Apple is set to unveil iOS 26 at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, 2025, bringing a range of enhancements across key applications including Messages, Music, Notes, and CarPlay. These updates reflect Apple’s continued focus on user experience, AI integration, and ecosystem refinement.
Messages: Automatic Translation and Polls
iOS 26 will introduce automatic translation in the Messages app, allowing real-time translation of both incoming and outgoing texts. This will significantly improve communication across languages, especially in global or multilingual conversations. In addition, Apple is adding the ability to create polls within chats, a feature already common in competing messaging platforms. The poll feature may also be enhanced by AI that suggests poll formats based on the context of conversations.
Music: Animated Lock Screen Artwork
Apple Music is receiving a visual update with animated album art on the Lock Screen’s Now Playing view. This feature extends the dynamic experience already present within the Apple Music app to the Lock Screen, offering users a more engaging and visually rich interface while listening to music.
Notes: Markdown Export
The Notes app will gain support for Markdown export, giving users the ability to format and transfer their notes more efficiently. Markdown is widely used among developers, writers, and content creators for its simplicity and compatibility, and this new feature brings Apple’s native app more in line with third-party productivity tools.
CarPlay: Updated User Interface
CarPlay is also set for a visual refresh, with a redesigned interface that aligns more closely with the look and feel of iOS 26. This update is expected to improve navigation and overall usability for drivers, making Apple’s in-car experience more modern and consistent with its mobile operating system.
Full details, demonstrations, and additional features are expected to be revealed during Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote on June 9.