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The stakes are higher than usual at this year’s WWDC. Major Apple Intelligence features the company teased at last year’s conference are stalled out, the company got a stern talking-to from a federal judge a couple months ago, and… tariffs? Not an enviable position, but the show goes on. We’re expecting to see a new, spaceship-y design language for iOS and an updated naming convention for the company’s OS versions. Will it be enough to distract from the Apple Intelligence train wreck? Will Tim Cook apologize onstage for getting out over his AI skis? Probably not, but it sure will be an interesting show this year.
How to watch Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote
With Google and Microsoft’s developer conferences out of the way, now it’s time for Apple’s WWDC. The Cupertino company is gearing up to unveil new versions (and new numbers) for all its operating systems, as well as taking a second step at convincing everyone it’s a major player in the AI industry.
Rumor has it we may also see a whole new product category from Apple, with a HomePad smart display possibly in the offering. Here’s how to catch it all live.
Apple is on defense at WWDC
It’s early June and the vibes are decidedly off in Cupertino.
The hype leading up to Apple’s last two developer conferences felt much different. There was anticipation in 2023 for a potentially groundbreaking new headset. In 2024, there was a sense of urgency leading up to the company’s AI announcements and whispers that Siri might actually, finally be good at something. But 2025?
The Vergecast’s WWDC 2025 preview
This year’s developer conference is coming to a close, but most years the last one is the biggest one: Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference, when the company announces its software plans for the year to come. This year feels different, though. Apple is reportedly planning a redesign that will touch all its operating systems, and a new naming scheme to tie them all more closely together. Is that enough for a company under this much pressure? Regulators are changing the way Apple’s business works; developers continue to be frustrated with Apple’s rules and machinations; competitors are leaving Apple’s AI efforts behind. So what does Apple really need to show, and prove, at WWDC?
On this episode of The Vergecast, Nilay, David, and The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern talk through everything we’re expecting at WWDC — and all the things we’re not expecting. (Here’s a good MacRumors rundown of it all.) We’re likely to hear more about AI integrations, and more ways developers can access those integrations. We might hear a lot about Shortcuts. Will we see more multitasking options, both on the iPhone and iPad? Will your AirPods turn into remote camera shutters? Can AI fix your battery life? Rumors are flying, and as ever we won’t know for sure until Monday.
Apple is reportedly going to rename all of its operating systems
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge
Apple is going to change how it names its next set of major operating systems, Bloomberg reports. Instead of just notching up the version number, Apple will instead mark them by year.
However, the numbers will apparently align with the year after the one the update is actually released in, similar to cars. That means that the next big iOS update will be iOS 26 instead of iOS 19. Bloomberg says that other upcoming name changes include iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
Apple’s WWDC 2025 event starts June 9th
Image: The Verge
Apple has set the date for this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), with the event kicking off with an in-person experience to watch the keynote and Platforms State of the Union on June 9th at Apple Park and running through June 13th. Announcements will focus on the upcoming versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Apple reportedly has major visual design changes planned for its software platforms this year. WWDC could also see the debut of new hardware and an update on the AI-powered Siri features that were recently delayed.
The company used last year’s WWDC to introduce Apple Intelligence, showcasing still-unreleased advanced features for Siri that would allow the voice assistant to see your screen and perform actions based on what’s being displayed, integrate more deeply with your apps, and understand personal context when completing tasks.
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