Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 is set to kick off today at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT), promising major software updates and fresh insight into the company’s AI and gaming ambitions. The keynote event, streaming live from Apple Park in Cupertino, California, is expected to reveal sweeping changes across Apple’s ecosystem — including a potential shift in naming strategy, AI advancements, and enhancements to gaming and device integration.

Goodbye iOS 19, Hello iOS 26?

According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing to unveil iOS 26 instead of the expected iOS 19. This rebranding move appears to be a strategic effort to unify all of Apple’s operating systems — including macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS — under a single numerical banner that aligns with the calendar year. The naming alignment could signal a more cohesive cross-device experience and simplify versioning for both developers and consumers.

While Apple hasn’t officially commented on the reason behind jumping straight to version 26, industry speculation suggests it could be tied to Apple’s fiscal year (which starts in October), or to match competitor naming conventions like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series.

Apple Intelligence: Redemption or More Waiting?

Last year, Apple debuted Apple Intelligence — its suite of AI-driven tools and enhancements. However, much of what was promised didn’t materialize until months later, and even then, features arrived incrementally through iOS 18.1 and beyond. Siri, in particular, received criticism for lagging behind AI assistants from competitors like Google and OpenAI.

At WWDC 2025, Apple faces a pivotal moment: Will it finally deliver the smarter, more integrated AI experience it promised? Or will this year’s updates be more about damage control and rebuilding trust with developers and users alike?

Gaming Gets a Boost: Game Center Revival

With mobile gaming becoming an increasingly important sector, Apple is expected to refresh its Game Center platform. The goal: deepen engagement with casual and hardcore mobile gamers, and better compete with the likes of Microsoft and Sony, both of which are investing heavily in cloud gaming and cross-platform ecosystems.

This move could be part of a larger strategy to integrate gaming more seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, especially as the Vision Pro mixed reality headset begins to see wider adoption.

More to Expect: HomePod, Vision Pro, and Beyond

Beyond software naming and AI, WWDC 2025 could bring surprises across other product lines. Rumors point to a new HomePod featuring a built-in touch display, offering richer smart home controls and multimedia experiences. Updates to VisionOS are also likely, as Apple aims to expand the use cases and developer tools for its Vision Pro headset.

Other expected highlights:

• Enhanced developer tools for Apple Vision Pro and mixed reality content.

• Siri improvements and broader AI integration across devices.

• New privacy and security features across all OS platforms.

• Updates to the Apple Watch, including health-focused features.

Naming Consistency: Will iPhone 17 Become iPhone 26?

If Apple rebrands its software lineup to reflect the current year, could hardware follow suit? The idea of an iPhone 26 launching alongside iOS 26 has sparked conversation, especially since other tech brands like Samsung have already embraced year-based naming. However, Apple is famously consistent with hardware naming — it remains to be seen if this tradition will change.

As the keynote approaches, anticipation is building. Apple’s WWDC 2025 could redefine not only how its products are named and function, but also how its users interact with them — powered by AI, driven by gaming, and unified by design.