Apple’s WWDC is set to unveil major software updates across its product range, including the iPhone and Apple Watch, at 1 p.m. ET on Monday. The event will emphasize improvements to the Apple Intelligence platform amid ongoing competition in AI. Although last year’s push into AI expanded Apple’s capabilities, delays have raised concerns about their AI differentiation. Upcoming updates may include significant redesigns and changes in software naming conventions for continuity across products.
Apple is gearing up for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which will begin at 1 p.m. ET on Monday. This year, the tech giant is expected to announce significant software updates for its various products including the iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and more. However, many anticipate a less dramatic rollout than in previous years, especially as Apple navigates the competitive AI landscape.
The company’s focus during this year’s event will likely include updates to its Apple Intelligence platform, which has faced delays. The previous iteration, meant to enhance Siri with a personalized touch, was not ready for last fall’s iPhone 16 launch. Apple has also been under scrutiny for pulling AI-generated summaries from Apple News due to inaccuracies, raising concerns about the uniqueness of their AI offerings compared to competitors.
In recent years, WWDC has proven to be a platform for Apple to dive into emerging technologies like mixed reality and generative AI, but experts believe this year’s presentation may be more restrained. Despite that, updates announced will significantly impact the billions of active Apple devices worldwide.
Typical WWDC highlights include major software updates across devices—iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and even AirPods. Speculations suggest this year could bring a redesigned software experience for many devices, adding new translation features, an AI-powered battery management tool for iPhones, and upgrades to the Messages app aimed at making it similar to WhatsApp.
A report from Bloomberg hinted at another intriguing change—Apple is contemplating a rebranding of its operating systems. Instead of the traditional step from iOS 18 to iOS 19, Apple might opt to label its upcoming iPhone update as iOS 26. This will possibly unify the software naming conventions across different product lines, which currently follow varying versioning systems, providing clarity for users in the process.
