Apple’s iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and other updates focus on control

Apple released its next-generation updates at its Worldwide Developers Conference today, including iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 Golden Gate. And while the long-awaited Siri AI update is the headline, Apple has also emphasized its efforts to optimize its software, improve performance and reliability.

For starters, the company continues to refine the Liquid Glass design language it introduced last year. A slider in Settings will allow users to fine-tune the intensity of Liquid Glass, from very clear and glassy to very clear. Last year’s redesigned display is being updated with more layers of glass, which Apple says will make it sharper and more distinctive.

On macOS, Apple has also changed the way app widgets and sidebars work, making the sidebars more distinct, making the content on the sidebar extend to the edge of the window, and restoring color to the sidebars. Mac windows are also getting a “hard corner panel,” to address complaints about how window customization works in macOS 26 Tahoe.

Software development tools are getting a clearer look in macOS 27 Golden Gate.

Credit: Apple

Apple has rebuilt the search functionality across all of its devices. The updated bookmarks in Spotlight, Mail, and Photos should let them find new and old content more reliably.