Apple introduces Containerization on macOS, Swift 6.2 & Xcode 26 with more LLM selections

Apple's latest releases update Swift (programming language), SwiftUI, and Xcode while introducing new workflows for running Linux containers on Mac systems. Swift 6.2 brings improved concurrency and tighter interoperability with C++, Java, and Objective-C, allowing safer and easier integration of Swift into existing codebases. The new Span type replaces unsafe buffer pointers for improved memory safety, while inline arrays enable developers to declare fixed-size arrays with compile-time optimization benefits.

For developers working across languages, the Swift-Java interoperability initiative now lets Swift code run directly in Java applications. Alongside these language updates, Apple introduces Containerization, an open-source, Swift-built tool that manages Linux container workflows on macOS and Apple silicon. The container command-line interface leverages Apple's Virtualization framework, running containers in lightweight virtual machines instead of Docker. Each VM runs the new Swift-based vminitd as its init system, which increases both security and startup speed.

Following the platform updates, Xcode 26 now supports external and local large language models, giving developers access to a broader suite of artificial intelligence like Claude via APIs or Apple silicon-based inference. New AI-powered Coding Tools suggest code edits, bug fixes, and documentation. Optional compilation caching and a preview of a new Swift package build system refine the build process. SwiftUI also gains support for Apple's Liquid Glass design, immersive space APIs for visionOS, 3D charting with RealityKit, and new WebKit APIs for embedded web content.