Apple has a repute for reimagining merchandise launched by different firms, sharpening them so totally that they’re typically seen as synonymous with Apple itself. With the macOS 26 “Tahoe” replace that Apple launched at WWCD 2025, the OS arguably has achieved what Windows 11 has struggled to be: heat, polished, and sensible.
Apple’s new macOS Tahoe is first outlined by its “Liquid Glass” design aesthetic, a brand new common design language, that I feel hearkens again to Windows 10 and earlier variations of Windows working programs. But past feel and look, there are sensible parts, just like the Spotlight search bar that understands what’s in your Mac and faucets into native intelligence to search out what you need. There are additionally shortcuts or macros that can assist you full duties, and a telephone utility that appears as wealthy as what Microsoft provides. There’s even a rudimentary Game Bar.
I a lot choose Windows over macOS, and have used Windows and Android merchandise for many years. Nonetheless, there have been a number of occasions that I’ve been impressed with what Apple has achieved—the Apple Watch integration with iOS, for instance. There’s a stage of polish and integration right here that I feel Microsoft ought to take note of.
If I needed to sum it up: What I take advantage of on a day-to-day foundation on Windows seems like a tough draft. What Apple confirmed off at WWDC appears extra like the ultimate product.
Warm and wealthy
From day certainly one of Windows 11, I wrote that Windows 11 felt like an unnecessary replacement for Windows 10. I’ve since changed my mind about that, partially as a result of Microsoft has pivoted towards features like Windows Spotlight and including AI capabilities like Copilot. MacOS Tahoe seems to be and feels considerably like Windows Vista’s Aero Glass design language, however you may’t maintain that towards them—a few of Microsoft’s early Windows efforts had been fondly remembered for his or her UI.
YouTube / Apple
Apple’s widgets look very very similar to the outdated Gadgets on Windows Vista, too. They simply seem like small widgets that float on the desktop, with giant icons that may present your calendar and the climate. Windows has its personal Widgets Panel, after all, and there might be those that choose that that data hides off display. Again, nevertheless, for many who appreciated Windows 10’s Live Tiles and the way they confirmed “live” data, Tahoe’s Live Activities look heat and fascinating.
(I don’t like Tahoe’s new potential to color-code or label folders, weirdly. It feels superficial, like one thing that Windows would do. )
Apple seems to have extra than simply mild and darkish modes in thoughts. It all seems to be very private. That’s one thing that Windows 11 actually doesn’t provide. Windows 11 is useful, however I all the time really feel like a cubicle employee relatively than somebody extra inventive. Apple seems to be leaning more durable into the person.
YouTube / Apple
Productivity, too
Some of what Apple confirmed off at WWDC seemed acquainted. Apple’s Control Center is simply Windows’ Action Center, offering fast shortcuts to apps and controls. Apple Continuity is Apple’s efforts to traverse its iPhone, iPad, and Vision OS platforms, by permitting you to share content material throughout platforms — one thing that Microsoft doesn’t do effectively, however hardware makers like Samsung, do.
I used to be extra impressed with Live Activities, a extra dynamic kind of widget. In one instance, Apple’s Craig Federighi confirmed an Uber supply app linked the Mac through the iPhone, displaying a abstract of how far-off the driving force was.
YouTube / Apple
Interestingly, one space the place it seems like Windows has a bonus is within the Phone utility. On Windows, you may learn and write SMS messages, seize images out of your telephone, and even see the (Android) telephone’s desktop. On the Mac, Apple provides instruments which might be extra built-in into the telephone itself, similar to Live Voicemail and the flexibility to carry out reside translations. Microsoft provides the latter, however that’s constructed into Windows itself.
On the opposite hand, Microsoft’s UI nonetheless feels relatively chilly and useful, whereas the macOS interface bursts with life.
YouTube / Apple
Shortcuts and Spotlight
Apple additionally confirmed off an up to date model of the Shortcuts utility, powered by Apple Intelligence. Shortcuts is a bit like IFTTT and even the Windows Power Automate utility: It’s designed to take actions in response to sure circumstances. Automations, in different phrases.
On Windows, the Power applications are apps that I’ve struggled with for a number of years, because it was basically a coding language that you just needed to create a workflow for. Apple is making an attempt to scale back that complexity by asking these actions to be triggered mechanically, with out an excessive amount of setup. It’s not clear how profitable this utility might be. Again, nevertheless, it seems to be crisp and clear.
YouTube / Apple
The twist that Apple is including is that macOS customers will be capable of create shortcuts, basically macros which might be triggered by a keyboard shortcut. One of these means that you can entry the built-in model of Apple Intelligence immediately, in order that your queries don’t should exit to the cloud. In a Windows context, that will be like Microsoft including an area model of Copilot — one thing that it’s hinted at, however has but to implement. If you wish to use the cloud, Apple is outwardly partnering with OpenAI, giving direct entry to ChatGPT.
One instance that Apple confirmed off was recording lecture audio, then evaluating it to notes that the scholar had taken, after which add to that.
Shortcuts has beforehand lived on iOS. It might be fascinating to see how Shortcuts fares on macOS, because it’s an app that hasn’t acquired a lot fanfare.
YouTube / Apple
Shortcuts can be being built-in with Spotlight, which is basically Apple’s search and utility interface. It’s receiving the “biggest update ever,” Apple mentioned, and can rapidly let you discover recordsdata which might be related to you.
Windows customers will most likely examine Spotlight to the built-in Windows search perform and File Explorer. They’re comparable, however Apple’s Tahoe actually seems to be recent, inviting, and helpful.
Apple has even introduced in a characteristic I keep in mind from Windows 10 and Cortana: the flexibility to draft an electronic mail from the search field. It’s an integration that Microsoft pioneered, then dropped — and now Apple has picked up the baton and began operating.
YouTube / Apple
Apple even spent a number of minutes opening a doc in Pages, then including a graphic and shifting it across the web page. That’s one thing Word has struggled with, for years.
It’s time for Microsoft to concentrate
Apple’s rollout of macOS 26 Tahoe didn’t push “AI” each different sentence. Instead, Apple emphasised its personal “Apple Intelligence,” gently deflecting away from the acronym that divides its inventive prospects. Everything felt very heat, colourful, full of life, and human — undoubtedly intentionally so.
Microsoft might take a lesson right here: Technologists are designing merchandise for folks. Windows hasn’t forgotten this, however it’s undoubtedly downplayed it. For years, we’ve gently mocked Apple for following the place others have led. This time, I feel Microsoft might study a lesson from Apple as an alternative.