Run workloads on Mac with the containerization framework

One of the more exciting technical announcements from WWDC 2025 is a new containerization feature for macOS. This might not sound groundbreaking, but it's very interesting for development teams and enterprises looking to leverage Macs in a more scalable way. Running development and enterprise services on Macs as a backend service can be tough, and Mac as a resource to run cloud-like workloads or as a server resource has historically been a challenge. There were always things that required a developer to work outside macOS or to use other servers or services to complete the tools necessary to do work. The need to manage everything as a native application or in a virtual macOS environment just didn’t fully meet the demand.

This new capability makes Mac more flexible and enables containerized Linux-based workloads to be run on Mac. For developers, this grants the ability to run processes and containers as services on Mac. For businesses, this also begins to open the door to using Mac as a server for containerized services and workloads. This means the power and energy efficiency of Mac hardware with cloud-like operation, security, portability, and scale of containerization. Apple hardware is now beginning to be able to handle a broader use case for the business.



Macs deliver greater long-term value for enterprises by reducing the total cost of ownership. According to this recent Forrester study, businesses can save an average of $547 per device. With higher residual value, longer device lifespans, and lower risk of security breaches, Macs offer a smarter investment that pays off with a 186% ROI.

Automated control with declarative management

Managing Apple hardware at scale in a company has long been difficult. MDM providers have solutions that provide a wide array of tools to manage machines as endpoint compute. These providers have also long been leaning into Apple for more capable controls to programmatically control a fleet. WWDC 2025 seems to improve this for official use with a feature-mature declarative management API for Apple hardware.



From my view, this isn't just about setting configurations; it's about giving IT tools the power to drive Macs using infrastructure as code. This means managing Mac devices at a scale in a way that hadn't been possible. Moving to more mature declarative management is a big step towards consistent, predictable, and repeatable Mac deployments, a key for any CIO. This ability to manage Apple devices with code could boost scalability, efficiency, state management, cut down on system work, and create a more stable environment for enterprise users as they use their Mac for workloads like services and AI systems

OS consistency and enterprise predictability

Beyond the technical side, Apple's move toward a consistent OS branding and merged operating systems is another big indicator of its shift to support businesses. The variety of names for OS versions across platforms was memorable for a more single-device approach, but it complicates things for IT teams that are managing many devices or even households with a growing number of devices to update and track. Apple's push for a consistent OS approach, like "OS 26," makes perfect sense for businesses and honestly makes it easier for users everywhere to understand from an update and security perspective, what the current and latest software is across platforms.



This focus on consistency directly addresses a core business need. When IT teams can rely on clear, standardized versioning, it simplifies planning, deployment, security, management, and support. This subtle but important change shows Apple understands what matters to CIOs: stability and easy management over playful naming.

AI updates to unlock device capabilities

Apple’s approach to AI continues to evolve. That approach is centered around privacy, control, and practical applications. The release of the on-device AI models further illustrates this focus by enabling developers to leverage the hardware-optimized local and private models to get the most out of their applications. It will enable businesses to use the unique features of Apple hardware and bring them to bear for business-specific AI use cases. The combination of these tools and abilities provides a business-focused platform for end-to-end workplace intelligence.

A unified design language for devices

The introduction of a new look and style may seem strictly like window dressing at first (pun intended), but the deeper use of Liquid Glass will have a big impact on the Apple ecosystem. A consistent design language across devices is being introduced here. It is also a design language that reflects the emerging technology of spatial compute environments. This is, in my opinion, a more subtle foundational step by Apple to create a harmonious framework for evolving interfaces as we move forward. Creating consistent and capable experiences on a wide array of devices and platforms as they continue to advance.

Spatial computing enters the enterprise

While many people equate the Vision Pro with gaming and consumer use, Apple is now clearly positioning it as an enterprise appliance. Features like mobile profiles, virtual displays, and identity-specific settings allow team members to easily swap headsets. For companies, this opens new doors for collaboration, training, and specialized tasks.



The tech behind spatial computing and Vision Pro also applies directly to other (seemingly unrelated) enterprise needs, such as running virtual desktops or other displays. These features go beyond virtual reality; they are about using advanced display and interaction tech to boost productivity and create new efficiencies in organizations.

WWDC 2025 Conclusion

TL;DR: Apple is increasingly focused on enterprise needs. Advancements in containerization, mature declarative management, OS consistency, consistent and new interfacing, AI, and strategic spatial computing all point to a future where Apple products are not just popular but powerful, manageable, and essential tools for businesses. For CTOs and IT leaders, these announcements offer compelling reasons to integrate more with Apple's ecosystem, promising a more streamlined, efficient, and capable enterprise environment.