On June 9 on the opening presentation for WWDC, Apple will showcase all its main working methods updates popping out within the fall. It’s all the time one of the vital essential occasions of the 12 months for Apple followers, however we’re anticipating particularly large issues this 12 months.
Apple is alleged to be updating all its working methods with a serious interface refresh that can dramatically change the appear and feel of its gadgets, whereas bringing all of them extra in keeping with one another so it’s simpler to choose up a distinct Apple system 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 assorted sequential numbers.
There will likely be dozens of adjustments, enhancements, and new options in what we count on to be referred to as iOS 26 fairly than iOS 18 as Apple standardizes its OSes by 12 months fairly 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 execs behind
The most important information about iOS 26 is that it’ll bear the largest person interface redesign since iOS 7. We count on large adjustments to the best way all the things appears to be like and behaves, from icons to the lock display screen. All of Apple’s different working methods (macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS) are going to observe the identical total design language and share components, in order that an iPhone person 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 concentrate on new customers and intuitive discovery (all good issues), however that it’ll lose some choices for skilled customers and fanatics 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 choices and a number of lacking choices.
I’m positive Apple’s new interface will look fairly, however will it lose performance that professional customers and fanatics have come to depend on? I positive 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 Giant 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 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 previous fashions: one for answering on a regular basis questions and one for performing instructions to manage your cellphone or good residence. There have been rumors that we would possibly get the Siri options promised for iOS 18 (display screen consciousness, private context, and in-app actions) this fall, however Apple hasn’t dedicated to something past imprecise guarantees.
Apple most likely doesn’t need to speak about Siri at WWDC. If all it has to say or present is similar options it promoted final 12 months however by no means launched, that’s simply extra egg on its face. However Siri is dangerousy’all. And it’s not okay for customers that it’s simply going to remain that method till late 2026 and even spring 2027.
Immediately’s Apple doesn’t admit errors or that any product or function is something lower than wonderful, however Apple screwed up. We’d like some assurances that Siri will not be going to proceed to be dangerous for one more 12 months or extra, no matter type that may take.
The brand new Siri appears to be like cool but it surely isn’t a lot smarter than it was earlier than.
Foundry
Simple and quick meals logging
Apple is alleged to be going large into well being with options like an AI health coach and maybe even meals logging. I’m unsure if I care that a lot in regards to the coach, however I actually need a sublime, dependable method to hold a meals diary. Apps like MyFitnessPal and MyNetDiary work nicely, however their interfaces depart a lot to be desired, and so they’re virtually all the time significantly restricted until you purchase a dear subscription.
I don’t know if Apple’s meals logging will likely 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 method to rely energy and macros with a great 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 an entire OS redesign to offer it an overdue makeover.
In the beginning, there’s autocorrect, which desperately wants enchancment. Everybody I discuss to says it was by no means nice, but it surely has gotten worse by some means in the previous couple of years. It usually makes ideas and corrections that make no sense in context, which in right this moment’s world of AI-powered-everything looks like the bottom potential bar to clear.
Foundry
The keyboard itself wants some touch-ups, too. I’ve needed a quantity row, at the least as an possibility, for years. And the interval key proper subsequent to the area bar all the time messes up my searches in Safari. I can’t inform you what number of occasions 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 area 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 every single 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 will 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 nicely.
A repair for the App Library
The App Library is barely helpful in that it lets you take away apps out of your House 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 wherever else on iOS, exhibiting 4 icons the place the fourth is definitely a bit of 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 resolve 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 mechanically sorted based mostly on App Retailer classes.
Foundry
An interface that shifts beneath your ft every single day is unattainable to make use of. I might hope {that a} rethink of your entire App Library interface is an enormous a part of Apple’s main OS redesign. It may at the least default to an alphabetical checklist (which pops up if you faucet into the search area), however these awkward ever-changing folders have gotten to go.
Continuity Digicam for Execs
Continuity Digicam is superior. You’ll be able to wirelessly use your iPhone as a webcam and it’s virtually actually method higher than any webcam you’ve got.
But it surely’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 couple of further options. Enable for wired connections that bump the decision as much as 4K and 60fps whereas lowering 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 turn 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 Digicam is an superior straightforward method to your iPhone to turn into a invaluable addition to your Mac. But it surely may achieve this rather more to essentially benefit from your superior iPhone cameras.
