Apple WWDC Preview: Comprehensive Overhaul of Operating Systems, Limited AI Updates, Siri Upgrade Still Absent

Apple Inc. is set to hold its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next Monday, where it is expected to release rational updates to its software systems. However, media analysis suggests that this event may not alleviate concerns about Apple's lag in artificial intelligence, as the focus will be more on enhancements to the design and productivity features of the iOS operating system, with limited updates in AI, and Siri continues to be delayed. For developers, the most significant AI-related update is that Apple will open its foundational large language model for the first time, allowing third-party developers to utilize the same technology to build AI functionalities.

Software Version Naming Shift to Year-Based System

The keynote address at this conference will begin at 10 AM Pacific Time on Monday, where Apple will unveil redesigned software interfaces for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch, along with some minor adjustments to the Vision Pro headset.

According to media reports, as part of this comprehensive reform, Apple will also make significant changes to its software naming convention, shifting from a version number system to a year-based naming system. This means Apple will release iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26—all named after the year 2026. Internally, these operating systems are referred to as Luck, Charisma, Discovery, Cheer, and Nepali, respectively. The Mac operating system will still retain the tradition of being named after California landmarks, with this year's version named macOS Tahoe.

While design updates will occupy a significant portion of this presentation, Apple will also discuss its "Apple Intelligence" artificial intelligence strategy. In this regard, Apple will allow third-party developers to access its large language model for the first time—essentially the core technology of generative AI. Additionally, the company will introduce new features better suited for office use on the iPad and a series of important updates for the Mac.

However, these AI updates are very limited and are not expected to impress industry observers, especially in the context of the rapid innovation pace set by Google, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI.

In fact, Apple clearly lagged behind when it launched its AI platform last year and has indefinitely postponed significant updates to the Siri voice assistant. Recently, Apple has adjusted the leadership structure of its AI department, separating the Siri and robotics teams from the AI head.

Meanwhile, Google showcased more powerful models and new AI search features at its developer conference last month, launched a new AI subscription service, and introduced a feature that generates realistic videos from simple prompts.

Apple is also facing another potential competitor. The company's former design chief Jony Ive—who helped create the original iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch—has collaborated with OpenAI's Sam Altman to develop new hardware devices. Samsung Electronics is also increasing its investment in AI, planning to establish a deep partnership with the startup Perplexity The following is a summary of all the content from Apple's WWDC conference, including some previously unreported details:

Major Updates for Phone, Safari, and Camera Apps

Among the new designs and features of Apple's operating systems, the most notable is that all operating systems, including CarPlay, will adopt a brand new interface. This new design, internally codenamed Solarium, is inspired by the visionOS of the Vision Pro headset. The main interface element is "digital glass," echoing the codename and will feature more light-sensitive and transparent designs. The appearance of the toolbar and tab bar will be reshaped, and app icons and other buttons will also be redesigned. The entire system emphasizes the use of pop-up menus, allowing users to quickly access a list of additional options by clicking a button. The menu bar and window buttons on the Mac system will also be updated.

Although there were rumors that the icons on the iPhone and iPad would change to a circular style similar to those on the Apple Watch and Vision Pro, it appears that their shapes will largely remain unchanged.

The "widgets" on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac will also be redesigned to fit the new interface style. However, their functionality will largely remain the same and will not become a more central part of the user experience.

In iOS and iPadOS, most core applications will not undergo major revisions aside from design changes, with only three applications receiving significant updates: Phone, Safari, and Camera.

The Phone app has not changed much since the iPhone OS era in 2007, and this time Apple will introduce a new view in iOS 26 that integrates "Favorites," "Call History," and "Voicemail" into a single scrollable window. This modernized view is optional, allowing users to switch back to the traditional interface via a button.

The Safari browser will feature a new address bar design that is more transparent and glass-like.

The Camera app will also simplify its interface. Currently, Apple has added various shooting modes, such as spatial video, panorama, slow motion, etc., which has complicated the interface. This will be redesigned in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.

Messaging App Upgrade and Preview Coming to iOS

The Messages app will also see significant upgrades aimed at competing with modern messaging applications like Meta's WhatsApp. Two major new features will be added: creating polls and setting chat background images. Background images will sync across devices, including those of chat participants, meaning that you and your friends can have the same chat interface.

For the first time, Apple will port the Preview application from macOS to the iOS and iPadOS platforms, allowing users to manage, annotate, and edit PDF files directly on their iPhone and iPad. The interface style is similar to Pages and Keynote, featuring a large logo at the top that reads Preview, with various document templates below. This application will be pre-installed and will not require downloading from the App Store Another pre-installed app is Games, which integrates game downloads and Apple Arcade in one place, resembling a game-customized version of the App Store. The app has five tabs: Home, Arcade, Play Together, Library, and Search. Against the backdrop of the Nintendo Switch 2 release, Apple hopes this new app will allow its mobile devices to play a larger role in the gaming industry. However, the app itself is not impressive enough to have a decisive impact.

The Vision Pro will introduce a new "eye movement scrolling" feature, allowing users to scroll up and down in documents and web pages by moving their eyes, including in native and third-party applications.

Apple is also preparing to support "magic wand" functionality for the Vision Pro, allowing users to use third-party controllers, such as the Sony PlayStation VR controller. These controllers differ from regular game controllers and can simulate hand movements, making them ideal for gaming or serving as a virtual wand to control visionOS.

The multitasking capabilities of the iPad will also be completely upgraded, bringing it closer to the Mac experience. This new feature may require connecting a keyboard and trackpad, such as Apple's Magic Keyboard.

The Apple Pencil will introduce a new brush writing tool called "digital brush." The keyboard in iOS and iPadOS will also add a "bidirectional mode" to switch between Arabic and English.

Apple plans to launch a new feature that synchronizes WiFi authentication information between devices. For example, if you log into a wireless network at the gym, hotel, or office, other devices will automatically log in.

Apple Will Open Its Foundation Large Language Model for the First Time

The most noticeable update in AI from this upgrade is the system-level translation feature. Apple launched the Translate App a few years ago and is now integrating it into all operating systems as the Apple Intelligence feature. Its main purpose is to provide real-time translation for calls and text messages. The company also plans to introduce a feature for AirPods users to translate real-time conversations. Google has already provided similar functionality in the Android system.

For developers, the most important AI-related update is that Apple is opening its foundation large language model for the first time, allowing third-party developers to utilize the same technology to build AI features, such as Writing Tools, Genmoji custom emojis, and text summarization functions.

Genmoji will receive a slight upgrade. Users will be able to create a new Genmoji by combining two existing emojis, such as combining a basketball and a trash can to create a "basketball in the hoop" emoji.

The Shortcuts App will also be upgraded, introducing the Apple Intelligence model to enhance its automation capabilities.

Apple is developing an AI power-saving mode for the iPhone, using AI to optimize battery usage. However, this feature is expected to be released later, as it is related to the thinner iPhone 17, which will be launched later this year and has a smaller battery

Siri Upgrade Continues to Be Delayed

Apple is still trying to use Google's Gemini model as an alternative option outside of OpenAI's ChatGPT, planning to integrate it with Siri and Writing Tools. Although Google CEO Sundar Pichai hinted that an agreement is imminent, Apple currently does not plan to announce it at WWDC and may wait until the U.S. Department of Justice rules on Google's search agreement before publicly advancing.

The upgrade of Siri has been postponed. The future new version will be able to access personal data and content on devices, and provide more precise control over apps and their functions. However, it is still in the early stages and no major updates will be released this year. The new version of the voice assistant, internally codenamed LLM Siri, is expected to take at least another one to two years to debut.

Apple also plans to launch a new version of the Calendar app, to be released across all platforms. Originally scheduled for this year, it has been postponed until next year, coinciding with iOS 27 and macOS 27. The new system is internally codenamed Buttercup and Honeycrisp.

Apple is also developing a comprehensive upgrade of the Health App, in conjunction with an AI doctor service codenamed Mulberry. However, these two are expected to officially launch by the end of next year, with only minor updates this year.

Last year, the company announced the Swift Assist feature, allowing Xcode to autocomplete code automatically. However, it failed to launch due to issues such as "hallucinations" (AI fabricating information) and other problems. The solution is to release a new version of Xcode that supports integration with third-party large language models, which can be used remotely or run locally. Apple is currently using the Claude model launched by Anthropic internally