Apple (AAPL) revealed iOS 27 at its Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, Calif., on Monday. The software that powers more than 1 billion iPhones globally now includes a host of AI updates designed to improve overall performance.
The company said it has made visual improvements to its Liquid Glass interface style, including the ability to reduce the divisive light-diffusion effect, which Apple launched last year.
The company said it has also made its devices more responsive, as well, making swiping between apps smoother. Opening iPhone and iPad apps is now 30% faster.
Older iPhones also get improved performance via iOS 27, including devices as far back as the iPhone 11.
Apple emphasized trust and safety this year. In particular, the company discussed preventing children from overusing their devices via its child safety features.
Parents can now limit the apps their child can access, providing them with access to a few essential options, and then gradually adding more over time.
A new ask-to-browse feature lets a child ask their parents if they can view a website via messages. The feature is turned on by default for children under 13.
Apple said it is also adding an ask-for-permission option to communicating with someone and limiting the kind of content kids can view via messages and live FaceTime calls.
Parents have been struggling for years over how best to prevent their children from overusing their devices and from finding inappropriate content on the web. Apple’s new capabilities could help address at least some of those issues.
Apple’s iPhone is its most important business, generating $209.5 billion of the company’s $416.1 billion in total revenue in 2025. That’s well ahead of its second largest segment, Services, which brought in $109.1 billion.
The latest iPhone lineup, the iPhone 17 family, has been selling very well so far this year thanks to an enhanced design and other general improvements.
Apple is widely expected to debut an all-new foldable iPhone later this fall alongside its iPhone 18 lineup.
Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.
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