Described as “a new translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings” by Apple, Liquid Glass is meant to bring “greater focus to content, and [deliver] a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more.”

Who did the glass-like design first? Was it Apple with its Aqua transparency effects in 2000, or Microsoft with its Aero Glass theme in Windows Vista in 2007? Either way, Microsoft seems to think Apple’s Liquid Glass design bears some resemblance to its glass look in Windows Media Center,

Apple revealed iOS 26 featuring Liquid Glass at WWDC 2025, but the lack of an AI killer feature left analysts questioning its competitive edge.