On June 9 on the opening presentation for WWDC, Apple will showcase all its main working techniques updates popping out within the fall. It’s all the time some of the vital occasions of the 12 months for Apple followers, however we’re anticipating particularly massive issues this 12 months.
Apple is alleged to be updating all its working techniques with a serious interface refresh that may dramatically change the appear and feel of its units, whereas bringing all of them extra consistent with one another so it’s simpler to select up a distinct Apple machine and really feel at residence. It’s such an enormous replace that they’re altering the names of all their OSes—utilizing the two-digit 12 months for all of them as a substitute of various sequential numbers.
There will probably be dozens of adjustments, enhancements, and new options in what we count on to be known as iOS 26 somewhat than iOS 18 as Apple standardizes its OSes by 12 months somewhat than model, however listed below are 5 of the largest issues we hope to see at WWDC.
A brand new interface that doesn’t go away execs behind
The largest information about iOS 26 is that it’s going to endure the largest consumer interface redesign since iOS 7. We count on massive adjustments to the best way the whole lot appears and behaves, from icons to the lock display. All of Apple’s different working techniques (macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS) are going to comply with the identical general design language and share components, in order that an iPhone consumer feels at residence after they begin utilizing a Mac for the primary time, as an illustration.
Almost all of Apple’s personal apps are anticipated to get adjustments to suit the brand new interface, too.
My greatest fear is that Apple will deal with new customers and intuitive discovery (all good issues), however that it’ll lose some choices for knowledgeable customers and fans within the course of. The identical factor occurred with macOS 13 (Ventura) when System Preferences was up to date to System Settings and redesigned to be extra aware of these used to Settings on iOS. It was a noble trigger, however long-time Mac customers had been left mystified by poor design selections and a bunch of lacking choices.
I’m certain Apple’s new interface will look fairly, however will it lose performance that professional customers and fans have come to depend on? I certain hope not.
One thing about Siri
Apple has an enormous Siri overhaul within the works, the so-called “LLM Siri” that takes a brand new, very superior Massive Language Mannequin and makes use of that to create a conversational Siri conscious of your personal private context and extra. However that’s not anticipated to be prepared throughout the iOS 26 launch interval—it’s extra of a next-year factor.
Within the meantime, we’re caught with the identical Siri utilizing two separate outdated fashions: one for answering on a regular basis questions and one for performing instructions to manage your telephone or good residence. There have been rumors that we would possibly get the Siri options promised for iOS 18 (display consciousness, private context, and in-app actions) this fall, however Apple hasn’t dedicated to something past obscure guarantees.
Apple in all probability doesn’t wish to speak about Siri at WWDC. If all it has to say or present is identical options it promoted final 12 months however by no means launched, that’s simply extra egg on its face. However Siri is dangerous, y’all. And it’s not okay for customers that it’s simply going to remain that manner till late 2026 and even spring 2027.
In the present day’s Apple doesn’t admit errors or that any product or function is something lower than superb, however Apple screwed up. We want some assurances that Siri isn’t going to proceed to be dangerous for an additional 12 months or extra, no matter type which may take.
The brand new Siri appears cool however it isn’t a lot smarter than it was earlier than.
Foundry
Straightforward and quick meals logging
Apple is alleged to be going massive into well being with options like an AI health coach and maybe even meals logging. I’m undecided if I care that a lot in regards to the coach, however I actually need a chic, dependable approach to hold a meals diary. Apps like MyFitnessPal and MyNetDiary work properly, however their interfaces go away a lot to be desired, they usually’re nearly all the time severely restricted except you purchase an expensive subscription.
I don’t know if Apple’s meals logging will probably be a part of Health+, or free, or possibly a part of some new service. I don’t know if it correctly belongs within the Well being app or the Health app. I simply know that I need a quick, dependable approach to depend energy and macros with a very good interface, with out paying for one more app subscription.
Keyboard and autocorrect enhancements
The iOS keyboard wants some critical consideration. It feels prefer it has stagnated over time, and I can consider no higher time than a whole OS redesign to offer it an overdue makeover.
At the beginning, there’s autocorrect, which desperately wants enchancment. Everybody I discuss to says it was by no means nice, however it has gotten worse by some means in the previous few years. It typically makes solutions and corrections that make no sense in context, which in immediately’s world of AI-powered-everything looks like the bottom doable bar to clear.
Foundry
The keyboard itself wants some touch-ups, too. I’ve needed a quantity row, not less than as an choice, for years. And the interval key proper subsequent to the house bar all the time messes up my searches in Safari. I can’t let you know what number of instances I’ve looked for one thing like, “finest.new.sushi.restaurant.close to.me” as a result of my thumb retains tapping the interval as a substitute of the house bar.
Common Clipboard Supervisor
I like Common Clipboard. Copy one thing on my Mac or iPhone, and paste it on the opposite? It’s a function I actually use day by day.
However the restrict of having the ability to paste solely the newest copy is restrictive. Clipboard managers like Maccy are an superior resolution for the Mac, however what we actually want is a single cloud-enabled supervisor that simply seamlessly works with Common Clipboard throughout all our Apple units. It might be such a serious productiveness booster, and additional Apple’s efforts to make the entire ecosystem work higher collectively—particularly if Apple brings it to the Mac as properly.
A repair for the App Library
The App Library is just helpful in that it lets you take away apps out of your Residence screens with out eradicating them out of your iPhone.
Organizationally, it’s a large number. It’s comprised of those unusual folders that aren’t like different folders anyplace else on iOS, exhibiting 4 icons the place the fourth is definitely just a little multi-icon picture. You’ll be able to faucet any of the primary three to launch the app, however that fourth multi-icon picture opens the folder. You’ll be able to’t determine what the folders are, or what order they’re in, and the order retains altering. The apps proven in every folder hold altering, they usually’re mechanically sorted based mostly on App Retailer classes.
Foundry
An interface that shifts below your toes day by day is unimaginable to make use of. I’d hope {that a} rethink of the complete App Library interface is an enormous a part of Apple’s main OS redesign. It may not less than default to an alphabetical record (which pops up once you faucet into the search subject), however these awkward ever-changing folders have gotten to go.
Continuity Digital camera for Professionals
Continuity Digital camera is superior. You’ll be able to wirelessly use your iPhone as a webcam and it’s nearly definitely manner higher than any webcam you’ve gotten.
However it’s restricted in ways in which make it unsuitable for doing actual video work. Apple may flip this into an actual software for skilled content material creators and streamers with a number of further options. Permit for wired connections that bump the decision as much as 4K and 60fps whereas decreasing latency. Allow us to select any digital camera, together with the telephoto and entrance digital camera, not simply the common or ultrawide. Give us management over publicity, white stability, and focus. The iPhone would develop into the preferred streamer/creator digital camera in a single day.
Apple is all the time searching for methods to make its merchandise work higher collectively, and Continuity Digital camera is an superior straightforward manner in your iPhone to develop into a helpful addition to your Mac. However it may achieve this far more to actually benefit from your superior iPhone cameras.
