Apple introduced several exciting updates during the Worldwide Developers Conference, among which some may appear quite familiar—likely because they have been seen in other applications previously. This announcement is particularly disappointing for the team behind Raycast, a popular alternative to Spotlight beloved by Mac enthusiasts. Many standout features from this app—including AI capabilities, the ability to browse menu bar items, and executing custom functions within apps—will now be integrated into Spotlight in the upcoming macOS 26 this fall.

But Apple hasn’t only lifted ideas from developers within its own ecosystem; it has also looked beyond to rival tech giants. Features like the call screening and hold-assist capabilities, both staples on Google’s Pixel lineup for quite some time, have found their way into Apple’s offerings. The live translation functionality is yet another innovation that has already been part of Samsung Galaxy devices. Furthermore, the circle-to-search feature, a functionality already familiar to Android users, has also made its entrance. Apple’s unique perspective enables it to finally deliver these features long after their initial appearance elsewhere.

The Messages app will now incorporate features seen in WhatsApp and Telegram, such as customizable backgrounds and polling options, allowing users to personalize their chats further. Apple has a talent for creating these seamless experiences, despite the fact that other applications have been providing similar functionalities for years.