Alongside the new-and-improved Siri AI, which will eventually make its way across all of Apple’s software, the company also updated its iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Vision Pro software with new features—with some individual changes and others coming to all.
- Apple’s Liquid Glass UI now offers a slider to control readability with sidebars that reach across to the edge of the screen. The company says consumers can expect more tweaks to Liquid Glass throughout the year.
- Parental controls get a much-needed update to include automatic censoring of any image the system deems inappropriate, which includes things viewed on live FaceTime calls. Screen Time provides more device access to parents and caregivers with time allowances for movies or games and adjustable rules for weekdays or weekends.
The iOS 27 update provides several new improvements, as there are not really any new features to write home about. Apps are also opening up to 30% faster, improving switching between cellular and Wi-Fi, and AirDrop sharing is now up to 80% faster. All iPhone 17 models (minus the 17e) gain the ability to use Dual Capture mode during FaceTime calls.
You can now create extra-large widgets; set an alarm volume separate from your system volume; set a custom EQ for your AirPods (only for the Pro 3s, 4s, & Max 2); there’s a new ranking system in the Mail app with more relevant results at the top; supported HomeKit Secure Video cameras can stream and record in 4K; there’s a faster camera launch in low power mode; there’s perimenopausal support in Apple Health’s cycle tracking; and you can finally save a video frame as a photo.
- The iPadOS 27 update doesn’t bring about barely any new changes. Transferring files between an iPad and an external drive gets up to 5x faster, as does switching between cellular and Wi-Fi.
- The macOS 27 Golden Gate update brings a new design to all things Mac with improved Liquid Glass; Safari gets tab groups; Siri Ai arrives to improve Spotlight search; swipe down in apps like Mail and Safari to refresh; and support for up to 5K 120Hz ultrawide displays.
- The watchOS 27 update brings forth a new app grid, the ability to open a Smart Stack widget with a single tap, the Workout Buddy feature is now available in Spanish, the step counter in the Fitness app syncs with the Health app, and it can make custom passes for the Wallet app.
- And lastly, the visionOS 27 update adds the Siri AI icon in your real-world viewing, a new look for Control Center, and the ability to preview notifications by looking at them; you can now create extra small-sized widgets, connect to Wi-Fi up to 3x faster, and offer 360-degree web experiences in Safari.
Like every other Apple software update, these will arrive later this fall alongside the new iPhones. Oddly enough, there was no word or mention of any tvOS updates. So Apple TV owners will either get new features later or not at all, especially with the rumors of a newer model coming soon.
