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As Apple fans eagerly await the company’s upcoming announcements at WWDC 2025, a notable designer has provided one of the best sneak peeks yet of what’s to come in iOS 26. With just days left until the highly anticipated keynote, Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of Lux and an ex-Apple design contributor, has shared a groundbreaking concept. His vision of iOS 26 — which he dubs “Living Glass” — promises a sleek, modern, and innovative design, offering an immersive experience unlike anything we’ve seen before. Here’s a deep dive into his concept and what Apple could have in store.
A Sneak Peek at iOS 26 Redesign
By this time next week, Apple is expected to unveil the full redesign of iOS 26, a monumental shift in the software’s interface. Sebastiaan de With, known for his work on popular apps such as Halide, Kino, Spectre, and Orion, recently posted a detailed concept based on his expectations for iOS 26. Drawing from his experience designing for Apple in the past, de With has taken cues from recent leaks and reports suggesting a “glassy” effect inspired by visionOS, Apple’s mixed reality operating system. His design is called “Living Glass.”
The core idea behind Living Glass is to create an interface that reflects the elegant materials Apple devices are made of — specifically glass. De With explains that the concept involves matching the software’s interface to the beautiful properties of the device’s physical screen, giving the user the sensation of interacting with living glass. This would provide a natural extension of Apple’s hardware into the software, aligning perfectly with the company’s philosophy of seamless integration between hardware and software.
This concept is not just about aesthetics; it is about creating a deeper connection between the user and the device. As we edge closer to WWDC, the anticipation builds for a software redesign that could redefine how users interact with their devices.
What Undercode Say:
The iOS 26 redesign is not just about visual appeal; it’s about creating an experience that feels as organic as the hardware it runs on. De With’s Living Glass concept takes this philosophy to a whole new level. The idea of a glass-like interface is an attempt to break free from the rigid, often static look of current operating systems. By integrating fluid, dynamic, and tactile visuals, Apple might offer a more immersive user experience that feels more intuitive and organic.
The concept draws significant influence from visionOS, which has already demonstrated how Apple intends to blend the physical with the virtual. Apple has hinted that WWDC 2025 would showcase “what’s possible when hardware and software are designed together.” Living Glass takes that idea and runs with it, offering a glimpse of what such a unified experience might look like on iOS and macOS devices.
Another striking feature of de With’s concept is how it pushes the boundaries of what a mobile operating system can do. The “glassy” effect and the overall smooth, floating design elements mirror the transparency and elegance Apple’s hardware is known for. This approach could make apps and notifications feel more like an extension of the physical device, rather than just something laid on top of it. The subtle animations and smooth transitions between elements are expected to enhance the tactile feel of the device.
Fact Checker Results 🔍
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2. De With’s Living Glass concept accurately reflects
- The possibility of iOS 26 adopting a “Living Glass” interface is exciting, but we’ll have to wait until WWDC 2025 for the final reveal.
Prediction 🔮
As we count down the days to WWDC 2025, it’s clear that Apple is gearing up for one of its most ambitious software updates in recent years. With a focus on fluidity, elegance, and seamless integration between hardware and software, iOS 26 may very well push the boundaries of user interface design. The “Living Glass” concept offers a tantalizing preview of what’s to come — a more immersive, organic, and tactile experience. As Apple continues to innovate, it’s likely that iOS 26 will not just be an update, but a reimagining of how we interact with our devices. Expect smooth, responsive, and visually stunning design elements that blur the lines between hardware and software.
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Reported By: 9to5mac.com
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