smart Stack, notifications, and app icons will now adapt to backgrounds, creating a seamless, glass-like appearance. The redesign marks Apple’s most extensive visual update to date, unifying its ecosystem with a futuristic yet intuitive look.
AI-Powered Fitness Coaching Comes to Apple Watch
WatchOS 26 introduces Workout Buddy, an AI-driven fitness coach that leverages personal activity data to provide real-time feedback. The feature analyzes past workouts, heart rate, Training Load, and Activity Rings to offer tailored guidance during runs, walks, cycling, HIIT, and strength training.
Apple’s move into AI fitness coaching follows competitors like Oura and Whoop, which already offer personalized health insights. Workout Buddy debuts in English, with support for multiple exercise types. Additionally, the Workout app now includes customizable race routes, pace tracking, and integrated music/podcast controls.
Smarter Notifications and Context-Aware Features
WatchOS 26 enhances Smart Stack with improved prediction algorithms, using sensor data and routines to surface relevant apps. For example, it may suggest a strength-training workout upon arriving at the gym or activate Backtrack in areas with poor connectivity.
Notifications also gain intelligence, adjusting volume based on ambient noise—a welcome fix for disruptive alerts in quiet spaces.
Live Translation and Smarter Messaging
Apple’s Live Translation arrives on the Apple Watch, offering real-time language conversion in Messages for supported languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin. Meanwhile, Smart Replies and contextual suggestions (like sending a Check-In or Apple Cash prompt) make messaging more efficient.
New Gestures and Accessibility Upgrades
A Wrist Flick gesture joins Double Tap, allowing users to dismiss calls or notifications with a simple wrist turn. The Notes app debuts on Apple Watch, alongside Hold Assist (for call reminders) and Call Screening to filter unknown numbers.
For accessibility, Live Listen streams audio from the watch to an iPhone for live captions, aiding deaf or hard-of-hearing users. Watch faces also gain deeper customization, with a revamped gallery and dynamic photo shuffling.
Beta Testing and Availability
WatchOS 26 is available in beta for recent Apple Watch models, though early adopters may encounter bugs. The full rollout is expected later this year, alongside iOS updates featuring AI enhancements like Visual Intelligence and refined Siri capabilities.
Apple’s WWDC announcements signal a stronger push into AI, addressing past delays while refining its ecosystem’s cohesion and usability.
