Cutting deeper: Summary of updates during WWDC 2025

Every year, Apple unveils exciting software updates during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This year is no exception, with a range of innovative features and improvements showcased across various platforms. Here’s a breakdown of the new tech introduced during WWDC 2025.

Swift

The upcoming version 6.2 of Swift promises a host of enhancements. As an Apple-backed open-source programming language, Swift continues to evolve, making it a prime choice for developers creating apps across Apple’s ecosystem. Key updates include:

• Containers: Support for Linux containers, enhancing the flexibility of app deployment.
• Concurrency: Improved concurrency features for better performance and responsiveness in applications.
• Interoperability: Enhanced Swift and Java interoperability, allowing for smoother integration between these two languages.
• Mixed Language Support: Developers can now seamlessly mix C, C++, and Swift within their projects.

SwiftUI

SwiftUI remains at the forefront of Apple’s development toolkit for creating intuitive app layouts. This year, several exciting features were introduced:

• Liquid Glass: The highlight of the event, Liquid Glass, is set to redefine design language in app development. Learn more here.
• Spatial Layouts: SwiftUI’s spatial layout capabilities are enhanced, making 3D window management easier, albeit with less power compared to RealityKit. Check it out here.
• Swift Charts 3D: Apple has added 3D capabilities to its charting system, bringing data visualization to the next level. Explore the new chart system.
• WebKit for SwiftUI: This update simplifies the integration of web content within apps, leveraging the same engine that powers Safari. Discover more. This feature could provide an easy pathway to incorporate mobile web apps seamlessly.

Xcode

Xcode, Apple’s official IDE, is about to get a robust upgrade with version 26. Exciting new features include:

• Optimization: Significant improvements for a faster and smaller development experience.
• New Workspace Features: A revamped start page that functions like Spotlight but within Xcode, along with multi-word search capabilities for ease of navigation.
  

  

• Code Intelligence: Although some Swift assist features are still absent, integration with ChatGPT provides a new tool for developers—albeit requiring a license.

AI (Apple Intelligence)

Apple is making strides in the AI landscape with new frameworks and functionalities:

• Foundation Models Framework: Introduced at WWDC 2025, this new framework allows for on-device LLM capability, aiming to enhance app intelligence. Learn more about it.
• App Intents: Originally introduced in iOS 16, this feature is getting renewed attention. App Intents allow developers to advertise their app’s capabilities to the system, integrating them into Siri and Shortcuts. However, its adoption has been slower than expected.

Graphics & Games

For game developers, WWDC 2025 brought significant updates:

• Metal 4: A powerful new 3D graphics library tailored for high-performance gaming.
• Gaming Porting Toolkit: This toolkit facilitates the conversion of existing PC and console games to Apple platforms, streamlining the development process for macOS, iPadOS, and tvOS.
• Games App: A unified hub to manage games has been introduced, replacing the previous Game Center system to provide a more integrated gaming experience.

Web

Innovative web technologies were also highlighted:

• Spatial Web: Support for embedding 3D models using HTML is in progress, with Safari being the primary supported browser for now. Get more details here.
• WebGPU Support: WebGPU enables 3D graphics in HTML canvas, allowing for richer web experiences. Currently, Chrome, Samsung, and Opera support WebGPU, with Safari expected to follow in the next release. Find out more.

System Services

WWDC 2025 also discussed new updates to system services:

• Background Tasks: Background task management for iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS is improved, allowing for limited tasks with finite endpoints (like file transfers or video rendering). However, these tasks are not guaranteed to execute like traditional daemons in Unix-based systems. Learn more about background tasks.

Conclusion

WWDC 2025 has set a promising stage for Apple developers, introducing numerous features and innovations designed to enhance the development experience and improve app capabilities across Apple platforms. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, these updates open up exciting possibilities for creating the next generation of apps. It’s time to embrace the future of Apple development!

Plug

Support this free website by visiting my Amazon affiliate links. Any purchase you make will give me a cut without any extra cost to you

Other Ecosystem Items

• Apple TV (Amazon) / Apple TV 4K (Amazon)
• AirTags (Amazon)
• HomePod Mini (Amazon)