Live updates: Apple unveils new ‘Liquid Glass’ software design and more updates from the WWDC

Apple announced a solution for pesky spam text messages at WWDC on Monday.

The company said users would be able to screen out new senders in its messaging app.

“Unknown senders appear in a dedicated area where you can decide if you want to mark the numbers as known, ask for more information, or delete,” said Darin Adler, a vice president at Apple. “Until you accept, messages from unknown senders will remain silenced and won’t appear as notifications.”

Apple also announced several other new messaging features, including customizable backgrounds and the capability to create in-message polls.

Apple also announced a new update that will make it easier to converse with people who speak different languages: Live translation.

“Live translation can translate conversations on the fly. It’s integrated into messages, FaceTime and phone,” said Leslie Ikemoto, an engineering director at Apple.

The new features could help Apple’s messaging platform stay competitive with those from Meta and Google. The search giant, for example, recently updated its spam text detection technology, while Meta’s WhatsApp lets users conduct polls and customize their backgrounds.