On June 9 on the opening presentation for WWDC, Apple will exhibit all its main working methods updates popping out within the fall. It’s all the time one of the vital vital occasions of the 12 months for Apple followers, however we’re anticipating particularly huge issues this 12 months.
Apple is alleged to be updating all its working methods with a serious interface refresh that can dramatically change the feel and appear of its gadgets, whereas bringing all of them extra consistent with one another so it’s simpler to choose up a unique Apple gadget and really feel at house. 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 modifications, enhancements, and new options in what we count on to be known as iOS 26 fairly than iOS 18 as Apple standardizes its OSes by 12 months fairly 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 most important 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 every thing 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 house 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 give attention to new customers and intuitive discovery (all good issues), however that it’ll lose some choices for knowledgeable 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 conversant in these used to Settings on iOS. It was a noble trigger, however long-time Mac customers have been left mystified by poor design selections and a bunch 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 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 previous fashions: one for answering on a regular basis questions and one for performing instructions to regulate your telephone or good house. There have been rumors that we may 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 obscure guarantees.
Apple in all probability doesn’t wish to discuss 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 unhealthy, y’all. And it’s not okay for customers that it’s simply going to remain that means till late 2026 and even spring 2027.
At present’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 will not be going to proceed to be unhealthy for one more 12 months or extra, no matter kind that may take.
The brand new Siri appears to be like cool nevertheless it isn’t a lot smarter than it was earlier than.
Foundry
Simple and quick meals logging
Apple is alleged to be going huge into well being with options like an AI health coach and even perhaps meals logging. I’m unsure if I care that a lot concerning the coach, however I actually need a sublime, dependable approach to maintain 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 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 desire a quick, dependable approach to rely energy and macros with an excellent interface, with out paying for one more app subscription.
Keyboard and autocorrect enhancements
The iOS keyboard wants some severe consideration. It feels prefer it has stagnated through the years, and I can consider no higher time than an entire OS redesign to offer it an overdue makeover.
Initially, there’s autocorrect, which desperately wants enchancment. Everybody I discuss to says it was by no means nice, nevertheless it has gotten worse by some means in the previous couple of years. It usually makes solutions and corrections that make no sense in context, which in at this time’s world of AI-powered-everything looks as if the bottom doable bar to clear.
Foundry
The keyboard itself wants some touch-ups, too. I’ve wished a quantity row, no less than as an possibility, 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 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 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 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 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 gadgets. 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 barely helpful in that it means that you can 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 wherever 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 resolve what the folders are, or what order they’re in, and the order retains altering. The apps proven in every folder maintain altering, they usually’re routinely sorted based mostly on App Retailer classes.
Foundry
An interface that shifts below your ft every single day is unattainable to make use of. I might hope {that a} rethink of the complete App Library interface is an enormous a part of Apple’s main OS redesign. It might no less than default to an alphabetical listing (which pops up once you faucet into the search discipline), however these awkward ever-changing folders have gotten to go.
Continuity Digicam for Professionals
Continuity Digicam is superior. You’ll be able to wirelessly use your iPhone as a webcam and it’s nearly actually means higher than any webcam you might have.
Nevertheless it’s restricted in ways in which make it unsuitable for doing actual video work. Apple might flip this into an actual instrument for skilled content material creators and streamers with just a few further options. Enable for wired connections that bump the decision as much as 4K and 60fps whereas decreasing latency. Allow us to select any digicam, together with the telephoto and entrance digicam, not simply the common or ultrawide. Give us management over publicity, white steadiness, and focus. The iPhone would turn into the preferred streamer/creator digicam in a single day.
Apple is all the time in search of methods to make its merchandise work higher collectively, and Continuity Digicam is an superior simple means to your iPhone to turn into a precious addition to your Mac. Nevertheless it might accomplish that way more to actually make the most of your superior iPhone cameras.
