Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 will run from June 9 to June 13, 2025 (IST), billed as “a week of technology and creativity.” You can stream the keynote live on Apple’s website or via the Apple Developer app and numerous outlets including Mashable will carry the feed.
iOS 26 and Unified Versioning
In a break from its traditional numbering, Apple is reportedly renaming this year’s iPhone update “iOS 26” to match the calendar year. The change will also apply to macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS, streamlining Apple’s software lineup. Early leaks suggest a major design overhaul: new app icons, menus, buttons and interface behaviours inspired by visionOS aimed at creating a consistent, modern aesthetic across devices.
AI Enhancements
Building on last year’s Apple Intelligence debut, WWDC 2025 is expected to showcase expanded AI features. While some promised upgrades like a deeply integrated, multi‑app Siri have been delayed until 2026, Apple has already introduced tools such as Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools and Photos Clean Up. Further announcements may clarify the roadmap for these next‑generation assistants.
New Gaming App
Apple plans to replace Game Center with a standalone gaming app launching alongside iOS 26 this September. This hub will unify access to Apple Arcade and App Store titles, complete with leaderboards, curated recommendations, multiplayer challenges and achievements. It will also support iMessage and FaceTime for remote play, and on Mac, it may embrace games sourced outside the App Store. Reflecting Apple’s recent acquisition of RAC7 Games.
Live Translation on AirPods
Later this year, AirPods may gain real‑time translation capabilities. Using the Translate app and onboard microphones, the feature will detect and convert between two languages during in‑person conversations, playing translations through the AirPods and iPhone speakers. Though model compatibility isn’t yet clear, support is expected for current Pro models and beyond.
iPadOS 19
On the iPad front, iPadOS 19 (which coincides with iOS 26) is set to introduce a “virtual reed calligraphy pen” that emulates the traditional qalam for Arabic script, along with a bi‑directional keyboard that seamlessly switches between Arabic (right‑to‑left) and English (left‑to‑right). These region‑focused features underscore Apple’s growing presence in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India.
