WWDC25: iOS 26 to Bring Quiet But Powerful Updates to Messages, Music, Notes, and CarPlay

Apple’s upcoming WWDC25 keynote on Monday is already making waves thanks to its expected “Solarium” design overhaul and a major shift to year-based OS naming — think “iOS 26” instead of iOS 19. But beneath the headline-grabbing UI refresh and gaming initiatives, a new report from 9to5Mac reveals smaller, yet meaningful updates to Apple’s core apps that could quietly enhance everyday user experiences.

Messages: AI-Driven Translation and Polls

According to sources, Apple is working on automatic text translation for Messages — both incoming and outgoing — using on-device AI. This would pair nicely with the live translation features rumored for AirPods, further integrating Apple Intelligence across the ecosystem.

Also on the horizon? Polls in Messages — a long-requested feature found in other chat apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Apple’s version might even go one step further by suggesting poll options contextually, thanks to AI assistance.

Music: Animated Album Art on Lock Screen

The Now Playing screen on the Lock Screen may get a visual boost in iOS 26, with full-screen animated album artwork making its debut. This feature already exists inside the Apple Music app, but expanding it to the Lock Screen would give users a more immersive experience while listening on the go.

Notes: Markdown Export Finally Coming

Power users of the Apple Notes app may soon celebrate — Markdown export support is reportedly in the works. This small but mighty addition brings Notes closer to popular third-party apps like Obsidian and Bear, making it a more viable tool for developers, writers, and researchers who rely on the Markdown format.

CarPlay: A Visual Refresh to Match iOS 26

While CarPlay Ultra stole the spotlight last year, Apple hasn’t forgotten about the standard CarPlay interface. The report indicates a redesigned UI is coming to match the Solarium style of iOS 26 — offering a fresher, more modern dashboard for millions of users who rely on CarPlay daily.

Final Thought

While Apple’s flashy design revamp and AI strategy will dominate the WWDC25 keynote, these under-the-radar upgrades to core apps show the company is still committed to refining the basics. Whether you're messaging a friend, listening to music, taking notes, or driving to work — these small changes could have a big impact on the Apple experience in 2025 and beyond.