WWDC 2025 could be light on AI as Apple hones in o...

Apple’s last two Worldwide Developers Conferences (WWDC) were significant events. In 2023, it unveiled its Vision Pro headset and visionOS, offering a glimpse into an AR future. In 2024, it shared its plans with the world to enter the AI race with Apple Intelligence, promising a wide array of AI features and enhancements for all its major operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

However, since Apple Intelligence was announced at WWDC 2024 and launched in the fall of 2024, the Cupertino-based company has struggled to deliver. The constant recurring theme has been that Apple overpromised and underdelivered on many features it showcased last year. A few prime examples include on-screen awareness, where Apple Intelligence can read and understand what’s happening on your screen, and a more personalized version of Siri that comprehends your personal context. Both of these, which were expected this year, have been delayed.

With WWDC 2025 rapidly approaching on June 9, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman notes, in his latest Power On newsletter, that this year’s event will feel more like a “gap year” for the company regarding AI announcements. Nevertheless, what is reportedly taking center stage at WWDC this year is reportedly Apple’s bold new “unified” redesign of all its operating systems, including a surprising name change.

AI is expected to be on the sidelines of WWDC

Apple is taking a big risk

While Google revealed tons of new AI features for Gemini at its recent Google I/O event, a similar occurrence is not on the horizon for Apple Intelligence at WWDC.

Gurman reports that Apple Insiders “believe that the conference may be a letdown from an AI standpoint,” indicating the company is likely to share only a few smaller-scale announcements about Apple Intelligence, which is a stark contrast to last year’s event. This year, Apple is adopting a cautious strategy, aiming to regain consumer trust following a disappointing year.

At WWDC next week, Apple is expected to announce that it will open up its on-device Apple Foundation AI models to developers. This means third-party developers will be able to leverage on-device AI features, such as text summarization and autocorrect, in their apps. This move will help expand the impact of the limited Apple Intelligence features already available on devices.

Additionally, Apple may present three key Apple Intelligence features at WWDC. The first is an AI-powered battery management mode, which will “analyze how a person uses their device and make adjustments to conserve energy.” The second is an AI-powered overhaul of its Translate app, which will “now be integrated with AirPods and Siri.” Finally, Apple will begin referring to specific capabilities within its apps, like Safari and Photos, as “AI-powered.”

As you can see, there isn’t much on the table regarding significant Apple Intelligence announcements, supporting the notion that this year might indeed be a risky “gap year” for Apple, as Gurman puts it.

Of course, Apple has numerous Apple Intelligence features currently under development. However, to avoid unveiling more about these features before they are ready again, they reportedly will not be in the spotlight at WWDC 2025. According to Gurman, some of these features include LLM Siri (a conversational version of Siri), a redesigned Shortcuts app with AI capabilities, an AI health service known as Project Mulberry, and even an internally developed ChatGPT competitor called “Knowledge.”

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Apple is reportedly redesigning and renaming all its operating systems

Goodbye iOS 19, hello iOS 26

Front Page Tech / Pocket-lint

While AI may not dominate at WWDC 2025, the highlight will likely be Apple’s eagerly-awaited redesign of its operating systems, aimed at creating a more cohesive appearance.

As reported earlier, the new design for Apple’s operating systems is anticipated to draw inspiration from visionOS, featuring translucent and glass-like interface effects, along with rounder, though not entirely circular, app icons.

The next iOS update was expected to be titled iOS 19. However, Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to rebrand all its operating systems based on the year.

Rather than unveiling iOS 19, iPadOS 19, tvOS 19, macOS 15, watchOS 12, and visionOS 2 at WWDC 2025, Apple might introduce iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.

Apple is reportedly making this change for various reasons, with a primary goal of simplifying its naming convention and demonstrating that its operating systems are genuinely unified in terms of design and functionality. Gurman notes that naming iOS after the year also further signifies Apple’s commitment to develop it over the upcoming year through a series of software updates (like it usually does).

Additionally, this naming strategy aims to give its updates a more “futuristic” feel. Apple usually releases updates in September, so labeling it as iOS 25 would create the impression of it being outdated by January. Choosing 26 suggests readiness for the future, similar to the approach many automakers adopt when naming their new vehicles.

Lastly, Gurman states that the theme for macOS 26 is expected to be inspired by Lake Tahoe, a freshwater lake bordered by mountains on the California-Nevada border, making it macOS Tahoe. WWDC 2025 is set for June 9, 2025. You can tune in for Apple’s major keynote address, where it will unveil all its new initiatives, at 1pm ET/10am PT.

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