Beyond the glimmer of Liquid Glass is a sparkle concealing a revolution

With the unveiling of Liquid Glass at WWDC 2025, Apple has undoubtedly dominated the conversation surrounding its forthcoming operating systems. But before you dive headfirst into the reality distortion field created by the fluidity of translucent widgets, it’s essential to scrutinise the broader landscape of innovation across Apple's platforms. Liquid Glass isn’t the sole revolution taking place; rather, it is a most visible tip of the iceberg of a multitude of innovations meant to redefine user experience. Lets explores not just the impact of Liquid Glass, but how its introduction is a signpost for other exciting developments across Apple’s ecosystem for the next decade and what all of this means for users, developers, and competitors alike.

TL:DR – Liquid Glass is a significant update in Apple's design ethos, but alongside it, the company is propelling forward with advancements in AI, infrastructure, and developer tools that will have a profound impact on software development, design frameworks, and user experiences. More innovations are on the horizon and many, like Liquid Glass will be shared across different Apple's different platforms, reshaping how we interact with their technology. For those not in software development, it may be wise to keep your device on the current release until the upgrade is released out of beta. Buckle up, tech aficionados—it’s about to get interesting.

A very much shortened history of Apple UI redesigns

To fully appreciate the magnitude of what Apple is attempting with Liquid Glass, it is worth taking a moment to reflect upon the company's history of design evolutions. From the stark minimalism of iOS 7 to the vibrant flourishes of iOS 16 and beyond, Apple has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to redefining user interfaces based on societal trends and technological advancements. And that is not to foget that the company pioneered the graphical user interface in mainstream computers with the original or classic Macs and System, Finder and later Multifinder. I remember an Apple presentation to my systems engineering team back in the early 90's which started with a clip from Star Trek and the Apple technology evangelist saying 'This is why we are doing this - this is the future' But that is a different article.

The evolution of design

In the early twenty first century, aesthetic choices leaned heavily on skeuomorphic designs—apps emulating real-world objects such as bookshelves for electronic books only for this to be overturned in 2013 by a radical flat-design approach that stripped unnecessary flourishes and emphasised functionality.

Fast forward to today, and while Liquid Glass may seem like yet another program manager fashion craze toward transparent aesthetics, it’s much more nuanced. It brings together fluidity and adaptability, suggesting a shift in how users interact with content and context. Each redesign signals a reflection of not just Apple's vision but of a changing world where tech seeks legitimacy within the human experience.

Why Liquid Glass changes everything

The introduction of Liquid Glass marks an ambitious step towards creating an emotionally resonant user experience across all Apple products. Unlike any prior material, it reacts both reflectively and refractively to its environment. For critics who argue that such changes are merely cosmetic, the emotional engagement and depth achieved through this design are reason enough to reconsider and if that were not reason enough look at visionOS and future more practical wearables for proof that this is not a cosmetic exercie.

Creating a sense of space

Liquid Glass is not just a fashionable coating to slap over functionality. It is an invitation into a more immersive interaction with your Apple technology. The semi-transparency imbues UI elements with a sense of depth, effectively allowing each interface to breathe, evoking tactile qualities seldom afforded to digital devices. This isn’t just about aesthetics, it is a systemic reconsideration of user interaction integrating sensations and environmental responsiveness.

What It Means for Windows 11

With desktop computing shrinking and dominated by Apple and Microsoft, the Liquid Glass update throws down the gauntlet at Windows 11. With its own penchant for sleek design, Microsoft's offerings will now find themselves endlessly compared against Apple's dynamic Liquid Glass aesthetic. This begs the question as to whether the Windows team will respond with similar innovations, or remain a locked down corporate desktop environment, a box of stale productivity tools untouched by the wave of visual transformation washing over the industry?

Windows 11 portrays a different kind of stylish minimalism. However, it risks feeling static when compared to the adaptability of Liquid Glass. The challenge for Microsoft lies in evolving their design strategy to not only retain existing users but also attract those enchanted by Apple’s innovative spirit. Each update perhaps carries the weight of design pressure, demanding something fresh and compelling from the company. Microsoft recently posted a video of Windows Vista™ in response to Liquid Glass entitled "Just goona leave this here". That is a dangerous route to travel. Windows 11 is after all supposed to be better in every way than its predecessors.

What it means for Google's Material 3 Expressive and Android 16

As Apple pushes the envelope, there will inevitable be comparisons with Material Design and especially the upcoming Material 3 Expressive changes which didnt make the initial release of Anderoid 16. Google’s embrace of depth and dimension in Material design stands to benefit from Apple’s advancements in Liquid Glass but it is also a threat that might just render Material 3 Expressive obsolete before it ships. While Apple positions Liquid Glass as a panacea for digital experience, the limelight is not shining on Google and success or failure will come down to how users and developers leverage these innovations in the coming 18 months or so. One can't help but wonder if there is a worry that Material 3 Expressive has been made as obsolete as a skin for Winamp before it even launches.

What It Means for Flutter cross platform app development

Among the developer community, the cross platform frameworks like Flutter make a strength of being designed to provide a consistent multi-platform experience. Apple’s Liquid Glass overhaul presents a compelling challenge and opportunity for Flutter developers keen on integrating these innovative elements into their applications.

Developers working with Flutter have no immediate way to produce first class Liquid Glass apps. This may make flutter based apps feel outdated. If Apple can pull this off it may set a new standard for design, prompting a need to be able to deliver similar functionality in Flutter and indeed in other development tools for Android and for Windows. This is no easy task and represents a significant barrier to climb over.

Responsive Design Considerations

The layered translucency and dynamic adjustments brought forth by Liquid Glass suggest potential pathways for Flutter’s Material Design to incorporate these more sophisticated, glass-like aesthetics. This will require a careful consideration of platform-specific nuances, and a root and branch refactoring potentially leading to a richer cross-platform design language. Apple’s lead in this space will undoubtedly set off tremors through the developer ecosystem and Flutter will have to innovate rapidly to remain relevant amidst such changes. I wonder if Google has the stomach for it.

Implications for Swift developers

Swift, a language created for Apple, stands to benefit from a renaissance of sorts thanks to the arrival of Liquid Glass. With development ranging from fundamental libraries to sophisticated UI elements, the flexibility of Swift and Xcode combined with the allure of Liquid Glass is attractive to developers looking deilver a more expressive, dare I say twenty twenties human interface design.

Developers using SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit will find it both challenging and exciting to absorb Liquid Glass’s offerings. The task will be to fashion user interface designs that not only embrace this Liquid Glass but also push the boundaries of what the user experience can entail. The road ahead is ripe with opportunity for those poised to harness the robust features of Swift alongside the dynamic environment of Liquid Glass.

Implications for Linux Desktops like Gnome in Ubuntu

Peering over the walls of Apple Park at Apple's latest venture, the Linux community could have much to gain from understanding the trajectory of Liquid Glass innovation and the control one vendor can exert over its user interfces on multiple operating systems. While Gnome and Ubuntu have long prided themselves on a user-friendly aesthetic, there are many and varied opinions about the components of a user interface in that community and Liquid Glass presents a formidable challenge.

Opportunities for Open-Source innovation

Will Ubuntu adapt with similar responsive and translucent visuals? They are the most likely to do so given their work on modernising their desktop product, standardising on Gnome and Wayland and moving away from X11 for example over the last few years. If they chose this path it could lead to a renaissance in Ubuntu desktops. A dynamic transition to Liquid Glass-inspired elements could spark a new wave of enthusiasm, underscoring the point that beauty in UI should not be the sole province of proprietary systems. We shall see.

What it means for you

Ultimately, the most pressing question for the average user is just simply "What does all of this mean for you?" The prospect of Liquid Glass alongside Apple’s other innovations promises a more involving interaction with your devices. Expect updates that encourage consistent, intuitive use across all Apple gadgets, offering an arguably unparalleled experience steeped in Apple’s brand ethos. But let’s not kid ourselves, as previous rollouts have shown, new interfaces can sometimes come with a significant learning curve.

Get ready!

Prepare your tech-savvy self for a potential upheaval in your daily interactions with devices. The impending updates signal that even the most jaded Apple users may find themselves grappling with change, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in years. With so many interconnected features, seamless transitions, and potential pitfalls, you might want to consider trading in obsolete devices now for something more relevant to this brave new world.

Why you don’t need the beta unless you’re a developer

Of course, the siren call of beta versions can be irresistible, enticing one into early adoption as if it were a rite of passage. And by the number of ill informed postings about the betas on social media you'd think it was already in the mainstream as a released product. However, let’s be clear, for the average user, the beta isn’t the promised land it’s cracked up to be. Bugs abound and features can be half-baked or unfinished or just plain absent, rendering a beta unreliable for everyday tasks. 

A Word to the Wise

Unless your career requires you to keep up with operating system developments, or you enjoy living on the bleeding edge of tech and have a spare device, there's little value in jumping on the beta bandwagon. The final release, expected around September 2025, will boast a final polished interface, comprehensive features, and the assurance that use of it won’t be marred by excessive glitches.

Conclusion

As we step cautiously towards an the release of Liquid Glass across Apples operating systems and devices, it is essential to maintain a critical eye not just on Apple, but on the broader technological landscape. From how this affects cross-platform considerations, UI development, and user experience to what it means for the competition, the ripples of this update are bound to extend far and wide. As you ready your tools and prepare for release, remember that the only constant is change, and todays tranformative change will be supplanted tomorrow by the next big thing.

The future of Apple’s operating systems is far more than just a pretty interface. Embrace the change but remember to stay sceptical in a world defined by herd mentality and inevitable hype. Make sure your devices are ready to face the impending challenges head-on, but be prepared to take time to consider what needs to change in your software based on an informed perspective.