Tag: WWDC 2025

Key Takeaways

1. Apple is shifting to a year-based naming convention for its operating systems, moving away from the traditional numbering system.
2. The new naming system will apply to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS, simplifying updates for users and developers.
3. A significant design update, codenamed Solarium, is in the works, marking the most substantial visual change since iOS 7 in 2013.
4. Expected features for iOS 26 include support for external displays and a redesigned Camera app, while iPadOS 26 will introduce a new menu bar for improved productivity.
5. Anticipation is building for Apple’s WWDC 2025, where these changes and updates are expected to be officially announced.

Apple is preparing for a significant shift in the way it names its operating systems. Recent reports suggest that the company is stepping away from its usual numbering system for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and others. Instead, it’s adopting a year-based naming convention, which could simplify things for users. With a major visual overhaul also on the horizon, Apple’s next big announcement at WWDC 2025 promises to be transformative. Here’s what we’ve learned so far.

A New Approach to Naming

Bloomberg News (behind a paywall) reports that Apple intends to name its upcoming operating systems after the year they are released. This means this fall, we might see iOS 26 instead of iOS 19. This change, likely to be officially announced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, will affect iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS as well. The goal is to make it easier for users and developers to follow updates, similar to how some car models are named for the year they’re released. Therefore, we can expect names like iPadOS 26 and macOS 26, all coming with a similar naming style.

Major Design Changes Ahead

But it’s not only about renaming—Apple is also working on a substantial design update, codenamed Solarium, which will affect all its operating systems. Reports indicate that this could be the most significant visual update since the launch of iOS 7 in 2013, offering a new look for everything from the iPhone to the Apple Vision Pro.

For iOS 26, there are whispers of new features, including support for external displays and a revamped Camera app. Meanwhile, “iPadOS 26” is set to take inspiration from macOS with a new menu bar aimed at enhancing productivity for tablet users. Although information regarding watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS remains limited, the Solarium update is expected to deliver a unified and contemporary aesthetic across Apple’s product line.

Anticipation for WWDC

With WWDC just around the corner—scheduled from June 9 to June 13—anticipation is building around Apple’s new direction. Will iOS 26 and its counterparts meet expectations? We’ll discover soon enough, but for the moment, it appears that Apple is dedicated to refreshing its software and making it more user-friendly.

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Key Takeaways

1. Apple is changing its software naming convention to reflect the release year, similar to how car manufacturers label models.
2. This new naming system will apply to all operating systems, with upcoming versions referred to as iOS 26, macOS 26, etc.
3. Other companies, like Samsung and Microsoft, have experimented with similar naming strategies, but results have varied.
4. It’s still unclear if Apple will also adopt this naming convention for its iPhones, potentially transitioning to iPhone 26.
5. The anticipated iOS 26 is expected to feature a significant visual redesign and new features, to be revealed at WWDC 2025.

Apple is aiming to clear up the confusion surrounding its software versioning by naming its various operating systems according to the year they are released.

Naming System Change

This approach mirrors how car manufacturers designate the model year of their vehicles, keeping them relevant in consumer minds for a consecutive two years. For instance, just like Tesla labeled its latest update as the 2026 Model Y, Apple is likely to refer to its upcoming iPhone software as iOS 26.

Consistent Across Platforms

This naming strategy will extend to all of its operating systems. Instead of using names like iOS 19, macOS 16, iPadOS 19, watchOS 13, macOS 15, or visionOS 3, Apple is expected to unveil iOS 26, macOS 26, and others during the WWDC 2025 event.

Industry Trends

In the past, Samsung adopted a similar strategy for its flagship smartphones, transitioning from the Galaxy S10 in 2019 to the Galaxy S20 in 2020. This change was made to name its devices based on the release year, making them seem more advanced than Apple’s iPhones, which are currently on their 16th iteration.

Microsoft also tried naming its Windows operating system by the year it launched, but eventually switched back to sequential numbering.

Future Speculations

It remains uncertain whether Apple will implement this new naming convention for its iPhones as well, meaning the shift from the current iPhone 16 Pro Max to a hypothetical iPhone 26 Pro Max running iOS 26 could occur this coming September.

The upcoming iOS 26 is forecasted to showcase a significant visual redesign, promising a lot of new features to look forward to at WWDC 2025.

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