One of the standout moments from this week’s WWDC keynote was Apple’s announcement of a visual redesign across its platforms, aptly named Liquid Glass. Nearly two decades after the launch of Windows Vista, the glass aesthetic is making a comeback, reminding us that design trends often come full circle. Liquid Glass will debut with macOS 26 Tahoe, raising an intriguing question: can Apple surpass Microsoft’s earlier glass implementation? While Apple boasts significantly more hardware power today, the true test lies in whether its vision resonates more profoundly than before.
Liquid Glass is everywhere
Apple has long been recognized for its consistent design philosophy, and early glimpses of Liquid Glass in the developer beta suggest a thoughtful integration across macOS Tahoe, particularly in first-party applications. The essence of Liquid Glass is most evident in the transparency effects that permeate context and dropdown menus, allowing the background to subtly shine through. The right side of the menu bar showcases system controls that also embrace this glass-like quality, with notifications taking on a more transparent appearance. The Control Center stands out, where all elements exhibit transparency, and buttons light up in response to the colors behind them, mimicking the refraction of light through glass.
In the dock, the transparency effect takes an interesting turn, as icons can now adopt varying degrees of translucency. Users can select from classic, dark, clear, or tinted versions of icons, although some third-party applications may not fully align with these new options. While Apple’s icons generally look polished, there is a desire for a tinted option that harmonizes transparency with the inherent colors of each app.
However, the beta version still exhibits some inconsistencies. For instance, in the System Settings, tinted icons lack transparency and appear somewhat washed out, while the new app launcher suffers from a similar lifelessness. The addition of the transparent effect seen in the Dock could significantly enhance these elements.
Within applications, the glass effects vary, but many of Apple’s own apps feature left-side navigation panes that now reside on a glass-like surface. This is complemented by a subtle edge glow that reflects the color of the content behind the active window. Floating menu bar buttons also adopt a translucent quality, allowing users to glimpse the content beneath. A prime example of this is the new Games app, where the glass effect dynamically changes as users scroll.
Aero Glass was used in more impactful ways
Reflecting on Windows Vista, the implementation of Aero Glass appears more impactful, despite its less thorough application compared to Liquid Glass. The hallmark of Aero Glass was its translucent title bars and window borders, which featured a shiny reflection effect. This design choice created a sense of depth, enhancing the overall user experience. The transparency in Aero Glass was primarily a visual element, but it was coupled with gradient designs that added richness to the interface.
While Aero Glass was not ubiquitous throughout Vista, certain applications, like Windows Media Player and Windows Photo Gallery, embraced this aesthetic, incorporating gradient effects to evoke a sense of liveliness. Many elements in Vista, while not overtly glass-like, contributed to a cohesive visual identity that resonated with users.
But which one is better?
In a surprising twist, while Apple’s approach to design feels more meticulous, the execution in Windows Vista may resonate more effectively. The Aero Glass effect, applied to frequently encountered UI elements such as the taskbar and window borders, left a lasting impression. It also offered customization options, allowing users to select theme colors that enhanced the translucent surfaces.
Liquid Glass, while clever in its ability to reflect background colors throughout the OS and applications, may come across as too subtle, particularly in dark mode. The translucent icons, though visually appealing, are less frequently seen, diminishing their overall impact. Most of the glass effects are situated in areas that users encounter less often, potentially hindering the operating system’s identity. The Dock remains a notable exception, but for those who prefer it hidden, its visibility is further reduced.
It seems that Apple aimed to introduce a touch of transparency without completely redefining its design identity, opting instead for a cleaner, flatter aesthetic with added depth. While this approach may appeal to contemporary audiences, it lacks the evocative power that Vista’s design exuded.
It’s still early
These impressions of macOS 26 Tahoe stem from the initial developer beta released earlier this week. It’s common for design changes at this stage to feel inconsistent, and improvements are likely as Apple refines the system ahead of its public release later this fall. As it stands, however, Microsoft’s Aero Glass from 2006 remains a benchmark for beautiful design, even with fewer hardware resources. While preferences may lean towards the flatter aesthetics of modern designs, Aero Glass has aged remarkably well and laid the groundwork for future iterations.
As macOS 26 evolves, there is optimism for Apple’s vision. With further refinement, Liquid Glass could emerge as a truly captivating design choice.
