In a cheeky Instagram post, Microsoft has playfully taken a dig at Apple, stating, “Just gonna leave this here, ” referencing Apple’s recent embrace of Windows Vista’s Aero design elements in their newly unveiled macOS 26.
During WWDC 2025, Apple introduced its much-anticipated “Liquid Glass”design language, a strikingly similar concept to Microsoft’s Windows Vista Aero, which was originally launched back in 2006. Apple describes Liquid Glass as a “translucent” design that emulates the look and feel of actual glass.
The internet has been buzzing with memes and jokes about Apple essentially resurrecting Windows Vista’s aesthetics in their latest operating system. Microsoft, known for its generally reserved stance in responding to its rivals, decided to join the conversation with this playful Instagram video:
This nostalgic video features beloved Windows tunes and carries hashtags like “#WindowsAero, ” propelling users back to the heyday of Windows Vista. The Aero Glass effect from the early 2000s enabled windows to exhibit a translucent quality, providing users a glimpse of their desktop wallpaper through the interface.
Similar to Apple’s macOS 26, Windows Vista ingeniously infused translucent effects throughout its windows, featuring this approach across all applications, menus, and system features including the Start menu and taskbar.
According to Apple, their new Liquid Glass design was heavily influenced by visionOS, intended for their premium glasses product line, allowing for this cutting-edge look that utilizes powerful ARM silicon chips.
Apple describes Liquid Glass as a material that is “translucent and behaves like glass in the real world, ” adapting its colors based on surrounding content and responsive to various lighting conditions.
Upon closer examination, comparing the design philosophies of macOS 26 and Windows Vista’s Aero design reveals uncanny similarities that are hard to ignore.
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While I’m not explicitly accusing Apple of culturally appropriating Windows’ designs, it’s evident that Microsoft pioneered this design language almost two decades ago. It raises an intriguing question: is Apple still seen as the flagship innovator in technology? Personally, I wouldn’t categorize their Liquid Design as a breakthrough; it feels more like a retro nod rather than true innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does Apple’s Liquid Glass design compare to Microsoft’s Aero design?
Both designs feature translucent elements and a glass-like appearance, with Liquid Glass drawing inspiration from Microsoft’s Aero design that was introduced over a decade earlier.
2. What was the public’s reaction to the comparison between macOS 26 and Windows Vista?
The response has been largely humorous, with the internet creating memes that poke fun at Apple’s similarity to Microsoft’s earlier design, prompting Microsoft to engage with their own nostalgic content.
3. Why is this design comparison significant for technology enthusiasts?
This comparison highlights the cyclical nature of design innovations in the tech industry and how companies influence one another, raising discussions about originality versus evolution in design.
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