The British automotive icon has ventured beyond the racetrack and into residential architecture, creating Miami’s most distinctive waterfront tower. Rising 66 stories above Biscayne Bay, the Aston Martin Residences represents the manufacturer’s first foray into real estate development, translating decades of automotive craftsmanship into a living space that channels the sophistication of a DB11 and the presence of a Vantage. This sail-shaped tower at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way stands as the tallest residential building in the southern United States outside of New York City, stretching 249 meters into the Miami skyline.

Designers: Aston Martin, Revuelta Architecture and Bodas Miani Anger

The project emerged from a collaboration between G&G Business Developments and Aston Martin, with architectural firms Revuelta Architecture and Bodas Miani Anger bringing the vision to life. What makes this development particularly compelling is how it incorporates signature automotive design elements into residential spaces, creating an environment where residents experience the same attention to detail found in an Aston Martin vehicle. The tower’s completion marks a significant expansion for the Gaydon-based manufacturer, extending their brand presence into new markets while maintaining the exclusivity and craftsmanship that defines their automotive legacy.

Architectural Design Philosophy

The tower’s distinctive sail-shaped silhouette reflects its waterfront location while creating a visual connection to the maritime heritage of Miami’s downtown district. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, applied the same design philosophy used in the company’s vehicles to every aspect of the building’s interior spaces.

The curvilinear glass and steel structure incorporates signature Aston Martin elements throughout, from hand-stitched leather door tabs to bespoke artisan handles that mirror the tactile experience of the brand’s automotive interiors. Carbon fiber furniture pieces echo the material choices found in high-performance models like the DBS Superleggera, while residence number plate plinths reference the attention to detail that characterizes Aston Martin’s approach to craftsmanship.

The building’s facade features floor-to-ceiling windows with sliding glass doors, maximizing natural light while providing unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami River. Two private lobbies feature signature carbon-fiber reception desks, establishing the automotive connection from the moment residents enter the building. The tower’s positioning on one of the last developable parcels of downtown Miami’s waterfront provides residents with direct access to the bay through an exclusive yacht marina.

This integration of land and water access reflects the same philosophy that guides Aston Martin’s approach to vehicle design, where form follows function while maintaining visual appeal. The building’s height and distinctive shape create a new landmark on Miami’s skyline, visible from multiple vantage points throughout the city. The architectural team carefully considered sight lines and wind patterns to ensure that the tower’s presence enhances rather than dominates the surrounding urban landscape.

Residential Offerings and Layout

The 391-unit development offers a range of residential options designed to accommodate different lifestyle preferences while maintaining consistent quality standards. Studios begin at 698 square feet, providing efficient living spaces for urban professionals, while one- to five-bedroom apartments offer expanded layouts for families and those requiring additional space.

The building’s upper levels, from floors 56 to 65, house the Penthouse Residences, which include seven penthouses and one triplex penthouse. These premium units feature private pools and expansive terraces that provide panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape and waterfront.

The development also includes Sky, Panoramic, and River Residences, each offering distinct design themes and amenities tailored to different preferences and lifestyles. European cabinetry and premium white marble flooring throughout living areas, kitchens, and bathrooms establish a consistent aesthetic throughout the building. Ten-foot and twelve-foot ceiling heights create spacious interiors that complement the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.

The most exclusive offering is a seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom residence spanning more than 27,000 square feet, complete with its own rooftop terrace and lap pool overlooking the city. This particular unit includes ownership of an Aston Martin Vulcan Hypercar, one of only 24 produced, valued at $2.3 million. The integration of automotive ownership with residential purchase represents a unique approach to high-end real estate marketing, creating a direct connection between the brand’s core business and its residential venture.

Amenity Spaces and Lifestyle Features

Level 52 houses an art gallery, business center, and game room, providing spaces for professional activities and entertainment. The fitness facilities span multiple floors, with Level 53 featuring a fitness lounge, spa, boxing room, and beauty salon. These amenities reflect the comprehensive approach to wellness that characterizes high-end residential developments, while the boxing room adds a unique element that appeals to residents seeking diverse workout options. The spa and beauty salon provide resort-style services within the building, reducing the need for residents to seek these services elsewhere.

A barber shop complements the beauty salon, ensuring that grooming services are available for all residents. Level 55 serves as the building’s entertainment hub, featuring the infinity swimming pool, pool deck, and cabanas that provide a resort-like atmosphere 55 stories above street level.

The Sky Bar and Lounge on this level offers evening entertainment options with panoramic views of the city and bay. The grand salon provides a formal gathering space, while the state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen and private dining room enable residents to host events without leaving the building.

Additional amenities include dual movie theaters for private screenings, a virtual golf simulator for year-round practice, and a spinning studio that complements the main fitness center. The two-story fitness center overlooks the ocean, providing motivation during workout sessions while maintaining the building’s focus on maximizing water views.

Security and Privacy Features

The building incorporates security measures that reflect the exclusivity expected by residents investing in high-end real estate. Private elevator lobbies for each unit ensure that residents can access their homes without encountering other building occupants, maintaining privacy and security.

Around-the-clock security personnel monitor the building, while high-tech surveillance systems provide additional layers of protection. Destination-controlled elevators manage traffic flow throughout the building, reducing wait times while maintaining security protocols.

These elevators use advanced technology to optimize movement patterns, ensuring efficient transportation to upper floors while maintaining the privacy that residents expect. The building’s design incorporates multiple access points and security checkpoints that allow for discrete entry and exit.

The private marina provides water access that bypasses traditional ground-level security concerns, appealing to residents who own yachts or prefer water-based transportation. The combination of physical security measures and technological systems creates an environment where residents can enjoy the amenities and views without compromising personal safety or privacy. This approach reflects the same attention to safety and security that characterizes Aston Martin’s approach to vehicle design, where protection systems are integrated without compromising performance or aesthetics.

The Numbers Game

You’ll need $1.8 million to get through the door here, which puts this squarely in Miami’s high-stakes real estate game. That top-floor penthouse? Someone’s asking $59 million for it, and frankly, they might get it. Miami’s luxury market has seen stranger things happen, especially when you throw in a hypercar worth more than most people’s houses.

The Aston Martin name carries weight in circles where dropping eight figures on an apartment doesn’t raise eyebrows. Downtown Miami’s waterfront real estate has become increasingly scarce, with developers snapping up the last available parcels along Biscayne Bay. This tower sits on prime territory that won’t be replicated, giving it a geographic advantage that goes beyond the brand name.

The monthly fees here will make your mortgage payment look reasonable by comparison. We’re talking about maintaining a two-story fitness center, multiple pools, 24-hour security, and a private marina. Factor in insurance for a building this tall in hurricane country, and those HOA bills start adding up quickly. The exact amounts depend on your unit size and floor level, but expect them to reflect the comprehensive service package that comes with this address.

Aston Martin took a calculated risk moving into real estate, but the Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach proved that car enthusiasts will pay premium prices to live inside their favorite brand. Whether this Miami experiment leads to Aston Martin towers in other cities depends largely on how quickly these units move and at what prices they actually sell, not just what they’re listed for. The success of this venture could reshape how automotive brands approach real estate development, particularly in markets where luxury cars and luxury living intersect naturally.

The post Aston Martin Residences Miami: Where Automotive Craftsmanship Meets Architectural Innovation first appeared on Yanko Design.

The 2025 Audi A5 and S5 bring automotive refinement to modern living, where functional capability must coexist with social sophistication. These vehicles understand the nuanced requirements of today’s lifestyle, addressing the complex demands of daily life at the highest levels.

Standing in Space Gallery’s art space in Denver, surrounded by carefully curated installations and the city’s cultural elite, the 2025 Audi A5 felt perfectly at home. This wasn’t coincidence. Audi has created vehicles that excel in any environment, from urban centers to weekend adventures. The A5 and S5 represent a complete reimagining of what mid-size sedans can accomplish in today’s diverse automotive landscape.

The New Aesthetic

Today’s discerning buyers represent refined cultural consumers who expect high-end amenities alongside practical capability. The 2025 A5 family addresses this duality through careful lifestyle integration rather than simple positioning.

The liftback silhouette immediately communicates this understanding. Unlike traditional SUVs that announce outdoor intentions through aggressive styling, or sedans that prioritize urban refinement over practical capability, the A5 presents a refined aesthetic that conceals substantial versatility. During our journey from Denver’s art district to Aspen’s exclusive resort environment, this design philosophy proved its social intelligence repeatedly.

At Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, the vehicle’s 22.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity stands ready to accommodate everything from business equipment to weekend gear when needed, while maintaining the interior’s refined atmosphere for everyday use. Later, arriving at The Little Nell in Aspen, the same vehicle projected the appropriate image for one of America’s most exclusive destinations. This adaptability reflects deep understanding of how lifestyle functions at the highest levels.

Technology and Safety Integration

The Digital Stage curved OLED display system changes the driving experience into something approaching personal comfort rather than basic transportation. The 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch center display create an environment that feels more like a private study than a traditional automotive interior.

During our extended drive, this technology demonstrated its lifestyle value through intuitive integration rather than overwhelming complexity. The “Hey Audi” voice control system responded to natural language commands, allowing interaction that enhanced rather than interrupted the driving experience. Requesting navigation to specific destinations, adjusting climate settings, or controlling entertainment functions required no manual interface disruption.

The available Head-Up Display adds another dimension to this information management ecosystem. The configurable system provides 85 percent more display area than previous versions, allowing drivers to access navigation, media, and vehicle functions without removing their eyes from roads. For the first time, drivers can adjust vehicle and infotainment functions directly through the HUD using steering wheel controls, creating a truly integrated command center that keeps attention focused on driving.

The dynamic interaction light represents an integration of ambient lighting with vehicle communication. This LED strip spans the entire width of the dashboard, creating a welcome sequence when approaching the vehicle and confirming lock/unlock status through coordinated light patterns. The system extends beyond basic ambient lighting by providing visual cues that complement the Virtual Cockpit display, such as synchronized animations during turn signal activation that create a more intuitive connection between driver intent and vehicle response.

The available 10.9-inch co-driver display extends this comfort into a true mobile office environment. During the longer stretches of our route, my co-driver could access entertainment, communication, and productivity applications while enjoying Colorado’s dramatic scenery. This capability changes travel time into productive or recreational opportunity rather than transit.

The Bang & Olufsen sound system with 685 watts distributed through 16 loudspeakers creates an acoustic environment worthy of the mountain vistas surrounding us. Four speakers integrated into the optional front sports seat headrests provide personalized audio delivery that can isolate navigation prompts or phone calls without disturbing other occupants. This attention to individual experience within shared space reflects understanding of comfort expectations.

Diverse driving conditions present unique challenges that require advanced safety systems rather than basic driver assistance. Nine airbags come standard across the lineup, while electronic child safety locks can be activated or deactivated from the smart door panel without requiring physical manipulation at each door. These features address family safety needs while maintaining the convenience expected in modern vehicles.

Power and Performance for Any Road

Under the hood, the 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine delivers 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. This represents an increase of 7 horsepower and 22 pound-feet over the previous generation, enabling the A5 to reach 60 mph from standstill in 5.6 seconds. The standard quattro all-wheel-drive system distributes this power intelligently across all four wheels, providing the traction necessary for Colorado’s diverse road conditions and elevation changes, while proving equally capable in urban environments.

The S5 extends this capability with its 3.0-liter TFSI V6 generating 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The 13 additional horsepower and 37 extra pound-feet of torque compared to the previous S5 reduce the 0-60 mph time to 4.3 seconds. The standard sport rear differential provides enhanced traction during spirited mountain driving while maintaining composure during everyday use.

During our route from Denver through Leadville to Aspen, these powertrains demonstrated their versatile credentials. The A5 handled elevation changes and varying road surfaces with confidence, while the S5 provided additional performance reserves for more demanding sections of mountain highway. These same capabilities translate perfectly to highway merging, city traffic navigation, and suburban driving demands. Drive select modes allow customization of the driving experience for different conditions, defaulting to Balance mode for everyday driving, with Dynamic mode proving valuable during spirited sections and Comfort mode enhancing long-distance cruising.

Climate Control and Comfort

The three-zone climate control system proved essential during our journey through Colorado’s dramatic elevation changes. Moving from Denver’s mile-high starting point to Leadville’s rarefied air at over 10,000 feet, then descending to Aspen’s 8,000-foot elevation, created microclimatic challenges that the system addressed with precision. This same capability excels in urban environments with varying temperature zones and seasonal weather patterns.

Rear occupants could maintain their preferred temperature settings independently of front occupants, ensuring comfort regardless of individual preferences or varying sun exposure throughout the vehicle. Combined with optional heated rear seats, this creates an environment where all occupants enjoy optimal comfort during extended journeys or daily commutes.

Storage Solutions for Active Lifestyles

Modern living requires vehicles that accommodate diverse equipment needs without sacrificing interior refinement. The A5’s liftback design provides 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space that expands to 36.6 cubic feet with rear seats folded, easily handling everything from ski equipment to art purchases during gallery visits, business presentations, or weekend shopping trips.

The A5’s liftback configuration provides easier access to the cargo area compared to traditional sedan trunks. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats offer flexible cargo configurations depending on load requirements.

The additional 2.6 inches of wheelbase translates to an extra inch of rear-seat legroom and 1.6 additional inches of front shoulder room. This increased interior space addresses the practical needs of weekend adventures while maintaining the coupe-like profile that projects appropriate social positioning in any environment.

Pricing and Positioning

In today’s diverse communities, vehicle choice communicates social positioning as clearly as residential address or professional achievement. The 2025 A5 family understands this dynamic through design choices that project confidence without ostentation, capability without aggression.

The A5 Premium at $49,700 provides accessible entry into this social environment while including quattro all-wheel drive, the Digital Stage system, and comprehensive safety features. The progression through Premium Plus at $53,300 to Prestige at $56,150 adds refinement elements like sport seats and advanced lighting technology that enhance social positioning.

The S5 lineup from $62,700 to $70,250 extends this positioning with performance capabilities that address diverse driving demands while maintaining refined character appropriate for exclusive destinations and urban professional environments. The range-topping S5 Prestige offers advanced features including customizable digital OLED taillights that create distinctive visual presence.

Color choices reflect the preferences of today’s lifestyle buyers. Eight customizable digital LED daytime running light signatures on Prestige models allow personalization that extends beyond traditional color selection, creating individual identity within any community context.

Modern lifestyles experience varying seasonal conditions and diverse demands that require vehicles capable of adapting while maintaining high standards. The standard all-season run-flat tires eliminate the need for spare tire storage while providing confidence during unexpected weather changes, whether navigating mountain passes or urban winter conditions.

The 2025 A5 and S5 represent more than transportation; they provide infrastructure for lifestyle at the highest levels. The combination of refined aesthetics, practical capability, and technological advancement addresses the complex requirements of modern living where professional demands, weekend adventures, and social expectations must coexist.

The A5 family succeeds by understanding that true comfort lies in capability that operates invisibly, allowing focus on experiences rather than equipment management. For those who have chosen living at its most refined level, the 2025 A5 and S5 provide the automotive foundation necessary to fully embrace this lifestyle without compromise. The result is transportation that enhances every aspect of modern living, from daily professional activities to weekend adventures, from urban cultural events to arrival at the most exclusive destinations any region has to offer.

The post First Drive: 2025 Audi A5 and S5 Replace Both A4 and A5 Sportback With Style first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mexico City hosts the inaugural Electronics Home Mexico today through June 19, 2025, at Centro Banamex. The three-day trade fair marks Grupo Eletrolar’s expansion into North America after 17 years of organizing successful electronics events across Brazil and Argentina.

The event spans 10,000 square meters of exhibition space, showcasing over 300 exhibitors and drawing major buyers from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Carlos Clur, CEO of Grupo Eletrolar, presents this launch as the third component of Latin America’s “business triathlon,” joining the established Eletrolar Show in Brazil and Electronics Home Argentina.

Strategic Market Position and Organizational Excellence

Mexico consolidates itself as the new regional center for the consumer electronics industry amid international uncertainty marked by tariff tensions and commercial disputes with the United States. The timing proves crucial as Mexico’s import market reaches approximately $467 billion annually, creating substantial opportunities for electronics manufacturers and distributors optimizing supply chains and ensuring timely product delivery across Latin America.

“Mexico is a challenge, but it’s something in our strategy that we need to do, because we want to integrate Latin America total market,” explains Carlos Clur. “We are in the three biggest markets. Mexico was the second, at least the second economy. So we needed to put the feet here.” The CEO acknowledges the complexity of entering Mexico’s concentrated retail landscape while emphasizing the strategic importance of creating a unified Latin American electronics ecosystem.

The fair features consumer electronics, large and small home appliances, telecommunications equipment, and technology products. Exhibitors display smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, audio devices, gaming consoles, washing machines, refrigerators, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, and IoT solutions. The event showcases more than 600 exhibitors and high-level executives , with over 1,000 international brands participating. The fair operates daily from 11:00 to 19:00 hours throughout the three-day period.

Grupo Eletrolar brings extensive experience from managing two major regional events. The Eletrolar Show in São Paulo occupies 50,000 square meters at Distrito Anhembi, attracting over 40,000 visitors and featuring more than 600 exhibitors showcasing 12,000 products from 1,500 brands. Electronics Home Argentina, running at Centro Costa Salguero from June 30 to July 2, 2025, serves as the country’s most important business fair for household goods and consumer electronics.

The organization implements proven programs including the VIP Buyer Program, which sponsors airfare and accommodation for qualified buyers from South and Central American countries attending all three fairs in the business triathlon. The Matchmaking Program facilitates pre-scheduled meetings between distributors and retailers, ensuring direct contact with potential buyers.

Walking Through the Ultimate Electronics Treasure Hunt

The exhibition floor delivers exactly what you’d expect from a hybrid of Amazon’s endless variety, Best Buy’s tech showcase energy, and TJ Maxx’s treasure-hunting excitement. Within minutes of entering, unexpected discoveries emerge around every corner.

At one booth, a cold bourbon dispenser catches attention not for its electronics, but for solving a problem whiskey enthusiasts know well. “If you add ice, that means you reduce the taste of the whiskey,” explains the exhibitor, demonstrating how their $250 USD unit maintains optimal temperature without dilution. The compressor-based system preserves the pure taste that ice traditionally compromises.

Here’s where trade fairs get interesting. Despite being neither a bourbon enthusiast nor someone who typically drinks whiskey at 11 AM on a Tuesday morning, the sample proved impossible to refuse. The cold bourbon hit differently than expected: smooth, clean, and surprisingly palatable even to someone who usually avoids brown liquor. The exhibitor’s point about ice dilution became clear immediately. This wasn’t the harsh bite associated with room-temperature whiskey, nor the watered-down taste from melted ice. The controlled temperature created an entirely different drinking experience.

For bars and restaurants, this represents the kind of specialized solution that makes B2B trade fairs valuable. The minimum order quantity (MOQ) conversation reveals the fair’s true nature. At 100-200 units minimum, this isn’t consumer retail. The unexpected morning bourbon tasting also highlights how these events blur professional boundaries: where else would trying whiskey at 11 AM count as market research?

A few aisles over, CJ Tech from Guangzhou displays 100-inch televisions that reveal the complex economics behind consumer electronics. The company operates as a pure ODM/OEM manufacturer, producing displays for European markets, Middle East, Africa, and select US clients. Their booth showcases the invisible supply chain powering familiar brands.

The pricing structure tells the real story. A standard 100-inch 4K TV costs $900 USD at factory level, while the Mini LED version jumps to $1,800 USD. The MOQ requires a minimum order, but their standard container capacity holds 46 units, meaning a single container of Mini LED displays represents an $82,800 investment at factory pricing. “American market certification cost is very high,” explains the representative, revealing why US electronics carry premium pricing. Certification alone costs 100,000 Chinese yuan (approximately $14,000 USD), making small orders economically unfeasible.

The mathematics become clearer when considering volume. While the factory price seems reasonable, certification costs must be distributed across units sold. For a single container of 46 Mini LED TVs, the $14,000 certification adds roughly $300 per unit. For smaller orders of one or two containers, this burden becomes prohibitive. The representative explains why “American customers want one container, two containers, but the certification cost is very high.”

This conversation illuminates why certain markets dominate global electronics. The certification barrier explains why CJ Tech focuses on European and African markets, where regulatory costs prove more manageable. The $1,800 factory price becomes significantly higher after logistics, certification, and regulatory compliance, explaining why a comparable 100-inch Hisense TV retails for $5,000 USD in American markets.

The company also produces speakers for Hisense and displays for Harman, demonstrating how major brands rely on specialized ODM partners. Their booth features products destined for Amazon’s private label program, revealing the interconnected nature of global electronics distribution. The Mini LED technology costs “between double and triple” the standard 4K version due to enhanced local dimming capabilities that improve color reproduction.

CEO Vision: Building Latin America’s Connected Electronics Ecosystem

Carlos Clur’s strategy extends beyond individual trade fairs to create an integrated regional marketplace. “We want to create these meetings with the C-level executives. They can create joint ventures, ideas to produce in Mexico, ideas to create alliances with the retail, with the suppliers, with the industry, with the components market,” he explains. “We want to have this industry more connected. This connection makes the economy stronger.”

The challenge lies in Mexico’s retail concentration. “The retail is very concentrated in some points, the industry also,” Clur acknowledges. “What we are doing for our challenge is bring the small retail, medium retail, and the big ones, but also the most strategic is bring the neighboring countries.” This international approach distinguishes Electronics Home Mexico from domestic trade shows.

Clur emphasizes the fair’s role in democratizing business opportunities. “Maybe this small retail in the future will be a big retail, and this is something that for us is important. Also bring professionals to the show, create strong relations for long term.” He describes how a single connection can transform businesses: “One company in a show can change the life, the economic life, because they said, ‘Okay, Walmart, make an order.'”

The CEO recognizes technology’s role in market education. “Journalists and influencers, they connect with the consumers, show the new technology, the new prototypes, the new trends, and they promote the industry,” he explains. In Brazil, Grupo Eletrolar works with influencers commanding 50 million followers, while Mexico features Shark Tank personalities discussing artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.

Even Clur participates in the discovery process, purchasing a recording device from a Mexican company during the fair. “This is our work,” he concludes, emphasizing that successful B2B events require continuous investment in matchmaking programs, buyer initiatives, and marketing campaigns to “bring the right people to the right place.”

Understanding the Hidden Value Chain

These conversations provide invaluable insight into electronics pricing that consumers never see. Walking through Electronics Home Mexico offers education worth thousands of dollars in business consulting fees. The direct access to ODM manufacturers, MOQ discussions, and certification cost breakdowns reveal why electronics cost what they do in different markets.

The bourbon dispenser conversation alone demonstrates how specialized B2B products find their markets. Understanding that 100-unit minimums separate consumer purchases from commercial distribution explains why certain products remain invisible to regular shoppers. These aren’t products you find on Amazon or Best Buy shelves, yet they represent significant business opportunities for the right buyers.

The CJ Tech discussion provides even deeper value. Learning that a $5,000 consumer TV starts at $1,800 factory pricing, then understanding how certification costs, logistics, retailer margins, and brand premiums build the final price, offers insights typically reserved for industry insiders. The revelation that certification costs can add $300 per unit for small orders explains why electronics companies focus on high-volume markets.

This knowledge transforms how you view electronics retail. Every smartphone, television, or appliance carries similar hidden costs and supply chain complexities. The fair provides direct access to manufacturers who typically remain invisible behind brand names, offering education about global trade mechanics that business schools struggle to teach.

These discoveries encapsulate the fair’s treasure-hunt atmosphere. Buyers arrive expecting smartphones and appliances, but leave with deep understanding of supply chain economics, MOQ requirements, and certification barriers that reshape pricing strategies. Each conversation reveals the complex calculations behind consumer electronics pricing, from factory floor to retail shelf.

Current Impact and Business Integration

Electronics Home Mexico strengthens Latin America’s position in global electronics trade while addressing international trade tensions. The event targets Chinese companies seeking strategic partnerships in Mexico, capitalizing on shifting supply chain dynamics amid global uncertainty.

For exhibitors, participating in Electronics Home Mexico represents the opportunity to position themselves as innovation leaders in the sector. Direct contact with highly specialized audiences allows companies to understand market needs and adjust commercial strategies with valuable information about consumption trends and behaviors. The event positions itself as a platform designed for real retail, where inspiration, innovation, and action converge , rather than simply an exhibition space. This approach mirrors the successful format established at Eletrolar Show, facilitating in-person meetings between industry and retail partners to eliminate trade barriers and enhance networking opportunities.

Mexico City serves as an economic hub for the entire region, with the country recognized as a regional center with modern infrastructure enabling efficient logistics throughout the continent. The location proves strategic given Mexico’s increasing role in global supply chains and manufacturing, especially as companies seek alternatives amid international trade disputes.

The Mexico-Brazil Chamber provides institutional support, reflecting the event’s role in strengthening bilateral trade relationships. Media coverage includes partnerships with outlets like Infobea, Energía Hoy, and Canton Fair Net, ensuring broad industry awareness across Spanish and Portuguese-speaking markets.

The opening day draws thousands of qualified visitors and hundreds of confirmed exhibitors across consumer electronics, home appliances, and related technology sectors. The event attracts decision-makers from retail chains, specialty stores, e-commerce platforms, and distribution networks throughout Mexico and neighboring regions. Attendees engage in business rounds, networking sessions, innovation forums, and conferences covering market opportunities in Mexico. These components mirror successful formats from the Brazilian and Argentine events, adapted for the Mexican market’s specific characteristics.

“This is the only show that Mexico has for consumer electronics,” Clur notes, emphasizing the event’s unique position in the market. “We believe that we will arrive with a very strong network in Latin America. This is our differential, but we think we have very long work for the next years.”

The inaugural Electronics Home Mexico establishes Grupo Eletrolar’s presence in North America’s largest Spanish-speaking market, completing their regional coverage across Latin America’s three major economic centers while addressing the current global trade environment’s challenges and opportunities. Early activity indicates strong interest from both exhibitors and buyers, with business meetings already underway across the exhibition floor. The event demonstrates Mexico’s growing importance as a strategic hub for electronics trade in the Americas.

The post We’re Live at Electronics Home Mexico: Latin America’s Newest B2B Electronics Expo first appeared on Yanko Design.

The 61st-floor penthouse at Bentley Residences Miami demonstrates how automotive design principles translate into residential architecture, creating a $37.5 million living space that accommodates up to seven vehicles alongside human occupants. This two-story residence represents one of only two such units in the world’s first Bentley-branded residential tower, scheduled for completion in 2028. The penthouse includes four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a powder room, study, entertainment loft, and service quarters designed for hosting events. Private indoor and outdoor pools create connections between interior and exterior spaces, while a sunset terrace and summer kitchen extend entertaining capabilities to the outdoor environment. The starting price positions this property among the highest-priced penthouse offerings on Sunny Isles Beach, with Bentley Home interior design services available as optional additions. Development by Dezer Development continues their branded residential portfolio that has generated over $3.6 billion in sales across 2,700 units.

Designer: Bentley

Candle Flames Survive 61st Floor Ocean Winds

The penthouse’s balcony system addresses wind interference through engineering that allows candle flames to remain stable on the terrace. Traditional oceanfront balconies in Miami often become unusable due to strong coastal winds that make outdoor living uncomfortable at ground level, creating exponentially worse conditions at high elevation.

Bentley’s engineering team developed solutions that cut through the characteristic gusty conditions while maintaining unobstructed views of The Atlantic, downtown Fort Lauderdale, and Miami’s skyline. This wind protection performs with sufficient effectiveness that outdoor dining and entertaining remain comfortable despite the 61st-floor elevation. The engineering solution demonstrates precision aerodynamic design that solves common problems in high-rise coastal residential projects through technical innovation rather than architectural compromise. The 22-foot ceiling heights throughout the interior create volumetric space that allows natural light to penetrate deep into the residence while supporting air circulation systems necessary for Florida’s subtropical climate. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views and light conditions that change throughout the day, creating shifting illumination patterns that interact with interior materials and spatial organization. The vertical space accommodates mechanical systems required for climate control at this elevation while creating openness that complements panoramic ocean views.

Arriving via private elevator foyer, residents encounter spaces designed around relationships between interior volume and exterior vistas. The passenger and vehicle elevators provide separate access points that maintain residential character while accommodating automotive integration that defines the project.

Natural Stone Meets Crystal Panel Integration

Bentley Home’s interior design concept centers on material relationships between natural stone, high-quality oak, and transparent crystal panels. The stone provides thermal mass and visual weight that anchors the space, while oak introduces organic warmth through grain patterns and natural color variations that change as light conditions shift throughout the day.

Crystal panels create visual lightness that prevents substantial materials from overwhelming living spaces, establishing dynamic tension between substance and airiness that animates the interior environment. The material selections respond directly to the oceanfront setting visible through expansive windows, with neutral colors and soft textures that complement rather than compete with the dramatic seascape beyond. Curving walls throughout the penthouse enhance flow between rooms while improving acoustics by eliminating hard corners that create sound reflection issues in large spaces. These curved surfaces reflect flowing lines characteristic of Bentley’s automotive design, translated into architectural language that creates organic transitions between spaces. The curves serve practical functions by improving sound distribution and eliminating harsh reflections that occur in large spaces with traditional rectangular room configurations.

Art Deco influences appear in geometric patterns of crystal panels, proportions of curved walls, and relationships between horizontal and vertical design elements. This creates bridges between Bentley’s British heritage and Miami’s distinctive design culture, synthesizing influences that feel natural rather than forced.

Gil Dezer’s Hydraulic Car-Lift Revolution

The Dezervator system represents Gil Dezer’s patented vehicle-elevator technology that debuted at the Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach, where residents park cars in the building’s core. The system combines hydraulics and electric drives to lift vehicles with drivers inside directly from ground level to in-unit garages without requiring occupants to exit their cars.

RFID tags identify each vehicle and trigger LED guidance systems that direct cars to the proper elevator shaft. Once inside the elevator, the system grips vehicles by their tires and transfers them via robotic shuttle into stacked garage configurations. Transparency around the elevator shaft provides sweeping views during the ascent, turning the parking process into a scenic experience. The Porsche Design Tower installation spans 60 floors with three Dezervators, accommodating up to four cars per residence on east-side units and three on west-side units.

Bentley Residences uses the same patented lift technology with four Dezervators serving the 61-story development. The system operates at speeds around 800 feet per minute, bringing vehicles directly to sky garages with panoramic ocean and pool views. The technology blends hydraulics and robotics in a vertical shuttle system that eliminates traditional valet services or parking garages. With cars parked steps from the front door, owners avoid the conventional separation between vehicle storage and living spaces that characterizes most residential developments.

The glass-enclosed garage accommodates up to seven vehicles with EV charging points, treating cars as sculptural elements within the living environment rather than utilitarian objects stored separately from daily life. The garage space integrates with the penthouse’s overall aesthetic through consistent materials and lighting systems, creating visual continuity between automotive and residential areas.

The floating staircase serves as functional circulation and sculptural centerpiece, embodying the marriage of engineering precision and aesthetic grace that defines Bentley’s approach to design. Service quarters provide additional functionality for hosting events while maintaining the residence’s primary focus on living rather than working spaces. The state-of-the-art kitchen features Gaggenau appliances throughout, incorporating advanced culinary technology within spaces that prioritize functionality and aesthetics equally.

Subtropical Outdoor Living Solutions

The penthouse addresses challenges of indoor-outdoor living at extreme elevation through engineered solutions that maintain comfortable conditions for outdoor entertaining. The sunset terrace and summer kitchen create functional spaces for al fresco dining despite the 61st-floor location, with wind protection systems that allow residents to use outdoor areas throughout the year.

Private indoor and outdoor pools establish visual and functional connections between interior and exterior environments. The outdoor pool creates relationships with the ocean beyond while providing intimate aquatic experiences that complement rather than compete with the natural seascape. Pool systems incorporate advanced climate control and maintenance technology that operates without disrupting the sensory experience of water and light.

The summer kitchen includes full cooking capabilities designed for Florida’s climate, with materials and appliances selected for performance in humid, salt-air conditions. This outdoor cooking space extends the penthouse’s entertaining capacity while taking advantage of ocean breezes and sunset views that change throughout the day. The terrace design maintains consistent materials and design language with interior spaces, creating transitions between indoor and outdoor living areas.

Resort Infrastructure Within Single Building

The Bentley Residences building includes comprehensive amenities that support the penthouse lifestyle without requiring external services. A wellness center, spa, game room, whisky bar, and cigar lounge provide entertainment options within the building, while the cinema offers private screening capabilities for residents and guests. The pet spa and beauty salon address practical needs that maintain the building’s self-contained environment.

The residents-only restaurant and dining concepts provide quality dining experiences without leaving the property, creating resort-like atmosphere that supports daily living and entertaining. The 2.4-acre beachfront includes landscaped beach club, oceanfront pool deck, and beachfront cabanas that provide direct beach access while maintaining privacy and exclusivity expected at this price point.

These ground-level amenities complement the penthouse’s elevated position by offering variety in recreational and social experiences. The building’s amenity program creates vertical resort living that eliminates needs for external services while maintaining the luxury standards expected in $37.5 million residential properties.

Brand Identity Translation Across Design Disciplines

The collaboration between Bentley Motors and Luxury Living Group extends beyond furniture design to create living spaces that reflect precision and craftsmanship associated with the automotive brand. The penthouse functions as flagship example of how automotive design principles translate into residential architecture while maintaining essential character that defines Bentley across different applications.

Rather than relying on superficial branding elements or logo placement, the design team distilled essential qualities of Bentley’s design philosophy and reinterpreted them for residential architecture. The result creates living environments that embody engineering precision, material quality, and attention to detail that have defined Bentley for generations, while pushing forward into new expressions appropriate to contemporary residential design.

The penthouse demonstrates how brand identity adapts to local context while maintaining core values, creating authentic living environments that function on their own architectural merits independent of their connection to the automotive brand. This approach to brand extension creates residential spaces with genuine design value beyond marketing considerations, establishing standards for how luxury brands can honor heritage while creating functional living environments.

The post Bentley Residences Miami: $37.5M Translation of Automotive Design Language first appeared on Yanko Design.

Material innovation takes center stage at Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design festival next week, as four international brands present new approaches to sustainable manufacturing. From furniture made with volcanic waste to chairs crafted from 29 layers of paper, the presentations demonstrate how established manufacturers are changing traditional production methods through distinct material strategies.

Armadillo Debuts Seven-Piece AGRA FORMA Collection

Australian rug manufacturer Armadillo enters furniture design through AGRA FORMA, a collaboration with Sydney designer Tom Fereday that comprises seven sculptural pieces anchored by the brand’s iconic Agra rug. The collection includes the Agra Forma Armchair in Ginger, Agra Forma Stool in Thistle, Agra Forma Ottoman available in both Ginger and Thistle colorways, Agra Forma Desk in Thistle, Agra Forma Chair in Thistle, and Agra Forma Low Stool in Ginger.

Key Details:

• Material Integration: Pure abrash-dyed wool and American red oak timber unite textile and woodworking craftsmanship in shared geometric language
• Design Philosophy: Tom Fereday’s approach celebrates natural material characteristics without overworking design, creating “honest and enduring” objects
• Dual Launch Strategy: Collection debuts simultaneously at Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design and Melbourne Design Week (May 15-25, 2025)

Each piece demonstrates what Armadillo describes as “a refined exploration of materiality, form and the poetic potential of the handmade.” The collection pairs the sun-baked depth of Agra Ginger with the muted cool of Agra Thistle, anchored by the raw integrity of American red oak timber. Sculptural curves and deliberate forms create contrast in refined yet balanced compositions.

Fereday’s design philosophy centers on celebrating “the natural characteristics of natural materials to not overwork a design rather enhance the material and experiential interaction with an object.” His approach emphasizes the tension between natural materials and contemporary manufacture, seeking to create objects that are “honest and enduring.” The designer works at every stage of design, from concept through production and development alongside skilled makers, interrogating the role objects play in contemporary spaces.

The disciplines of rug-making and fine woodwork intersect in a shared language of minimalism and tactility. The raw beauty of sustainable materials, including pure abrash-dyed wool and red oak, are changed into vessels for innovation that transcend the ancient and modern. Each piece articulates what the collaboration calls “a quiet architecture,” inviting a sensory dialogue between surface, structure and space.

The collection launches at The Conary (Dronningens Tværgade 26) within Openhouse Studio’s “Gestures of Home” exhibition, styled by Henriette Schou. Armadillo co-founder Jodie Fried and designer Tom Fereday will be present for the press preview Tuesday, June 17, 9AM-6PM, with a cocktail party Wednesday, June 18, 3PM-6PM.

Arper Advances Sustainable Seating Through PaperShell Innovation

Italian manufacturer Arper presents two sustainable seating solutions at Odd Fellow Palace, building on a 23-year design legacy that began with the original Catifa 53 in 2001. Designed by Lievore Altherr Molina, the Catifa collection was Arper’s first product with an environmental product declaration, establishing the brand’s commitment to sustainable design practices.

Key Details:

• Carbon-Negative Production: PaperShell technology sequesters 1.5kg CO2 equivalent per kilogram of material, converting to biochar at end-of-life
• Waste Stream Utilization: 29 sheets of kraft paper sourced from Swedish wood production residues (sawdust, chips, branches) with no trees cut specifically
• Dual Material Strategy: PaperShell collection alongside Catifa (RE) 46 chairs made from 100% recycled plastic with BREATHAIR cushioning

The Catifa Carta 46 collection uses PaperShell technology, where 29 sheets of responsibly sourced kraft paper bonded with natural resin create chair shells that match traditional plastic durability while offering complete recyclability. The paper originates from Swedish wood production residues including sawdust, chips, and branches, ensuring no trees are explicitly cut for the material. Each kilogram of PaperShell sequesters approximately 1.5 kilograms of CO2 equivalent, making the chairs carbon-negative throughout their lifecycle.

At end-of-life, the chairs undergo pyrolysis, converting the material to biochar that locks carbon permanently while preventing CO2 release into the atmosphere. The original Catifa design, characterized by its bi-curved silhouette and all-in-one shell construction, helped define Arper’s brand personality over two decades. The new PaperShell iteration maintains this iconic form while advancing the company’s circular design principles through material innovation.

Arper also introduces Catifa (RE) 46 chairs made from 100% recycled plastic sourced from post-consumer and post-industrial waste streams. Eight new color options draw inspiration from sustainable architecture, emphasizing exposed materials and natural textures that complement contemporary interior design trends. The collection includes BREATHAIR cushioning, an elastomeric polyester material that provides breathability, water resistance, and full recyclability. The cushioning has been precisely shaped for the first time to fit Catifa specifications, merging comfort with sustainable material innovation.

The exhibition runs Wednesday-Friday at Bredgade 28, with press previews Wednesday, June 18, 12PM-4PM.

Foscarini Presents Dual Lighting Innovations

Italian lighting manufacturer Foscarini presents two major collections at Alice Folker Gallery: the Eolie Collection featuring chandeliers made from recycled lava stone, and the Etoile chandelier series designed by Dordoni Studio. The presentations demonstrate Foscarini’s approach to material experimentation alongside contemporary chandelier design.

Key Details:

• Volcanic Waste Transformation: Eolie Collection by Alberto and Francesco Meda converts recycled lava stone into functional lighting while preserving natural crater textures
• Transparent Structure Design: Etoile chandeliers use invisible Pyrex cylinders for support, creating floating effect with etched glass diffusers
• Dual Configuration Options: Grande Etoile (three-level) and Etoile Ronde (single-level) versions with silver-finished bulbs for optimal light distribution

The Eolie pieces, designed by Alberto and Francesca Meda, incorporate recycled lava stone that retains the porous, crater-like surface textures characteristic of cooled volcanic material. Alberto Meda, born in 1945 and trained as a mechanical engineer at Milan Polytechnic, brings decades of material innovation experience to the collaboration. His design philosophy emphasizes “lightness as a paradigm,” seeking to “produce a simple appearance while using complex technology to solve a problem.”

The father-son design team combines Alberto’s engineering background with Francesco’s focus on traditional craftsmanship. Alberto’s experience as technical manager at Kartell from 1973, where he developed plastic laboratory equipment and furniture projects, informs his understanding of material possibilities and manufacturing constraints. Francesco Meda, born in 1984 and educated at Milan’s Istituto Europeo of Design, gained experience at Sebastian Bergne’s and Ross Lovegrove’s studios in London before returning to collaborate with his father.

Foscarini also presents Etoile, designed by Dordoni Studio, which changes the concept of the chandelier while conserving its intrinsic allure. The design substitutes rich decoration of traditional chandeliers with a refined game of volumes. Contrast between the transparency of the central cylinder in Pyrex and the texture of etched glass diffusers creates balance between opposing elements.

Etoile comes in two versions: Grande Etoile with a configuration on three levels, and Etoile Ronde with a single level. No visible structural element appears at the center, with support for the lighting modules provided by a cylinder of transparent Pyrex that becomes almost imperceptible when the chandelier operates. Slender cylinders branch out from this core to sustain diffusers in blown glass of different sizes, arranged on staggered levels in the Grande model, and as an array in the Ronde version.

The cylinder contains the electrical wiring, left free to move, changing the concept of the arm in a minimal form. In Grande Etoile, the portions of glass vary at different levels: in the upper and lower planes they correspond to two thirds of a cylinder, while at the middle level they take the form of half circumferences, the same pieces utilized in the Etoile Ronde version.

Bulbs with silver frontal finish attach at the center of each diffuser, aiming light towards the glass and allowing the etched diffuser to absorb and then release it. The glass becomes the protagonist, producing soft, enveloping glow and spreading indirect, diffused and atmospheric effects.

The exhibition includes aperitivo events Wednesday and Thursday, 4:30-5:30PM, plus “The Art of Enlightenment” talk Friday, 10:30-11:15AM at Esplanaden 14, with Head of Design Matteo Urbinati leading technical discussions.

Ingo Maurer Challenges Perception with Three New Concepts

German lighting designer Ingo Maurer presents three pieces at Alice Folker Gallery: Nalum, SHHH!, and Jasna Kuchnia. Each design explores the relationship between light, material properties, and visual perception through the late designer’s philosophy of working with “the material which does not exist.”

Key Details:

• Wave Motion Technology: Nalum uses floating glass tubes with magnetic LED positioning to create shifting light patterns inspired by ocean waves and water reflection
• Perception Deception: SHHH! hides light source within noise-canceling headphones while visible bulb remains unlit, challenging conventional lighting expectations
• Porcelain Light Sculpture: Jasna Kuchnia transforms five white plates into wall-mounted lighting with LED backlighting and matchstick ignition illusion

Nalum translates the dynamics of waves and light into a lighting object inspired by the movement of ocean waves and the play of light reflections on water surfaces. The name combines ‘Nalu’, the Hawaiian word for wave, and ‘Lum’, an allusion to light. In addition to the physical meaning of ‘wave’, ‘nalu’ stands for reflection and contemplation. At the center sits a floating, undulating glass tube, illuminated from the outside. The contours of the glass create lines of light through multiple reflections, making Nalum appear to be made entirely of water and light.

The visual lightness results from precise use of glass as material. The wave-shaped inner tube, illuminated from the outside, creates complex interplay of lines, depth, and movement through reflection and refraction. The outer glass tube acts as a calm frame, stabilizing the form, enhancing the light effect, and making technical elements almost disappear. The linear light source integrates discretely, held in place by magnets in the outer glass tube and providing uplight and downlight. This makes Nalum suitable for long tables, such as dining or conference tables, and for spaces where targeted and atmospheric lighting is required. The lighting components can be dimmed independently and produce warm white light of 2700 K.

SHHH! subverts expectations and plays with perception through an unusual encounter between an accessory connected with industrial labor and a light source that paradoxically emits no light. What at first glance seems like a light source is something else again. As in an orchestrated illusion, the true source of light is not the visible bulb, but is hidden inside the noise-proof headset. The light spreads through the bulb into the space, creating an evocative atmosphere. Two directional spots positioned in the lower part of the headset project accent lighting onto surfaces below, combining visual impressions with functional quality.

Jasna Kuchnia consists of five simple white porcelain plates arranged vertically with a narrow LED strip that backlights the porcelain. The light is not diffused but absorbed, refracted, and reflected in subtle gradients of brightness. This interplay creates a vibrant choreography of light and shadow, giving the plates a sculptural presence. The synergy between porcelain and light shows the strength of the design, making the hard, smooth material appear weightless and translucent when illuminated.

Technical specifications include LED, 100/240V, 15.3W, 2700K, CRI ≥ 90, with dimensions of Width 22cm x Height 61cm x Depth 13cm. The fixture mounts directly to the wall with the driver discretely integrated into the wall bracket, making additional installation components unnecessary. The springs holding the plates can be shifted laterally, allowing users to choose strictly vertical alignment or a slightly offset configuration. Multiple elements can be combined for larger installations ranging from ten plates or more in a row.

The frontmost plate features a small, dark matchstick that blends into the overall composition. When the light turns on, the signature charm of an Ingo Maurer design appears: shining through the ceramic, the light source appears to ignite the match, and a warm yellow flame begins to glow.

Axel Schmid, Head of Product and Project Design, leads “Playfulness & Irony in Modern Art & Design” discussion Thursday, 10:30AM.

Festival Context and Material Innovation Impact

The presentations demonstrate how material innovation drives contemporary design development, with each brand addressing sustainability through distinct philosophical approaches. Tom Fereday’s celebration of natural material characteristics, the Meda family’s engineering-informed simplicity, Lievore Altherr Molina’s environmental consciousness, and Ingo Maurer’s perceptual experimentation represent different pathways toward responsible design practice.

The festival features over 200 exhibitions across eight Copenhagen districts, with press appointments coordinated centrally and several venues within walking distance. Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design runs June 18-20, 2025, with extended hours for trade visitors and media representatives. The presentations collectively showcase how material innovation drives sustainable design development, from natural fiber and timber integration to bio-based composites, waste material change, and conceptual challenges to conventional manufacturing approaches.

The post Four Brands Redefine Materials at Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Liquid Glass represents more than an aesthetic update or surface-level polish. It functions as a complex behavioral system, precisely engineered to dictate how interface layers react to user input. In practical terms, this means Apple devices now interact with interface surfaces not as static, interchangeable panes, but as dynamic, adaptive materials that fluidly flex and respond to every interaction. Interface elements now behave like physical materials with depth and transparency, creating subtle visual distortions in content beneath them, like looking through textured glass.

Designer: Apple

This comprehensive redesign permeates every pixel across the entire Apple ecosystem, encompassing iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, creating consistent experience regardless of platform. Born out of close collaboration between Apple’s design and engineering teams, Liquid Glass uses real-time rendering and dynamically reacts to movement with specular highlights. The system extends from the smallest interface elements (buttons, switches, sliders, text controls, media controls) to larger components including tab bars and sidebars. What began as experimental explorations within visionOS has evolved into a foundational cornerstone across all of Apple’s platforms.

Yanko Design (Vincent Nguyen): What was that initial simple idea that sparked Liquid Glass? And second, how would you describe the concept of “material” in this context to everyday users who don’t understand design?

Alan Dye (VP of Human Interface Design, Apple): “Well, two things. I think what got us mostly excited was the idea of whether we could create a digital material that could morph and adapt and change in place, and still have this beautiful transparency so it could show through to the content. Because I think, initially, our goal is always to celebrate the user’s content, whether that’s media or the app.”

This technical challenge reveals the core problem Apple set out to solve: creating a digital material that maintains form-changing capabilities while preserving transparency. Traditional UI elements either block content or disappear entirely, but Apple developed a material that can exist in multiple states without compromising visibility of underlying content. Dye’s emphasis on “celebrating user content” exposes Apple’s hierarchy philosophy, where the interface serves content instead of competing with it. When you tap to magnify text, the interface doesn’t resize but stretches and flows like liquid responding to pressure, ensuring your photos, videos, and web content remain the focus while navigation elements adapt around them.

“And then in terms of what we would call the data layer, we liked the idea that every application has its content. So Photos has all the imagery of your photos. We want that to be the star of the show. Safari, we want the webpage to be the focal point. So when you scroll, we’re able to get those controls out of the way, shrink the URL field in that case.”

Apple has established a clear priority system where Photos imagery, Safari web pages, and media content take precedence over navigational elements, instead of treating interface chrome and user content as equal elements competing for attention. This represents a shift from interface-centric design to content-centric design. The practical implementation becomes apparent when scrolling through Safari, where the URL field shrinks dynamically, or in Photos, where the imagery dominates the visual hierarchy while controls fade into the background. Controls fade and sharpen based on what you’re doing, creating interfaces that feel more natural and responsive, where every interaction provides clear visual feedback about what’s happening and where you are in the system.

“For everyday users, we think there’s this layer that’s the top level. Menu systems, back buttons, and controls. And then there’s the app content beneath. That’s how we determine what’s the glass layer versus the application layer.”

Dye’s explanation of the “glass layer versus application layer” architecture provides insight into how Apple technically implements this philosophy. The company has created a distinct separation between functional controls (the glass layer) and user content (the application layer), allowing each to behave according to different rules while maintaining visual cohesion. This architectural decision enables the morphing behavior Dye described, where controls can adapt and change while content remains stable and prominent.

The Physical Reality Behind Digital Glass

During one of Apple’s demo setups, my attention was drawn to a physical glass layer arranged over printed graphics. This display served as tangible simulation of the refractive effect that Liquid Glass achieves in the digital realm. As I stood above the installation, I could discern how the curves and layering of the glass distorted light, reshaping the visual hierarchy of the underlying graphics. This physical representation was more than decorative flourish; it served as a bridge, translating the complex theoretical underpinnings of Apple’s design approach into something tactile and comprehensible.

That moment of parallax and distortion functioned as a compelling real-world metaphor, illustrating how interface controls now transition between foreground and background elements. What I observed in that physical demonstration directly translated to my hands-on experience with the software: the same principles of light refraction, depth perception, and material behavior that govern real glass now influence how digital interfaces respond to interaction.

Hands-On: How Liquid Glass Changes Daily Interactions

My hands-on experience with the newly refreshed iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and watchOS 26 immediately illuminated the essence of Liquid Glass. What Apple describes as “glass” now transcends static texture and behaves as a dynamic, responsive environment. Consider the tab bars in Music or the sidebar in Notes app: as I scrolled through content, subtle distortions became apparent beneath these interface elements, accompanied by live refraction effects that gently bent the underlying content. The instant I ceased scrolling, this distortion smoothly resolved, allowing the content to settle into clarity.

My focus this year remained on the flat-screen experience, as I did not demo Vision Pro or CarPlay. iOS, iPadOS, and macOS serve as demonstrations of how Liquid Glass adapts to various input models, with a mouse hover eliciting distinct behaviors compared to direct tap or swipe. The material possesses understanding of when to amplify content for prominence and when to recede into the background. Even during media playback, dynamic layers expand and contract, responding directly to how and when you engage with the screen.

The lock screen clock exemplifies Liquid Glass principles perfectly. The time display dynamically scales and adapts to the available space behind it, creating a sense that the interface is responding to the content instead of imposing rigid structure upon it. This adaptive behavior extends beyond scaling to include weight adjustments and spacing modifications that ensure optimal legibility regardless of wallpaper complexity.

On macOS, hovering with a mouse cursor creates subtle preview states in interface elements. Buttons and controls show depth and transparency changes that indicate their interactive nature without overwhelming the content beneath. Touch interactions on iOS and iPadOS create more pronounced responses, with elements providing haptic-like visual feedback that corresponds to the pressure and duration of contact. The larger screen real estate of iPadOS allows for more complex layering effects, where sidebars and toolbars create deeper visual hierarchies with multiple levels of transparency and refraction.

The difference from current iOS becomes apparent in specific scenarios. In the current Music app, scrolling through your library feels like moving through flat, static layers. With Liquid Glass, scrolling creates a sense of depth. You can see your album artwork subtly shifting beneath the translucent controls, creating spatial awareness of where interface elements sit in relation to your content. The tab bar doesn’t just scroll with you; it creates gentle optical distortions that make the underlying content feel physically present beneath the glass surface.

However, the clear aesthetic comes with notable trade-offs. While the transparency creates visual depth, readability can suffer in certain lighting conditions or with complex wallpapers. Apple has engineered an adaptive system that provides light backgrounds for dark content and dark backgrounds for light content, but the system faces challenges when backgrounds contain mixed lighting conditions. While testing the clear home screen option, where widgets and icons adopt full transparency, the aesthetic impact is striking but raises practical concerns. The interface achieves a modern, visionOS-inspired look that feels fresh and contemporary, yet this approach can compromise text legibility, with busy wallpapers or varying lighting conditions creating readability issues that become apparent during extended use.

The challenge becomes most apparent with notification text and menu items, where contrast can diminish to the point where information becomes difficult to parse quickly. Apple provides the clear transparency as an optional setting, acknowledging that maximum transparency isn’t suitable for all users or use cases. This represents one of the few areas where the visual appeal of Liquid Glass conflicts with practical usability, requiring users to make conscious choices about form versus function.

Even keyboard magnification, when activated by tapping to edit text, behaved not as resizing but as fluid digital glass reacting organically to touch pressure. This response felt natural, almost organic in its execution. The system rewards motion with clarity and precision, creating transitions that establish clear cause and effect while guiding your understanding of your current location within the interface and your intended destination. Across all platforms, this interaction dynamically ranges between 1.2x and 1.5x magnification, with the value determined by specific gesture, contextual environment, and interface density at that moment instead of being rigidly fixed.

This logic extends to watchOS, where pressing an icon or notification amplifies the element, creating magnification that feels less like conventional zoom and more like digital glass stretching forward. On the small watch screen, this creates a sense of interface elements having physical presence and weight. Touch targets feel more substantial with reflective surfaces and enhanced depth cues, making interactions feel more tactile despite the flat display surface.

While this interaction feels natural, the underlying mechanics are precisely controlled and deeply integrated. Apple has engineered a system that responds intelligently to context, gesture, and content type. Apple’s intention with Liquid Glass extends beyond replicating physical glass and instead represents recognition of the inherent qualities of physical materials: how light interacts with them, how they create distortion, and how they facilitate layering. These characteristics are then applied to digital environments, liberating them from the restrictive constraints of real-world physics.

Why This Matters for Daily Use

The result is a system that is elastic, contextually aware, and designed to recede when its presence is not required. Most individuals will not pause to dissect the underlying reasons why a particular interaction feels improved. Instead, they will perceive enhanced grounding when navigating iPadOS or watchOS, with sidebar elements conveying heightened solidity and magnification effects appearing intentional. Apple does not overtly publicize these changes; it engineers them to resonate with the user’s sense of interaction.

This translates to practical benefits: reduced cognitive load when navigating between apps, clearer visual hierarchy that helps you focus on content, and interface feedback that feels more natural and predictable. When you’re editing photos, the tools recede to let your images dominate. When you’re reading articles in Safari, the browser chrome adapts to keep text prominent. When you’re scrolling through messages, the conversation content remains clear while navigation elements provide subtle depth cues.

Liquid Glass represents a fundamental recalibration of how digital interfaces convey motion, spatial relationships, and control. The outcome is an experience that defies easy verbal articulation, yet one that you will find yourself unwilling to relinquish.

The post Apple’s Liquid Glass Hands-On: Why Every Interface Element Now Behaves Like Physical Material first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Fujifilm X-E5 is the newest camera in their classic rangefinder-style series, inspired by the popular X100VI but with the ability to change lenses. This is the first X-E camera to feature built-in image stabilization and a premium aluminum body, making it perfect for photographers who love the vintage look but want more lens options. What makes this camera special is its customizable film simulation dial that lets you save your own photo styles for instant access. Whether you’re shooting street photography, travel content, or lifestyle portraits, the X-E5 lightweightness fits easily into your everyday bag, delivering professional-quality results that stand out on social media.

Designer: Fujifilm

With over 40 X Mount optics available, users can adapt the camera to various creative needs while maintaining a compact form factor and classic design appeal. The X-E5 weighs 445 grams including battery and memory card, representing minimal weight gain despite adding in-body image stabilization compared to the X-E4.

The camera features the first customizable Film Simulation dial in X Series history. The dial provides quick access to Fujifilm’s Film Simulation modes while offering three additional positions (FS1, FS2, FS3) for storing custom recipes. Users can create and save personalized settings for immediate recall during shooting sessions.

Machined Aluminum Construction and Design Details

The camera’s top plate uses machined aluminum construction, a first for the X-E series. The distinct tapered design on the rear enhances metallic texture while improving dial operability. Sharp, flat edges combine with curved surfaces to deliver smooth metallic texture and high rigidity.

Design refinements include a flush-mounted viewfinder and diopter adjustment control. The offset electronic viewfinder echoes classic rangefinder styling, while a Bluetooth connectivity button positioned on the base mimics a film rewind button. These details bridge digital functionality with analog aesthetics.

Knurling at the lens mount base provides secure grip during lens changes. The manual focus ring includes high-frequency position detection for precise manual focus with minimal rotation angle. A fixed spacer between manual focus and aperture rings enables easier adjustment while composing through the viewfinder.

Refinement appears in every aspect of X-E5’s design. The viewfinder and diopter adjustment control fit flush with the body. By refining vertical and horizontal elements, the design preserves the essence of a traditional camera while exuding sophisticated presence. The combination of machined aluminum construction with classic rangefinder proportions creates a camera that feels substantial yet remains highly portable.

40.2MP Sensor and Processing Engine

The X-E5 houses a back-illuminated 40.2-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor paired with the X-Processor 5 imaging engine. Updated image processing algorithms deliver high resolution while maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio. The improved pixel structure records light more efficiently, unlocking ISO 125 as native sensitivity rather than extended option.

The electronic shutter capability reaches a maximum speed of 1/180,000 second for precise exposure control. The higher resolution sensor enables a two-step digital teleconverter, cropping the sensor to provide 1.4x or 2.0x zoom with minimal quality loss.

AI-based subject detection uses deep learning technology to recognize animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones. The latest AF predictive algorithm delivers high tracking performance for moving subjects and high precision AF in low-contrast lighting conditions.

The sensor’s back-illuminated design improves light-gathering efficiency compared to traditional front-illuminated sensors. This architecture places the photodiodes closer to the surface, reducing light loss and improving performance at higher ISO settings.

Subject detection settings require specific configurations: Bird mode detects insects, while Airplane mode recognizes drones. The system analyzes subject movement patterns and predicts trajectory for improved tracking accuracy during continuous autofocus operation.

Seven-Stop In-Body Image Stabilization

The X-E5 becomes the first X-E model to include in-body image stabilization, offering up to 7.0 stops of correction at the center and 6.0 stops at the periphery. The system incorporates a new IBIS algorithm and upgraded gyro sensor to boost camera shake suppression across five axes (yaw, pitch, roll correction).

This IBIS implementation adds minimal weight and size compared to the X-E4, maintaining the compact form factor while enabling handheld shooting in challenging lighting conditions. The stabilization system works with the camera’s weather-resistant design, which handles dust, moisture, and temperatures down to -10°C (14°F).

Enhanced Electronic Viewfinder Capabilities

The offset electronic viewfinder offers multiple viewing modes that replicate optical viewfinder functionality. Classic Display mode positions all viewfinder information at the bottom of the screen with a metering gauge on the right side, mimicking an analog film SLR layout.

Three Surround View modes allow selection of black, semi-transparent, or line outline showing the image’s aspect ratio and areas outside the frame. This helps anticipate subjects moving into frame. Users can switch between these options using the Control Lever on the camera’s front.

The Control Lever provides additional customizable functions including aspect ratio changes and digital teleconverter magnification adjustment. This enables exceptional operability and versatility during one-handed operation.

Classic Display mode represents a significant departure from typical EVF layouts. Information placement at the bottom mimics traditional film camera viewfinders, creating familiar shooting experience for photographers transitioning from analog systems.

Surround View functionality extends beyond simple framing aids. The semi-transparent mode allows photographers to see approaching subjects before they enter the frame, while line outline mode provides precise composition guidance without visual distraction.

The Control Lever’s positioning on the front panel enables thumb operation without removing the eye from the viewfinder. This ergonomic consideration maintains shooting flow while providing quick access to frequently adjusted settings.

Video Recording and Monitor Design

Video recording reaches 6.2K resolution at 29.97fps with up to 200 Mbps bitrate. The camera includes tracking AF function during video recording for smooth footage. The 3.0-inch two-way tilting touchscreen LCD monitor features approximately 1.04 million dots resolution.

The rear monitor tilts upward and forward up to 180 degrees, accommodating compositions from high to low angles plus selfie positioning. This flexibility supports various shooting scenarios while maintaining the camera’s compact profile.

6.2K recording provides substantial resolution for post-production cropping and stabilization. The high bitrate ensures minimal compression artifacts during detailed scenes with complex textures or rapid movement.

New XF23mmF2.8 R WR Pancake Lens

The X-E5 pairs with the newly announced XF23mmF2.8 R WR pancake lens, available in kit form or separately. The lens provides 35mm equivalent focal length and weighs 90 grams (3.17 ounces) with 23mm overall length, matching the XF27mmF2.8 R WR dimensions.

Optical construction includes 8 elements in 6 groups with two aspherical elements to minimize aberrations from center to periphery. The lens features an 11-blade aperture diaphragm for smooth, circular bokeh, particularly effective at wider apertures of F2.8 and F4.

Close focusing distance reaches 20cm (7.9 inches) from the sensor, enabling frame-filling images of smaller subjects. The lens uses full-group focusing system to suppress aberration variation across focus positions, maintaining high image quality at close range.

A DC coreless motor provides rapid autofocus with minimal movement requirements. The lens includes 9 sealing points for dust and moisture resistance to -10°C (14°F). Weather sealing allows safe operation in light rain, cold, and dusty environments when paired with compatible camera bodies.

The 23mm focal length fills a gap in Fujifilm’s pancake lens lineup. While the XF27mmF2.8 R WR provides 41mm equivalent coverage, the XF23mmF2.8 R WR offers wider 35mm equivalent perspective for environmental portraits and street photography.

Fujifilm’s latest lens development techniques enabled the compact design. By increasing the number of metal components and making parts thinner while maintaining durability, engineers achieved the same 23mm length as the XF27mmF2.8 R WR despite different optical requirements.

The 11-blade aperture represents a significant upgrade over typical 7 or 9-blade designs. More blades create rounder aperture opening at all f-stops, producing smoother bokeh transitions and more circular highlight rendering.

Full-group focusing moves all lens elements together during focus operation. This design maintains consistent optical performance across the focusing range, preventing the aberration shifts common in designs that move only specific element groups.

Connectivity and Storage Options

Connectivity includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C, HDMI Type D, 3.5mm microphone input, remote release capability, and hot shoe mounting. Storage supports SD cards up to 2GB, SDHC up to 32GB, and SDXC cards up to 2TB, plus SSD support up to 2TB.

The camera supports UHS-I, UHS-II, and Video Speed Class V90 for high-speed data transfer during video recording and burst photography. Exposure modes include Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual (PASM) with exposure compensation from -5.0EV to +5.0EV in 1/3EV steps.

SSD support represents an advanced storage option for professional video work. External SSDs connected via USB-C provide faster write speeds and larger capacity than traditional SD cards, enabling extended 6.2K recording sessions without interruption.

Video Speed Class V90 ensures minimum sustained write speeds of 90 MB/s, crucial for high-bitrate 6.2K recording. This specification prevents dropped frames during intensive recording scenarios with complex scene content.

The post Fujifilm X-E5 Adds 7-Stop In-Body Image Stabilization to Rangefinder Series first appeared on Yanko Design.

The moment I approached the 2025 Audi Q5 in Aspen, Colorado, the vehicle’s design language immediately communicated a fundamental shift in SUV thinking. This represents a complete rethinking of how form and function integrate in contemporary SUV design, addressing aesthetic evolution and practical demands through pure design intelligence. The new Premium Platform Combustion chassis provides the foundation for this change, creating proportions that feel familiar and fresh.

The SUV Proportion Evolution

Traditional SUV design has long struggled with the tension between commanding presence and aerodynamic efficiency. The 2025 Q5 addresses this fundamental conflict through what Audi calls “dynamic proportions,” and after driving it 130 miles through Colorado’s challenging mountain terrain, I can confirm this represents genuine design innovation rather than marketing terminology. The Q5’s surface development reflects advanced understanding of how light and shadow create visual interest across varying viewing angles. The reduction of unnecessary body lines creates clean surfaces that allow the fundamental form to communicate strength and purpose without relying on aggressive styling clichés that quickly become dated.

Pulling away from our starting point, the Q5’s 268 horsepower turbocharged four cylinder delivered immediate throttle response that felt more refined than the previous generation. The power delivery builds smoothly from 1,500 rpm, providing the kind of linear acceleration that makes mountain driving confidence inspiring rather than stressful. During acceleration testing on a straight mountain section, the Q5 reached 60 mph in six seconds, rivaling some sports cars despite its SUV proportions. The engine note remains subdued during normal driving but develops a more purposeful sound when pushed harder through the mountain passes. During our initial climb out of the valley, the turbocharger spooled with minimal lag, eliminating the hesitation that can make mountain driving frustrating when you need power immediately for passing or merging.

The SQ5’s 362 horsepower V6 changes the driving experience. Stabbing the throttle produces an immediate surge of torque that pins you back in the seat, with the engine pulling strongly all the way to redline. The sound is intoxicating without being obnoxious, creating the soundtrack for aggressive mountain driving. The additional 67 horsepower over the standard Q5 makes itself known immediately, especially when climbing steep grades where the extra power eliminates any sense of strain. The V6’s broad torque curve provides flexibility during technical driving situations, delivering strong acceleration from any rpm without requiring downshifts to access the power band.

The seven speed S tronic dual clutch transmission deserves special mention for its intelligence during mountain driving. In automatic mode, it holds gears longer when climbing and downshifts aggressively when descending, using engine braking to maintain control without overheating the brakes. Manual mode via the paddle shifters provides instant response, with shifts occurring in milliseconds rather than the sluggish responses typical of torque converter automatics. The programming prioritizes performance and control over fuel economy, which proves ideal for mountain driving conditions where maintaining momentum and control takes precedence over efficiency.

The wheelbase extension creates interior space gains while the overall length increase remains modest, demonstrating how careful proportion adjustments can deliver practical benefits without disrupting visual harmony. This represents the kind of design intelligence that separates genuine innovation from superficial styling exercises.

Performance Dynamics: Where Design Meets Reality

The handling characteristics reinforce this design philosophy through precise steering that communicates road surface changes without becoming twitchy or nervous. The Q5 feels planted and secure through mountain curves, with body roll kept well in check despite the higher center of gravity. The steering weight builds naturally as speeds increase, providing the kind of feedback that inspires confidence during spirited driving. During our most challenging sections through winding mountain passes, the steering remained communicative without becoming nervous, allowing precise placement through corners while maintaining the comfort expected in this segment.

Pushing the Q5 harder through a series of tight switchbacks revealed composure for an SUV. The chassis maintains balance, with the quattro all wheel drive system distributing power to maintain traction without intrusive electronic interventions. The vehicle rotates naturally through corners, responding predictably to steering inputs while maintaining the stability that SUV buyers expect. During one particularly demanding section with decreasing radius turns, the Q5 demonstrated poise, allowing aggressive cornering speeds while maintaining complete control.

The SQ5’s sport adaptive air suspension changes the handling equation. In Dynamic mode, the suspension firms up dramatically, reducing body roll to sports car levels while maintaining enough compliance to handle rough mountain roads. The difference between Comfort and Dynamic modes is substantial, providing two different vehicles in one package. Switching between modes during our drive revealed how dramatically the character changes, from comfortable cruiser to focused performance machine with the press of a button.

Braking performance proved strong throughout our demanding mountain drive, with the standard brakes on the Q5 providing consistent stopping power with pedal feel and modulation. During repeated hard stops on steep descents, the brakes showed no signs of fade or degradation. The SQ5’s larger brakes offer even more capability, with the kind of stopping power that allows aggressive driving with complete confidence. The brake pedal feel remains firm and progressive throughout, allowing precise control during technical driving situations.

The rear design exemplifies this philosophy through a clean approach that eliminates visual clutter. From the rear window to the lower edge of the three dimensional light strip, a smooth surface creates visual width while the area between the light strip and bumper maintains restraint. The functional tailpipes exit on sides, with SQ5 models featuring iconic quad tailpipes that receive a sharpened design treatment.

During our late afternoon arrival in Aspen, these design elements created a refined presence that communicated capability and refinement. The clean surfaces and purposeful details projected confidence without the ostentation that can alienate in exclusive resort environments.

Interior Architecture: The Horizontal Philosophy

The interior design represents the most significant departure from traditional SUV thinking. The horizontal dashboard structure creates visual width while the high quality materials extend across the interior width, establishing a sense of spaciousness that exceeds the vehicle’s dimensions.

The clear design approach eliminates visual complexity while maintaining functional accessibility. Every control placement reflects careful consideration of human ergonomics and usage patterns, creating an environment that enhances rather than complicates the driving experience. The integration of technology feels organic rather than imposed, suggesting genuine understanding of how humans interact with automotive systems.

During our challenging mountain route from Crested Butte through Buena Vista to Aspen, this interior architecture proved its worth through intuitive operation that required minimal learning curve. The horizontal emphasis created a sense of stability and control that enhanced confidence during demanding driving situations.

The fully adjustable rear seat represents thinking about passenger and cargo flexibility. The bench can slide back and forth while tilting to increase either cargo volume or rear passenger space as required. This mechanical solution addresses real world usage patterns through design intelligence rather than electronic complexity.

Lighting as Design Communication

The advanced lighting technology represents a fundamental shift in how automotive illumination functions as design language. The Matrix Design LED headlights offer up to eight digital light signatures in the redesigned daytime running lights, allowing individual expression while maintaining Audi’s design DNA.

The second generation digital OLED taillights feature three dimensional design that brings physical and digital worlds together. The light strip spans the vehicle width, creating visual presence that enhances safety while communicating design sophistication. The available OLED technology provides customization options that allow owners to express individual preferences within established brand parameters.

The projection light in the spoiler above the rear window on Q5 Sportback and SQ5 models delivers increased visibility by projecting into the upper rear window area, enlarging the Center High Mount Stop Light area. This functional innovation demonstrates how safety requirements can drive aesthetic advancement rather than compromising design integrity.

During our drive through varying light conditions, from Crested Butte’s mountain shadows to Aspen’s evening illumination, these lighting elements enhanced visibility and visual appeal. The Coming Home and Leaving Home lighting sequences changed vehicle approach and departure into kinetic experiences that communicated technological sophistication.

Material Innovation and Color Strategy

The color palette reflects careful consideration of contemporary preferences while maintaining timeless appeal. The Q5 lineup offers ten exterior colors including new Tambora Gray metallic, while exclusive options like Ultra Blue metallic and Daytona Gray pearl effect are available for Q5 Sportback and S models.

These color choices reflect different personality expressions while maintaining cohesive brand identity. The exclusive colors for specific variants create hierarchy within the lineup while allowing individual expression. The interior materials and color combinations create environments that feel contemporary and enduring, avoiding trends that quickly become dated.

The wheel designs demonstrate how functional requirements can drive aesthetic innovation. The progression from 18 inch to 21 inch designs maintains proportional relationships while adding visual drama appropriate to performance variants. The SQ5’s available wheel options include designs that emphasize the performance character while maintaining the refinement expected in upscale SUV segments.

Technology Integration Philosophy

The technology integration reflects mature understanding of how digital systems should enhance rather than dominate the user experience. The available features operate transparently, supporting the driving experience without requiring constant attention or management.

The wireless charging system provides 15 watts of power while incorporating cooling to prevent device overheating during extended use. The USB C ports deliver considerable power with front ports supporting up to 60 watts and rear ports providing up to 200 watts combined, ensuring that multiple devices remain powered throughout extended journeys.

The fully adjustable rear seat system demonstrates mechanical innovation that addresses real world usage patterns. The ability to slide and tilt the rear bench provides cargo and passenger flexibility that electronic systems cannot match, representing problem solving through design intelligence.

Pricing Reflects Design Value

The design innovation comes at price points that reflect genuine value rather than exclusivity positioning. The Q5 starts at $52,200, providing access to the complete design package including the Digital Stage OLED system, Matrix Design LED headlights, and quattro all wheel drive with the 268 horsepower turbocharged four cylinder engine. The Q5 Premium Plus at $56,700 adds sport seats, 19 inch wheels, and enhanced technology features, while the Q5 Prestige at $60,600 includes the adaptive air suspension, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and advanced lighting technology.

The Q5 Sportback commands a $3,700 premium over the standard SUV, starting at $55,900 for the trim. This pricing reflects the additional engineering required for the coupe like roofline and specialized manufacturing processes. The Sportback Premium Plus at $58,800 and Prestige at $62,700 maintain the same equipment progression as the standard Q5 while adding the distinctive styling that appeals to buyers seeking a more expressive design statement.

SQ5 models begin with the trim at $64,800, featuring the 362 horsepower V6 engine, sport adaptive air suspension, sport rear differential, and 20 inch wheels as standard equipment. The SQ5 Premium Plus at $68,300 adds sport plus seats, advanced driver assistance features, and enhanced interior appointments. The SQ5 Prestige at $71,200 includes the complete technology package with head up display, 360 degree cameras, and the full suite of convenience features.

The SQ5 Sportback represents the range topping model, starting at $67,600 for trim and reaching $73,000 for the Prestige variant. This pricing positions the SQ5 Sportback as a direct competitor to performance SUVs from BMW and Mercedes Benz while offering the distinctive liftback profile that sets it apart in the segment.

For mountain enthusiasts who need to transport gear while maintaining an appropriate image in upscale destinations like Aspen, this pricing structure provides clear value propositions. The Q5 offers an accessible entry point into Audi’s advanced technology and quattro capability, while the SQ5 Prestige provides the performance and features that justify the investment for buyers who prioritize driving dynamics and comprehensive equipment. All pricing excludes the $1,295 destination charge, taxes, title, and dealer fees.

Design Legacy and Future Direction

The 2025 Q5 represents evolutionary rather than transformative design thinking, building on established Audi design principles while addressing contemporary functional requirements. The approach suggests mature understanding of how form and function must integrate to create vehicles that serve diverse user needs without compromise.  

This design philosophy demonstrates that careful development can solve complex problems while creating objects of genuine beauty. In an era of increasing automotive complexity, the Q5 represents a refreshing return to fundamental design principles applied with contemporary sophistication and technological capability.

The result is SUV design that enhances rather than complicates the user experience while maintaining the visual appeal that drives initial purchase decisions. The 2025 Q5 family proves that intelligent design can address practical requirements while creating vehicles that satisfy rational and emotional purchase motivations.

The post First Drive: The 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 Shapes a Sharper Future for Everyday Utility first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2025 delivered transformative announcements that reshape the entire computing landscape through revolutionary design language, advanced artificial intelligence integration, and platform unification strategies that position Apple’s ecosystem for the next decade of technological evolution. Our comprehensive analysis identified nine critical developments that fundamentally alter how users interact with technology across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro platforms while maintaining the intuitive user experience that defines Apple’s approach to consumer technology. These announcements represent the most significant platform transformation in Apple’s history, introducing capabilities that bridge professional workflows, creative expression, and daily productivity through sophisticated yet accessible technological implementations.

1. Liquid Glass Design Language Unifies All Apple Platforms

The revolutionary Liquid Glass design represents Apple’s most comprehensive visual transformation since iOS 7, introducing translucent material effects that create sophisticated depth and authenticity across all operating systems while enhancing content focus and interface vitality through dynamic transparency effects that adapt to ambient lighting conditions and user interaction patterns. Platform unification extends beyond visual consistency to include synchronized version numbering across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26, creating a unified development framework that simplifies software updates and ensures feature parity across the entire Apple ecosystem while reducing cognitive load during device transitions. The design philosophy leverages advanced Metal rendering capabilities and Apple Silicon’s GPU acceleration to provide smooth transparency effects and dynamic material responses that maintain consistent performance across diverse hardware configurations from iPhone SE to Mac Studio while enabling third-party developers to integrate Liquid Glass elements through comprehensive design guidelines and development frameworks.

Cross-platform design consistency enables seamless workflow continuity across different computing environments through familiar interaction paradigms and visual language that maintains Apple’s signature simplicity while introducing sophisticated depth and material authenticity. The implementation transforms traditional flat interface elements into dynamic, responsive surfaces that provide visual feedback and depth perception without overwhelming content or compromising functional clarity during complex multitasking scenarios. Advanced rendering algorithms ensure that Liquid Glass effects scale appropriately across different screen sizes, resolutions, and pixel densities while maintaining visual consistency and performance standards that meet Apple’s exacting quality requirements.

The unified design language extends to app icons, widgets, control interfaces, and navigation elements that receive enhanced vitality through subtle animation and transparency effects that respond to user interaction and system state changes. Dynamic material properties adapt to dark mode, light mode, and automatic appearance settings while providing consistent visual hierarchy and information architecture across all Apple platforms. The design system includes comprehensive accessibility features that ensure Liquid Glass effects remain usable for users with visual impairments through alternative visual indicators, haptic feedback, and voice-over compatibility that maintains full functionality without compromising aesthetic appeal.

Developer adoption frameworks provide extensive documentation, sample code, and design resources that enable third-party applications to integrate Liquid Glass design elements while maintaining brand identity and functional requirements specific to different application categories and use cases. The implementation includes performance optimization guidelines that ensure Liquid Glass effects operate efficiently across different hardware configurations while providing fallback options for older devices that may not support advanced transparency rendering capabilities.

Summary:

• Translucent UI with ambient-responsive depth
• Unified visuals and versioning across all OS
• Metal-powered effects scaled for all screen sizes
• Animated icons, adaptive widgets, consistent hierarchy
• Full dev support with scalable design assets

2. Apple Intelligence Expansion Transforms Communication and Creativity

Live Translation functionality eliminates language barriers through real-time translation across messaging and voice interactions that maintain conversational flow and emotional context during cross-cultural communication experiences while operating entirely on-device through advanced neural processing that ensures privacy protection and delivers accurate translation results preserving nuanced meaning and cultural context often lost in traditional translation services. The system integrates seamlessly across all communication platforms including Messages, FaceTime, and third-party applications without requiring manual language selection or complex configuration processes while supporting dozens of language pairs with continuous expansion based on global usage patterns and linguistic diversity requirements. Advanced machine learning algorithms analyze conversational context, idiomatic expressions, and cultural references to provide translations that maintain the speaker’s intended tone and emotional nuance rather than literal word-for-word conversion that often loses meaning and context.

Visual Intelligence extends Apple Intelligence capabilities to comprehensive screen content analysis through sophisticated computer vision and natural language processing that enables users to search and take action on displayed information through intuitive queries and contextual understanding. The implementation integrates with ChatGPT for complex visual analysis while providing direct search integration with Google, Etsy, and supported platforms for product discovery, information gathering, and contextual research that transforms passive content consumption into active exploration and learning opportunities. Advanced object recognition, text extraction, and scene understanding capabilities enable users to identify products, translate foreign text, solve mathematical equations, and gather information about landmarks, artwork, and natural phenomena simply by pointing their device camera or analyzing screen content.

Enhanced Genmoji and Image Playground capabilities expand creative expression tools through machine learning-generated personalized emoji and artistic content that reflects individual style preferences, communication needs, and creative aspirations while maintaining Apple’s commitment to user privacy through on-device processing. The Foundation Models Framework provides developers with direct access to on-device large language models through comprehensive APIs that enable sophisticated AI integration while maintaining Apple’s privacy-first approach to personal data protection through federated learning and differential privacy techniques. Advanced model optimization ensures that complex AI operations operate efficiently on Apple Silicon while providing developers with powerful tools for natural language processing, content generation, and intelligent user interface adaptation.

The system architecture enables seamless AI assistance across all applications and workflows through contextual understanding that adapts to user behavior patterns, preferences, and task requirements without compromising system performance or battery life. Integration with Shortcuts app provides automation capabilities that leverage Apple Intelligence for complex workflow optimization and task completion while maintaining user control and transparency over AI decision-making processes.

Summary:

• Real-time on-device translation in all apps
• Screen-aware visual analysis and object recognition
• AI-generated emoji and image tools
• Dev APIs for local language model access
• Contextual, low-power AI baked into system workflows

3. Communication Platform Receives Comprehensive Unification Updates

The redesigned Phone app introduces unified layout architecture that consolidates Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails into streamlined interfaces optimized for efficient communication management and quick access to frequently contacted individuals while Call Screening functionality eliminates unwanted interruptions by automatically answering calls from unknown numbers and gathering caller information through intelligent conversation analysis that provides users with sufficient context for informed call acceptance decisions. The system operates through advanced speech recognition and natural language processing that maintains caller privacy while extracting relevant information about call purpose and urgency levels through sophisticated dialogue analysis that understands conversational patterns, business terminology, and social cues that indicate legitimate communication versus spam or fraudulent calls.

Messages platform enhancements include unknown sender screening that provides granular control over conversation list management while custom conversation backgrounds enable personalized messaging experiences that reflect individual style preferences and relationship contexts through dynamic wallpapers, color schemes, and visual themes that adapt to conversation content and participant preferences. Integrated polling functionality facilitates quick group decision-making through streamlined survey tools that support multiple choice questions, ranking systems, and real-time result visualization while Continuity improvements extend Phone app functionality to Mac platforms with Live Activities integration providing real-time notification and action capabilities directly from Mac interfaces without requiring iPhone interaction for basic communication management tasks.

Summary:

• Unified call interface with real-time call screening
• Custom chat backgrounds and sender filters
• Inline polls and improved group chat flow
• Call continuity and Live Activities on Mac

4. iPadOS Windowing System Delivers Desktop-Class Professional Capabilities

iPadOS 26 introduces revolutionary windowing capabilities that enable fluid app window resizing, precise positioning, and unlimited window creation that transforms iPad into legitimate desktop replacement for professional workflows and creative applications while maintaining iPad’s touch-first interaction paradigm through sophisticated window management tools that rival traditional desktop operating systems in functionality and flexibility. The windowing system implements grab handles in the bottom right corner that trigger sophisticated resize algorithms maintaining aspect ratios and content scaling while providing fluid touch-based window manipulation that feels natural and responsive across all supported applications and interface orientations. Window state persistence utilizes machine learning algorithms to predict optimal window configurations based on usage patterns, automatically restoring complex multi-window arrangements that adapt to individual workflow requirements without manual configuration or setup processes that could interrupt productivity momentum.

Tiling functionality leverages iPad’s touch interface to enable effortless window arrangement through simple flick gestures toward screen edges, automatically snapping applications into organized layouts that maximize screen real estate utilization while maintaining visual clarity and functional accessibility for complex multitasking scenarios. Advanced tiling options accessible through click-and-hold gestures provide quarter-screen arrangements and custom configurations that accommodate professional workflows requiring multiple applications simultaneously visible for reference, comparison, and cross-application content transfer while Expose functionality provides comprehensive window overview through familiar swipe-up-and-hold gestures that spread all open windows across the display for quick visual identification and selection. The implementation ensures that traditional iPad simplicity remains accessible through gesture-based window minimization that clears the workspace for focused single-app usage while preserving complex multi-window arrangements for immediate restoration when needed without losing context or workflow organization.

Enhanced Files app functionality delivers desktop-class file management through updated List view with resizable columns that provide detailed file information including creation dates, modification times, file sizes, and custom metadata enabling sophisticated organization and sorting options for complex project structures. Collapsible folder hierarchies enable efficient navigation through multiple nested directories while maintaining visual clarity and reducing cognitive load during file browsing sessions involving diverse file types requiring different applications and workflows for optimal productivity. Custom folder colors and emoji icons synchronize seamlessly across all Apple devices, creating consistent visual organization systems that enhance productivity through immediate recognition of project categories, client work, and content types while maintaining hierarchical organization structure that supports collaborative workflows where multiple team members need quick access to shared resources.

Drag-and-drop folder integration with the Dock streamlines file access and organization workflows while advanced search capabilities leverage Apple Intelligence to provide contextual file discovery through natural language queries that understand project relationships and content associations beyond simple filename matching. The implementation enables visual coding systems that transform file organization from purely functional necessity into expressive workspace design reflecting individual creative preferences and project organization methodologies while supporting professional workflows that require sophisticated asset management and version control capabilities.

Preview app introduction provides comprehensive PDF editing capabilities with Apple Pencil markup support, image editing tools, and document annotation features that enable professional document workflows directly on iPad without requiring external applications or cloud-based services. Default app selection functionality enables custom file type associations that ensure optimal application launching for different content types while maintaining system performance and user preference consistency across all file management operations and document workflows.

Summary:

• Freeform, resizable multitasking windows
• Snap-to-edge tiling with gesture control
• Updated Files app with metadata-rich views
• New Preview app and app-default settings

5. watchOS 26 Revolutionizes Fitness Through Intelligent Coaching and Convenience Features

Workout Buddy represents a breakthrough in personalized fitness coaching through Apple Intelligence-powered spoken motivation that adapts to individual fitness goals, workout intensity, and progress patterns while analyzing workout data in real-time to deliver contextually appropriate encouragement and guidance that respects individual fitness levels and preferences without overwhelming beginners or under-challenging experienced athletes. The intelligent coaching system leverages machine learning algorithms to understand individual workout patterns, recovery needs, and motivation preferences while providing contextually appropriate encouragement that adapts to workout intensity, environmental conditions, and personal energy levels throughout different phases of exercise sessions. Advanced biometric analysis combines heart rate data, movement patterns, and workout history to deliver personalized coaching cues that optimize performance while preventing overexertion and injury through intelligent pacing recommendations and recovery guidance.’

Music integration provides curated workout soundtracks based on personal taste preferences and workout type optimization that enhances exercise experiences through appropriate tempo and energy matching while advanced audio processing ensures that coaching voice prompts remain clearly audible over background music without overwhelming the listening experience. The system analyzes individual music preferences, workout intensity patterns, and genre associations to create dynamic playlists that adapt to workout phases including warm-up, high-intensity intervals, and cool-down periods while maintaining motivational energy and rhythm synchronization that enhances exercise performance and enjoyment.

watchOS 11 Smart Stack

Smart Stack enhancements provide contextual information hints that anticipate user needs based on time, location, and activity patterns while Messages integration includes Live Translation capabilities for seamless communication during international travel or multilingual fitness communities that enable global workout sharing and motivation. One-handed wrist flick gesture implementation enables effortless notification dismissal during workouts and active scenarios while Notes app integration provides quick capture capabilities for workout observations, fitness goals, and health tracking information directly from Apple Watch interfaces without interrupting exercise momentum or requiring complex navigation during physical activity.

Advanced health monitoring capabilities leverage Apple Watch sensors to provide comprehensive fitness tracking that extends beyond basic activity metrics to include detailed analysis of workout efficiency, recovery patterns, and long-term fitness progression while maintaining user privacy through on-device processing and secure health data management. The implementation supports professional fitness coaching integration through standardized health data sharing protocols that enable personal trainers and fitness professionals to access relevant workout data while maintaining user control over privacy settings and data sharing permissions.

Summary:

• AI coaching with real-time voice cues
• Music synced to workout tempo
• Contextual Smart Stack and Live Translation
• Wrist gestures and in-workout Notes access

6. visionOS 26 Advances Spatial Computing Through Enhanced Collaboration and Realism

Spatial widgets integrate seamlessly into physical environments and persist across Vision Pro sessions for consistent workspace organization and information access that bridges digital and physical interaction paradigms while providing contextual information that adapts to user location, activity, and environmental conditions. Persona technology receives dramatic visual improvements including enhanced hair rendering with individual strand physics simulation, realistic eyelash animation that responds to facial expressions and eye movement, and natural complexion representation that captures skin texture, lighting response, and subtle facial features that create authentic digital representations during virtual interactions and collaborative experiences. Advanced facial tracking algorithms analyze micro-expressions, eye contact patterns, and subtle facial movements to create digital personas that maintain emotional authenticity and social presence during extended virtual interactions.

Shared spatial experiences enable multiple Apple Vision Pro users in the same physical location to collaborate on virtual content, watch 3D movies together, and participate in spatial gaming experiences that blend physical and digital interaction through synchronized virtual environments that maintain spatial relationships and enable natural gesture-based communication. The implementation supports real-time collaboration on 3D models, architectural visualizations, and creative projects while maintaining individual user perspectives and interaction preferences that accommodate different skill levels and creative approaches. Advanced spatial audio processing ensures that voice communication maintains directional accuracy and natural conversation flow while virtual content audio integrates seamlessly with environmental sounds and spatial positioning.

Apple Intelligence integration brings enhanced Image Playground capabilities to Vision Pro through sophisticated 3D content generation and spatial scene understanding that enables users to create immersive environments, interactive objects, and dynamic visual experiences through natural language descriptions and gesture-based controls. Expanded language support increases global accessibility for international users and multilingual environments while advanced localization features ensure that spatial interfaces, voice commands, and content recommendations adapt to regional preferences and cultural contexts that enhance user experience quality and adoption rates across diverse global markets.

Summary:

• Spatial widgets that persist across sessions
• Hyper-realistic Personas with strand-level detail
• Shared virtual environments for multi-user tasks
• Natural-language-driven 3D creation tools

7. AirPods Transform Into Professional Content Creation Tools

Studio-quality audio recording capabilities transform wireless earbuds into legitimate content creation tools through advanced signal processing and noise isolation technology that maintains professional audio standards in challenging recording environments while Voice Isolation functionality operates across all recording scenarios to eliminate ambient noise and environmental interference while preserving vocal clarity and tonal authenticity that maintains natural speech characteristics essential for podcasting, video content, and professional communication. Camera remote functionality enables hands-free video recording control through simple AirPods stem interactions that provide content creators with flexible recording options for presentations, tutorials, and performance content while maintaining optimal distance from recording devices for better framing and natural presentation delivery. The implementation leverages advanced wireless audio protocols and enhanced codec support to maintain audio fidelity across wireless connections while providing real-time monitoring capabilities that ensure optimal recording quality throughout extended content creation sessions without battery degradation or signal interference.

Advanced computational audio processing analyzes environmental acoustics and automatically adjusts recording parameters to optimize voice capture while minimizing echo, reverberation, and background noise that could compromise content quality during post-production workflows. The system integrates seamlessly with professional content creation applications including Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and third-party editing software through standardized audio interfaces that maintain metadata, timing synchronization, and quality settings throughout the production pipeline. Spatial audio recording capabilities enable immersive content creation for podcasts, interviews, and multimedia presentations that benefit from directional audio positioning and environmental context preservation.

Real-time audio monitoring through AirPods provides content creators with immediate feedback about recording quality, volume levels, and environmental interference while advanced battery management ensures extended recording sessions without interruption or quality degradation. The implementation supports multiple microphone configurations and recording scenarios including solo content creation, interview formats, and group discussions while maintaining individual voice isolation and clarity that enables professional post-production editing and mixing workflows.

Seamless integration with iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms ensures that AirPods recording capabilities operate consistently across different devices and applications while maintaining user preferences, quality settings, and workflow configurations that adapt to different content creation scenarios and professional requirements. Advanced noise cancellation algorithms distinguish between desirable ambient sound that adds context and unwanted interference that should be eliminated while preserving the natural acoustic characteristics that make recorded content engaging and authentic.

Professional content creators benefit from studio-quality recording capabilities that eliminate the need for expensive external microphones and complex audio equipment setups while maintaining broadcast-quality standards that meet professional distribution requirements for podcasts, video content, and multimedia presentations. The system provides comprehensive audio analysis and quality metrics that enable creators to optimize their recording techniques and environmental setups for consistent professional results across different recording locations and scenarios.

Voice enhancement algorithms analyze individual vocal characteristics and automatically optimize recording parameters to highlight natural voice qualities while minimizing common recording issues such as sibilance, plosives, and tonal inconsistencies that require extensive post-production correction in traditional recording workflows.

Summary:

• Studio-grade voice recording with isolation
• Stem gestures for remote camera control
• Live monitoring and spatial audio capture
• Syncs with pro apps, no extra gear needed

8. CarPlay Integration Enhances Safety and Connectivity During Automotive Travel

Comprehensive CarPlay updates enhance safety and usability through compact incoming call interfaces that minimize driving distraction while maintaining communication accessibility during travel scenarios through streamlined visual design that reduces cognitive load and enables quick decision-making about call acceptance or rejection without compromising road attention. Pinned conversations and Tapbacks integration in Messages provide quick communication options that reduce interaction complexity while widgets and Live Activities deliver contextual information without compromising road focus or driving safety through intelligent information prioritization that surfaces relevant updates based on travel context, destination, and time-sensitive communications.

Advanced integration ensures that critical information remains accessible through voice commands and simplified touch interactions that comply with automotive safety standards while enabling seamless connectivity between iPhone and vehicle infotainment systems that maintain productivity and communication capabilities during automotive travel without creating dangerous distraction scenarios.

Summary:

• Minimalist call UI reduces distraction
• Messages with pinned chats and quick replies
• Widgets show real-time travel updates

9. tvOS 26 Elevates Entertainment Through Personalization and Interactive Features

Automatic profile display functionality streamlines Apple TV startup experiences by immediately presenting personalized Watchlists and Apple Music playlists based on user recognition and preference analysis that eliminates manual navigation and setup requirements while advanced facial recognition and voice identification ensure that content recommendations adapt instantly to different family members and household users. Sing in Apple Music transforms iPhone into handheld microphone for Apple TV karaoke experiences with voice amplification and audio processing that creates engaging entertainment experiences for family and social gatherings while maintaining audio quality and performance standards that rival dedicated karaoke equipment through advanced echo cancellation and vocal enhancement algorithms. Enhanced personalization algorithms analyze viewing patterns, music preferences, and consumption habits to provide curated content recommendations that adapt to individual taste preferences while machine learning algorithms identify emerging interests and suggest new content categories that expand entertainment horizons without overwhelming users with irrelevant suggestions.

Advanced content discovery features leverage Apple Intelligence to understand viewing context, mood preferences, and social viewing scenarios that enable intelligent recommendations for solo viewing, family entertainment, and social gatherings while maintaining individual user profiles that preserve personal viewing history and preferences. The platform integration enables seamless content discovery and playback across Apple’s entertainment ecosystem while social features encourage shared viewing experiences and interactive entertainment that brings families and friends together through technology-enhanced activities that maintain the communal aspect of television entertainment.

Spatial audio enhancements provide immersive sound experiences that adapt to room acoustics and speaker configurations while advanced video processing ensures optimal picture quality across different display technologies and viewing environments that maximize the entertainment value of premium content and streaming services.

Summary:

• Auto-profile switching with face and voice ID
• Karaoke mode via iPhone mic integration
• Smart recs tuned to mood, time, and user
• Spatial audio tuned to room layout

The post 9 Highlights That Stood Out at Apple’s WWDC 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple’s iOS 26 introduces the Liquid Glass design language across iPhone interfaces while expanding CarPlay functionality through deeper automotive integration and enhanced communication features. The translucent material system creates dynamic, responsive interfaces that adapt to content and context, affecting everything from Lock Screen customization to in-car experiences. Craig Federighi noted that iOS 26 “shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful” while delivering enhanced Apple Intelligence capabilities that change how users communicate, navigate, and interact with their devices. The update supports iPhone models from iPhone 11 forward, ensuring broad compatibility with the advanced features that position iOS 26 as Apple’s next-generation mobile platform.

Liquid Glass Design Changes Visual Approach

The Liquid Glass material system uses advanced Metal rendering to create translucent surfaces that reflect and refract their surroundings, bringing greater focus to content while adding visual depth across controls, navigation elements, app icons, and widgets throughout the iOS interface. The implementation maintains smooth performance across different iPhone models while enabling dynamic adaptation to ambient lighting conditions, user preferences, and contextual requirements that improve usability without affecting system responsiveness or battery life.

Lock Screen personalization expands through spatial wallpapers that create 3D effects when users move their iPhone, while the time display adapts to available space within images for more dynamic presentations. The customization options extend to app icons and widgets that can adopt clear appearances, enabling users to create personalized Home Screen layouts that reflect individual preferences while maintaining functional clarity for daily use of essential applications and services.

Home Screen and app experiences benefit from streamlined design elements that prioritize content while maintaining access to frequently used functions through gesture interactions and improved visual hierarchy. The Camera app receives a simplified layout that helps users focus on capturing moments, while the Photos app features separate tabs for Library and Collections views that improve organization and discovery of personal media content. Safari’s redesigned interface enables web pages to flow from top to bottom of the screen, providing more content visibility while preserving access to essential browser functions including refresh, search, and navigation controls.

Apple Music, News, and Podcasts showcase the floating tab bar design that shrinks during content browsing to maximize screen space, then expands when users scroll back up to provide access to navigation and control functions. The adaptive interface behavior demonstrates how Liquid Glass principles enhance content consumption while maintaining functional accessibility for efficient navigation between different sections and features within media applications.

Apple Intelligence Integration Improves Communication

Live Translation capabilities integrate into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone applications, enabling real-time text and audio translation that facilitates communication across language barriers while maintaining privacy and security standards through on-device processing. The feature ensures that personal conversations remain private while delivering translation results that enable meaningful communication in diverse personal and professional contexts.

Visual Intelligence extends Apple Intelligence capabilities to iPhone screens, enabling users to search and take action on anything they’re viewing across applications through natural interaction patterns. Users can ask ChatGPT questions about on-screen content to learn more, search Google, Etsy, or other supported applications to find similar images and products, and automatically add events to calendars with key details including date, time, and location populated from visual content recognition. The integration changes how users interact with information displayed on their devices, creating workflows that bridge digital content with real-world actions and planning.

Enhanced Siri functionality provides more natural conversation patterns and improved contextual understanding that enables complex task completion through voice commands while maintaining accuracy and reliability for daily productivity and communication needs. The improvements extend across all iPhone models with Apple Intelligence support, ensuring broad accessibility to advanced AI-powered features that enhance device interaction patterns.

Phone and Messages Features Address Communication Management

Call Screening functionality provides intelligent filtering of unwanted calls while ensuring important communications receive appropriate priority, using machine learning algorithms that understand individual communication patterns and preferences to make filtering decisions that align with user priorities. The system automatically handles promotional calls, spam, and non-essential communications while maintaining access to calls from family members, emergency contacts, and business associates that require immediate attention.

Hold Assist feature changes the experience of waiting on hold by providing intelligent monitoring of call status and automatically alerting users when human representatives become available, enabling multitasking during extended wait periods without missing important connection opportunities. The unified Phone app layout improves navigation and functionality while maintaining simplicity that makes essential calling features easily accessible during urgent communication needs.

Messages app enhancements include screening tools that provide greater control over conversation lists and notification management, enabling users to focus on meaningful communications while filtering promotional messages and unwanted content. Custom backgrounds and poll creation capabilities add expressive elements to conversations, while Apple Intelligence integration suggests appropriate polls and generates unique backgrounds that fit conversation contexts through Image Playground technology. Group chat improvements include typing indicators, Apple Cash integration for financial transactions, and enhanced notification management that distinguishes between urgent communications requiring immediate attention and routine messages that can wait for convenient response timing.

CarPlay Ultra Expands Automotive Integration

CarPlay receives significant updates through CarPlay Ultra, bringing Liquid Glass design language and enhanced functionality to automotive environments while creating deeply integrated experiences that span multiple vehicle displays. The 600 million daily CarPlay sessions benefit from enhanced visual consistency that creates seamless transitions between iPhone and automotive environments while accommodating diverse vehicle types and display technologies.

The new compact view for incoming calls enables drivers to see caller information without missing key details like upcoming navigation directions, while Tapbacks and pinned conversations bring familiar messaging functionality to automotive environments with safety-optimized interaction patterns. Widgets and Live Activities provide real-time information access without requiring attention away from driving tasks, while the enhanced interface accommodates both light and dark modes based on ambient lighting conditions or user preferences.

CarPlay Ultra extends beyond traditional single-screen implementations to provide comprehensive vehicle integration that can span instrument clusters, center displays, and passenger screens while maintaining consistent visual presentation and functionality across different display types and sizes. The implementation leverages vehicle-specific capabilities including climate control integration, seat adjustment access, and advanced driver assistance system coordination while preserving Apple’s privacy and security standards. Enhanced connectivity features address modern communication needs through intelligent message prioritization that distinguishes between urgent communications requiring immediate attention and routine messages that can wait until driving concludes, while Apple Cash integration enables financial transactions for driving-related expenses including fuel purchases, parking fees, and toll payments through voice commands and simplified touch interactions optimized for vehicle operation.

Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet Receive Feature Updates

Apple Music introduces Lyrics Translation that helps users understand songs in foreign languages, while Lyrics Pronunciation enables singing along regardless of language familiarity through phonetic guidance that makes international music more accessible. AutoMix uses artificial intelligence to create seamless transitions between songs using time stretching and beat matching techniques that provide DJ-quality mixing for personalized listening experiences that adapt to user preferences and listening contexts.

Apple Maps gains Visited Places functionality that helps users remember locations they’ve been while maintaining end-to-end encryption that ensures location data cannot be accessed by Apple, providing privacy-protected location history that enhances navigation and discovery without compromising personal privacy. On-device intelligence enables better understanding of daily routes, presenting preferred navigation options and notifying users of delays while offering alternative routes that optimize travel time and efficiency.

Apple Wallet enhancements focus on everyday interactions through improved Apple Pay functionality that enables installment and rewards options for in-store purchases, while refreshed boarding passes provide Live Activities integration for real-time flight updates and convenient access to essential travel information including Maps navigation to airports and Find My integration for tracking important items during travel. The travel features streamline common travel scenarios while maintaining the security and privacy standards that define Apple Pay transactions.

Apple Games App and Additional System Features

Apple Games debuts as a gaming destination that provides unified access to all gaming content including Apple Arcade’s 200+ titles, personal game libraries, and social gaming features that help players discover new favorites and connect with friends across gaming experiences. The application serves as the primary way to experience Apple Arcade while providing enhanced discovery and social features that make gaming more engaging and accessible across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV platforms.

AirPods integration receives enhancements including Voice Isolation for studio-quality audio recording, camera remote functionality that enables photo and video capture through AirPods stem controls, and improved Active Noise Cancellation across AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 2 models. The enhanced audio features provide professional-quality recording capabilities while maintaining the convenience and portability that make AirPods essential accessories for content creation and communication. Parental controls expand with easier Child Account creation and management, enhanced Communication Limits that include parental approvals for contact requests, content filtering in FaceTime calls and Shared Albums, and flexible app download permissions that enable parents to grant exceptions for age-appropriate content while maintaining overall safety standards.

Safari privacy enhancements include advanced fingerprinting protection that extends to all browsing by default, while accessibility features introduce Accessibility Reader for customized systemwide reading experiences and Braille Access interface for iPhone devices with connected braille displays, ensuring that iOS 26 benefits are accessible to users with diverse needs and preferences.

Availability and Device Support

iOS 26 features become available for testing through the Apple Developer Program starting immediately, with public beta access through the Apple Beta Software Program beginning next month and general availability scheduled for fall 2025 as a free software update for iPhone 11 and later models. Apple Intelligence features require supported devices including all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac models with M1 or later processors that have Apple Intelligence enabled with device language set to supported languages including English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, or Chinese (simplified). Additional language support continues expanding throughout 2025 with Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (traditional), and Vietnamese planned for later release, while features remain subject to change and may vary by region due to local laws and regulations.

The post iOS 26 Brings Liquid Glass Design and Enhanced CarPlay to iPhone first appeared on Yanko Design.