Apple’s annual conference for developers — WWDC — is going to take place from June 9. Here, new upcoming software features are showcased, but they are rolled out in a staggered fashion, starting with the launch of new iPhones, which usually happens in September. Last year, the company announced Apple Intelligence or its bouquet of artificial intelligence-related features. In 2023, it was about Vision Pro. It appears that Apple will mostly lead WWDC 2025 with design-related announcements. Here’s what you can expect.
Hello iOS 26?
According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to rename all its operating systems. From now on, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS and visionOS will be identified by year rather than a version number. If that is the case, we are not going to see iOS 19; it will be ‘iOS 26’.
It will allow Apple consistency, meaning all its operating systems will use the same numbering system. But we are in 2025? Apple is going with the way vehicles are numbered. Take the case of ‘iOS 19’. Since it releases a few months before 2025 ends, the operating system will live mostly in 2026.
Perhaps Apple should adopt the same naming principles with the iPhone as it will make things easier. Samsung changed the naming system for its Galaxy S series phones in 2020.
Design changes
The next operating system may have a completely different look, bringing the experience closer to what Apple offers on visionOS for its Vision Pro spatial computing headset. It is being described as the biggest update to iOS since iOS 7. The design changes are being made as part of the project Solarium, which is an in-house title.
The OS for Vision Pro places emphasis on translucency and UI elements that fade into the background to put the focus on content. If you look at the invitation for WWDC, there is a glass effect in the creative. The “glassy” look may involve subtle lighting changes, such as a slight glint for some UI elements when you move the iPhone.
Navigation bars and buttons may have rounded edges that blend better with the content behind them. In the Photos app, for example, photos could be full screen.
AI for battery life
Battery life of the iPhone has improved over the years, but there is room for more updates. Can AI help? Rumours say ‘why not’?
The company is planning an AI-powered battery management mode for the next version of iOS. Apple may introduce something on those lines in an update in September. It will analyse how a person uses the iPhone and make adjustments to conserve energy. To come up with the technology, Apple may look at battery-related data from user devices to understand trends and “make predictions” for when it should lower the power draw.
Apple tvOS
File picture of Apple Park. Picture: Mathures Paul
A product that Apple doesn’t talk about often is Apple TV, the digital media player. Don’t confuse it with Apple TV+, which is the streaming service. This year, tvOS 19 (or “tvOS 26”) may receive a lot of visual changes. There could be an emphasis on translucency and, in some cases, a frosted glass look.
There is a hint of it in the Apple TV+ app; you can access a floating translucent menu bar to quickly showcase the other options inside the app. Apple could be bringing this change to the rest of the UI. What about new hardware? It could be coming later this year, and it may come with a built-in camera to help during video calls. tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing users to have video calls using the rear camera of iPhone or iPad. If there is a camera on Apple TV, things will get even easier, especially in conference rooms. The hardware may also feature faster Wi-Fi support. Of course, if new hardware arrives, there will be a faster chip inside. Perhaps A17 Pro? Fingers crossed. That way, users can play console-quality games, and there will be hardware-accelerated ray tracing. We hope Apple Intelligence features are supported by the next Apple TV.
Dedicated gaming app
Apple has been pushing gaming on iPhone and MacBook for quite some time. It appears that the company is developing a standalone multi-platform app for mobile gaming, which will allow users to find and play games, access in-game achievements, view leaderboards, read editorial content, and communicate with other players. It is expected to replace Game Centre, and it will be the hub of all third-party games that are in the Games section of the App Store. Apple will also use the app to promote Apple Arcade.
The Mac has come a long way, and there are porting tools for developers to move apps over from PC to Mac. There are many Cloud-gaming services and on-device gaming services. What Apple is trying to achieve is to create a unified place where developers can pitch their apps with new editorial content and a unified place for users across all Apple devices.
A few days ago, Apple acquired the two-person studio RAC7, the same studio that created the popular Apple Arcade exclusive Sneaky Sasquatch. But we are not expecting the company to purchase big studios shortly.
Games are very important for the App Store, so the new app will help Apple attract more users. The iPhone is one of the most popular gaming devices on the planet. You can play AAA titles on some of the latest iPhones.
Live translation
According to Bloomberg, Apple is planning a new AirPods feature that allows the earbuds to live-translate an in-person conversation into another language. The feature may arrive as part of an AirPods software upgrade later this year.
Google Pixel Buds have been offering something similar for some time, and Apple has offered its in-house Translate app on the iPhone since 2020. The new feature is a natural step in the right direction. If you are with someone who speaks only Spanish, the speech can be live-translated to the user’s AirPods, say, in English… or vice-versa.
Apple has been adding new features to AirPods in the form of software updates for a long time, which means users don’t have to buy new pairs to take advantage of enhancements. Last year, Apple introduced options related to hearing health to the second-generation AirPods Pro.
Open AI models for developers
There are reports that Apple may allow third-party developers to write software using its artificial intelligence models. If that happens, there will be a boost to the development of new applications for Apple devices.
The iPhone maker could be working on a software development kit and related frameworks that will let developers come up with AI features based on the large language models that the company uses for Apple Intelligence.
Apple Intelligence already powers iOS and macOS features such as notification summaries, text editing and basic image creation. What about a Siri overhaul and more Apple Intelligence features? Many of the important updates are expected only next year, but as part of “iOS 26”. Apple is working on a more personalised version of Siri that will be more capable and more intelligent. It includes “onscreen awareness” or allowing Siri to see what’s on the screen to complete actions involving what you are looking at. For example, if you are looking at an address, Siri may show a contact card.
As for Mulberry, the codename for Apple’s AI doctor service and a redesigned Health app, it may not be shown this year.
Name of the next macOS
If Mark Gurman of Bloomberg has it correct, Lake Tahoe could be the theme for “macOS 26”. Since 2013, Apple has named every new version of its Mac operating system after a significant place in California. The first one was Mavericks, a surfing location. The deep blue lake of Lake Tahoe captures the reflection of the sky and surrounding mountains, which will match the upcoming changes to the interface design.
Mathures Paul
What’s expected
A design overhaul
New naming system for Apple’s operating systems
A dedicated gaming app
Feature rollout will be staggered
Preview of new operating systems should begin in June
Many of the updates are expected to arrive in September
Expect, but not right away…
New updates to Siri are expected to arrive only next year, even though it will be a part of “iOS 26”
Don’t hold your breath for…
Project Mulberry, codename for Apple’s AI doctor service and a redesigned Health app, is not expected to be shown this year
After WWDC...
Apple is expected to unveil the next series of iPhones in September, and it may include a slimmer smartphone.