WWDC 2025: What to expect from this year's conference

Apple's WWDC 2025 promises significant OS design changes and a focus on AI amid heightened expectations.

: WWDC 2025 is anticipated to deliver groundbreaking updates, particularly the extensive redesign of iOS, potentially named iOS 26, reflecting visionOS influences. The conference will highlight improved software features across Apple's ecosystem, addressing legal pressures and AI developments following previous criticism. Apple's AI efforts include new functionalities in existing tools like Image Playground and a focus on personalized health insights as part of its flagship Health app. Despite these efforts, hardware announcements are unlikely, though the event could reveal new strategies for integrating AI into daily user experiences.

WWDC 2025, Apple's highly anticipated annual developers conference, is set to kick off with its keynote address at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET on a Monday. This year, the focus remains steadfast on software advancements, specifically highlighting the substantial overhaul of iOS, which might either be introduced as iOS 19 or, under new naming conventions, as iOS 26. This redesign is expected to mirror the aesthetic styling of visionOS, with expectations of transparent elements and revised circular app icons that deviate from the traditional square ones.

In response to previous shortcomings addressed by developers, Apple aims to rejuvenate its approach to AI technology, despite legal challenges centered around its App Store. After setbacks in delivering promised AI functionalities, Apple might share lighter AI updates compared to its previous announcements. Notably, Apple's AI suite includes tools such as Image Playground and Genmoji, but there are delays in releasing a more personalized Siri, showcasing strategic recalibrations in its AI roadmap.

Notably, the potential for seamless integration across Apple's ecosystem is high, with design updates speculated for macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and even inclusions like CarPlay. This is in line with Apple's vision of a consolidated user experience, intertwining daily digital interactions across its device portfolio. Bloomberg suggests a new direction for Apple with a dedicated gaming app, replacing Game Center and potentially expanding with features supporting social interactions via iMessage or FaceTime.

During the event, Apple is likely to announce the collapsing of its naming structure, opting for year-based identifiers like iOS 26, aligning its different systems under a unified numerical identity reflective of the release year. This approach not only refreshes identity but could streamline consumer understanding of the company's product timelines, enhancing the comprehensibility of releases like macOS Tahoe, particularly for peripheral and ecosystem devices.

WWDC might also introduce significant updates to the Health app, employing AI to offer users personalized health advice through dedicated chatbots. Additionally, anticipated enhancements to AirPods include a live-translation feature and head gestures for greater user interaction, further diversifying functionalities in line with Apple's AI-driven strategy for elevated user experiences.

Sources: TechCrunch, Bloomberg, 9to5Mac

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