Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 begins today in Cupertino, California. The event will showcase the company’s software updates for the coming year.
Last year, Apple introduced its Apple Intelligence AI platform at WWDC. While the demos were impressive, the company has yet to fully deliver on its AI promises. For example, the rollout of generative AI-powered Siri remains unclear. So far, Apple’s AI features have not made a big impact on Wall Street or users.
This year, Apple may share more about its AI plans, but big announcements like last year are unlikely. Instead, the focus will be on new features for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and more. There is also a small chance Apple will reveal new hardware.
One major change is a redesign of Apple’s key software. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS will get a fresh look inspired by the Vision Pro headset’s visionOS system. This will be the biggest design update for iOS since 2013 and for macOS since 2020.
Tech insider Jon Prosser shared a video showing new iOS functions, such as changes when tapping app icons and a redesigned Camera app.
Apple is also changing how it names its operating systems. Instead of iOS 19, this year’s update will be called iOS 26, matching the year after release. This change won’t affect most users but is notable.
These software updates will likely be paired with the upcoming iPhone 17, expected this fall. The iPhone 17 will be slimmer and could boost sales in China, where Apple’s revenue has fallen recently. Together, the new phone and software could make a stronger upgrade package.
While AI may not dominate this year’s event, Apple will introduce some new AI features. Gurman says there will be an AI battery manager that adjusts power use based on how you use your iPhone. Also, AirPods will get AI-powered live translation to help users understand different languages. However, both people in a conversation will need AirPods for this to work.
Apple has already added hearing aid features to AirPods Pro. The company is also preparing to open its large language models—the technology behind generative AI—to outside developers. This could lead to AI apps running directly on iPhones instead of relying on cloud services.
Overall, WWDC 2025 will focus on software design, practical AI improvements, and possibly new hardware, as Apple aims to keep its loyal users engaged and attract new ones.
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