Apple unveiled iPadOS 27 at WWDC with significant upgrades to both Liquid Glass and Apple Intelligence. The update brings a customization slider for the translucent interface design and integrates iOS 27 features alongside iPad-specific improvements. Apple is rebuilding its AI platform on Google's Gemini foundation while maintaining on-device processing through Private Cloud Compute.

System-wide optimizations target performance and usability across the iPad experience. iPadOS 27 introduces redesigned sidebars with improved aesthetics and a completely rethought Spotlight search featuring better indexing. File transfers through the Files app could run up to 5x faster, addressing long-standing complaints about sluggish document management on iPad devices.

Apple Intelligence gains enhanced capabilities including realistic image generation in Image Playground that incorporates people from your Photos library. New Photos tools leverage AI for object removal, image extension, and Spatial Reframing to adjust photo composition in real-time. Shortcuts now parse natural language queries to automatically create automations.

These changes build on iPadOS 26's improved windowing system, which addressed shortcomings in Stage Manager's multitasking approach. Apple appears focused on refining the iPad experience rather than pursuing radical redesigns, making incremental improvements to core functionality that users interact with daily.