Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 will kick off Monday at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET, a highly anticipated event in which the tech giant plans to unveil significant software updates along with a potential major redesign of its iOS operating system. Following last year’s strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, Apple now faces considerable scrutiny as industry observers await details on its plans for both AI advancement and the future of its software ecosystem.
This year’s event, perhaps more than any other since the groundbreaking debut of iOS 7, promises a monumental shift in Apple’s signature mobile operating system. Reports indicate that Apple’s iOS overhaul will be the most extensive in over a decade, echoing the impact felt by users back in 2013. At that time, the company transitioned away from its skeuomorphic design roots towards a flatter, minimalist aesthetic under Jony Ive’s guidance. The new iOS design, rumored extensively to be influenced by Apple’s visionOS used in its spatial computing headset, the Vision Pro, could boast translucent interfaces and rounded app icons, potentially replacing the traditional squared-off style currently employed.
Additionally, Apple is expected to announce a naming convention shift, aligning its major operating systems—iOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, tvOS, and adOS—with the respective year number, beginning with iOS 26 instead of iOS 19. This change aims to simplify branding and streamline users’ understanding of software updates across Apple’s ecosystem.
Despite making grand promises on AI advancements in the previous year’s WWDC, Apple’s subsequent AI offerings have fallen short of expectations, with much-anticipated products such as an enhanced Siri delayed or incomplete. Consequently, the company will likely focus on practical implementations and incremental improvements rather than groundbreaking AI announcements this year. Potential new AI-driven features could include smarter battery management, advanced shortcuts integration, and updates to the Health app incorporating generative AI and personalized insights. Furthermore, updates to the Messages app, including AI-assisted chatbot functionality and translation enhancements, are also reportedly in development.
Gamers and digital entertainment enthusiasts will find particular interest in another major reveal: a new, dedicated gaming application that would replace the current Game Center and integrate more fully with Apple Arcade. The newly designed app could streamline multiplayer games, social interaction, and visibility into leaderboards and subscription offerings, coupled with direct integrations into iMessage or FaceTime for remote gaming sessions.
Updates are also anticipated for other Apple platforms: tvOS and macOS will receive some visual refinements, with macOS reportedly receiving the name “macOS Tahoe.” Apple TV’s interface updates could parallel changes made in iOS, and it may also incorporate the forthcoming dedicated gaming app. Moreover, Apple’s AirPods are rumored to gain live-translate language capabilities, improved gesture controls, features that pause music automatically if users fall asleep, new camera control functionalities, and a higher-quality microphone mode.
The Apple Pencil, meanwhile, is reportedly set to offer improvements aimed at Arabic-script users, including a unique calligraphy mode integrated into iPadOS, as well as a new dual-language, bi-directional keyboard function designed for users frequently switching between Arabic and English on their devices.
Hardware announcements are considered unlikely at WWDC 2025. Although Apple occasionally surprises attendees with new device unveilings, most industry reports suggest the company’s upcoming plans are strictly software-focused. However, Apple might detail new accessory integrations, including motion-aware spatial controllers for its Vision Pro headset and potential eye-tracking features for scrolling through documents and apps.
Lastly, following prior hints about a forthcoming smart-home tablet, speculation has surfaced regarding HomeOS, an operating system designed to manage and enhance Apple’s smart-home product functionality. Although first signaled months ago, it remains unclear whether WWDC will serve as the launching pad for this new venture.
Overall, WWDC 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in Apple’s ongoing narrative, heavily focused on a comprehensive visual overhaul, ecosystem-wide synchronization, incremental AI features, and new app experiences intended to enrich user engagement.
