Apple has officially revealed macOS 26, also called Tahoe, at WWDC 2025. The update brings a fresh design called Liquid Glass, along with several smart features that make Windows 11 look outdated.
The new macOS focuses on being warm, personal, and creative. Apple added Live Activities, floating widgets on the desktop that show real-time information like calendar events and weather. It’s similar to Windows 10’s Live Tiles, but more polished. Windows 11, by comparison, feels colder and more corporate.
Another major update is Spotlight, Apple’s search tool. Spotlight now looks through your files with better local intelligence and can even draft emails from the search box—a feature Microsoft once offered but abandoned. Windows search, while powerful, still feels more like a tool for work than creativity.
Apple also introduced Shortcuts, which let users automate tasks without coding. These shortcuts can now connect with Apple Intelligence, Apple’s version of AI. Microsoft has something similar with Power Automate, but it’s harder to use for everyday tasks.
The macOS Phone app also works better with iPhones, offering features like live voicemail, live translations, and connecting Uber rides to your Mac. Windows works well with Android phones but still lacks this smooth integration.
One of the biggest surprises is how personal the whole system feels. Color-coded folders, widgets, smooth animations—all designed to make the user experience lively and engaging. By contrast, Windows 11 feels more like a cubicle: neat, but cold.
Apple didn’t overuse the term “AI” during its presentation. Instead, it focused on how features help users in real life. Microsoft, meanwhile, keeps talking about Copilot and AI, but often with less of that human touch.
In short, macOS 26 Tahoe looks like what many Windows users have been hoping for: clean design, smarter features, and better integration between devices. Now, it’s up to Microsoft to respond.
