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A New Era of Design That Feels Strangely Familiar
Apple’s upcoming visual overhaul, dubbed Liquid Glass, is turning heads—though not necessarily for being original. As part of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS, this new design language features a glossy, translucent interface that immediately evokes comparisons to Microsoft’s Aero Glass from Windows Vista and the Reveal effect in Windows 10’s Fluent Design System. While Apple isn’t directly accused of copying, the resemblance is undeniable and has even sparked playful mockery from Microsoft itself. This move raises intriguing questions about the cyclical nature of design trends and whether Apple is simply refining ideas that Microsoft pioneered more than a decade ago.
The Return of Glassy UI: A Familiar Innovation
Apple’s Liquid Glass aims to reimagine interface design with elegant translucency and lighting effects that respond to touch and movement. Yet for those who’ve used older Microsoft systems, the visual nostalgia is strong. Microsoft introduced similar transparency concepts with Aero Glass back in 2006 on Windows Vista, a design language focused on layered windows, light reflections, and softened edges. Later, in 2017, Fluent Design expanded this vision with Reveal effects, where hovering a mouse would cause a glowing edge around UI elements to guide user interaction.
The same principle is now arriving in Apple’s ecosystem—but with a modern, touch-first twist. In iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, when a user taps or drags their finger across the screen, a subtle lighting glow trails the interaction, creating an immersive feel. It’s not just visually satisfying—it also provides feedback and improves usability. macOS likely features a cursor-based counterpart of this lighting system, offering a more fluid and interactive desktop experience.
A side-by-side comparison reveals Apple’s version is sleeker and arguably more intuitive for mobile devices. Yet, the inspiration is impossible to ignore. A short reel from Microsoft humorously called Apple out for what it dubbed an “Aero glass throwback.” However, it’s worth noting that Apple has a long history of iterating on existing ideas and transforming them into mass-market success. This could be yet another case of Apple refining an older concept and delivering it with their signature polish.
At its core, Liquid Glass is about sensory feedback—lighting, motion, and visual hierarchy—and those concepts were indeed central to Fluent Design and Aero Glass. Apple’s adoption may signify a broader return to interface aesthetics that prioritize subtle motion and transparency over flat minimalism.
What Undercode Say:
History Repeats Itself in UI Design
The technology industry is notorious for recycling visual trends every few years, and Apple’s Liquid Glass serves as a prime example. While some may interpret the resemblance to Aero Glass and Fluent Design as copying, it’s more accurate to describe it as a design renaissance. Microsoft’s Aero was both praised and criticized during Vista’s lifespan—lauded for beauty but blamed for performance drain. Fluent Design, however, struck a better balance between form and function, especially with the Reveal effect. Apple seems to have learned from both.
Design as Feedback
Apple’s approach emphasizes real-time feedback through light and movement, which is a hallmark of modern UI/UX thinking. When you interact with a device and it “reacts” visually—either through a glow, a shift, or an animation—it enhances the feeling of control. This method isn’t new, but Apple’s decision to fully embrace it in 2025 shows a shift in focus from flat design trends toward more dynamic, ambient interfaces.
Innovation vs. Iteration
There’s a clear distinction between innovation and smart iteration. Apple didn’t invent transparency or dynamic lighting in UI, but they often reintroduce old elements with impeccable timing and polish. The company knows how to package existing ideas in a way that feels revolutionary. Think of the iPhone—not the first smartphone, but the first to execute key features brilliantly. Liquid Glass might follow the same trajectory: not a new idea, but a better version of an older one.
Cross-Platform Design Influence
This also speaks to the growing homogenization of UI design. Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android all borrow visual cues from each other. The Reveal effect in Windows influenced Android ripple animations, which likely inspired parts of Apple’s new tactile lighting system. The ecosystem walls are thinning, and users now expect visual sophistication across platforms. Apple adopting a familiar Microsoft technique might just be a sign of evolving user expectations rather than imitation.
Branding Over Origin
Even though Microsoft’s design came first, Apple’s control over its branding often overshadows technical origin stories. The Cupertino company will likely succeed in making Liquid Glass the most recognized name in translucent UI—because branding, timing, and ecosystem unity are as powerful as the design itself.
Real-World Use and Accessibility
Another angle to consider is usability and accessibility. Fluent Design’s Reveal effect wasn’t just aesthetic—it helped users understand what they could interact with. If Apple integrates Liquid Glass with accessibility features like haptic feedback or contrast enhancements, it could offer practical advantages beyond style. This would further distance Apple’s implementation from being a mere visual throwback.
Microsoft’s Missed Opportunity?
Interestingly, Apple’s decision to revisit this style might also highlight how Microsoft failed to fully capitalize on its own innovations. Fluent Design had promise but was inconsistently implemented across Windows. Aero Glass was dropped because of performance and reception issues. Apple, on the other hand, tends to roll out design language in a cohesive, system-wide manner, ensuring users experience it uniformly. That consistency might be what makes Liquid Glass resonate more than its predecessors.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Apple’s Liquid Glass resembles both Aero Glass and Fluent Design from Microsoft
✅ Reveal effect was introduced by Microsoft in Windows 10 (2017)
✅ Microsoft poked fun at Apple’s new UI with an Instagram reel
📊 Prediction:
Apple’s Liquid Glass will likely set a new standard for responsive UI design in the next few years. Despite its inspiration from older Windows concepts, Apple’s ecosystem control and user experience focus will allow the design to thrive where Microsoft faltered. Expect this style to influence future Android and desktop UI trends by 2026 🚀✨
References:
Reported By: www.windowslatest.com
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