WWDC 2026: Siri AI revealed, child safety updates, Liquid Glass changes

Apple has been reluctant to use machine learning and artificial intelligence to alter photos taken with the iPhone’s camera.

But on Wednesday, Apple dipped its toe into AI-enhanced image generation with a new feature called “Spatial Reframing,” using the company’s 3D modeling and AI features to allow the user to adjust the angle or composition of an existing photo. It generates a new photo taken from a different angle.

“It’s like I was able to go back in time and adjust my camera in the moment,” the presenter said.

—Kif Leswing

Apple said that people can now better analyze video footage captured from internet-connected cameras set up around their home.

People can now use company’s Home App, which lets people manage various internet-connected devices like lights, thermostats and other products, to direct Apple Intelligence “to analyze recorded clips from compatible cameras and generate descriptions that summarize what happened in them,” said Apple senior manager Cecilia Dantas during the presentation.

Dantas explained that the Apple Intelligence-powered Home app now lets people more easily access relevant video clips across multiple cameras “to give you the whole picture, like what exactly has been going on in your backyard.”

“This deeper level of understanding also enables you to search through camera clips by what was captured before you even type,” Dantas said. “The Home app elevates the most important clips you might want to review at the very top of search, or if you’re still looking for that one specific moment, like a package delivery, you can find exactly what you’re looking for across multiple cameras.”

—Jonathan Vanian

Shares of the iPhone maker were up about 2% shortly after the open on Monday, but slid during the WWDC keynote.

The stock turned negative just after 2 p.m. ET.

—Chris Eudaily

Apple is embracing agents, which are artificial intelligence programs that can run in the background, at least in its Passwords app.

The company said that its Passwords app will use Apple Intelligence and Safari to “agentically take action on your behalf” and go to each individual website to change and fix insecure passwords.

—Kif Leswing

Users will be able to use Siri AI through a new Siri app.

The app will be able to revisit old conversations or results, and will be available for iPads and Macs, too. Users on a laptop will be able to ask Siri about images and text on the screen.

—Kif Leswing

Apple debuted new features for parents who want to better track and monitor the smartphone and online habits of their children.

Parents can access a digital setup assistant that helps them determine which apps their children access, with options such as how much time the youngsters can use the software, among other features.

Children who want to access certain websites must now ask their parents for approval across Apple’s various products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers with the Safari browser.

“To sum it up, we’re giving parents powerful, easy to use tools to help manage what kids can see, who they can talk to, and when they have access,” said Craig Federighi, Apple senior vice president of software engineering.

—Jonathan Vanian

Apple said that one major improvement for Siri is that users will be able to converse back and forth with Siri. After asking Siri about the World Cup in a demo, the user is able to pull down the tab to access a new text input field and more information about, in the example, World Cup matches. Siri’s answers are also longer.

“With Siri AI, you can ask for an in-depth plan, go back and forth during creative brainstorm, get feedback on a document, and so much more,” Apple said.

Siri also comes with new and improved voices, Apple said.

—Kif Leswing

Apple announced a new version of Siri on Monday called “Siri AI.”

Apple said it uses Apple Intelligence, and it will be able to understand personal context and what apps can do — fulfilling promised SIri improvements that were first announced in 2024.

“Siri is now a profoundly more capable assistant that helps you find what you need and gets more done,” Apple VP Mike Rockwell said in a presentation. “It’s also more conversational, so you can go back and forth like never before and get detailed, engaging answers.”

In a demo, Rockwell was able to ask Siri for directions to a landmark seen in an Instagram post.

—Kif Leswing

Apple has created a second version of its Apple Foundation Models, the company announced on Monday. The company said the model can understand speech, and read text and images.

“We integrated our models deeply into our platforms, enabling a wide range of system-wide capabilities, and Apple Intelligence securely coordinates across them with a new system orchestrator,” Federighi said.

—Kif Leswing

Apple’s software boss scoffed at other companies that seem to be “doing AI for the sake of AI.”

He argued that Apple Intelligence, the company’s software, is more useful because it uses personal information and data.

“Some appear to be racing forward, seemingly pursuing AI for the sake of AI, without clear regard to the people, all of us, that it’s ultimately meant to serve,” Federighi said.

—Kif Leswing

Apple said on Monday that it has rebuilt the system search index that powers Spotlight and other features to be more stable and efficient.

Apple said that it will index all content on a user’s phone as it is captured. Users will see better mail search as a result, Apple said.

“The device builds up all your content, so it can understand what you have and where to find it,” the Apple presenter said.

—Kif Leswing

Last year, Apple introduced a new design language it calls “Liquid Glass” across iPhones, Macs, and other Apple products with transparent windows and new animations.

Apple said on Monday that it has made significant improvements and optimizations to the design language to allow users to adjust transparency from fully clear to tinted, and adjusted text labels and toolbars so they are more adjustable.

Apple also said it adjusted MacOS to open apps more quickly and feel faster.

“We optimize the parts of the system that make a big difference in the responsiveness of our products,” Vice President of OS Programs Stacey Lysik said.

—Kif Leswing

Apple typically names new versions of its MacOS operating system after California landmarks. This year, the new MacOS is called “Golden Gate,” referring to the strait near San Francisco.

—Kif Leswing

After some cute live remarks from Federighi and Cook, the main announcement video has started, with Tim Cook saying that 1,000 apps are submitted to the Apple App Store each hour.

“Today we’re looking forward to sharing some exciting announcements, including our latest advances in Apple Intelligence and Siri,” Cook said.

—Kif Leswing

Apple software chief Craig Federighi starts the conference by making jokes about outgoing CEO, Tim Cook, who received a standing ovation from those in attendance.

“As a software engineer, I want to take a moment to directly address the unprecedented changes that are confronting our field process,” Federighi said, joking about the impacts of AI on software engineering. “I suspect there’s not one among us who doesn’t find our thoughts on questions of what it will be like when we’re all standing here together next year.”

“I speak, of course, about this being the final year of Tim kicking off dub dub,” he said, using a nickname for the conference.

“Your imagination and ingenuity have inspired me for the past 15 years, and I am deeply grateful to have been on this journey with you,” Cook said in prepared remarks.

—Kif Leswing

Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus, who takes over in September, is already getting his face in front of Apple fans.

Ternus appeared at an Apple dinner on Sunday night for media, and was mobbed for selfies, according to people who were there. Tech analyst Carolina Milanesi shared a picture on X showing Ternus smiling while chatting with attendees.

His appearance at the dinner is the first clue as to how he will approach the public-relations part of his new job.

—Kif Leswing

Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, is buzzing.

Hundreds of attendees have already passed security checks, received badges, and are eager to hear what Apple reveals about its AI and developer tooling. There’s also a protestor in front of the conference entrance who is criticizing Apple through a microphone for not doing enough to fight deepfake porn.

The format looks the same as in previous years. Apple has opened up a set of four-story doors on its ring-shaped headquarters building and will screen the announcements on a big outdoor display. After the presentation, attendees will break off to do workshops and other presentations about building software for Apple’s devices.

—Kif Leswing

The biggest question facing Apple for WWDC is if it can finally deliver the AI experience it promised two years ago.

Apple Intelligence has been “one of the big black eyes” of Cook’s tenure, according to Dan Newman, CEO of The Futurum Group.

Newman told CNBC that WWDC is Cook’s last chance to show a turning point in the company’s AI strategy before Ternus takes over.

—Chris Eudaily

Cook kicked off the day by sharing a “Good morning” video compilation on X featuring stars from across the entertainment industry like Druski, Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, Harrison Ford and Michael B. Jordan.

—Chris Eudaily

Apple announced a CEO transition on April 20, naming Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus as Tim Cook’s replacement.

Cook will take the role of executive chairman on Sept. 1. Cook succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011, shortly before Jobs’ death.

Ternus has been at the iPhone maker for 25 years.

—Chris Eudaily

WWDC 2026 runs through June 12, but the first day features the keynote and most of the announcements.

The keynote can be streamed on YouTube, at apple.com or on the Apple TV app. Apple will also hold a more technical “Platforms State of the Union” talk later on Monday.

—Kif Leswing