WWDC 2025 is just around the corner, kicking off on June 9, and Apple is gearing up to unveil its next wave of software—and potentially hardware—innovations. After the Vision Pro debut in 2023 and Apple Intelligence tooling in 2024, expectations are high for how Apple will chart its course in a landscape increasingly dominated by AI and cross-device integration. Here’s what to watch for, including the latest rumors about operating system naming, major design overhauls, AI features, and even new hardware tidbits.

A New Naming Convention: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and More

Apple is poised to abandon its long-standing incremental numbering for operating systems in favor of a year-based scheme. Instead of iOS 19 or macOS 16, expect to see iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 announced at WWDC25. Internally, Apple’s codenames suggest a unified rollout across all platforms next year (Solarium is reportedly the UI revamp codename). Opting for year-based names should simplify version tracking for both developers and users alike.

macOS 26 “Tahoe”: A Nod to California’s Iconic Lake

Leaked reports confirm that macOS 26 will be dubbed macOS Tahoe, continuing Apple’s tradition of California-inspired names. Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter indicates that “Tahoe” pays homage to Lake Tahoe’s reflective waters, a theme that aligns perfectly with rumors of a “glass-like” interface featuring translucent windows and frosted layers. Apple last undertook a major macOS redesign with Big Sur in 2020, so a Tahoe update—expected to drop in September after WWDC—would mark the third significant UI overhaul in five years.

Cross-OS “Glass” Design Overhaul (Codename: Solarium)

Hints toward a sweeping cross-platform aesthetic change have surfaced, with “glass” imagery on WWDC invites suggesting translucent UI elements across every Apple device. Bloomberg’s Gurman describes this as one of Apple’s most dramatic redesigns in years, borrowing heavily from Vision Pro’s VisionOS visual language—think frosted overlays, depth layers, and circular app icons. Early previews (leaked by Jon Prosser) indicate UI elements that mirror VisionOS, pushing toward a cohesive look and feel from iPhone to Mac.

iPadOS and macOS Further Convergence

With iPadOS inching closer to a desktop-class experience thanks to features like Stage Manager, WWDC may showcase tighter integration between iPadOS 26 and macOS 26. Apple’s long-running ambition to blur the line between tablets and laptops will likely accelerate, potentially introducing more desktop-style multitasking tools on the iPad and macOS-grade app optimizations on iPad.

watchOS 26 Gets Apple Intelligence and Enhanced Health Insights

The Apple Watch is primed to finally receive its Apple Intelligence upgrade. While watchOS 25 has offered basic AI features on iPhone and iPad, watchOS 26 is rumored to enable on-device AI for message summarization, translation, and even composing replies. More intriguingly, generative AI could power deeper health analytics within the Health app, potentially introducing a subscription tier for advanced insights—much like Google’s Fitbit Premium model. Early roadmaps hint that some “premium” health features may arrive in late 2025, with full rollout extending into 2026.

AI-Driven Battery Optimizations

Battery life remains top of mind for many users, and Apple is reportedly leveraging AI to improve power efficiency. The rumor mill suggests “intelligently applied power modes” that dynamically adjust background tasks, CPU/GPU usage, and screen brightness based on user habits. While iPhones have seen incremental battery improvements over the years, WWDC25 might introduce more granular, AI-powered power management for iPhones—and hopefully Apple Watches—aimed at squeezing out extra hours without manual tweaks.

Gaming Gets a Facelift: New Hub and RAC7 Studio Acquisition

Apple’s acquisition of RAC7 (the team behind Sneaky Sasquatch) signals renewed gaming ambitions. At WWDC25, expect a dedicated Games app serving as an all-in-one hub for Apple Arcade, Game Center, and third-party gaming services. This change addresses long-standing complaints about discovering and organizing games on iOS. Meanwhile, PlayStation VR 2 controller support for Vision Pro could signify the start of a bigger VR gaming push—but full details might trickle out gradually.

VisionOS: Toward Camera-Aware AI and Expanded Multimodal Capabilities

Vision Pro devices have yet to leverage their cameras for true real-world AI experiences. WWDC25 may finally introduce camera-aware AI features—such as object recognition, scene descriptions, and immersive translation overlay—mirroring advances from Google Gemini and Meta’s AI-driven spectacles. While visionOS 26 won’t fully match competing AR headsets’ camera-AI integration, early glimpses should outline Apple’s roadmap for on-device, privacy-focused visual AI.

Live Translation on AirPods and Siri Enhancements

Beyond VisionOS, live translation is set to expand to AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max, completing Apple’s localized AI trifecta across the core product lines. Siri may get much-needed intelligence boosts, learning contextual cues and translating in real time, enabling seamless cross-language conversations without third-party apps.

Rumored Hardware: New HomePod with Screen, Mac Pro M4 Ultra, and Possibly AI Glasses Teasers

While WWDC is primarily a software event, rumors persist about a screen-equipped HomePod that marries speaker functionality with a touchscreen, echoing Amazon’s Echo Show. Early concepts even hinted at a swiveling display arm, though more practical designs are now expected (sans robotic arm). In the Mac lineup, whispers of a Mac Pro M4 Ultracould surface, likely as a developer preview rather than a full retail launch. On the more speculative end, Apple may offer a teaser for AI smart glasses, aligning with Google and Meta’s moves into wearables—though details will likely be scant.

tvOS 26 and Other Device-Specific Tweaks

tvOS 26 should adopt the same year-based naming, introducing incremental improvements for Apple TV apps, enhanced gaming support for consoles, and tighter HomeKit integration. For HomeKit and Home app users, look for expanded smart home automations with AI-driven suggestions—such as predictive lighting schedules or energy usage insights.

What Won’t Change: Limited Big AI Reveals, Focusing on Iteration

Despite Apple Intelligence’s initial fanfare in 2024, insider reports indicate that WWDC25 will be “lighter than normal” on groundbreaking AI announcements. Major generative AI features may still be delayed, with Apple focusing on iterative improvements—an approach that has left some investors skeptical. The keynote will likely emphasize incremental roll-outs, a clearer AI roadmap, and how third-party developers can integrate Apple Intelligence into their apps, rather than unveiling a fully realized AI ecosystem.

When and Where to Tune In

WWDC 2025’s keynote kicks off on Monday, June 9, at 9PM UAE time, streaming directly from Apple Park. Developers and tech enthusiasts can expect a polished presentation of the new year-based OS branding, demonstrations of cross-device continuity, sneak peeks at AI enhancements, and possibly a few hardware surpriWWDC25ses. For those looking to stay ahead of the curve, following Apple’s own developer site and trusted outlets like Bloomberg and MacRumors will provide real-time updates.