On June 9 on the opening presentation for WWDC, Apple will showcase all its main working programs updates popping out within the fall. It’s at all times one of the necessary occasions of the 12 months for Apple followers, however we’re anticipating particularly huge issues this 12 months.
Apple is claimed to be updating all its working programs with a significant interface refresh that may dramatically change the appear and feel of its gadgets, whereas bringing all of them extra consistent with one another so it’s simpler to choose up a unique Apple system and really feel at dwelling. It’s such a giant replace that they’re altering the names of all their OSes—utilizing the two-digit 12 months for all of them as an alternative of assorted sequential numbers.
There might be dozens of modifications, enhancements, and new options in what we count on to be referred to as iOS 26 slightly than iOS 18 as Apple standardizes its OSes by 12 months slightly than model, however listed here are 5 of the largest issues we hope to see at WWDC.
A brand new interface that doesn’t depart professionals behind
The largest information about iOS 26 is that it’ll endure the largest person interface redesign since iOS 7. We count on huge modifications to the best way all the things seems to be and behaves, from icons to the lock display. All of Apple’s different working programs (macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS) are going to comply with the identical general design language and share parts, in order that an iPhone person feels at dwelling after they begin utilizing a Mac for the primary time, as an illustration.
Almost all of Apple’s personal apps are anticipated to get modifications 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 skilled 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 a giant 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 individual private context and extra. However that’s not anticipated to be prepared through 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 sensible dwelling. 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 imprecise guarantees.
Apple in all probability doesn’t wish to discuss 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 approach till late 2026 and even spring 2027.
Immediately’s Apple doesn’t admit errors or that any product or characteristic 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 kind that may take.
The brand new Siri seems to be cool however it isn’t a lot smarter than it was earlier than.
Foundry
Straightforward and quick meals logging
Apple is claimed to be going huge into well being with options like an AI health coach and maybe even meals logging. I’m undecided if I care that a lot concerning the coach, however I actually need a chic, dependable method to hold a meals diary. Apps like MyFitnessPal and MyNetDiary work effectively, however their interfaces depart a lot to be desired, and so they’re virtually at all times severely restricted until you purchase an expensive subscription.
I don’t know if Apple’s meals logging might be a part of Health+, or free, or perhaps 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 desire a quick, dependable method to depend energy and macros with a superb interface, with out paying for yet one more app subscription.
Keyboard and autocorrect enhancements
The iOS keyboard wants some critical consideration. It feels prefer it has stagnated through the years, and I can consider no higher time than a whole OS redesign to offer it an overdue makeover.
At the start, there’s autocorrect, which desperately wants enchancment. Everybody I speak to says it was by no means nice, however it has gotten worse in some way in the previous couple of years. It usually makes options and corrections that make no sense in context, which in right this moment’s world of AI-powered-everything looks as if the bottom potential bar to clear.
Foundry
The keyboard itself wants some touch-ups, too. I’ve wished a quantity row, at the very least as an possibility, for years. And the interval key proper subsequent to the house bar at all times messes up my searches in Safari. I can’t let you know what number of occasions I’ve looked for one thing like, “greatest.new.sushi.restaurant.close to.me” as a result of my thumb retains tapping the interval as an alternative of the house bar.
Common Clipboard Supervisor
I really like Common Clipboard. Copy one thing on my Mac or iPhone, and paste it on the opposite? It’s a characteristic I actually use day-after-day.
However the restrict of having the ability to paste solely the latest copy is restrictive. Clipboard managers like Maccy are an superior answer 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 gadgets. It could be such a significant productiveness booster, and additional Apple’s efforts to make the entire ecosystem work higher collectively—particularly if Apple brings it to the Mac as effectively.
A repair for the App Library
The App Library is barely helpful in that it permits you to take away apps out of your Dwelling screens with out eradicating them out of your iPhone.
Organizationally, it’s a multitude. It’s comprised of those unusual folders that aren’t like different folders anyplace else on iOS, displaying 4 icons the place the fourth is definitely slightly multi-icon picture. You may faucet any of the primary three to launch the app, however that fourth multi-icon picture opens the folder. You may’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, and so they’re routinely sorted primarily based on App Retailer classes.
Foundry
An interface that shifts underneath your ft day-after-day is not possible to make use of. I might hope {that a} rethink of your complete App Library interface is a giant a part of Apple’s main OS redesign. It may at the very least default to an alphabetical record (which pops up if 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 may wirelessly use your iPhone as a webcam and it’s virtually definitely approach higher than any webcam you’ve.
Nevertheless it’s restricted in ways in which make it unsuitable for doing actual video work. Apple may flip this into an actual device for skilled content material creators and streamers with just a few 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 steadiness, and focus. The iPhone would change into the preferred streamer/creator digital camera in a single day.
Apple is at all times searching for methods to make its merchandise work higher collectively, and Continuity Digital camera is an superior straightforward approach to your iPhone to change into a worthwhile addition to your Mac. Nevertheless it may achieve this rather more to essentially make the most of your superior iPhone cameras.
