When Tim Prepare dinner opens the annual Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) early subsequent week—maybe the largest Apple occasion after the iPhone’s fall launch—search for delicate hints about Apple’s future roadmap in synthetic intelligence, at the same time as this yr’s focus will probably be squarely on software program overhauls. It could be an indication that Cupertino is falling behind within the AI race in comparison with friends like OpenAI and Google. And whereas Apple gained’t admit it, this yr’s developer convention is shaping as much as be a extra subdued affair than previous WWDCs, partly as a consequence of Apple’s unpreparedness in AI.
At WWDC 2024, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence—a collection of AI options—and introduced a revamped Siri powered by ChatGPT. Nevertheless, the rollout has been sluggish, the options are restricted, and the promised Siri revamp has been delayed indefinitely. This has solely widened the hole between Apple and its “Magnificent Seven” friends, the world’s high seven tech firms. As soon as probably the most helpful tech firm on this planet, Apple now sits in third place behind Microsoft and Nvidia.
Whereas rivals are creating and launching new AI options each month—and betting closely on generative AI and AI brokers—Apple has barely made a dent. As a substitute, it leaned on a partnership-driven technique, which seems to have backfired, elevating issues on Wall Road and amongst buyers about whether or not Apple can reclaim its former dominance.
In recent times, Apple hasn’t launched any main breakthroughs, except for the Imaginative and prescient Professional, a $3,500 combined actuality headset. However gross sales have been underwhelming, and developer curiosity has pale. Studies counsel the headset has bought fewer than 500,000 items, highlighting tepid client reception. Apple additionally confronted a big setback when it shut down its long-running autonomous automotive challenge.
Whereas the iPhone continues to generate billions and accounts for almost half of Apple’s annual income, the machine is displaying indicators of innovation fatigue. Including to the strain, Apple’s former design chief Jony Ive has joined OpenAI—one of many hottest AI firms on this planet—and is engaged on a brand new sort of AI {hardware} that would probably problem the iPhone’s dominance.
Traders are actually questioning how lengthy Apple can preserve client curiosity within the iPhone. Whereas reaching new prospects in creating markets like India and Indonesia might present short-term good points, Apple’s core platforms—the iPhone, Mac, and iPad—have matured. In recent times, Apple has efficiently pivoted to companies such because the App Retailer, Apple Music, and iCloud, however the efficiency of those companies remains to be tightly linked to {hardware} gross sales.
With little readability on Apple’s subsequent massive transfer, this yr’s developer convention is anticipated to focus totally on the same old annual software program updates, with the iPhone set to obtain its largest software program redesign in years.
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iOS 26: The brand new identify?
Nicely, that now appears prone to be the case. As a substitute of iOS 19, the subsequent model of the iPhone’s working system could also be referred to as iOS 26—and the identical naming shift may apply to macOS 26 (the subsequent Mac replace will probably be a Lake Tahoe-themed), iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26. The rationale behind the identify change isn’t solely clear, however it might be tied to the key software program overhaul anticipated this yr.
iOS 26, the potential identify of the subsequent model of iOS, is anticipated to have a radical redesign. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)
The glass look
WWDC is usually the place Apple previews new software program for its core platforms—the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, and extra. However for years, Apple has largely launched new options whereas leaving the interface and total consumer expertise largely unchanged. Nevertheless, the thrill this yr is that Apple is planning to unify the look of its iPhone, Mac, and iPad working methods. Reportedly, the brand new interface may have a “glass” aesthetic—probably impressed by the Imaginative and prescient Professional’s UI, which incorporates a clear look and rounded menus.
The final main iPhone interface redesign was over a decade in the past with iOS 7, so this overhaul is lengthy overdue. By way of new options, count on functionalities just like the closely rumored desktop mode, which might permit customers to attach an iPhone with a USB-C port to an exterior show. New battery-saving options are additionally anticipated, and there’s hope that Apple will introduce deeper integration between iPadOS and macOS, permitting the 2 platforms to more and more mirror one another.
Apple Intelligence may come to the Apple Watch this yr. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)
WatchOS may get Apple Intelligence
One of many platforms that missed out on Apple Intelligence help final yr was the Apple Watch—however hopefully, that may change this yr. The massive query is how Apple plans to combine AI into the Apple Watch’s interface. Not each Apple Intelligence function is sensible on a tool with such a small display, however reportedly, Cupertino is engaged on incorporating generative AI insights into Well being app information. There are additionally studies that Apple might be creating AI-powered medical companies, which could launch in 2026.
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VisionOS, the working system that powers Apple’s mixed-reality headset, might be the inspiration behind iOS 26. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)
New app for video games
For years, there have been fixed requests for Apple to penetrate deeper into gaming—whether or not by launching a sport console, a gaming-focused streaming machine, or maybe a gaming Mac. All of those stay rumours, however Apple did launch a subscription service referred to as Apple Arcade. It’s a enjoyable service that works throughout all Apple units, however the sport choice is fairly restricted.
With the Swap 2 launching quickly (and the hype is astronomically excessive), Apple might introduce a brand new app that acts as a hub for video games and will fold Apple Arcade into it, changing the Sport Heart. Particulars are scant in the mean time, however the concept of a devoted gaming app that brings collectively the very best video games from the App Retailer and Apple Arcade makes plenty of sense—particularly at a time when Apple is being questioned for its monopoly and tight grip on the App Retailer.