WWDC 2025, Apple’s annual builders convention, begins at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Monday. Last yr’s occasion was notable for its concentrate on AI, and this yr, there’s appreciable strain on the corporate to construct on its guarantees.
As in earlier years, the corporate will concentrate on software program updates and new applied sciences, together with the subsequent model iOS, which is rumored to have probably the most vital design modifications for the reason that introduction of iOS 7. But iOS 19 (or 26, if different rumors in regards to the new naming system are true) isn’t the one factor the corporate will announce at WWDC 2025.
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 skeumorphic design with gradients and real-world textures to the extra colourful, however flat, design type that mirrored Apple’s then chief design officer Jony Ive’s style for minimalism.
Now, new studies counsel that an upcoming redesign might provoke an identical degree of response.
Reports counsel the brand new design could have parts referencing visionOS, the software program powering Apple’s spatial computing headset, the Apple Vision Pro. 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 may very well be applied throughout all of Apple’s ecosystem (together with even CarPlay), in keeping with Bloomberg, offering a extra seamless expertise for shoppers shifting between their totally different units.
iOS will change its naming system
According to Bloomberg, Apple will announce a change within the naming system for iOS at this yr’s WWDC. Instead of asserting the subsequent model of iOS as iOS 19, Apple’s working methods will shift to being named by yr. That means we may very well be set to see the launch of iOS 26 as an alternative, alongside the OS’s for different merchandise, together with adOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
Apple could preserve the AI information gentle this yr
While it could be difficult to prime the information associated to Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024, the corporate is anticipated to share just a few updates on the AI entrance.
The firm 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. While Apple has launched a number of AI instruments like Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools, Photos Clean Up, and extra, its promise of an improved Siri, customized to the top person and capable of take motion throughout your apps, has been delayed.
Meanwhile, Apple has turned to exterior corporations like OpenAI to provide its iPhone a lift by way of its AI capabilities. At WWDC, it could announce assist for different AI chatbots, as effectively. With Jony Ive now working with Sam Altman on an AI {hardware} system, Apple is below strain to compensate for AI progress.
In addition, studies counsel that Apple’s Health app might quickly incorporate AI know-how, which might embody a well being chatbot and generative AI insights that present customized health-related ideas primarily based on person information. Additionally, different apps, akin to Messages, could obtain enhancements with AI capabilities, together with a translation characteristic and polls that provide AI-generated ideas, per 9to5Mac.
Apple will possible take advantage of various smaller OS updates that contain AI, given its underwhelming progress. Reports counsel that these updates might embody AI-powered battery administration options and an AI-powered Shortcuts app, for example.
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 growing old Game Center app. The app might embody 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
Along with the brand new design, studies counsel that Apple’s different working methods will get some polish, too. For occasion, macOS may see the brand new gaming app and profit from the brand new AirPods options. It’s additionally anticipated to be named macOS Tahoe, consistent with Apple’s naming conference that reference California landmarks.
Apple TV could get a visible overhaul, but in addition modifications to its person interface, the brand new gaming app, and different options.
AirPods to get new options
In addition to Messages getting a translation characteristic, Bloomberg reported that Apple might additionally deliver a live-translate language characteristic 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 could get new head gestures to enhance right this moment’s potential to both nod or shake your head to answer incoming calls or messages. Plus, AirPods could get options to auto-pause music after you go to sleep, a option to set off the digital camera by way of Camera Control with a contact, a studio-quality mic mode, and an improved pairing expertise in shared AirPods.
No {hardware} bulletins?
There haven’t been any rumors relating to new units, as a result of no {hardware} is prepared for launch but, in keeping with Bloomberg. Although it’s all the time doable that the corporate will shock us with a brand new Mac Pro announcement, most studies are saying that is extremely unlikely at this level.
Some studies point out that Apple may announce assist for a brand new enter system for its Vision Pro: spatial controllers. The units can be motion-aware and designed with interplay in a 3D atmosphere in thoughts, 9to5Mac says.
Bloomberg had reported in November that Apple was anticipated to announce a good residence pill in March 2025, that includes a 6-inch touchscreen and voice-activated controls. The system was mentioned to incorporate assist for Home Control, Siri, and video calls, however has but to launch.
