An industry observer who uses both Apple and Android devices has published a wishlist of five features he hopes Apple will copy from Google in the upcoming iOS 27 release, expected to be previewed at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026. David Nield, writing for TechRadar, notes that while much attention will focus on the rumored Siri upgrade, there are other areas of the mobile operating system that require attention.
Keyboard Improvements
Nield points out that Apple's keyboard, used by over a billion iPhones daily, still suffers from autocorrect errors and mistyped words, nearly 20 years into the iPhone's lifetime. He notes that alternative keyboards like Google's Gboard offer a superior experience and calls for Apple to refresh the keyboard's digital design. "It's not exactly a disaster," he writes, "but it does tend to drag the iPhone experience down."
More Liquid Glass Customizations
With Liquid Glass now present across iOS, Nield suggests Apple give users more control over translucent effects and animations. He argues that the tweaks already implemented indicate Apple acknowledges it may have gone too far, but more can be done to let users customize colors and backgrounds. "Interface customizations are one of the few areas where iOS still lags behind Android," he states.
Version History in Apple Notes
Nield identifies Apple Notes as a powerhouse app used by every iPhone owner, yet lacking a proper version history feature found in Google Keep. Such a capability would allow users to roll back edits, undo mistakes, and track changes over time, which he finds essential for checklists and brainstorming.
More Place Details in Apple Maps
While acknowledging Apple Maps has improved significantly in recent years—with excellent visuals, accurate directions, and comprehensive features—Nield believes more place details are needed. The full article likely elaborates on this point, with the author comparing it to Google Maps features.
| Feature | Current iOS | Desired Improvement (inspired by Google) |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard | Autocorrect errors, mistyped words | Better accuracy, Gboard-like design |
| Liquid Glass | Limited control | More customization of effects and animations |
| Apple Notes | No version history | Edit rollback, change tracking (like Google Keep) |
| Apple Maps | Good but limited place details | Enhanced information (like Google Maps) |
The author emphasizes that these improvements may not all arrive in iOS 27, but he will be watching the WWDC 2026 presentation for any announcements. "And if these upgrades don't arrive this year, there's always iOS 28," he adds.
For trade professionals monitoring the smartphone ecosystem, software feature gaps between iOS and Android can influence consumer preference and, by extension, component supply chains and trade flows of mobile devices. However, no trade data or policy implications are discussed in the source article.
