iOS 27 offers improvements in performance, search and services, as well as adding new parental controls

Apple has unveiled the next iterations of its operating systems iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, visionOS 27 and whatchOS 27, the latter under the name Golden Gate, which are renewed with the improved functions of Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, in addition to offering more optimized software, new functions in its services and improvements in the Liquid Glass design.

Along with the artificial intelligence (AI) news that the technology company has shared at its annual developer event WWDC 26, which has the long-awaited renewed version of its Siri AI assistant, smarter and more integrated, as well as more powerful capabilities with Apple Intelligence, those from Cupertino have also presented a first look at their renewed operating systems.

Regarding improvements in the ‘software’ design, Apple has opted for a continuous style of Liquid Glass, but with small changes that ensure an even more intuitive and accessible experience in all applications regardless of the platform.

Among other things, a new slider has been included in Settings that allows you to customize the transparency of Liquid Glass, easily adjusting the appearance from completely transparent to completely tinted, depending on each person’s preference. In addition, the icons have been updated to offer sharper and more defined shapes.

These changes apply to all operating systems, however, in the case of macOS Golden Gate, additional new features have been added such as a more uniform toolbar at the top of the applications that gives easier access to the main actions, as well as edge-to-edge sidebars and colored icons in the sidebar.

Regarding performance optimizations, Apple has detailed that all platforms have been improved so that everyday tasks are “faster and more fluid”, with the ability to launch applications on iPhone and iPad up to 30 percent faster. Likewise, it has stated that photos load up to 70 percent faster and AirDrop transfers have been accelerated by up to 80 percent.

Connectivity options have also been improved and, now, switching between data networks and WiFi is more fluid. Apple has also stressed that its devices will more efficiently manage tasks to deliver maximum performance, thanks to a new CPU scheduler tool.

IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES

As for improvements in apps and services, Apple has improved search in Spotlight, Photos and Mail, which better understands content to be more efficient and help users “find exactly what they are looking for.” Specifically in the Mail application, a new classification system has been introduced that shows more relevant results, within the Featured Results.

The Maps app has also been updated to show a more realistic experience with Flyover, which mixes aerial images of, for example, a city with AI to show them in greater detail.

The Health app, for its part, now offers perimenopause and menopause tracking within Cycle Control. Likewise, for the use of AirPods, a custom equalizer has also been introduced. In the case of WatchOS 27, Apple has commented that it will show five applications suggested by Siri AI in a new grid.

NEW PARENTAL CONTROLS

In addition to all these new features, Apple has also put on the table the importance of offering safe use of its devices and services to minors. In this sense, it has presented a range of features designed to help parents manage the content their children can see, who they can communicate with and when they can access the ‘apps’.

Now, when setting up a child account, parents will be able to activate protection mechanisms adapted to the age of their children throughout the system. They will also have a Setup Assistant, which will make it easy to choose the ‘apps’ they have access to from the start, control communications or require them to request your approval for each new contact of their children in Messages, FaceTime and Phone.

You can also enable an on-screen notification to appear whenever explicit or violent content is shared and require children to ask permission to access a new site in Safari with the ‘Request navigation’ function.

In order to help acquire healthy habits, the new operating systems will also allow parents to configure a total daily time of use for certain entertainment applications, games and social networks, with the Limited Times function. Additionally, the Screen Time feature has been redesigned and shows your children’s average device usage and the apps they use the most.

All in all, the new operating system updates iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 and visionOS 27 will be available in public beta next month in the Apple Beta Software Program and will officially reach users in the fall.