WWDC 2025, Apple’s annual builders convention, begins at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Monday. Final yr’s occasion was notable for its concentrate on AI, and this yr, there may be appreciable strain on the corporate to construct on its guarantees, and to change the narrative after months of largely detrimental headlines.
As in earlier years, the corporate will concentrate on software program updates and new applied sciences, together with the subsequent model of iOS, which is rumored to have probably the most important design modifications for the reason that introduction of iOS 7. However iOS 19 (or 26, if different rumors concerning the new naming system are true) isn’t the one factor the corporate will announce at WWDC 2025.
Right here’s how one can watch the keynote livestream.
iOS is getting probably the most dramatic design change in over a decade
When Apple launched a significant overhaul to iOS again in 2013 with the launch of iOS 7, it felt jarring for a lot of customers with the shift from the prior skeuomorphic design with gradients and real-world textures to the extra colourful, however flat, design model that mirrored Apple’s then chief design officer Jony Ive’s style for minimalism.
Now, new studies recommend that an upcoming redesign might provoke the same degree of response.
Stories recommend the brand new design could have components referencing visionOS, the software program powering Apple’s spatial computing headset, the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional. If true, which means the brand new OS might characteristic a clear interface and extra round app icons that break free from the standard sq. format right this moment.
This visible redesign could possibly be implemented across all of Apple’s ecosystem (together with even CarPlay), in keeping with Bloomberg, offering a extra seamless expertise for shoppers shifting between their completely different units.
iOS will change its naming system
Based on Bloomberg, Apple will announce a change within the naming system for iOS at this yr’s WWDC. As an alternative of saying the subsequent model of iOS as iOS 19, Apple’s working methods will shift to being named by yr. Which means we could possibly be set to see the launch of iOS 26 as a substitute, alongside the OSes for different merchandise, together with adOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
Apple could hold the AI information gentle this yr
Whereas it is likely to be difficult to high the information associated to Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024, the corporate is anticipated to share just a few updates on the AI entrance.
The corporate has seemingly been caught flat-footed within the AI race, making bulletins about AI capabilities that had but to ship, main even some Apple pundits to accuse the corporate of touting vaporware. Whereas Apple has launched a number of AI instruments like Picture Playground, Genmoji, Writing Instruments, Pictures Clear Up, and extra, its promise of an improved Siri, customized to the tip person and capable of take motion throughout your apps, has been delayed.
In the meantime, Apple has turned to exterior firms like OpenAI to provide its iPhone a lift by way of its AI capabilities. At WWDC, it might announce help for different AI chatbots, as effectively. With Jony Ive now working with Sam Altman on an AI {hardware} system, Apple is beneath strain to make amends for AI progress.
As well as, studies recommend that Apple’s Health app could soon incorporate AI technology, which might embrace a well being chatbot and generative AI insights that present customized health-related ideas based mostly on person information. Moreover, different apps, equivalent to Messages, could obtain enhancements with AI capabilities, together with a translation characteristic and polls that provide AI-generated ideas, per 9to5Mac.
Apple will probably take advantage of a variety of smaller OS updates that contain AI, given its underwhelming progress. Stories recommend that these updates might embrace AI-powered battery administration options and an AI-powered Shortcuts app, as an illustration.
iPhone customers could get a devoted gaming app
Bloomberg confirmed a 9to5Mac report that mentioned Apple is growing a devoted gaming app that may substitute the getting old Recreation Heart app. The app might embrace entry to Apple Arcade’s subscription-based recreation retailer, plus different gaming options like leaderboards, suggestions, and methods to problem your folks. It might additionally combine with iMessage or FaceTime for distant gaming.
Updates to Mac, Watch, TV, and extra
Together with the brand new design, studies recommend that Apple’s different working methods will get some polish, too. As an example, macOS might also see the brand new gaming app and profit from the brand new AirPods options. It’s additionally anticipated to be named macOS Tahoe, in step with Apple’s naming conference that references California landmarks.
Apple TV could get a visible overhaul, but additionally changes to its user interface, the brand new gaming app, and different options.
AirPods to get new options
Along with Messages getting a translation characteristic, Bloomberg reported that Apple might additionally deliver a live-translate language feature to its AirPods wi-fi Bluetooth earbuds, permitting real-time translation throughout conversations. The iPhone will translate spoken phrases from one other language for the person and also will translate the person’s response again into that language.
A brand new report from 9to5Mac additionally means that AirPods may get new head gestures to enrich right this moment’s skill to both nod or shake your head to reply to incoming calls or messages. Plus, AirPods could get options to auto-pause music after you go to sleep, a method to set off the digital camera through Digicam Management with a contact, a studio-quality mic mode, and an improved pairing expertise in shared AirPods.
Apple Pencil improve
Based on studies, the Apple Pencil can be receiving a brand new replace, one that may profit customers who want to write in Arabic script. In an effort to cater to prospects in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India, Apple is reportedly launching a new virtual calligraphy feature in iPadOS 19. The corporate might also introduce a bi-directional keyboard so customers can change between Arabic and English on iPhones and iPads.
No {hardware} bulletins?
There haven’t been any rumors concerning new units, as a result of no hardware is ready for release yet, in keeping with Bloomberg. Though it’s all the time potential that the corporate will shock us with a new Mac Pro announcement, most studies are saying that is extremely unlikely at this level.
Some studies point out that Apple might also announce help for a brand new enter system for its Imaginative and prescient Professional: spatial controllers. The units can be motion-aware and designed with interplay in a 3D atmosphere in thoughts, 9to5Mac says. As well as, Imaginative and prescient Professional might get eye-scrolling help, enabling customers to scroll via paperwork on each native and third-party apps.
Bloomberg had reported in November that Apple was anticipated to announce a sensible dwelling pill in March 2025, that includes a 6-inch touchscreen and voice-activated controls. The system was mentioned to incorporate help for House Management, Siri, and video calls, however has but to launch. Following the invention of a filing for “HomeOS” by PMC’s Parker Ortolani, hypothesis has arisen that Apple could unveil the software program for the system at WWDC.