Apple WWDC 2025 Preview: OS Redesigns, AI Progress in Question, and Hopes fo...

摘要： AsianFin -- Apple is set to host its annual Worldwide Develo...

AsianFin -- Apple is set to host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) from June 10 to June 14 at its Cupertino headquarters, Apple Park.

The keynote — typically the most anticipated segment — will take place at 1 a.m. Beijing time on June 10, where the company is expected to unveil sweeping updates across its ecosystem, though expectations for major AI advancements remain subdued.

In a notable departure from tradition, Apple is standardizing the naming of all its operating systems — including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS — using calendar years instead of iteration numbers. This year, users can expect the debut of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and more.

The rebranding echoes naming conventions seen in the auto industry and aims to unify the Apple ecosystem's software releases under a consistent, intuitive structure for developers and users alike. However, some developers say they miss the legacy versioning system, arguing that it offered more character and clearer reference points.

Equally significant is a major overhaul of Apple's design language, influenced heavily by visionOS. Official teaser materials show Apple's logo rendered in a "frosted glass" effect, hinting at a broader UI shift across platforms. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the redesign seeks to visually align macOS and iPadOS more closely with the immersive, layered aesthetic of visionOS.

There's also speculation that iPhone and iPad icons may adopt the circular style currently seen on the Apple Watch and Vision Pro — though this remains unconfirmed.

Apple Intelligence: Underwhelming Rollout and Lingering Questions

One year after launching its Apple Intelligence platform at WWDC 2024, Apple's generative AI push is under growing scrutiny. Many of the features showcased last year, including the long-promised "super Siri," have yet to materialize in full, especially in markets like China, where availability remains vague.

While Apple made waves last year with its own 3 billion-parameter on-device foundation model, industry watchers now warn that the company's AI ambitions are lagging behind rivals like Google. Gurman has even described this year's AI offerings as potentially "disappointing," with little expectation of major feature leaps.

That said, Apple may announce new steps at WWDC 2025 to support developers, including opening access to its base AI models, and possibly unveiling larger models — with parameters of 7B, 33B, and even 150B — under internal testing.

Among more tangible updates, Apple is rumored to introduce real-time AI-powered translation for AirPods, leveraging Apple Intelligence. The feature would allow iPhone users wearing AirPods to hear translated conversations in real time, with bidirectional translation played back through either device. However, language support specifics remain unclear.

Could There Still Be a 'One More Thing'?

Apple's hallmark "One More Thing" moment has defined past WWDCs, but this year's event may lack the sizzle of previous reveals like Apple Vision Pro in 2023 or Apple Intelligence in 2024. Hardware updates are expected to be incremental, though there are whispers of a lighter, more affordable Vision headset targeting broader consumer adoption.

This year's WWDC tagline — "The world is waking up" — has also fueled speculation about the long-rumored Apple AR glasses, though most insiders believe 2026–2027 is a more realistic launch window. Still, Apple could tease early concepts or features to demonstrate continued progress in the XR category.

WWDC 2025 arrives at a time when Apple is seen more as a fast follower than a trailblazer, especially in the fast-moving AI space. The company is simultaneously playing catch-up and tying up loose ends from past promises. With a heavy focus on unifying design and naming, and modest expectations for AI, this year's conference may lack blockbuster news — unless Apple delivers an unexpected reveal.

Despite the tempered mood, developers and fans alike will be watching closely to see whether Apple can still surprise.