Apple’s latest iOS 26 redesign, unveiled at WWDC 2025 under the moniker “Liquid Glass,” signals a significant shift in the company’s design philosophy—one that seeks to evoke depth, blur, and seamless translucency throughout the mobile operating system. Yet, within mere hours of the keynote’s fanfare, tech communities were buzzing with a very different narrative: is Apple’s “Liquid Glass” truly innovative, or does it merely echo Windows Vista’s Aero Glass UI, a design Microsoft championed nearly two decades ago?
WWDC 2025 was, as expected, a showcase of Apple’s prowess in blending hardware and software. But for many longtime tech enthusiasts, the real star of the event was not a new hardware feature or a groundbreaking app, but the sweeping visual overhaul labeled “Liquid Glass.” Across demonstrations, the glassy aesthetic—marked by dynamic blur effects, semi-frosted windows, and layered translucency—became unmistakably central. Apple’s ambition appears rooted in imbuing iOS with richer visual cues, conveying depth and modernity while ensuring that new animations and layers do not detract from usability.
Apple has often turned the act of design into an event in itself, but the immediate deja-vu for many was palpable. Social media feeds began drawing direct visual parallels to Windows Vista’s Aero Glass, which debuted in 2006 heralding transparency, layered windows, and the now-famous “frosted glass” look. The echoes were too strong for the Windows team to ignore.
The viral response was instantaneous. Technology journalists, influencers, and average users found common ground in their recognition of the familiar effects, and memes proliferated across Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram. It wasn’t so much the accusation of copying that made the post notable, but the gentle trolling—Microsoft’s confidence in its historical significance, and the quiet implication that Apple’s latest look might not be as “new” as Apple would hope its devotees believe.
While Vista’s technical demands and bugs led to its mixed reputation, Aero’s design elements arguably influenced the evolution of both Windows and competing platforms. Windows 7 streamlined Aero’s look; Windows 10 and 11 reintroduced subtle glass effects under “Fluent Design,” meanwhile macOS continually toggled translucency across updates. Critics, in hindsight, recognize Aero Glass as more than mere extravagance: it was a statement about what graphical interfaces could aspire to be given advancing hardware and evolving user expectations.
iOS 26 renders “glass” elements at high refresh rates with context-aware translucency, leveraging modern GPUs and Apple’s in-house chips to minimize battery drain—a task that was a technical pain point for Windows Vista-era devices. Apple also touts advanced accessibility adjustments, ensuring that blur and translucency do not undermine legibility for visually impaired users, an area where earlier implementations were sometimes lacking.
Nevertheless, the core sensation—frosted glass overlays, depth through blur, and a tactile sense of material—is as much Vista as it is iOS. Industry insiders point out that design trends often cycle as capabilities and tastes mature. In 2025, both user nostalgia and technical readiness align: what was once a controversial performance tax can now be a seamless, fast, and beautiful experience.
But Microsoft’s viral reel is a sharp reminder: industry leaders continually borrow and refine. The move exposes the myth of constant reinvention. Instead, progress in interface design often appears as a spiral—revisiting old ideas with new techniques, adjusting for shifting hardware realities and evolving tastes.
Reputable sources like The Verge and Ars Technica confirm that Microsoft, while silent on official statements, is relishing the online attention sparked by the Instagram post. The comparison, they argue, is less about intellectual property and more about the pace of mainstream adoption. Aero Glass’s time may have been too soon for some users, but Apple’s Liquid Glass, arriving in an era of powerful chips and OLED displays, may fare better both in performance and perception.
Apple’s technical documentation for iOS 26 makes clear that Liquid Glass is more than just a visual update—it integrates responsiveness, haptic feedback, and accessibility in ways that Aero, limited by 2006’s hardware constraints, could not. The company’s algorithms adjust transparency in real time based on content context, prioritizing both information hierarchy and aesthetic delight.
Meanwhile, design researchers argue that emotional resonance—nostalgia, delight, even controversy—plays a vital role in the popularity and stickiness of UI paradigms. By invoking Vista-era visuals, whether deliberately or not, Apple taps into a shared memory for many users: the “wow” factor of first seeing frosted glass on a computer screen. In this sense, Liquid Glass is both a technological statement and a strategic attempt to create a sense of novelty from familiarity.
Yet, challenges remain. Accessibility groups are already scrutinizing how variable translucency plays with color contrast and readability for users with low vision. Customization enthusiasts debate whether Apple will permit users to fine-tune transparency levels, a feature often requested but only variably supported across platforms.
Another potential pitfall lies in perception: For many, particularly lifelong Windows or macOS users, Apple’s adoption of “Liquid Glass” runs the risk of being seen as derivative, undermining its brand identity of originality and forward-thinking. But, if performance is smooth and the design proves useful—not just pretty—it could enrich the platform’s appeal across both new adopters and veterans.
Already, rumors suggest Google’s Android 16 may lean more heavily into glass-like effects, and third-party Android launchers have started advertising Aero and Liquid Glass-inspired themes. If history is any guide, this renewed fascination with glass and translucency is not ending soon.
For Windows users, the moment is sweet vindication. For Apple fans, it’s proof that even the most revered innovators stand on the shoulders of those who sketched similar dreams long ago. And for anyone who cares about the history and future of user interfaces, it’s a glassy, fascinating reminder that the best ideas never truly fade—they just wait for their time to shine again.
As both platforms embrace blurs, frosts, and panes, the future of design looks clear—albeit, delightfully, through a glass that’s never quite as opaque as the rivalry suggests.
Source: Windows Report "Just Gonna Leave it Here" — Microsoft subtly mocks iOS 26's Vista-style "Liquid Glass" design
A Familiar Glimmer: The “Liquid Glass” Reveal
WWDC 2025 was, as expected, a showcase of Apple’s prowess in blending hardware and software. But for many longtime tech enthusiasts, the real star of the event was not a new hardware feature or a groundbreaking app, but the sweeping visual overhaul labeled “Liquid Glass.” Across demonstrations, the glassy aesthetic—marked by dynamic blur effects, semi-frosted windows, and layered translucency—became unmistakably central. Apple’s ambition appears rooted in imbuing iOS with richer visual cues, conveying depth and modernity while ensuring that new animations and layers do not detract from usability.Apple has often turned the act of design into an event in itself, but the immediate deja-vu for many was palpable. Social media feeds began drawing direct visual parallels to Windows Vista’s Aero Glass, which debuted in 2006 heralding transparency, layered windows, and the now-famous “frosted glass” look. The echoes were too strong for the Windows team to ignore.
Microsoft’s Subtle Shade: A Viral Moment
Within hours of the WWDC keynote, the official Windows Instagram account released an understated yet pointed reel. This short video juxtaposed iOS 26’s new interface stylings with iconic moments from Vista’s Aero Glass UI. With a simple caption—“Just gonna leave this here”—Microsoft let the visuals speak (and shade) for themselves. There was no overt commentary, no drawn-out thread, just a pointed reminder of tech’s cyclical nature and the echoes of history reverberating in modern design.The viral response was instantaneous. Technology journalists, influencers, and average users found common ground in their recognition of the familiar effects, and memes proliferated across Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram. It wasn’t so much the accusation of copying that made the post notable, but the gentle trolling—Microsoft’s confidence in its historical significance, and the quiet implication that Apple’s latest look might not be as “new” as Apple would hope its devotees believe.
Aero Glass: The Roots of Modern OS Translucency
To understand why the comparison hit so hard, one must revisit what Windows Vista’s Aero Glass represented in its time. In 2006, Aero Glass marked one of the boldest redesigns in Windows history. It introduced window borders rendered as translucent glass, blurred backgrounds, and a physically immersive look that set the desktop apart from the flat, utilitarian designs of its predecessors. Taskbar thumbnails, smooth transitions, and environmental transparency became staples of Vista’s identity.While Vista’s technical demands and bugs led to its mixed reputation, Aero’s design elements arguably influenced the evolution of both Windows and competing platforms. Windows 7 streamlined Aero’s look; Windows 10 and 11 reintroduced subtle glass effects under “Fluent Design,” meanwhile macOS continually toggled translucency across updates. Critics, in hindsight, recognize Aero Glass as more than mere extravagance: it was a statement about what graphical interfaces could aspire to be given advancing hardware and evolving user expectations.
The “Liquid Glass” Difference: Copy or Convergence?
Apple’s Liquid Glass does not represent a pixel-for-pixel replica of Aero, but the similarities in foundational concepts are difficult to ignore. The use of dynamic blurring, subtle color shifts based on background content, and translucent panels is an unmistakable throwback to Aero Glass’s visual vocabulary. What Apple brings to the table in 2025, however, is the refinement born from almost two decades of hardware leaps and software best practices.iOS 26 renders “glass” elements at high refresh rates with context-aware translucency, leveraging modern GPUs and Apple’s in-house chips to minimize battery drain—a task that was a technical pain point for Windows Vista-era devices. Apple also touts advanced accessibility adjustments, ensuring that blur and translucency do not undermine legibility for visually impaired users, an area where earlier implementations were sometimes lacking.
Nevertheless, the core sensation—frosted glass overlays, depth through blur, and a tactile sense of material—is as much Vista as it is iOS. Industry insiders point out that design trends often cycle as capabilities and tastes mature. In 2025, both user nostalgia and technical readiness align: what was once a controversial performance tax can now be a seamless, fast, and beautiful experience.
Critical Reception: History Repeats, or Tech Evolves?
Critics and fans alike note both the irony and inevitability of the “Liquid Glass” controversy. On the one hand, Apple’s unveiling is implicitly an acknowledgment of Aero Glass’s prescient vision. They also note that Apple has its own history with glassy UI motifs—macOS Yosemite in 2014, for instance, introduced visual effects broadly similar to Aero, incorporating blurred backgrounds and semi-transparent menus.But Microsoft’s viral reel is a sharp reminder: industry leaders continually borrow and refine. The move exposes the myth of constant reinvention. Instead, progress in interface design often appears as a spiral—revisiting old ideas with new techniques, adjusting for shifting hardware realities and evolving tastes.
Reputable sources like The Verge and Ars Technica confirm that Microsoft, while silent on official statements, is relishing the online attention sparked by the Instagram post. The comparison, they argue, is less about intellectual property and more about the pace of mainstream adoption. Aero Glass’s time may have been too soon for some users, but Apple’s Liquid Glass, arriving in an era of powerful chips and OLED displays, may fare better both in performance and perception.
Innovation, Iteration, and the Nature of User Experience
Beyond the memes, the debate about design ownership matters for those who build and use technology. Is there a line between homage, iteration, and appropriation? The reality is more nuanced.Apple’s technical documentation for iOS 26 makes clear that Liquid Glass is more than just a visual update—it integrates responsiveness, haptic feedback, and accessibility in ways that Aero, limited by 2006’s hardware constraints, could not. The company’s algorithms adjust transparency in real time based on content context, prioritizing both information hierarchy and aesthetic delight.
Meanwhile, design researchers argue that emotional resonance—nostalgia, delight, even controversy—plays a vital role in the popularity and stickiness of UI paradigms. By invoking Vista-era visuals, whether deliberately or not, Apple taps into a shared memory for many users: the “wow” factor of first seeing frosted glass on a computer screen. In this sense, Liquid Glass is both a technological statement and a strategic attempt to create a sense of novelty from familiarity.
Risks and Rewards: Navigating the Thin Glass Line
No design overhaul comes without risks. Windows Vista, for all its visual brilliance, suffered backlash for performance hits, compatibility issues, and user confusion. Early impressions from developers testing iOS 26 beta indicate Apple has learned from the past, optimizing for battery life and frame-rate stability on even mid-tier iPhones.Yet, challenges remain. Accessibility groups are already scrutinizing how variable translucency plays with color contrast and readability for users with low vision. Customization enthusiasts debate whether Apple will permit users to fine-tune transparency levels, a feature often requested but only variably supported across platforms.
Another potential pitfall lies in perception: For many, particularly lifelong Windows or macOS users, Apple’s adoption of “Liquid Glass” runs the risk of being seen as derivative, undermining its brand identity of originality and forward-thinking. But, if performance is smooth and the design proves useful—not just pretty—it could enrich the platform’s appeal across both new adopters and veterans.
What Comes Next: The Battle for the Glassy Future
Microsoft’s viral reel, for its brevity, says more about the state of design rivalry than a thousand press releases could. In 2025, both Microsoft and Apple are playing in a marketplace where innovation is measured less by who blazed the trail first and more by who delivers the best, most satisfying experience.Already, rumors suggest Google’s Android 16 may lean more heavily into glass-like effects, and third-party Android launchers have started advertising Aero and Liquid Glass-inspired themes. If history is any guide, this renewed fascination with glass and translucency is not ending soon.
Takeaways: When Design Cycles Back
- Translucency is back—and here to stay. With iOS 26’s Liquid Glass, Apple tests the modern limits of glassy UIs on today’s hardware.
- Microsoft claims moral victory. The viral Windows reel effectively reminds the world of Aero Glass’s legacy, reclaiming pride in Vista’s forward-thinking design.
- Copying? Convergence? The compelling similarities between Liquid Glass and Aero suggest tech’s greatest hits never really disappear; they just get reimagined for a new generation.
- Performance and accessibility will be key. For “Liquid Glass” to succeed, Apple must avoid the pitfalls that hamstrung Aero—aesthetics cannot derail usability or performance.
- The memes are only half the story. Internet culture fuels the rivalry, but beneath each viral moment is a serious conversation about user experience, innovation, and tech nostalgia.
Final Analysis: Glass Houses and Bold Moves
In retrospect, Microsoft’s understated trolling is less a takedown and more a wry celebration—a sign that a design once mocked has become aspirational once more. Apple’s Liquid Glass, while inviting obvious comparisons, represents technical mastery and mainstreaming of visual ideas that Vista helped introduce, but which hardware of the time couldn’t fully support.For Windows users, the moment is sweet vindication. For Apple fans, it’s proof that even the most revered innovators stand on the shoulders of those who sketched similar dreams long ago. And for anyone who cares about the history and future of user interfaces, it’s a glassy, fascinating reminder that the best ideas never truly fade—they just wait for their time to shine again.
As both platforms embrace blurs, frosts, and panes, the future of design looks clear—albeit, delightfully, through a glass that’s never quite as opaque as the rivalry suggests.
Source: Windows Report "Just Gonna Leave it Here" — Microsoft subtly mocks iOS 26's Vista-style "Liquid Glass" design
